Seduced by the Billionaire

By Barb Han

Seducing Avery Avery McAdams believes in order to truly be herself she needs to keep her head down, her guard up, and her focus on her career. When she's hired by sexy, charismatic Ryker Li to pull off the event of the century, a piece of her wants him to see her as attractive, which goes against everything she's convinced herself she believes. Rich, powerful Ryker has made an art form of getting what he wants, when he wants it, and then moving on. But something about Avery makes him want to stick around. Can the billionaire playboy commit to the biggest deal of all? Or will a lifetime of mistrust and suspicion turn them forever into rivals? The Billionaire Bargain By choice or by force, everyone eventually walks out of Rae Stevens' life. Wealthy, powerful, and sinfully gorgeous Daegen Tan has it all. Except the one thing he truly wants: Rae, the woman who ended their passionate affair three years ago. He is determined to have her back in his bed. This time, he'll take pleasure in seducing her--and then he'll be the one to leave. Except his heart has other ideas. Can Rae stay long enough to give him a chance? And will Daegen be able to convince her that he isn't going anywhere?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781628304961

Barb Han

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Barb Han lives in Texas with her adventurous family and beloved dogs. Reviewers have called her books "heartfelt" and "exciting." When not writing or reading, she can be found exploring Manhattan, on a mountain, or swimming in her backyard.  

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Chapter One

Ryker Li knew the value of a personal appearance. No one turned him down in person.

He wedged his car into a parking spot in front of the New York pre-war office building and took the stairs three at a clip to reach Avery McAdam’s fifth floor office. He located the suite number above an etched glass door that read, E². Simple. Witty. And probably a hell of a lot cheaper than paying to write out Exceptional Events. Impressive.

The door was ajar and the lights were on so he didn’t knock.

Hello, he said, taking a step inside.

When no one responded, he checked his watch. It was still early for some, he guessed. He’d already squeezed in a five a.m. workout and spent two hours at the office finalizing the Japanese deal.

Might be out for coffee. He could give her a few minutes. After all, he’d made her wait all night for the tally from yesterday’s event.

Except, on closer look, someone was there asleep on the leather sofa tucked behind the door. He stepped forward to get a good look at the curled up little ball. She rolled over. The blanket scarcely covering her slipped off and tumbled onto the floor.

Her disheveled honey-colored hair splayed out brilliantly across the dark leather. The skin of her heart-shaped face glowed, and she had the most perfect chin with a dimple in the middle. She looked peaceful. Her golden, home-grown aura appealed to him on a primal level.

Ryker didn’t want to disturb her, but he couldn’t rightly watch the little thing freeze either. These old buildings weren’t known for keeping heat, and there was a draft in the air. Plus, it was dangerous to leave herself vulnerable like this.

When he bent over to pick up the throw, the young woman sat bolt upright. "Who the hell are you?" she asked. Her bottom lip quivered as she rubbed sleep from her wide eyes.

Was she scared of him?

Ryker Li, he said as a muscle in his jaw knotted, and his gaze slid over her. And you should lock the door if you plan to sleep in your boss’s office. He tossed the blanket toward her.

I didn’t plan on falling asleep, she said, looking outright offended by his presence. I was waiting for something. She rubbed her temples and eyed him up and down suspiciously. Focusing on the details of his expensive hand-tailored suit, her face muscles relaxed as she must’ve decided he couldn’t be a burglar. Why do I know your name?

This was not the reaction he was used to from women, but then he didn’t normally hover over them as they slept either. He gave her a moment to let his name sink in as he turned his attention to his Blackberry.

You’re texting?

He silenced her by holding up a finger. When he’d hit send, he turned his gaze back to her. I ordered coffee. For you.

Oh. Thanks. She sounded distracted or still sleepy. Sexy. Damn if his hormones weren’t reacting to her.

I’m looking for your boss, he said flippantly. This woman looked innocent and natural. Like nothing the shrewd woman who pulled off last night’s event would be. He surprised himself in needing to stare at her more closely. Seeing her tremble ever-so-slightly brought out a protective instinct it shouldn’t have.

Her brow arched. I’m the boss.

"You’re Avery McAdams?" Or whatever the hell her real last name was. He knew it wasn’t really McAdams and was vaguely intrigued by her choice to use a different name professionally. Even Ryker’s private security firm hadn’t been able to uncover her secret. Given enough time, they could find anything, but he wanted to know now. Getting what he wanted, when he wanted it had never proved a problem when Ryker turned on his legendary charm.

Ohh. She blinked as recognition brightened her eyes. "You’re Ryker Li. From last night. Right. Your event. Forgive me. Lack of sleep doesn’t do good things to me. I didn’t get much."

It took him a moment to absorb the fact this beautiful young woman was mature enough to pull off the most successful event in the history of the charity. Coffee’s on its way.

I’m sorry I missed you yesterday. I looked everywhere, but as you well know, with press involved these things become a circus, she said, and her sea-green eyes were enormous.

Despite his best effort, Ryker couldn’t completely erase the sexy, sleep image of her. He glanced at the cushion pressed to her chest. Lucky pillow.

I wasn’t there. I lend my name to the event, he said deadpan. Ryker almost felt guilty for allowing himself to be distracted by the sensual redhead from the club. The memory curved his lips in a tiny wry smile. He couldn’t regret Red.

Oh. Too good to get those perfect hands dirty... Avery stopped herself as though she realized the words weren’t just sounding off in her head.

Do what? Ryker looked down at her, bemused.

Those pink lips curled into a yawn, and he recognized the stall tactic. He smirked. Good. She needed to tread lightly.

No. Nothing. I didn’t mean...So, why did you say you were here again? She rubbed her temples as though trying to physically stimulate the return of common sense. Oh. The receipts. You must be looking for the total.

I’m here to congratulate you on a job well done. He already knew the hell of a job she’d delivered last night. Your plan was simple, honest, and brilliant. No glam party to raise money for orphans. An opportunity for the top fifty global companies to send their executives to be seen rolling up their sleeves and serving food at a soup kitchen. Sexy with brains too. Lethal combination.

It’s important in today’s age for CEOs to be seen caring.

A lot of people saw. Based on this morning’s news feed, your event drew international media coverage. Organizing orphans to hand top executives personal pledge cards while the world media watched was brilliant exploitation.

Exposure, Avery injected as red climbed up her neck.

Was she embarrassed? Interesting.

Coverage is good, she clarified, stretching out her arms. Knowing the tally would’ve been better. I’m sorry I don’t have that yet. She bit down another yawn. I need to make some calls and find out what happened to the courier. He might have mistakenly taken it to my house. She fumbled around in her purse.

No need.

She stopped and raised another honey-brown brow at him. How so?

Ryker knew exactly how much she’d raised. He enjoyed being present to deliver news with those kinds of results. Her calendar was about to be overbooked. He wanted her for his social event and wasn’t above a little personal exploitation to get it. When he handed her the tally from yesterday’s pledge cards along with his customary matching check, he’d nail down her agreement to plan his next affair.

You’re about to see for yourself.

****

"You have it, don’t you? That’s why you came all the way down here personally?" Avery’s gaze intensified as it reached his. And his was quite perfect. Mesmerizing actually. Even as his tight-gripped resolve was cool, he looked almost put off by the fact she didn’t melt at his feet. Then again, a man as gorgeous as he was probably didn’t expect a woman to criticize any of his actions. And she’d been rude so far.

I came to see you, he said. "Only I didn’t expect you to be Avery McAdams."

Why not? What’s wrong with me? Never mind. Don’t need to go there. She didn’t need to hear her list of imperfections from a complete stranger.

Forgive me being direct. You’re far too young and beautiful to be the woman who put together last night’s event.

Sorry for shouting before, she said, changing the subject as she tore her gaze from his and scrambled to compose herself. Had he just said she was beautiful? Surely not. Exhaustion had her hearing ridiculous things. You scared me half to death.

He stood there, staring down at her, and Avery felt her throat constricting as she stared back up at him. Command wasn’t the word for what Ryker Li did to a room. He owned every molecule in it. Effortlessly. And his smile was even more devastating. Law should require a smile like his to come with a warning label.

What do you want? She blinked up at him deadpan. She’d worked damn hard to build her professional reputation, and her success had nothing to do with age or looks. Wait? Didn’t he just say she was beautiful? A man like him didn’t throw around compliments; he must want something. Well, he poured it on a little thick. What did he really want? A phone number from one of the starlets last night? If you’d bothered to show, I’m sure you’d have no problem getting it for yourself.

What makes you think I need anything?

The compliments. The coffee.

Bemused, he smirked. Ironic. A woman nearly as jaded as me. You are beautiful. That part’s true. The coffee is so you’ll have a clear head and I’ll have a clean conscience. It’s my fault you slept here.

Oh. Apology accepted, she said.

He didn’t look moved. In fact, all the sex appeal crackling in the air around his physical presence shifted to his charismatic eyes. I wasn’t trying to scare you before. But I do have a question. With global media coverage, how did you manage to stay out of every shot?

A knock on the door interrupted them.

Coffee delivery, said a young man wearing a Nero’s cap, a khaki shirt, and matching pants.

Ryker motioned toward the solid oak desk in the center of the room. Set the coffee there.

Nero’s doesn’t deliver, Avery said as she mumbled a thank you and then made a near-fatal mistake in raising her face to really look at Ryker. There was something very threatening about this man, and it was more than just his devastating looks. He was powerful, dark, and outright dangerous.

Hadn’t she read an article somewhere about his surprising rise to the top after a youth spent as a thug?

He was a wolf in a hand-tailored suit, which was the worst kind of hazard, because she would never see past all his attractive packaging.

He crooked a tiny, sexy, devastating smile. You can get anything you want in this city with proper motivation.

Didn’t he mean with enough money? Or power? Or the right name attached to your request?

I guess, she said with a shrug.

You didn’t answer my question. How did you manage to avoid the photographers?

When you despise something, you’d be surprised at what you’re willing to do to avoid it. She picked up the blanket, noticing how the air in the room had gone thin. Avery couldn’t swallow. Her throat dried up, and her stomach quivered. Being near this man made her pulse thump at the base of her throat. Because when his gaze landed hard on hers, it spoke pure sex.

Thick, sooty lashes framed the most intoxicating shade of exotic brown eyes. His high cheekbones framed hard planes on his face, anchoring perfectly full, perfectly formed lips.

Looking at those lips almost made her forget that he thought himself too important to attend the charity event he lent his name to. She quirked an eyebrow at him, curious as to why he really stood here in her office. After all, he’d been too busy or too good to show last night. Then again, why would a man like him waste an evening on orphans when he could have any supermodel he wanted at his side, and in his bed?

Coffee. She needed caffeine. She gripped the Styrofoam cup and took a sip.

His thick lips curled. What is it now?

Avery felt flush, hot, and a feeling she couldn’t quite put her finger on stirred deep inside her. Nothing. Sorry. Her tongue darted across her lips. Much as I appreciate it, I’m slow today. Tell me why you’re here again? It can’t be to feed me coffee.

I’d have scheduled an appointment, but I’m leaving the country, and I thought you might like these. He held up the tally sheet along with his personal check, looking downright confused by the reception he received.

Nice of you to make a donation, she said with just a hint of sarcasm. What did he expect? Her to fall over and melt from his physical presence and his ability to make a pen move? Avery was certain most people—and by people she meant women—made no secret of enjoying Ryker’s presence. He completely unnerved her.

Frazzled, she snatched the piece of paper out of his hand and scanned the document for an amount.

Oh. My. God.

The dollar figure was substantial.

In fact, it was fall flat on her back big. The attached check nearly dwarfed it.

Wh-at? I knew we’d do well, but this? It’s even more than I expected. Wait. This was supposed to be sent over via courier last night. It’s why I fell asleep. Waiting. Avery looked at him, fighting against the impact he had on her senses. How did you get this before me?

I have my ways.

Oh, she was sure. With him standing so close, she could scarcely breathe for the fractured air around him. She got up to put her desk between them, needing a little distance to keep her sanity. No need to make eye contact. She knew he was a beautiful man already.

So he was attractive.

And had sex appeal in buckets.

Big deal.

When it came down to it, Ryker was the same as all the fancy rich people she’d watched make conspicuous financial donations. They won good press but never dreamed of getting their fancy clothes dirty by volunteering. Weren’t they all good looking on the outside too? Okay, not this beautiful.

The bottom line was, Ryker Li hadn’t been the kind of man to roll up his hand-tailored sleeves and help in person. It would take a lot more than looking at nice packaging the next day to impress Avery.

Good thing this arrogant man was about to leave.

She’d shake his hand, kiss the baby, or do whatever political action it would take to have him walking out her door with a smile.

A grin spread over his perfectly white teeth. I want you to work for me again.

Avery stumbled backward, grabbing the edge of her desk to keep herself from falling. She set the check down. Absolutely not.

His gaze scraped over her. I haven’t said what or when. Wouldn’t you at least like to know what you’re passing up before you decide?

Not used to being turned down, I see.

I don’t need to know. I’m too busy, she quickly countered. Too quickly.

Ice shot from his glare. His sheer force of personality had Avery feeling at a complete disadvantage. If he wanted her blood, she was sure he’d take it like he did everything else he wanted. But she didn’t have to stand here and lamely roll over for him now, did she? And she sure as hell didn’t have to accept more work. Not from him.

You’re not busy, he said abruptly. Let’s be honest. You need the work, and I need the best.

How do you know what I need?

I investigate everyone I do business with.

Investigated? She dragged in a breath and stared back boldly, refusing to be intimidated. Yet another good reason to get this man out of her office. And fast. Give me one good reason I should accept your project?

Sure, the check he’d written was substantial. He should consider himself bowed down to. But in the grand scheme of his wealth, the impressive amount scribbled out on the check was probably equivalent to Avery buying a week’s worth of groceries.

I’m busy. Thanks to last night. I landed a lot of new business, and I have to take the next few days to sort through it all, she said.

His posture was tense and aggressive, like a man poised to battle, except for the sexy little twinkle in his eye, which Avery was certain had been cued to make her melt. Sorry, bud. Not happening.

You still haven’t heard my proposition.

She felt dwarfed by his physical presence. Drawing herself up to her full height, she glared straight into his dark eyes. Then why don’t you take a seat, and we can discuss this like civilized adults?

Keeping his gaze trained on her, Ryker eased into the chair opposite her desk and clasped his long, lean fingers. And just what do you call what we’ve been doing so far? Tap dancing? The knotted muscle in his jaw ticked as he settled in, and he spoke clearly with his body language. He wasn’t about to go anywhere until she agreed to take his work.

No. Dancing actually implies doing something fun.

His dark brow lifted. I can think of better things to do with our bodies close together than dance.

Words were unable to line themselves up to come out right. Instead they clotted in her throat.

Avery figured one word from Ryker was all it usually took to get heads nodding and feet scrambling. And yet, there she stood, watching him as though he were about to make off with her family’s silver.

His lips curled into that arrogant but devastating trademark smile. "Let me know when you’re ready to play anything besides this cat and mouse game. You can start by telling me who you really are."

My family name? Well that’s none of your business. Or anyone else’s, for that matter. She heard her own voice rise and quiver toward the end of her sentence defensively. She took a lot of pride in her accomplishments, especially because she hadn’t used her family name to get them. She’d worked for them. Hard. And no one had the right to dig into her past or question her history.

Covering tracks, are you? he asked. The hallmark of a good thief.

She froze as his gaze landed hard on hers. He was trying to rattle her. Fine. She’d be damned if she’d bite. Instead, she leaned back and folded her arms. You had me investigated. Why don’t you tell me who I am?

Cold, calculating anger scored his brown eyes. As a general rule I like to know who I’m doing business with beforehand. The only reason for the investigation. Ryker’s gaze narrowed to slits. What I’d like to know is why you’re so determined to refuse my job.

The phone buzzed again, and Avery was desperate to reach out to it, if only to throw it against the wall and release her pent-up frustration. Leaning a slender hip against her desk, she folded her arms, doing her level best to radiate relaxation and calm. Her stomach, now tied in knots, betrayed her thinking from the inside out, but Ryker Li didn’t have to know it. She looked him square in the eye. Pure bronze. They were brilliantly colored.

It’s nice of you to be troubled to come all the way down here to offer me new business, but I’m already booked for the foreseeable future. She paused ever-so-slightly, just long enough to bite her lip. Afterward, I’d be happy to help. She was relieved they weren’t playing poker. She’d just revealed her bluff.

His jaw muscle pulsed again as her office phone rang for the third time. Then came, It might come as a shock to you, but I’m not insulting you by offering you work.

I didn’t think so, she said defensively.

The persistent ringing noise was beginning to be a real distraction when Avery realized she was late. She was supposed to meet her mother for coffee and had slept right through. Then again, she hadn’t expected to wait up half