Harper's Fortune

by F. C. Clark

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘I know I was cross this morning. Please, believe that I am proud of you.’

  ‘I’m drowning, Luke. This is way over my head. ’

  His lips gently skim my forehead. ‘It’s not.’

  ‘It is! This Bagrov stuff it’s not me – I don’t have a clue. And us, when it’s good, it’s really good, and everything in between just seems fucked.’

  ‘Don’t say that. You say you’re drowning? I was, too, and you’re saving me, more than you realise, Kate.’

  ‘I piss you off all the time – how is that saving you?’

  ‘You question me, and I know I need that.’ He takes a breath. ‘It kills me that the past few months have forced me back to the military – my past.’

  ‘What do you mean? Shit – you’re not going back with Sullivan?’

  ‘No.’ He shakes his head. ‘But I have to be on my guard. It’s the only way I know how to save you from…’ He trails off. I see fear in his eyes. ‘Saving you has opened up old war wounds – not physically, but mentally it’s opened up the past for me.’

  ‘Oh God. If you need to talk about it…’

  ‘I don’t.’ He runs his finger down my cheek. ‘I would never put you down, baby; you are my life.’

  I take his hand and walk him to the bedroom, losing my jacket along the way. Luke copies me. I begin to undo the buttons of his shirt, swiftly followed by my own leather tie and shirt.

  I undo his trousers and release his erection. Our eyes lock: dark and confused meets dark and challenging.

  I drop to my knees, yanking his trousers and boxers down his powerful thighs, and instantly take his full length into my mouth. My lips close securely round him, and he grows quickly. I slide one hand up and down his wet shaft while the other gently cups his balls. His breathing shows he’s turned on. He pushes my shoulders.

  ‘Stop. I want you, not your mouth.’

  I release him and stand up. He removes the remainder of his clothes, then slides my fishnet tights down my legs as I lift one foot at a time. ‘These, I don’t like.’

  ‘Luke, they’re tights.’

  ‘No, they’re not just tights… Please, for my eyes only.‘

  ‘Got it.’ I smile impishly.

  ‘Earlier, you asked me to eat you.’ He smiles.

  ‘You said you’d lick me dry.’ He removes my hair band and runs his hands through my hair.

  ‘So I did…’

  12

  My alarm wakes me. I’m still struggling to regain my normal sleeping pattern after our visit to New York. I look across to Luke’s pillow, knowing he left early for an appointment in Scotland. I reach for the next best thing – a note.

  Dear Kate,

  Please behave today at Sutton Global. May I remind you of the rules? It is not necessary to be nice to everyone… Stay away from my staff.

  I love you.

  Luke

  Cheeky. Stay away from his staff? Is Sutton Global ready for me? Be careful what you wish for, Luke.

  Wow, this feels bizarre. I stand in the middle of my office, and glance at all my new furniture, which arrived while I was in New York. A pink sofa, two leather wing-back chairs, a set of ex-library bookcases, and an old white farm table to use as a desk. I move to the en suite and quickly change into worn-out denim shorts and Dad’s old shirt.

  Where to start? I decide to move the furniture where I want it. With Max on a mission to retrieve Mr Jones’s books and collect some silk fabric to cover the hideous boardroom chairs, I’m a little stuck. I need muscle power.

  I appear at Stella’s desk. She takes in my outfit and bare feet.

  ‘I need to borrow some muscle… Do you have any suggestions?’

  She stands. ‘Let me think… Yes, I know.’ She dials a number. ‘Hello, can you send Steven to my desk?’

  ‘Thanks, Stella.’

  ‘I’ll send him in when he arrives.’

  I plug in my docking station and attach my iPod, allowing music to fill my new room. I hear a knock at the door.

  ‘Hi. Stella said you needed a hand.’

  ‘I do.’ He looks about eighteen. I hold my hand out. ‘Kate Harper, pleased to meet you. How do you feel about helping me for a few hours? I’ll clear it with your manager and Mr Sutton.’

  He smiles, inspecting my appearance. Perhaps I don’t resemble the fiancée of a gazillionaire.

  ‘Yeah, sure.’

  We lift a heavy sheet of glass and place it on top of my desk – perfect. With all the pictures of Luke and me that I brought from home, our short history now lies under the glass for all to see. I can stare at him all day. Steven moves the bookcase against the far back wall and unpacks various boxes, while I paint the dull boardroom table. Last, we move the sofa and armchairs directly in front of the best view of London: historical buildings among modern glass towers. How does Luke get any work done? I could look at the view all day.

  I appear at Stella’s desk again.

  ‘I need some photos printed – large. I know Luke had one done for me.’

  ‘Yes, two floors down: Sutton Global Marketing. I can take them.’

  ‘That’s fine; I can do it.’

  ‘I’ll call them and let them know you’re on your way.’

  ‘Thanks Stella – I owe you.’

  ‘No more cakes – my waistline!’ She smiles.

  I slip on my Converse, grab my camera and head two floors down to Sutton Global Marketing. I walk towards the reception desk, feeling completely underdressed in my decorating clothes.

  ‘Hi, I’m Kate Harper. Stella Trevant sent me here.’

  The pretty young girl looks at me. ‘Yes, follow me.’

  I trail behind her. Countless eyes watch me. I try to relax. Is it my clothes, or do they know I’m shacked up with their boss?

  We enter another room.

  ‘Mark this is Kate Harper. Stella called down earlier.’

  A tall middle-aged man stands to greet me.

  ‘Hi, take a seat.’

  After a few hours the office begins to take shape. Max has brought Mr Jones’s books, and I have reupholstered the boardroom chairs using remnants of raw silk, and the room feels smart and feminine, not so business-like.

  With the door shut I crank up the volume, allowing Rihanna to help me decide where to place the last few items. I stand back to take in the effect. Perfect – it looks stunning.

  Then I hear the door open and see a familiar face.

  ‘No, don’t come in – back up!’ I quickly escort Luke out of the room. ‘Wait here.’

  ‘Kate?’ His forehead creases.

  ‘I want to surprise you.’

  I shut the door, turn off the music and make sure everything is in order. I reopen the door to see an aggravated Luke leaning on Stella’s desk.

  ‘OK, you can come in.’ I take his hands. ‘Shut your eyes.’ I humorously command.

  ‘I don’t have time for this,’ he says gruffly.

  ‘Stop being grumpy.’

  I place my hand over his eyes and escort him to the centre of the room. I remove my hand.

  ‘Ta-dah.’

  He scans the transformation in silence.

  ‘So, what do you think?’

  A knock at the door turns my attention from Luke.

  ‘Come in,’ I shout.

  ‘Kate.’ Mark from two floors below appears with my framed pictures. I’m not sure who is shocked the most by this chance meeting, Mark or his boss.

  ‘Hi.’ I walk towards him. ‘Wow, they look amazing! Can we hang them over here?’

  He helps me lift the pictures. There are three in a row, and they cover the entire back wall: black-and-white images of us at various black tie events.

  ‘They’re perfect – thank you.’

  �
�Here are the others you asked for.’ Mark props the extra-large photos against a spare wall. These are far more casual – images of Luke and me relaxed and laughing, which is why they are my favourites.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Luke watches me in disbelief. Clearly, I’m breaching one of his conditions, and abusing his staff. ‘Mark, have you been properly introduced to Mr Sutton?’

  ‘No.’ Mark walks towards Luke and holds his hand out. ‘Pleased to meet you, Mr Sutton.’

  ‘You too, Mark.’

  ‘If you need anything else, just give me a call.’ Mark turns and makes a sharp exit.

  Alone – now for some honesty.

  ‘Really, what do you think?’ I move closer to Luke, trying to gauge his reaction.

  ‘Where shall I begin?’

  ‘That bad?’

  He moves slowly around the room. ‘It looks… different. I would say French Boudoir.’

  ‘I like French Boudoir.’

  ‘Yes, but not at Sutton Global.’

  ‘Oh.’ He hates it – shit.

  He walks towards my new desk and smiles.

  ‘I can stare at you all day.’ I join him, and run my hands over the glass top.

  ‘Yes, you can.’ He turns to the far back wall, eyeing the pictures that Mark just hung. ‘I may have to take these into my office. It seems you didn’t listen to my request not to involve my staff in your little makeover.’

  ‘It was more by luck than anything else.’

  ‘Luck!’

  ‘Lucky for me that they could print the pictures; I don’t think it was abusing your staff.’

  ‘Your outfit is… inappropriate for here.’

  I laugh. ‘Of course.’

  ‘And who is Steven? Max mentioned you had some help.’

  ‘I bet he did! He helped me move some furniture. Luke, these are your employees; they aren’t going to hit on me. Besides, Steven was about eighteen. I could eat him for dinner.’

  Luke shoots me a look. What the fuck?

  ‘Well, not literally. I mean, he’s a child.’ I close the distance between us. ‘Honestly, do you hate my office?’ I place my arms around his neck.

  ‘It’s very… you.’

  ‘Result for me. As you love me, you must love this room.’

  He smiles for the first time. ‘Word of warning: music at work – not a good idea.’

  ‘OK, Dad, shall I bend over so you can smack my arse?’ I chuckle.

  ‘It would be my pleasure.’ Luke lowers his gaze. His expression suggests this conversation could go either way – shit.

  ‘It was a joke.’

  ‘Not for me.’ His face lights up with a hint of playfulness.

  ‘Luke.’ I tap his arm. ‘I love you. Thank you for the office… I just hope I have a business to run here.’

  I reach up on tiptoes and find his soft lips and I thank him with my tongue, which he accepts. My hands move from his neck to his arse, pulling him towards me. It only takes seconds for him to fire up. His hardness grows and presses against me. My hands move to the zip of his trousers.

  Luke pulls away. ‘Kate!’ He grabs my wrists. ‘We’re at work.’

  ‘No, you’re in my office, and I say yes.’ I slip under his arm and lock the office door. I turn and walk towards him, unbuttoning my shirt and shorts, discarding them en route. ‘Are you really going to say no?’

  ‘Jesus, I knew you would cause me problems.’

  I loosen his tie, and then undo his shirt, then his trousers. My hand slides inside his tight boxers, gripping his erection. He’s hot and ready – just how I like him. Luke rolls my knickers down my thighs and one-handedly unclasps my bra.

  He ushers me towards my desk, resting my arse against the glass. Luke lowers his mouth to my nipples, licking and sucking, a delicious sensation that pulls at my core. My legs lock around him and I guide his pulsating hardness to my sex.

  ‘Now, Luke.’

  ‘What the fuck am I going to do with you? It’s four o’clock in the afternoon, and I have a meeting at five.’

  ‘Fuck me hard and fast, then.’

  His hand slides between my thighs. No need to test me; I’m dripping.

  ‘Jesus, baby.’

  ‘It’s a two-way street. I need you just the same.’

  Luke grabs my hips and thrusts into me. I was not expecting it to be so carnal, but Luke is every inch an animal when he’s on fire.

  ‘This will be quick.’ He pushes me back to the desk and begins to forcefully pump me. Every thrust is determined, hitting the spot. His thumb gently skims my clit. I look at his face.

  ‘Christ, you make me so hard.’

  He continues to ride me fast. I close my eyes, losing all sense of reality; this, right now, is all that exists.

  ‘Luke… I’m… keep going.’

  My breathing grows faster and he increases the pressure against my clit.

  ‘Argh… Luke.’

  My orgasm washes over me. With every thrust Luke’s balls slam against the base of my arse. I watch his chest tighten and his lips seductively part. I have him. Hot fluid spurts deep inside me.

  He remains still while his breathing slows.

  ‘Thanks for christening my office.’

  He slides out of me, and helps me to sit upright.

  ‘If you told me six months ago that I would fuck you in the office next to mine, and you would have paint in your hair, I would have laughed… But here we are.’

  I giggle. ‘So, dreams do come true.’ I slide off the desk and head to the bathroom. ‘Are you regretting your decision?’

  Luke appears next to me at the sink. ‘No, but it means you’re fucking with my work.’

  ‘I would say sorry, but I’m not… Besides, you can always say no.’

  Luke spins me and takes my face in his hands. ‘Don’t test me. I need respect here, Kate, to focus on my business.’

  ‘OK. I promise it was a one-off.’ I chew the inside of my lip.

  ‘We both know that’s bullshit… Timing is what I need you to give me.’

  ‘What? Scheduled appointments to fuck! Jesus, Luke, put some money on my desk on the way out, why don’t you? Who’d have thought Sutton Global could provide me with an extra income?’

  ‘Don’t be smart, Kate.’

  ‘I’m not, but you want me to book time to be with you? Christ, if that’s the case, I’ll use my hand.’

  I begin to do up his buttons, knowing I’m pushing his. Without doubt he drives me to play this cat and mouse game; I need him to want me.

  ‘That’s fine by me, as long as I can watch.’

  ‘Hmm – that may be tricky, as it might be outside my allotted time.’

  ‘I love that you’re here. I just need to balance my fiancée and meetings.’

  ‘I suggest you get a “fucking” diary… No pun intended.’

  As Luke goes to leave my office, he stops to look at his painted boardroom table.

  ‘I see you have utilised my furniture.’

  ‘Yeah – it didn’t work, and the chairs were hideous.’

  ‘Hideous?’

  ‘Grim!’

  Luke shakes his head. ‘I need to go in my office.’

  ‘Luke, do you like it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Is that it?’

  ‘Another adjustment. Did you speak to Maria and Valerie?’

  ‘They’re coming here for lunch tomorrow, along with Mr Jones. God, I feel nervous. Oh, and Barney is coming over for dinner tonight.’ Luke frowns. ‘Is that a problem?’

  ‘No. Don’t forget we leave on Thursday for skiing. I spoke to Valerie and ordered you various jackets and salopettes.’

  ‘Bloody hell, Luke! You can’t organise my wardrobe.’ My hands fist on my hips.

 
‘I saved you a job. Right, I need to work. What time are you going home?’

  ‘Soon.’

  Luke walks towards me and kisses the tip of my nose. ‘And for the record, I like your office, nearly as much as I like fucking you in here.’

  The Sutton silver tongue warms my heart. ‘Thank you.’

  The roast chicken smells divine: it’s one of Barney’s favourites, and Luke eats anything. I hear the black door close, and Luke’s sexy voice echoes through the hall. I move to the kitchen doorway and watch him stride into his office, talking on his phone. I follow and perch on the edge of his desk. Five minutes later, he becomes mine. I slide onto his lap.

  ‘Good day at the office?’ I cheekily ask, loosening his tie.

  ‘Some parts were a little distracting, but on the whole I would say it was productive.’ His hand sweeps my hair away from my face.

  ‘Good. I want to ask you something before Barney arrives.’

  ‘Go on!’

  ‘Be nice.’

  ‘Spit it out, Kate.’

  ‘OK, it’s Barney’s birthday in a couple of weeks and I want to throw him a party.’

  ‘Here?’ Luke’s brows shoot up.

  ‘No, definitely not here. I thought at SGI, if that’s OK. He loves your club and I thought—’

  ‘Fine. The VIP area is all yours.’

  ‘Really! Oh my God, Barney will love it. Also, I was thinking…’

  Luke smirks.

  ‘Seriously, I do think – sometimes. Don’t take the piss. I would like to buy a lease on a dance studio for him, just for a year – what do you think?’

  Luke looks a little surprised. ‘That’s generous of you.’

  ‘He’s never had a handout, and his family are bloody useless. I want to give him something special; he’s an amazing dancer, and I know he wants to branch into choreography. Do you know an agent who could help me find one? I was thinking Covent Garden or Soho.’

  ‘I’ll make a call.’ Luke pulls my face to his and kisses me with absolute control. Instantly my body responds. But he pulls away, leaving me wanting more – shit bag! ‘You’re too kind, Kate Harper.’