Wanton Words

By Layla Chase

A corporate retreat provides laid-back Tadeo Xalvador with the opportunity he’s been waiting for—close quarters with co-worker Kit Emelin. She’s brushed him off in the past, but he's banking on her brusque manner having less to do with the professional competition between divisions...and everything to do with avoiding the attraction sizzling between them. Her type A personality drives Kit to view the forest retreat as another place to display her leadership skills. Nowhere in her plans does she allow for a board game of wanton words with the sexy wonder boy of sales. She clings to her rule against dating a colleague. But when coyotes drive them into an empty cabin, adrenaline and lust lead to unquenchable passion she can’t deny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Jan 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781509205769

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You

Wanton Words

by

Layla Chase

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Wanton Words

COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Layla Chase

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2016

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-0576-9

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To all who love a good play on words.

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

Layla Chase

NAUGHTY IN NORWAY

A nice little story about a vacation fantasy.

~Aster, Whipped Cream Reviews

WHIRLWIND

"Whirlwind was aptly named! For a short story it was rich with detail and cultural aspects I found fascinating."

~Shyla, Romancing The Book

~*~

This is a quick read but full of sizzle. Layla Chase writes a descriptive story and for tattoo book lovers this is one to definitely pick up.

~SensualReads.com

HEATED NEGOTIATION

I found this story charming. Who can’t relate to former lovers getting a chance to set things right?

~Honey J.

~*~

"Heated Negotiation is a contemporary erotic romance with engaging characters."

~Susan O.

Chapter One

Kit Emelin startled awake and sat upright in the armchair. What did I hear?

A click sounded followed by the squeak of wooden stairs.

A binder slipped off her chest and landed upside down on the plank flooring with a hollow thud. Blinking, she glanced around the unfamiliar room. Over-stuffed couches, floor pillows, shelves of books, a wood-burning stove.

Oh, yeah. The Gregorio Peak Retreat Center.

From outside came the crunch of boots on the rocky path from the outlying cabins. The murmur of voices filtered through the window as people walked along the mountain trail.

Panic tightened her chest at the thought she might have missed the weekend’s first activity. She glanced out the nearest window over the thick, evergreen treetops. The sky was several shades darker than when she’d entered the community cabin to do quiet studying. How much time had passed? Automatically, she slapped a hand to her waist where her cell phone was usually clipped.

Crap. No cell service in southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains.

Damn wilderness. Who in hell suggested holding a corporate retreat in such a rustic location?

She ran a hand through her hair and swiped fingers under both eyes. Napping hadn’t been on her schedule. Instead, she’d been memorizing the weekend’s agenda. No single opportunity to advance her position at Aristo-Stall would be wasted.

Maybe she had time to go back to her shared room in Cabin Five and splash water on her face. Scooping up the company-issued notebook, she dashed out of the cabin, down the steps, and turned toward the walking path.

Hey, watch out. A deep voice sounded from behind followed by a long skid of tires, a dull clatter of metal on dirt, and the echo of thudding footsteps.

A gasp escaped. Kit turned toward the sound and spotted the blurred movement of a large man coming closer.

Strong hands gripped her shoulders.

The next thing she knew, she was pinned by a wall of firm male flesh. Oww. Kit’s head bounced against the cabin’s wood siding, and the binder dropped. She grabbed for the nearest solid object and wrapped her hands around a set of rounded biceps.

Hot, hard muscles.

A throaty grunt sounded in her ear. The tang of male sweat mixed with the crispness of February mountain air assailed her nostrils.

Sorry, but you walked right into my path.

His breath ruffled the hair along her nape, and she shivered. Now, she recognized the voice. Tadeo Xalvador—the wonder boy of the sales division. For only a moment, she registered the press of muscled thighs and abdomen hard against her body.

Dropping her grip, she