Red Collar Read Online Free Page A

revolting!”
    His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Get out,” he growled.
    “No, I won’t,” she seethed.  “I took off my dress, didn’t I? I was all prepared to bare my dignity to a man as vile as you. But that’s my personal opinion. How does that render any violation to the contract?”
    “Get out,” he growled again.
    “If I do,” she warned. “So will this contract. I’ll take this to the media. I’m sure they would be keenly interested to hear what the CEO of Reid Enterprises…”
    She didn’t finish.
    He had marched over to her in two angry strides and grabbed her by her elbows. He was surprised by how frail she felt. Quite unlike the temper she carried.
    Her threat had riled him to his core. No one had done that to him in a long time. He had meant to shake her roughly. But now even as he stood holding her, he felt an awakening stir inside of him.
    She writhed in his hands, struggling to free herself.
    “Let me go!” she screamed.
    He smiled. “But I did. Not so long ago. And you wouldn’t leave. So no.” He pulled her against his chest. Her lacy brassiere rubbed against the nakedness of his chest in the unbuttoned opening of his shirt. An arm held her tightly at her waist; the other braced the nape of her neck.
    She thrashed violently against him, beating his chest wildly with her fist. 
    They moved in unison across the floor as he pulled her ever more closely to him. And there in the dim lights of the wall lamps, his hand brushed over her hair chignon, loosening a bobby pin. She shook her head vigorously to release his hand from her head but instead it only unwound her chignon. Her hair came loose, falling to her waist.
    Clayton stilled, mesmerized. His tight hold on her waist, turned into a soft caress, his fingers moving gently on her bare skin. He hardened against her as he breathed in her perfume, his eyes peering into hers.
    He leant forward to kiss her but she lurched back from him. Surprised, he released her. She staggered a little, trying to steady her wavering legs.
    “You’re treading on dangerous grounds, Ms Ripley,” he said in a low voice. “I don’t like being teased.”
    She flushed. “You fired me, remember? You can’t blame me.”
    He nodded, thinking.
    They stood in the dark, silently watching each other until he spoke again. “Very well. You’re re-hired, then. As my mistress.”
    Her spine stiffened as a shiver ran up it. “What?” unsure if she had heard correctly. “You can’t do that. I contracted to be your secretary.”
    “Yes. And a position from which I fired you from a few minutes ago.”
    “But you hired me again,” she insisted.
    “Yes, as my mistress,” he clarified.
    “I never agreed to that.”
    “Well, that’s all that’s available at the moment. Take it or leave it.”
    Kate puffed. “You are the most despicable man I’ve ever met!”
    Clayton grinned. “So, I take it that you’re accepting?”
    Kate lowered her head, her hands across her chest as she picked at the carpet with her toes, thinking. “Yes,” she mumbled, at last.
    He stooped so he could meet her at eye level. “Yes? Let me remind you Ms. Ripley, a verbal contract is just as binding as a written one.” He was though aware that it was unlikely to ever stand in court due to the immorality of their association. A knowledge he was determined to retain to himself, should she decide to accept.
    She glared at him. “I know.” She bit her lips. “So, when do you want me to start? Now?”
    “No,” he replied. “You are safe today, Ms Ripley. Tomorrow, I have a dinner scheduled with the executives of Alastair Group. I expect you to escort me. So make sure that you have a proper dress and cool that fiery temper of yours.”
    She started to protest but he interrupted her again.
    “And whatever opinion and prejudice you have against me, I anticipate that you will have them put aside. Because I warn you, Ms. Ripley, should you embarrass me, I will make certain that you pay for