Penn didn’t know that.
He knew nothing about me.
But somehow, my body spoke to his and his touch sought those triggers inside.
His finger arched up, hooking hard.
Holy…
My mouth popped wide, shuddering in yeses.
He grinned in triumph, knowing he’d found one button to punish me with but there were countless more.
His kisses turned reckless. His fingers thrusting right there.
The recipe turned tentative sparks into fireworks and fireworks into detonations and detonations into a mushroom cloud of pure bliss. The orgasm scurried up my legs, down my spine, and convened in my core to explode in an avalanche of pleasure.
“Oh…God.” I sucked in air as I drowned, but he didn’t give me time to breathe. He kissed me, sucked on my tongue, and let me ride his hand until the final wave of my release abated.
Slowly, his body peeled away from mine. “Well, that was interesting.”
His lips disengaged, leaving me bruised and stinging while he repositioned my underwear and removed his touch, letting my dress slither over my thighs.
Without another word, he pulled me away from the shadows toward the busy pavement, caught the eye of David, my driver, who’d miraculously appeared, and placed me reverently into the Range Rover.
18
THE NEXT DAY, I went to work as if nothing had happened.
As if everything at the Palm Politics was a figment of my imagination.
As if I hadn’t come or given Penn any part of myself.
I still hated him.
But my body…it wants more.
Fleur handed me my meeting minutes, and I performed my duty in two conference calls like normal.
But nothing was normal.
I couldn’t stop replaying what had happened. Where the hell did Penn go after he’d taken what he wanted…or was that given? He’d given me an orgasm without expecting one in return. He’d sent me home rather than kidnapped me to his place.
Had he gone home?
Had he found some other stupid woman to fall for his corrupted charm?
I hated that I wondered.
He was nothing more than sex. We’d agreed to that. I’d been the one to stipulate it.
So why does it leave a sour taste in my mouth?
As the day wore on, I itched to research him. To find out who he was, who Stewie was to him, who the mysterious Larry was. What did he do for work? Where did he live? What had he told my father in the gin bar?
He left me with more questions than Nameless did.
I didn’t know how to contact him. I didn’t know how to tell anyone what had happened. He’d done exactly what he said and controlled me without trying.
By the time the afternoon rolled around, my heart was ragged from fretting and my insides tight and jumpy. I couldn’t stop imagining how I’d next bump into him and what he would make me do.
Would I say yes?
Would I say no?
Would he even give me a choice?
Those two daydreams caused twitchy anxiety to infiltrate my blood.
I stared blankly at my computer screen, dying for a distraction from both work and Penn when Fleur stuck her head into my office. “Um, there’s someone here to see you.”
Instantly, my body screamed yes. All while my mind bellowed no.
Then rationale took over.
It can’t be.
How could he gain access to my building? Why didn’t he call to tell me he was coming? Security wouldn’t just let him up unless I’d cleared his name, which I hadn’t.
My libido leaped at the thought of him, but self-preservation flipped into CEO mode. Last night had been terrifying in both good and terrible ways. He had a habit of making me forget myself and spinning lies I couldn’t unscramble.
I couldn’t have him on my turf. “Tell him I’m too busy. Either take his phone number, and I’ll call him when it’s convenient, or he’ll have to make an appointment off site.”
Take that, Penn.
“Do you know who it is?” Fleur asked, suspicion bright on her adorable, pixy face. “Why are you acting weird?”
“Weird? I’m not weird.”
“I didn’t say you were weird. I said you’re acting weird.” She fiddled with an orange button on her burnt sunshine dress. “What’s his name?”
“Who?”
“The man you’re avoiding.”
“Who said—”
“Spit it out, Elle.”
I chewed a smile. “Penn Everett.”
Fleur inched closer, her eyes wide. “Did you meet him last night at the party? Oh, I knew you should've gone.” She swooned dramatically. “Did he ask you out? Wait, I thought Greg was your date?”
I pretended to enter a few numbers into my laptop. “I met him a few days before the party, but yes, we confirmed an arrangement last night.”
Fleur jumped up and down like a child. “An arrangement. What sort? A sexual sort? Look at you, you sexy minx. I demand you tell me everything.”
“Not until you tell him to leave.” I pointed at my door, laughing a little at her antics. “In fact, tell him I’m far too busy for the next four years, and even though my answer is yes, he’d better have the patience of a saint if he wants to see me again.”
Let’s see how he gets around that.
He wanted to play games. Well, I could make up a few rules as we went.
She giggled. “Whatever he did to you last night has done wonders for your sense of humor.” Moving toward the door, she grinned. “Finally, you’re learning how to have some fun.” She saluted me before vanishing out the door. “Leave it to me. Consider instigation with a new love interest in progress.”
I groaned under my breath as snippets of male voices sounded in the hallway then were cut off as Fleur closed the door, preventing more eavesdropping.
I probably shouldn’t have ordered her to tell Penn to wait four years. What if he took it seriously and left? As much as his personality appalled me, the thought of him leaving before delivering on his promises made me mildly sick.
Hating myself, I pushed away from my desk and tiptoed to the door. Pressing against it, I struggled to follow the conversation on the other side.
“You must be Steve Hobson?”
That voice…it was already so familiar—hardwired to my belly and gasoline for every hidden desire. The sly smoothness; the cocky deepness. It wasn’t fair he was handsome and spoke like a rascally poet. He might not be marriage material, but he definitely delivered on fantasy.
Penn wasn’t my future, but he could do very well for my present.
Steve’s voice flowed through my door. “Yes, I am. I’m Mr. Charlston’s oldest friend and colleague. You are?”
Without any hesitation and a lot of smugness, Penn said, “I’m Elle’s fiancé.”
My knees gave out.
What?!
I thought that lie was just for the girls at Palm Politics. He couldn’t go spreading such untruth around. My father would hear.
Oh God, Dad.
He’d be elated.
And then he’d be crushed when I called it off.
“Ah, yes. My son, Greg, mentioned something about an incident last night,” Steve said. “I thought he was exaggerating.” The disappointment in his tone crushed me like a little girl.
“I figured he’d mention it.” Penn’s voice dropped to deadly seriousness. “I’m aware your son has feelings for my wife-to-be, sir, and I only have respect and regret that he didn’t deserve her affection. But rest assured, if he gets in my way, I won’t tolerate it.”
“What does that mean?” Steve snapped.
“It means Elle belongs to you in business. But she belongs to me in everything else.” His tone lowered possessively. “We’re together now, and no one will interfere. In fact, I’m here to collect her. It’s time for her to come home. We have lots of things to do tonight.”
Even behind the door, the sexual innuendo
s reeked with promise.
Steve cleared his throat, no doubt wondering when I had the time to hook up with a complete stranger and why Greg wasn’t the one taking me home. “I see.”
My tummy clenched at how forlorn he sounded.
I liked to think it was purely for wanting me to be happy and believing his son was the right candidate for the job, but some part believed he had ulterior motives. He’d been nothing but loyal to this company, my father, and me, but running a business for so long that wasn’t yours must take a toll. Possession was a fundamental human flaw.
“You must excuse me; I’m late for our date.” Penn chuckled. “As you know, Elle is strict on time-lines.”
Fleur’s voice piped up. “I’m afraid, Mr. Everett, Ms. Charlston has said she’s busy for the next four years, and you’ll have to make an appointment.”
“What?” His tone snapped through the door.
A nervous giggle percolated in my chest. Why did I want to piss him off? I’d pay for it later, no doubt.
Shit, this was a bad idea.
“Why is Ms. Charlston telling you to make an appointment when you’re telling me you’re her fiancé?” Steve asked suspiciously.
“No disrespect, sir, but it’s none of your business.”
Steve replied, “I think you’ll find it is. Elle means a great deal to her father and me. She’s really stepped into his shoes and taken the company to even greater heights. She’s far too successful for her own good, and that means pariahs are out there who see her as an easy target to her vast empire.”
Damn you, Steve.
Everyone made it sound as if I were some elusive unicorn to be hunted and snared. I wasn’t special or unique. I was bland and boring. A workaholic imprisoned since birth.
“I’m not one of those pariahs, believe me,” Penn muttered. “However, I can’t say the same for your son.”
Oh, my God. Did he truly just say that?
“Excuse me?” Steve blurted. “My son and Elle are extremely close. It’s only a matter of time before they progress from friends to something more. Whatever you think you have with her is at best a silly fling and at worst a future heartbreak. But mark my words, Greg will be there to pick up the pieces and make sure Elle is happy and protected. I don’t for a second believe in this marriage bullshit.”
I hated the optimism in his voice along with the vaguely concealed threat for Penn to back away. That somehow Steve, even though he’d watched me turn from child to woman, still believed he controlled me enough to decide who I should share my body and life with.
I’m surrounded by manipulators.
“That will never happen,” Penn snapped. “After the interesting conversations I’ve had with Ms. Charlston, I can safely say she isn’t remotely interested in your son.”
Oh, no. Please someone stop him.
“In fact, she distinctly said she didn’t want to have a thing to do with him. She wants me. And she has me. Just like I have her. We’re engaged.”
Steve mumbled something I couldn’t hear.
Penn said, “That may be, but perhaps Ms. Charlston should be given the space to decide who she wants in her bed. Currently, that’s me, asshole.”
Okay, that’s it.
Wrenching my door open, I barreled into the waiting room. The soft furnishings and potted trees couldn’t distract me from my blistering anger toward the two men.
“Once again, I’m shocked stupid.” I clamped both hands on my hips. “Steve, I expected better of you.”
Steve had the decency to look down with his face flushed. “Sorry, Elle. I wasn’t saying that you and Greg were together but trying to protect your right to decide.”
“No, you weren’t. You were trying to keep Belle Elle in the family. You and Dad are everything to me, and that’s why I won’t hold a grudge, but if you try to push me together with Greg again, I’ll refuse to speak to you. Do you understand?”
“But Greg really likes you.”
“Don’t care. Not interested.”
Wow, the relief in finally speaking the truth and not worrying about other people’s feelings was immense.
“Hello again, Elle. Does this mean you’re available for our second date now and not in four years’ time?” Penn planted his feet and smirked. “After all, you just admitted you’re more interested in me than anyone else.”
I turned burning blue eyes on him. “I’m only interested in watching you fall off one of our buildings, Mr. Everett.”
He chuckled. “Oh, now. Don’t be like that. I just did you a favor. One of many, I might add. You no longer have to deal with Greg.” He fiddled with a cufflink. “That was because of me. You owe me.”
“I don’t owe you anything. I revoke my yes.” My nose tipped upward. “It’s been amended to a resounding no. Now, go away.”
I spun around and marched back into my office, slamming the door in his face. The second I was away from him, I kicked off my heels and bolted into the bathroom. Grabbing the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. Hot points danced on my cheeks, and wild insanity replaced my calm capableness.
What was I thinking by saying yes to that man?
I hated the way he made my blood boil. I couldn’t stand the way he spread rumors and none-truths on my behalf. No man since Nameless had earned a reaction from me—either in like or hate. I wasn’t ready to fight. I didn't have time to welcome attraction.
“God, this is all a mess.”
He was a mistake, and one I had to fix right away before he railroaded my life and ruined everything. If he didn’t take my no as gospel, I would call the police to instate a restraining order.
Perhaps, I should become a nun? Then I’d never have to worry about sex or marriage.
I could just focus on what I was good at.
Business.
Splashing water on my face, I rubbed at the smudge of mascara and tamed some of the flyaways. Feeling mildly normal, I nodded at my reflection. Agreeing that my work was done for the day and I’d go home, take a bath, and try to forget about Steve, my father, and most of all, damn Penn.
Opening the bathroom door, I jolted as the man I wanted to throw out my window sat smugly on the couch facing my bookshelves of magazines listing our clothes, houseware awards, and charity plaques for our work with selected organizations.
“You again!”
“Me.” He looked me up and down. “You got your shirt wet.”
I glanced at the sheer white fabric that was now see-through to the dusky pink bra I wore beneath it. I slapped a hand over my chest and stalked toward my desk. My stomp didn’t have the same effect in stockinged feet as it would’ve in heels, but at least I was able to shrug on a cream and black piping jacket and hide a bit of my damp cleavage.
Sage ventured out from under my desk, baring her little fangs at the interloper.
“I thought I told you to leave.” Doing my best to get back in control, I snapped, “Besides, it’s not a shirt. It’s a blouse. If you weren’t such a Neanderthal, you’d know that.”
“Why would I know that? I’m a guy who wears guy’s clothing. I have no interest in women’s unless it’s on the floor after I’ve taken them off her.”
I glowered. “Fascinating insight into your true character, Mr. Everett.” I pointed at my door. “As you weren’t invited into my office, I’ll kindly ask you to go. For the second time. And while you’re at it, retract your lie about our upcoming nuptials.”
“You lost the power to tell me to leave the moment you said yes.” He never took his eyes off me. “It’s too late to change it to a no. However, if you’re so incensed, then hear me out and I’ll go…for now.”
I moved around my desk to stand in front of it and crossed my arms. “Hear what? I’m sure I heard all I needed to. You’re an egotistical maniac who I have no interest in doing anything else with.”
“Your body told me a different story last night.” He chuckled. “And just to clarify, if I wasn’t an ‘egotistical maniac’ as you put it,
then you’d consider letting me fuck you…like our original agreement?”
I frowned. “What?”
He stood up, breaching the space between us until he stood only a foot away. My skin prickled as goosebumps erupted under my wet blouse.
Sage hissed, swatting the air with her claws in warning.
Penn took no notice of her. “I’m sorry.” His face darkened with sincerity. “I know I didn’t have a right to talk about you like a trophy to be won from your father. And I’m sorry for warning Mr. Hobson to keep his son away from you.” He smiled tightly. “I would say I did that for your benefit, but really, I did it for me.” His eyes fell on my chest. “I don’t do well with competition.”
“Well, your rules and jealousy are pointless because I have no intention of going to bed with you.”
“Lies, Elle. I thought you’d agreed we’d only have truth between us.”
His deep, heady aftershave stole up my nose, tying my thoughts into a sinful knot.
I didn’t reply as he deleted the remaining space between us.
I leaned back, my butt hitting the edge of my desk and my tummy locking into place.
“You know…I work in an office, too. I know how lonely these job spaces can be.” He licked his lips. “I also know how fantasies can spring from nothing.” His hand crept forward.
I flinched, expecting him to touch me. However, he placed his palm on the glass table, hemming me in on both sides. “Tell me, Ms. Charlston. Have you ever had sex in here?”
I froze. “Excuse me?”
His gaze hooded. “Has anyone bent you over your desk and fucked you? Stolen your power and used it against you?”
I shivered uncontrollably. My mouth urged to scream for Fleur to help. Was he threatening to take me? Here in my office?
I shoved him.
He stumbled backward, a black look dripping over his features. He shook his head, dispelling the clouds, once again settling into cocky. “I take that as a no.”
Vote Then Read: Volume III Page 344