by Madison Rain
“I won’t admit anything. It’s between you and your daughter.” This was exactly what Michael was scared was going to happen. He didn’t want to deal with an enraged father, especially not since the father was Steve Carlisle.
“No. This is between me and you. You are much older than her, you should be the one responsible.”
“She’s a grown up adult, stop treating her like a child.” Michael stood up from his chair now, his voice equally as raised as Steve’s.
“Be that as it may. Did you sleep with her? I’ve seen the way you’ve both been looking at each other. I know she’s been here without me. And since day before, right after she was here, she’s locked herself in her room and you disappeared to your island. Something happened. You hurt her.” Steve had charged towards Michael now, his words being followed by spittle from his mouth.
Michael pushed his hands into the pockets of his pants and smiled.
“You have a good imagination Steve. Tell me, was I imagining it when I saw you whispering into Victoria’s ear the other day at the museum? Did I see your hand on her waist and remember correctly that she said you both were on a date?” Michael managed to smile while he was saying this. The impression he wanted to create for Steve was that he was entirely confident in himself. Even though the news that Danielle had locked herself up in her room since that night had thrown him off his center.
Steve visibly shrunk and gulped, then looked away. The ravage look in his eyes turned to guilt instantly.
“Talk about being older. You’re Victoria’s father’s age, his friend even. Does your wife know? Does her father know?” Michael was the one who took a few steps towards Steve now. He moved away from him.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well, that is what I saw.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Are you threatening me?” Michael asked and an eerie silence descended in the room. Steve pulled at his collar, loosening the tie at his neck. He looked much older suddenly and Michael couldn’t believe that Victoria was attracted to him.
“I just want to know if you’ve been sleeping with my daughter.” Steve asked, in a much calmer voice now.
“Are you sleeping with Victoria?” Michael asked and Steve remained silent. That question was answered by the silence in the room and Michael felt his heart drop to his feet, even though he managed to maintain a smile on his face.
“How long have you been sleeping with her?” Michael asked and Steve looked away.
“I didn’t sleep with her till she turned twenty. I made sure of that, even though she’d been seducing me since she hit puberty.” Steve said and Michael turned away from him. It disgusted him, to think that Steve and Victoria were ever together.
“We’re in love.” Steve was pleading now, begging Michael to understand. “But her father will never understand, the circle that we live in…they’ll never understand.” Steve continued and Michael walked over to the window. What kind of a person was Victoria then? Was she just a heartbroken girl who couldn’t be with the man she really wanted to be with? Steve Carlisle?
“And don’t you dare try and tell me that is what you have with Danielle.” Steve’s voice had changed to a threat again and Michael turned to look at him.
“I know you Michael Castle. I know the way you treat women. I know how I can get at you. Everyone will believe me if I said you were rough with her. That will really get you back.” Steve was thundering again and Michael shook his head.
“Steve. Calm down. You know you can’t do that. Because then, I’ll have to tell your wife and Victoria’s dad what has been going on between the two of you for the last decade.” Michael was smiling again. He knew how to change his expression for the situation, no matter how nervous and upset he was on the inside.
Steve’s face shrunk again, his forehead was covered in a thin film of sweat.
“Michael!” His voice was pleading again.
“Don’t you worry good man,” Michael walked over to him again and thumped him on the back. “You don’t have anything to worry about, as long as you don’t spread malicious gossip about me and your daughter.”
Steve breathed in and shut his eyes.
“Don’t go near my daughter again Michael. If you do, I won’t care what you say about Victoria and me to anybody. I will come after you. Danielle is the most precious thing to me in the world, I won’t allow her to get hurt by a monster like you.” Steve was hissing now, unable to control the hurricane of emotion.
“You just called your boss a monster?” Michael challenged Steve.
“You’re not my boss anymore Michael. I quit. I can’t work with you. You’re on your own.” Steve turned from him. Michael remained silent. Just like every new thing that was happening today, nobody had ever quit his company before. His brand had a reputation for keeping its employees happy. He didn’t know what to say. He was a little relieved, because he didn’t think he could work with Steve anymore, but at the same time, he was going to lose a valued manager.
“Do you have a plan to fix all this?” Steve asked, with his hand on the doorknob. Michael slowly turned to him, and then smiled.
“Of course I do. I’m flying to New York tomorrow to do an interview. There’s nothing some good PR can’t fix. At least temporarily.” Michael said and watched as Steve’s face changed. He looked impressed, he could finally see why Michael Castle had reached the position that he was in right now.
“Well…I hope it works out for you.” Steve said and opened the door and walked out.
Michael sighed loudly as the door closed behind him. Maybe this would mean that all his contact with Danielle will be cut off. Had he upset her? Hurt her? He had given in to her to satisfy her, to please her. He thought that was what she wanted. He hated himself after that. He despised his own weakness…but had she wanted more?
Michael went back to his desk and opened the email he had received as a response. The interview was on and they were excited to host him.
“Jackie. Book me a flight to New York for early tomorrow morning. I need to be in midtown Manhattan by 2:00 pm, local time.”
Michael was alone again and he looked around him. Was his life falling apart or was it coming together finally? He felt more energized than ever before, his company was going to be alright, and Steve was gone. He seemed to be headed in the right direction again, but he couldn’t be sure.
His hands instinctually started typing into the internet search engine. Victoria Collinger. Images of her long chestnut hair, the fabulously glamorous photographs of her flooded his computer screen. He couldn’t believe it. She was in love with Steve Carlisle. Always had been. Michael sighed, realizing then that you can’t change what your heart wants. Victoria wants the world, wants to be successful and also wants Steve. She can’t have him so she does what she can to numb the pain.
Michael didn’t hate her anymore, even though she had played a part in making him feel this miserable. The more he looked at her face, the sorrier he felt for her. What does age matter anyway? Steve was intelligent, well read, successful and very handsome for his age. Why shouldn’t Victoria have him? Since they loved each other.
As his eyes fell on his desk, the image of Danielle lying stretched across his desk flitted through his head. That was that. If he was lucky, he would never have to see her again. But she was so gorgeous though, felt so good in his hands. She was feisty too…but she was out of bounds.
Michael shook his head and reached for his phone. He wasn’t thinking as he typed.
Heard you’re not well. Feel better soon. I probably won’t be seeing you again, Take care.
He sent the message off to Danielle with the hope that it might help her recover. She deserved better than him, better than Michael Castle who didn’t know what he wanted.
What did he want? Thelma? Some other unknown woman he was yet to meet? Danielle? Nothing fixated in his brain and he started pacing the floor of his office. The one thing, the only thing
that he could be sure of now was that he needed to fix his company. That was the only way forward and the one thing he was sure he was good at. Where his heart was concerned, it felt broken now and he didn’t know how he could possibly fix it. Perhaps New York might have the solution?
Chapter 10
Michael put his briefcase down at the door and aloud he said “Honey! I’m home!” to nobody in particular. There was nobody there to greet him. Jackie was still in New York, attending to the aftermath of the interview and some meetings with major customers, which went exceptionally well. Michael had managed to pacify them to a large extent, he had just bought the tech team some extra time. It was their job now to come up with the fixes in the next three weeks. He had done his bit and he was happy with it. And then he hightailed it back in London. He had spent the last week in his Fifth Avenue penthouse, overlooking Central Park. It was cozy, and had all the conveniences, but it was nothing like his house in London. Besides, George had been texting him constantly since he left, he needed to see the lads again, go on a few nights out and regain his bearings in the world.
Michael had a smile on his face as he spruced up for a night on the town with his friends. The trip to New York had been a success. He felt great. He used his charms and powers of persuasion to get his customers to calm down. What else could he ask for?
He ran his hand along the bannister of the staircase and just as he was about to take the first step, heard the door of his office crack open. He expected it to be Jackson, his housekeeper, but he found Danielle standing there instead.
He’d never seen her like this before, look this casual. She was in a pair of frayed casual jeans, which were no doubt designer, but made to look worn. She was wearing a thin cotton white t-shirt and a tan trench coat over it. Her hair was the usual blonde, poker-straight, and lightly grazing her shoulders. She was wearing a discreet pair of sandals, and had barely any makeup on. Her lips were natural, pale pink. But her eyes were still glassy blue and large.
“Hi! I didn’t know what time you were going to be back.” Danielle’s voice was reserved. She seemed to be shy of him, a reaction he had not expected from her.
“How did you know I was going to be back today?” Michael retreated from taking the step but stood still. She looked delicate today, much younger and much more fragile. Where had her confidence gone?
“Jackson told me.” Danielle said, and ran a hand through her silky blonde hair. Michael smiled, this was not the time to point fingers. She needed to be taken care of, to be looked after, if he didn’t want to scar her for life.
“Do you want to come into the living room? Have a cup of tea?” Michael stretched his arm towards the living room area and Danielle finally smiled.
“Only if you add a dash of Scotch to it.” She said and led the way for him. Michael smiled again, there it was, her fighting spirit.
“I saw your interview on the telly.” Danielle said as they entered the living room together. She was quick to make herself at home. She took off the trench coat and hung it from the coat rack, Michael did the same with his own overcoat.
“And?” He asked and Danielle gave him a smile.
“A star as always.” She said, sitting down on the white leather couch, crossing her long legs. Michael stood above her and nodded.
“Thank you very much Danielle.” He said and perched himself next to her on a couch arm. They looked at each other solemnly, each with several things on their minds.
“Michael…” She began to say.
“You shouldn’t be here Danielle. Your father knows and he’s forbidden it.” He cut in. Danielle rolled her eyes and ran her hand through her hair again.
“Who cares what father thinks. He’s not the boss of me Michael. I can see whoever I want to see.” She said and Michael sighed.
“That’s what you said the last time, but he still came around and threatened me.” Michael licked his lips and shook his head.
“So does that mean that we can’t see each other even if we really want to?” Danielle leaned towards him. He noticed how he could see her leopard printed bra through the thin material of the t-shirt she was wearing. He knew what those breasts looked like, how big they were, bigger than his hands. He felt something move in his pants.
“It means that we have to stay away from each other.” Michael said and Danielle stood up, hovering over him now.
“Why Michael? Are you scared of father? Michael Castle is afraid of a guy called Steve?” Danielle had reached for his face, cradling his chin in her hands. Michael licked his lips again. She smelled so great! Her eyes were so large, her lips so sweet.
“Danielle…that’s not what it is. I just don’t want to get in any kind of trouble over something like this.” Michael said, huskily. Danielle reached for his dick now, which had already started to throb.
“Something like what? This?” She asked, that familiar glitter returning to her eye.
“I don’t want you to hurt like the last time Danielle.” Michael said, placing a hand on hers, to stop her from unzipping his pants.
“You think you hurt me? Please. If father told you anything, he exaggerated. Why would you have hurt me? That was exactly what I wanted.” Danielle said, and wriggled her hand out of his grip to slowly unzip his pants. Michael breathed in deeply.
“That wasn’t the impression your father gave me. The last thing I want to do is hurt you Danielle.” Michael tried to hold her gaze, but she kept looking away, concentrating on his emerging dick instead. Her hands were soft as she touched him, her breasts were so close. He knew he wanted her.
“Father would have said anything to make you feel guilty, Michael. I’m surprised that you couldn’t see through it.” She said and bit her lip. She was smiling again and Michael could feel himself melting. How did she always manage to do this to him?
“I still think we should take it easy Danielle.” He said, stopping himself just in time from losing all control. He stood up from the couch and started zipping up his pants. Danielle however had other plans.
With one flick she had take off her t-shirt and discarded it on the floor. Michael could see her breasts in full view now and he moved towards her, grabbing her by her butt and pulling her close to him.
“What are you doing to me Danielle?. Not again.” He said and she laughed a little.
“I’m just showing you what the right thing to do is.” She said and Michael leaned in to kiss her. Her mouth was small and with her tongue she flicked at his lips. He held on to her butt, pressing her body against his. He had been right to push Thelma away, it was Danielle that he wanted, he had wanted to taste her again, to taste her better this time.
Danielle was small in his hands and she wriggled against his chest, pulling his shirt out of his pants. As they kissed she started to unbutton him. He felt her touch on his bare chest and he pulled away from her. He wanted to look at her. She looked beautiful, still delicate and feisty at the same time.
He pulled her close again and was kissing her neck, leaving a wet trail as he went along towards her breasts. He heard her breath catch in her throat when he felt for the clasp of her bra and undid it. Her breasts in his hands were big and soft again. He squeezed them, enjoying how heavy they felt in his hands.
Danielle bent forward then, to kiss his chest and he closed his eyes, she was falling to her knees. He felt her unzip his pants again and then pull them down. With his eyes still closed he felt her take him in her mouth. For a split second he couldn’t recall who it was in front of him, Thelma? Victoria? Danielle? Michael shook his head and placed his hands on Danielle’s smooth soft hair. No, he was going to do it correctly this time. Danielle deserved it. He didn’t need to think about any other woman now. Danielle was the whole package and he was lucky that she was on bent knees in front of him.
Michael tried to smile, but as she continued to lick him, suck him gently, rolling her tongue around his dick, his mind flitted again. He couldn’t concentrate. Danielle was perfect. She was gentle whe
n she needed to be, and had the right spirit to turn him on. Why was his brain so occupied with other thoughts then?
Danielle spent a few more minutes there and then slowly stood up, trailing her path with her tongue on his leg, thigh, up his abdomen and then finally at the base of his neck. She was beautiful.
“Come here.” He said gruffly and led her to the couch. He hooked his fingers into the loops on her jeans and pulled her. They both fell on the couch together and she was laughing now. That same high pitched giggle that he knew he had always found endearing.
“You are one feisty lady, you know that?” Michael said, kissing her again and Danielle laughed more.
“I just always get what I want.” She said, sucking on his earlobe now.
Michael pulled her closer and felt her hands move to his dick again.
“I want you Michael Castle. I want you inside me.” She said gruffly. Her eyelids had become heavy again and her lips were glistening with where he had just kissed her. He undid her jeans and she started to peel it off her legs.
Michael could feel his heart racing again, she was right. This is what they wanted. What did he care what Steve thought?
Danielle was naked again, and she looked gorgeous. Michael smiled as she lay back on top of him. He could feel her wetness on his thighs as she started to slowly rub herself against him, their hips colliding.
“You’re killing me.” He hissed as he lifted her up, his muscles clenching. He placed her back on top of him, but this time her legs were parted so that she quickly slid on top of him. They both moaned together. He fit inside her tightly, well and Danielle arched her back so that he could thrust deeper inside her.
Michael shut his eyes. She was beginning to rotate her hips, move above him and he felt his body shudder. He was losing control already.
“Jenn” He said aloud and suddenly the movement stopped. Michael’s eyes flew open and he saw Danielle raise herself up and slide up off him.