Flirting with Desire Part 5: Flirting with Desire By E.J. Adams, #5

By E.J. Adams

When Sam opened the envelope her entire world spun out of control. She had no choice but to accept Jacob's help – or lose everything. The only question: can she control the burning desire for her former lover? For his part, Jacob must decide if he can be the man that Samantha wants and deserves. Don't miss the thrilling, humorous, and sexy conclusion to the Flirting with Desire series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.J. Adams Romance
• Release date: May 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540136367

E.J. Adams

E.J. Adams is the author of several successful Steamy Contemporary Romance series, with over 500,000 eBooks downloaded to date.  She is a romantic at heart and likes her characters to find their Happily Ever After. Her books offer moments of drama, humor, and heartache along the way. E.J.’s leading men are strong, but flawed, males. Her leading women are sweet, smart, and independent. E.J. writes romance you can get swept up by and takes you away.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Samantha

I was sure that everyone in the elevator could tell that I had been crying. This hadn’t been a good week for my face. I had agreed to meet Jacob at his office, but once I was inside the building, where actual people could see me, I thought I’d made a mistake. It would have been better to have him come to my house. Maybe not better for my resolve, but for my pride.

I tried not to look at anyone on the way up. It’s funny that when you don’t want anyone to see you it feels like all eyes are tacked right on you. It was probably just my ego, but the puffiness of my eyes, and the general delicacy preying on my state of mind, could probably be perceived from a mile away.

Regardless of all the people that I didn’t look at on my way to his office, I found that I had to look at his secretary when I told her I was there to see Jacob. My red eyes, swollen nose, and aura of vulnerability, would be immediately seen and understood by another woman. I detested seeming vulnerable, especially as a businesswoman. Men were always looking for a weakness they associated with femininity. I had determined never to give it over. It felt like I was doing my whole gender a disservice to show myself at such a time.

Mr. Webster is ready to see you, Jacob’s secretary stood and led me into the office.

Thank you, Maggie, Jacob said as I came in. I almost turned around and walked right back out the door, but the door closed behind me as Maggie saw herself out. I stared at him and he stared back at me. My eyes seemed incapable of letting go – of releasing his gaze.

Would you like to sit? He asked. Jacob looked different. His shirt was wrinkled and there was a pensive line creasing his forehead. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for me to understand.

I was happy to see that I wasn’t the only one upset about our situation. I didn’t answer his question, but sat down on a sofa that was pressed along the side wall. My body dipped back. I felt like I was sinking and the feeling made me panic. I stood back up.

I’ll stand.

He nodded at this as if he knew what I were thinking. Jacob sat back against his desk and I began to walk around his office.

I hadn’t been able to focus on anything but the pictures. They’d been all I could think about since I’d seen them. Now with Jacob a few feet away I was focusing on him. How was it that he had such an affect on me?

So, what do we do? I asked. I had to do or say something to take away the persistent taunt of Jacob on my mind. I took a stance near the window and forced myself to look away from him. As soon as my mind came back to the photos I tried not to cry again. I wasn’t sure which one was worse.

I’m so sorry, Sam. This . . . I could do some serious damage to whoever is responsible for this. Even his voice sounded different.

I think we know who’s responsible, I said. Thoughts of Charlie Murdoch and his smug little face had been creeping into my psyche and lighting fires at the back of my brain.

Charlie Murdoch? Jacob said more as a statement of affirmation than a question. If he is than I will.... The words petered out under his breath. I don’t know. Do you really think he’d be so obvious? He would have to know that we’d think it was him. That I have the money and power to ruin him.

Maybe he thinks the pictures are enough to keep us from destroying him, I said.

I had to try and keep myself from lashing out at Jacob. This wasn’t his fault, but I was still mad at him. I was mad at him for for letting it happen, whether that made sense or not, for encouraging me in the first place, and for looking so good right now. Oh, and let's not forget how royally pissed I still was about the whole business with the sex contract.

I was also mad at myself for still being so attracted to Jacob. How could I even contemplate wanting to have sex with him when we were faced with being ruined? But, damn, why does Jacob always have to