by Ivy Nelson
“I’ll have my assistant set something up. Please feel free to borrow any of the interns if you need an assistant of your own while you’re in town.”
“Lydia would kill me if I cheated on her with another assistant,” Patrick said with a wink.
“Oh, I do love that woman,” Angela said with a grin. “How is David doing?”
“Very well. His treatment is done, but he’ll remain under close supervision for the remainder of his wife’s studies. She’ll graduate in about six months, and then you’ll have your old boss back.”
They had reached David’s office while they were talking, so Patrick stepped inside and let Angela get back to work. As she turned to leave, he asked, “Are there always this many people here on Sunday?”
She nodded. “Most of them just really like their jobs. We also let them take half days on Mondays or Tuesdays if they put in hours on Sundays. A lot choose to so they can get personal errands done during business hours. It’s something we’ve been tinkering with and it really seems to be improving productivity.”
Patrick gave her a thumbs up. “I look forward to seeing the numbers when we talk.”
When Angela was gone, Patrick settled in to work. The moment he connected with Lydia, she was already controlling his printer and sending things for him to sign or approve. Soon he was lost in the work. It was repetitive and boring, but he never minded doing it. Knowing he was working on something he’d helped build made it easier.
Eastman Enterprises wasn’t his, but he’d joined forces with David and Elijah to build the lab produced diamond brand from the ground up. When he first left home and took his trust fund with him, he used the money to invest and built an impressive portfolio of business partners. Each person or company he invested in had one thing in common. In one way or another, they were competitors of his father.
Now that his father was theoretically paying for his crimes, his need for revenge wasn’t so strong. He’d grown to love working with David, and even when he came back to the helm of the company, he would gladly take the passenger seat and be his right-hand man again. His father may be out of the diamond game, but there were still plenty of unethical diamond dealers out there and taking them down by making mined diamonds less desirable was something he would focus on.
At lunch time, his phone lit up. It was Holly.
“Hey sis. What are you doing on Tuesday?”
“I’m coming to New York to be at the diamond unveiling with you.”
Patrick growled. “I told Grant I would ask.”
“He’s always been a little impatient. We really need to find him a girlfriend.”
Patrick wrinkled his nose. “That’s your department. His love life is absolutely none of my concern.”
Holly laughed. “Well, now you don’t have to ask me. I’ll be there Tuesday. Elijah’s not happy about it, but he’ll live.”
Patrick chuckled. “I’m sure he’ll manage just fine. Let me know when you get here. We’ll have drinks with Austin.”
“Ooh. How are things with you two?”
“Nope. Nope. Nope. Go away, Holls. Not talking about my sex life with you.”
She giggled. “So, you have a sex life with her. That’s really all I needed to know. Love you!” She ended the call without another word, and Patrick just stared at the phone. Her friendship with Dakota and some of the other bratty subs at Solitaire was corrupting his sister and turning her into a brat herself. At least it would keep Elijah on his toes.
A text lit up his screen and he smiled as he read it.
All done for now. Court at nine in the morning. What’s for lunch?
He hit the green call icon and lifted the phone to his ear. She answered halfway through the second ring.
“I’d love to eat you for lunch. Where are you?”
“In the back of a cab on the way to my office. Where are you?”
“I’m at Eastman Enterprises. You should tell the driver to come here.”
“I’ve been there before. When I did some work for David. It’s only a few blocks from my office. I can be there soon. I just need to drop some things off at my office.”
“Good girl. I’ll see you soon. And Austin…” he paused for dramatic effect. “You should ditch your panties before you get here.”
Her breathing hitched, but she didn’t hesitate to respond. “Yes, Sir. I’ll see you in just a little while.”
Patrick grinned. He had no idea what he was going to do when she got here, but it would be a lot more interesting than paperwork.
• • •
Austin felt her heart rate increase the closer the elevator got to the fourteenth floor of the skyscraper where Patrick was currently waiting on her. She’d slipped into a bathroom on the first floor to take her panties off. No small feat since she was wearing slacks and heels.
The bracelet on her wrist felt heavier than it had all day. Was this office meeting part of her training?
Her breath caught at the sight of him when the elevator doors slid open. He was leaned casually against the wall opposite her.
“Miss Yates,” he said, wicked sensuality dripping from his tone. “Welcome to Eastman Enterprises. My office is just this way.”
Austin smirked and fell into step beside him. When they got to the corner office, Patrick stopped at a reception desk outside the door.
“Jennifer, I need to have an undisturbed conversation with Miss Yates. Please hold any calls that come in for me, including from Lydia.”
Austin swallowed. The pretty receptionist gave Patrick a flirty smile and said, “Of course, Mr. Sutton. Can I get you and Miss Yates some coffee or lunch?”
Patrick smiled and glanced at Austin. “I’ve got lunch already. Thank you.”
Fuck. Was he talking about her?
With trembling legs, she followed Patrick into the office. It was a very private office with no windows into reception, but there were panoramic windows on the outside walls where Austin could see the hustle and bustle of New York. She knew no one could see her but she was still shaking at the thought of Patrick making her strip in here.
He prowled toward her after locking the door.
“Did you do as you were told like a good girl?”
Austin reached into her bag and pulled out the lacy panties.
He grinned and took them from her. “Very well done.” With one hand, he tucked the panties into his suit jacket. With the other, he reached for the waistband of her slacks and popped the button free. She gasped when he plunged his hand between her legs and cupped her bare pussy.
“Strip,” he said as he pulled his hand free and crossed his arms.
“Where did the suit come from? You didn’t have that in your duffel bag,” she said, hoping to stall.
“Are you aiming for a trip across my knee?”
Austin shook her head. “I’m sorry. This is making me uncomfortable. What if your receptionist hears us?”
“I guess you’ll just have to be a good girl and be quiet.” He closed the distance between them and gripped her chin. “And do as you’re told so I don’t have to spank you.”
She swallowed hard. Despite her nerves, she could tell her pussy was soaked, and that just fueled her embarrassment.
Slipping off her heels, she lowered the slacks and stepped out of them.
“I’ll have mercy. You can leave the rest on. Go sit on the corner of the desk and stick your cunt out. I want my lunch”
Austin groaned at his filthy words and scurried to the corner of his desk.
“Are you going to be quiet like a good little sub or do I need to gag you with your panties?”
Fuck, that was hot. She shook her head. “I’ll be quiet, Sir.”
Patrick grinned. “Scoot closer to the edge and lean back on your elbows. You’re going to come in my mouth.”
He dropped to one knee in front of his desk and pulled her thighs wide apart. She felt dirty and exposed with her legs splayed and all her bits on display. The cool air from the air conditi
oner blew across her bare pussy. Not even naked at Solitaire had she felt this exposed. There, people were supposed to be naked. This was a place of business, and Austin felt like a very naughty girl. She had a feeling that was the point.
When his mouth closed over her cunt, she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. She dug her elbows and forearms into the desk and pushed herself into his mouth.
He sucked and licked at her clit, keeping a firm grasp on her thighs so she couldn’t close them. There was no escaping his assault.
His head raised and his stern gaze fixed on her. “The only sound I want to hear from you is asking for permission to come,” he said before devouring her again.
She wriggled beneath him, the inability to moan or cry out making the sensation feel ten times stronger. Or maybe it was the fact that there were people just on the other side of the door who had no idea what was happening.
The pressure built at her core, and she knew an orgasm wouldn’t be far away if he kept this up.
“Please,” she said, as quietly as she could manage.
He didn’t respond, just kept tongue fucking her and suckling her clit.
It was going to be impossible to hold back the orgasm, and she knew he would keep his promise to spank her if she disobeyed him. Damn it. Squeezing her eyes shut, she spoke louder this time.
“Please can I come?”
He broke away and slapped the inside of her thigh, hard. Then plunged his head between her legs once more.
Fuck. “Please, Sir. Can I come?” she begged when the orgasm was once again threatening to overtake her.
“Please,” she whimpered when he didn’t respond.
“Fuck. Please let me come. I really don’t want you to spank me in here,” she said pleadingly.
He chuckled against her folds before pulling back and plunging two fingers deep inside her. “Come,” he commanded and sucked her clit into his mouth once more.
She nearly forgot she was in his office and barely stopped herself from screaming as the orgasm ripped through her.
As the torrent of pleasure subsided, Patrick surprised her by tugging her to a standing position. In one smooth motion, he turned her and bent her over his desk, so her cheek was pressed against the smooth varnished surface. His hand landed hard on her left cheek and she winced.
“That’s just to remind you that I own this bottom, and I’ll spank you when and where I see fit,” he said, spanking her right cheek. She heard the soft hiss of his zipper and the jingle of his belt buckle. He was either about to spank her with his belt or fuck her over his desk. She wasn’t sure which one she wanted more at this point.
The unmistakable sound of a condom wrapper was almost deafening in the quiet office, and she knew it was the latter. When his hard erection pressed against her entrance, she moved her hips to meet his thrust.
His hand landed on her ass again. “I’m controlling this, baby girl. You just take your fucking like a good little sub.”
Austin whimpered and Patrick slid into her with one hard slamming motion.
She was soon on the brink of another orgasm, and this time it was easy to beg for permission. But Patrick denied her. “This is for me. You’ll come again when I say.”
It didn’t take long for Patrick to finish inside of her, but by the time he did, Austin was revved up with the need to come again. Every time she asked, he denied her.
When he pulled out of her still throbbing pussy, she slid a hand between her legs, still bent over the desk.
She’d heard him discarding the condom, but he was on her in an instant, his hand gripping her ponytail. “I know you’re not playing with yourself right now,” he growled into her ear.
Shit. She was hoping he wouldn’t see her quite so quickly.
“Stand up,” he said, his hand trailing down her back.
“You think I’m a dick for not letting you come?” he asked.
Austin shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe? I’m not used to being denied pleasure.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Consider it part of your training. And just think about how much better the orgasm will be when I get to fuck you properly. That was not how I intended to take you the first time, but your cunt in my mouth was too much,” he said with a wink.
Kissing her cheek, he said, “Besides, it’s not like I denied you completely. You came pretty damn hard in my mouth.”
She could have sworn the heat on her cheeks raised the temperature in the room by several degrees.
“There’s a bathroom through that door. Let’s get cleaned up and go eat some lunch. You can tell me about your day.”
With a pout, she turned and headed for the bathroom. She hated being horny.
Chapter Ten
Patrick stood in the museum curator’s office listening to plans for the next several days.
“The diamonds are currently on their way to our intake facility where Mr. Sterling and Mr. Reyes will be on hand as part of the authenticity verification process, along with one of our appraisers. On Tuesday afternoon, you’ll be here with your sister to see the diamonds into the museum and do a quick press conference. You’ll give a short statement, but it’s up to you if you want to take questions. At the unveiling on Wednesday, we’ll ask that you take at least three press questions. We can vet them before they’re asked if you like. I know this is a sensitive time for your family.”
Patrick gave the stuffy man a polite smile. “Thank you for walking me through the details. Have you considered my request to borrow the pumpkin diamond?”
The man winced. “I’m terribly sorry, but we just can’t do it at this time. Once the diamonds are in our possession, it would be unwise to let any of them into your family’s hands again. No offense to you, of course. It just wouldn’t look good.”
Patrick wanted to argue but knew it wouldn’t change anything. “Perhaps after some time has passed, you’ll reconsider,” he said with a stiff smile. “May I see where the diamonds will be displayed? I just want a feel for my surroundings on the big day.”
The curator smiled. “Of course. The display cases were just installed this morning.”
Patrick dutifully followed him to a spot in the center of the museum. It had already been roped off and Patrick half listened as the man rattled off the security measures that would be in place to keep the diamonds safe.
In Patrick’s opinion, a museum like this was the best place for the diamonds. Better than being hoarded away in one of his father’s safes. There was a lot of history behind the collection, some of it grim, but important. The stories of the gems deserved to be told.
When the curator finished his spiel, Patrick asked a few more questions about how the unveiling would work. There were tickets being sold and a small luncheon for high profile patrons of the museum would be held after the unveiling.
Patrick thanked the man for his help and exited the museum out the back, because press had caught wind of his presence there and were camped out in front. His driver was waiting near the loading dock so he was able to hop in before the paparazzi hiding behind the trashcan could catch a good picture of him.
• • •
“You didn’t have to come pick me up, you know,” Holly said as she climbed into the back of the town car with Patrick.
“I know, but I thought we could chat on the way to your hotel.”
It was Tuesday morning, and Austin was busy with work. He’d met with Grant the previous evening before going back to Austin’s apartment. He wanted to play, but she needed to work from home, so he’d done work of his own until they both passed out. Tonight, he had every intention of taking her to bed for a long time.
“Earth to Patrick,” Holly said.
“Sorry. Got lost in my thoughts. Where was I.” He launched into a recitation of the details about the diamond delivery and unveiling.
“Sounds easy enough,” Holly said.
“It does. I’m not sure why we need to be here, though.”
“It’s important t
hat we don’t hide just because our father is going to jail. If we hide, it looks like we’re ashamed. We need to project a picture that says we’re OK with him paying the price for his crimes, but we’re still a family going through a hard time.”
Patrick snorted and Holly chuckled, patting his arm. “I know, you probably haven’t lost a night’s sleep over him getting locked up, but I have.”
Patrick winced. It was true that there was no love lost between him and his father, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have mixed emotions about seeing him go to jail.
“Can we not talk about this right now?” Holly asked. “I want to hear all about you and Austin.”
Patrick smirked. “You saw pretty much everything on Saturday. What more could you possibly want to know?”
Holly wrinkled her nose. “Just when I was getting that picture out of my head. Do you like her? Are you dating, or is this just a contract with a Solitaire house sub?”
“You’re starting to sound nosy like Dakota. Yes, I like her. I don’t know if we’re dating exactly, but it feels like it’s more than a contract. I guess we’ll find out in eight weeks when her training period is over.”
Holly squealed. “I’m glad you like her. She would make a great sister-in-law.”
Patrick rolled his eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself there, sis. If she’s able to break free from work, she’ll join us for a drink and maybe dinner with Grant. I’m staying with her while I’m here if that answers any of your questions.”
Holly clapped her hands as they pulled up to her hotel and Patrick shooed her out of the car. “I have some work to take care of. I’ll pick you up in time for the museum thing.”
Holly gave him a salute, and Patrick signaled the driver to pull away as she disappeared into the lobby.
He fired off a text to Elijah letting him know she was safely in the hotel, and a bodyguard was shadowing her until Patrick picked her up again. Holly would lose her shit if she knew, but the press was still following them, and Elijah Barrett didn’t mess around when it came to Holly’s safety.