Taking Over

by S. J. Maylee

“Sure.” But he'd prefer to see his buddy moving on with his life than this bundle of trouble.

  “She's taken on a lot over the last couple of months.”

  “I guess.” He figured the divorce couldn't have been easy for either of them. “The divorce is final now.”

  “Yes, I think they both did well in keeping it simple and clean. I hope Gina can relax a little, now that she has one less demand on her time. I'm certain it's all been too much for her.”

  Keller was one of the smartest men Marcus knew, but he couldn't help looking at him like the man had two heads. Clearly, Keller knew something about Gina that he didn't. Marcus caressed her face and wondered what she wasn't sharing and what, if anything, it had to do with her not wanting pleasure with her punishment tonight. One thing was for certain, Keller wasn't going to spill. The man was known for dropping just enough information to pique your interest and nothing more. He and Rob must have been drinking the same Kool-Aid. Rob had been dropping hints that he thought that Marcus was the right man for Gina, but he wasn’t listening. Whatever Gina wasn't sharing, he doubted it would change his opinion of her.

  Chapter Two

  Over the next couple of months, Marcus found zero clues to the mystery that was Gina. After their night at the spanking bench, she'd rarely come to the club and Keller hadn’t let any more tidbits slip. The only time he saw Gina was at work at Voyage Industries and since they rarely had projects together he'd only seen her in passing. From his desk, he had a direct view of her empty cubicle on the opposite side of the room. In fact, the last time he saw her was when Keller sent her to help him with a test at Club Blind. Those few minutes in the dark with her had been more of a test of his control than ensuring patrons of the club would really be blind.

  He'd hoped she'd been staying out of trouble, but his latest conversation with Rob sank the thought fast. Apparently, Gina had tried at least twice to dissuade Rob's new girl from seeing him. It was a new low, even for Gina. Thankfully, her warning hadn't prevented Jane from pursuing Rob. It actually had the opposite effect. He thought above anyone else, Gina would want Rob to find happiness, especially after she’d ruined their marriage and trashed all the promises she'd made. Marcus’s first mistake was thinking she thought about anyone else besides herself. Now, he knew better.

  From the day he met her in high school, long before he knew anything about her disregard for others, he'd wanted her. Her infectious smile had lit up his life. Marcus, Rob and Gina shared a lot of laughs together back in those days. The three of them had fun in the simplest of places. They only had to be together.

  Many of his favorite memories were in the Fontaine family room, giggling over something her father had said. It was also in that room when he saw the way Rob looked at Gina. She had the power to rip their friendship to shreds. Rob even challenged him to a duel of sorts for a chance to ask her out. They'd played a game of H.O.R.S.E. and Marcus simply missed a few times to let Rob win. He was the one falling in love with her anyway. Gina accepted Rob's date proposal and that was that. She'd been an addiction that Marcus had forced himself to let go of.

  She grew up a rich daddy's girl, privileged, and devoted which made her short-lived sadness over her father’s death all the more distasteful. The old man had adored his little girl, but Marcus had barely seen Gina mourn. It was in complete contrast to her mother. The loss of her husband had left the woman broken and it wasn't until several years later when she remarried that Gina's mom seemed to come back to life.

  He knew then to guard himself against Gina. His buddy hadn't been so lucky, but Rob sure was now. Jane was perfect for him. Being around the new couple even made Marcus happy. They were infectious. Thankfully, Gina hadn't spoiled their relationship. Jane and Gina were polar opposites.

  When he thought about it, Gina was the opposite of many of the people he knew, even Keller's latest hire. When Keller threw Janna into the deep end on her first day, just a couple of days ago, he figured Simon’s project would be toast. But she was smart as a whip and completely saved the day. Simon, a fellow Master at Club Voyage, was one lucky son of a gun. Not only was Janna an amazing project manager, but she was a submissive as well and the pair’s new working relationship seemed to be developing into something more. She was a brave one, for sure, to step into their environment. Marcus respected her and was determined to help her navigate the sometimes, treacherous waters.

  He got up from his desk and went upstairs in search of Janna, figuring he'd check for last minute project issues and see how she was doing. When he entered the hallway to her office, she stood just outside Simon's office, her arms pressed firmly to her side and her gaze fixed on whatever was happening inside. He stepped in behind her and found Gina perched on Simon's desk, positioned in one of her seductive poses. Her long legs crossed to raise her little skirt, showing off way too much thigh.

  “Gina,” he said it sharper than he intended, but it got her attention.

  She turned and her gaze bore into him, cold and flat. She slipped from the desk and sauntered past him. He figured she would have spit at him if they hadn't been in the office. Even still, her enticing scent tried to shake him from his fury.

  He clenched his fists and stormed down the hall in the opposite direction. Quickly gathering his things from his desk, Marcus figured it was best to call it a night before he called Gina out in front of the whole office. What could she have possibly been thinking? Everyone knew Simon had already taken Janna on as a trainee.

  He got halfway across the parking lot when the door to the building opened behind him. He turned to find Gina strutting towards him. Fury bubbled over and he stopped, needing to say his peace. Enough was enough.

  “What is wrong with you? Can't you let anyone be happy?”

  “I have no idea what you're babbling about.” She traipsed past him.

  “Stop it, Gina. I've seen you do it enough times to know it's your pattern. No one gets to be happy on your watch, huh?”

  “You're an asshole.” She took a step towards him and pointed at him. “You don't know a thing about me.” She pursed her red lips and turned back around, moving away from him.

  “Nice.” He should have let her go. Fighting with Gina would get him nowhere.

  “What's your deal anyways, always the hero, never wrong. Is that it? Keller should commission a statue.” She turned again, hand on her hip. “Wouldn't it make things easier for you if I distracted Simon? You could move in on the new little blonde of his you're always talking to.”

  “What, are you jealous?”

  “Not on your life. I just figured with Rob all settled and happy, maybe now you'll finally settle down.”

  “I'd love to settle down, but it wouldn't be with Janna. We're just friends.”

  “Whatever.”

  “I'm not into breaking up happy couples. That's your thing.”

  “Save it. I'm not interested in a lecture from the ignorant.”

  “Oh, do I have it wrong? Please, enlighten me. Did you not cheat on your husband? Have you not tried to break up Lydia and Jake and now Janna and Simon too? Good grief, Gina. Isn't anything sacred to you?” Heat flared up his cheeks. Tension straightened his spine. It felt damn good to finally call her out.

  “That's what you see.” She raised her purse strap higher on her shoulder and for a second he thought a confession was coming, instead she lifted her chin. “I'll tell you one more time. You don't know me. You never did, never bothered to see anything but your own observations. That's fine because it's what everyone else does, but don't think it makes you better than anyone. It only makes you shallow.”

  He let her go. Stunned by her statement. What in the world was she going on about? He couldn't possibly have missed anything in her plastic display of a life.

  ****

  Gina walked into work at Voyage Industries the next day against her better judgment. She could have finished her latest technical writing assignment from home. But since Keller liked having the staff in the office for p
ossible emergencies, she thought to come in. She'd do just about anything for Keller. He was one of only a few who'd ever cared enough to know the real her. Most folks didn't bother to look past her curvy figure, high cheekbones, and full lips. She knew she was attractive. It had come in handy plenty of times, but not many people cared to see the woman beneath it all.

  Other than her parents and Keller, Rob had been the only real friend she'd ever had. She’d had a few short-lived friendships, like her stepsister and even Marcus, but neither of those relationships lasted. On the contrary with Rob, it didn’t matter what had happened between them with the divorce. She’d always watch out for him. She owed him at least that much. He'd gotten to know her and had held her hand through some of the toughest days of her life.

  She swiped at her eyes. Even now, simply thinking about the loss of her father stopped her whole world. Before reaching her desk, she stepped into the bathroom. While wiping her tears away, she pretended to be fixing her makeup. Her dad had been gone for so long that sometimes she couldn't recall his face right away, breaking her heart all over again.

  She stepped out of the bathroom and ran right into Marcus.

  “There you are.” He clutched her elbow, steadying her. “Keller needs to see us.”

  “Us?” Keller knew she couldn't work with Marcus. He'd promised, when he hired Marcus, to never put them on the same team. She hoped he wasn't breaking his promise.

  “That's what Anne said.” He took a step back. “Are you okay?”

  “I'm fine.” She brushed at her bottom lashes and headed for Keller's office, trying not to worry.

  Anne, Keller's assistant, ushered them right into his office. Gina set her purse on the floor and settled her coat over her lap. Keller was standing at the window, hands on his hips. He turned when Anne closed his door.

  “Gina, I need to break a couple of the promises I made you.” He settled into his seat, elbows on his desk.

  “Shit.” She hung her head and reminded herself to stay in bed next time. “Wait, a couple? Keller, come on.” She gripped the side of his desk.

  “You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely necessary. He's coming after my company, sweetheart.” Keller reached out to her.

  “What are you two talking about?” Marcus asked.

  “Gina's stepfather is one of my biggest investors. He also appears to be a fraternity brother of Janna's father and the two have come up with a plan to sink my company in hopes of scaring Janna back home.”

  “Can he do that?” Marcus’s eyes widened.

  “Wish I could say it doesn't sound like something he'd do. I'm sorry, Keller.” She took his hand this time when he reached for her. “You know he's never liked that I work for you. I'm sure he's enjoying this.”

  “If you're not up to facing him, I'll work another angle. I've already put a hold on Janna's project.” Keller squeezed her hand. “It will buy us a little time. I can find another way.”

  “No, I won't let him do this to you.” She scooched forward, not caring when her coat fell to the floor. “Please, Keller, let me try.”

  “I was hoping you'd feel that way. I'm going to need to stop other projects come Monday, if this isn't straightened out.” Keller stroked her hand. “You need to agree to my conditions first though, okay?” He looked at Marcus.

  “I don't need a babysitter, no way.” The last thing in the world she needed was for Marcus to get a peek at what was going on with her family.

  “Marcus, I can't in good conscience send her up there by herself.”

  “I've been dealing with my family for years. I'm up there every weekend. I can handle them by myself.” She let go of Keller and sat up straight.

  “Gina, you haven't been dealing with money issues. Besides, you know I don't like you going up there by yourself.” Keller sat back in his chair. “I've asked you to take someone with you repeatedly. We've talked about this.”

  “No one wants to go with me, especially Marcus.”

  “He'll go. Won't you?” Keller said.

  They both turned to him.

  Marcus’s eyes were squinted and he kept looking back and forth between them. “Of course I'll go.”

  “Marcus, think about it. Don't you have things to do?” She rubbed her hands on her thighs. “I know you have no desire to help me.”

  A little smile tipped up the corners of his lips. “You don't know me.” He turned to Keller. “When do we leave?”

  “I was hoping you could wrap up whatever you're in the middle of this morning and be on the road before lunch. My driver will be ready for you.” Keller picked up his phone. “He can take you both home to pack, but don't dawdle. I need this taken care of as soon as possible.”

  “Pack?” Marcus said.

  “You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.” She got up and turned around when she reached the door. “No need to pack though, really. My guest house has plenty of extras and I don't plan to be gone long.”

  “Okay. Where are we going?”

  Keller walked around his desk and grasped her shoulders. “Thank you.” He kissed her forehead and turned to Marcus. “Lake Geneva. Please stick close to her while you're in the house. I don't trust her stepfather.”

  Chapter Three

  She checked her watch again. They'd only been waiting a couple of minutes but it felt like an eternity as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Not only was she going to have to confront her stepfather, but Marcus was going to see it. He was going to see how her stepfather treated her and the reality of her mother's situation. She clutched her purse strap as it slipped from her sagging shoulders.

  “Are you okay?” Marcus angled his head at her.

  “I'll be fine. I'm just tired of standing here.” She needed a distraction. Thinking about the possibility of falling apart in front of Marcus had her stomach rolling.

  A sleek black car arrived, stopping in front of them. The driver got out.

  “What in the hell took you so long?” Before he could walk around the car, Gina opened the door and slid in.

  Marcus settled next to her. “That was unnecessary.”

  “Don't start, please.” She ran her fingers through her hair. Losing her cool before they even got to the house wasn't going to help anyone. She needed to concentrate on her mom. She'd been planning another visit for tomorrow anyways and now she'd get to see her a day early.

  “I thought you liked your stepfather.” He'd positioned himself like he planned to watch her.

  “You know me so well.” She pushed up her sleeves. “When we get there, you can just stay in the guest house, if you want. I'll deal with my family. There’s a lot to do around the lake, treat it like a vacation.”

  “I promised Keller.”

  “I won't tell.”

  “I know you think it's okay to break promises, but it’s not okay with me.”

  “Keller's blowing the whole situation out of proportion. It'll be fine.” She crossed her legs and slid her skirt up a little. “I'll do whatever you want if you stay in the guest house.”

  “Sorry. That trick won't work on me.”

  “Fucking boy scout.” She turned to the window and rested against the seat, closing her eyes. Her grip on her shriveling world was slipping away. She had no idea what was going to happen. If her churning stomach was any clue, it was going to get ugly.

  Once they got past the Chicago traffic, the driver told them they had a little over an hour before they arrived. She pulled out her phone and busied herself with cleaning out her inbox.

  “Rob told me you were happy your mom remarried.”

  “I was.” She clenched her jaw. “I still am, actually. He makes her happy.” Her mother had been on the verge of dying of a broken heart, before Dale first started coming around. Pretending to be okay for her mother had been tearing her to shreds, but Gina learned early in her own grief that her mother did better when Gina was happy. If Dale hadn’t made her mother happy, Gina would have forced him out of their liv
es a long time ago. The creep had only one talent and it was making her mother giggle. Still to this day, he made her laugh.

  “He can't be all bad then.”

  “Fabulous. You can be his friend.” She stuffed her phone in her purse and dug around for her scarf. The bit of exposed skin around her neckline needed to be covered. A small step in protecting herself from Dale and his wondering eyes, but she'd wear it like armor. She fussed with a few different knots until Marcus yanked the scarf free.

  “What are you doing?” He held the scarf just out of her reach.

  “Give me that back!” Before she thought better of it, she leaned over and fell across his lap, reaching for the scarf. At the same time, she became aware of his hard cock pressing into her side and froze. “I thought my tricks didn't work on you.”

  “My dick may have a mind of its own, but don't worry, sweetheart. I can control myself.” He shook the scarf. “I’ve never seen you try to cover your cleavage.”

  “I knew this was a bad idea.” She yanked her scarf from his grip. “You shouldn't have come with me.”

  “Keller didn't give me much of a choice.”

  “Well, give the man a medal.” She wrapped the silk around her neck, made a simple knot, and worked at it until it covered everything. “I've told you I don't need you. We can ask the driver to pull over.” She moved forward to knock on the window.

  “Cut it out.” He grabbed her wrist and drew her back against him. “I'm going with you.”

  She jerked from his hold and crossed her arms.

  “Look, I just want to make sure Keller gets his funding back.”

  “Sure, it's all about Keller. I'd bet it has more to do with your pretty, new friend, Janna.”

  “She is pretty and she belongs to Simon. Stop trying to pick a fight. I'm coming with you and sticking by your side until this business is fixed.”

  ****

  An hour later, they pulled into a long driveway surrounded by a mass of large trees. It opened to one of the grandest looking houses he'd ever seen. He’d heard from Rob that it was large, but he’d never pictured this. Through the trees, he could see a bit of the lake. It was peaceful.