The Intimidation Game (Game Series Book 1)

by C. L Stewart

  “You are good, you are kind, you are wanted.” I look into my own eyes in the mirror as I say the mantra out loud. I’m done being everyone else’s patsy. I’m me and I’m clever, and I am a good person. Dan sees that in me and I’m so grateful to him for making me see it too.

  Gathering up my toiletries and putting them into the suitcase, I feel a little contemplative. We are heading back to Glasgow tonight and I’m worried that the little bubble we’ve been in for the last two days is going to pop spectacularly. What if Dan realises he’s made a huge mistake with me? What if having a relationship with a member of his staff is too much for him? I don’t know that I could cope with that sort of rejection, especially after I told him everything about Mike.

  As I’m zipping up the suitcase, I feel Dan’s presence behind me, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

  “Good morning angel.”

  I turn my head and look over my shoulder. I’m rendered incapable of speech at the sight in front of me. He’s leaning against the door frame with nothing on but his boxers, the material straining over his semi hard cock.

  “M…oh.” Engage brain Nikki. “Good morning.”

  “What you doing?”

  “Packing my stuff up.”

  “Bit early for that, we don’t leave until after six tonight.”

  I give a little laugh. “Sorry, it’s a thing. I like to be prepared; you know in case we end up leaving earlier. I’ve always been like that; I’d have made a good girl scout.”

  Dan bites his lip, obviously taking my words and making them dirty in his mind. “Hmm, I like what you’re wearing by the way.” He gestures to my makeshift blanket dress.

  “Oh, this old thing.” I make a pretend curtsy and accidentally step on the edge of the blanket, loosening it from under my arm pit and ending up naked as it falls to the floor.

  Dan lets out a breath and he walks towards me. “Nope,” he says as I move to pick the blanket up.

  I stand back up straight and he puts his hand around my waist pulling me into his warm body and now rock-hard dick.

  “See what you do to me? So fucking beautiful.” He leans in and kisses me and my legs jellify under me. I’m so glad he’s holding on to me.

  He kisses across my jawline and nips at my earlobe. “Oh,” I say on a breath. And he brings his eye back to mine.

  “So,” Dan says looking past me at the French doors that lead out to the balcony and I instantly know what he’s getting at.

  I follow his gaze and almost give myself whiplash as I snap my head back and gasp. “Dan no. It’s daylight out there. People will see.”

  He shakes his head. “No, they won’t. This building has nothing higher around it and anyway I wasn’t going to ask you to go out there starkers.” He bends and picks up the blanket, throwing it round my shoulders. “Come with me.”

  I stick my hand out under the blanket and he links our fingers and leads me out of the room and to the doors at the living room, the ones that look out over the park.

  “My God Dan the park? The Royal Family lives in there. Isn’t that like a hangable offence?”

  He laughs and places a soft kiss on my head. We make our way out onto the balcony and the cool early morning air has me bundling the blanket round me tighter.

  I’m guided towards railing and Dan presses his body against my back wrapping his arms around me. I take in a deep breath when he puts his hand through the opening in the blanket at my front.

  “Open your legs,” he whispers in my ear.

  I do as he says, and he slides a finger down over my clit. I feel his body tense when he finds me already wet. “Fuck Nikki,” he groans as he edges his finger inside me. When it’s joined by another and he pushes them all the way in I can’t help but grind my hips, backing up against his hard cock. I’m so lost in chasing my orgasm that I don’t even care if I’m being finger fucked on a balcony above one of the most exclusive parts of London. Right now, I wouldn’t even care if the Queen was watching.

  I can feel that tell-tale heat rise up my chest and I know I’m so close. And so does Dan because he palms my clit, massaging in tiny circles, making me lose my mind. Gripping the tubular metal rail in front of me with everything I have, still clutching the blanket tight, I climax around Dans fingers, my muscles feeling as though they are trying to suck his hand inside me.

  I rest my cheek on the soft material of the blanket, revelling in the euphoria running through my body. I wince a little when Dan removes his fingers and rights me, turning me to face him.

  “Nikki, you are something else angel.”

  Spreading out my arms and wrapping us both in the blanket I nestle into his chest, listening to his heart thump in his chest and there we stay, warm and safe in each other’s arms. As London comes to life below us, I do too and for the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel genuinely wanted.

  “Open,” Dan says, holding up a tiny pastry.

  I open my mouth like a little baby bird, and he pops it on my tongue. The buttery flakiness is delectable. “Mmm. Where did you get this food?” I gesture to the spread of small cakes and pastries, speciality breads and oils and lots of little Italian tapas bowls. The picnic blanket we are sat cross legged on has been strategically placed enough in the shade of a huge tree to keep us cool. We have champagne and sparkling water with lemons and mint floating in it. It really is the fanciest picnic I’ve ever had.

  “Hmm yeah it really is lovely. I have a friend who owns an artisan bakery. He’s very good, been baking since he was old enough to stand. His shop supplies some of the most exclusive restaurants in London, he even catered one of the Queen’s garden parties once.”

  “Ooh you have friends in high places. Wow imagine catering for the Queen. Did he get to meet her?”

  “Nope, his wedding was the same day as the garden party. Poor guy was up all night baking then had to go and get married and still be okay for the reception. We found him asleep in the boiler room of the hotel halfway through the party. We were about to call the police at one point. His wife was frantic.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame. My dad met Prince Philip once. When we asked what he was like, all he said was ‘interesting’. As we got older and saw reports of some of his slip ups, we understood what dad had meant.”

  Dan smiles at me as he eats a French Fancy.

  “What?”

  “Thank you, Nikki?”

  “For what?”

  “For being here with me, for listening to my woes. For being you.”

  I narrow my eyes at him and smile. “I should be thanking you.” I lift the champagne bottle and top up our glasses. “Now would normally be the time I’d have a little panic attack and retreat into myself. You’ve helped my self-esteem more over this weekend than I’ve ever been able to in forever.”

  Dan moves closer to me and strokes my face with his free hand. “You are wonderful Nikki; you should always remember that. Beautiful girl.”

  I press my cheek into his hand and look deep into his eyes. “You make me feel beautiful, and strong and most of all safe. So, thank you.”

  He smiles and kisses me softly. Pulling away he gestures at me to open my mouth again and I bite down on the proffered mini Victoria sponge. We wile away the next few hours eating, drinking and chatting away about everything and nothing and by the time we are ready to leave London behind, I’ve well and truly lost my heart to this man.

  Chapter Thirty

  In all the talking Dan and I did yesterday afternoon in the park, the one thing I didn’t tell him about was Bianca but now, as I sit at my desk and watch as the shit truly hits the fan, I really wish I had.

  The building was quiet when I got to work at seven thirty this morning. I came in a little earlier than usual because Dan got an important phone call just before we boarded the plane last night. The private investigator has finally found a trail that connects Astrid to the intellectual property theft. It has also transpired that Jed is being blackmailed. She has b
een using him the whole time and when Jed tried to break off the relationship, she told him she had video evidence of their affair. He was so scared his wife would find out that he didn’t even ask for evidence, he simply caved and went along with whatever she wanted him to do. When Dan relayed the details of the call to me as we flew home, certain things began to make sense. Jed never asked me for any paperwork by himself, it was always Astrid. She was the one who came to pick up our work at the end of the week and if I ever went to Jed myself, she was usually always there. It wouldn’t have been too hard for her to get them anyway since she is his assistant and would have been the one doing all his typing and admin.

  “You okay Nikki?” Damo smiles at me as he takes a seat on the other side of my desk.

  “Oh Damo, I knew this day was going to come but I was seriously not expecting it this soon.”

  “What did HR say to you?”

  I had been summoned to HR as soon as the place was operational this morning and was shocked when they revealed what had been said about me. They had found out that I’d been away with Dan at the weekend and although he is the owner of the company and can pretty much do whatever, and whoever he wants, it’s still frowned upon considering the management position I hold. They said something about it being a conflict of interests. Needless to say, my appraisal has been put on hold.

  “Well they know about me and Dan for a start.”

  “How?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.

  “I’ll give you two guesses.”

  “Fucking Astrid. That nasty bitch.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Hmm what?”

  “Well, it was her who told them, but I have a good idea who told her.” I give him the low down on my run in with Bianca.

  “Wow that fell right into Astrid’s lap there didn’t it. I can just imagine her face when she found out. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine honestly,” I lie knowing full well what’s to come later. Arrangements are being made for Astrid to be removed from the building at close of play today. Dan is in the process of meeting with his lawyers to decide on how to proceed. I have been sworn to secrecy until a press release is put out about the theft. Dan is also considering his options regarding prosecution against the CEO and board of the Main Group since they knew the information they had was stolen.

  “So aside from the fact that you’ve been outed, how was your weekend?”

  I think back to our first night. The night I told someone for the first time what had happened to me. I know it’s often said that talking about something like that makes you feel better and in a way it has. Dan’s reaction was not what I was expecting, however, it made me realise that even though he doesn’t really know me that well he still cares.

  “It was lovely. We had dinner at the Shard and a picnic in Kensington gardens and the weather was just perfect. I also got to have lunch with my parents which was lovely. Dan certainly knows how to treat a girl.” I can’t hide my smile when I think about him

  “Well he should do,” says Damo, winking at me, “he’s bloody loaded.”

  I throw a pen at him. “You make me sound like a gold digger.”

  “Oh honey, I’m happy for you. I just wish you’d gotten more time together privately before people found out.”

  “It was inevitable wasn’t it?”

  As if she’d heard us talking about her, the elevator pings and the doors open revealing the bitch in heels herself. Astrid struts towards us, her long blonde curls swinging behind her. Damo turns back to face me and rolls his eyes and I want to hit him because I want so much to laugh, but she’s staring right at me. It’s as though she’s trying to bore a hole in my face.

  “Morning Astrid. What can I do for you?” I try to sound as chirpy as I can without giving myself away too much.

  “Hmm. Wasn’t actually looking for you. Have you seen Jed this morning?” I’m pretty sure I hear a hint of panic in her voice.

  “I haven’t, no. I’ve been here since before eight this morning. Is he not in his office?”

  She stamps her foot like a petulant child, her curls bouncing slightly. “Would I be asking you if I hadn’t already tried there?”

  “Maybe he’s phoned in sick. You should go and see HR,” Damo says still looking at me, his smile becoming even wider.

  Astrid tuts and turns on her heel. “Useless fuckers,” she says loud enough for us to hear her.

  As soon as the doors of the elevator close, Damo bursts out laughing. I smile at him, but I can’t share in his revelry. I know what’s in store for her later and finding Jed right now is the least of her worries. Although I am intrigued as to why Jed is nowhere to be found this morning.

  “You’re terrible Damo. She will know exactly what you were talking about.”

  “She should be fucking ashamed of herself. I don’t know why some people feel it’s their right to bring everyone else down. It’s like she never left school the way she bullies people. The sooner she’s put in her place the better.”

  Oh Damo if only you knew.

  The day has sailed by without incident and its home time. I watch everyone packing up their stuff and wonder how Dan’s day has gone. I haven’t heard a peep from him all day, but I know he’ll be knee deep in all sorts of legal issues so, even though I’ve been tempted, I haven’t bothered him.

  “Night Nikki,” Ben, who is last to leave, says as he passes me.

  “Night Ben, see you tomorrow.”

  He smiles and winks knowingly at me. I shake my head as I watch the elevator doors close behind him, wondering just what everyone must think of me now. News spreads around these types of offices like wildfire. People talk, of course they do. I used to be part of that gossip before. I just don’t like being the subject of it. I decide to head on home since I don’t have anything left to do. Dan will be in touch in his own time. I have to let him deal with the Astrid situation without distraction. I turn off the lights and head for the elevator, very much aware of what is going to be happening to Astrid soon. I honestly don’t know why but I feel a little sorry for her. She really has no clue that Dan knows what she’s done, and I can imagine it will be a bit of a shock when she is ambushed by security and marched off the premises.

  I needn’t have wondered what that scene would look like as I’m confronted with a wall of noise in the lobby of the building when the elevator doors open. As I’m trying to take in the scene in front of me the doors start to close again, and I fumble with the buttons to try and keep them open. Failing miserably, I stick my hand out and push them open. There are about half a dozen police officers all in different positions just beyond the reception desk, some on their knees, some standing and one talking into the radio on his vest. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people in this lobby in the whole time I’ve been here. The place is absolute chaos and the noise of loud chatter and shouting is deafening.

  It takes a moment for my brain to decipher what’s going on but as I look at the police officers on their knees, I see a mass of blonde hair and realise Astrid is on the floor and the officers are pinning her down. She’s thrashing around like a fish out of water and the female officer holding her wrists shouts to her to calm down. I’m aware of a presence at my side and turn to see Ben.

  “My God Ben, what happened?”

  “Not a clue. I got off that lift into a war zone. Word is Astrid has lost her mind. According to Steph at the front desk security were escorting her out of the building and she went nuts and started threatening to stab them if they put a hand on her. Have you any idea what’s going on there?”

  I can’t lie to him. I know he knows about my relationship with Dan. I know the whole building will know by now so there’s no use in pleading ignorance.

  “I do, but I can’t say anything right now. You’ll find out soon enough though. Let’s just say this may be the last time you see Astrid in this building.”

  Ben smiles slightly, his eyes creasing at the corners. “Can’t say I’m too upset about that. I re
ally don’t like her. She’s so nasty to everyone. I suppose what goes around comes around eh?”

  “Mhm. She got to me on my first day.”

  “Little bitch,” he says and we both look back to where the action is happening.

  Astrid is still throwing a hissy fit and is now being lifted off the floor by a four-man team of police officers. It feels like something from a TV cop show, not something that should be happening in the lobby of a software company. As soon as they have her out the door, an air of calm returns to the building and I feel myself physically relax.

  “I’m going to head home now Nikki; I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay Ben, here’s to a nicer working environment from now on.” I hold my hand up and high five him.

  I’m about to head out myself when I feel my phone vibrate against my thigh. I pull it out of my pocket. It’s Dan.

  “Hi,” I answer trying to sound calm.

  “Hey, are you still in the building?”

  “Uh, yeah I’m in the lobby.”

  “Good can you come up to my office if you’re not busy?”

  “Sure, I’ll be up shortly.” I can’t really hide my excitement at getting to see him.

  In the less than twenty-four hours since I last saw Dan, I’ve missed him incredibly. I press the call button for the lift and smile to myself. And this time it’s a genuinely happy smile. That smile stays plastered on my face for the whole lift ride to Dan’s floor. Tabitha has obviously left for the day and Dan’s windows are frosted but his door is slightly ajar. I give a soft knock and, opening the door a little wider, I see Dan sitting at his desk. As our eyes lock on each other my smile dissolves and a thick fog of foreboding hangs in the air. Dan has his hands under his chin, his fingers laced together. The look on his face is… well there is no look. His face is completely void of emotion. The straight line of his mouth and his almost dead eyes are very disconcerting.