by Chelle Bliss
“In the meantime, we need to draft a letter to all shareholders of the company. They need to be made aware of the takeover attempt by Cozza. Tell them we have something on the horizon that will make them filthy rich, and if they sell now, they’ll regret it. Invite them to the meeting where we’ll unveil the engine and show them that selling now will be the costliest decision of their lives.”
“Between a supermajority and your golden parachute, I can’t see Cozza moving forward with the acquisition of Interstellar, Ms. Bradley,” Wiggins adds while the rest of the legal team remains quiet.
“Good. Anyone have anything else before we adjourn?”
“No, ma’am. We’ll get everything in order legally speaking to deal with unveiling the invention early and solidifying our position from Cozza.”
I give him a brief nod and wait for them to file out one by one before turning toward Josh. “We have a mole, Josh.”
“I know. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out who it could be.” He drags his hands through his dark hair and groans. “Who would want to bring down Interstellar when we’re so close to greatness?” His hand comes down hard on the table, causing the pitcher of water sitting in the center to bounce.
“I don’t know, Josh, but I’m going to find out.”
I lie down on the couch, draping my arm over my face to give my eyes a rest. I’ve been staring at the computer for hours, and my vision has started to blur. “Cassie, you can go now. It’s late, and there’s nothing more you need to do tonight.”
“Can I get you anything before I go?” She yawns on the last word.
“No. I can get whatever I need. Go home, Cas. I kept you here far too late.”
“I wanted to stay and help, but thank you, Lauren.”
Although I am exhausted, I feel we have a grasp on the situation. The rest of the day I’d spent drafting my speech to the stockholders, to expand on the letter written by our PR department, to help get them excited about the engine and greedy for the money that will flow into their pockets when Interstellar overtakes Cozza as the industry leader in the aerospace market. I yawn, letting myself succumb to the exhaustion.
Soft, warm lips touch mine, and I moan softly. Rarely do I have dreams that involve sex in any form. It’s a nice change. The softness grows more demanding, pressing harder against my mouth. I gasp, realizing it isn’t a dream at all. Someone’s in my office and has their lips pressed against mine.
I push against his chest with one hand, but I can’t move. His body is against me, rock solid and strong. “Get away from me!” I yell against his mouth.
“Lulu, come on. It’s just me,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Trent, stop!” I wiggle underneath him, trying to break free. I have one card to play, and I use it. Biting down hard, I dig my teeth into his lip and break the skin.
He screeches and recoils, giving me the ability to move finally. His hand covers his mouth, and his eyes flare with anger. “What the fuck, Lulu?” he seethes, wiping the blood away and smearing it across his cheek. He glances down, catching sight of his blood. “Fucking bitch.”
I shoot up from the couch, squaring my shoulders and placing my arms in front of me. “I should fire your ass for this. You can’t just come in here and kiss me. I’m not yours anymore, Trent.”
He comes toward me with a devilish smile stained red from the blood. “Why do you lie to yourself? You’ll always be mine.”
“I won’t.” I point toward the door, readying my leg in case I need to knee him in the balls. “Get the fuck out before I call security.”
“Baby,” he whispers, reaching out to touch me. “You know how I know you’re still mine?” He stops a foot from me and sucks his lip inside his mouth.
I don’t respond. My entire body shakes with anger and partially out of fear, but I’d never let him know that. I’m not worried that his words are true, but I never would’ve guessed Trent could be so aggressive toward me.
“You moaned like a whore when I kissed you—my whore, Lulu. No matter what you say, you can never be without me.”
My teeth are clenched so tightly they vibrate from the friction. “Fuck you, Trent. I may value your work, but there is not now and never will be anything between us. Next time you come into my office uninvited, bring your letter of resignation with you.”
He throws his hands up in the air and laughs. “I was just kidding. I’m just having a little harmless fun. When did you get so damned uptight?”
“There was nothing harmless about you pinning me to the couch and putting your filthy hands on me.”
His laughter stops, but the smile remains. “You forgot about my lips.”
I stomp to the door and fling it open. “Get out!”
He doesn’t move, just stands there with a smile. “I came here to talk to you about the engine.”
“I don’t care what you came here for, I’m done.”
He walks toward me, stopping in front of me, but he keeps his hands to himself. “But, Lulu, come on. It’s important.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow, Trent. Get out before I change my mind and fire you.”
He runs his tongue across his lips, but I don’t dare glance down. In no way would I ever give him any indication that I could be even remotely attracted to him. “You would never do that, babe.”
“Try me,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him. “Three.” I start a countdown. If I get to zero and his ass isn’t out of my office, I’ll officially and happily fire him. “Two.”
“Fine,” he growls. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
“Fine!” My temper’s boiling over. “Cassie and Josh will be joining us.”
“Doesn’t matter to me. No one can stop me from having you again, Lulu.” He reaches out and brushes his fingers against my cheek.
I jolt back, moving away from his touch, and swat his hand. “One.”
“I’m out.” He leaves quickly, tucking his hands into his pockets as he heads toward the elevators.
I stand in my doorway, making sure he’s left before gathering my things and heading down the stairwell and out of the building. Between Cozza and Trent, I’m close to a breakdown. Everything I’ve worked for sits precariously on the edge of destruction.
With one flight of stairs left, my eyes start to flood with tears, and my knees begin to shake. The enormity of the situation, coupled with Trent, finally hits me like a ton of bricks. I collapse, crumbling down, and crying into my hands.
How could I have been so stupid as to get into a relationship with someone like Trent? I’ve never seen him act the way he has been toward me, and it scares me. Although sometimes he can be overbearing and a little too touchy for me, never has he been so aggressive.
Everything in my life’s a freaking train wreck.
I messed up by sleeping with Antonio, even though I didn’t know it was him. It was reckless and could bring me down faster and harder than I’d ever imagined.
I’m on a collision course that only I can stop. I wipe away my tears and smooth out my suit as I stand. I don’t have time for crying. It will solve nothing. Business people don’t cry. I’m too powerful to let any man think I’m his plaything or to underestimate me because I’m a woman.
I’ve come too far to take it all lying down. My father told me that I should rely only on myself. That I was too smart and driven to let anything derail my plans. He taught me to be who I am today. When he died, I didn’t forget a word he said. In fact, I’ve tried to remember every word he’d ever spoken to me. I want him to be proud of me for my accomplishments, but also for the person I have become. I am him. Part of him lives on in me, and I’ll do anything to make him proud. Sometimes, when I’m lonely, I stare up at the stars and wonder if he’s up there, watching me from afar. Even if there isn’t a heaven, maybe there is a way he lived his dreams even after his light went out.
I stroll into the W Hotel just past eight p.m. Antonio sits in the same seat as before, wait
ing for me with a martini ready. The first part of my plan is to find out if he set me up. It’s hard to believe that I wasn’t targeted for complete and total destruction.
Sleeping with me would be a surefire way to seal the deal and be the last straw. He toys with the glass in his hand and checks his watch before he takes a sip. Standing in the back, I stare at him for a few minutes, trying to work up the courage to approach him. Coming to a stop behind him, I clear my throat and wait for him to turn around.
“Ah, Elizabeth,” he says, turning his head with a smile and setting his glass down on the bar. “I’m glad you could come.”
“Antonio.” I’m not going to play the game and use the fake name he gave me. There is no time for it. “I won’t be staying.”
“Lauren, please.” He pats the stool next to him and motions for me to sit. “Have a drink with me. Not as enemies, but as…”
My back straightens, and I plant my feet shoulder width apart. “Mr. Forte, I’m sorry to burst the illusion, but we’ll always be enemies.”
“Nonsense.” He waves me off, pushing the drink closer to the edge. “I got your favorite.” His blue eyes twinkle from the halogen lighting overhead.
“I’m sure you’re not always a bastard, but no drink will make up for what you’re doing to me.”
He laughs, tipping his head back and showing off his perfectly white teeth framed by his lusciously full lips. “Lauren, I’m not doing anything to you.”
I set my purse on the bar and slide onto the stool, but I keep my body as far away from him as possible. “You’re trying to steal my company and ruin me in the process.”
He touches his lip, slowly pulling his finger back and forth. “I’m not trying to ruin you. What would give you that crazy idea?”
I glare at him, not willing to back down from my statement as I raise the glass to my lips. Taking a small sip, I formulate my next statement very carefully before speaking. “You sought me out on purpose, Antonio. You knew exactly what you were doing when you seduced me right in this very spot. I may be a woman, but I’m not stupid.”
His body jerks backward. “I would never,” he scoffs and shakes his head vigorously.
“You did,” I sneer before taking another sip.
“I had no idea who you were when I sat down next to you. I was lonely and looking for a little company.” He grabs his drink, whiskey, from the looks of it, and turns it in his hand. “I didn’t seek you out to fuck you.”
“But you did fuck me.”
“I did.” His lips turn up into a smile, and his eyes flash.
I cross my legs, trying to put all thoughts of sleeping with him out of my mind. “You did it on purpose. You’re trying to ruin my credibility in this industry.”
He raises his left eyebrow, forming a beautiful, dark arch. “How could sleeping with me ruin you?”
I gnaw on my lip. “It just can.” I dare not answer his question. I don’t know why, but I don’t feel the need to explain my accusation. “Why do you want Interstellar so badly?”
“You’re poised to jump in front of Cozza. I’m used to being on top, Lauren, and nothing will keep me from staying there. Not you. Not Interstellar. Nothing.”
“So, your plan is to take us over and halt any progress we’ve made in developing new technology.” I watch him over the rim of my glass, trying not to stare at his mouth as he speaks.
“Don’t play coy with me. I know what’s going on at Interstellar.” His finger traces the rim of the glass, slowly moving in a circle over the smooth edge. “You’re beyond development and are ready to start the final test phase.”
I laugh. “You know nothing.”
“Believe what you’d like, but I know.” He smiles smugly, but he gives nothing more away. Running my hand down my throat, I let my fingers linger near my cleavage. His eyes dip, following the line. “I plan to make it mine.”
“I will fight to keep Interstellar. I’ll never willingly hand over the reins to you, Lou.” I grin, watching his eyes as they continue to follow my fingers while I stroke my skin.
He licks his lips, lazily dragging his tongue across before looking into my eyes. “I’ve never had a problem taking what I want, Ms. Bradley. Whether it’s Interstellar or you, I like a good challenge.”
I slide my finger to my neck. “I’m not for sale, Mr. Forte, and neither is Interstellar. Did you set this up? Did you have me followed before you showed up at the bar and seduced me?”
“Lauren, you give me too much credit. It was serendipity.”
“I’ll never fully believe I wasn’t set up, and even if I wasn’t and it was by chance, the answer is and always will be no.”
He inches closer, his stool scraping against the floor. “I’m not a man who takes no for an answer.” He moves his mouth close to my ear and speaks in a low, husky tone. “I remember how you taste, the way you moaned when you came, and how your body feels wrapped around me. You can deny it all you want, but I know you want more.”
I choke on the martini. I tap my chest and try to clear the alcohol lingering in my throat. “I most certainly do not.” My voice comes out strangled and the words unbelievable. Somehow, I thought it was a good idea to take a sip and pretend not to be bothered by his proximity and words, but it was an epic fail.
His hand snakes behind me, resting on the high-back barstool and lightly brushing my back. “So, if I touched you right now, it wouldn’t mean anything?”
My eyes shoot to his, the hatred in my glare unmistakable. “It would mean absolutely nothing.”
One side of his mouth curves up before he moves forward, stopping centimeters from my lips. “May I?” he asks, staring me straight in the eyes when his hand touches my face, sliding behind my neck.
My body grows rigid, and I try to ready myself for his lips. The way he kissed me the other night was indescribable. The most passionate and intoxicating kisses of my entire life, followed by the hottest, rawest sex I’ve ever experienced. I know before his lips touch mine again that if I’m not careful, he’d know he was right. I wanted him, even though I hated him. The phrase, there’s a thin line between love and hate, it fits us perfectly. “Yes,” I reply, my voice unwavering.
I hold my breath and close my eyes as he leans forward. It starts slow, his lips testing mine and his warm breath cascading across my face. My mind’s fuzzy and drunk as the kiss grows more demanding. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip, tasting me, and I open for him, sucking in a breath and making his air my own.
He moans, digging his fingers into the back of my neck and pulling my body closer to him. My one hand clutches the bar, holding on for dear life as he consumes my every thought and fantasy. I can’t stop my body from moving toward him and into the kiss. I want him. I want to feel him inside me again, and no matter how hard I try to deny it, I can’t stop the ache.
I push against his chest, trying to break the contact. Needing for it to end before it goes too far and I won’t be able to recover. “Stop,” I whisper into his mouth. He grunts and kisses me deeper. “Antonio, please.”
Our lips stick together when he backs away. His fingers still dig into the back of my neck as his eyes search mine. “Please, what?” The softness of his thumb strokes my cheek, touching the corner of my mouth.
Chills rake my body from his touch alone, and I’m almost breathless from the aftereffects of his kiss. “We can’t.” No longer can I deny that I want him, but that doesn’t make it right.
“Why?” He doesn’t blink or look away, just stares at me, waiting for a response.
I close my eyes, trying to steady my pulse that has been racing out of control since his lips touched mine. “It’s not right. I can’t risk my entire life for a fling.”
“You think I just want to fuck you again for thrills?”
I break free from his grip and out of the trance his lips had put me in. “I don’t care what you call it. It can never happen again.”
“Lauren.” He reaches out, stopping me by grabbing my wris
t. “My goal for coming to Chicago was taking over Interstellar, but now…” He takes a deep breath, dragging his eyes up my body and finally meeting my glare.
I grab my purse off the bar and stand quickly. “You can’t stop what you’ve started. We’re at war, Mr. Forte. No matter how well you kiss, I’ll never forget the simple fact that you’re trying to destroy my company and, by default, me. We are nothing. We will never be more than enemies. Good evening, Antonio.” I march off, my heels clicking against the black tile of the hotel bar as I make my way to the lobby. My knees shake with every step. The effect he has on me is undeniable, but under no circumstance can I allow anything to come between Interstellar and me, especially Antonio.
When I step outside, I press my body against the building and let it be my support while I catch my breath. How could I let this happen? I slept with the one man in the world who could end everything I’ve done professionally in my entire life. He’s the one person who could destroy my reputation and ruin everything I’ve worked so hard to accomplish. If I’m not careful and allow myself another night of pleasure, it will be the proverbial nail in my coffin.
After smoothing out my suit, I tuck my purse under my arm and walk home.
Antonio Forte will not be my undoing.
Chapter Eight
I dreaded coming into work. The first thing on my agenda is meeting with Trent. After what happened last night, I don’t want to see his face. I’d fire him if he weren’t so valuable. But make no mistake about it, once the engine is out in the world, I’ll have no problem giving him the ax.
“I’m here,” Cassie exclaims when she crashes through the doors of my office with a coffee in her hand and a stack of folders tucked underneath her arm. “Sorry if I’m late.”
“You’re fine.” I glance down at my watch before I continue typing out the rest of my email. “Trent will be here in five minutes.”
She sets her coffee on the corner of my desk before placing the files on a side table near the back wall. “Why do you want me here for this meeting? You normally don’t need a third person when meeting with Trent, Lauren.”