I pulled at the v-cut. To my intense delight, she wasn’t wearing a bra. I kneaded her breasts, noticing that her nipples were taut and ready to be tasted. “So we’re doing it here?” I grunted against her pouting lips.
Her sweet tongue tangled with mine in response, but I pulled away from her, needing to taste her flesh. I took her breast in my mouth.
“Dylan...” she moaned my name.
I smirked. “You’re that hungry for me? You couldn’t wait until we got home?”
“Uh-uh,” she growled. “You’ve been teasing me all day. I want you now.”
“So be it, ma belle fille.” I lifted the gown, allowing my fingers to trail against her supple thighs. The friction of my fingertips on her skin shifted me into another dimension of lust. She wasn’t the only one who was primed and ready for sexual satisfaction.
I slid the gown up further and my eager hands reached for her panties, but I pulled back in shock when I realized she wasn’t wearing any. “Are you serious?”
Her eyes glinted. “Very.”
I moistened my lips, suddenly parched. “Tu es très méchant...”
Laila giggled. “If I’m naughty, you certainly made me that way,” she alleged. “And besides, you like it when I’m naughty, don’t you?” She captured my mouth in an intoxicating kiss and started unbuckling the clasp on my custom-fit pants.
I groaned, overcome with yearning for her body and lightly wrapped my hand around her slender neck, the way she liked. Her head fell back, and my lips found her throat. I ran the point of my tongue over her skin until I captured her earlobe between my teeth.
“Release me,” I growled.
Laila’s small, trembling hand fell to my pants. She undid the button and unzipped the fly, then she adjusted the waistband of my boxer briefs, exposing my throbbing manhood. It stood to attention like an on-duty soldier, searching for the entrance to her warm tunnel.
I slid my hands down to the base of her neck and over her perky breasts. They trailed to her navel and dropped even lower. Slowly, I inserted two fingers inside of her. She was soaking wet and ready for me to claim her. I drew my fingers out and pushed them back inside.
My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip and I cursed. “Laila...”
“I couldn’t wait,” she moaned in lustful admission.
I stroked her velvet interior again. My long fingers thrusted deep inside of her.
Her eyes rolled back.
“You could have waited,” I charged her. “The problem is, you’re impatient.”
“I’ve been waiting all day,” she managed through a thin breath. “I want you now.” Swiftly, she pulled herself away from me and dropped her hips down onto my erection. Her tight, dripping body swallowed me and she rolled her hips on top of me with controlled movements, satisfying her ravenous urge.
“Ma belle fille, you’re gonna make me – ” I couldn’t finished the sentence. The combination of her words, her smell, her naughtiness – her goddam presence – forced me to a premature finish. A simultaneous explosion of passion erupted in the backseat of the limo and her unrelenting cries of release flooded the car.
I cursed, unable to pull myself back from the edge of bliss and I squeezed her body as relief washed over me.
Her body trembled violently, and she crashed on top of me. Finally, she rested her forehead against mine, her eyes closed in contentment.
I kissed the edge of her mouth. “You could have waited,” I whispered grazing my knuckles against her cheek. She nuzzled against my embrace.
“I could have,” she agreed, “but I don’t have to wait anymore.”
LATER THAT NIGHT, AFTER three more rounds involving various positions, I lay on the bed, completely spent, but not wanting to close my eyes, despite the fact that it was almost four o’clock in the morning and I’d be up soon for my morning workout.
I ran my hand over her naked curves and kissed her temple tenderly. She squeezed me and snuggled deeper into my embrace.
“You were amazing today,” I whispered in the darkness. “You have no idea how proud I was to see you walking across that stage.”
“I know you’re proud of me,” she replied. “It’s because of you that I was able to complete the internship. I’m grateful to have you in my life, Dylan.”
I shook my head. “You did it yourself, ma belle fille,” I suggested. “I don’t need to remind you of how you actively refused my help.”
We laughed.
“You know what I mean,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the day I can reciprocate your generosity.”
Silence.
“I met Michael Sawyer tonight.”
My body tensed hearing her words, but if she noticed she didn’t say anything. I forced my muscles to relax.
“I noticed the two of you talking,” I said carefully. “It looked like a productive conversation. What did he want?”
“He offered me a fulltime position at his firm,” she responded. I could see her smile through the darkness. “He wants me to start next week. Of course, I told him I’d let him know by the end of the week. I wanted to run it by you.”
I cleared my throat. “There are several firms you could consider,” I said. “And having graduated top of your class, you’re a prime candidate for selection at any company.”
“I know,” she agreed caressing my arm, “but Sawyer, Inc. is a step below Hamilton Associates, and since Hamilton Associates is not an option, it’s literally the next best thing.”
“HA could be an option,” I reminded her.
Her lips pressed tight. “Baby, I thought we’d already discussed this. I said I wanted to carve out a path, unattached to you, especially since we’re planning on getting married.” Laila eased away from me and turned on the nightstand lamp. “Something’s up,” she guessed staring into my face.
“Nothing’s up,” I denied, but she shook her head.
“Uh-uh, you’re not gonna do that, Dylan. We’ve been together long enough for me to know when something’s not right with you. You don’t seem excited about this.”
“You’re wrong,” I assured her. “I’m both excited and happy for you. I just want to make sure you’re considering all your options before making a final decision. There are other firms which would love to have you. In fact, I was talking to a few men tonight who are looking to hire. And yes, I know you don’t want to work under me.”
“Oh, I don’t mind working under you,” she teased me. “But that’s the problem. Me working at Hamilton Associates means I’ll be working under you all day.”
I burst into laughter and so did she. “It wouldn’t be that bad...”
She raised an arched eyebrow and I reconsidered the scenario.
Perhaps she was right.
Laila giggled, but all too soon the mood turned solemn. “I know there are other places, but I really want to work there, baby,” she stated her case. “I think I’d like it. I’ve already met a few employees, and I even spoke to the guy who interned there. He said it was a challenging and supportive environment and he thought I’d appreciate the company culture.” She sighed and ran her fingers across my cheek, letting them fall to my chin. “I want to go there, but I want your support. Dylan...”
I inhaled. “Fine,” I acquiesced. “You know that I’m here to support you in whatever way you need me to. Whatever you want, I want it for you and more.”
Her eyes smiled. “You mean that?”
I nodded. “More than anything.”
Laila reached up and kissed my mouth and I held her face close to mine.
Soon, she drifted off into a content sleep, but I remained awake, staring at the ceiling.
Four
Laila
‘Testing You’
One Month Later
Michael Sawyer’s assistant, Sasha, peered around the corner of my office door, rapping her knuckles against the wood. I was peering at my computer screen and barely looked up to summon her in.
“Come in, Sasha.” I co
ntinued tapping on the keyboard, invigorated by the fact that I was nearing the end of the report I needed to produce to my boss, Michael Sawyer. Of course, it was two days before his deadline, but that was his deadline. My personal value was timeliness, which translated into getting stuff done early.
I ended the sentence I was typing, shifted a graph to the left side of the page, and threw myself back against my office chair just as Sasha reached me. Her goddess braids were still swinging, even though she’d stopped walking and the grimace she wore on her face made, what would have been a pretty façade, anything but.
“I know that you’re busy, but I come bearing gifts.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. She raised an eyebrow and her hand, revealing a fist full of files.
I blinked as she passed them over the desk. I took them from her and started flipping through them.
“Michael said he needs you to go over these final reports for the meeting on Friday morning.”
“I’ve already seen these,” I said. “He asked me to be in that meeting weeks ago.”
“Yes,” she confirmed, “but now he wants you to present the first ten pages of the report to the client.”
I cleared my throat. “That won’t be a problem,” I replied nodding. “I’ll get to it just as soon as I finish managing the other portfolio I’ve been working on this week.”
She handed me another file. “He also wants you to facilitate tomorrow’s meeting with the potential new client.”
I frowned. “Why is that?”
“He has another appointment to attend, and it’s a very important meeting he’s unable to reschedule.”
“Sawyer cannot be serious,” I muttered to myself. “I’ve only been here for four weeks.”
Sasha heard me. “Michael Sawyer is completely serious,” she replied. “In fact, he’s been this serious since the day you set foot in Sawyer, Inc. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him more serious.” She pressed her mouth into a straight line as she handed me another file.
I had already picked up Sasha’s vibe. She was one of those women for whom everything was a competition. Little did she know, I had no intention of competing with her, mainly because I was way out of her league. She perceived me as a threat, but there was no need for her to be intimidated by me. I was there for one thing, and that was to do my job.
I pursed my lips and took the file from her hand.
“And there’s this,” she added dropping it into my hands. “He wants you to go over this portfolio and make recommendations to the client.”
“Is this normal?” I asked.
“Is what normal?”
“My probation period ends in two months and the volume of work is tremendous.”
Sasha crossed her arms over her chest. “He’s testing you,” she advised. “Apparently, he believes you’re ready for this level of responsibility.” She snickered. “If you’re not up for the task, then –”
“I’m up for any task he puts in front of me,” I informed her, matching her sass and adding a bit of my own. “Let him test away. I’ll pass each one and blow his mind.”
“That would thrill me, indeed...”
Sasha and I jolted at the sudden introduction of Michael Sawyer’s deep, smooth vocals. He was standing at the door way with his hands dug into the pockets of his expensive suit. An equally expensive bowtie was knotted at the base of his thick neck, just under that regal beard.
Michael Sawyer was a black Dylan Hamilton: a prudent businessman with a knack for making money and a drive towards success. I hadn’t been there long, but already it felt like Hamilton Associates all over again.
This was what I wanted.
Dylan had reservations, but I had goals. I wanted to make it on my own and working at Sawyer, Inc. was the next best thing to Hamilton Associates.
Michael ran his thick hand over his soft, wavy hair, and sauntered towards me, the way only a super-confident black man could: like he owned the entire earth. He advanced deeper into the office, bringing with him the swag and confidence black men carried when they’d tasted the upper echelons of success.
Sasha glared, but flicked one of her long braids over her shoulder and stood to the side like a dutiful minion as he strolled further into the room.
I cleared my throat. “Was that all?” I asked Sasha, pushing my shoulders back.
“For now,” she replied. “Oh!” She handed me a pink while-you-were-out note. “You had a phone call from Dylan Hamilton.”
I glanced down at the paper and rested it on my desk, trying to ignore the chill that traveled through my entire body just hearing his name.
My hand flew across the back of my neck. “Thank you.”
Michael had advanced. “Good morning, Miss Renaud,” he greeted me.
“Good morning, sir.” I clasped my hands in front of me and smiled.
He nodded towards the files on my desk. “I’m assuming Sasha gave you the accounts I asked her to.”
“Yes sir,” I responded holding them high so he could see. “We were just talking about how much responsibility you’ve given me, especially since I’ve only been here a short while.” “That’s right,” Sasha added, “and I was telling her she’d better get used to it if she’s going to cut the mustard around here.”
Michael shot her a look and she shrunk. He placed his attention back on me. “Laila, when we spoke at the Johnson and Wales graduation gala a few weeks ago, you struck me as the kind of woman who preferred to be pushed and challenged.” Now, he was standing in front of my desk. He was tall – maybe about six-three – so I had to look up to meet his gaze.
I smoothed over the front of my sheath dress and rose from my seat, trying to reduce the power differential. “I am, indeed, that woman,” I confirmed for him, “and so I’m grateful for the opportunities you’re providing.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “We have a meeting scheduled in the next couple of minutes, but if you’re ready, I’d like to get started now.”
“Of course,” I said quickly. “I’ll just gather my things and head straight to the boardroom.”
He shook his head. “Actually, I was hoping we could meet in here. The boardroom can be so formal. I’d really like to take this opportunity to get to know you a little better. You’ve been here a month, but we’ve not connected.” He paused and tilted his head to Sasha, whose bland expression was rigid.
“Sasha, your presence isn’t required for this meeting,” he informed her. “You’re dismissed.”
Sasha’s jaw jerked. “Of course, sir.” She smiled and backed out of the room. Before she disappeared, Michael snapped his fingers in recollection of something. “Oh, please, bring in the juice and pastries that were ordered this morning.”
Sasha frowned. “I thought those were for this afternoon’s meeting, sir.”
Michael pinched his chin, peering at her.
“I’ll be right back with those,” she acquiesced. “And I’ll make sure to order more for this afternoon.”
Michael smiled at her. “Perfect.”
I watched Sasha walk away, but not without noticing the upturned lip she offered me.
“Sasha is dedicated,” I noted with a chuckle.
“She’s a good girl,” he replied. “She’s one of the ones who was with me when I had nothing, so she’s very loyal. Sometimes I think she believes she’s my woman. She can come off as possessive.”
A slight silence erupted.
“Nevertheless, I’ve been extremely busy, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been keeping tabs on you.” He smiled. “I’ve been made to understand you’re blowing my colleagues’ minds. And, of course, I’ve seen you perform first hand. You have been spectacular so far.”
My chest swelled. “Thank you, Mr. Sawyer.” I paused, trying to take in the breadth of his compliment. “I had positive experiences at my internship site, but it’s extremely gratifying to hear these things coming from you.”
“Your internship site...” Michael pulled his beard and propped himsel
f on the edge of my desk. “You interned at Hamilton Associates, didn’t you? Tell me more about that.”
I paused. “I worked under the supervision of Dylan Hamilton to produce an e-Insurance product that we sold to various clients, including a few in France.”
Both his eyebrows raised. “France?”
“Yes sir.” I straightened my shoulders. “I’m French-African American, and Mr. Hamilton took advantage of my skills creatively, something I truly appreciated. I owe a lot to him. He was a phenomenal leader who cultivated my gifts and expanded my talents.”
Michael moistened his full lips. “A good leader will most certainly do that,” he offered after a pause. “I know Dylan Hamilton well. We completed our MBAs together.” His eyes narrowed. “We didn’t quite get along in school.”
My mind traveled to Dylan’s reaction when I told him I’d been offered a position at this firm.
Michael continued. “In fact, some would consider us arch nemeses.” He chuckled, but the glint in his eye didn’t imply mirth. “But that’s business, right?”
“Indeed, it is,” I agreed.
“And I’m super thrilled that you decided to work for me at Sawyer, Inc., despite Dylan and my rivalry. As you know, we’re a mid-sized, but our goal is to pack a serious punch.”
“I’m very aware,” I said. “Your firm was my first choice.”
Michael frowned. “Really? Hamilton Associates didn’t offer you a fulltime position?”
I picked a piece of imaginary lint from the front of my dress. “I had the option to work there,” I replied.
Silence.
Michael waited for me to fill in the blanks.
“I chose not to. I have a strong desire to experience the world of business under different leadership styles.”
Michael nodded, but I sensed he didn’t buy my reasoning.
Suddenly, we were interrupted by Sasha’s return with the refreshments. I thanked her before cracking open a bottle of juice and taking a few chugs.
“In that case, it works out well for me. Laila, I would like to push you further than Dylan Hamilton did, and I have a feeling it will be easier for me to do that.”
Coup: A BWWM Romance (The French Connection Book 2) Page 2