Hypnotic Seduction (The Seduction Series) by Laurie Kellogg, L. L. Kellogg Page B

him. If the board got wind of him playing slap and tickle with his new assistant, he not only wouldn’t become chairman— he’d be out of a job entirely. Not to mention, his grandfather would probably disown him for poaching the woman he wanted.
    “Feeling better?” She smiled.
    “Uh—yeah,” he rasped past the dryness in his throat. “Thanks.” Amazingly enough, the ache in his head was nearly gone.
    Unfortunately, the throbbing had simply moved south.
     

Chapter 4
     
    foot-in-mouth dis•ease n. An acute condition in which an individual inserts a foot into one’s oral orifice. Not to be confused with hoof-and-mouth disease.
    Caution: Inserting a foot in one’s mouth can have serious side effects.
     
    Hannah sank into her seat at a corner table in the main building’s cafeteria that afternoon. The corporate campus had four smaller satellite lunchrooms scattered among its other six buildings where the majority of the hourly production workers ate. Therefore, mostly office and research personnel patronized the dining room in the corporate building.
    “Well? How’s it been going?” Callie asked, sliding into the chair across from her.
    “Life’s been great.” Hannah stabbed her fork into her chef’s salad and flinched at the clatter of dishes and a tray someone accidentally dropped. “In fact, I feel so good about myself I’ve started using the elliptical machine I haven’t touched since I bought it a year ago.”
    “Tell me about it.” Callie snorted. “My only workouts consist of carrying exercise equipment into my apartment and then back out when I get sick of it collecting dust.”
    Before getting up each morning and falling asleep each night, Hannah listened to the audio recording Diana had made to reinforce her treatment. She couldn’t believe how much it had boosted her confidence—or the erotic fantasies it inspired. Each day, she felt more and more self-assured.... and more sexually frustrated .
    Callie sipped her drink and pointed at Hannah’s powder blue sheath. “If you’re feeling more confident, why are you still dressing like my Aunt Gertie ?”
    “I don’t know.” Hannah sighed. “I guess I feel funny about suddenly changing my appearance. And to be honest, my entire closet is filled with outfits like this. I’ve lost five pounds since my first appointment with Diana. I’d like to lose a few more before I buy anything new. Anyway, I can’t spare a penny until I’m sure I’ll still have a job next week.”
    “Don’t worry. Everyone’s thrilled with the great mood JC’s been in. There’d be a major revolt if he tried to get rid of you.”
    Hannah crossed her fingers. “I hope so. My probation ends with this week’s paycheck. He looked at me sort of weird all morning. Like he couldn’t make up his mind about me.”
    “As soon as you get your raise, we’re going shopping to make your outside over to match your new inside.”
    “That’s probably not such a hot idea. My new inside’s having some really indecent dreams. Jordan would croak if I walked into the office dressed to play out one of them.”
    Callie peered at her. “I hope you’re not falling for—”
    “ Too late . I’ve had a crush on him since day one.”
    “Huge mistake. The only guy more anti-marriage than JC is Bryce.”
    “Believe me, I have no illusions about my boss.” In the last month, Hannah had placed more dinner reservations and florist orders and transferred more phone calls from giggly women than in all her combined years of working.
    “Good. Our esteemed CEO is paranoid about predatory women. The whole reason he let Renee go was because she couldn’t keep her hands to herself. JC’s a fair man, but he’s not afraid to fire someone who makes too many mistakes or spends their days drooling on his mail.”
    That explained Jordan’s reaction when Hannah had told him she’d been engaged to her last boss. “I’ll be sure to keep my hands glued to my computer