Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) by Lauren H. Kelley Page B

Tonight.
    Long red fingernails tangled his thick hair as she held him to her bosom.
    “Oh, yes, yes.” Desire in her voice leaped into the night chill.
    Sebastian pulled away. “I guess you didn’t want me to do that either,” he teased, his voice soft, tender.
    “Mmm,” she murmured back, peering up at him with hungry eyes. “Are you going to finish this?” She reached down, placed needy fingers on Sebastian’s groin, pleading without shame.
    “Yes.” His sinewy hand raised the fabric over her bosom, and he sat up.
    Sebastian’s body away from hers extinguished the burning flames he ignited inside her. A frigid chill rolled through her in waves. “Sebastian, what are you doing?” she asked.
    “Finishing this.” A cool smile eclipsed the sensual glare that had been her captor. “I told you I wanted to make sure you arrived safely. My being here with you, like this, isn’t safe. I accomplished my mission, and now I should leave.”
    “You can’t be serious!” Ashley belted out.
    “I meant what I said. I want a second chance with you.”
    He pushed himself to his feet. A large hand extended down to help Ashley up. She glared at him. She couldn’t believe that she had allowed Sebastian Stone to bring her to the brink of desire. This game was supposed to be hers to win. Remembering her plan, and upset with how easily she had caved at his kiss, at his touch, anger welled up inside her.
    Ashley jerked away from Sebastian’s outstretched hand. “Fine.” Shuffling to her feet, she dusted sand from her dress for the second time that evening and shook the granules out of her tousled mane. “Just go.”
    A smug grin greeted her. “Good night, Ashley.” Sebastian lowered his head.
    Ashley balled her fists at her sides, tightening each wad until her nails pressed into her fleshy palm and sent a shock of pain through frazzled nerve endings. She whirled around. Not waiting for his next move or words, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her toward the house.
    Sebastian, one. Ashley, zero. She would fire the next round in their dangerous duel of desire and show that chauvinist pig exactly how unfilled desire felt.

Chapter Five
    Sebastian clicked on the next tab. Scrolled to the left. His beloved Ellie stared back at him. Sebastian always loved that photo. He snapped the secret shot of her exactly two weeks to the day. Her radiance still affected him even five years after she had left him. Since his last drink and vow of sobriety three years ago, Sebastian found a new vice—his ritualistic morning cup of steaming hot java. Sometimes two cups. Sometimes more. Anxious fingers wrapped around a warm mug, lifted the rim to his lips. The sweet scent of mocha and cream teased his nostrils, and he sipped. One hard gulp and his eyes closed. He always found Ellie in his memories, and he always had memories whenever he closed his eyes, explaining countless sleepless nights, red eyes, and his general lack of focus.
    A blaring ringtone startled Sebastian back to the present day. He closed the laptop, took another sip of coffee, and reached for his cell phone.
    The number displayed on the screen made him cringe. He sucked in a deep breath. “Hello,” he bellowed into the phone while massaging his throbbing temple.
    “Stone, we have a serious problem. I need your head in the game. Do you understand how much is at stake?” The man’s boisterous voice broadcast through the phone’s speaker filled the tiny makeshift office in his suite.
    “Stephen, I’ve told you one hundred times I’m working on a solution. I need a little more time.” Sebastian slammed the mug down on the desk. Hot coffee splashed onto his hand, scalding him. “Shit,” he mouthed silently.
    “Your time is nearly up. If you can’t present a plan to the board in three months, you’re out and the Carlisle on Peachtree will go on the auction block.”
    “Damn it, Stephen! I told you I was working on a solution. Can’t you buy more time? I need