by Ada Frost
I lifted my shoulder in a nonchalant shrug.
“You don’t care if I have a pop at her?”
I ground my molars together, but I shook my head. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let him discuss this. In the past maybe we’d talked about partners, but somehow Abigail was different. I didn’t want to hear about her with other men. Especially Samuel. Not if I wasn’t the one controlling it. I wanted her to do it for me, with me, for us.
“She was asking about Brie.”
“What? Why the hell did she come into conversation?” I bristled. I hated when people brought her or Marie into this place. Even saying their names felt wrong inside this hellhole. I needed out of here for a while. I felt like I was ready to implode so much crap was racing through my head.
“You flapping your drunk chops about her.”
I shook my head and glared at him.
“It’s a shame really,” he said quietly, and I couldn’t help turn to face him on my way to the door.
“What is?”
“You just gave me the green light, but our little pet has no interest in me unless the puppet master is there.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Are you really that fucking blind? Abby lights up when you’re around. She doesn’t want anyone touching her unless you’re there. When we doubled her, the one she wanted was you. I can guarantee had we been in that room alone, she wouldn’t have even sat in my lap.”
I scowled at him, because he was talking shit.
“She gets off on you watching her.”
His words crippled me. Was it possible I’d wanted something so badly I hadn’t appreciated it when I’d had it? I’d wanted to see someone pleasure Abigail. Be a part of giving her the orgasm of her life. However, fear of not being enough to hold onto her had spoiled everything.
“Did the penny finally drop that you’re a total plonker?”
“No, I was simply questioning why the hell we’ve been friends for so long.”
“Because I’m fucking awesome, and I make you look good.”
With a shake of my head I returned to my own office. A pathetic sigh escaped my lips when I saw Miss Warner was back at her desk making the office feel perfect. She was perfect. Knowing I needed to do something to get over her, I forced myself to get on with some work.
A few hours later, I’d accomplished nothing. I had an impending migraine and completed fuck all work. I watched as Abigail packed her things away. She tidied her desk, powered down her computer and stored the files away before locking the cabinets. I waited patiently, like a shmuck, for my usual wave goodnight. A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. She ducked under her desk and pulled out her gym bag before heading to the door. When she turned and glanced over her shoulder, I smiled and lifted my hand but noticed her attention was on her desk. She hadn’t given me a second thought before leaving.
The woman I never wanted, who I’d dismissed, was now throwing me away.
It sucked.
“Fuck.” I growled into the empty office. My life was perfect before she entered it. I answered to no one but myself, and I always made stellar choices so things were amazing. Then she walked in and caused fucking chaos.
Grabbing my mobile, I slid my thumb over the screen, connecting to the number I needed.
“Hello?”
“Ellery, it’s Lawson Stone. I wondered if you were free for dinner, tonight?”
This had to be a decision that would work in my favour. I was taking the power back. I was getting my life back.
Four days later and nearing the end of the longest working week of my life, I watched the clock as it ticked away. I startled when the door from the main reception suddenly opened. Groaning out my annoyance when I realised who had entered.
“Hey, sweet tits. Is my son about?”
“You don’t have an appointment,” I snapped. The same man that was tailing him at the awards stood behind him. He was chewing gum in the most obnoxiously annoying manner and winked at me when I glanced at him.
“Don’t need an appointment to see my son.”
“Yes, you do.” I stood, stepping toward them to usher them out when Lawson’s voice called from the opening between our offices.
“Miss Warner, is correct. You do need an appointment. And, Mr Bolski, so much as try and leave this office with that footage, and I will have you arrested. The use of any recording equipment by visitors is prohibited within these offices. On your way out, my security team will be disposing of any footage filmed within these premises.”
“You can’t do that.”
“You’ll find that I can. And you will cooperate.”
Steve nodded to the guy, who lifted the camera and pressed a couple of buttons.
“Before you start, Steve, I have a gag order on this sham of a show. You’re prohibited from discussing anything related to Stone Industries from the time I came into management. Scarlet also is not allowed to discuss anything relating to her work. Miss Warner is not to be approached or harassed and neither are any other employees of this company.”
“That’s ridiculous, you don’t have any authority to demand such a thing.”
“You’re boring me with these asinine statements. Yes. I. Do.” Lawson stepped fully into the room, his presence even more powerful and foreboding than usual. He was like a lion protecting his pride. “Your days of profiteering from me are over. You want to expose your life, go ahead. But you’re not a part of my life. My business and my friends are nothing to do with you. Stop grasping at the fame you threw away.”
“Get out,” Steve seethed. He said something to Mr Bolski in a low voice that I couldn’t hear, and the man turned and headed out of the office.
Steve slammed the door, creating a loud bang that made me jump.
“Where the hell do you get off embarrassing me like that? This.” He waved his arms around the office. “Wouldn’t even exist without me. Or, for that matter, neither would you. This is my empire.”
“I beg to differ. I admit your love of pussy created me, but it was Marie who gave me a life. You are nothing but a sperm donor. And this company would’ve died a long time ago, along with Stella, without me.”
“Your mother should have aborted you as soon as she found out she was pregnant.”
I gasped, because what a hateful thing to say. Needing to be closer to Lawson, just to offer him some silent support, I moved from behind my desk.
“You were always a fucking freak. Hiding in your bedroom when free pussy was there for the taking. What were you waiting for? Huh? Someone to love you? That’s never going to happen. You know why? Because you’re my son, and you’re a cold-hearted bastard like me.”
For the first time since meeting Lawson I saw real pain cross his features. He truly believed he had the potential to turn into this man.
“Get out,” I said in a tight voice.
“Shut up,” Steve snapped. The derision in his voice was palpable. I stepped toward him, because he in no way intimidated me. A warm hand slid around my wrist in a silent warning. Steve’s gaze tracked the movement, and a sickening grin snaked its way onto his face.
“Fucking your secretary?” Steve laughed, the sound wheezy. “You really are like me.”
“No, he isn’t. You’re a pathetic excuse for a man. You sleep with anything that will accept your dick to make yourself feel likeable. But you’re not. You are dead inside. Lawson doesn’t need to demand the respect or attention of anyone. He has it regardless because he fucking earned it. You’re nothing but a waste of space. No one wants to work with a talentless hack. Your own wife is using you and would prefer your son. No one wants you. And that cuts you so bloody deep you’re drowning in it. It must eat you alive that the son you never wanted has succeeded you and become someone who everyone either wants to be or they want to be with. You’re a little man, with an even smaller dick. Now get out of my office.”
“You fucking bitch.” Steve charged, but Lawson stepped in front of me, preventing him fr
om getting within breathing distance.
“Leave. Now.” The ice in Lawson’s tone chilled me. “You do not, ever, speak to her again.”
“Or what?”
Ryan entered the room and assessed the situation. His body coiled tight. When he noticed I was peering from behind Lawson, he glared at Steve.
“Sir, the footage has been destroyed. Mr Bolski is on the sidewalk waiting on Mr Stone.”
“Thank you, Ryan. Steve here was just leaving, and please instruct the team that he no longer has permission to enter the premises. Ever.”
“What?” Steve choked.
“Yes, Mr Stone.” Ryan placed his hand on Steve’s shoulder.
“Please take out the trash,” Lawson voiced in a regal tone.
Ryan escorted Steve out. Anyone within the vicinity of the building would have heard his calls.
Lawson stood staring at the door for a while after his dad left. He seemed locked somewhere, and I felt I needed to give him a few moments to recover. Placing my hand on his back, I moved around him so I could see his face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” His tight jaw indicated he wasn’t.
“He’s wrong, you know,” I said quietly. Lawson’s gaze finally returned to me, and the thud in my chest was proof I still wasn’t immune to him. “You’re nothing like him. He’s vile and selfish. You’re nothing like that. Hiding is a different thing.”
“I do not hide.”
“I beg to differ,” I argued and pressed my pointer finger into his stomach, giving a little laugh. He caught my hand and held it. I sucked in a breath, the zing between us electrifying. No one had ever made my body light on fire like Lawson. I stepped back before doing something I regretted. Lawson considered me a moment. His expression was indecipherable.
“Miss Warner, may I ask a favour?” His mask was firmly back in place. “I wondered if you would give this to Lacey for me.” He entered his office and came back holding a beautifully wrapped parcel. Tomorrow was Lacey’s birthday. She was having a party at her house, and I couldn’t afford her a gift. I bought her a twenty-nine pence card from the cheap shop at the end of the high street. I’d spent half an hour just staring at the horrible thing, because it was obviously tacky and complete shit. She was my best friend in the entire world, and I couldn’t even afford her a nice card and a gift. I’d considered wrapping her a pair of the shoes Lawson sent, but I couldn’t do that to her or him. I may be angry with him, but he bought them for me.
I frowned. “Are you not going to the party?” God, I hoped he wasn’t trying to avoid me. Or worse he was going on another date with someone else.
“I wasn’t invited.”
“What?” I asked shocked, everyone from the office was invited, even the canteen staff.
“I’m rarely invited to social gatherings, Miss Warner, it’s nothing new.”
“Why have you bought her a present?”
“It’s her birthday,” he stated simply, as if it was a little absurd I would ask.
I glanced down at the fancily wrapped box on my desk.
“It’s not a big deal. I saw it and thought she may like it. If she doesn’t, she can return it.”
“Why?”
“I thought it was the right thing to do,” he replied, looking a little lost.
“It’s a little sad you would buy someone a gift when they haven’t even invited you to their party.”
Lawson stepped back with a pained expression. I flinched, realising my words were tactless. Rarely did Lawson show weakness or vulnerability. “Marie always said you should give a gift for the grace of making the recipient smile, not because you expect something in return.”
“Will you come as my plus one?” I blurted.
“You don’t have to do that, Miss Warner; it’s just a few books. It isn’t anything spectacular.”
“I want you to come.”
“Okay. Thank you.” As he headed back into his office, I could have sworn he wore a cute little smile. But cute and Lawson were not things that went together.
Standing in Lacey’s beautifully modern kitchen Saturday afternoon, I picked up the shot that one of the guys had poured and downed it, shivering when the bitter burn scorched my throat. “Jesus, this stuff is nasty.” I coughed, placing my glass on the counter. I’d already inhaled a few chasers hoping to abate the nerves racing around inside me. Every time the doorbell rang, my stomach did a somersault. Lacey was a little shocked I’d invited Lawson, but she wasn’t angry. She’d said the only reason she hadn’t asked was because she assumed he would say no.
“Gets you nice a buzzed in no time.” Greg, the designated barman laughed, moving to pour me another. Shaking my head, I placed my hand over the top of my glass and lifted my bottle of cider.
“I’ll stick with this.”
He shrugged and moved on to pour the rest of the group drinks. It was a great bunch who had turned out for Lacey’s birthday. She had only invited people from the office. I’d tried so hard to get her to invite her other friends, but she was adamant to keep those separate.
Greg continued chatting as he poured, “There was this one casting session that blew, literally. I’ve got this young chick’s head in my hands, and I’m going at her face, and to be fair she took it like a trouper, but her gag reflex was so fucking bad she kept gagging really loudly and would bite my cock.”
I sniggered, because we were given a very over the top demonstration. He was holding a poor honeydew melon to his crotch and thrusting at the defenceless fruit. “She was a looker though, and would have been great on camera, but her blowjob skills were shit. I was supposed to cum on her face, and after her failed attempt to suck me off, I tossed off, but as soon as my spunk hit her face, she retched and ran to the bathroom to throw up. Boner killed.” He held the melon up to his face and planted a loud smacking kiss on it. “I’d have been better fucking this thing. At least it’s moist.”
“Ugh.” A collection of female voices grunted.
“No man wants to fuck a dry fanny.”
One of the actresses, Ellie I believe, slapped his shoulder. Everyone was laughing though. Greg pulled his wife into his side, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. She too was an adult film actress, but she worked for a different company, and according to Greg, she only did girl/girl scenes.
“You really are nasty.” She laughed.
“You love me that way, baby.”
I found it so shocking at first that the majority of the actors and actresses were in relationships. That away from the camera they had normal lives, with partners and some had kids too.
“Ugh, who the fuck invited Rain Man?” one of the men moaned. I couldn’t remember his name. He was one of those people you tried to like, but he was so annoying you’d rather introduce his face to your fist. Sam often referred to him as Diva-Dick.
“What?” I chuckled, glancing over my shoulder as the house quieted. Lawson and Sam were standing at the front door chatting to Lacey and Leah. Sam was his usual bright cheery self, and Lawson might have appeared his aloof, confident, and stoic self, but the white knuckled fists by his sides and the way he shifted back against the door indicated to me he wasn’t at all comfortable.
“Rain Man?” someone asked. But I couldn’t take my eyes from Lawson. The man looked like he was heading to Sunday brunch with the local vicar. He stood out in his smart clothes compared to the rest of us who were in jeans and casual tops.
“Yeah. He’s the freak, and Sam is the other one. Come on, you’ve seen the movie,” he enthused
I battled to keep my rising annoyance under control. Lawson may have had his – eccentricities, but he was a freaking great boss. He cared for his staff more than he liked people to know, but it was obvious in all the health checks he made them do.
“That bloke has prime pussy battling down his door, and the freak turns it all away. Have you seen how hot Scarlet is? She’s been trying to fuck Stone since she started working there.”
“She�
��s married to his dad,” I snarled, trying not to raise my voice.
“So? It’s not like Steve cares if she fucks about. The man dips his dick in more cunt than I do.”
I scrunched my face up in disgust, noting a few other actors turning away from this asshole.
“Miss Warner,” a voice rasped from behind me. I plastered a smile on my face and turned. God, the man was delicious. My hands itched to reach up and ruffle his immaculately combed hair and unfasten his tie and top button.
“Hi.”
“Hey, beautiful,” Sam bustled, pushing his way between me and Lawson. The scowl Lawson cast in Sam’s direction didn’t go unnoticed. He quickly accepted a drink and forced a bottle into Lawson’s hand and proceeded to chat away to the others around the counter, while Lawson stood stiff and completely out of place. It was so bad that I felt uncomfortable for him.
I glanced over my shoulder when I heard Lacey gasp. She had her hand over her mouth as she looked down at something on the table in front of her. Tears tracked down her cheeks, and I turned to go to her when she spun around, her gaze searching for someone. When she located Lawson, she headed toward him at speed.
“Thank you,” she cried throwing herself at him, wrapping her arms round his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. “Thank you,” she sobbed. Lawson stood stock still, his arms by his sides. When she pulled away I noticed her blushing. Lacey never blushed.
“You okay?” I asked, reaching out to touch her elbow.
“Did you know?” Lacey sniffled.
“Know what?”
“What he bought me for my birthday?”
Shaking my head, I peered up at Lawson. “He said it wasn’t a big deal, just some books.”
Lacey wiped at her face and nose with her hand, releasing a watery laugh. My smile was undeniable at the revolted look on Lawson’s face.
“Just some books? They’re special edition Harry Potter books, signed. He had them freaking signed.” Lacey’s voice reached decibels I was sure weren't natural. “How did you even manage that?”
His cheeks heated. It was obvious he didn’t want to admit to the how of it. But both of us were looking at him expectantly.