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  Clarissa couldn’t help laughing at her friend, “I just might do that, I have to call you this weekend and tell you how it went. I have to get off the phone before I’m late for the party.”

  “Okay, but don’t forget to wear something sexy…”

  "Good night Ali." Clarissa hung up the phone before Alison could finish her sentence. If Alison has her way, she will vamp every available man in Chicago.

  The call from Ali has her thinking about her move to Chicago. She wanted to distance herself from family problems and didn’t fully think about the ramifications of her actions. Chicago's a beautiful town; it’s exciting, pumping with life and vitality. There is always something to do, but if don’t know anyone it can be a lonely place.

  Talk about being ill prepared for the winter. Wen she first arrived in Chicago, she had only seen snow once in her life at a gamers' conference in Atlanta. The city shut down after receiving a paltry two inches of snow. Chicago doesn’t shut down after a foot of snow hits, business may be slow, but eventually they open. It takes a lot to shut the city of Chicago down.

  She didn’t even have a decent pair of winter boots; she had to do some serious shopping to prepare herself for the extreme cold and high winds bouncing off Lake Michigan. She weathered her first winter in Chicago with the grace of a southern belle. Now, spring was rolling in with much fervor. Every day in April so far had been close to 75 degrees or above. She was used to the even keel spring days in Florida. She would have to prepare herself for the hot Chicago summers because in her mind moving back to Florida wasn't an option.

  ***

  Clarissa looked at herself one more time before leaving for the party. She selected the fabulous flame red dress she bought earlier today. It has a split that ends mid-thigh, the front of the dress shows a little cleavage and the back of the gown dips to the base of her spine. Clarissa decided to wear the jacket that went with the gown. As much as she wants to knock Julian's socks off, exposing her back is a little too much.

  She couldn't her running her hands through her short hair; she loved the cut and decided that she was done with long hair forever. She took out the diamond earrings and necklace that her parents gave her when she graduated from college and put them on. This is the first occasion in a long time that has warranted such finery. Clarissa rarely goes out, but when she does she makes her appearance worth the effort. She wants to get Julian's attention, but she damn well isn't going to chase him.

  Julian recently purchased a home in Glencoe. She didn't understand why Julian bought such a large house. The house has seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, and it even has a guesthouse behind the swimming pool. The kitchen alone is bigger than Clarissa whole condominium.

  Clarissa parks her on the enormous circular driveway fifteen minutes before seven o'clock. As she walks towards Julian's house, she wonders if she were making a mistake by being here. Clarissa's hand barely touches the door before it's opened by a huge, somber looking man. He took her wrap and showed her into a large sitting room.

  A black baby grand piano sat in front of the bay window and took up a third of the room. The sitting room was tastefully decorated in black and white. Above the fireplace is a painting of a beautiful woman holding a baby. There were other displays of artwork all over the room, but nothing touched her as much as the painting.

  Clarissa could hear someone running down the stairs, she turned around in time to see Julian's son came running towards her. He seems anxious as if he were afraid she would try to leave before he could reach her. There's something unique about Micah makes her yearn for children of her own. She doesn't know what she did to earn his favor, but he always seems excited to see her. He's such a rambunctious child, and no one is a stranger to him.

  "Hi Micah I see you're dressed for the occasion." Wearing a tuxedo with a little bow tie, he looks like a pint size version of his father. When he grows up he’s going to be a heart breaker.

  "I'm glad to see you Rissa. I got a new video game today, would you like to play a game of Wu Chan: Beast Slayer before the party starts?"

  "Clarissa ears perked up at the mention of the last game she created for Lariat before selling the company. I don't think your father would appreciate us sneaking off to go play Beast Slayer." Clarissa watches Micah closely as he absorbs the implications of what she's saying.

  "It's not like either one us wants to be at this party. I really don't think that Dad would mind. Besides Dad says that I only have to stay at the party for an hour then I can go to my room. You can join me if you'd like to play my new video game."

  "I have an idea. Why don't you give me a tour of the house? I haven't been here in a while, and I'm sure your father has made many changes."

  "Okay," Micah said as he grabs Clarissa by the hand and drags her out of the room. "Let's start downstairs."

  Micah proceeds to show her every room in the house. They walk into one of the rooms and saw Julian and a woman kissing. Clarissa felt as if she's been doused with a bucket of cold water. Julian is a charming, sexy man, of course he has a lover. How dare he play seduction games with her, while sexing this trollop on the side. Julian has another thing coming if he thought that she would join his harem. "I'm sorry Julian for the interruption. Micah is just giving me a tour of the house."

  "That's quite all right Clarissa, what you just interrupted got out of hand. Let me introduce you to an old friend of mine. Karen Nash this is Clarissa Marks, she's one of the best security engineers at Rosscom."

  "Nice to meet you Karen." Clarissa holds her hand out to Karen; she touches Clarissa's hand as if she were afraid of catching a disease. When Karen pulls her hand back, she grazes Clarissa hand with her fingernails.

  "Please, excuse me, I can be so clumsy sometimes."

  Clarissa knows without a doubt that Karen deliberately scratched her hand. There’s nothing worse than a possessive bitch who thought every woman is out to get her man. "Don't worry about it, when one deals with feral cats, she should avoid the claws." Clarissa couldn't stand there any longer. She has to get away before her emotions took control, and she beat this trick as if she stole something. "Come on Micah, why don't you show me the rest of the house."

  Julian didn't get a chance to tell Clarissa how incredible she looks. If the expression on her face were anything to go by, he guessed that he wouldn't get the chance. Clarissa obviously has the wrong impression about him and Karen. Julian invited Karen to the party because she's always been a good friend and business associate. He has to get the message across to Karen that he isn't interested in a personal relationship with her.

  "I see that I have a rival for you affections Julian. Stupid me, I thought you invited me to your party to play hostess. She's rather homely for your taste isn't she darling. When are you going to realize that a man in your position needs a woman like me?"

  "It's not going to happen Karen, I'm just not the right man for you."

  "You wanted me once. I have to tell you Julian it was the best loving I ever had and I want a second chance."

  Julian thought about the mistake he made by sleeping with Karen years ago. "We had sex a couple of times, and that was all. Excuse me, I need to speak with my other guests."

  Karen watches as Julian leaves the room. He's the only man she has ever loved, and she can't believe that he doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Deep in her heart she knows, that one day Julian would realize that she is the only woman for him.

  Karen would find Clarissa and make sure that she knows just how intimately involved she has been with Julian. Karen is a woman on a mission she doesn't know why Julian is denying his feelings for her, but she will make sure that Clarissa is out of the picture.

  ***

  By the time Micah and Clarissa make it back to the sitting room, Clarissa's anger hasn't abated; she's upset with herself for taking Julian seriously. She excuses herself and goes into the nearest bathroom. It isn't possible for a man who exudes sex like Julian to remain celibate for the last five months. He probably
is serious about his intentions to seduce her, but that doesn't mean he didn't have lovers on the side. Clarissa isn't anybody's fool, and she refuses to play the fool for Julian. Well she's determine that Julian will never finds out about her plans to proposition him.

  Clarissa touches up her makeup and goes back out to enjoy the party. She doesn't want to see Julian for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately, Clarissa's luck didn't hold, as soon as she walks back into the sitting room, Julian came to her side.

  Julian wraps his arm around Clarissa's waist pulling her close to his body. "Let's get one thing straight, Karen is not my lover, she's just a friend. The only woman I'm interested in being with is you."

  Clarissa tries to move out of reach, but Julian tightened his arm around her. "Is it necessary for you to hold me so tight?"

  Julian brushes his cheek against hers. "Not necessary, but it feels good doesn't it."

  "More like torment. Do you plan on being glued to my side for the rest of the evening?"

  "Yes. I should have claimed you months ago. I didn't want to be the rebound man because those relationships never last. Make no mistake Clarissa I want you, and I'm going to show you how much. Come with me, I have some people I want you to meet."

  For the next hour, Julian kept a firm hold on Clarissa's arm as he introduced her to at least forty people. Her head hurt just trying to keep track of the names; the only thing she wants to do is go home. To her relief, dinner bell chimes right after all of the introductions were made.

  Clarissa seized a seat far away from Julian and Karen Nash as possible. Julian may think his relationship with Karen is over, but she seems determine to reestablish herself in his life. The last thing Clarissa wants is to be pulled into a love triangle. As soon as dinner is over, she plans on leaving. She waited patiently for dinner to be served before noticing the person sitting next to her.

  "Hello Rissa it's been a long time."

  Clarissa couldn't believe her eyes, next to her was an ex-classmate Randle McHale. She had a bit of a crush on Randy back in high school, but he was popular back then and didn't spare her a glance. He still had the same boyish looks and flirty blue eyes that captured her attention years ago. "Hello Randy I can't tell you how surprised I am to see you here."

  Randle's greedy eyes glance pointedly at her body. Little Clarissa Marks is all grown up, and he would love the chance to know her better. "You've changed."

  Clarissa gives him a warm smile. "After ten years I certainly hope so. What are you doing here? This party is for Rosscom executives and potential clients."

  Randle leans towards her, putting his arm on the back of her chair. "Well I've been working for Rosscom for at least a month now. I hear through the grapevine that you're a security executive at Rosscom. I've looked around for you, but I couldn't find your name in the directory."

  Clarissa could feel the heat of Julian's gaze on her, and she chose to ignore him."Well I don't actually work for Rosscom, I'm working on a pilot program for the feds. I'm glad to see you though; maybe we can get together for lunch or something and celebrate your new position. What have you been doing since high school? Are you married with children?" Randle's appearance couldn't have come at a better time.

  ***

  Chapter 8

  Julian wants to know what's going on between Clarissa and Randle McHale. Damn it! The man is practically sitting in her lap. He's also perturbed that Clarissa felt it necessary to sit as far away from him as possible. He tried to explain to Clarissa that Karen is just a friend of the family and nothing more, but Clarissa refused listen. After the party, Julian plans to talk to Clarissa whether she likes it or not.

  After dinner, the quartet Julian hired for the party began playing current tunes that were on the jazz charts. He does determine that he would hold Clarissa in his arms tonight, even if it were only for a dance. It's after ten o'clock, and some of his guests have started to depart.

  "Hey Rissa would you care to dance?" Randle stands up offering his hand to her.

  Clarissa could ascertain from the grim determination on Julian's face that he's headed her way. "Sure why not, I haven't danced in a bit so be gentle with me."

  Randle whisks her onto the dance floor and to her surprise she has a good time. That is until the music turned into a slower beat. "Maybe we should sit this one out." Before they could leave the dance floor, Julian appears and pulls her into his arms.

  "I believe this dance is mine."

  Randle lifts his hands in mock surrender. "I'm sorry Mr. Ross I didn't mean any disrespect." Randle winks at Clarissa and leaves the dance floor.

  She couldn't refuse Julian without causing a scene, and he knows it. She allows him to lead her off to the dance floor. "Just one dance Julian."

  Julian is a possessive man and Clarissa didn't realize that she's walking a tight rope. "I didn't wait months for you to let you walk off with a bootleg Prince Charming. Who's your friend? "

  Clarissa didn't answer his question right away. "He works at Rosscom I'm surprised you don't recognize him?"

  "Let me rephrase the question. Who is he to you?"

  "Randy is an old friend from high school?

  Unappeased, Julian tightened his arms around her. "Also I'll have you know that thousands of employees work for Rosscom, it's impossible for me to know them all."

  Clarissa raised her head looking into his dark eyes. "Yes, but Randle is your new Executive Director of Sales. You mean to tell me that you didn't hire him."

  "Recruiting does all the hiring."

  "Well that's not true you hired me." Julian pressed his body closer to her so she could feel his erection against her stomach.

  "You're a special assignment that only I could handle." He lowered his hand from her back to her firm behind pulling her even closer to his body.

  She needs to make a retreat before she begs him to make love to her on the dance floor. A wave of chills swept through her body. She didn't know if she's coming down with something, or her proximity to Julian is making her feel this way. Clarissa rested her head on Julian's shoulder as they danced. Clarissa felt nauseous, and all she wants to do was go home to bed.

  Julian felt pure contentment when Clarissa lays her head on his shoulder. He felt his body harden in response to her softness. Julian wanted to take Clarissa upstairs to his bedroom and make love to her all night long. It takes him a few minutes to realize that Clarissa fainted. All at once, her whole body seemed to go slack. He carried her off the dance floor, took her to his den down the hall, and placed her on the sofa.

  It's a good thing he invited a doctor to his party tonight. He sent one of the waiters to find Dr. Arnold and bring him to Julian. As he waited for the doctor, Julian tried to make Clarissa as comfortable as possible. He removed her shoes and the jacket that went with the bewitching dress she's wearing. Julian almost lost his composure when he realized that the back of Clarissa's dress was non-existent. It's a good thing that Clarissa was smart enough to wear the jacket with her dress, or she would have spent the night fending off unwanted attention.

  Dr. Arnold came to the den as soon as he retrieved his bag from his car. "So this is the sick young lady." By this time, Clarissa's alertness enabled her to talk to the doctor as he took her blood pressure and her temperature. "It looks to me as if she has a case of the flu and total exhaustion. She's not serious enough to take to the hospital, but she'll need plenty of rest and fluids. Does she have someone who can look after her?"

  "She doesn't have any family in town; I'll take care of her."

  Dr. Arnold saw the gleam in Julian Morgan's eyes. "I'm sure that she's in good hands."

  "Thanks for your help Doc."

  Julian showed the doctor out, when he came back and found Clarissa asleep. He carried her up to his bedroom placing her on his bed. There was no way that Clarissa could be comfortable sleeping in her dress. He found a pair of his pajamas and threw them on the bed. He touched Clarissa's forehead to confirm that she had a temperature. Clarissa looked l
ike a little girl who had a rough day at the park. She turned onto her side, and Julian could see the tips of her breasts.

  Julian hissed to himself. "Damn it woman, you picked a fine time to become ill!"

  Julian had taken control of himself before he did something he'd regret. He wanted Clarissa badly, but making love to an unconscious woman just isn't his style. He quickly stripped the dress from Clarissa’s body and whistled through his teeth as his eyes traveled down her lush body. The dress has a built in bra and now Clarissa lay before him naked except for the piece of lace covering her mound.

  He pulled his pajama top over Clarissa head and covered her up. He felt like a wolf salivating over Little Red Riding Hood. He has never taken advantage of a woman before, and he certainly isn’t going to start with Clarissa Marks. “You win this round Clarissa, but one day soon you’ll be in my bed and not because you got ill.” Julian turned out the light and left the room.

  ***

  Clarissa woke from a troubled sleep. Her mouth felt like cotton, and she had a horrible headache. She looked around the room she certainly wasn’t at home. The last thing she remembered was talking to a doctor last night in Julian's den. She sat up suddenly, which did nothing for her headache. Crap! She got sick at the party she must be in one of Julian’s guest rooms.

  “Good morning sweetheart how are you feeling today?”

  Clarissa glanced at the doorway; Julian's standing there looking as if he owned the world. He's wearing a black T-shirt and jeans; damn he looked good in those jeans. She isn't used to Julian calling her sweetheart. Clarissa wishes that he was serious. Karen Nash is proof that Julian certainly isn't lacking female companionship. "What's the prognosis?"

  "Well Dr. Arnold says you have a touch of the flu and need to rest."

  "Sorry I flaked out on you."

  Julian stepped closer to the bed wishing Clarissa well so he could join her for another reason. "Don't be sorry Clarissa; I enjoyed playing white knight to your damsel in distress. I wanted us to end up in bed together, but you blew my plans out of the water by becoming ill."