Acquired Asset

by ZN Willett

  I wanted to tell him all of this. However, I was afraid the moment I did; he would have more power over me than he already had. If Christopher knew that he was gaining my heart along with my trust, I was afraid of what he might do with that power.

  So, I hid behind my lips as I vigorously kissed him. When he took me, I basked in the feel of him as we started to say what our words wouldn’t. The water hid the tears that escaped from my eyes as each thrust eased the pain that was inside of me.

  There were no more words exchanged between us as we both let our movements do all the talking. When we came together, we stood, holding each other until the moment passed.

  They say it takes twenty-one days to form a habit. Being the overachiever, it only took me ten before I realized that I was addicted to Christopher Colby.

  “Quinn, a friend of yours bumped into me at the New York sky lounge on my way to Paris.”

  The sound of Christopher’s exhaustion carried through the line. “You didn’t take the jet?”

  “I did, but they needed to refuel.”

  I glanced down at the figures, made a few changes, and asked, “Which friend?”

  “She said her name was Paige.”

  “I’m surprised she said anything to you.”

  “Does she know that we are dating?” He yawned, sounding a bit surprised.

  “She saw us when you dropped me off at my meeting. She was the one I said hello to.”

  “Aww. Well, she seems to think that I’m available.”

  “What . . . Colby, what the hell? What are you trying to say?” I sat up in my chair.

  “She made a play for me.”

  “She what?” I threw my pencil across the room. “That bitch!” I was going to strangle the bitch. After all the things she had said!

  “I made it very clear that I was unavailable.”

  “Damn right, you are!”

  He snickered. “Just in case she says otherwise, I thought I should say something.”

  “I know you wouldn’t . . .”

  “It’s nice knowing that you do.”

  “It’s not going to be that long Quinn. Justin and I have been apart for longer. You can make it fun. Go buy yourself a few sexy things and model one for him every night.”

  “I’m not going to do that Lissa.”

  She leaned in. “Why the hell not? Do you know how that makes a man feel?”

  I took a sip of my wine. “I’m sure Christopher has seen it before.”

  “Damn. What is wrong with you? It’s only four weeks. You act as if you’re never going to see the man again. You aren’t in love with him—”

  “No! Not at all. Besides, it’s too early for that.”

  “Then, why so glum?”

  “Maybe it’s that time of the month, I don’t know. Work is stressing me out. I used to love twisting these assholes’ balls, but lately, everyone around me acts like total morons. I get more accomplished doing things myself. Then, I look like the bad guy screaming and yelling about, why the hell do I pay you jackasses?”

  “I would say you needed to pound that out, although Christopher’s not here. Maybe while you’re away, you could de-stress. Take a minute to enjoy the damn scenery for once.”

  “I need to do something. Mia threatened to quit.”

  “For now, it’s all handled. We conceded more than I wanted to, however in the end we should come out on top,” Christopher said proudly through the phone.

  “Does that mean you’re heading back to New York?”

  “While I’m here, I thought I would do a few pop ups.” He chuckled tiredly.

  I grabbed the pillow and propped up my head. “You stole that from me.”

  I would drop in unannounced, and surprise hotel management, to see how things were really handled on a daily basis.

  “It works Quinn. And what’s yours is mine.”

  I sighed heavily at that thought. “Go to bed, Christopher. You’ve been at it all week.”

  “I’m not tired. Besides, we haven’t had much time to talk.”

  “I know.”

  We were silent for a while; all I could focus on was Christopher’s breathing, as I remembered how it felt against my skin.

  “Quinn, I won’t keep you—”

  “No, I want to talk. It’s nice hearing a friendly voice . . . your voice.”

  “That doesn’t sound too convincing. Is Tokyo Seven still giving you problems?”

  “I think the programmer needs to get laid. Maybe then he could take the stick out of his ass.”

  Christopher laughed and said in a lowered voice. “I don’t think he’s the only one in need of a good lay.”

  We were all in need of some release, and hearing Colby’s sexy voice didn’t help. I knew the asshole had that smirk on his face.

  “Well, you know you can take care of that issue at any time.” I flirted back.

  “Oh, I did. Several times. In fact that ‘big’ issue is being taken care of as we speak.”

  My heart started pulsating through my chest at the thought of Christopher’s hand stroking that . . . “Mmm.”

  “Exactly. That’s how much I miss you. My hands can’t wrap around tight enough.”

  “Christopher!” Came out in more of a pant.

  I lay on my back, center quivering, as my ears reached to hear anything from the other end of the phone. Christopher was quiet at first, and his breathing picked up. The sound of his hand became louder as he switched on the speaker. I could hear everything much clearer.

  Christopher was sitting in a chair, and I could hear his thighs moving across the leather. Visions of him leaned back, hands sliding up and down, made my mouth water.

  A ragged breath, and another came through the speaker interrupting my thoughts. This had provided a symphony of sounds to accompany my visions.

  “Quinn, do you know I dream about your warm, wet, mouth every night? Think about those lips around me, and that tongue . . . what that tongue can do.”

  I couldn’t speak. I laid there mesmerized by the sounds vibrating from across the world. My heart swelled up when Christopher groaned out my name in release.

  “That boyfriend of yours is not giving up, Quinn.”

  Ever since Christopher had returned to New York, he had purposely gone out of his way to get to know my father more than before. At first, I told him not to bother. Then, when my dad called telling me that he had gone to a baseball game with Christopher in the corporate box suite, I knew he had him. My father was a sucker for sports. Add a few bottles of beer, and you could sell the man anything. I must say, even after the game, Dad still sounded standoffish, but Christopher should have expected it. Over a year ago, the Colbys were our mortal enemies. Now, I was sleeping with one.

  “He’s very persistent, Dad.”

  “I know that. However you are more so.”

  “He knows that.”

  He chuckled. “I’m sure he does. But, can you trust him?”

  Oh, the billion dollar question. That was what was at stake. Forget Game of Thrones. Nothing compared to the vicious fighting to sit on the throne of this empire. Mergers can take down even the strongest contenders.

  “Quinn?”

  “I . . . I do trust him, Dad.”

  He pondered. “Well, trust your gut.”

  It was that “gut” that was convincing me to trust him. But, my head still needed persuading.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “You can wake me up anytime.” Christopher yawned. “How did today go?”

  “Good. Very productive. I actually had time to visit some sites, before heading out tomorrow.”

  “You needed some time to unwind. How were the owners?”

  “Ornery as always. Why did you decide to do a joint venture with these assholes?”

  “I can’t take the credit. That was all Thomas.”

  “I’ll make sure to thank him the next time I see him.”

  “Speaking of fathers . . . I’ve had a chance to spend some time wi
th yours.”

  “Oh, really? I warned you, although I have heard you’re making a dent.”

  “Good to hear, because Joseph has a killer poker face.”

  “Christopher, why bother?”

  “He’s your father.”

  “It’s also the twenty-first century.”

  “It’s important to me—”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are important to me.”

  “I’m starting to hate hotel food.”

  “Shh, Quinn, what would the guests say?”

  I turned on the Jacuzzi jets as I stepped into the hot water. “Whatever, Colby. I miss eating a simple grilled cheese sandwich.”

  “Have the chef make one.”

  “It’s not the same. I want an old fashion grilled cheese sandwich, with plain white bread and American cheese. Not the gourmet bread and fine cheeses we have.”

  “Don’t we sound like a spoiled American?”

  “I’m not spoiled! I appreciate the finer things and you know that, but there is nothing wrong with wanting something from home. Or a plain cheese sammich!”

  “Did you say sammich?”

  “Shut up. Wait . . . why can’t we . . . ?”

  “We what, Quinn?”

  “Colby, your smart ass has given me an idea.”

  “Should I warn the Board that we are about to hand over another bag of money?”

  “Look smart ass, I always produce on my investments. And this won’t cost us that much.”

  “Did you get your grilled cheese sammich, Quinn?”

  I laughed; I was headed out to another property. I closed the privacy window between the driver and me. “I did, and a great campaign as well.”

  “It was a brilliant strategy.”

  I had thought; why couldn’t our guests have a few comforts of home? One of the resorts I reviewed had been bleeding cash. Everything about the property should have kept the resort at least at capacity. But, it had struggled for over two years. The campaign of “Yes” came to mind. Being able to say yes to everything, and if you couldn’t, learning the art of saying no, even when you can’t fulfill a request. They may not get the exact grilled cheese sandwich they had at home, however as long as we delivered a similar product, we fulfilled their request. That goes a long way.

  “This will move us ahead of the competition, and should change the P&L for the fourth quarter. Oh, and I did it at a minimum cost. I set up an account with the local markets and department stores. They will be directly billed for each request, and we will pass the cost on to the guests.”

  “Two hundred percent markup should do it,” he added.

  “Three hundred.”

  “You know it makes me hard hearing you talk dirty.”

  My head fell back as I laughed. “Should I start talking projections?”

  “Yes! Say it louder.” He groaned.

  “Is anyone sitting here?”

  I shook my head and the man sat down at the empty bar stool next to me. Three more days and I would be home. Three more days and hopefully Christopher would be in my bed. I planned to surprise him in New York on my way back.

  “I noticed you from across the room; you’re a beautiful woman.”

  I took a sip of my drink, and watched the bartender grin at me. I grinned back as he walked away shaking his head.

  “Ms?”

  I looked at the guy next to me. “Oh, are you talking to me?”

  “Yes, I am.” He grinned.

  The older man was good-looking, and I could see why women would fall for that line, but . . .

  “Would you allow me to buy you a drink?” He was persistent.

  I turned my body to face him. Looked down at the pale line on his finger from the ring he obviously had taken off. “I’m seeing someone.”

  “Is he here?”

  “No.”

  “Then it will be our little secret. No one would have to know.”

  I was taken aback. “That comment told me I was right about you. The lame lines may work on a lonely soul, but the sleazy comment makes you look like the asshole you are.” I grabbed my purse and left.

  When I stepped into my hotel room, my cell rang. “Hello, sweetheart.”

  “What did you do, Colby?” I asked, plopping on the sofa suspicious.

  “Quinn. Why would you think—?”

  “You haven’t called me that in a while.”

  He chuckled. “Should I have greeted you with I have blue balls from being deprived of you.”

  I grinned. Big. “So you had a good day?”

  “I did. But I’m sensing yours might not have been so great.”

  “This jackass tried to pick me up at the bar downstairs.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Then, he asked if you were here; as if that mattered. I’m not a damn slut!”

  “Just my slut.”

  “Christopher! I am not.”

  “Like I said. Mine.”

  “The guy just rubbed me the wrong way.”

  “He better not have!”

  “Stop joking. Maybe I should have given the ass a chance.” Never!

  “Oh, Quinn. I wouldn’t joke about something like that.” He grumbled.

  “I miss you.”

  Where the hell did that come from?

  “You have no idea.” He breathed out.

  We didn’t say anything, only listened to each other breathing. I wanted to touch him so badly. “FaceTime?”

  I hung up and called him back on video chat. We were able to do that often during our time away, but as the time stretched on, it was harder to see him. I always gave excuses of why I couldn’t. It hurt too damn much.

  “Hello beautiful,” he said with a smile.

  I placed my finger on the screen outlining his face. “Hi.”

  “Quinn? Hi, I thought that was you.”

  She was the last person I expected to see in the lobby. “Paige, you’re back in New York?”

  “Yes, how are things?”

  “Well.”

  “And are things still going well with Christopher?”

  I gawked at her.

  She looked puzzled. “Are you still upset about what I said? I was only concerned about your well-being and Christopher—”

  “Cut the crap.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

  She countered. “He told you. I was only testing the theory that he wasn’t good for you—”

  “Keep telling yourself that. It didn’t surprise me. You have always been a miserable bitch. The whole ‘grass is always greener on the other side’ you thought? I can verify that it is very plush!”

  “Quinn, he came on to—”

  My hand came up stopping her bull. “You made several passes at my boyfriend! He turned your ass down each time, and you have the audacity to throw the blame back on Christopher?” She looked wide-eyed. “What? Did you think he wouldn’t tell me the entire story?”

  She composed herself before answering. “I only wanted to see if he was worthy.”

  “Please, stop. Spare the excuses. You’re pathetic.” I started to walk away, but there was something that Christopher said. I turned back around. “Next time you lay your hands on Christopher, I won’t be as nice. That’s a promise.”

  I checked into the hotel, dropped my things off, and headed straight to the car and called Christopher.

  “Mr. Colby’s office.”

  “Hi, Asher.”

  “Ms. Cordell.”

  “Quinn, please. Is Christopher in?”

  “He’s speaking at the PMT’s in midtown.”

  Christopher’s new assistant, Asher ran rings around Vanessa. He also focused on his job instead of trying to catch Christopher’s eye.

  “Can you send me the information, I’m in the car. Also, I need a way in.”

  “Everything will be sent to you in five, Ms. Cord—Quinn. And, welcome back.”

  Asher had everything sent over, and as soon as I walked up to the registration desk they were expecting
me. Asher was extremely good at his job.

  I found a chair in the back of the meeting room where Christopher was speaking. It was an annual international business leader’s conference. I grabbed the schedule and saw that he was the keynote speaker. I listened as he discussed the future of world markets and the hospitality industry as a whole. He touched on maintenance, housekeeping, logistics, marketing and food service. He even mentioned my YES campaign, hinting a bit without giving the strategy away. Christopher made several great ending points and took questions from the audience. One question in particular caught my attention.

  He answered, “The reason why my company is growing toward being at the top in our industry is that we have joined two like-minded families and unified them into one mindset. We have one goal and one focus.”

  Christopher answered a few more questions before wrapping up the session. I waited in the back while several people approached him. When he was being escorted out, I walked up behind him.

  “Mr. Colby. Sir, may I ask you a question?”

  Christopher instantly paused, as did the two gentlemen with him. He turned around and I was taken aback by the intensity in his eyes. It brought me back to the time when we had first met.

  “Yes, miss?”

  “Quinn.” I rolled out with a smile.

  He grinned with a gleam in his eye. “Quinn,” he said elongating it. “What is your question?”

  “You mentioned joining two families. I’m sure it wasn’t as easy as you made it sound.”

  “It seemed impossible, at first. When we started looking at expanding—”

  “You mean taking?”

  He cocked a brow. “There were several opportunities we could have expanded into; nevertheless the Cordells had an impressive brand that fit the culture we wanted to create.”