Page 1 of In Bed with the Enemy

1

AMY REID

"I don't think I've been this exhausted in a while," I lamented to my friend as I tried to open the door to my hotel room. "Dammit," I cursed under my breath as I almost dropped my phone while trying to wrangle the key against the door.

"Amy, you've been dreaming about this trip for months and your first day there and you're already complaining?" she tisked at me. I sighed as I pushed open the door, leaving my belongings on the floor at the entrance and all but ran into the room to crash on the bed. The soft mattress enveloped me in a gentle embrace and I felt my nerves ease.

My friend was right. I'd been so excited about this trip when it was announced. Not only had I been invited to speak at the largest conference on energy sources and efficiency, but the presenters were all given free stays at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Chicago where the event was being held.

After college, I'd turned down a number of offers from large energy companies. Sure, they would have paid me a lot, and I would have been able to stay at places like the Ritz on the regular. But, you couldn't put a price on your dignity and definitely not on the health of the planet, so I'd decided to take a job with a smaller, renewable energy company. I still didn't regret it.

"You've been working so much lately, Amy. At least try and enjoy it," Michelle said through the phone.

I twisted my features as I closed my eyes. "I know you're right. But, today was crazy stressful."

"How so?"

"My flight was delayed so by the time I landed, I wasn't able to check-in, I just had to ditch my bags at reception and run straight to the first presentation."

"That sucks," Michelle said.

"Yeah, but it gets worse," I said. "The opening presentations were only supposed to be short introductions and a little about ourselves, that sort of thing. But, this guy in the audience starts asking me questions and grilling me on things that I'm totally not prepared for."

"That's ridiculous!"

"Yeah," I lamented. "Total asshole. You can tell he's full of himself."

"How so?"

I stood up and took in my appearance in front of the mirror. My blonde hair was up in a bun and I had dark circles under my eyes. I looked tired. Pink dusted my cheeks as I thought about public enemy number one. "Just his behavior. It was like he had to be the center of attention. Like, we get it, you're gorgeous. No need to draw further attention to yourself."

"You think I'm gorgeous?"

A deep baritone voice, one that I'd become far too familiar with earlier in the day, filled up the room, its question hitting me square in the chest before ricocheting against the walls.

"Amy? Amy, are you there?" Michelle asked through the phone, but the device had already slipped through my fingers and crashed against the rich carpet.

"I--I--" I stumbled helplessly over my words as I took in the sight in front of me.

Ethan Greene.

Majority shareholder of Standard Energy, the largest energy company on the globe.

The heckler in the audience.

My public enemy number one.

Dripping wet and in just a towel.

A towel, that sat dangerously low on his hips and more than showed off his sculpted torso, clung to his body and my eyes couldn't help but roam. By the time they reached his face, a smirk was plastered clear across it and my brain fought through the haze of lust I was feeling to remind myself why I hated men like Ethan.

"What are you doing in my room?" I asked him.

His lips lifted and his bright white teeth gleamed in the low light. He looked almost predatory. "On the contrary, Ms. Reid, you've found yourself in my room. Which is rather curious, considering that I think I'd remember if I invited you up."

"Impossible," I said, crossing my arms.

Ethan leaned against the wall, not even caring in the slightest that his wet body might damage the expensive wallpaper. Damage that I might be liable for because this was absolutely my room.