Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Allison will help you,” Delores offered. She smiled, but it was carnivorous. “You can use my office. It's really quite important.”

Jace's hesitation was his downfall. Before he could protest, Delores hooked his arm in hers and propelled him inside the small office. The thin older woman was certainly stronger than she looked. Allison was right beside her and before he had a chance to say a word, the door was closed, Delores gone, and the two of them were alone.

Jace glanced around the room. The chairs meant for visitors were pushed up against the wall, leaving what little space there was in the office clear. Jace clearly remembered multiple picture frames sitting on the large wooden desk, but those were cleared off and the desk bare. A series of vanilla scented candles burned on the windowsill and the soft, deep tones of Barry White drifted through the office.

His eyebrow raised as Allison bent over the desk, pretending to get a pen but clearly sticking out her very shapely ass at him. The attempts to seduce him had been numerous, but he'd never had one quite this blatant. He straightened his jacket, remembering that he was wearing a tux rather than his usual suits.

They were trying to seduce him at his sister's wedding.

“Mr. Connor, could you help me with this pen? I think the cap is stuck.” Allison turned around and batted her eyelashes, biting her lip as she handed him a heavy fountain pen.

The cap was most definitely not stuck, and it was easy to undo and hand back.

“Thank you so much,” she purred, putting the pen to her mouth and smiling. Jace couldn't help but look at her as she slowly moved the pen in and out from between her lips. It was slow and sensual and she pushed out her chest as she did it, making the gesture even clearer. She had a great body, but as she licked her lips, she couldn't have been more obvious if she had turned on a red neon sign with pricing and hours.

It could have been sexy had it not been so absurd. Jace sighed. He knew a lot of men that would completely take advantage of that offer. Hell, two weeks ago he would have taken the offer without a second thought. But that was before he met Ella. That was before Ella had stole his heart and his brain and made it impossible to think of anyone else.

“Allison,” Jace said, gently putting his hand on her wrist to stop the pen from bobbing up and down. “I'm not interested.”

“What?” The pen stopped and her expression fell.

“It's not you. You are very attractive and seem intelligent and definitely motivated,” he explained, letting her hand go. “It's that there's someone else and I can't get her out of my head.”

“Sure.” The hurt was evident as she turned away.

“Any other time and you'd be on that couch screaming my name right now, but...” Jace scrubbed his hand through his hair, feeling lost around a woman for the first time in years.

“But she's got your heart,” Allison finished, turning around slowly. Her green eyes appraised him, searching for the truth of his words. While they were the same shade as her mother's, they had a richness that Delores's did not. “You're in love with someone.”

“I think I might be,” he admitted slowly. He wasn't ready to actually say it out loud, though. He'd only talked to Ella a handful of times and they hadn't even kissed, but yet, somehow, he knew. Love at first sight did exist.

“Well, I'm glad it's not just me, then.” Allison let out a sigh of relief, her hurt features transforming into a companionable smile. Her shoulders relaxed and her body language shifted into something less sexual. “Don't get me wrong, you seem like a lot of fun, but...” She shrugged.

“Thanks.” Jace frowned, suddenly feeling a little less virile. “Wait, seducing me wasn't your idea?”

“I like my men more lumberjack and less suit.” Allison hopped up on the desk and sat facing him. Now that she wasn't actively trying to seduce him, her manner was relaxed and calm. He found he was liking her a lot more this way.

“You mother put you up to this.” Jace shook his head and he put the pieces together. “Your mother is having you be the miner in this gold-digging operation.”

“It's not really her fault,” Allison replied quickly. “This is how she got her husbands, or should I say ex-husbands, and all her money. She doesn't know any other way and she expects me to follow in her footsteps.”

Jace gave her a skeptical look. “That's no excuse.”

“That's Mom. I gave up trying to defy her a long time ago.” Allison shrugged, defeat hanging heavy on her shoulders. She put the pen back on the desk, the metal clicking against the wood. “There isn't any paperwork for you to sign. It was obviously all a ruse to get you alone. But, if you could just stay in here for a few more minutes, she'd at least get off my back and I'd really appreciate it.”

She smiled hopefully. He could only imagine what it would be like having Delores for a mother. Poor Allison, being forced to seduce a man for his money, despite wanting something else. What kind of mother was that woman? He could only imagine what Allison had to go through on a daily basis with her. He could give the girl a few minutes.

“I can do that,” he said, leaning against the far wall of the office. The smile that lit up her face was worth the extra time.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much you're saving me right now. You have no idea how much she's been pushing.” Allison's shoulders relaxed and her smile was genuine and soft. “So, who's the lucky girl? She must be pretty amazing to have captured you so completely.”

Jace chuckled. “I certainly think so,” he agreed.

“If you need any help setting up a romantic date, let me know. The inn is at your disposal.” Allison buttoned up the loose two buttons of her shirt. “I'd love to be able to return this favor you're doing for me right now.”

The idea of a romantic date, perhaps out in the small gazebo, with no interference from Delores was too good to pass up. “You think you could get Ella the day off tomorrow?”

Allison's hands stilled. “Ella? You mean the maid, Ella?”