#Boss (The Empire Series Book 3)

by Nicole Hite

  "Maybe we should call her together?" Vivienne asked hesitantly.

  "If that's truly what you want, I'm okay with that. I need to do one thing first," he exhaled.

  Stepping into her circle of trust, he delicately placed two hands on her flushed cheeks and pulled her towards him. Guiding her to his lips, he sucked in her bottom lip before taking her lips completely. He had never kissed her like this before - soft, sweet and sensual.

  Moaning into his lips, she backed her ass into the door, locking it instantly.

  Stopping her for a second, "I never spent any of the money."

  "What?" She fluttered her eyes open to make his stare.

  "I never spent a single cent. When you came in, I was transferring the money back into her account."

  "Are we making a huge mistake? Am I crazy for trusting you?"

  "I swear on my life. I had no idea. If I had, I never would have taken the job," he affirmed, as the shame and agony scorched his face. It was the most human she had seen him. She hadn’t known Luca long, but she knew people, and she knew pain when she saw it. She couldn't deny it any more; she cared deeply for this man.

  "I'm not going to say this doesn't sting. I'm not going to say I'm not hurt... Alternatively, I'm not going to say I don't feel something for you, Luca. I'm angry at myself for accepting this so easily, but I can feel you're in pain. I've felt that exact pain before, and no one should feel that way."

  "I'm willing to work on this with you, if you are?" he whispered into her patiently waiting lips.

  "I'd really like that. Just promise me something." She stroked his cheek with her thumb.

  "Anything," he pleaded.

  "Promise me you won't break my heart," she requested, looking deep into his hypnotizing eyes.

  "Never," he responded, as he leaned in to kiss her vehemently.

  His hands roamed her body, grabbing at anything and everything. The sense that he wanted to touch, and remember, every inch of her body regardless of where they were was evident in every action he took. His passion for her mind and body nearly overwhelmed her. He couldn't get enough of her flesh, undressing her furiously. She could feel he needed skin on skin intimacy, which some only find in the movies, but this was no movie. This was their movie.

  For so long, Vivienne's life had been void of love and desire and, with one simple kiss, she was in a fairytale. His very breath gave her the oxygen she had been missing for so long. She had never been attached to one man, but Luca… Luca made her want to go the long hall. Would it last? She wasn't sure. Then again, was anyone sure? Luca made her want to take risks. Throw her heart to the stars and hoping it stuck for the world see. Their story would light up the sky, even on the worst days.

  Luca didn't attempt to take off his tie and dress shirt, but unbuttoned his slacks and lifted Vivienne into his strong arms. Clutching the hem of her skirt, he lifted the fabric to discover she was panty less.

  "Had I seen this when you walked in, I would have fucked you before you stepped over the threshold," he spoke, in a seductive voice, as he leaned into her neck.

  Stroking her sex, he slipped two fingers into her warm and wet slit.

  "Doesn't feel like you were too mad," he muttered, as he bit and sucked her neck.

  Riding his nibble fingers, she tried everything to keep her voice down. She didn't want to draw too much attention.

  Vivienne leaned into his ear and whispered, "Fuck me, Luca. I need to feel you inside of me."

  Before she barely got out "me", Luca had already removed his fingers and replaced them with his cock.

  "You've never fucked on your desk, have you?"

  "Oh God, Luca, no. Hell no."

  "Good, because I only ever want it to be me," he growled, as he cleared off an area of her desk. Laying her down on the bare wood, he pulled her hips toward him. With her back on the desk, and her ass hanging off, Luca gripped her hips and bounced her pussy off his cock. With each spring, her breasts bounced up and down for Luca's entertainment.

  Their bodies were synchronized in rhythm, rocking back and forth. Vivienne could tell Luca loved to see her in the throes of pleasure. He was the one providing it, which made it twenty times better. Reaching between their bodies, Vivienne made contact with her swollen clit. She locked eyes on Luca, as she continued to rub her clit, increasing the intensity. On the brink of her release, she let herself ride the orgasmic wave from Luca's increased thrusts.

  Trying to prevent her from making any noise, Luca raised her back off the desk and stole her screams straight from her lips. Just when Vivienne didn't think it could get any better, Luca turned a three sixty and surprised her. He didn't disappoint...ever.

  As they huffed in a panting rage, the two naturally melted into one another.

  "Weren't we supposed to call my sister?" Vivienne joked.

  "Would you have rather I stopped?" He grinned as he placed sweet kisses on her lips.

  "No, never, but if that's how you settle arguments, perhaps we should fight everyday," she laughed.

  "We don't need to have make up sex for it to be amazing, sweetheart...but if it makes you feel better…" He howled in laughter.

  "You're so funny, I forgot to laugh," she grinned at him. "But, seriously, we need to call June."

  "Alright, alright, alright. I was hoping to distract you a little more before we called her," he beamed.

  "We need to get it over with. It would make me feel a lot better," she sighed.

  "She may not be too receptive to you. Just keep that in mind." He suddenly grew serious, as they both pulled their clothes back on.

  "I think that's what frightens me most." She fidgeted, watching Luca take a seat and retrieving his cell phone, placing it on the table.

  "Come here, sweetheart," he gushed, as he took her shaking palms. "It's going to be fine. Trust me."

  "I trust you. I'm not sure I can trust her, though."

  "It's understandable. Just hear her out before you jump in. She hasn't heard from you and you, her in a very long time.

  "I promise."

  Picking up his cell phone, Luca pulling up the number and began to dial. Guiding Viv to sit on his lap, she took the offer graciously. Just then, a not so familiar voice came across the receiver.

  "Where the hell did you go? Why the fuck did you hang up on me?" June sqwaked, as she raised her voice.

  "June, stop. I can't do this anymore for you." His voice was strong and firm, much like how he was in the bedroom.

  "What are you talking about? Come on Luc, stop playing around. This isn't funny."

  "I'm not joking around, June. Why did you lie to me about your childhood?" he questioned.

  Vivienne could see the hurt and pain on Luca's face. Cutting ties with June was essentially cutting off a family member. She was one of his only friends, however a deceitful friend, and someone who didn't deserve to be in his life.

  "I never lied to you..."

  "Save it, June. I know you’re only doing this as revenge for things you know nothing about."

  "June-bug, it's Vivie," she barely squeaked out. For such a strong women, she had been reduced to acting as if she were a child again.

  "What the hell is this? Is this an ambush? Luca, you can't trust a thing that comes out of her lying mouth."

  "June-bug, I'm so sorry."

  "Whatever. You left us. You left us to bounce around in the system. How could you have done that?"

  Her tone was shaky, as she stumbled to get out her long lost words."I had no idea, Junie. I never would have allowed them to put you into the system. NEVER. You guys were my lifeline. My only concern at the time was to get you out of the house and away from Dad. With you at Aunt Mae's, I felt better about finishing college and getting a good job. Never did I think Aunt Mae would..."

  "You dropped us off like kids at a daycare and you just left. Why didn't you come back?" Her voice began to crack.

  "I... I felt I had let you guys down. I should have been there. I should have been the one to tak
e you, instead of sending you to Aunt Mae's. I was worried you would hate me for it, but it looks like, no matter what I did, it was the wrong thing."

  "We never hated you, Vivie,” June interrupted, and her voice dimmed as the pause grew painfully long. “We were scared and needed our sister. When you didn't come back..."

  "I know, Junie. I know. I'm so sorry."

  "I'm sorry too, Vivie. I was so angry for so long. Hell, I'm still angry."

  "Why don't I come out there for a while, make up for lost time? That is, if you still want me as your sister." Vivienne was crossing her fingers and toes June wouldn't deny her the opportunity to make amends.

  After a lengthy pause, "Yeah. We can do that if you want."

  "I love you, June-bug. We will talk soon, okay?"

  "Okay, Vivie. Bye."

  As she hung up the phone, Vivienne broke down into a flood of tears. Luca held her in his arms as she unleashed years’ worth of heartache and pain. Everything from her troubled childhood, to struggling to get to where she was today to even this very incident… Every emotion came crashing down on her like an avalanche. Luckily, she had someone to catch her as she fell, someone who would never let anything happen to her again.

  10

  "Time to forgive and forget."

  Vivienne rested her head comfortably against Luca's chest as the tears began to fade away. Raising her head to look Luca in the eyes, he brushed away her damp cheeks.

  "Do I need to point out the elephant in the room right now?"Vivienne sighed.

  "What's that?"

  "The fact that you're only here temporarily, and I'm a horrible mess."

  "You may be a mess, but you’re my beautiful mess, sweetheart. You are my beauty, and I am just your beast."

  "You could never be a beast. You are far too handsome," she giggled.

  "Well, what do you want to do?" he questioned her with a soft smile.

  "I want to run away, to be perfectly honest."

  "Okay, then, let's do it."

  "How? I have a magazine to run. I have people who depend on me, Luca." She looked at him with desperation.

  "What about June? You said you would go see her. Why not now?"

  "I..."

  "Don't you dare say you can't, because that's a lie. If I've learned anything these last couple of weeks here at Empire, you have an incredible staff. They are self-starters, motivators and dependable. I think you will be fine."

  "What do I say? How do I tell them?" she questioned.

  "You produce an award winning magazine and you are worried of what to write? he joked, as he placed a simple kiss to her lips.

  Revelations

  By Vivienne Harper

  Editor in Chief

  * * *

  Who taught you how to love? Perhaps your first romance? Maybe even your grandparents? Perhaps it was the one person who was supposed to love you unconditionally – a parent? But, what happens when that love is never present or even reciprocated? Never spoken. Not even uttered. Then what?

  * * *

  Quite often, we label those lacking the emotional capacity to love as crippled. An individual unworthy, who suffers from debilitating circumstances. The unfixable, if you will. But, is that really the case?

  * * *

  As the Editor in Chief, I feel I need to be the voice of reason: a guinea pig of sorts. Our publication was built on the morals and values of integrity. What sort of journalist and role model would I be if I didn't abide by these standards myself?

  * * *

  I'm taking a risk by writing this, but some would say I am one of these people. My career is, and will always be, my number one priority in life. That’s how it was, at least, until I met a very special gentleman who was determined to change this. Most men would have tossed me aside and labeled me as emotionally damaged, but not this guy.

  * * *

  See, I grew up in a difficult household as a child with three younger siblings. My understanding of what love was included begging for the affection from the one person who should have loved me unconditionally – my father. It is because of this that I pushed everyone away for so long, locking the word "love" in a vault and throwing the key away.

  * * *

  I tried so desperately to gain his affection that I secluded the people I was supposed to love unconditionally – my siblings. Just like I needed the attention from my father, they needed me as an older sister; to protect them, to watch over them, and to comfort them.

  * * *

  It is often said that things happen for a reason. In certain circumstances, I would be the first to argue this point. A lifetime of cynicism can harden one's heart especially when those reasons are unforgivable. Do you forgive those that hurt you, or do you pull your big girl panties up and march on? I often asked myself that question.

  * * *

  At times, we let our own goals and aspirations dictate our actions, not just in our own lives, but in the lives of others. I wish I could say I learned what love was from my siblings, or even a significant other, but clouds covered my vision and tainted what I associate love with. What I should have been doing was channeling that love to my siblings. Instead, I shipped them off to their aunt’s, hoping this would solve our problems.

  * * *

  No one will ever forget the way you made them feel, whether its love or pain. Some emotions are so strong; the best way to forget the pain is to forgive. But, what if you can't forgive? Not all relationships are perfect. No one can promise you a life of roses and daisies. You will endure countless obstacles, struggles, heartache and regret. What I failed to do was stick to those individuals through thick and thin.

  * * *

  For a long time, I felt broken and unlovable; undeserving of the love and affection of anyone. Why put myself through the agonizing ache I felt as a child, and I know my siblings feel toward me? Mending bridges and broken hearts begin with dropping your baggage. All of your baggage of the past does not define who you were truly meant to be.

  * * *

  People who support you, care for you and accept you, are the individuals who will love you the most. These people can look past your mistakes, and move forward with their lives and yours. It has taken me a while to forgive myself for the mistakes of my past, and perhaps I'm not one hundred percent there yet, but at least I know I have an incredible support system to back me up. Just because I'm starting to forgive myself, doesn't mean others have forgiven me.

  * * *

  The fact of the matter is – love is scary. Finding someone to reciprocate your love, regardless of your flaws, is a love worth taking a risk for. Allowing yourself to open up in the most vulnerable way is terrifying. Once more, returning that love whether it is with a relationship or family member is integral in repairing that hole that's buried its way into your heart.

  * * *

  Sometimes, in your haste to repair hearts, you fail to see the one person in your life who wants to help you throughout the process. Love can happen in the most unexpected places. It doesn't care what your job title is, how damaged you truly are, or even the baggage you carry. Love happens when you least expect it. Don't deny yourself those pleasures for your own insecurities.

  * * *

  With all of this said, I will be taking a leave of absence. I, Vivienne Harper, Editor in Chief of Empire magazine fell in love with my boss. Like I said, you don't always pick and choose who and when you fall in love with someone, but, if its right in front of your eyes, don't let it go no matter how damaged people say you are. There is always hope even in the eyes of the most shattered of hearts. #BOSS #EMPIRE

  Grabbing ahold of the magazine, Ariel rushed into Sam's office where she and Quinn were going over next month’s ideas.

  “Vivienne’s office, now!”

  The girls trailed Ariel as she made a beeline for Viv’s office. Without warning, the girls busted through the door.

  "Why didn't you say anything about taking a leave of absence?" Ariel questioned, as she stood in Viv
ienne's office with Sam, Quinn and Luca.

  "Because I wasn't one hundred percent sure until just recently," she replied, as she looked longingly at Luca.

  The girls eyed the clear connection between the Vivienne and Luca. The two had really formed a strong bond over the last couple weeks, the kind of bond that must have really been hard for Vivienne to find.

  "So, what? Are we just supposed to fend for ourselves?" Sam argued bluntly.

  "No, Sam. This wasn't a snap decision. I took quite some time to make sure all of the puzzle pieces were in place."

  "I still don't hear a resolution. Should I go ahead and pack up my desk if we are going under?" Sam asked, worried.

  "There will be no packing of desks," Viv announced.

  "The suspense is killing me," Quinn spoke up.

  "I'm making Ariel acting Editor in Chief until I decide I want to come back," she grinned.

  "Me? Why me? Ariel spoke in utter shock.

  "You have a great head on your shoulders, you get the business, and you're one of the very few people I trust in my life."

  “But, what about my job? I'm not sure I can do both at the same time, Viv," Ariel sounded concerned.

  "Well, I guess I should officially hire Quinn, then." She smiled, looking at Quinn who seemed a little distracted, yet surprised.

  "Are you okay?" Sam asked.

  "Yeah, yeah," she slid her cell in her back pocket. "Are you sure about this?"

  "Without a doubt in my mind. You've proven yourself over and over. I curse myself every day for not officially hiring you earlier, but I didn't want to put you in some fluff job."

  "Hey! We had those fluff jobs at one point," Sam and Ariel fired back.