#LUCKY (The Empire Series Book 2)
Page 9
"What's that?” He smiled brightly at her.
"What the hell does A stór mean?
"My Treasure," he leaned in and kissed her.
"I think that's just your way of trying to get booty," they laughed together as they fell into each other's arms, finally happy at what life had in store for them.
“Aye, A stór.”
Sneak Peek at #BOSS
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"Ari! Sam! Quinn! Where is everyone, dammit?" Vivienne Harper yelled from her comfy leather chair not comprehending what time it was.
Standing from her chair, she straightened her pencil skirt as she cracked her neck. There was something extremely venomous about Vivienne Harper. No man could tame her, and no woman could compete with her. She was a beast in her own right - and she knew it.
Viv had been a predator since the day she was born. The youngest of five kids, she scratched and clawed her way to the top. Growing up in a competitive household only hardened her backbone to be the best at everything; spelling bee champ, class president, and youngest of her other siblings to graduate college, and earn her masters.
As she stood to exit her office, the gentleman who stepped into her doorframe took her aback. The man had a lethal stare, strategically placed dimple and a body to rival John Cena. Even under his dark suit, she could make out the curves and ridges of his cut chest.
For the first time in her life, Vivienne felt paralyzed at the sight of a man. Normally, she ignored any, and all distractions if she felt they would hinder her in any way. This was unquestionably going to be a distraction she didn't need, although she desperately wanted.
With work being her number one priority, her only boyfriends were Hugh Grant, a bottle of red, and a sex toy, or two. Work was her relationship, and that's how she intended to keep it.
"Vivienne Harper?" The outsider with the dreamy brown eyes asked as she stopped in her tracks.
"Present," she responded with a dry tone, holding back the drool that wanted to escape her lips.
"Luca Manning," he extended his large hands, taking in her perfectly manicured fingers.
Shaking his hand forcefully, her senses were on high alert. Although he was suave and debonair, this chameleon was up to something. What was his agenda?
"How can I help you Mr. Manning?" Viv approached apprehensively.
"I'm from Airlone. I was sent to check on your publication," he gave her a stoic stance.
"Check on...?" she questioned.
"...On how you run things here. That's all. We like to check in from time to time," he specified as he let his eyes roam around her office. Landing on her chest, he wasn't ashamed for his obvious interest in her tits.
Gradually moving his eyes to meet her own, his blunt stare didn't waiver from his stern look. No sign of embarrassment, but defiance, if anything.
"What happened to Frank?" she questioned. "I've been here for over a decade and I've never seen you. I've always dealt with Frank. And why didn't they tell me you were coming?"
"Frank is no longer with the company, ma'am. I replaced him just recently. I wanted to come and introduce myself. I wasn't aware that I needed an invitation."
"Of course you don't need an invitation. I just...," she initiated
Cutting her off, "...you just what?"
If there was anything Viv hated more than a dominant asshole, it was a dominant asshole that cut her off and disparaged her.
"I just wish someone would have informed me of your visit, Mr. Manning," she indicated trying her best to calm her raging interior.
"Why? Do you have something to hide, Mrs. Harper?" he asked bluntly.
"It's Ms., and no. Not at all. I would have liked to prepare for your visit, that's all."
"I will note my error. You don't like to be unprepared, or surprised, do you MS. Harper?" he smirked.
"I tend to fall on the O.C.D. side, so no, not really."
"You come across as a women who likes to be in charge at all times, am I right?"
"For the most part, yes. Is that a bad thing in my position, or my line of work?" she felt insulted.
"Not at all - a woman after my own heart. I think we will get along nicely."
"How long do you plan to be in town?" she felt suddenly anxious.
"That is still up in the air," his smirk drew into a hard line.
"Please, let me set you up with a vacant office while you are here," she insisted.
"I can find a place to land," he pressed himself into her office. Rounding her desk, he took a seat in her chair. "This will do nicely. Do you mind?"
Did she mind? Of course she fucking did. This was her domain. Her office. But what was she supposed to do, say no? This guy controlled her paycheck, and now she had to play nice with the devil. Even if that devil looked damn good in a suit and tie. She hated herself for undressing him with her eyes.
He was vain, offensive, and downright belligerent; the male version of herself.
"Let me just grab my things, and I'll get out of your way," she huffed as she approached her desk.
"You don't like me very much, do you?" Luca smirked, knowing he was getting under her skin.
"At the risk of getting fired or worse, I choose not to answer that. Besides, something tells me you would use my words against me if push came to shove," she bent down to pick up her briefcase, usb flash drive, cell, and unplugged her laptop and charger. "Do you mind passing me my purse over there?" she pointed to his side.
"Not at all MS. Harper," he stated, emphasizing the MS a little too much again.
"What's your deal? Are you one of those egomaniacs that gets high off of smelling people's fear?" she finally balls’d up.
"So you fear me?" he asked as his smile turned grim.
"No, because your cockiness offsets the terror you’re trying to push off on me right now," she growled as she went to snatch her handbag from his fingers.
Luca gripped the handle, refusing to let go as Vivienne scuffed at his rudeness. Giving a gentle tug, he finally let go, rebuking to break eye contact with her. But there it was, that same self-righteous smirk on his lips. She could tell he got off on being the authoritative figure, but he had another thing coming if he thought he was going to intimidate Vivienne Harper.
"I'm going to head home now, if you don't mind," she stated, envisioning her plush pajamas, tall glass of red, and a Grey's Anatomy marathon.
"But it's seven o'clock," he spoke up a little discouraged the banter would seize to exist for the night.
"And? Our offices closed at five."
"Any particular reason you stayed till seven?" he questioned.
"I usually stay later. We have a magazine to publish, after all. I need to make sure all the pieces are in place before I'm satisfied."
"Fascinating," he drummed his fingers across his chin.
"If you say so. I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Manning," she turned on her heels to exit the office.
Before she made it one step, Luca yelled from her chair, "Have dinner with me tonight."
"Excuse me?" she stopped abruptly.
"You heard me. Have dinner with me."
"And, why would I do that?" she questioned. She was unsure of his motives, as if he weren't on a corporate level.
"Because I'm higher ranked than you, and I'm asking nicely," he stated with a grin.
"This is you asking nicely? I'd hate to hear what you sound like when you're not so charming," she cocked a sideways grin letting out a chuckle.
"Let's hope you never have to find out," he stared at her.
His steely glare sent chills down her spin as her brain took control of the situation, "No."
"Why not?" he pushed.
"Do I really need an excuse to say no? Goodnight. See you tomorrow...Boss."
This man was going to ruin her.
About the Author
Nicole Hite was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She married her husband in 2008 on a beautiful fall day in November. Together they adopted two dogs, Harley and Diese
l. When Nicole is not fighting the fictional characters in her head, she is spending time at the river, relaxing and enjoying family time. She is an avid reader and her tastes vary across the board. She loves any suggestions along the way.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authornicolehite
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Twitter: @NicoleHite29
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Instagram: @authornicolehite
#Lucky Playlist
Home Alone Tonight – Luke Bryan
The Parting Glass – Live from Wembley Stadium – Ed Sheeran
Hands To Myself – Selena Gomez
Love Yourself – Justin Bieber
Cheap Thrills – Sia
Drink You Away – Justin Timberlake
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
Shots – Lil Jon, LMFAO
Teacher – Nick Jonas
Drunk in Love – Beyonce', JAY Z
Worth It – Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink
Bottoms Up – feat. Niki Minaj – Trey Songs
Truffle Butter – Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne
GDFR – feat. Sage The Gemini & Lookas – Flo Rider
Hey Mama – Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack – David Guetta
Points of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer – JAY Z, Linkin Park
Hot For Teacher – Van Halen
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Don't Stand So Close To Me –The Police
Baddies – MDPC
Promiscuous – Nelly Furtado, Timbaland
Bad Girls – M.I.A.
Paper Dolls – John Mayer
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https://open.spotify.com/user/224bh2luhpwh4kzl3lzb77sxi/playlist/0ymajkGpbQz3eFqHOa5wzB
Also by Nicole Hite
Justified Love - The Southern Gentleman Series 1: http://www.amazon.com/Justified-Love-Southern-Gentleman-Book-ebook/dp/B00RWGVMP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450136058&sr=8-1&keywords=Justified+Love
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Intertwined Love - The Southern Gentleman Series 2: My Book
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Tough Love - The Southern Gentleman Series 3: http://www.amazon.com/Tough-Love-Southern-Gentleman-3-ebook/dp/B0131F8M0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450136165&sr=8-1&keywords=Tough+Love+Southern
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The Complete Southern Gentleman Series: My Book
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Once: A Collection of Sinfully Sexy & Twisted Tales: My Book
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Suits & Shades - Alpha Suits Anthology: My Book
Coming JUNE 2016
Vivienne and Luca’s Story
#BOSS