Take Your Pleasure: The Ascot Series

By Kat Leigh

The picture of success in every other part of her life, Sara Sommerville just can't seem to hold down a long-term relationship without it ending in a flaming mess.  In her fantasies, some tall dark handsome man would come and teach her – intimately – what it takes to satisfy her goal.

 

Meet Gideon: A business executive and Sara's former colleague who, unbeknown to her, was also once an army Sergeant.  She may be seeking someone who can fulfil her physical needs, but Gideon is a 'take no prisoners' kind of man, and what he wants from Sara is everything - mind, body and soul.

 

She needs a teacher?  He may just be the very best there is!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kat Leigh
• Release date: Jun 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201426637

Book preview

TAKE YOUR PLEASURE

Kat Leigh

TAKE YOUR PLEASURE

All Rights Reserved © 2022 by Kat Leigh

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by an information storage or retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Kat Leigh.

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

Reader Note: Contains explicit material.

The picture of success in every other part of her life, Sara Sommerville just can’t seem to hold down a long-term relationship without it ending in a flaming mess. In her fantasies, some tall dark handsome man would come and teach her – intimately – what it takes to satisfy her goal.

Meet Gideon: A business executive and Sara’s former colleague who, unbeknown to her, was also once an army Sergeant. She may be seeking someone who can fulfil her physical needs, but Gideon is a ‘take no prisoners’ kind of man, and what he wants from Sara is everything - mind, body and soul.

She needs a teacher? He may just be the very best there is!

OTHER BOOKS IN THE ASCOT SERIES

CHAPTER 1

The quarterly leadership meeting had wrapped, and a flurry of suits strode with purpose from the boardroom to their next agenda item.

Cocking a hip against the reception counter in an empty foyer, Gideon ran long fingers through his thick black hair and pulled out his phone. A slew of emails had landed in the past two hours, and he skimmed, focussing on those from the auditor. With year-end fast approaching, the Finance team were under significant pressure to consolidate earnings ready for the shareholder reporting season. He shot off two replies - short and to the point, giving crystal clear direction to his team. It was the type of leader he was.

And the type of man.

The familiar rhythm of polished heels clicking across the marble floor saw him straighten to full height and stow the device.

Ever the professional, Sara Sommerville stopped at his side, leather folio balanced in the crook of her arm and long hair pulled into a conservative French bun exposing tiny earrings that twinkled in the downlights. Her ‘all business’ work persona had taken years to carefully craft, yet instinct told Gideon there was much more to Sara as a woman.

Did Michelle say yes to our offer?

The hush of her confidential tone along with her unique scent put his body on high alert.

Looking way down to lips that were currently pursed, and almond shaped eyes waiting impatiently for an answer, he replied

She’s committed to signing the paperwork by Friday.

That’s good.

Tension left Sara’s slim shoulders. She didn’t like loose ends. Nor did he. Before transitioning into a Finance career, and well before becoming Chief Financial Officer, Gideon had served in the military. Getting results was part of his DNA.

But today, achieving business wins as the powerhouse duo they were wasn’t giving him the usual satisfaction. There was a tightness in his gut, and despite employing every military exercise he’d learned to control his body, the knot was failing to loosen.

It was an unfamiliar feeling, one he’d safely compartmentalised two decades earlier - or so he’d thought - until Sara levelled him with news she’d accepted an internal work transfer.

Their CEO Jamie Phiffer had openly backed the move setting her up to succeed the Executive ranks, and considering Sara was incredibly smart, capable and humble, Gideon should have been able to congratulate her collegially like any other. But the news weighed on him.

Now Sara stood, eyebrows arched, oblivious to his inner turmoil and expecting further details about his discussion with Michelle…

I’ll miss you.

Almond eyes blinked twice, caught off guard by the change of topic

Why, I’ll miss you too!

It was a polite response. Perfunctory. And it burned him.

No Sara, he said with as much clarity as he dared in an open foyer

"I’ll miss you."

The silence between them stretched, her eyes refusing to be snagged again by his intense coffee-coloured stare.

He couldn’t see her expression fully. Didn’t need to.

It was in the line of her body, the electricity that rushed between them.

If they were in different divisions, surely there couldn’t be any accusation of commercial collusion?

Damn, who was he kidding? The truth was, there was no place in the Company, or industry, that it would ever be appropriate to carry on a relationship.

He’d endured three long years already.

But if the time came, as he hoped it would, then he promised himself there’d be no holding back.

***

The shiny glean of empty elevator doors opened in front of Sara for a second time. She’d completely missed the first opportunity.

Her usually sharp mind was clouded - both from Gideon’s sheer masculinity, and also confusion over the conversation that had just happened.

Ungluing her feet to get to the next appointment, the lift took her out of the stratosphere and back down to Earth.

Why did I think he was telling me something more? Surely that was a misinterpretation.

Gideon was nothing if not direct. Unflinchingly so. In three years he’d never minced words with her or anyone else for that matter. As a highly capable CFO he kept his emotions well contained and communication concise.

A heavy sigh escaped. God Sara! You’re projecting!

But way he made her f-e-e-l….

Knowing it was all about to come to an end was obviously mucking with her head.

Three years of solid proof should have been enough to put end to the fantasy there would ever be anything between them.

Gideon had never made so much as a move beyond anything professional, so today’s words were likely exactly what he meant. He’d miss her. As a colleague. That was all.

CHAPTER 2

Cool air travelled through his nostrils and deep down into his chest as Gideon absorbed the importance of this very moment. Seated off to the side of the lectern he smiled inwardly; it appeared Sara’s new position in the education sector agreed with her - and despite a whole year passing since she’d left the Company, their mutual value for learning had finally brought them back together.

Appearing conservative and slightly librarian with outfits covering