Fragile Innocence

by Dani René

  A man like that is built for sin, sensual and erotic in every sense of the words.

  I unzip my suitcase and pull out my clothes, dumping everything on the plush carpet. Piles and piles of material greet me. I should hang everything in the closet and tidy up, but there’s nobody here to tell me what to do. Over the years, I’ve become accustomed to living alone. I love my independence and the freedom, even though at times I wonder what it would be like to come home to someone.

  To have them wrap their arms around me and hold me tight. But then ugly images filter through the good ones and I remember why I’m alone.

  It’s no longer a choice, but a necessity.

  With one more glance at the clothes on the floor I decide tomorrow is another day.

  A wave of tiredness washes over me and I flop onto the bed. I need to get some sleep or I’ll be useless tomorrow. Dreams of deep-blue eyes dance behind my eyelids, teasing and taunting.

  Carter

  The afternoon passed by too quickly with the lunch being as frustrating as I knew it would be. How the fuck does my father expect me to be in three places at the same time? Yes, we’re expanding and I’m proud of that, but he needs to realize I’m one person and I can only do so much. The pressure is on and I hope to fuck Bennett can make sure I get the properties I want.

  “Mr. Hamilton, your meeting with Ainsworth International has been moved to Friday,” Brianna informs me as I stalk into the office.

  Glancing at my assistant in frustration, I nod and respond, trying to keep calm. “Thank you, what time?”

  “It’s at midday, sir. Then you’ve got the property visit after with the agent. That is if you’d still like to do that? Since Friday afternoons are normally quiet I don’t think you’ll be needed in the office.”

  “That’s fine, block it out on my calendar. I’m possibly going to see Katherine after, so you may as well finish up at four on Friday.”

  She nods with a smile and continues typing on her computer. Heading into my office, I take a deep breath. Friday is D day. I hope I can convince my father I can do this and he can trust me with the future of Hamilton Enterprises.

  Sliding into my overpriced office chair, I pull out my phone and scroll down to my best friend’s number. Hitting call, I lift the phone to my ear.

  He answers immediately. “Cart.”

  He’s the only one who calls me that. Since I was a child everyone’s always called me Carter.

  “Bennett, what are you doing Friday night?”

  “Your sister, if she gets her arse back here.”

  I cringe at his words. I know he’s only joking because Kat will not go near him with a ten-foot pole, but he still tries. He has been since we were teenagers.

  Groaning, I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, trying to get the image out of my head. “Do you have to say shit like that? I really don’t want to know about you wanting to fuck my sister. And you can keep dreaming, because she’ll never let you near her.”

  He chuckles in response because he loves to rile me up, but it’s not an image I’d like in my head while trying to concentrate on work. Or any other time for that matter.

  “You tell me about your sex life all the time. I’m only returning the favor. Also, your sister would love to get a piece of me.”

  Spinning my chair, I look out of the floor-to-ceiling windows and take in the view of Tower Bridge and the Thames. The sun is about to set and as usual I’m still in the fucking office.

  “I’m changing the subject because this conversation will force me to start drinking. Have you found my runaway princess? I need to find her, mate. She’s fucking perfect.” I’m gushing like a fucking teenager, but I need him to help me find her. We’ve been best friends for far too long and he knows me too well. There’s never been a woman I wanted that I didn’t get, and this one will be no different.

  “Perfect?” He teases, “And that means you want to get inside her pants. I’ve had a look at our internal log. I’m guessing the woman you’re talking about may be my new agent. She starts tomorrow.”

  It’s my turn to laugh. I should have walked up to her and claimed those beautiful lips with mine. But, if he’s right and she’s about to start a job at Ainsworth International, I’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

  “Bennett, she’s fucking exquisite.” I get another deep chuckle from my best friend. He knows what I’m like. I give in to temptation more often than not and he’s fueled my obsession dozens of times. When I lay eyes on a woman and want her, I’ll do everything I can to get her. Some might call me a stalker, but if she wants it, is that still wrong?

  I love beautiful things. I surround myself with only priceless items and women are no different. I want something that’s going to entice and tempt me. And this woman did that with just one look.

  “Are you telling me you’d want to perhaps play with her? Me and you?” Reading me like an open book, he’s the one and only friend I’d ever do this shit with. And he knows it too.

  “Me and you,” I agree, no question about it. She’ll be perfect between us.

  “First, I need to find her. If she’s going to be working for you, then you don’t have to include yourself in this. I know you don’t like mixing business with pleasure.”

  He laughs loudly at that. It’s true. The man has had some beautiful women in and out of his office, but he’s never succumbed to delving into the delights at work. Whereas I’m not as restrained. If there’s a pert arse swaying around my office every day, there’s no mistaking I’ll have her bent over my desk pleading for more of my cock.

  “I’m sure it’s here. When she starts tomorrow on a short six-month contract. I’ll be sure to let you know. I haven’t met her yet, but if you can tell me what she looks like, I’ll know.”

  I nod. “Long brown hair, the color of black coffee. She had the most intense amethyst eyes, almost purple. Her body is incredible, curves and legs for days with tits I could easily stick my dick between.” Just talking about her has me solid steel behind my zipper. She won’t know what hit her because I’ll find her, and when I do, I’ll make sure to enjoy every inch of her beautiful body.

  “Then it sounds like we have ourselves a pretty new toy to play with. If she’s as gorgeous as you say, I’ll be dipping my fingers into that soon enough, Cart. As long as you’re happy for me to join.”

  I nod, but I know he can’t see me. It will be perfect. We’ll enjoy her while she’s here and when she leaves, we’ll move on.

  “Sounds good. Do you want to come over to my place tonight? My father bought me a bottle of Macallan Lalique 62-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky that needs to be opened.” The old man gave me the almost fifty-thousand-dollar bottle as a gift of welcome into the hierarchy of the company, since he’ll be stepping down and only have a say in board meetings. I’m pretty much running everything.

  “It’s Wednesday. I have an early morning meeting and then my new agent starting tomorrow and I need to have my head on straight. How about we crack it after the meeting on Friday? This lass is meant to be brilliant at her job, so I’m sure I’ll be celebrating.”

  “We’ll definitely be celebrating with her on Friday. Perhaps she’ll be up for a few body shots. I can only imagine how delicious the Scotch will taste while dripping down her clit.” We both guffaw at that and I’m sure the memory of our previous girl flits through his mind the same time it does mine.

  The lights of the city below flicker on and I lean back, listening to his huff. My friend loves women. Lots of them. That’s why I’ll never allow him near my sister, or she’ll never allow him near her.

  We’ve practically grown up together and he’s hit on Kat ever since she grew a pair of tits. Even though she’s turned him down numerous times over the years he’s never given up. We’re both in our mid-thirties and my baby sister—at least she is to me—is about to turn thirty.

  Bennett has staying power; I’ll give him that. But as soon as he knows we’re about to have a woman between us, he mo
ves on. Something about it tells me he’s just messing with her, but then again, my best friend can be an arsehole when he wants it. I wonder if there’ll ever be a woman who’ll put him in his place and steal his heart.

  “I need to go and finish up here before I head home. All the paperwork I had to do for this new girl is starting to get to me. I need a new assistant as well. Your sister wouldn’t need a job, would she?”

  “Jesus, Ainsworth, get off it. I’ll see you Friday. My folks are off to Italy for their mini vacation. I’d like to be balls deep in our mystery woman by Friday night, so make it happen.”

  “Sometimes you can overreact about things, but if she’s hot, I’ll definitely want a piece of the action too,” he quips back easily in his thick Northern accent.

  “Fuck off, I do not overreact. When your cock is hard as fuck when you lay your eyes on her tomorrow, then you’ll be apologizing to me in earnest,” I bite back.

  He chuckles before hanging up.

  Shutting my computer off, I grab my phone and briefcase and head to the parking garage. My charcoal Aston Martin is one of my favorite possessions.

  Sleek, sexy, and purrs when I touch her.

  Soon enough that beautiful stranger will be mine.

  And she’ll purr when my fingers roam her curves.

  Ella

  The twenty-story building that houses my new office is nothing like I was expecting it to be. Our offices in New York are modern with glass and steel, whereas this is the complete opposite. With deep auburns and bright reds that contrast each other, it gives off the illusion of a museum or art gallery perhaps. The property itself is old and I’m sure it holds history beyond my comprehension.

  “Can I help you, love?” A soft female voice drags my attention to the large oak reception desk.

  When I take in the woman, she looks to be the same age as me, late twenties, perhaps. She offers me a friendly smile and I recognize her accent as Scottish.

  “Yes, my name is—”

  “Ella Carmel?” My name rolls off her tongue in that thick brogue and I nod. “Nice to meet you, I’m Elizabeth McKenzie. I’m pretty much the face of the company. Ainsworth International is one of the biggest real estate agencies in the UK,” she informs me as she pushes up from the desk.

  “Yes, I’m from the branched off New York office.”

  She nods and glances at the computer screen from her standing position and I notice she’s slightly shorter than me.

  “I’m supposed to take you through to meet Mr. Ainsworth.” When she rounds the desk, I take in her black and red pencil skirt, which looks as if it’s shimmering. Her white blouse is long-sleeved and fits her like a glove. Elegant. That’s how I would describe her, reminding me of the film stars from the fifties. Her dark hair is pulled back in a severe bun and her makeup is flawless. Her dark eyes sparkle under the light of the chandelier. They’re a rich brown that reminds me of dark chocolate.

  I follow her farther into the building. “Is Mr. Ainsworth here every day?”

  She presses the button for the elevator and nods with a quick glance at me. “He spends more time here than he does in his own home. He’s lovely, though, friendly enough, but he has a way about him. Never seen him without a woman. He does love to wine and dine the ladies.” She giggles and suddenly she seems younger than I thought she is.

  “And how long have you worked here?” I continue my interrogation as the doors slide open and we step inside the empty car. Her finger pushes the button for the twentieth floor and I notice her nail polish is bright red, which matches the red in her skirt.

  “I’ve been here for just under four years now. It’s been good and I’ve learned a lot. They’re paying for me to study, so I’m thankful I haven’t had to fork out the money for my own tuition. The company is good to the staff. I suppose that’s why we do so well. We come to work because we want to, not because we have to.”

  “That’s great. My boss in New York was good to me for so long and I miss her, but I needed a change.” The red number lights up and the doors glide open, giving me a view of my new office.

  “Aye, that’s good, darling. Come along, let’s get you settled. You can call me Lizzie. Most of the people here do.” She leads me to the two desks sitting side by side. Everything about this place makes me think I’m in a castle of some sort. The artwork on the walls is vintage and the antique vases that adorn the corners are ornate and beautiful. “This is your desk. Mr. Ainsworth’s office is the one over there with the door closed. He’s normally got it open, but if you see it shut, then you know he’s in a meeting or his mate is over. You’ll be meeting him tomorrow. Carter Hamilton. He owns half of the hotels in the UK. Or his dad does, but he’s taking over the company and he’ll be liaising with you on acquisitions,” she rambles on and I can’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed by it all.

  “Lizzie, are you scaring Ms. Carmel away already?” A deep timbre rumbles through the office and straight down my spine. My eyes flit over to the man standing in the doorway that was closed only moments ago and I’m sure my mouth falls open as I gape at my new boss.

  His hair is jet-black and his eyes are a bright green, reminding me of the fresh new leaves of a tree in spring. He appraises me with a slight smirk on his full lips and the heat of it scorches every inch of my skin.

  “Mr. Ainsworth, I’ll let you get on. I’m out for lunch later, but I’ve got one of the girls standing in for me.”

  He nods, but doesn’t pay her any attention.

  “See you later, love.” She offers me with a smile and disappears from the office.

  I haven’t moved and neither has he. The air around us is thick with desire because the way he’s looking at me is as if he’s about to devour me.

  “Ella Carmel.” My name rolls from his tongue like silk caressing bare skin and it causes me to shiver. A twinge of lust teases over my skin, dotting it with chill bumps. It’s the same feeling I got yesterday when I saw that stranger with the blue eyes.

  “Mr. Ainsworth,” I murmur a little too breathy for talking to your boss, but he doesn’t act like he noticed. Instead, he steps forward, offering me his hand, and I slip mine in his.

  His touch is warm, gentle, but commanding and I can’t stop the ache between my legs.

  Confusion settles over me. How have I landed in a foreign country and suddenly turned into a wanton slut? Somehow, he doesn’t instill fear, though. There’s something so much more coursing through my veins. Perhaps I’m not broken after all. Maybe I can be a normal woman.

  “Call me Bennett, please.” He smiles with the ease of a man used to getting his own way. Electricity swirls between us and all I can do is nod. “Welcome to London. I trust you’ll enjoy the city and all the delights it has to offer.” He leans in and his lips brush against my knuckles. Instead of cringing, like I normally do, I find myself wanting more. Needing him to hold on to my hand for longer.

  “Yes, thank you.” My words are a low whisper and I have to clear my throat to hide the need dripping from each syllable. When he lifts his eyes they pierce me, holding me hostage for a beat too long, but it’s a look I’ll gladly enjoy for as long as he gifts it.

  “You’ve got a little bit of catching up to do.” He releases my hand and suddenly I feel cold without his touch. “We’ve got a meeting tomorrow at midday. It’s with Hamilton Enterprises here to meet about an acquisition. I want you to read through the file on your desk and familiarize yourself with them and their needs. Let’s just say Carter Hamilton only wants the best and your job is to keep him happy.”

  “Is this your friend that Elizabeth mentioned?” I straighten my shoulders as my question hangs between us. There are times I come across as too direct, but I’d rather have that than to hide anything.

  Most of my life I’ve held onto dark secrets that broke me. No more. When I finally ran away from home and left my mother with the monster, I vowed to never keep secrets again. And in my work, that’s one of the most important traits I’ve found. Ho
nesty and integrity.

  He regards me with a small grin and nods. “Yes, the one and same.” With that, he turns and stalks toward his office. Before he disappears from sight, he offers, “I’ll leave you to get acquainted with the files on your desk, and your email is all set up. If you need anything, please let me know.”

  Rounding the desk, I turn on the computer and shove my bag into the small cabinet. My corner is comfortable and the furniture is positioned in such a way that I can see him when he steps out of his office, but he can’t see me. The other desk next to mine is empty and I wonder who sits there.

  As soon as my computer logs itself into the account, I find the mail app and open it. Within three seconds I have an email in my inbox from Mr. Ainsworth.

  * * *

  From: Bennett Ainsworth

  To: Ella Carmel

  Subject: Meeting – Midday Friday – Hamilton Enterprises

  * * *

  Dear Ella,

  * * *

  Firstly, welcome to Ainsworth International. I know you’ll be an asset to our firm and I can’t wait to see what you can do.

  * * *

  The first assignment will be with Mr. Hamilton. He’s a difficult man to please, but if you can give him what he’s looking for, your compensation will increase by 25%. I hope this pleases you.

  * * *

  If you ever have any issues at all, please come in and talk to me.

  * * *

  Kind regards

  Bennett Ainsworth

  Owner

  Ainsworth International

  * * *

  Well, Bennett, I know my stuff, so your friend will get the best service he’s ever had. Without being too confident, I can’t help smiling. This is going to be easier than I thought. I know my shit and I’ll make this the easiest acquisition he’s ever seen. Hitting reply, I type out my response with a grin on my face.