A Calculated Seduction(21)

“Mr. MacMillan, you want to explain what you’re doing here?”

Embarrassed by the impulsive actions that drove him to her apartment, he shrugged. Not wanting to tell her this compulsion started out with the investigation and thoughts of his parents’ loveless marriage, he said the first thing that popped into his mind.

“I was wondering about the Gala.”

She frowned, then sighed. “What about the Gala?”

Good question. “I wanted to make sure everything is going as planned.”

“Mr. MacMillan—”

“Couldn’t you call me by my first name, Dulcy? It’s after hours. I promise not to tell anyone.” He smiled and her frown deepened.

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Fraternization is frowned upon at the company.”

Relief lightened her expression and he bit back a growl. “Liar. ”

She set her drink down on the end table with a click. “Mr. MacMillan...” He opened his mouth to argue, so she changed tactics. “Ethan. I know it’s not discouraged per se, but when there’s a supervisor involved, especially the CEO, it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“Dulcy, you would only be using my first name. It isn’t like I asked you into my bed.”

Her face flushed. He glanced at her bed, the memories of his fantasy coming back to life. Then he looked back to her face. The shade of red wasn’t particularly attractive. So there was no reason for his heart to stutter at the sight of her. He swallowed and tried to remember the mission. This woman was helping someone steal from his uncle. He needed her relaxed. From the wary look in her eyes, he was far from gaining her trust.

Guilt would work. “Dulcy, I...I find myself in a town where I don’t know anyone. Bill and Maude asked me out with them tonight. How sad is that?”

Her face softened into a smile and she chuckled. “They asked me too. Apparently, we’re both pretty sad if two senior citizens think they need to entertain us on a Saturday night.” She picked up a glass bowl filled with buttery popcorn. “Help yourself to the popcorn. I always make too much anyway.”

He grabbed a handful, popping a few kernels in his mouth. “So, you had no plans for tonight?”

She shook her head without taking her eyes from the television screen.

“I find it hard to believe Anderson didn’t want to go out tonight. ”

Her head whipped around, her eyes narrowed and the smiled faded from her face. Not a smooth move. But the jealousy pumping through him took control of his rational thoughts and shoved them to the back of his mind. And he had to know where the man was. Was he embezzling from him right at that moment? Was he out with another woman?

Was Anderson going to show up and interrupt Ethan’s seduction?

Whoa. Not a good idea to think along those lines. Even if his cock hardened at the thought of grabbing her and dragging to her bed. He was investigating her, not sleeping with her. Of course, if he did manage to get her into bed, they wouldn’t be doing much sleeping.

Dammit. He’d never slept with a suspect and didn’t plan to start. Contemplating things like that would only lead to trouble. Trouble that would keep him occupied for the entire night.

“I’ve told you, Pete and I are good friends.”

She broke his thoughts of beds and seductions, both of which involved the woman, with that one comment.

“So, you can call him by his first name?”

* * * *

Dulcy stared at Ethan and wondered if he’d been hit in the head lately. The conversation they were having made no sense, especially when you factor in he was here on a Saturday night. Irritation balled in her stomach, souring the popcorn she’d just been enjoying. It never failed. She would either embarrass herself, or he would irritate her. Or both. And there was no reason for her nipples to tighten, or her heart to skip an Irish jig when she was so irritated by him. She was sick.

“Pete and I are on the same level in management. Plus, I don’t have to worry...”

About being seduced by him. She could think it, and good Lord she was thinking about it too much. And there was no way she would say it to Ethan MacMillan. He saw her as a challenge. That was it. She was an oddity to someone like Ethan because she resisted him. Women threw themselves at him all the time. If he knew he was winning the battle, there could be some major problems.

Major problems that would no doubt include a night of great sex and a broken heart—hers.