by Laura Lee
Throughout the remainder of the workweek, I went out of my way to avoid him. When we did need to speak, I chose my words wisely. I was careful to tamp down any emotion which had been much easier said than done. Ugh, how was I going to handle working so closely with him in Hawaii, without the buffers that I’d normally have in the office?
Damn it, I was so screwed.
***
I’d never forget the day I’d met Ronan Maxwell. I had seen pictures of him online, so I knew he was good looking, but I wasn’t prepared for the fact that those pictures didn’t do him justice. He was so much more imposing in person, and as far as I could tell, there wasn’t a single imperfection on that man’s body. I’d never been rendered speechless by a pretty face—especially considering Los Angeles was filled with them—but I was absolutely gobsmacked when Edna from H.R. introduced us.
“And here’s your desk,” Edna said as we entered the interior office to the CEO’s.
Just then, the door to the adjoining room opened and Mr. Maxwell walked out.
“Oh, good!” Edna exclaimed. “Mr. Maxwell, I’d like you to meet your new assistant. This is Quinn Montgomery. She just finished orientation, so this is her first day on the executive floor. We’ve already run her through all of the expectations of the position, so she’s ready to go.”
I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Maxwell. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
Without saying a word, he eyed my outstretched hand like it contained the Ebola virus. I stood there awkwardly for a good twenty seconds before pulling my arm back.
Edna cleared her throat, likely trying to break the tension in the air. “Well, then, I’ll leave you to it. Miss Montgomery, all of your access codes are in that file next to your keyboard. A directory with my extension is included as well. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.”
I nodded. “Thank you so much, Edna.”
Mr. Maxwell still hadn’t spoken a word, so I pasted a big smile on my face and said, “Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I’ve heard nothing but great things about working for Maxwell Hotels.”
“Miss Montgomery, for future reference, this is not a casual environment. I expect all employees to address one another in a formal manner.” He adjusted his cufflinks as he said this, avoiding eye contact entirely.
What was this guy’s problem? My friend, Antonio, warned me that our CEO was a tough nut to crack, but I’d never expected flagrant disrespect. He couldn’t give me the common courtesy of looking at me when he spoke and the first thing that came out of his mouth was that? I scrolled through the last few minutes in my brain, trying to figure out what I did wrong.
Mr. Maxwell raised an eyebrow. “You referred to Ms. Layton by her first name. Going forward, see that you refrain from doing so.”
“Uh...” I had no idea what to say. I could only stand there like a schmuck with my mouth hanging open.
It turned out I didn’t need to worry about formulating a response because in the next moment, he’d spun on his heels and marched back into the office, slamming the door behind him. In that moment, I knew that working for Ronan Maxwell might very well be more than I’d bargained for. I knew the man went through a new EA every few months, but I’d always assumed they were the problem, not him. At least my starting salary certainly made sense after that.
“Miss Montgomery, did you hear what I said?”
I shook myself out of my trance and looked up. Mr. Maxwell was leaning against the doorframe to his office with his hands in his pockets.
“Huh?”
He quirked his head to the side. “How was your weekend? More specifically, the dinner party at my brother’s house?”
He looked physically pained by his own question. I bit back a smile and batted my eyelashes.
“Since when are personal conversations permitted in the office? Haven’t you told me hundreds of times that I was here to work, not gab? Did I miss a memo or something?”
“I’ll give you a fucking memo with my dick,” he muttered.
I mimed unplugging my ears. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Would you mind repeating yourself?”
“You heard me.”
I trained my eyes on my monitor and started scrolling through my calendar. “No, thanks. I have no interest in being anyone’s sloppy seconds.”
“Jealous, Miss Montgomery?” I’d swear he was smiling, but I refused to look up to confirm that.
I scoffed. “Hardly. Is there anything business-related that you need, sir?”
I did look up this time, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
He pinned me with an icy glare. “Clear my schedule. I’ll be out for the rest of the day.”
Before I could utter another word, he had already stormed out of the room into the hallway.
Prick.
Fine by me. I wasn’t going to complain about not having to deal with him all afternoon.
CHAPTER TWELVE
RONAN
This had to stop.
I couldn’t walk away from the office every time Miss Montgomery drove me to the edge of sanity with her backtalk. I wanted to shut her up so badly by tonguing her tight little cunt; I couldn’t think of anything else. I had no doubt that if I had, in fact, spread Miss Montgomery out and feasted on her pussy, she would’ve loved every moment. She would’ve been livid afterward because she thought I fucked Cressida and was clearly uncomfortable with the thought of me being with another woman, but she would’ve been begging for more while I was touching her.
How was I expected to get any sleep on this upcoming trip, knowing she was in a nearby room with access to a bed? Wondering what she was doing in her free time that we had during the second half of each day. Would she spend hours by the pool or on the beach? Fuck, I could just imagine her in a little bikini, lying on a lounge chair. Her long hair slicked back from a dip in the ocean, skin glistening under the Hawaiian sun.
The mental image had me stroking my cock faster and faster until I blew my load all over the travertine walls in my shower. Christ, I was fucking pathetic. As I turned off the water, I told myself that I had to stop obsessing over her. I’d just have to bury myself in work more than ever so I wouldn’t have time to want her.
Should be easy, right?
***
“I’d like you to add two extra days on Maui.”
Miss Montgomery blinked a few times. “Why?”
“I figured since we were already there, we might as well take a couple days off—explore the island a little.”
A small crease formed between her brows. “We?”
“I don’t understand why you’re questioning me on this. It’s not uncommon for me to build a day off into our agenda so I can check out the local area. I didn’t mean we would spend that time together, Miss Montgomery. I would do my own thing and you, yours.”
She chewed on that for a moment. “You’re right; it’s not uncommon for you to take a day or two. What is uncommon, is the fact that you’ve never asked me to change an itinerary before. I’d have to change our flights and reschedule your appointments.”
I released a harsh exhale. “I’m staying the extra two days—do what you need to do to make that happen. If you want to keep your original flight, be my guest. But I would highly suggest staying.”
Miss Montgomery looked at me thoughtfully. “Why would you want me to stay?”
That was a good question. I didn’t even know why I’d suggested extending our trip in the first place. It had been a weak moment on my part—Miss Montgomery had mentioned that she’d never been to Maui before. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’d like to show her some of my favorite spots on the island. Fuck, what was this woman doing to me?
I combed my fingers through my hair. “I don’t want you to stay, but it would be helpful for business if you’d take advantage of a few of the spa services and give me feedback.”
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to admi
t that I did, in fact, want her there with me.
Miss Montgomery nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements. May I get back to our agenda before you decide to throw another wrench in the plan?”
Oh, how I’d wanted to teach her sassy mouth a lesson. “Go right ahead.”
“So, on Oahu, we land in Honolulu around two in the afternoon. I’ve cleared that entire day for travel. The next morning, we have a tour scheduled with the on-site manager. That evening, we have the luau. Would you prefer to rent a car or hire a service for transport to and from the airport?”
I drummed my fingers on my desk. “Rent a car. A Jeep Wrangler.”
Miss Montgomery looked confused. “But... you normally get a luxury vehicle.”
“Don’t be such a snob, Miss Montgomery. Jeeps are great vehicles, especially in Hawaii.”
My lips twitched when she glared at me. “I’m not being a snob. You’re the one who always demands ‘only the finest.’”
She was mocking me. Deepening her voice and using air quotes on the last three words. Why did I find that so goddamn sexy?
“Be that as it may” —I waved my hand dismissively— “get the Jeep. I want someone that can handle a hard ride.”
She shook her head. “Don’t you mean something that can handle a hard ride? You said someone.”
I bit back a smile. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Miss Montgomery. I assure you, I said something.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Fine. I’ll get a Jeep. Now may I move on to our Maui itinerary?”
“By all means. The floor is yours.”
As I listened to her rattle off our schedule, I imagined taking her from behind while she was on all fours. Christ, I was beginning to think this would never stop. It was like her pussy had hijacked my brain. Why was this woman so goddamn special?
When we got to Hawaii, I’d have to convince my dick to fuck someone else during our time off, plain and simple. There was always a willing woman looking for a vacation hookup. There was no logical reason why I shouldn’t take advantage of that. Fucking someone else had to be the solution. I certainly wouldn’t know if I didn’t try.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
QUINN
“What about this one?” Sylvie held up a deep purple and gold bra. “It’s sexy AF.”
I took the lacy garment from her. “It is pretty damn sexy. It’s certainly worth a trip to the fitting room.”
She thumbed through the hangers on the rack. “Ooh, and they have matching panties. Thong or boy shorts?”
I studied my options. “Definitely the thong. My work clothes aren’t very forgiving with panty lines.”
Sylvie moved on to the next display, fingering a racy red number. “What about this? You look fuckhot in red.”
I tried not thinking about the fact that Mr. Maxwell loved that color, but I was failing miserably. Whenever I wore any variation of red, it was like waving a flag in front of a bull. He could hardly take his eyes off me.
I shouldn’t give a rat’s ass what he liked, but I did. If nothing else, it was empowering knowing that I’d be wearing something like that under my work clothes and he’d never have the opportunity to see it. That was the story I was sticking to anyway.
“Grab that one and the red and black one next to it.”
“Remind me why we’re here again? Didn’t you just buy a bunch of stuff a few months ago?”
I shrugged. “I felt like buying pretty things.”
Sylvie looked skeptical. “Are you sure this has nothing to do with a certain gorgeous CEO that you’re banging?”
“Was banging. I’m definitely not going there again after he screwed that model.”
She grinned. “If you say so, Quinnie.”
I rolled my eyes. “I mean it, Sylvie. I know we never agreed to be exclusive—hell, the only thing we did agree on was to not have sex again, and look how that worked out—but it still bothers me.”
“Are you sure you’re not mostly upset with yourself because that Smith guy didn’t make your cooter jump for joy?”
I widened my eyes. “Oh my God, lower your voice! Who the hell says cooter, anyway?”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I do, and you love me for it.”
“It’s true; I do,” I laughed. “Seriously, though, I don’t know what my problem is. It feels like my head is constantly waging war with my body. I honestly don’t know how to handle it. No one has ever made me feel like this before.”
“Maybe that should tell you something.”
“Like what?”
Sylvie held a satin corset against her torso before putting it back on the rack. “Like, maybe you should just give your body what it wants. You’re a beautiful, single, twenty-six-year-old woman. He’s a smokin’ hot, thirty-something single man who knows what he’s doing in bed. Your chemistry is off the charts. Why do you have to make it so hard? It’s not like we’re talking about a dick here.”
I chuckled. “Leave it to you to inject a dick joke into this conversation. Also, we sort of are talking about a dick. Literally and figuratively.”
She shrugged unapologetically. “All jokes aside, I’m serious, Quinn. Why not jump in and enjoy the ride while it lasts?”
“Because he’s my boss,” I said dryly.
“So? You’re both consenting adults. As long as you’re discreet, what harm will it do?”
“It could damage my career, Syl. I don’t take that lightly.”
She contemplated that for a moment. “Honey, I know you don’t. But do you honestly think it would? Worst case scenario—let’s say you screw each other for a while, and it ends badly. Do you really think Ronan Maxwell is the type of man who would confuse business matters with personal? He seems like someone who clearly knows where one begins and the other ends.”
“Yeah... maybe. But I don’t know if I can separate the two. Plus, I don’t even like the guy.”
“Your sausage casing sure as hell does.” Sylvie winked.
I shook my head, laughing. “Your ridiculousness knows no bounds.”
She swung her arm around my shoulder. “It’s why you keep me around.”
I gave her a side hug. “Thanks for being here, Syl. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She squeezed me back. “Right back atcha, babe.”
***
“I’m sure we could find a mutually beneficial solution, Ronan.” The woman sitting across the table was practically purring.
I narrowed my eyes as her talon-like nail trailed a path down Mr. Maxwell’s forearm. My fists curled under the table when he gave her his signature panty-melting grin in return.
We were at a lunch meeting with Dahlia Vale, the vice president of Vale Linens, our primary bedding vendor. It was time to renew our contract and they were driving a hard bargain, trying to get an extra fifteen percent. Ms. Vale, the newly appointed V.P., insisted on meeting in person to negotiate.
I had a sneaking suspicion her sole purpose for this meeting was to hit on my boss and he was playing right into her perfectly manicured hands. I was the definite third wheel at this table and quite frankly, that pissed me off. I usually had a much more active role in meetings like this. Mr. Maxwell constantly asked for my input, and sometimes, would let me lead the conversation. Neither of those things were happening now.
I told myself my irritation had nothing to do with the fact that Ms. Vale was beautiful, intelligent, and sophisticated—all qualities that a man like Mr. Maxwell would go for. It was purely because I should have stayed back at the office, for all the good I was doing. I couldn’t dive into the town car fast enough once lunch was finally over. Although, now that I was stuck in a confined space with Mr. Maxwell, I couldn’t wait to get out of this car. Unfortunately for me, traffic on the 405 was at a dead stop and we weren’t going anywhere for a while.
“What the hell is your problem?” my asshole boss barked.
I shot daggers at him with my eyes. “You. You are my problem.”
He actually
had the nerve to look confused. “What the fuck did I do?”
I caught a glimpse of our driver, Lawrence, watching our interaction in the rearview. Mr. Maxwell must’ve seen it too, because in the next moment, he rolled up the partition. Lawrence immediately turned up the music, obviously getting the hint.
“Don’t worry about it; it’s not like you’d really care anyway.”
“Spare me the PMS bullshit, Miss Montgomery. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know.”
I had to count to ten in my head, so I wouldn’t scream. “I’m just wondering why I even bothered coming to this meeting. You and Ms. Vale ignored me the entire time. You literally did not say one single word to me. My presence added zero value.”
“Aw, were your precious feelings hurt?”
I scoffed. “Hardly. I’m just pissed that you wasted my time.”
Mr. Maxwell clenched his jaw. “Let’s not forget who works for whom, Miss Montgomery.”
“Trust me, I would never forget that,” I muttered under my breath. “You’d never let me.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “What was that?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re the one who always says I should learn as much as I possibly can in this business. Regardless of your personality faults—of which there are many—the one thing you’ve always been great at was giving me opportunities to grow. Making me feel like my opinion mattered. That didn’t even come close to happening today and it pissed me off. You know damn well I could’ve held my own in that negotiation, but you were too busy flirting to give me the chance.”
He gave me a patronizing grin. “Maybe I decided that assistants were meant to be seen, not heard. That all you had to do was sit there and look pretty and let the real professionals handle the rest.”