Cruel Temptation: An Age Gap Romance (Cruel Beauty Trilogy Book 1)

by C Standing

  For fuck’s sake.

  “It’s not happening,” I say, firmly.

  “You could be missing out on the fuck of a lifetime,” Mali singsongs.

  “Or he could be a limp dick who wouldn’t know the first thing about pleasing a woman.” I highly doubt it, but it makes me feel better, so I’m going with it.

  “You don’t believe that any more than I do.” She smirks.

  I lay back on the bed. “It’s not happening.”

  “Why not?” she challenges.

  Um…did she miss the part where he harassed me? “Have you even been listening to a word I’ve said?”

  “Have you?” she retorts. “It sounds to me like your city slicker has wormed his way under your skin.”

  I shake my head. “You’re being ridiculous. He’s done no such thing.”

  She raises a brow. “You sure about that?”

  I swallow hard. No, I’m not.

  “Anyway,” Lydia chimes in. “As much as I’d love to carry on listening to this verbal tug of war,” she deadpans, drumming her fingers idly on the table, “I have a life to get back to. Not all of us can go gallivanting around New York.”

  “Ignore her, she’s just jealous because you get to go in Macy’s, and she can’t.”

  “Bitch.” Lydia scowls at Mali. “Enjoy yourself, babe. Send pics!”

  “Tell Robocop I said hi!” Mali yells, just as Lydia hangs up.

  Then it’s just the two of us.

  “Just remember what I said, okay? You don’t need to be friends or in love with a guy to screw. This could be so good for you.”

  Ugh. We’re still on that? “I’ll think about it,” I concede.

  Fighting with this woman is pointless. The girl is like a dog with a bone—she doesn’t give up.

  “Finally!” she raises her hands in a hallelujah motion. “I thought I was going to have to fly over there and kick your ass.”

  “I really hate you and your pep talks,” I mumble, not really meaning it.

  “You love them. Now go show him how it’s done.”

  The next morning, I’m sitting in one of the hotels many restaurants, sipping on some hot chocolate and browsing through my phone, trying to figure out my itinerary for the week, when I feel someone behind me.

  “Is this seat taken?” I hear an annoyingly familiar voice ask.

  It wasn’t enough that he ruined my first day in New York, now he wants to crash my morning as well?

  Awesome.

  “Yep.” I pop the p.

  “By who?”

  I arch a brow. “The first person who sits there who isn’t you.”

  Rick chuckles and tucks a hand in his pants pocket. “Do you often allow random strangers to sit down at a table with you?”

  I gnaw on my lip. “Present company excepted?”

  His lips lift in a crooked smile and he takes a seat. “I’ll give you that. I wanted to apologize for yesterday.” I eye him warily. “I was out of line and you didn’t deserve that.”

  I sit back in my chair. “This couldn’t wait until after breakfast?”

  Our eyes lock in a heated exchange, the energy between us palpable. “We can discuss it further over dinner tonight, if you’d prefer?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek, holding back a smile.

  Smooth bastard.

  I’m not buying his bullshit for a second. “I don’t want your apology, Mr. Blackley.”

  “Call me Rick, please.” He signals to the waitress.

  Yeah, not happening.

  Huffing, I set my phone down and cross my arms. “What do you want, Mr. Blackley?”

  He gets straight to the point. “A do-over.”

  I shake my head. “Not interested.”

  Rick brings his chair closer until our elbows brush. “What are you interested in?”

  My brows furrow at his question. “What do my interests have to do with you?”

  “Humor me.”

  Leaning in closer, I bite my lip and catch the way his gaze drops to my mouth. “You want to know what really interests me, Mr. Blackley?” I murmur.

  Those enchanting green eyes sparkle with mischief. “You have no idea.”

  I peer up at him, giving him the sexiest, sultriest look I can muster, my fingers dancing seductively along his sleeve. “What I’m really interested in is finishing my breakfast in peace. Go. Away.”

  His lips brush the shell of my ear, and the warmth of his breath sends a ripple of goosebumps over my skin. That and combined with the intoxicating scent of his aftershave has my nipples hardening in response. Treacherous bitches. “You’re lying, but I’ll leave you be.” He pulls back, his intense gaze holding me captive. “For now.”

  “Well, you’ll be wasting your time.”

  “I’d hardly call pursuing a beautiful woman a waste of my time, Miss McKinley. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

  An unwelcomed blush heats my cheeks and I roll my eyes. “Shame.”

  Rick gives a low and throaty laugh. “You’re a hard nut to crack, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe you should stop trying.”

  “I haven’t reached where I am today by giving in at the first hurdle.” He stands as the waitress walks over. “Persistence is key, and I’m a master of my trade.” He turns to the young blonde. “Miss McKinley’s breakfast is on me.” His eyes flash back to mine. “The Met is a good place to start your sightseeing.” The smug asshole throws me a wink. “Enjoy your day.”

  Rick walks away, leaving me dumbfounded.

  What the hell was that?

  And how the hell does he know my last name?

  “This is completely unacceptable,” I bark at the incompetent assholes at Newport State airport. “This is the first day of my vacation, and all I’ve done is spend it on the phone being passed from one useless employee to another!” It’s mid-afternoon when I'm finally able to leave my suite and grab something to eat. My head is pounding, I’m starving, and I need a change of clothes like you wouldn’t. I’d love to say that I’ve spent the entire day exploring all the delights New York has to offer, but instead I’ve been holed up in these same four walls, looking out at the picturesque views outside rather than enjoying them, while on the phone to these inept morons, trying to track down my luggage.

  “I understand your frustration, Miss McKinley, but we’re doing the best we can.”

  The best they can? Is that some kind of sick joke?

  Furious, I rake my fingers through my hair. “So what am I supposed do to in the meantime? Walk around naked? I want some kind of compensation for this.”

  This is the first proper day of my weeklong vacation, and so far, it’s been completely wrecked.

  “I assure you, Miss, we’re doing everything we can.”

  Ugh. Fucking scripted bullshit.

  “Yeah, well, I can assure you that if something isn’t done about this, I’ll be seeking legal advice. So I suggest you do your jobs and find my luggage.”

  Hanging up, I toss my phone onto the bed, watching it bounce as it hits the mattress.

  How is it so damn hard to find a suitcase? They’re huge fucking things and usually weigh a ton!

  Next time I go away, I’m buying a carry-on and vacuum packing all my shit into that. Like hell am I going through this again.

  After dealing with those morons all day, I’m mentally exhausted and I could use a stiff drink.

  Yesterday I bought myself a set of pajamas, some toiletries, and a few items of clothing from the boutique downstairs. Damn near broke the bank, but I had no other choice. I wasn’t about to sleep in clothes I’d been travelling in. I did have some dignity left.

  Some Christmas movie plays quietly to itself in the background as I pad into the obscenely large bathroom and freshen myself up.

  This day may have started out like a disaster, but it doesn’t have to end that way.

  I’m going to enjoy this vacation if it’s the last thing I do.

  The elevator dings and the f
ancy mirrored doors part as I step into the lobby.

  First stop: any goddamn bar I can find. I need to get some booze in me before I lose my mind.

  “Miss!” One of the receptionists calls from behind the main desk.

  Startled, I take a quick look around to see if she’s talking to someone else, but her attention is trained on me. “Yes?”

  “Sorry to bother you, but I have something here for you.”

  Something for me? From who?

  She hands me a small, unsealed envelope.

  “Thanks,” I mutter in a daze.

  Walking over the very same couch Rick and I had our first run-in yesterday, I take a seat. Confused and more than a little curious, I open the card.

  Miss McKinley,

  Take this gift card to The Boutique,

  and tell them Rick sent you.

  Choose whatever you want.

  I’m looking forward to seeing it in person.

  R.

  What the...

  My brows furrow in anger.

  Is he serious?

  An explosive rage surges through me like wildfire as I reread his words: I’m looking forward to seeing it in person.

  Over my dead body.

  Storming over to the reception desk, I slam the card on the counter. “I need to see Mr. Blackley. Now.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “I do not.”

  Fingers poised over the keyboard, she peers up at me. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but unless you have an appointment, I can’t help. He’s unavailable.”

  Is that so?

  We'll see about that.

  I lean over the wooden surface and lower my voice to a hiss. “Then I suggest you make him re-available.”

  The girl blinks in shock. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Blackley is not to be disturbed.”

  I huff out a sigh. “Listen.” My eyes squint as I spy the name on her tag. “Marcie. I know you’re just doing your job, but I need to see him now. So, I’d appreciate it if you could get on your phone and call him. Tell him Miss McKinley is waiting to see him.” I slap on a condescending smile.

  “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I really must insist that you—”

  I hold up a hand, stopping her. “I’d save your breathe, honey. I’m not leaving here until I’ve seen him.”

  Marcie discreetly checks around her to make sure none of the other receptionist are watching. “Very well.” Picking up the receiver, she dials a number. “Patsy, it’s Marcie from the front desk. I have a Miss McKinley here to see Mr. Blackley.” She’s quiet for a moment, listening to Patsy on the other end. “Okay, I’ll send her up. Thank you.”

  I bat my eyelashes innocently. “Much appreciated.”

  “He’s in conference room one. Down the hall and to the left. But, ma’am, you really shou—"

  Before she can say anymore, I snatch up the card and shove away from the desk. Glaring, I marching across the packed lobby and down the hall.

  I’m so fucking angry, I could spit fire.

  That pompous ass is in for a rude awakening if he thinks he can order me around. I don’t need him or his misplaced pity.

  Veering left, determination roars through me as I spot the tell-tale glass partition at the end of the hall. Unaware of me, Rick’s sitting at the head of a large oval table, owning the room and talking animatedly to a group of suit-clad men—his minions, undoubtedly. It’s sickening how they hang off his every word.

  Ass lickers.

  Barging into the room, I stride over to him. “You!” I bark, a white-hot anger fueling my already raging temper. “What the hell is this?” I hold up the offending card.

  A slow and sexy smirk curves at his lips as he sits back in his chair. “Miss McKinley,” he drawls. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he questions, steepling his fingers.

  I ignore the many pairs of eyes watching me and forge onward. This smug asshole isn’t going to deter me. “It’s Miss to you,” I sneer, narrowing my eyes into an icy glare. “What. The. Hell. Is. This?” I ask again.

  Emerald eyes peruse the card before returning back to me. “It appears to be a token for The Boutique.”

  I brace my palms on the table and tower over him. He’s not the only one who can intimidate. “You know exactly what I mean, City Boy. Don’t be an ass.”

  My breathing quickens at our close proximity, but I block it out. I refuse to let him see how much he’s affecting me.

  “Gentleman, could you give me and Miss McKinley a minute please.”

  A chorus of ‘sure thing’ and ‘of course’ come from his minions as they stand and file out in an orderly manner.

  Arrogant prick.

  Once we’re alone, the air around us thickens as Rick stands and takes a step toward me, making me back up a little. “It was a gift, Miss McKinley; that is all.”

  Those captivating eyes find mine, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.

  Dammit.

  Stop falling for his charm!

  He’s just trying to get under your skin.

  Too damn late for that. He’s already there.

  I shove the envelope into his chest, hard enough to make him stumble back. “I don’t want or need your hand-outs. Leave. Me. Alone.”

  The raw fire and determination blazing in his eyes has a rush of desire pooling between my thighs. Rick’s hand comes up to take the card, and our fingers brush for the briefest of seconds. I hate that a single touch from him is enough to have my pulse racing.

  What the hell is going on with me?

  I’m caught off guard for a moment, and it’s enough for him to force me against the table.

  “W-what are you doing?” I stutter as he towers over me, bracing his hands on the wood either side of my hips.

  I’m overwhelmed by his presence. The inebriating scent of his cologne, the feel of his hard body pressed against mine. The dominant and aggressive way his hands cage me in. The deep, raspy baritone of his voice. It’s all a lethal concoction, and it’s enough to make me lose my mind.

  He leans in and lowers his mouth to my ear. “I already told you, Miss McKinley: persistence is key.” The air around us crackles with electricity as his mouth lightly skims my neck. “And I’m a tenacious bastard.”

  I swallow the lump building in my throat. “W-why are you doing this?”

  “Because you have something I want.” Rick’s voice is coarse and throaty as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

  “I don’t have anything you’d want,” I rebuke, not knowing what he could possibly want from me.

  His lips curl into a lopsided grin. “Oh, but you do, sweetheart.” He brushes the hair from my shoulder. “You have exactly what I want.”

  “You’re insane.”

  “That may be so, but I have a feeling you like it.”

  I scoff at his assumption. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “No?” He trails his thumb across my lip, making my breaths stutter. “Are you sure about that?” His question tells me he can see straight though my bravado.

  “Positive,” I seethe, pushing him away. “Whatever game you’re playing stops now. I won’t ask again, Mr. Blackley. Stay away from me.”

  The door to the conference room opens, and a guy in a navy-blue suit steps out. “Sorry to interrupt,” he says, his eyes darting back and forth between us. “But we really need to continue with the meeting.”

  Jaw clenched, Rick nods tersely. “I’ll be right in.”

  Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I slip out from my position between his body and the wall. “We’re done here,” I mutter, straightening my sweater.

  “This isn’t over,” Rick calls from behind me.

  Biting my tongue to keep me from saying something I might regret, I continue on.

  He’s right. How can this be over when we haven’t even started?

  It’s a little after five in the afternoon, I’m sitting at my desk with a glass of bourbon in hand, and my mind is reeling
from her.

  Miss McKinley.

  It’s been years since someone caught my attention the way she has, and now she’s all I can think about. I’ve been in meetings all day, but I couldn’t tell you a damn thing that happened.

  Hell, for all I know, I’ve sold my company and I’m now broke.

  You’d think I would’ve been mortified by the way she blew into my conference like some kind of hellfire, and tore me apart in front of my employees.

  But it’s the exact opposite.

  The temptation to lay her over the table and feast on her beautiful body until she was screaming my name, was almost too much to bear. She’s lucky that Luke, my General Manager, interrupted us when he did, otherwise I’d have had no problem taking exactly what I wanted from her.

  Something tells me she would’ve loved every minute of it.

  Nobody disrespects me, but she’s been doing it ever since we met, and damn if it doesn’t make my cock hard as nails.

  Fuck, everything about her has my dick throbbing in my slacks. That fiery temper. That sassy mouth. Those stunning silver eyes that pierce me with one look. The intoxicating aroma of her perfume. Her knockout body. And the mouth-watering curve of her breasts through her sweater.

  She’s easily the most beautiful woman I’ve laid eyes on in a long time, and she can’t even stand to be in the same room as me.

  Doesn’t she realize her blatant dislike of me only makes me want her more?

  “Patsy, can you have someone at the main desk contact Miss McKinley and ask her to join me for dinner tonight at Hubert Ducasse.” I pause as I hear the faint sound of her fountain pen scraping along paper.

  “Of course, sir. Any particular time?”

  I swirl the amber liquid around the tumbler. “Eight is fine. Can you also call the restaurant and tell them to reserve my usual table?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “One more thing, how are you getting on locating her luggage?”

  “Miss McKinley’s suitcase has been found. It’s en route to the hotel as we speak.”

  My lips curve into a smile.