by Marie Skye
We lay there for a few minutes on the couch in a daze. She finally started giggling. “You have this bad habit of ruining my clothes.”
I glanced over at her ripped blouse and smiled. “Well, they were in my way.” She appeared to be trying to figure out how to put it back together. I stood up and held out my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you changed.” I guided her over to the door hidden by the floor-to-ceiling mirror and pressed the hidden keypad.
“I had no idea this was here,” Emmalin said when we stepped in.
“That’s the point. I can see out, but people can’t see in.” We entered my office apartment.
She walked into the middle and looked around. “Impressive.”
I smiled. “Thanks. My little alcove you might say. The bedroom is this way. I’ll get you a change of clothes.” She followed me into the bedroom closet. “As you can see, there’s a good selection for you to choose from. Would you like anything to drink?” I kissed the top of her head before heading to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, she came out dressed. “Do you normally have a closet full of women’s clothes for your impromptu sessions in the office?” She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I sat the bottle of water on the table.
“If you need to ask me a question, then ask it.”
She shook her head and grabbed the water. “It’s none of my business.”
“Three things, Emmalin.”
She looked up and held my gaze. “I know you have a past with women. Lots of women. Am I wearing the clothes you bought for them?”
I rounded the corner of the island. “Yes.” She shut her eyes and began to turn, but I grabbed her arm. “I do have a past. I’ve shared part of that with you. But no, you are not wearing the clothes I’ve bought for them. Everything in that closet is yours.” Her body relaxed. “I would never do that to you.” I tucked her hair behind her ear, and she grabbed my hand.
“Come on, your billion-dollar company isn’t going to run itself.”
The rest of the morning was spent with ridiculous meetings. Chace was keeping Emmalin busy, which was what I wanted, but I didn’t have to like it. I spent the time distracting myself with preparations for the upcoming gala in a few weeks for the charity auction. The problem was dealing with so many egos in one room, even if it was for a good cause. So there you have egos, security on top of the security already there, on top of the security detail that I provided, which equaled one huge-ass fucking migraine. Was it worth the smile on the children’s faces? Yes. And I'd do it every day if I could.
There was a knock on the door and Emmalin peeked around the doorframe. "Are you busy? I can come back."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Get your ass in here.” She sauntered over, and I pulled her into my lap. "How's everything? Everyone treating you okay?"
She nodded. "Everyone is nice. The team is great. They have some very good ideas. Way out of my league."
"You never give yourself any credit. You have way more talent than you think."
She shrugged. "Anyways, I came to grab my coat. We're going to lunch." As she stood, she stifled a yawn.
“You need to get some sleep.”
“I recall sleeping just fine until someone woke me up.”
I reached her coat before she did and opened it for her. I started buttoning, and she fanned me away. There was a half-ass knock on the door, and Chace walked in.
"Ready?"
She turned to him and smiled. "I am."
I gave Chace a pointed look.
"I know, man," he whispered.
I reluctantly walked them to the elevator, not letting go of Emmalin’s hand. I didn’t even know why I was acting this way. They were going to lunch. I knew Chace wouldn’t try anything, because he knew I would roast his balls. I was trying to prove something to myself. Something. The elevator dinged, and my grip tightened.
She peeked up at me and smiled. “I’ll see you in a bit.” She gave me a chaste kiss before stepping into the elevator with Chace.
I watched the doors close. I didn’t know what the fuck had come over me. This wasn’t me. What was she doing to me?
Ten minutes later, we pulled up to a bistro not too far away from headquarters. “This is cozy.” I gazed around the place. It had beautiful art decorum on the walls and some great jazz music playing.
“Thanks, it’s one of my favorites. Plus, it has a calm, serene feeling.” He opened the menu. “The food here is great. They have everything. If you’ll allow me to make a recommendation?”
I shut my menu. “Take it away.”
After the waiter left, it was quiet while we sat and listened to the music. “So, how are you enjoying the job so far?”
I peered over my glass of water. “It’s nice. But how about you cut the shit, and let’s talk about what you asked me to lunch for, Chace.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Grayson told me you were a spitfire. I had to see it for myself.”
I smiled as he downed his whiskey.
“Okay. No bullshit. Grayson is like my brother. So there’s no reason for me to go into this whole spiel. He likes you. He more than likes you. I see that, but you also need to be careful. He has his own issues and demons he battles. That’s what you have to be careful with.” The waiter came, placing our food, and left just as quickly.
“So why are you telling me this? To protect him?”
He smiled and shook his head. “Grayson doesn’t need protecting. He’s a big boy. I’m here to protect you.” I froze mid-bite. “However, something tells me you can also take care of yourself.” He rolled his neck.
I sat back in my chair and assessed him. "Is this the same lecture you give everyone?"
He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "No, there's never been another person he's cared about.” I inwardly smiled. "How did I do? Did I sound threatening enough?"
I laughed. "Not even close.” His smile faded, and he placed his hand on top of mine. "He cares about you, which means I do, too. All jokes aside. Anything he does, he means well. Don't give up on him.” I nodded, and he looked at his watch. "We better go, before he comes after us. I'm sure he's watching and is already planning my demise for touching you."
"You enjoy getting under his skin, don't you?"
"Of course. Makes the day go by faster. Plus, I like pissing him off just because I can."
We rode back to headquarters discussing how the rest of the day was going to pan out. I tried prying some information out of Chace regarding him and Isabella, but he remained tight-lipped. As we stopped at Glenda's desk to retrieve messages before our meeting, our attention was diverted to a woman walking out of Grayson's office.
Her designer heels made her at least 5'10, and the V-neck dress she wore, which barely held her breasts in, matched the blood-red lipstick she wore perfectly. She spotted Chace and strolled over as if she was on a runway. She looked me up and down as if I was no more than trash before placing her hand on Chace's chest and purring.
"It's been a while.”
Chace took a half step in front of me, as if blocking me from view. Grayson came walking out of the office, his hair a mess and collar mussed. It didn't take much to put together what had been going on here. He stopped at Glenda's desk.
"Please have security escort Mrs. Stewart out of the building."
She withdrew her hand from Chace and turned, a scowl creasing her brow. "Is that necessary, Grayson?"
He looked past her and made immediate eye contact with me. He glanced at Chace, almost as if he were silently pleading.
Chace lightly grabbed my arm. "You have that meeting."
I pulled my arm away. "He means well, right?"
The blonde stood there and watched us back and forth before widening her grin. "Wait, is this her?"
"I would choose your next words wisely, Ashley," Grayson said through gritted teeth.
Just then, the elevator dinged and security entered. I wasn't going to wait around for the drama and strolled right past all
of them to the conference room.
Sitting there, I willed myself not to cry. I felt like such a damn fool. I didn’t know how much time went by before someone else came in, and I realized I had a job to do.
Right before our meeting was to start, Grayson walked in. I immediately diverted my eyes, and noticed how everyone sat straighter in their chairs, as I willed mine to swallow me whole. He stood directly behind me. That masculine scent overpowered everything as he leaned over.
"Ms. Ross, may I have a moment of your time?"
Keeping my eyes on the doodle I was drawing, I answered, "No."
He paused. "I'm sorry?"
I cleared my throat, and I glanced across the table at Edith, who only gawked at someone saying no to the CEO of the company. "I said no, Mr. Mandrake. No, you may not have a moment of my time. You may, however, request to schedule a moment of my time, and I'll be sure to pencil you in at my earliest convenience."
Holy shit! Did that just come out of my mouth? Okay, keep it together. You are officially speaking out of anger. Hold your ground. I dared a glance around the room. All eyes were on us. Well, this was embarrassing. I looked back up at Grayson, and his eyes were dark and smoldering. They narrowed at me, and I thought I saw a hint of a smile, but I was pretty sure that was wishful thinking on my part.
He placed his hand on my shoulder, his eyes never leaving mine. "On second thought, I think I'll stay for the meeting after all.” Of course, the chair next to me was free. He slid in closer than one needed to, not respecting boundaries at all. I tried turning my chair in the opposite direction, but a firm grip on my thigh stopped me instantly.
Pursing my lips, I turned toward the beginning of the presentation as much as I could, or as much as Grayson would allow me. Just when I thought there was a possibility this might go well, the lights dimmed. Grayson’s ironclad grip started traveling up my thigh. I made a mental note to start wearing pants. I tried everything to get my chair to move without causing a distraction. His fingertips grazed the outer edge of my panties. He wouldn’t dare do this here. I was torn between trying to be pissed at him and trying to keep myself from being turned on.
As I attempted to shut my legs again, I swore I heard him smirk.
Hooking a leg around my ankle, he pried my legs apart before pushing the lace of my panties aside and lightly grazing over my clit. I jumped immediately upon contact.
So he was going to do this here. I was trying to retain my composure, and just when I thought I had it under control, he slipped two fingers past my folds, and I suddenly gripped the table. In the distance, I heard my name being called.
I glanced at the front of the room where Edith stood with Kevin, looking my way. I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” My voice came out higher than I intended.
Edith started speaking again, but I didn’t hear a word that came out of her mouth the moment Grayson’s thumb started circling my clit. I was focusing hard on trying to keep my breathing under control.
All of a sudden, Grayson started contributing to the conversation while continuing his agonizing torture, while I sat there and bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from moaning. Every time a question was directed toward me, Grayson intercepted and I would nod in agreement. I was so close, and he knew just what to do.
“Well, I think this should call for an early dismissal for the day if everyone agrees, and if everyone is satisfied with this proposal?” Grayson flicked my clit and pleasure shot through me as I tried to stay as still as possible. He looked around the room as everyone nodded in response to the early dismissal. “Ms. Ross, for clarification, were you satisfied?”
That bastard. I nodded, since that’s all I could do. Everyone started to clear out of the room, but I just sat there.
When I finally got up and headed for the door, he grabbed my arm.
“I’m pissed at you. You had no right to do that.” I tried jerking my arm away, but he gripped it harder
He cocked his head. “Is that so?”
“Are you kidding me right now?”
“No, I’m not kidding you right now.” He thrust me against the wall, his erection digging into me, and I found myself grinding into him. “You refused me, and in your defiant attitude, said you would pencil me in. Not only did you manage to piss me the fuck off, but you made me so fucking hard, I was prepared to throw you over this damn table and fuck you in front of everyone. So now we’re going to talk my way. I think it’s time I introduced you to orgasm denial. I’m going to fuck you, redden your ass, and then fuck you again, and maybe then we can talk.”
I opened my mouth to talk.
“Don’t say a word. I don’t want to hear a fucking word out of your mouth.” He dragged me out of the conference room.
As pissed as I was, I was unbelievably turned on.
We walked into his office, and he went to his computer and started doing whatever he was doing. Deciding to take back control of the situation, I crossed my arms and cleared my throat.
“Grayson, we need to talk about earlier. I think you need to understand that—”
He cut me off.
“What I don’t understand is how you seem to undermine me every chance you get. I also don’t understand your attitude toward following simple instructions.” He stood to his full height and started unbuttoning his suit. “Your approach has me torn between wanting to punish you and wanting to fuck you raw.”
My breath hitched in my throat as he walked around the desk and stood behind me, uncrossing my arms and pinning them behind my back.
His hand grazed up my thigh into my panties. “I think you deserve both, don’t you?” I shook my head. He thrust two fingers past my folds, and I leaned back into him and moaned. I was shameless. “Really? Your soaked cunt says otherwise.” He inserted a third finger, and I about lost it.
“How bad do you want to come right now?” I moaned, and his smile pressed against my ear. “As much as I love hearing you moan, that’s not what I asked you, love.” His thumb began stroking over my clit agonizingly slow.
“Yes,” I panted out.
He chuckled and tugged on my ear with his teeth. “Wasn’t a yes or no, either.” He applied more pressure. With my hands behind my back, I had nothing to hold onto and was at his mercy.
“So fucking badly!” I began to shake.
“That’s what I thought,” he growled, suddenly removing his fingers. Before I had time to protest from the sudden loss, he turned me around, pressing himself against me. His lips were on me, and before I could even put my hands in his hair, he stopped.
“Punishment,” he whispered against my lips. He pulled my skirt down and smoothed my blouse. “Let’s go home.”
I stood there, stunned, not knowing what the hell just happened. Why the hell was I being punished? What did I do? I didn’t even know, but this whole thing was starting to make me even more pissed. I had half a mind to tell him to go fuck himself, and half a mind to tell him to finish what he started and fuck me.
“You’re looking a little frustrated.” He stood at the door with a sly grin.
I straightened my shoulders. “I’m fine.” After grabbing my stuff, I marched past him toward the elevator and attempted to stand there without fidgeting, knowing damn well the pressure between my legs needed to be alleviated.
He placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me into the elevator. As much as I wanted to resist him, I couldn’t even try to pretend I didn’t want his hands on me.
“Don’t even think about touching yourself. You’ll be dealt with later.”
I gave him a heated stare. This was going to be a long night.
"I like this look on you.” She gazed up at me, eyes a bit glazed over. "What look?"
"This ‘just fucked’ look."
She yawned. "I think this is more of the ‘just fucked four times after you proved your point from earlier’ look."
I leaned down and tugged a nipple into my mouth. "Going for five."
S
he gasped. "You can't be serious."
I moved in between her legs. "Oh, I’m always serious when it comes to you.”
She giggled and then stopped. "We can't use sex as a reason not to talk, Grayson. We have to talk. We need to talk. Preferably with clothes on.”
“Oh, I agree. I completely agree. Right after I’m done proving my point a fifth time.”
Thirty minutes later, and a very ‘innocent’ shower later, we were in bed enjoying some Pho. I allowed her to wear one of my button-down shirts I loved her in. She was patient, but I could tell she wanted answers. I didn't know why I was stalling. She wasn't going anywhere. She promised. It was now or never.
"Her name is Ashley Stewart.” She paused mid chew, and I continued before she had a chance to say anything. "She's the wife of one of my clients. Harrison Stewart, you've probably heard of him, oil tycoon, early seventies."
Her brow furrowed. "You're sleeping with a married woman?"
I shrugged. "I never saw that as an obstacle.”
She looked down at the rest of her soup and carefully placed it on the nightstand. "When I came back from lunch… before that, were you together?"
"No!” She jumped at my sudden outburst, and I ran my hand through my hair. "No. She stopped by. She wanted to, and I turned her down, and she got pissed. She tried making advances toward me, but I… It's only you, Emmalin. I promise you. Only you."
"When was the last time you and she were together?"
"The morning I got back from Paris. I was to see her after the company party, but I saw you instead, and I couldn't take my eyes off you. That was the moment I knew something I was sure of."
She looked up at me. "Sure of what?"
"That you were for me."
She suddenly jumped up from the bed. "Well, shit, Grayson. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?"
I regarded her carefully. "I'm not hiding how I feel about you, Emmalin. I thought I made that very clear.” I was beginning to question the button-down shirt she had on as I watched her pace the front of the bed.