Acquired Asset

by ZN Willett

  Her hand instantly went to her heart. “Quinn, thank you.”

  I gave her a hug. “Thank you. And you did a great job with Christopher. Even though he’s still an ass.”

  We both laughed. “He loves you,” she stated plainly.

  “I know.”

  “Well, if that is so, then you have to make up your mind. Are you going to take the leap? Or chicken out?”

  The next few weeks were spent in countless meetings and cleaning up the aftermath of the fireworks. Everything Christopher said would happen did. The Board called their meetings. Millicent was stripped of everything except her name, and it looked as if Joseph was going to be running the company, except they still had reservations about his health. That was not leaked, but another hit would cause even worse damage to our stocks. They were meeting the beginning of the next week to decide which direction they would proceed. It was obvious they didn’t want Thomas to take over. He was controlled by Millicent, and she was someone they wanted to sever from the company. And Joseph, he was quickly becoming a side thought.

  After we explained everything, and by us, I am referring to Christopher and Constance. We figured she would keep him calm. Joseph’s reaction surprised me. He didn’t get upset. The moment we mentioned that the Colbys knew about the heart attack, I could see that he knew what that meant. He said he was prepared either way, and would stand by whatever the Board’s decision. That surprised me, however when he said it could either go to me or Christopher, I knew then that this was far from over.

  We both knew that with Thomas and my father out of the picture, that would leave us. But for the past few weeks, the only thing that I could focus on was us. Christopher made it evident every day that being without me was not an option. He was struggling to sleep alone; however, I knew it was more than that. I was struggling myself. Being without him was getting harder and seeing him every day didn’t help. The distance between us had been needed. I stood by that, but it was the not knowing what the future held that was eating me up inside.

  “Quinn, the Board called a meeting and both you and Christopher have been summoned to appear Thursday.”

  “Thanks Asher. Is Christopher in?”

  “He came in a few hours ago.”

  “Thanks.”

  I took a few deep breaths, looked at myself in the mirror, and walked across the hall to his office.

  “Can I come in?” I asked, peeking around the door.

  He was going through a folder and looked up. I noticed his stare was blank, and he didn’t even bother to try to cover a grimace that barely reached into a smile. The bags under his eyes were darker and he looked as if he hadn’t slept last night. I couldn’t talk; when I looked into the mirror I looked pretty bad myself. “Christopher I looked over the figures and—”

  I stopped instantly when he suddenly slammed the report down. His nostrils flared as he glared at me. “I can’t do this! I can’t sit here and talk shop with you today.”

  My heart dropped. What happened now? “What’s going on? Did something else—”

  “I can’t continue acting like this is okay. I am tired of waking up without you. I’m tired of not being able to touch you, and to look at you is becoming harder with each passing minute. Look at you? I can see it in your eyes that this hasn’t been easy for you either.”

  “It hasn’t.”

  “Enough already!” he yelled out as he stood. He stormed across the room and stood in front of me. “I’m not going to live through one more day like this, Quinn.” I could feel myself getting stirred up, even though I agreed with him. “Don’t even think about fighting me on this! I gave you time! I backed off! I almost destroyed our company! There is nothing more I can do!”

  “I know . . .”

  He tilted his head down closer locking our eyes. “What was that?”

  “I can’t do this anymore either.” I stepped in closer, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m ready to take that leap,” I whispered. His eyes squinted. “Kiss me, Colby.”

  Instantly our lips collided as our collective breaths filled the other’s lungs.

  Reagan and Evan seemed to be on the right path. They were talking, and that was a start. The past months had shown me how important that was in a relationship. My father called to have lunch. I knew what that meant. He had never “scheduled” us to have lunch before. Usually, he called or showed up and asked. I played along knowing that this was his time to tell me officially about him and Constance. I could finally tell him how happy I was that he had found happiness. As for Millicent, she had been holed up in her empty mansion. Thomas finally left her. Embezzling from his granddaughter’s charity was the last push he needed. Plus, it looked as if he was trying to make amends with his children. Not sure if that bridge hadn’t been burned, though from what I heard, Reagan was trying. As far as Christopher was concerned, that boat seemed to have sailed. Nonetheless, there were times when I could tell that he was thinking about healing the wounds. Constance suggested that he try. No matter what the Colbys had done, Constance for some reason tried to see the good in them. Even though she might not see any good in Millicent, she believed Thomas had some left in him.

  Christopher and I met with the Board on Thursday and concluded that whatever the decision, we would stand by it. It wasn’t hard when they demoted Thomas; even though there was no evidence against him. His reputation of being the puppet to the puppet master known as Millicent had hurt him in the end. Thomas didn’t hold enough shares to matter, so they reclassified his current position. He’d still hold a title; however crucial responsibilities would shift elsewhere. The same went for my father. Joseph had held shares, so his ranking was a lot higher. When I say held, it all became clear when the Board announced that he had passed his percentage onto me. With Christopher holding the other half of the majority shares, it looked as if we were again at a standstill. We both held equal shares, which caused the vote for the new CEO to come down to the two of us.

  We both discussed that the Board might go in that direction, but it was my father’s share transfers that sealed the nomination for me. I asked him why? We both knew the answer. He would die before seeing a Colby take the remainder of our company. The vote would have gone to Christopher as the majority shareholder, but now that we own equal shares, it’s anyone’s game.

  “You cooked?” His lips feathered lightly across my earlobe.

  “Constance left it.”

  “Ah, I was hoping for some of your home cooking.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face into my neck.”

  “Mmm, I’ll cook breakfast.”

  “Does that mean you’re staying?”

  “Constance went over to my dad’s.” I turned around in Christopher’s arms and started to kiss along his jaw. My lips pressed firmly against his stubble, scratching my flesh along his until I reached his lips. Softly, I placed kisses along his bottom and top lip. I looked up as my tongue gently teased him; outlining them, as my teeth pulled his bottom lip into my mouth. I teased and taunted as purrs rumbled from his core. His arms wrapped tighter as I took my time enjoying every bit of Christopher. My eyes would flicker up to his, watching as they would flutter and close. My hands trailed along his rippled back, feeling each quiver he made when my nails scratched up and down his shirt.

  Christopher started to move me backward as I continued to explore him with my mouth. Drawing my lips over his cleft chin, down his Adam’s apple and up again while we stumbled through the doors. I took in his intoxicating essence with each breath as I trailed them along his collarbone.

  We came to a halt when my legs hit the bed. I protested when he tried to push me down onto it. Shaking my head I moaned out a no; turned him around and started to unbutton his dress shirt. My lips stayed on his heated flesh as my hands felt their way down his chest, loosening each and every button before pushing it off his shoulders and to the floor.

  I trailed down his fine chest hair, showering each strand with attention before moving ont
o the next. When I reached his bud, I latched onto it with my teeth before I flicked my tongue over it, and a growl rumbled through him. “Quinn . . .” He breathed out. I kissed it and proceeded to the other. Christopher grabbed hold of the back of my head while I lavished it with much more attention, thrilled by the moans of his pleasure.

  I traced down his abs, unbuckling his belt and undoing his pants as I pulled them slowly down along with myself. My hands were sliding down the back of his thighs, caressing each muscle in his legs as I slid them back up again. I was face to face with his impatient member which was expanding as I watched. I licked my lips and proceeded to show him the love and care that he so deserved. I mean this specimen of a man had been the driving force of all my incredible orgasms, and I thought it was about time that I showed him just how appreciative I was.

  Christopher was speechless as he looked down, our eyes locked as I showed him my gratitude. With some explicit curses thrown in, and mumbled words, his jaw opened wide. His head fell back in silence, and that had me cheering inside. I made Christopher Colby speechless. That was a feat in itself.

  The moment he lost control, and expressed every bit of his pleasure, I felt my work was done. But for every good deed, comes a just reward. And I must say that I received a double portion. Multiple orgasms are something not to balk at. When they occur, it feels like everything in the world is perfect. After the fact, it feels as if I have run a marathon. They are exhausting.

  When Christopher suggested taking a soak in the Jacuzzi, it hadn’t come fast enough. Every muscle in my body ached. Yet, I couldn’t get enough of him. “Mmm. Ahh.” He moaned out as I massaged his back more deeply. “Right there. Ahh, baby that feels good. Right there.” I sat up farther as water spilled over the side of the tub, massaging deeply into his shoulders. “Forget the masseuse; I’ll take your hands any day.”

  I started to kiss along his neck, reaching his ear, “You can use my hands anytime you want.” I whispered while kissing along his lobe before taking it into my mouth. He sank down farther causing a waterfall to pour over the side of the tub. My fingers glided through the strands of his wet hair, as I massaged his scalp. Christopher purred as my fingers pulled gently on the silken strands. We lay there resting in the other’s arms until I heard his shallow breath. I leaned down, waking him up with my kisses. “Christopher, come on, let’s get you to bed.”

  “Ready for another round?” He yawned.

  “Yeah, stud.”

  As soon as we crawled into bed, he was out. My poor baby, I thought, before falling to sleep after him.

  “I’m not going to just hand my company over.”

  The love was gone. Well, not all gone. Christopher’s hand was sliding along the leather seat as his fingers pushed farther into me.

  “Colby . . . this isn’t going to plead your case,” I whispered, looking toward the driver.

  Christopher’s other hand pressed the button to raise the privacy partition. When I heard the click of glass, he suddenly lifted me up to sit on his lap; my back was now leaning against his chest. Bringing my skirt up over my thighs, Christopher shifted my panties to the side as he opened his legs wider, adjusting himself out. “Lean forward.” He ordered. I glared back at him.

  I flipped my head down, bent over looking back at him. “Again . . . I’m doing all the work.” I winked at him, increasing my pace. I bit down on my lower lip, trying to repress the erupting overload of pleasure.

  I knew the windows were too dark to see in, but there was something erotic about people watching.

  I exploded, which caused Christopher to speed up his own impending climax as he exploded heavily inside me.

  As we slowed down, he pulled my head toward him and engulfed my mouth. Nothing about that was romantic or beautiful. It was raw, sloppy, and wet. We rode the wave of pleasure for a bit more, and then some. I didn’t want to release him just yet, and he wasn’t in a hurry to let me go. As the car pulled up to the office, I managed a few more rolls of my hips before reluctantly moving off of him.

  We put ourselves back together, but Christopher was in need of some fresh pants. We decided to go back to his house to get a pair; laughing and arguing all the way there and back.

  “I tried to call you,” Christopher stated.

  “Someone decided to distract me this morning and made me run behind schedule. Sorry Colby, you’re going to have to wait until I can get back to you.” He shut the door, and locked it. “Oh, no! Stop with whatever you’re thinking. I can’t play right now.”

  He chuckled, walking over to the bar as he poured himself a drink. “You have a one track mind.”

  “Says the man who has had me on my back for weeks.”

  He smirked; pinching his lips together and took a sip. “How are the knees?” he asked, sitting down on the sofa.

  I laughed, rubbing my thighs together, as I went back to the reports. “What’s on your mind, Colby?”

  “We need to come up with a solution before the Board seals our fate.”

  I stopped typing and looked over at him. “You’re afraid they’ll pick the right woman for the job?”

  He leaned back, all hints of humor gone. “They’ll choose me.” We peered at each other.

  I sat back in my chair and thought about that. “I should be pissed off that you think so little of me.”

  “You and I both know what the outcome will be.” We continued to stare.

  “You could be wrong.”

  “I’m not. What concerns me is what happens afterward.”

  I crossed my arms. “You’ll think I’ll what? Lose it? Give me a break.” I sat up and started typing again. He stared, saying nothing until I finished. I turned my body toward him and said, “You could be wrong. It’s a smart choice to pick me.”

  “Then, I would be lying if I said I would be pleased with that decision.”

  “And I would be lying if I said I would be happy for you if they chose you.”

  I stood up and sat next to him, taking the drink from his hand and drinking the rest of it. “Someone is going to get hurt, regardless. There can only be one winner.”

  “You would think that.” He looked at me, grabbing my hand and bringing it to his mouth before placing a gentle kiss on top.

  “Go, I have a lot of work to do.” I began to stand up, but he grabbed me back down.

  Leaning over he kissed me, locking our eyes as he leaned back staring. “I’ll let you get back to work.” He said as he stood.

  “Hey, you know I’ll fight you till the end of this?”

  “That’s why I love you, baby. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  “I could win the seat.”

  “If anyone could, it’s you.”

  “See you tonight?”

  “I’ll keep the bed warm.”

  Porter is an ass. “What’s the decision?” Thomas spoke up. All eyes were on Porter, and he was taking his sweet ass time! We were all in the boardroom; including Millicent. She sat at Christopher’s side as he sat at the head of the table. There were times I looked over at her as if she hadn’t left. We all knew she had been dethroned. Her vacant chair emptied. But, now I sat in it at the other end facing Christopher, who wasn’t thrilled that his mother could attend the vote. Porter had something to do with it, and it wouldn’t have surprised me if there was a bit more to their devotion to each other than met the eye. It was Millicent’s father that had founded the Colbys empire, Porter reminded us. Yet, it was his grandchild that almost destroyed it all.

  Christopher’s and my eyes stayed locked on the other’s. We had talked about this day. It was a day that we had both wanted someday. Now that it had arrived, neither one of us was willing to admit the truth; that nagging thought of what was next. Where would this truly leave us? Could Christopher submit to my authority as his boss? We both knew he was not one to be dominated. Even in bed, he always had to be in control. Still, would I be truly okay with him as our leader? I trusted him. That I did know; however did I trust him e
nough to hand over everything my parents and I have worked for? All for love.

  We both could have fought harder . . . dirtier . . . yet, there we were. Truly equals up to this point. But there could only be one winner.

  I stared into his blank eyes, deep in thought. I wondered if he finally realized, no matter what the decision was, there would truly be no winners.

  I could feel the tension in the air. Our eyes continued to stay locked; and the moment we heard “Christopher will be the new CEO,” his eyes fell, as I drew in a heavy breath. There was a collected hush in the room, before my father demanded an answer.

  Millicent erupted, stating that Christopher was the better choice. Thomas sat back into his chair breathing a sigh of relief while Reagan looked a bit saddened. That surprised me. Surely she was happy for her brother? While my father and his mother argued loudly. Others on both sides joined in, arguing their two cents. Obviously, it wasn’t a unanimous decision. Christopher kept his head down.

  When my father said, “We’ll fight this! A Colby will not run this company!” It was barely a whisper, yet I heard it loud and clear.

  “A Colby will run it. If it’s me or Quinn!” Christopher said, again louder and with finality, as his head rose now looking directly at my dad. There was a look in his eyes as he stood up stating, “No matter what Joseph, a Colby will always lead.”

  He looked at me, fidgeting in his pants before taking out what I knew to be a jewelry box. My eyes squinted at him, as my head started shaking automatically. My heart sped up, and I knew. I just knew then . . . .

  When he placed that smirk on his face and started walking toward me, I met him half way. He opened the box and a huge diamond solitaire ring beamed at me. My heart fell, and I couldn’t help the gigantic grin splattered on my face, before furrowing my brow as I tried to gain my composure.

  “Colby, is this your way of—”

  “Telling you that I love you and will be making you my wife, future Mrs. Colby?”