Seduced by the Heir

Damn, Paris thought, licking her lips. I wish you were on top of me.

“You’re very passionate about what you do,” she said. “I admire that.”

“I think my ambition and my intensity has been the key to my success. Being the vice chairman of Morretti Incorporated is more than just a career. It’s my life, and I feel fortunate to be doing something I love. A lot of people aren’t that lucky.”

Tell me about it. Releasing a deep sigh, Paris toyed with her chain-link necklace. Owning a high-end salon—a trendy, glamorous place where women went to network, socialize and relax—would be a dream come true. But Paris was scared of falling flat on her face. It had already happened once, and it could again. “I love the idea of going into business for myself, but my father would never give me his support.”

“Why do you need his approval?”

Good question. Why indeed?

“You’re a smart, intelligent woman who can do anything she sets her mind to.”

I am! Paris considered what Rafael had said, and realized he was dead-on. My dad didn’t consult me when he married his trophy wife from hell, so why should I consult him about going into business for myself?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, picking up her napkin and dabbing the corners of her mouth. “Do I have chocolate icing on my face or something?”

“No, you look perfect.” He shrugged and said, “I was just wondering what our lives would have been like if we didn’t split up.”

“Sure you were,” she quipped, her tone filled with sarcasm. “Just admit it. You haven’t thought about me since our breakup, and the only reason you recognized me last night was because you overheard someone at the party say my last name.”

Rafael didn’t miss a beat. “I knew it was you the moment I heard your laugh.”

“No way. Seriously?”

“Once you love someone, they always stay in your heart. Contrary to what you think, I never forgot about you. You were my first love, and I wanted to marry you.”

“Rafael, we were kids.”

“No, we weren’t. Quit saying that.”

His sharp tone and the strength of his gaze shocked her.

“We were nineteen, and we both knew exactly what we were doing.” Rafael cracked a smile. “And if my memory serves me correctly you kissed me first.”

I sure did, and I loved every minute of it! Paris swallowed a moan, and buried her hands in her lap. Talking about the past would inevitably lead to daydreaming about all the times they’d laughed, and kissed. If she wanted to keep her wits about her she had to guard her mind against her memories.

She picked up her handbag and checked the time on her cell phone. Enough flirting with Rafael. Lunch was over, and not a moment too soon. “Thanks for lunch. This was nice.”

“You’re most welcome. It was my pleasure.” Rafael strode around the table and pulled out her chair. “After you.”

Standing, she took the hand he offered and slipped on her sunglasses. Paris was wearing her favorite pair of high-heeled shoes, but Rafael still towered over her. He was six feet six inches of drop-dead sexy, and being in the presence of such a gorgeous, virile man was doing one hell of number on her libido. Making love to Rafael was inconceivable, but when he rested a hand on the small of her back, it was all Paris could think of. He was her first love, and he’d always have a special place in her heart, but that was the extent of it. Paris wasn’t interested in rekindling their relationship, and as long as she remembered that all men were dogs—even charming, well-bred guys like Rafael—she’d never have to worry about being betrayed by a lover again.