Powerless (Power Series Book 1)

by Lauren Cooper

  “How’s the new place looking?”

  “Great. The exterior is complete, so just the interior to finish up now. We’re a little behind, but it should be ready for the new year”

  “Awesome! I can’t wait for a change of scenery. Even if that idiot will be there every day”

  I give her a genuine smile before changing the subject.

  “I’ll be heading to Wales at some point over the next few weeks, can you check on a few hotels for me?”

  “Sure! I miss your Grandmother” she says sighing wistfully. My grandmother is in a nursing home, a beautiful old country house that’s been converted into a modern living space for those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. I don’t get to see her as much as I would like, but I try and fit a visit in as often as possible. Becca used to come over to our house during our years at University, Gran would tell her all about living in Italy and she would swoon at the romantic tales of how Gran and Grandad met. I’d heard them so many times I could recite them word for word. “Have you heard any more from…?” she trails off without having to mention any specific name.

  I look up at her through my thick lashes, “No, nothing since a couple of weeks ago”

  “Okay, well you tell me if you hear anymore. I really think you need to do something about it Mia” she scolds.

  “I will” my voice comes out a little too accusatory than I wanted but Becca knows not to push this subject with me.

  “Anyway, remember we’re going out Saturday night!” she jumps to her feet, swiftly changing the subject thankfully.

  “Okay” I smile at her before she leaves my office, shutting the door behind her. I know I promised her a monthly night out, now I regret agreeing to it! She’d first insisted on weekly but drinks after work and then a monthly girls’ night was my final offer. My appointment earlier today was for the new case, I met my new client, some millionaire who’s being convicted of murdering his mistress, and I need to fit in a visit to the nursing home before my life gets even more hectic. I haven’t taken a heavy case like this for months, and for good reason. I have other barristers I can pass this shit off on now. Luckily things seem to be moving pretty quickly, the jury selection is underway meaning I could be in court as early as next week if evidence allows. I pull my glasses from the top of my head, that’s right, years of reading papers and evidence files resulted in premature glasses. Nothing to do with your mother plying drugs when she was pregnant with you. Nope. I huff, pushing them onto my nose and grabbing my file. I should count myself lucky, I wasn’t overly sick when I was born unlike some babies whose mothers also don’t give a shit.

  Combing through the various statements and pieces of evidence due in court for this case, I start to read the statement of a potential witness, when my office door bursts open. I jump in my own skin and see Becca standing there looking flustered.

  “What?” I question a little irritated, raising my eyebrows at her sudden intrusion.

  “He’s here” she hisses quietly, her hazel eyes almost popping out of her head as she keeps the door partially open behind her. The barricade of frosted glass along the one wall of my office doesn’t give way as to who she’s talking about.

  “Who?” I narrow my eyes but keep my voice equally as quiet as she does.

  “Liam” she seethes through clenched teeth.

  I suck in a breath and pinch the bridge of my nose. I stand up, chucking my glasses none too gently onto my desk, and brushing my pencil skirt down in the process.

  “For God’s sake! Send him to the conference room”. I haven’t got the energy for this today! I will myself to think of the lovely bottle of white wine I have waiting for me in the chiller when I get home. If that will ever happen! Most people leave the office at this time, so the place is deserted aside from Becca and me. I wait for a few minutes for Liam to be comfortably situated in the conference room before grabbing my phone and walking down the hall. I’ll miss this place when we move to the new building, I handpicked every piece of furniture here, it made it more personal and mine. The floors are white marble with swirls of black here and there. The walls are a bright white with specks of black and gold. The gold always pops when the sun bounces on it. It felt regal and screamed professional. The space is airy, and I didn’t want to darken the natural light that was let in, the light décor and furniture complement the space. My heels click against the marble, echoing in the silence of the deserted offices, as Becca follows silently behind me. Grabbing my elbow before I can open the frosted glass door, Becca turns me to face her.

  “I forgot to tell you. He’s really hard to argue with” she blurts. I give her my most confused expression, my mouth hanging open.

  “This is me you’re talking to” I argue. Did she forget that I’m a barrister? I argue with people for a living!

  “I know. But Mia…” she doesn’t finish.

  “What Becca? What’s wrong with you?” I narrow my eyes at her. It’s not like her to get so flustered over a man, especially at work!

  “He’s hot Mia!” she flushes and chews at her lip. My mouth drops open again before snapping shut.

  “Becca! You’re engaged!” I smack her arm in gently playfulness. Becca has been with her fiancé, Jason for years and he finally proposed last year. I remember how excited she was, I was equally excited because I consider them both family. I could honestly slap her sometimes, but Jason seems to put up with her ‘You can look but you can’t touch’ mantra. Feigning ignorance, she leans against the white and gold wall, sighing wistfully.

  “I know, I know! But Mia…I just wanted to warn you. Get your head in the right space”

  “Oh, shut up! He’s not hot. You can head off if you need to”

  “And miss this? Hell no” she chuckles.

  Chapter Two

  Iroll my eyes at Becca before turning and entering the conference room. Hot? Pfft! He’s going to be downright rude, a little overweight as many of these men are, and I already know he’s annoyingly demanding! Thankful that I chose my killer black Louboutin’s today, my straight pencil skirt that fits me like a second skin and a simple, cream flowy blouse. My hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, I feel every bit the business woman I am. And the Louboutin’s, well they make me feel fierce, I can do anything in these babies. I inch the door closed, keeping my body turned towards it and willing away any uncertainty I might have, I forget where I came from, and how I ended up at the top. It doesn’t matter. I’m here and no one is going to change that.

  I take a deep breath before turning to face my annoying colleague, I’m aloud to call him that, now right? We are both CEO’s of the new company.

  “Liam” I say, my voice coming out strong and confident of which I’m glad. I shut the door tightly and turn to face with him. Any breath I had in my lungs quickly evaporates, my chest constricts and all the hairs on my body stand on edge. My mouth goes dry and I force myself to swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. The man stood in front of me is nothing like the arrogant, dickhead I had painted in my head. The floor to ceiling windows allow the twinkling lights of London to sparkle onto his dark suit clad body. The bright low hanging light in the center of the room lights him up as if he was center stage, and Jesus does he just demand that attention. His hands are shoved into his trouser pockets, making his shoulders appear broader and oh so defined. Dirty blonde hair or is it brown? curls slightly at his forehead and around his white shirt collar, his hands have obviously been raked through it at some point, making the longer strands on top stand up here and there. I wonder if it’s as soft as it looks? My eyes unashamedly run down his face, coming to his huge sea blue eyes. Long thick eyelashes rim them, making them appear darker in color. His jaw is set, cleanly shaved, the muscle ticking annoyingly, and his lips look slightly plump and kissable. My eyes wander down his body even more, his shirt is pulled tightly against his muscled torso and abdomen. Once I reach his groin area, oh my…, I realize what I’m doing and snap myself out of it. I cough and walk towards hi
m, extending my hand, hoping that my cheeks aren’t flushed. Shit! What the hell was I thinking! Becca was right, why the hell didn’t I listen to her! I’m in so much trouble and he hasn’t even spoken yet.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you. Couldn’t this have waited until our meeting tomorrow?” my voice comes out a little shaky and I hope we can move past my clear ogling. I will myself to remember the horrid emails I’ve had off him, and not what lies behind his suit trousers. Liam takes my small hand in his large one, the electricity sparks as our skin connects and sends currents all over my body, only confirming what my body was already feeling. Liam’s eyes meet mine when I look up at him. Even at my height of 5’7 he towers over me by at least a few inches. His face remains expressionless, like he isn’t fazed by our meeting at all, yet I can’t budge the need that’s growing between my legs. It’s been so long since I’ve felt it, but I can’t stand the way he’s looking at me anymore, so I look away and remove my hand from his. I walk towards the corner bar, pulling out two bottles of water, placing one on the large black glass table in the center of the room for Liam. He doesn’t move to grab it, still standing with his hands firmly back in his pockets and starting at me intently.

  “What can I do for you Liam? I have a case I need to get back to” I take a sip of my water, desperately trying to remain calm in this awkward silence, while I wait for him to reply. Avoiding eye contact at all costs, I’ll give myself a pep talk later about that. I’ll be damned if a pair of baby blues and rock-hard muscle is going to get me to back down. I have dealt with men like him before, granted none of them where this fucking beautiful but still. I will my business woman to come out in me. Come on Mia, you have this. Liam lets his eyes travel over my body, from the top of my head to my eyes, my lips, my breasts all the way down to my Louboutin’s. Nope! I narrow my eyes at him when he raises his chin in defiance. I can’t say much can I?

  “Amelia” his voice is hoarse, it’s deepness surprises me a little. I cock my perfectly arched eyebrow at him, Becca dragged me to the salon last weekend, so I know my beauty regime is on point. He takes a deep breath; his shirt pulling against the taught muscle clearly visible underneath. He doesn’t have a tie on, the top few buttons of his shirt are undone, giving way to a glimpse of the skin beneath. I lick my lips absentmindedly and I’m sure I hear him growl. It’s just skin, I scold myself. I meet his eyes again, willing him to talk! A few seconds pass before he raises his chin and swallows, his Adams apple bobbing as he does.

  “We need to sort this, and I wanted to meet with you personally first.”

  “Okay, finally” I mock rolling my eyes, not quite sure why he had to see me today.

  I take a seat at the head of the table, purposely showing my stance in this company. I didn’t anticipate Liam taking the opposite head seat. I small smirk spreads across his lips, and I raise my eyebrow in a silent question.

  “Two can play this game Amelia”

  “Mia is fine” I hiss at him. His eyebrows rise slightly in question or shock I’m not quite sure. Liam clears his throat before bringing his hands in front of him on the table, clasping them together.

  “We need to agree on a name for this new company Amelia” he drawls.

  I glower at him, fucking prick. I don’t like anyone calling me Amelia. The woman who gave birth to me called me that, and I’m no longer that girl. Amelia was weak and a pushover. Mia is strong and determined. I push the memories aside and smile at Liam. He thinks this is a game? Fine. I’ll Play.

  “Yes, we do. I’ve given you my suggestions. However, you keep shooting them down. And since you have been unavailable to meet with me we haven’t rectified the problem”

  “All of your suggestions include Bellucci and I don’t want that”

  “Well that’s not your decision. It’s ours” I say with a smile that means business. Fuck this crap! A flicker of annoyance passes through his gaze, but he remains silent. I take the opportunity to lay it on the table.

  “Listen, I built this company from the ground up” I declare, smacking the table with a pointed finger, my need for this merger and the anger at not being able to complete this on my own bubbles into a broth in my stomach. “I will not merge with you unless the name is included. I’m sorry if that’s annoying for you, but I will not let you push me into another decision” I hiss before standing. I wanted to keep my cool, but all the emails Liam had replied to have been filled with nothing but demands and arrogance. Never once did he include a ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. One-word replies, or if I was lucky, maybe two or three. I let that fuel my lecture towards him, I glance towards the window and the dark city, lit up by millions of lights, before turning to face him. His features are taught and he’s smirking at me. Fucking Arsehole! “I’m sorry if you don’t understand it. I built this, not my family. I didn’t get my position from my father, so I sure as hell am not going to bend to daddy’s boy over the sake of a company name!” I almost shout that last part. Crossing my arms over my chest, feeling slightly vulnerable under his stare. Willing my big girl knickers on, I tilt my head up, I’m not cowering from him. Politeness costs nothing, and in a world where money is in abundance he should have plenty of it.

  “Daddy’s boy?” he asks, his dark eyes narrowing, and that stupid smirk and tiny dimple disappearing. The muscle in his jaw ticks away and I know I’ve pissed him off. I scoff in his direction before averting my gaze to the window again. Everyone always looks so carefree from up here. The way they walk, sometimes hand in hand, enjoying the crazy that is London. I hear Liam sigh, and turn my face back towards him.

  “Fine” Liam says meeting my gaze. What?! Did he just say Fine?! I furrow my brow and my mouth drops open. Is this man for real? I’ve had weeks of nonstop demands from him, is he agreeing to this finally?

  “Did you…” I narrow my eyes at him before tightening my arms across my chest and taking a deep breath.

  “I said Fine Amelia. We can incorporate Bellucci into the new company name”

  I stare at him for a while longer, snapping my mouth shut when I realize it’s still hanging open in shock. After a while Liam’s face breaks out into a small smile. The bastard is smiling at me!

  “Fuck you” I whisper before turning back towards the window. I hear Liam stand behind me, before I notice his reflection in the window. As far as I can tell by the foggy image in the glass, he doesn’t take his eyes off me but rather shoves his hands into his pockets and waits for me to speak. I throw my head back with an exasperating sigh and will myself to calm down. I don’t know why I let him get to me so much, but I do know that all the stress of the past few weeks over the new name has just been evaporated. I turn to face him, but don’t meet his eyes.

  “Thank you” it comes quietly in this huge room.

  “I didn’t realize this company meant so much to you” he remarks before looking down at me.

  Stepping towards me, I step back only to meet the window. The cold glass cuts through the fabric of my clothes, searing right into my bum cheeks. I look up to meet his eyes, and he steps closer towards me. Long legs bring his body closer to mine in two strides. My breath catches in my throat and I reach out behind me for the window, as if it’s going to give me any sort of grounding.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” my voice comes out a little shaky.

  “Most of the people I work with are idiots” he seethes.

  “Like you then?” I question with a raised eyebrow.

  “I didn’t realize you would be like this” his voice is low and gravely. His eyes are twinkling in the street lights, and I see they’re a lighter blue than I originally thought. The light swims in them making them look like the rock pools I seen on the beach. I furrow my brow as he invades my space even more. My chest is rising and falling of its own accord, and the hairs at the back of my neck stand to attention, either at the cold glass at my back or the heat radiating from him. I regret wearing my long black hair up today, it’s restricting my head from moving away.
r />   “Like what?” I demand.

  Liam places a palm on the window beside me, trapping me half way and I have no choice but to tilt my head up. My eyes connect with his lips, they’re slightly parted and I get a hint of his minty toothpaste mixed with his after-shave. His earthy, autumn scent fills my nose even though I can’t seem to catch a breath. Liam lifts my chin with his long index finger, sending sparks over my face, down my neck and through my body. I’m sure my reaction is obvious; my pale skin is never forgiving. I clench my legs together at the intrusion of sensation there before looking at his ocean blues. My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips, is he seriously going to kiss me? Ignoring my question his eyes bore down into mine as they flick back and forth between his baby blues.

  “I am NOT a Daddy’s boy. You ever say that shit again and I will put you over my knee” clenching his teeth at the last part, he sends wanton shivers unwillingly across my body, his deep voice making my ears ring. My dark eyes almost pop out of my head and my mouth gapes at his words. His stare never wavered as he spoke, and any breath I had is caught in my lungs. I drop my arms away from my chest, not realizing how tightly I was holding myself, but my chest rises as I inhale, causing my breasts to brush against his chest. Rock-hard pecks brush against my overly sensitive nipples and I wince at the sensation. Why didn’t I wear a better bra this morning? His eyes cloud over, his pupils dilate, becoming a darker shade of blue and in the moment, I want to throw myself at him. I want him to make good on his promise. I haven’t been kissed in so long or fucked for that matter I’m probably a virgin again. A knock at the door startles both of us and Liam pulls away, leaving me wonton and breathless. I clear my throat and straighten my blouse and skirt before heading for the door. Becca stands on the other side, looking sheepishly at the situation. She gives me a once over before noticing Liam standing in the corner, hands shoved into his pockets and looking as nonchalant as possible.

  “Sorry…I…uh…”