I cleared my throat and put a smile on my face. Here we go. “I am Rebecca Harris.”
“Rebecca?” The way my name sounded on his lips was too good for me. I felt my pussy throbbing in response.
“Yes. Something wrong with that?”
He shook his head, smirking. He looked even hotter with that smile. “Nothing at all. It’s just too sexy for me.”
My jaw literally dropped. “Sexy?”
“Yeah. Just like you.” His smirk grew even wider, and I swayed a little. Oh my. Why did it have to turn me on so much? Charles Talon was rude, yet that didn’t stop my pussy from getting embarrassingly wet.
“Are you flirty with all women or you giving me some special treatment? If you do want to charm me in that way, I am afraid it is not working,” I retorted bitterly, and then I cursed myself.
No, this was wrong. I wasn’t supposed to challenge him. I was supposed to tame my anger and try to get the job. Provoking him was the last thing I should do.
“I doubt that, considering that you’re squirming at the moment. You want me, and it’s written all over your face.”
What? I blushed so hard that I felt the burn on my face and neck.
The conversation just went into a completely different direction and I had to fix this. I had to stop answering to his provocations and tell him what I was here for.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t introduce myself fully to you,” I said, ignoring his previous sexual remark. “I’m an interior designer. I’ve been working on redecorating and designing interiors for several years. I came here because I would like you to hire me as the designer for the hotel project—the one where we met.”
For several moments he didn’t say anything, studying me carefully. I felt myself sweating and I wiped my sweaty palms discreetly on my skirt.
“Really?” his voice was dripping with sarcasm and I didn’t like it a bit. “And why do you think I would hire you?”
Okay, now he was really getting on my nerves. I had to do this. I couldn’t let this jerk intimidate me.
“If you would allow me, I have several designs I wanted to show you.”
I walked over to the table and put my briefcase on it. I opened it and pulled out my portfolio. I handed it to him. “I brought you my portfolio. Here is also my CV.” I took my CV out of my briefcase and put it next to him on the table. “In my portfolio you can find some of the biggest projects I’ve worked on so far.”
He didn’t look that interested in my portfolio when he opened it several seconds later. As he flipped the pages, seemingly focusing on each interior, I explained what those projects were about and why I’d chosen those decorations.
“As you can see, I have a lot experience with hotels, and I can assure you that my design of your place will match your wishes.”
He didn’t looked convinced, and I felt bile rising in my throat. He was going to make this hard for me.
“I have a degree in interior design. I was always a straight-A student, because the education was—is—the most important for me. I got interested in architecture and art since my early adolescence, and soon I was drawn into interior design. That building you are looking at now,” I pointed my finger at the picture of an apartment complex I’d worked on in Europe. “That project was in France, and the owner wanted the neo modern interior design. It was my biggest project so far. It took me almost a year to complete it, and I’ve already extended my contract with the owner, who is interested in one more project like this one.”
He slammed my portfolio shut and put it on the table next to him. He didn’t even bother looking at my CV.
“Yeah, yeah. Impressive. You are really a nerd.”
What?
My anger just reached a whole new level, and for a moment I was seriously thinking on giving up and getting the hell out of here.
I couldn’t do that, and that annoyed me the most. I had to suck it up.
“But I know my job well. I have 100% client satisfaction and—”
“Wow,” his lips twisted into a sly smile. “One hundred percent? Those blowjobs must have been something then, right?” His smile widened, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. The image of Charles’s cock flashed in front of my eyes, and I almost cursed myself out loud.
Seriously? He was a douchebag, using those cheap insults, and I was still getting attracted to him? So what if he was handsome? I couldn’t possibly work under such a rude person.
No. Enough.
“You know what, forget it.”
“Forget it?”
“Yes. Forget it. That hotel means a lot to me, and I would put my heart and soul into the project, because I want it to be restored to its old glory. I really hoped I could be hired as its interior designer, but you are making everything difficult for me. You act like I’m some stupid whore and you completely disrespect me, and no matter how much I want to get this job, I won’t let you treat me like some trash.”
I curled my hands into fists, returning his stare as I trembled uncontrollably. I could see the surprise and something else that I couldn’t name in his eyes, as if he didn’t expect me to speak for myself like this.
I almost scoffed. Well, of course he hadn’t expected that of me since he clearly didn’t think highly of me. Up until now, all I’d heard from him were his insults.
His blank expression twisted into that of an amusement, and I wondered what he found funny now.
“You know, this really comes as a surprise for me. You can bite, after all!” My frown deepened.
He suddenly stood up and stopped directly in front of me, only several inches separating us. This time, his face was completely serious, and for the first time I saw the respect in his eyes.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I was acting like a jerk all the time and you didn’t deserve it.” He exhaled in frustration. “You see, I thought you were someone else when I met you at that place. I thought you were one of the bidders—my competition. Now you showed me that not only you aren’t my rival, but you are also smart and talented.”
My eyebrows flew up. I couldn’t believe he’d changed his attitude all of a sudden.
“I liked what I saw in your portfolio. I think you are talented and have good skills. Also, I respect you for standing up for yourself just now.”
I still couldn’t say a word, completely taken aback. After treating me like I was the worst, hearing these highly praising words sounded strange. It sounded like a prank.
“Are you pranking me?” I had to ask.
He chuckled, astonished. “Prank?”
“Yes, because all of a sudden, you don’t sound like yourself.”
He took a step closer to me, and now I could smell his cologne. I inhaled and his fragrance made me even hotter, as if his nearness wasn’t enough. I had to pull myself together.
“As I said, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m attracted to you. A lot.” My heart jumped in my chest, and for a few moments I was unable to breathe. He took another step, and now only several inches separated us. His eyes were almost black, and I was losing myself easily in them.
“Do you treat all women you get attracted to like this?” I whispered, still feeling the traces of my previous anger, but now I was slowly becoming overwhelmed with the feeling he provoked in me. I wanted him.
“No. Only the ones that make me hot as hell and crazy for them. But I don’t usually mix business with pleasure.”
Oh no. His words weren’t supposed to affect me like this—I was supposed to treat him coldly—but I couldn’t.
“I want you, Rebecca. And I’ve decided to hire you. I need someone like you on my team.”
“Is that because you want me?”
He smiled. “No. It’s because you are competent and have experience. On top of that, you are motivated and ambitious.”
“You didn’t even see my CV.”
“I don’t need to. I already believe in your quality."
Oh.
�
��Okay,” I replied, still not believing he would hire me after all.
“But I have only one condition.”
My heart dropped. Of course. “Yes?”
“I will hire you if you are willing to submit to all my wishes.”
My pulse sped up instantly, and I almost swayed under the wave of lust. Shit. I couldn’t believe his words actually affected me like this.
I moved my eyes over his face, drinking in his every line and spot on his perfect face. I was losing this battle against my desire.
Ugh, I was so torn and annoyed with myself right now.
I couldn’t deny it. I wanted him. I wanted him badly.
On the other hand, I wanted this project too.
He was so insolent. He was gorgeous.
I sighed, knowing I had to give this—whatever this was—a shot. He’d already apologized and he was willing to give me this job. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
“Okay,” I muttered, my eyes downcast.
“Okay?”
I raised my eyes and found his—the excitement and challenge written in them. “Okay. I accept your condition.”
He grinned widely. He raised his finger and placed it on my jaw, tracing it slowly. His eyes were trained on those places he touched and I was surprised with the raw desire I found in them. I swallowed again, feeling tingles all over my skin.
He dropped his hand, meeting my eyes again. “Consider yourself hired, Ms. Harris.”
Chapter Six
Charles
As soon as I got home after work, I went in to shower. I was feeling unusually tense. I took the soap as I let the hot stream of water cover me. All I could think about was Rebecca.
Damn it. She really got under my skin. I was surprised when I heard she was an interior designer. I felt so irritated with myself for thinking even for a second that she was my competition.
I had to admit, I was completely turned on when she talked about her previous work. I could clearly see the passion and determination in her eyes. Rebecca was really driven and focused on her goals, and that made me appreciate her even more. She was beautiful and extremely smart, and I was still in awe.
Okay, I had to admit, insulting her by mentioning those blowjobs had been really low of me. She didn’t deserve that and I had no idea why I’d let my moodiness get the best of me. I just knew I wanted her badly, and when she defied me, well then I just wanted to own her. It was as simple as that.
I wanted her under me, on me, everywhere. My cock hardened immediately, going into its full length.
She was so goddamn sexy. I closed my eyes and took my pulsating cock into my hand. I started jerking off slowly as the water fell onto my shoulders. I imagined her hot mouth on my cock. I wanted her on her knees. I wanted her to put my dick deep into her mouth and suck it hard until I spurt the last drop of my sperm inside.
“Shit,” I muttered, moving my hand faster. “Rebecca.”
Even her name was delicious. I liked everything about her. I opened my eyes, supporting myself with my hand against the wall as my rhythm became faster. All I could see was her face, looking at me from below—her beautiful green eyes challenging me... The pleasure became too much, and soon I was orgasming hard.
“Shit. Ah!” I cried out, ejaculating my load into my hand as every single muscle tensed in my body.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing. My cock was still hard in my hand, and I realized this wasn’t nearly enough.
I needed the real, full package.
I wanted to see her tonight, and what I wanted, I got.
Several minutes later I finished with my shower and stepped out of it, having already decided to call Rebecca to come over to my penthouse apartment.
I dried myself off, put on some plain shirt and jeans, and dialed her number.
She answered after the second ring. “Hello?”
I shoved my hand into my pocket. Just her voice alone was enough to give me a full hard on.
“Hello, Rebecca. This is Charles.”
I could hear her gasping, and I smiled. She was affected by me. Good.
“Good evening, Charles.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting you or something.”
“No, no. Not at all. I was just cleaning up after dinner.”
“That’s nice. You know, I’ve been thinking. We really didn’t get off on the right foot. I would like to change that.” I stopped, waiting for her to say something.
She was silent for several moments, and I tensed. Maybe she would refuse? “Go on,” she encouraged me, and I almost exhaled in relief.
“I want you to come over to my place tonight. Maybe we could chat a little and get to know each other better. What do you think?”
“Um, I... I don’t know...” She sounded slightly reluctant.
“Hey, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or anything. I just want us to have a nice time together.”
I could hear her breathing faster. This was clearly getting her eager, and I felt my own excitement increasing. I could tell she was interested in something too.
“Okay. Um, can you give me your address, then?”
Fuck yeah I could.
Chapter Seven
Charles
Rebecca arrived a little over an hour later. In the meantime, I prepared some wine and put some relaxing music playing on my stereo system in the living room. I tried to suppress my erection, but I was getting more aroused as the time passed.
I couldn’t wait to see her.
I heard the bell ringing and I went to open the front door. I smiled at her when our eyes met, and I was struck again with how gorgeous she was. She was in the same business suit she wore today, and I wondered why she didn’t change into something more comfortable. Then I noticed she was looking too serious and nervous, and I knew I had to do something to get her to relax.
“Hey,” I greeted her. I decided against any physical contact, because she seemed too uncomfortable for that, even thought I wanted to hug her and kiss the hell out of her.
“Hello.”
“Come in.”
I let her pass, sensing the smell of her perfume when she walked by. It was the smell of roses mixed with something more, and it smelled wonderfully.
I licked my lips, urging myself to calm down and go slow. I wanted to go fast, my cock painfully reminding me of how much I wanted her, but I had to get my shit together.
I led her to the living room and motioned for her to sit on the couch. She looked rigid and her face was still completely serious.
Okay. I definitely needed to go slow. Drinking could help her loosen up.
I poured wine into our glasses and gave her one. Our fingers touched and I didn’t move my hand immediately, extending our contact on purpose as my heartbeat increased. Our eyes met and I could see she felt the same thing I did, because the lust flashed in her eyes.
I sat next to her on the couch, leaving some space between us, and clank my glass against hers.
“Cheers,” I said.
“Cheers.”
“To the success of our project.”
She finally smiled, her eyes warming at the mention of the hotel she cared about. “To the success of our project.”
I took a sip of my wine, not taking my eyes off hers. “Why are you so attracted to that place?”
“I visited it a lot with my parents as a kid. I have nice memories of it.”
“Is that so?”
She sipped her wine, her eyes glazing slightly as if she was recollecting something. “Yes. They had the best food in the city. Seriously. My mother isn’t a good cook. No, she is a terrible cook. So I remember complaining a lot about her meals, which of course now that I’m an adult I realize was kind of a terrible kid move. I kept bothering them to take me to that place so I could eat something delicious.”
I smiled, trying to imagine young Rebecca. “I reckon that they weren’t much happy about that.”
“Not at all! Besides, that place was extremely e
xpensive so I could only imagine how big damage their wallets suffered.” She giggled and my cock twitched immediately. That was such a nice sound.
Rebecca looked so confident when she smiled and I wanted her to smile more. I wanted her to smile at me.
She turned to look at me and tucked her hair beneath her ear. “I’m sorry. I’m probably boring you with this.”
“No, you’re not. I want to hear everything.”
This time she smiled, like really smiled, and damn, I was all lost in her. My jaw literally dropped at how hot she looked and I was afraid I would lose my shit soon. I just wanted to jump on her and take her right here.
She took another sip. “I was sad when that place went out of business. Not only it had the best food, but it also had the best interior. I would often find inspiration in its carved ceilings and intricate walls. It was so colorful, but all those colors blended beautifully together, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them...”
I could see her getting lost in her world, and it fascinated me just how passionate she was. Despite her stern appearance and serious manners, she had so many emotions inside of her, and I found myself desperately wanting to draw them all out of her. I was consumed by her.
I put my glass on the table and, without thinking, leaned toward her. She was still talking as I pressed my lips against hers, and the moment I felt her soft skin on mine, I was completely lost.
At first, she stiffened, her cry of surprise muffled by my mouth, but then, slowly, she began relaxing. I moved my lips smoothly over hers as I took her glass out of her hand and placed it next to mine, not breaking our kiss for a second.
I placed my hands on her cheeks, enjoying the feeling on my fingertips, and opened her mouth with my tongue. Our tongues met in a rush, and she moaned, setting my body on fire.
She moved her hands and put them on my shoulders. She clutched onto me as she responded to my kiss like she owned me. Our kiss became faster, heating our bodies and making us lost in each other. This pleasure was too much and my cock was going to explode.
Her Pleasure Warrior_A Military Romance Page 26