I bury my head in case files all morning. Leighton Enterprises is a full-round corporation, meaning we do many things under the same scope. We investigate criminal cases and report our findings. We also report on major murder cases in the U.S., such as the case of Caylee Anthony. Leighton Enterprises worked day and night on that one, keeping up with new information and building reports from it.
Often, the police reports are included in the cases we receive, but sometimes they go missing or aren’t filled out accurately. It then becomes our job to try to fill in the missing gaps to write a full, thorough story.
I became interested in criminology after a huge murder flooded the headlines when I was seventeen. My dad worked night and day on that case, making sure to keep up with the news and report anything new that came in. To be the first to report it and to update it added to the Leighton Enterprises’ name. We pride ourselves on being accurate and efficient—all while being number one.
Unfortunately, all we could report were case updates and news from the investigation—the case was never solved. It’s one of the biggest unsolved cases in Nebraska.
I shuffle through files sitting on my desk and don’t notice that my office door is opening. She walks in with ease, smiling as she walks up to my desk.
“Yes?” I snarl, not making eye contact with her.
“I’m all done,” she replies simply. “What else can I do for you? Is there anything maybe…” she pauses, biting down on her lower lip, “more challenging that I can do?” Her voice is higher as she anticipates my response.
I look down at my desk pretending to stack papers and smirk at how her innocent questions suddenly sound dirty in my head.
“Well…what can you do, Miss West?” I clear my throat. “I mean Ceci. I know you have high achievements, so you tell me. What do you want to learn?” I look up at her this time and watch her squirm at my words.
She grins and steps closer. “What can you teach me?”
I adjust my pants again—my damn cock can’t behave. This girl is a twenty-one-year-old naïve college student, and I’m her boss, I remind my cock, but it does nothing to tame itself.
“Are you okay?” she asks leaning over my desk to where my hand is trying to hide the tent I’m now sporting.
“For someone so well-educated, you’re sure a curious little thing,” I respond nervously trying to get her eyes off my junk.
She giggles.
She actually fucking giggles.
“Sorry, sir. It’s just…you look very uncomfortable. Like you’re trying to scratch your skin off or something.”
“Excuse me?” My eyes meet hers.
“Oh, shit.” She covers her mouth with her hand. “I’m so sorry. That was really inappropriate.” I can tell she’s still smiling.
I pull my chair back and stand up, towering over her tiny size. “I think it’s best you go home for the day.”
She checks her watch quick before speaking. “It’s not even noon, sir. Please, I’m so sorry. It’ll never happen again. I really want to be here. Just tell me what to do. Anything. I’ll do it.”
I sit back down and think about her request. She looks at me pleadingly and like the sucker I am, I give in. “Fine.” I breathe out. “I’ll show you the software we use. You’ll need to know how to operate it.”
She clasps her hands tightly together and thanks me over and over. I nod, barely acknowledging, and then tell her to bring a chair over to my side.
I move my chair over to give her enough room, but with the way my computer is angled, she has to lean over me to get a good view.
“All right, so…” I clear my throat as I try to concentrate on the screen and not the fact that I can feel her warm breath on my neck, “it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Leighton.” She interrupts. “I’m a fast learner.” I can hear the seduction in her voice and immediately realize how bad of an idea this is. Her body is close to mine as she leans over her chair. Her breasts are rubbing against the back of my arm, and I can tell her skin is silky smooth just from the contact.
My cock twitches and I move forward to avoid her body against mine. I swallow hard as I continue. “Here is where each case is located. They are categorized by date, location, file number, and last name. You can do easy searches by this icon up here, as well as typing in the first couple letters of the name. It’s very user-friendly.”
Just when I think I’m home free, and my cock tames itself, she leans off her chair and puts a hand on my shoulder as she reaches a finger to the screen. My body immediately tenses at the touch of her hand. It might be an innocent gesture, but she knows what she’s fucking doing.
“What’s this icon down here?” she asks, seemingly oblivious to the mini heart attack she’s currently giving me.
“Um…” I clear my throat as I squirm in the chair. I can’t have her this close to me. “It’s for transcripts. You can read them right on the screen instead of digging the files out. Most have been electronically scanned in.”
“Wow, how awesome. I mean, for the journalists.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely a time saver.” She finally sits back down, so I turn and face her. “I could have you do something like that, but it’s not very challenging. You seem too smart for something like that.” I grin.
Expecting her to agree with me, I’m surprised by her reaction. “That’s perfect!” She sits up straighter. She is giddy at the fact that she’ll be scanning in documents all day? This girl was a basket of crazy. “I’d love to do it.”
I scratch the back of my neck trying to think of something that might keep her in my office instead. Too bad the only thing I have in mind is her kneeling in front of me.
I stand up and tell her to follow me out. There are only a handful of other journalists who come in on Saturdays, so the office is relatively quiet.
I lead her to another room where the transcripts are kept. I show her how they are categorized and documented. Then I show her to another room where the scanner and computer are kept.
She nods her head the entire time, not even bothering to ask me any questions. She smiles confidently as she speaks. “No problem, Mr. Leighton. These are all safe with me.”
I give a weak smile back. “Great. Just let me know when you need a break, and you can leave for the day.”
“No problem. This looks like Heaven to me, so I’ll probably get lost in here for a few hours.”
I give her a confused look. “You really aren’t like typical college girls, are you? You’re actually excited about this?”
Her smile turns seductive as she eyes me carefully. “No, I’m not like other college girls. In fact, I’m very, very different. I’m driven by success, and I don’t allow failure into my vocabulary. If this is what will get me experience, and into a career that I want, I’ll do it. Anything you ask me to do, Mr. Leighton, I will.”
She speaks as if she’s promising me those very things. She’s determined, and I like that.
She inches closer to me so I can feel her breath on my skin. It’s rapid and quick like mine—she’s thinking the same thing I am.
“Well…enjoy,” is all I say as I slowly back up and walk out the door. She keeps her eyes on me until I’m out of view.
That girl…her personality and confidence completely captivate me. She’s different from any intern I’ve ever met. Or girl. Most act vulnerable and ditzy to gain my attention. However, this girl is anything but that. Not to mention how stunning she is.
And she’s one I haven’t gotten out of my head since the moment she stepped into that boardroom.
CHAPTER 5
Cecilia
Week Two
I finally feel as if I’m doing something toward getting justice for my dad. It may not be much, but getting into those transcripts is a step closer. Even being around the software and learning about the files gives me an opportunity to dig around and find the information I need.
Although I’m only eigh
teen years old, my soul has far surpassed that. The trajectory of my life was altered in one split-second, leaving with me no choice but to confront the harsh reality.
I know I can do this job. Minus the professional experience, I have the passion. I have the drive and desire more than anyone else I know. Most girls my age are preoccupied with fashion, prom, who’s dating who, and reality television—and I could not care less about any of that.
I nearly screamed when I got the call that I had been picked for the internship. I begged to come in to finish the paperwork that day, so I could start right away. I didn’t even care that I wasn’t dressed up or anything, I wanted to start right away.
Bumping into Mr. Leighton—literally—was an unexpected surprise. The way my heart raced at the sudden contact of our bodies being slammed together was something that had me shaking the entire drive back home. I knew the way my body responded to him was unusual, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from doing what I had to do.
* * *
“Hey, we hanging out this weekend?” Simon asks as we walk to lunch together.
“Sure, um, Sunday?” I suggest.
“What about Saturday? We could catch a movie,” he says, hopeful. Simon and I usually hang out on the weekends, except the times I’m with Cora. Those two refuse to spend any time outside of school together.
As I said, they secretly love each other.
“I can’t Saturday. I have something going on already.” I try to sound vague, so I don’t give myself away.
He opens the door for me and lets me walk in before speaking again. “Well, fine. Sunday. But tell that bitch she’s not to beg you to sleep over or something so I can’t see you.”
I laugh at his assumption. “Yes, Dad,” I scowl. “You two really need to get along. I don’t even understand why you hate each other. It’s childish.”
I grab a tray and begin walking down the lunch line.
“Humph. Childish? She’s the one that acts like a child.”
“Ooh…good comeback.” I roll my eyes. “I think you guys hate each other so much because you secretly want each other, and until one of you fesses up, all your sexual tension is just going to continue burning until one of you finally combusts,” I say matter-of-factly. “That I’m certain of.”
“Okay, Veronica Mars,” he scowls. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
We both pay for our lunch and walk to our table. “Okay, well then spell it out for me.” Before he can answer, Cora plops her ass down next to me. I turn and look at her. “Why are you smiling like that?”
She tries to tone down the overwhelming grin on her face, but fails miserably. “Lance Kingston just asked me to prom.” I can tell she’s trying to act calm, but the constant tapping of her foot tells me just how giddy she really is.
“Prom?” Simon shrieks. I notice he instantly tenses up, and the burning stare he’s giving Cora right now reassures me I’m right—he’s jealous.
“Yeah…isn’t that like four months away?” I ask taking a bite of my food.
“Mm hmm…” She grins, shuffling her food around on her tray.
It’s all I need to hear to know just what that means.
They hooked up.
I can’t even concentrate on her right now. Bentley is flooding my mind, and it’s all I’ve been able to think about since Saturday. And I get to see him again in two days.
When I was there, I felt like a different person. I was playing a role. Acting. And I was damn good at it.
But ‘operation charm and seduce’ is in full-blown mode. I’m doing what I have to do to get the information necessary. I need to know as much as possible about my dad’s case. I need to know why. Otherwise, I know I’ll never be able to move on.
I’m not faking my attraction to him. He’s definitely a guy I’ll break my rules for, even if just for one night. But from the way he was responding to me, I could tell he’d take that one night and demand more.
He has no idea what he’s getting himself into.
* * *
I wake up feeling anxious and excited Saturday morning. I have two things to look forward to—seeing Bentley again and to get one step closer to finding my dad’s murderer.
I arrive promptly at seven forty-five a.m. with Mr. Leighton’s coffee and for good measure, a plain bagel. He looks like a plain bagel type of guy. I have to kiss his ass as much as I can without making it too obvious.
Although, I’m sure I’m going to fail miserably.
“Good morning, Mr. Leighton,” I say politely as I place his beverage and food on his desk.
“Good morning, Ceci. You are bright and cheerful today,” he says with amusement. He grabs the hot cup of coffee and brings it to his mouth. I get lost in his lips for a split-second before I remind myself I have to speak.
I knew going into this I’d have to tell him to call me something else besides Casey. I was worried I wouldn’t respond on instinct if he said Casey instead of Miss West—I couldn’t risk him thinking anything was unusual. And although Ceci is a nickname for Cecilia, he completely bought it.
“Of course, sir. It’s a pleasure to be here. What’s not to be cheerful about?”
He studies me carefully, letting his eyes wander up and down my body, paying close attention to the tight fabric I’m wearing today. I borrowed Casey’s clothes since I don’t have anything ‘work’ appropriate. I’m sure the ripped-up jeans and band-tees would be a dead giveaway.
“I guess that’s a helpful attitude.” He studies me carefully, and I know my plan is working.
“I sure hope so,” I reply quickly. He doesn’t need to know how easy it is for me to lie, especially when it’s something that I desperately want. “Where would you like me today?”
He cracks his jaw slightly, and I notice how uncomfortable he easily gets when I say things like that.
“Where I would like you and where you should be are two very different questions, but ironically, they hold the same answers.”
I shift from one foot to the other as his come-on’s become stronger, more tangible in what he’s after.
Part of me knows it’s wrong, but I’m eighteen—I’m legal. And I do find him intriguing. He’s attractive, and I’m willing to play along in this little game—whatever it takes to stay in this building for as long as possible.
“That sounds like motive.” I smirk back. “Which one would you like to answer?”
I’m throwing him a bone, because it’s obvious he’s struggling just as much as I am. Part Angel says it’s morally and ethically wrong and Part Devil says…he’s fuckable.
I agree with Part Devil.
Being here…with him…I don’t feel like a naïve adolescent. Rather, he makes me feel grown, as if my thoughts actually matter. However, making him beg for it and practically coming in his pants is also amusing.
He shifts in his chair as if he’s shocked by my response and needs a minute to think. “Miss West,” he pauses, but doesn’t correct himself. “Go do your job. Please.”
His voice sounds pained, as if he’s pleading with himself. He’s fighting between what his body wants and what he knows is right. And, although I’m having the exact same battle…
His body will win eventually.
* * *
I walk past a couple of open offices, glancing inside as I slowly tread by, getting a good look at the other journalists working there. I need to make sure I keep a healthy distance, but still be aware in case I ever have to sneak around for something later.
I begin digging through the transcripts, skimming over them for anything that could possibly resemble my dad’s case as I scan them in. Perhaps the shooter had done this before and gotten away with it, or perhaps he’s been caught for a crime long after. I don’t really know what I’m looking for, but I hope that I’ll recognize it when I see it.
It’s hard to concentrate on scanning when my body is trembling at the thought of him. Bentley’s mouth keeps popping into my mind. His face. His hands. His eyes
. Everything about him. I realize I’m falling deeper in the trap, the sexual tension that is so obviously between us.
After four hours of continuous scanning, I stand up and stretch. My legs are cramping, and my neck is getting sore from being in the same position for so long.
I let out a moan as I stretch my arms over my head. “Ah, God,” I moan again as my body completely melts into the stretch, offering my muscles the relief they need.
“Jesus. Christ.” I hear a growl from behind me. I quickly spin around and see him standing casually in the doorway, his arms and legs crossed as he studies me. “I never knew a moan could sound so fucking hot.”
I grin as I move the chair out of my way. I imagine him coming at me like a wild tiger, filled with hunger and need, grabbing me and placing me on top of the desk. I get lost in the thought of him running his hands up my legs, and soon up my skirt. The thought leaves me standing there, staring at him, as I clench my legs tighter together.
“Are you hungry?” he asks, changing courses from the very dirty fantasy I was enjoying.
“Um, yes. Sure,” I stutter. I mentally kick myself for sounding weak in front of him. I need to stay in control, hold my ground, if I’m going to continue doing this.
“Why don’t you take a break and I’ll order us in some food.”
“Sounds great. Thanks.” I continue smiling up at him like a fool. I really need to keep my cool.
“What are you in the mood for?” His voice is low, almost a whisper.
On top. Doggy style. Bent over the office desk. Reverse Cowgirl. Basically, anything that involves him…
“Um…” I clear my throat, feeling uneasy. “Anything is fine with me.” I nervously shuffle some documents around, pretending to organize them.
“Sounds good.” His face is expressionless as he turns and walks out.
Ten minutes later, I walk into his office, unsure if I should be there or not. He welcomes me in, and motions for me to take a seat across from him, as he sits behind his desk.
Alphas & Millionaires Starter Set Page 46