Seduced by You (Taken by You Book Two)

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Seduced by You (Taken by You Book Two) Page 11

by Young, M. L.


  The first paper, which needed my signature, looked okay. I signed it in crisp black ink and put it to the side. As I picked up the second one, my phone buzzed, and I looked at it to see I had a text from Penny. I immediately put down my paper and unlocked my phone as I read her text and couldn’t help but smile, which made me feel more like a fifteen-year-old girl than a corporate wizard.

  “Just thought I’d see how you’re doing. I miss you and was thinking about you,” she said.

  “Just working my ass off looking over papers. I’d much rather be cuddling with you,” I said.

  Penny had made me much more flirtatious, but in a different way. I’d always been flirty, but it was more in the “I’m devilishly handsome and I know you want to sleep with me” kind of way. Now it was more like the “I miss you and want to kiss you and cuddle you and wake up next to you” kind of way. Very different, at least in my mind.

  “Nobody is stopping you from coming over here and doing that,” she said, followed by a winking face.

  I sent back a smiley face, as I told her I wanted to, but I couldn’t, though we would be doing a ton of it Thursday night and especially on our trip. She said boo to me not coming over, and told me to get back to work so I didn’t have to stay late on Thursday. I told her goodnight and put down my phone before picking back up that second sheet of paper and looking it over. I signed it even though I wasn’t sure I fully understood it, but I knew the board and our legal team was never going to steer us wrong. I think they wanted me to read it more so I knew what was going on and not because they actually wanted my input or opinion.

  I walked out of my office to get a drink. As I walked down the hall towards the break room I saw a few of the janitors cleaning and emptying trash bins. They nodded, I nodded, and I went inside where I got a cola, which was something I usually didn’t drink all too often, and went back to my office. I closed my door, making sure to lock it, before taking a swig and going over the papers.

  I ended up signing most of them, though I didn’t have enough time to get through it all. There were too many papers and not enough minutes left in the rest of this day.

  After about another hour, I put on my jacket, turned off my things, and put the files away in my safe before leaving my office and locking the door behind me. Janitorial staff didn’t have access to my office without someone present, for fear that something could be stolen or copied for a rival. I knew it sounded a little crazy, but crazier things had happened in this industry. People killed for the tech secrets of tomorrow.

  I rode down my private elevator to the parking garage, where a security officer standing nearby nodded as I came out. We had security on the perimeter twenty-four-seven to keep our building and floors secure. It was a small expense to make sure we didn’t pay a huge one later on.

  I got into my SUV and pulled out of the garage as I thought about stopping by Penny’s place and picking her up. I decided against it because of the time, and went back to my apartment feeling a little empty. I had so much room here and I never even used it all. This place was better for a family of six instead of just me, and I barely even had Penny over enough to justify the room. I should just get a smaller place so I didn’t feel so alone at night, but how could I beat the privacy and the car elevator? It was something I couldn’t give up.

  As the clock ticked on I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and looked in the mirror. Small bags started forming under my eyes, which were getting a little bloodshot. I needed some sleep, and I needed some good sleep for once. None of this waking up a ton shit would fly tonight.

  I got into bed as I pulled the comforter up over me and snuggled in. It felt so good to be lying down, as I curled my toes underneath the cool sheets and felt myself in a cocoon of comfort that I never got anywhere besides this mattress.

  As my eyes closed, all I could see was a vision of Penny in my mind. She was always the most soothing part of my day, and it was only fitting that she be present now as I drifted away to sleep.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Penelope

  Thursday had finally come and I was more excited than I’d been in a while. I couldn’t believe I was flying to Seattle tomorrow, and with my man no less. We were going to have a great hotel room, hopefully some amazing sex, and even do some sightseeing, which I was more than thrilled about.

  I’d always seen so many amazing things in Seattle on the Internet and TV. The mountains, the charm, the overcast weather, and the Space Needle were so quintessentially Seattle that they couldn’t be mixed up with anywhere else. We were going to go to the fish markets, stroll along the water, and hopefully see a view of the mountains from our hotel room, though I wasn’t counting on that, no matter how expensive and luxurious it was. I didn’t expect Blake to move mountains for me…literally.

  My school day was going to be rather chill, though I did have a small quiz and a few pieces of homework to turn in. I did all of them last night, even though I slacked a little bit. I guess I’d been too excited to even care about school. My professors for my classes tomorrow were letting me turn in some things today, though, since I wasn’t going to be here. That was nice.

  I hadn’t seen Blake in a few days, which felt like absolute torture. He sent me pictures and I sent him some of me, but it just wasn’t the same as touching him and kissing him and feeling his fingers laced with mine. There wasn’t a feeling that was even comparable to all that, and he was the only person in this world who made me feel those things.

  I got off the bus and walked into class as my professor handed me the quiz to take. Other students, those who arrived earlier, were already taking it. I sat down, took off my jacket, and set down my backpack before taking out a mechanical pencil, a purple one with a worn down eraser, and looking over the test. My head started to spin, but since the time hadn’t actually started yet because I was five minutes early, I tried to take a deep breath and figure it all out.

  There was something about timed tests and quizzes that always got to me. It felt like a race, and I was better in situations where I had all the time in the world to figure problems out and come up with a solution. I guess being under pressure like that was my biggest weakness, and likely the reason I didn’t go into a more fast-paced and panicked field like medicine. I was all right with deadlines, even if they were strict, but having a stopwatch timing me usually didn’t go that great.

  The tip of my pencil broke off and I brushed it to the floor before clicking the top a few times to get another small strand of lead to write with. I focused hard, too hard probably, and filled in bubble after bubble as other students around me, even ones who came in after me, got done with their work.

  After fifteen or so minutes, I finished and blinked a few times to moisten my dry eyes. The professor came around and collected our quizzes before taking them back up front and setting them on his desk. I took notes for the rest of the period, half-assed notes really, as my mind was too preoccupied with the trip. I still had to do some laundry, get my bag packed, and make sure I didn’t forget a thing, which was something I was known to do before any kind of overnight trip. Hell, the last time I went out of town I forgot my toothbrush, but not the toothpaste, and my face wash. Let’s just say I wasn’t always the best at packing.

  My classes soon ended and like the other students, I quickly walked out of the building and got to the bus just as it was about to leave. I texted Blake and told him I was excited to see him later. He didn’t reply right away, as he was likely in a meeting, but I couldn’t help but look like a crazy woman smiling on the bus as I thought of this trip right around the corner. It was going to be grand.

  I felt giddy and excited as Gustav pulled up in front of my apartment later that night. Blake was at home, cooking us a meal. Gustav walked around to the side and opened the door for me.

  “So, are you excited for your trip?” Gustav asked, after getting back into the car.

  “Beyond excited. Seattle looks like such a beautiful place,” I said.

  �
��You know, I don’t think he’s ever really taken a woman with him like this. At least on a business trip,” Gustav said.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Usually he takes his business so seriously that he doesn’t want to risk embarrassment should they be at dinner with clients or whatnot and have someone misbehave or misrepresent him. It’s really nice to see him trusting you like this,” Gustav said.

  Hearing this from Gustav just drilled into me more and more how great things were going between us. Gustav, though he wasn’t exactly Blake’s friend in a sense, knew him well and saw the many people coming in and out of his life. Was Blake that proud of our relationship? Did he feel comfortable enough with us, with me, that he thought I would never embarrass him or make him look stupid in front of important people? I had to admit I likely embarrassed him a little at that gala event, but I think he had that one coming.

  “You know, when I drive him I catch him smiling a lot at his phone. Are you the reason for that?” Gustav asked, though I was sure he knew the answer already.

  “I’d hope so. I know he makes me smile a lot,” I said.

  “You’ve really changed him, Penny, and in a good way. I’m glad he found you,” Gustav said.

  Filled with joy and a warm heart, I looked out the window as we drove to his building, as happy as could be. Gustav pulled into the garage and helped me out of the backseat before grabbing my bag and telling me he would take care of it. I walked over to the elevator and Blake quickly buzzed me up. I stepped inside before the doors closed and it started to heave upwards. After a short time, the doors opened and I saw Blake, in a suit, with a red rose in his hand and a smile on his face.

  “Look at you,” I said, smiling, as I walked off the elevator.

  “I got this for you, my dear,” he said, handing me the rose.

  I sniffed it as I sort of rotated my foot on the ground in a girly way. I was smitten, and it was deadly obvious. Blake leaned in and kissed me, his hands firmly on my hips, and I felt a surge of electricity rush through my body. There was always something electric about kissing Blake, and now I was beginning to realize why. I think I was falling for him. I mean, why wouldn’t I?

  We got along great, we rarely fought, and whenever we were together it was like magic. I wasn’t saying I was in love with him, I wasn’t, at least not yet, but I definitely saw myself falling for him, hard. Who knows where we’d be in a month or two, especially if this sort of stuff kept up? It was scary to think about falling in love with someone like him, but I guess the heart wants what the heart wants. I only hoped he felt the same way about me, or at least something close to it.

  “I made you dinner,” he said, after pulling away from my lips.

  “Did you make it, or did you heat it up?” I asked with a smile, teasing him.

  “I made it! Well, someone else prepped it, but I used the stove and the oven,” he said with pride.

  “Well, it smells wonderful. I can’t wait to try it,” I said.

  He held my hand and we walked over to the kitchen, where he took out a crystal vase and set my rose inside before filling it with water. I put my elbows on the edge of his countertop, looking at him with love-filled eyes, as he stirred the contents of his stainless steel pan.

  He put some sauce on a spoon and took a taste before making a happy face and insisting I try it. I did, and was actually impressed with how good it was. I knew he didn’t make it himself, but I didn’t say anything about it.

  “It all smells so good,” I said, as Blake took the pans off the heat.

  “Why don’t you go sit down and I’ll bring it to you. I want to pamper you,” he said.

  “Pamper me? Why?” I asked.

  “No reason. Just want to,” he replied, with a smile.

  I walked over to the table, which was already set and featuring a bottle of wine sitting on ice in a bucket. He soon came over with our dishes and set them down.

  “It’s bruschetta chicken. You have the magnificently seasoned chicken in a balsamic vinegar and oil marinade over a bed of pasta that features some of that other sauce I just let you sample. We also have rustic garlic bread, a salad, and some dessert later, if you think you can handle it,” he said.

  “So, is this how it’s always going to be? You making me meals?” I asked.

  “I’m always down for taking care of you, but I think I’ll let you try every now and again. It’s somewhat tiring,” he said, with a smile.

  “Deal,” I replied.

  I cut into the chicken and grabbed a piece of it and some pasta before twirling it around and putting it in my mouth. The explosive flavors of the Italian spices took my taste buds by surprise as the tang of the balsamic vinegar fought against them. The chicken, which was as tender as could be, melted in my mouth. I savored every bite.

  Blake looked at me with a smile as I ate my first bite before I enthusiastically told him how good it was. I thought he was a little suspicious of how nice I was being, but I truly meant every word I said to him. It was a meal that should have been in one of those gourmet five-star restaurants he liked to frequent.

  “So, how did your day go?” he asked.

  “Ugh, long. I had a quiz today and I’m sure I failed it,” I said.

  “I doubt that,” he said.

  “You don’t even know. I was struggling to get through it. I needed life support,” I said.

  “Did you get through the entire thing?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” I replied.

  “Then you did wonderfully. I bet you got a good grade,” he said.

  Blake was always so encouraging to me, even though most of the details of my life must have seemed so mundane to him. After all, he ran a multibillion-dollar tech company and I was just in a computer science program at a small school. I wasn’t even close to being on the same playing field as he was.

  “We’ll see,” I said, with a smile. “How did your day go?”

  “It went well. I got done with all the paperwork I needed to do and submitted it to the board. The meeting tomorrow should go fairly smoothly, though you never know with these things. They could always bring in something from left field at the last moment. It’s a good thing I won’t be in there alone,” he said.

  “Are other people coming with us?” I asked, in an unsure tone.

  “No, it’ll be just us, but other people from the company, as well as our lawyers, will be present for the second deal we’re doing. Preliminary stuff on the buyout of that other company. The new office space meeting should be fairly cut and dry, I’d imagine,” he said.

  “So, what am I doing during that time? Am I coming with you?” I asked.

  “No, I think I’ll just let you explore, if you’d like. You could always go shopping, or just sightseeing. I really wish I could be with you the entire time, but I’ll get through my meetings as quickly as possible. I don’t want to be there anyway,” he said.

  I was a little disappointed that I’d be set free alone, but I guess I was fine with it. It was better than sitting in some lobby somewhere while he was in his meetings. At least this way I could see the Space Needle or do something I wanted to do. I was sure I’d have a good time.

  Blake and I soon finished dinner and he suggested we wait on dessert until later. The meal, which was starchy, sat in my stomach like a brick as Blake seemed to feel his in a similar manner. We kept our wine, though, and walked to the media room, where he turned on the television in lieu of a movie. He had a news ticker running across the top of the screen as he turned on a show where people tried to find houses in tropical locations. It was so beautiful seeing the turquoise-blue water and white sand beaches, and these people, who looked to be living a dream, were so unencumbered and relaxed.

  “That looks so nice,” I said.

  “So you like tropical?” he asked.

  “I think so. I’ve never really been to a tropical place, but I think it looks really nice to have the sand between your toes and to just lie on the beach without a care in the wo
rld,” I said.

  “Someone once said I should buy my own island,” Blake said.

  “I’d do it,” I said.

  “Yeah?” he asked.

  “Imagine going somewhere where nobody else was. Photographers, tourists, or no one else could bug you. You’d have so much privacy you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself. You could still get one close enough to the mainland, but build your own little oasis on a smaller island nearby. It’d be paradise,” I said.

  “Maybe I’ll have to keep that in mind, then. Would you ever come with me?” he asked.

  “Would I? Yeah, I would! I’d love to,” I said, with a smile.

  He smiled back, before leaning in and kissing me softly. Our lips soon let go and I scooted in closer to him on the couch as he wrapped his arm around me and held me tightly. It was always so magical being here with him. I couldn’t wait to get to Seattle.

  We ended up skipping dessert later on, as the two of us were too tired and still too full to bother with it. We had an early flight, though Blake said it was okay if we were a little late. They weren’t going to leave without us being there, which was a kind of service you definitely couldn’t get on a commercial airline.

  I unpacked a few things from my bag, things I was planning on keeping there, and Blake cleared out a drawer in the bathroom as well as one in his closet for me. I put in things I got at the store, like a new toothbrush, a toothbrush holder, toothpaste, and some face wash. I put some sleeping pants, some shirts, and some underwear in the drawer and felt a great sense of warmth come over me as I closed the drawers and made it official. It was a big step for me, for us, and I knew it meant bigger things were in the works.

  As we got in bed I couldn’t help but cuddle up to him. I put my head against him, listened to his heartbeat, and felt his fingers as they slowly ran through my hair and made me yawn. With my eyes half-open and drooping, I closed them all the way and drifted off to sleep.

 

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