by Peyton Banks
I nod my head in an up and down motion.
“We need to hear the words darling,” Nikolai comes back again, this time with placing his long smooth, stiff erection at my forbidden entrance. He pushes in slowly, never rushing the process. Once inside Nikolai begin to stroke in and out-out and in.
My legs widen when Dirk plunges inside my core. I’m stuffed tight from both ends. We soon developed a rhythm that puts us in sync. I can feel my desire building. These two glorious men, both inside me, claiming me, making me theirs, feels me with so much love.
Each man is giving me themselves slowly, stretching me beyond the point of sweet pain and intense pleasure. Between these two I’m unraveling and become into a realm I never knew existed until undone.
Nikolai and Dirk are right there with me, thrusting into me fast and hard. I freely and willingly give myself to them both. It’s the most sensual thing I’ve ever experienced. I’m theirs in every conceivable way possible, to do with as they want to. I know that whatever pleasures them will undoubtedly make me happy too. I love and trust them both. Deeply.
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Stay Tuned For The Full Story Coming Later This Year.
About the Author
Theresa Hodge is an Alabama native - loving mother, wife, sister, aunt and friend. She is at her best when she is able to bring happiness to others. This author loves to read almost as much as she loves to write fictional stories. She finds writing therapeutic at times, especially during the loss of her oldest sister from breast cancer, which birthed her "Ask Me Again" Series. This was her first but this compilation led to her writing several other books. These book's includes her bestselling Noelle's Rock series among many others.
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Additionally, Theresa has a love affair with poetry. She began writing poetry at an early age and it served as a catalyst for her growth as a writer.
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If Theresa can bring a smile to your face and encourage someone else along her journey, she considers it a blessing beyond measure.
Acknowledgments
First, thank you God for everything. Thank you to my family who put up with my writing habits at odd hours of the night, and mornings. A special acknowledgment to Carmi, — a loyal reader who pushes me in my writing. Thanks to my book cover designer for the great covers, my editors, and proofreaders. Thanks to everyone who has helped my rough drafts of a story shine better than it was before.
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My Website: terehod.wixsite.com/mysite-1
Rivals
ML Preston
Keep your friends close and your rivals closer.
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Simone Greene has been with Merit Investment Firm for three years and is one of their top account managers. She started from the bottom determined to climb the ladder of success and now runs her own team of eager beavers chasing checks and going all out to land top clientele; bringing more big names to the table.
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Lucas Weathers has been with the company for two years, and managed to move into the top ranks alongside his nemesis. Comfortably in the second top spot, and not fazed by Simone’s princess demeanor, he’s pulling out the stops to go after the coveted position currently vacated by his former boss.
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There is no love lost between these two. They’ve been taking jabs and sabotaging each other every chance they get. But while they were busy planning and plotting all the war games to reel in the top software company in the state, neither were able to close the deal and they lost the opportunity to another team member. The CEO admonishes them for their behavior and demands they straighten up or lose their job.
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An evening of licking their wounds at a local bar turns into a night of passion they both didn’t see coming. Little do they know another shock is around the corner.
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Now faced with having to deal with their tryst and recently shared news, these two must be civil towards each other. But all’s fair in war, right?
1
I woke this morning excited and nervous about a meeting with my boss, Mr. Armstrong. He sent an email yesterday as I was leaving. It was cryptic, and even though I know my performance isn’t an issue, I’m a little concerned. With all the different companies laying people off, job security is a real thing. I rolled out my yoga mat early this morning for a some meditation and relaxation before heading to the office. No reason for me to go in there tense. One thing has me worried—my co-worker, Lucas Weathers. The sound of his name sends icky feelings through my body.
“Good morning, Simone,” my assistant, Tanya, says when I step off the elevator.
“Hey, Tanya. Has Armstrong made an appearance yet?”
“Why don’t you ask Armstrong yourself, Ms. Greene,” a boisterous voice says from behind me. Mr. Calvin Armstrong, CEO of Merit Investment Firm, a company started by his great-grandfather.
I turn to greet him and extend my hand for a shake. “Mr. Armstrong, good morning. I was about to come to your office for our scheduled appointment.”
He takes my palm into his strong, yet delicate chocolate grasp, reciprocating the gesture.
“Were you now? I just saw you arrive.”
“Well, yes. I was going to put my stuff down and…”
“Save it, Greene, and meet me in my office in five.”
He walks the opposite direction from which I stand, and all my destressing goes out the door.
“Tanya, please hold all my calls and pray I have a job when I come out of his room.”
“Got it,” she replies.
I quickly retreat to my work space and put my personal things away and then head to his office. I stroll down the corridor, passing by my nemesis’ spot along the way. Look at him. So smug, and cocky, and oh my god is he arrogant. He and his team are apparently having a good laugh about something when he catches wind of the mean eye I’m sending him.
“Good morning, Simone,” he says.
The others fall silent and swivel in my direction. In true Simone Greene fashion, I roll my eyes and continue my journey.
“Hi, April. I’m here to see Mr. Armstrong,” I say to his secretary when I reach his location.
“Oh, yes. Go right on in, Simone. He’s expecting you,” she replies.
I enter Armstrong’s territory, and he gestures for me to take a seat while he finishes up a call. No matter how many times I’ve been in his office, I always take a few moments to glance at the accolades he and his family have accumulated over the years.
He places the receiver on the base and turns to me. “Simone, can I get you something to drink?”
“Um, no, sir, thank you.”
“Very well. Are you familiar with Clemet Industries?”
“Yes, I am. I’ve studied their business profile for the past year. They’ve had some strong surges in the market recently.”
“Yes, Greene. You are very studious and always on top of the movers and shakers. One of the many reasons why I hired you.” Just then his door swings open, and in walks him. “Right on time, Weathers. Have a seat.”
He takes the chair beside me, and I have to fight the hurl that is forming in the bowels of my stomach.
“Simone, you look nice today,” Lucas says, trying to goad me.
I don’t buy into his nice guy façade and turn my attent
ion back to Mr. Armstrong, who can obviously sense or even feel the tension between us. I can tell by the sharp glances he throws among the two of us.
“So, as I was saying, the company has been approached to take on Clemet’s financial account and help them move the money around. Invest smartly and show them where they can afford to take risks and not bankrupt the company. I like the chances of bringing them on board, but I know it would be all but confirmed if one of you leads the charge. Both of you show strong management skills and you know the clients’ likes and dislikes. I like those who do their homework, and with the amount of knowledge you’ve each demonstrated for Clemet, I trust either of you will excel with this account. It’s for those reasons, this choice hasn’t been simple to make, so we’ll need to take a different approach. Each of you will put together a pitch, one that can be presented to Clemet Industries as a fully loaded proposal to maximize their bottom line and increase their income. If you get the contract, and do it right, there may be a promotion waiting.”
“Mr. Armstrong, you know I’m the best person for this account,” I say confidently. The thought of having to compete for an account against Lucas irritates me. He has won some big clients, but I question his methods.
“Again, you both are my top managers, so I can’t make this decision lightly. You two will have to bring your A game. I have a meeting scheduled with them at the end of this week, so I expect the proposals in my office no later than Friday afternoon.”
“Friday? Like tomorrow or next Friday?”
“Tomorrow. Is that something you can’t handle, Ms. Greene?”
I never want to look incompetent in front of my boss, and certainly not Lucas. But I’d prefer a little more time to develop and do my research. I glance at Lucas, who is wearing a smirk I want to slap off his face. “I can handle it, sir,” I reply, my gaze locked directly on to his. He will not intimidate me.
“Great. Now off you two go. Good luck to you both.”
We stand to exit, and Lucas steps aside, opening the door, being all chivalrous and shit. I can’t even muster up a thank you and storm out, heading straight to my office.
“Are you such a bitch you can’t even say thank you?” he asks, keeping up with my stride.
“Are you are such a kiss-ass you had to weasel your way into Armstrong’s plan. You know he wants me to have the client.”
“Oh, really? Why? Because you went to school at his alma mater?”
Throwing personal jabs is not what we need to do in front of everyone, but he crossed the line. “It’s better than fucking his daughter. In his house. In his bed.”
“How’d you find out?”
“Word gets around, Mr. Weathers.” I reach my office but stop at the threshold, not allowing him to enter. “If I were you, I’d secede now. It’ll be less painful,” I say when I turn and face him.
“But I like pain, Ms. Greene.”
“Good. Then this should please you well.” I slam the door, and it barely misses his mug…barely. Through the folds of the blinds on my window, I see him walk away with his hand rubbing at his nose. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I sit and begin to strategize how to win the Clemet account. I pull up the company’s website and launch researching the board of directors and putting together a cheat sheet. After all, they are the ones who influence a company’s financial decisions. This is going to be tougher than I thought. Some of the more influential members are into the adventure sports sort of thing, so I can’t do a lunch with them tomorrow at a racetrack. Too short notice. I see a few of them love golfing so I figure a lunch at the local country club would be perfect. I golf a little. Putt-Putt counts, right?
“Tanya, can I see you for a moment?” I mutter through the intercom.
“Yes, Simone,” she says, entering my office.
“Can you call White Barn Country Club and set up a nine-hole with lunch for me tomorrow. Make it for four people.”
“Okay, but Weathers has a time scheduled already. Belle already put it on the office schedule.”
I roll my eyes, and for a moment, I can’t get my lids to reopen and think they may have finally stuck. “Perfect. Book it thirty minutes before his, but don’t put it on the calendar. I’ll draft the invite for you to send to the team over at Clemet’s so you can coordinate with their assistant. Also, call HR and schedule me off work tomorrow for business.”
“Okay, got it, boss lady. Anything else?”
“I hate to imposition you, but if you hear anything from Belle, Lucas’ assistant, let me know. I want to stay one step ahead of him. We meet with Armstrong and the team Friday morning, and I want him to eat shit.”
“I’ll do what I can.” She leaves, closing the door behind her.
Online, I find me some gear for tomorrow and order several of my bi-fold brochures for pickup at the local print supplier. When I complete my research, I go to our supply closet for promotional material to take to my luncheon tomorrow. When I swing open the door and find—HIM—in there grabbing the same items.
“Great minds do think alike, I see,” he mutters.
Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly enter the closet. Once inside, I select some folders, pens, our company brochure, and a few fun things like stress balls while working to keep from showing my disdain. Not very effective, I’m sure, because I feel his eyes on me.
“What did I do to you, Simone, that you won’t even talk to me? We’re colleagues whether you like it or not.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to speak to you.”
“True, but you don’t even try.”
“Lucas, I don’t like you.” I continue to grab things and toss them into my bag.
“Throw me a bone and tell me why?”
I refrain from my usual expression of disgust and turn to face him. “You’re cocky.”
“Confident,” he corrects.
“Like I said, cocky, arrogant, egotistical, conceited, self-righteous, and a douchebag. You come in here and magically make your way up to the top ranks and haven’t put in nearly half the work I have to attain my position. I guess fucking the boss’s daughter has its privileges. Oh, wait. Maybe it’s a different kind privilege.”
“I know you’re not playing the race card. Our boss, the CEO, the lineage of this company, is African-American, so race doesn’t apply.”
“No, but sexism does.”
“You honestly think Carver Armstrong would be a person of that caliber?”
“No, but you would. You’d play any card to get what you want. But this will be a battle you will not win.” I open the door and find people scurrying around trying to appear busy when you know damn well they were eavesdropping.
My email tone goes off, advising my order is ready for pickup. I return to my office and schedule a team meet up for brainstorming and fact gathering. We meet in the conference room that unfortunately puts me in the path of him. As I casually stroll by his office, I see he, too, has assembled his staff. They are laughing and having a grand time. I mean, why is he even competing for this account? Look at him, just smug, and cocky, and overconfident. Armstrong knows this should be my account. Lucas catches me glaring, and I flip him the bird while I continue to my destination.
“Okay, what do we know about Clemet?” I ask, starting the impromptu agenda while my team settles down.
“They’re a startup software company and have amassed millions in the last quarter since their IPO went public,” Deshaun says, beginning the round of fact revelations.
“Specializing in security software for schools ensuring predators aren’t able to access the information on children and cross-referencing it with social media accounts to find their targets,” Terri adds.
“Yeah, they also work with hospitals to help encode the sensitive health records as well,” Roshanda continues.
While the information is shared, I take notes and use my tablet to pull the facts and highlight the points sharing them on the drop-down overhead. “Okay, these are a good start, but what about the founding me
mber or members? What do we know about them? I mean, I know a few of them are adrenaline junkies, and some golf, which is why I’m going to hit a few balls when I leave.” I get smiles for my last comment.
“Leo Rauch is the founder and president of the company. He maintains a hands-on approach, not wanting to see his ship sink if he left all decisions in the hands of his board, which is also his family. His wife, Janelle, sons Toddrick and Leo, daughters Ayanna and Kristen head up the directors, but they have others as well,” Manny adds to the discussion.
“Good intel. Family man, family-run business. That lets me know he takes his company and money very serious, and for us to manage their investments is gaining a big trust factor.”
We brainstorm ideas and even do a mockup of what we should emphasize during my presentation tomorrow. I send a few people out to gather industry bites about the company and get some real-time quotes from a few the users of their product. We are working at a good pace when the door suddenly pops open, grabbing my attention.
“Excuse me, but are you going to hold your little meeting any longer? I need the conference room.” Lucas asks annoyingly.
“You have some nerve to barge in here like you own the place, Lucas. Go use the conference room down the hall. It’s available, and I’m working.”