Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology)

by Ali Parker

  "They will have the CFO of Barrington give his report and then I will give ours, you being the one to flip the slides and Kent will fill in as he sees fit." He glanced up, his eyes filled with dark emotions. "Are you even listening?"

  "Hmmm? No, I'm not." She shrugged and walked to the window, moving the blinds to look out at the cityscape.

  "What do you mean no? This is important. It's not a simple task. It's a moment to impress Kent and lock yourself into a larger role here at McKenzie and Bryant. Pay attention or I'll find someone else to do it," he barked at her as she turned, leaning against the window.

  "You're upset. Tell me why." She tilted her head, trying to give off more empathy than she was feeling.

  "I'm not upset. I want you to pay attention and do well during this meeting. You're walking around like your head is in the clouds. Just because some punk-ass boy from Australia wants to see you shake your ass in a dress doesn't give you the right to shut down here at work. Get your shit together and get over here," he barked, turning back to the table and letting out a long sigh.

  Pain slammed into her, his anger as powerful as his passion. She walked over toward him and swallowed the hot lump in her throat, pointing to the chart and trying to steady her voice.

  "So after Mr. Parks gets up and does his part you will introduce us to the new board members and I will start the slides. Can I have a copy of them today so I can walk through them mentally when I need to move us along as you speak?"

  He looked over at her, the tight pinch of his shoulders relaxing just a little. "Yes, but it's highly confidential. You'll have to be careful with it."

  "I will review it and memorize the moving parts and then delete it."

  "By when?"

  "By this afternoon. You and I can rehearse first thing in the morning together."

  "Good. I like that." He stood and brushed his hand along his chin. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that about the dress. I'm being a dick."

  She walked toward the door and paused before leaving. "Where do I get the zip drive with the files and where do I meet you and Kent for lunch?"

  "Linda will get you a copy of the files just after lunch and meet us down in the lobby in twenty minutes. Did you hear me? I'm sorry."

  She shrugged. "No reason to be sorry. You were wrong with your accusations anyway."

  "What do you mean?"

  "My thoughts aren't taken by a silly Australian boy seeing me in a dress. They're suffocating in the depravity of being fucked twenty different ways by you."

  She walked out, her chest constricted as her heart raced. She couldn't keep this up. She wasn't as aggressive and domineering as he was. She needed to bow out soon or he would bust through her facade and take her to the mat. Maybe an internship wasn't a good idea at all. She needed to rethink her priorities - away from him.

  *

  Bethany walked toward the two men who would be a part of her life for the foreseeable future, Kent pulling her into a side hug as she stopped beside him.

  "Damon tells me that you're already moving on top of getting the files reviewed this afternoon. I knew you'd fit in perfectly with us." He smiled and squeezed her softly.

  Bethany nodded and looked over toward Damon, their earlier conversation having thrown off her whole morning. She needed a cold shower and wouldn't be getting one anytime soon.

  "She likes being on top. She's going to be a Bryant before we know it." He winked at her, the look in his eyes melting her where she stood.

  "You guys want to ride together or just meet me there? I can stay at lunch a little longer if we meet there." Kent moved toward the door, holding it open as they moved out.

  "I already called for my car, so Bethany and I will ride together. We'll meet you there."

  Kent waved and moved toward his car as Damon nodded toward his black Mercedes, the man having a few more cars than anyone should. Bethany walked in awkward silence to the car and got in, buckling up and sitting back as her eyes closed. Maybe if she pretended to be tired he would let things lie between them.

  The sound of his door shutting and the car starting caused her to glance at him. Mistake. He had turned to watch her, his long eyelashes brushing over his dark brown eyes. She found herself lost in them for a moment, the subtle swipe of his tongue catching her attention.

  "You surprise me," he whispered and turned to pull the car out onto the road.

  "How so?"

  "You're brilliant as is apparent, you’re soft and feminine... so innocent. Yet you kicked me in the chest with your comment earlier. I think there is far more to you than even you know."

  She laughed and closed her eyes again, not sure how to respond. The soft sliding of his hand just above her knee caused her breath to catch. She opened her eyes and looked toward him as he pulled his hand up, his eyes on the road. She pressed her hand to the top of his, her skirt pulled up to mid-thigh by his actions. He didn't speak but softly rubbed his thumb along the tender skin of her thigh, his teeth pulling at his lip as he breathed in deeply.

  "We should take an NRL today." He glanced over at her, his sensual lips turning into a wicked grin.

  "What's an NRL?" She breathed out, pushing his hand down back toward her knee as she tried to get a hold of herself. Her heart beat so fast she looked down to ensure her shirt wasn't lifting with its efforts.

  "A no return lunch."

  Chapter 14

  They sat in the fancy restaurant, Bethany's mind far from anything that might help her future and more attuned to the things that would wreck it. The desire to climb into Damon's seat and drown in the scent of him played through the recess of her mind over and over, her stomach aching from tensing it so many times on the short drive over.

  The waiter approached and Bethany lifted her menu, trying to blink the haze away from her eyes. Damon had a hold of her in ways that birthed worry. Years of not having sex or time to find the right guy to share herself with had left her a bit too needy. The show of desire by the relentless man across the table from her had destroyed her resolve to leave well enough alone. It would take the attention of someone else to get her mind off of him. Maybe Philip was a good idea. He was cute and safe, attractive, and seemed to like her already.

  "Bethany, what are you having to drink?" Kent's voice tugged her from her thoughts.

  "Oh sorry. Water and a glass for whatever you ordered."

  "I ordered whiskey. You sure you want a glass?"

  Damon chuckled and shook his head 'no'. She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head a little.

  "Yes, I'll have a glass of whiskey. No problem." She would just sip it. The NRL wouldn't be happening on her shift. Sex, as much as she wanted it with him, would undo them. What happened after the night of passion? How would they act around each other for the rest of their lives?

  "Bring the girl a glass then." Kent chuckled and pulled them into a conversation about the audit committee meeting. Bethany turned toward him and forced herself to mentally make notes, ignoring the glances from Damon. She needed help with her master’s program and Kent was the answer to that, or at least the easiest answer. She would think through things and make some decisions, but with a project this important, she had to do well.

  Finally gaining her footing, she asked questions and peppered Damon and Kent with scenarios and what ifs. By the end of lunch, they were both seemingly impressed, Kent having laughed loudly at her "brilliance" several times during the meal. As the bill was brought over, Damon excused himself to take a call.

  "I'm so glad you'll be with us next week. It should be a great experience for you." He stood and pulled back her chair, Bethany standing and moving toward the front of the restaurant. Damon stood near the bar, a gorgeous blond pressed to the front of him. He touched her face, leaning into her as she moved up to kiss his cheek. He laughed and said something, turning and walking toward Kent and Bethany.

  Bethany averted her gaze as his rushed over her, sickness rolling in her stomach. Jealousy was a horrid emotion and one she wasn't used
to feeling too often. Damon opened the door and smiled at them.

  "Ready?" He moved back and Bethany nodded, wanting to ask who the woman was and yet just not willing to let on to her feelings.

  Kent and Damon said their goodbyes, talking briefly about last minute wrap ups as Bethany got into the car and waited. Damon slid in moments later, his black slacks hugging his strong thighs, the large curve between them making her eyes widen.

  "You all right?" he asked, looking over at her as he buckled up.

  "Yes. Not used to having liquor at lunch, but I can't say that I won't try it again."

  He laughed and pulled the car out, his hand moving to his thigh as he beat out a rhythm that must have been in his head. They drove in silence, his desire to tease her seeming to have been sated. She was almost grateful as they pulled up to the front door of the office, a valet rushing out to help them.

  Damon moved beside her and took her hand, Bethany looking down at it in surprise. She looked up as a group of interns moved out into the bright sunlight, Sadie at the front of the pack. Philip wasn't part of the crowd and for that, she was grateful.

  "Hi Damon!" The tacky girl spoke seductively. All of the interns waved at Damon.

  "It's Mr. Bryant and hi guys. Behave and no liquor at lunch." He pulled Bethany closer, releasing her as he opened the door for them.

  "You know they are going to find out that we're family and then you'll have a lot of explaining to do." Bethany looked over her shoulder at him as he shrugged.

  "I don't have to explain anything to anyone. I'm in charge."

  He was right. She walked toward the elevator, moving in and turning to see Damon hover over the opening, shaking his head 'no' to people as they walked up to get on. The doors closed and it was just the two of them. He turned and took two steps toward her. He slid his hands along the wall behind her and pressed the fullness of himself against her, nipping at her mouth.

  "Only twenty ways? Where is your imagination?"

  Her breath caught in her chest, her body aching for so much more than he would give her. He was a tease and she hadn't become any better herself.

  "Twenty ways?"

  He leaned down and kissed her, one hand moving to tug at the budding nipple of her breast. She gasped, swatting at him as he laughed and rolled his hips a few times, forcing her to open her legs a little more as she stood trapped between him and the back of the elevator.

  "You want me to fuck you twenty ways. I'm thinking of so many more than twenty. Let's not put a cap on it, hmmm?" He nipped at her again and moved away, the door opening to his floor. He turned to walk from the elevator, grabbing himself and shifting his appearance as he glanced back with hooded eyes.

  "Learn your part for the meeting next week and make sure you wear a dark shirt and black pants, no skirts. Leave your hair up like that and don't wear lipstick."

  "What? Why?"

  He chuckled. "Because with your hair down and your innocent green eyes, no one will pay attention to anything. They'll all be seducing you in their heads. You're much too beautiful for that. Wear your hair up. If it's down they'll like it far too much."

  "How about you? Would you like it far too much too?" She bit at her lip, the demand to seduce him and drag him down to his knees in front of her flooding over her.

  He smiled and let his eyes drag across her, licking his mouth and groaning softly as if tasting something delicious. "Wouldn't you love to know, pussycat?"

  *

  Bethany sat in her office, flipping through the files for the meeting, her mind wandering back to each and every encounter with her handsome step-brother.

  "Soon-to-be step-brother," she mumbled and leaned back in her chair, turning to face the window behind her. She was turning into a nymph. All she thought about was Damon the last few days and even more so, sex with him. Did she have real feelings or was it just lust? Just the demanding need to feel something as sweet as ecstasy?

  "Hey Bethany. How's it going?"

  She turned and stood up, brushing her skirt to remove the cracker crumbs from her latest snack. She smiled at Ben and moved around her desk, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "It's going. How about you?"

  "Great. I'm looking forward to our event tonight. I swear we all live for Thursday nights instead of Fridays just because of getting out together. The group has really started to gel. I think you're just going to be a great add to that."

  "Yeah, well, Damon's been giving off the message that he and I have something going on, so not so sure about your hopes of my gelling at all."

  "He told me. I think it's smart actually. Sadie and a few of the other girls have been nothing but a pain in the ass since getting here." Ben leaned against the doorframe, his belly hanging a little too far over his slacks. Bethany ignored it and focused on his face, the friendly smile giving her comfort.

  "Why not just get rid of them? Wouldn't that be easier?"

  "Yeah, but with the labor laws today you have to have a real reason. Who's going to believe that someone who performs at work really well and has really high marks from school is sexually harassing someone like Damon? He looks like a predator, not her. Just have to deal with it really."

  "That's ridiculous."

  "I agree, but it is what it is."

  "Is he coming tonight?" Bethany asked, lifting her thumb nail to her lips as she nibbled at it.

  "I was going to ask you the same thing."

  "I don't know. We're just pretending to be together. We're not actually together." Bethany dropped her hand and laughed sardonically. Ben's lips lifted in a goofy grin.

  "Of course not, silly. You're family. Anyway, I'm making my rounds to see how you're doing on your workload. Also wanted to remind you that it is an office get together and, as such, we need to make sure our dress and attitudes represent McKenzie and Bryant as we're out."

  She chuckled, Damon's reminder coming from her little black dress comment no doubt.

  "Sounds good. I'm an accountant. I don't really own anything that would be considered inappropriate."

  Ben smiled and moved from his reclined position. "Doing okay on your workload?"

  "Yes, it's going great. Just wrapping up my review for this meeting that Kent and Damon want me in next week."

  "The audit committee stuff?"

  "Yeah, that's it."

  "Yeah, so don't mention that to anyone else. It would seem unfair and I'm the only one who understands that it's because you’re family that they have plans to move you up the totem pole pretty fast." Ben looked behind him in the hallway.

  "Oh, okay. Thanks for the advice."

  "You bet. See you tonight and remember... no work talk tonight. Only good times to be had by everyone."

  "I'm there and I will do my best to follow the rules." She lifted an eyebrow as Ben left, the sound of his soft laughter warming her. He was a good guy, one she needed to get to know better. He knew Damon pretty well, so if she was going to get any sort of scoop on who Damon really was or what his past relationships looked like, most likely it was going to be from Ben.

  *

  The last few hours of the day passed too quickly. She wrapped up her review and took the zip drive back up to Linda, Damon's secretary. She nodded toward the door and smiled toward the pretty blond.

  "Is he in there?"

  "No. He left just after getting back from lunch. I assume he went to see his girlfriend, but don't tell him I said that."

  "He has a girlfriend?" Bethany couldn't hide the emotion on her face.

  "He has lots of girlfriends." Linda stood up and took the zip drive. "Have a great evening and enjoy the intern party. If you have your sights set on Damon, don't bother. He's a bastard and a half when it comes to women. Best boss in the world, but his sex drive is insatiable and he's gotten in loads of trouble thanks to it. Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away."

  Bethany nodded, whispering, “I will,” as she turned to go.

  Chapter 15

  A quick stop
by the house to change into something more club worthy, and Bethany was on her way to Masquerade. She applied more makeup than usual, her dress covering everything, but hugging her curves and accentuating perfectly just how much of a woman she was. If Sadie wanted to step up against her, she was going to bring it tonight. It had nothing to do with Damon and everything to do with someone needing to put the bitch in her place. The redhead thought she had entitlement, the right to demand things and threaten various people at will, including Bethany.

  "Not tonight." Bethany pulled up to the club and got out, walking into the loud sound of Pitbull's Time of our Lives screaming from the speakers. Ben waved his hands wildly at her, a large table over in the far corner theirs. She walked toward them, cursing herself for forgetting a mask. The theme that night was half-mast... your mask only allowed to cover your eyes.

  Bethany laughed at the large clown mask that Ben pulled from his face, a large smile on his mouth. "Hey girl. Where is your mask?"

  A few other interns turned, smiles on their faces, drinks in their hands.

  "I totally forgot it. I can go get one and come back." She shrugged, keeping her eyes on the man in front of her. She hadn't really gotten to know anyone that well and felt a bit on the spot all of a sudden.

  "No worries." He turned and yelled at the group. "Introduce yourself to Bethany while I get her a mask."

  He disappeared and several people moved up to introduce themselves. She shook hands and smiled, worried about her dress all of a sudden. Trying to feel better about herself by dressing up seemed like a great idea until she stood in front of her peers with all of them dressed like they were going to church.

  "Um wow." Philip's voice sounded beside her. Bethany turned and sighed with relief, reaching out to touch his arm as the muscle flexed beneath her fingers. The black mask covering his eyes made him look more sensual than he had earlier that day. His blond hair and blue eyes were the perfect match for melting girls’ hearts and when he spoke... Bethany sighed again as Ben moved up.