by Tara Sue Me
“I’ll be there,” she replied with a grin and walked to the elevator bank.
Once inside her room, she sank into the couch and, for the first time in three weeks, gave serious thought to turning on her phone. The only thing keeping her from doing so was knowing she’d have a fuck ton of messages and missed calls from Lance. The thought of facing him again left her weak-kneed and her mouth dry.
Without a doubt he must have been pissed that she left so abruptly and without saying a word to him. For some reason, even knowing they had an ocean between them didn’t make her feel safe from his justified rage. However, having the time and distance between them allowed her the chance to see where she could have made better decisions.
But it was much too late to think of such things. Sometimes she thought it be nice if she never had to look back and reexamine the whys of the day she left. Those times also made her wonder if she could leave her phone off forever.
As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she told herself to grow up. She’d always faced her issues head-on, especially those of her own creation. And she’d face her issues with Lance as well.
Later.
However, if she decided not to go to Juilliard and to play with the touring group, it was conceivable she might not have to see him or talk with him again. In fact, she could throw her old phone away, get a new one, and not only would she never have to see or speak with him again, she would never have to face all those messages and texts she’d already put off looking at for three weeks.
But again, that was only a thought, and she knew she’d never do something like that. And deep down, she knew she’d have to face Lance again.
* * *
For Lance, the last three weeks had been nothing but one monotonous day after another. Not only had he not heard from Celeste, he and his grandmother weren’t on the best of terms. She hadn’t taken too kindly to his opinion that she had been out of line taking Celeste to the airport and telling her what an incredible experience the summer would be for her.
Then again, he couldn’t tell Barbara why he felt that way. He shouldn’t have said anything to her in the first place. His plan had been not to say anything at all. It might have worked had Barbara not spent most of dinner the night Celeste left gushing about what a great opportunity this was for her over and over.
Lance was mad at himself for not sticking with his plan. He’d always thought a Dom unable to control himself had no business controlling anyone else. Not that it really mattered since he wasn’t playing with anyone at the moment.
His phone rang, dragging him from his thoughts, and he frowned at the display. Ty. Why would Ty be calling him? Especially since there was a meeting between the three partners in less than two hours. Hell, he hadn’t even made it into the office yet, he was still at the estate.
“Ty?”
“I know. I know,” Ty said. “What the fuck am I doing calling you when we have a meeting in a few hours?”
Lance sat down at the desk he had in his room. He’d missed Ty since he’d left for London. They’d been friends since childhood and the business wasn’t the same without him in the New York office. “It’s like you’re reading my mind.”
Ty snorted. “We record our meetings, and I didn’t think you’d want this conversation on public record.”
“What’s going on?” Ty was never melodramatic so whatever he’d called about had to be important.
“Yesterday was Margot’s birthday,” Ty said. Margo was his sister, and she’d moved with him to London. Both of their parents had died years prior, and she didn’t want to be an ocean apart from her brother. “She wanted to get tickets to a touring group that’s here in London. Interesting thing. After the performance, we’re walking around the theater and she spots one of the musicians. I know it sounds damn crazy, but it looks like that chick who won the scholarship from your family. Once I get home and pull up the newsletter Ms. Barbara sends, I compare it to the program from the tour group we saw. I’ll be damned if it’s not her. Celeste Walsh.”
She was in London. Lance’s heart pounded in his head, and he wondered if Ty could hear. Lance had made it a point not to look up the touring group’s schedule or check and see where she would preform on any given night. But now he knew because Ty had told him. He could be in London tomorrow. He clenched his fist and made his voice as disinterested as possible. “Oh?”
“Yes, and from the schedule I found online, they’ll be here for at least the next week. I understand Ms. Walsh is an experienced subbie, I was thinking about asking her to come with me to a club. I’ve never played with a violinist before and I bet she has amazing finger skills.”
Fury unlike anything he’d ever experienced flooded every cell in his body. He stood up and in doing so slammed his chair against the wall. “You’ll keep your fucking hands away from her. Do you understand? You are not to touch her. Hell, I don’t even want you to think about her.”
Over the phone, Ty gave a low whistle. “Damn, Lillian said you’d react that way, but I didn’t believe her.”
He should have realized that Ty would have talked with Lillian before calling him. Lance sat back down. “What’s your point? Why are you doing this?”
“One, because I’ve never heard you so animated over a woman. Two, because if you didn’t try to take my head off from a different continent and over the phone on top of that, I was going to ask her to accompany me to a club.” Ty paused for a second. “Now that I know how you feel about her, I won’t, but I have to ask, if you feel so strongly about her, why aren’t you here?”
“It’s a long and complicated story.”
“And you don’t think I’ll be able to understand if you use big words?” Ty asked. “Or do you not think I know the meaning of the word complicated? Need I remind you I called and spoke to my ex-wife before calling you?”
Had the underlying conversation been anything other than what it was, Lance would have laughed at Ty’s self deprecating statement. The man spoke the truth. There was nothing the least bit simple about Ty and Lillian.
“I know that you, more so than most people, understand how complicated relationships can be.” He paused, trying to decide how to best say what he was trying to convey. “The thing with Celeste… I’m not sure where we stand. After our first weekend together, I thought everything between us was perfect. But when I got home from work on that Monday, she was gone. No warning. No note. Nothing. Just an empty penthouse.”
Ty didn’t say anything. Lance appreciated that he didn’t add a commentary, he only listened. Few people did that in this day and age. Everyone always tried to fix everything without listening to understand the issue.
“After she left,” Lance continued, it surprised him how much clearer his mind became as he talked, “when I was putting dishes in the dishwasher, it looked as if she’d made muffins…”
What had she done with the muffins? She’d left the penthouse with them, but where to?
“Fucking hell,” Lance said. “I’m an idiot.”
“Yes, of course, but about what specifically this time?”
“She has a damn driver.” Lance stood up, he had to track the man down. “I have to find him. I might not make the meeting.”
“Screw the meeting. Go get your girl.”
Lance found him less than an hour later. Since he was free for the entire summer with Celeste in Europe, they had assigned him to fill in as needed. When Lance found him, he was waiting outside the office to take one of Isaac’s clients to the airport.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Braxton,” he said. “I remember that day, and I know exactly where she wanted to go after leaving your place.”
Was it his imagination or was the man looking at him strange? Lance wasn’t sure. “And where was it?”
The driver gave a half snort. “She came to see you, sir.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lance had a problem in his office and her name was Alex. Based on the information he’d gathered over the last twenty-four h
ours, he had more than enough documentation to fire her. Sometimes, however, a simple firing was not enough. He wanted to beat her at her own game, and he would do it today because he had a flight to London in the morning.
Many times over the last few weeks, the woman had given several subtle and not-so-subtle hints about wanting to play with him. He’d ignored them all. So far.
He sat back in his chair and waited.
He didn’t have to wait long. Her knock came within mere minutes of him asking her to come see him.
“Door’s open,” he said.
Alex stepped inside. “You wanted to see me?” She pulled her shoulders back in a move that showed off her chest.
“You look lovely today,” he said, not wanting to disappoint her. Or at least that’s what he wanted her to think. She actually didn’t look too bad. Her off-white wrap dress played up every advantage she had, and she had several.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you…” he paused.
A flash of excitement filled her eyes. “Thank you, Sir?”
“Much better, but next time don’t ask it as a question.”
“Yes, Sir.” The excitement was no longer a flash. It was full blown and all over her expression.
“The thing is, Alex,” he said. “I have a little problem and I need your help.”
“I’d be happy to help you in any way you require, Sir.” She bit her bottom lip in a move he guessed was meant to be sexy, but all it did was turn his stomach.
He only had to get through the rest of the day, then he’d be free of her forever. And as displeasing as this was now, it would be worth it when it was over. Swallowing the disgust, he prepared for what he had to do next.
“I’m glad you said that.” He forced himself to smile. “And I know I can count on you to keep this conversation confidential.”
He knew nothing of the sort. In fact, he was fairly certain of the exact opposite. And though he didn’t think she’d try anything after he finished with her, he wanted no room for doubts. Which was why everything happening in his office was being both recorded and watched live by Isaac and Lillian.
It was in the employment contract Alex signed on her first day that all areas except for restrooms could be monitored via voice and video. If she didn’t read it or if she did and assumed it had to do with something kinky, that wasn’t his problem. She’d signed the contract, no questions asked.
“Of course, Sir,” she said. “You have my word, nothing happening in this room goes beyond those doors.”
“Thank you, Alex.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not sure you know, but the woman I’ve been seeing has left town. And the thing is, she was more than a girlfriend. She was also my submissive.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Braxton.”
Yeah, he bet she was. “I’m going to put my cards on the table, but if you feel intimidated or uncomfortable at any time, let me know, and the conversation is over.”
She nodded. He raised an eyebrow.
“I understand, Sir,” she whispered.
“Very good.” As much as he hated doing this, he liked that, so far, Alex was doing and behaving as planned. “Over the last few weeks, I believe you’ve implied on more than one occasion you are both in the lifestyle and would have no objection with being with me in such a relationship.”
“That’s correct, Sir.” If she had been a cat, he was pretty sure she’d be purring at this point.
“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin. “That’s what my problem is. You see, I never play with anyone who works here and definitely not with a direct report.”
She nodded and Lance held his breath.
“In that case, Sir, I’d like to submit my resignation. Effective immediately.” She was all smiles as she spoke.
“Alex, no.” He stood up. “I can’t let you do that.”
“You’re not letting me do anything. Besides,” she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I was planning on quitting, anyway.”
He hadn’t expected that. “You were?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy working for you, I do. But I don’t want to be an assistant forever.”
He nodded. Understanding. But hell, three weeks?
“And it’s not that I’d planned to resign soon,” she added. “I just don’t want you to feel as if I’ll be heartbroken if I quit now as opposed to six months or a year down the road.”
If he hadn’t already wanted her gone for whatever it was she’d said that made Celeste run off, he’d sure as hell want her gone after she admitted he was only a small and short rung on her career ladder.
Lance offered her a smile. It would be one of the last ones she ever received from him. “In that case, print out your resignation and give it to me. Once I have it, I’ll give you further instructions.” Then because he didn’t want her to ever be able to say she had no choice, added, “You are welcome to change your mind at any point until I accept your resignation. Until then, say the word and we’ll continue as if this conversation never happened.”
“You’re sweet to say all that so I’m fully aware of everything, but trust me, I’m no newbie who needs you to hold my hand through all this.” She glanced over her shoulder once on her way out and winked.
She was getting ready to find out just how not sweet he could be. And after that, she’d know he had no interest in holding anything of hers.
Isaac and Lillian entered his office from the adjoining private conference room where they’d witnessed everything.
“She’s a piece of work,” Isaac said, shaking his head.
“I feel partially to blame,” Lillian said. “Since I was the one who passed her resume to you in the first place.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you how it was you came to have her information.” Lance hadn’t known Lillian for as long as he’d known Ty, but they’d still been friends for a long time. She was not the type of person who would be so underhanded as to set him up.
“I pulled it from the list HR keeps on file of interested applicants,” she said. “I’d never met her but her application looked so good, I couldn’t pass it up.”
He nodded, remembering feeling that exact thing when he saw her resume. “I admit, I couldn’t pass her up, either.”
“Do you need any help with the rest of your plans for Alex?” Isaac asked. “I have a feeling she’ll be back soon with her resignation and I don’t think Lillian and I should be here.”
“I have everything under control,” Lance assured his partner.
“Famous last words,” Lillian mumbled.
“Call me tonight when it’s all over to let me know how it goes.” Isaac headed toward the door with Lillian not far behind. “And safe travels to London. Give Ty some hell while you’re there.”
“Give him a swift kick in the ass from me,” Lillian quipped before the door closed behind them. “And kisses to Celeste.”
Lance nodded, but wasn’t sure Celeste would allow him to get close enough for him to deliver the kiss.
Lance was at the penthouse with everything set up by six that evening. Alex had brought her signed resignation to his office about ten minutes after Isaac and Lillian left. After making several copies, Lance had personally delivered it to both HR and the building’s security department. Once she left for the day, Alex would not be welcome on their floor again.
He checked his watch for the third time. Alex had instructions to arrive at six thirty, but he was betting on her showing up early. He snorted when the security guard downstairs called to let him know she was in the lobby. At six fifteen.
“Thanks, Mike,” he said. “Please ensure she remains in the lobby until six twenty-five. Then you can let her up.”
“I’ll take care of it, Mr. Braxton.”
The woman he opened the door to at the appropriate time, wasn’t near as confident looking as she’d been in the office only hours before. Good. It was about time she came down a few notches.
She glanced from h
im to the floor, over his shoulder, and then back to him. If he had to guess, she probably wasn’t aware she did it.
“Come in, Alex.” He stood to the side and let her pass. “Straight down the hall and first door on your left.”
He walked behind her as she took her time making it into his living room. Such a different walk than the one he and Celeste took down this same hall. Hell, he wasn’t even sure she saw his living room until sometime Sunday.
“Have a seat on the couch,” he told Alex and wondered what she thought of the plates and the water glasses he’d sat out. She remained silent, and he gestured toward them. “I haven’t had dinner yet, would you care to join me for a little snack?”
“Nothing for me.” She smiled and patted her stomach. “Have to watch my weight.”
He’d expected she’d say something along those lines and hated that with every passing second, she looked more and more confident.
“You don’t mind if I eat in front of you?” He moved behind the couch and into the butler’s pantry.
“Of course not,” she said and followed up with a fake giggle. “It’s your house. You can do whatever you want. Don’t mind me.” She moved as if getting ready to stand. “This is a lovely place.”
“Sit. Down.”
She sat.
He walked back around to the front of the couch, going the long way on purpose. Hopefully, she would see what he carried on the tray he’d picked up from the butler’s pantry.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” He held the tray out for her to see. “Muffins. Blueberry and walnut. My favorite.”
The type Celeste had made for him. In talking with her driver, Lance had learned a few things. How upset she’d been when she called for him to pick her back up and yet, even then she kept the parts of her that made her so unique. Before getting out at the estate, she passed her driver the two containers of blueberry muffins.
He knew his baking skills paled compared to Celeste’s, but taste wasn’t what mattered tonight. It was the look in Alex’s eyes, albeit brief and fleeting, as he slowly tightened the noose around her neck.