This is just great. How am I going to handle this? Nick isn’t here yet, but I won’t give him the opportunity to settle in. As soon as he arrives, I’ll confront him.
As I wait, I open up my work calendar so I can get even more depressed. The schedule is packed and without Nick, how am I supposed to handle everything? I hear Nancy come in, and she pokes in her head to tell me good morning.
“Nancy, can you send Nick in here when he arrives?”
“Sure thing.”
As I continue to inspect the workload, I notice I’ve checked a date off in two weeks. I cross reference it with my personal calendar and it’s the day I’m supposed to get back to my doctor. He’s expecting me to talk to that plastic surgeon. Damn! This is the last thing I need right now. With the business the way it is, I don’t have time for this. Not to mention, do I really want to face this right now? And that would be a big N-O! I’ll do what I can be very good at doing and that’s burying my head in the sand, like the proverbial ostrich. I quickly make a reminder note in my calendar, and push it back for four weeks from now, just so I’m not completely negligent and idiotic.
A few minutes later, I hear Nick come in. This is one conversation I am dreading, but it’s best to move on. I can’t continue to deal with his mothering.
After a knock on my door, he walks in. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yeah. Have a seat.”
This is unusual and his frown lets me know he gets something’s up.
“I may as well get straight to the point. Why did you call Karen Spencer and invite her to the Rhoades Investment Team party?”
It’s always the eyes. His grow into enormous orbs and then his lids shrink them into slits. “What … how?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just answer the question.”
“She’s a client of theirs. She was on their client list.”
“I see. And she got a call late in the day. A call that said her fiancée wanted her there, or something to that effect? And now that we’re on the subject, how did you even know Karen and Ben had even been in a relationship?”
He shifts in his seat. Not once but three times. Then he raises his hands in the air and says, “Rhoades is an asshole. He’s only going to hurt you. Like he hurt her. I overheard Lisa talking to someone about it at the event. I was trying to protect you.”
“I thought we’d covered this. You don’t have the right to protect me, Nick. You’re not my brother, father, sister, or mother. You’re not my friend. You are my employee, or I should say were. You overstepped your bounds on too many occasions and this one went way too far. You need to clear out your desk.”
His eyes bulge again. “You can’t be serious? I was doing you a favor. The guy’s going to fuck you over.”
“That’s enough.” I stand and point to the door. “It’s time for you to leave, Nick.”
He actually looks shocked, which on one dimension is slightly comical to me.
“I … I can’t believe you’d let me go over this. I did this for you—to save you from him.”
“Perhaps you should’ve concentrated more on saving your job and not meddling in other people’s lives. You nearly cost Rhoades Investment Team a lawsuit over this. I hope this teaches you something at least and that’s to keep your nose out of other people’s business.”
Okay, so I did exaggerate that a bit, but he does need to be scared. This type of thing is intolerable and he could get into serious trouble down the line if he persists with this behavior.
“I’m sorry if you think having someone trying to help you is meddling. You’ll see, Sam. He’s going to hurt you. And bad. Then you’ll be wishing you’d listened to me.”
With that, he stomps out of my office. I follow him into his and watch as he cleans out his desk into a banker’s box. As he leaves the building, I say, “You probably don’t believe this, but I am sorry it turned out this way. If there’s anything you left behind, I’ll see that it’s returned to you.”
He nods and continues out the door.
Nancy approaches and wants to know what happened. I have to tell her the truth. When I do, she believes I did the right thing.
“He was so intrusive, always asking personal questions about you. I think he had a thing for you.”
I shrug. “Maybe, but in the end, he still needs to learn that he has to stick to the job. Personal feelings be damned at work. But now I’ll be underwater with everything we have going on.”
“Hey, if you need me to fill in, just say so. And let’s make good use of those interns. They haven’t been doing much lately. I can put them on all kinds of assignments.”
“What would I do without you?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Cry?”
We both start laughing. Nancy’s right. We have enough coverage to squeak by. Granted, it’s not ideal, but we can make it work.
Late that afternoon, my phone buzzes.
Ben: How’d it go?
Me: He was shocked. Thought he was my hero. Lol
Ben: Yeah? How so?
Me: He thinks you’re an ass! Btw, he overhead Lisa talking about it to someone at the event.
Ben: I guess he’s one in a long line for my ass kicking. No doubt she was jealous about you. But I can’t fire her for office gossip. Can I see you tonight?
Me: Love to say yeah, but I don’t think I can do it.
Ben: No worries. I’ll call you later.
Me: Sounds good.
Sure wish I could make it work, but by the time I leave here, it’ll be at least nine and I’m still feeling tired from our sexcapades last night. What a night that was. Just thinking about it gets me wet.
“You feeling all right?” I didn’t hear Nancy enter my office.
“Huh?”
“Your face is awfully flushed. Are you coming down with something?”
“Oh, no. I’m fine. Just a bit warm is all.”
With pursed lips, she says, “You need to take care of yourself, honey. You work too hard.”
“Nancy, I love you for caring so much.”
She smiles and hugs me. “Well, I’m outta here for the night. See you in the morning. And don’t stay too late.”
“Okay, Mom!”
We both laugh because Nancy is a lot like my mom. She’s not quite as old, but she acts a lot like her.
It’s dark when I finally shut everything down and make my way home. My neck muscles scream and it reminds me of how much I could use a good massage. The house is empty when I get there. No doubt Lauren is staying at her parents’ beach house again.
I shovel in a few bites of a quick dinner and change my clothes desperate for bed when my phone buzzes.
“Ben.” My face brightens as I imagine his messy hair and steel gray eyes on the other end.
“Hey, gorgeous. Tell me, what are you wearing right now?”
After a throaty chuckle, I say, “A white tank top, tiny boxers, and that’s about it.”
“Oh, God, you’re killing me. No bra?”
“Why would I do that when I’m in bed?”
He groans and I smile even more. “Do me a favor. Take a selfie and text it to me. I need to see you.”
“Seriously?”
“As a fucking heart attack.”
I do as he asks, and shoot him the picture.
“Jesus, Sam. You look perfect. What I wouldn’t do right now to kiss your perfect tits. Look at you in this picture. I want you to do something else for me.”
“What?”
“Take your shorts off.”
What is he thinking? “Oh no. I am not sending you naked pictures.”
“No, that’s not what I want you to do. Just take off your shorts, please.” His gruff voice has me doing as he asks. “Are they off?” he wants to know.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now touch yourself. And when you do, I want you to tell me how you feel.”
My inhale is shaky as my hand brushes against my core, fingers delving into my slit.
“Well?”
“Good. It feels good,” I admit.
“Are you wet?”
“Yes, Ben. I’m wet.”
“What else?”
“Warm, slick.”
“Move your finger around your clit. I want to hear you make yourself moan, Sam. Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah.”
“Pretend it’s me doing it. Remember how I did it to you? Mimic what I did. Can you do that?”
“I-I think so.” I circle my clit over and over, then run my fingers up and down, back and forth.
“Harder, Sam, and now I want you to slip a finger inside.”
I do as he tells me, but now talking isn’t an option anymore.
“Tell me how you feel.”
My voices seizes in my throat as I shudder. “I want to come,” I pant.
“And you will. Make yourself.”
“You…only if you make yourself, too.”
“Already doing that, baby.”
“Oh, God, why can’t I be there watching you?” I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. The visual of Ben with his cock in his hand is almost enough to push me into my climax.
Ben’s voice brings me back. “The same reason why I can’t see you. Are you close? Because I am.” The huffing from the phone lets me know just how close he is.
“Very,” I eke out.
“Come on, baby, do it now.” And at his urging, and after a few more rapid strokes, I climax and hear him do the same.
About a minute passes when his voice finally comes at me. “Sam, pull the sheet up to cover your pussy and take another selfie. I want to see you post-orgasm.”
I do it and send it to him.
“Just as I thought. I love the look on your face after you climax.”
“Ben, what’s fair is fair. I want one, too.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yep.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I have to wonder what he means. A couple of seconds later when his picture arrives, I’m not at all prepared for what he sends. I get the full scale of Ben, but he’s naked and one hand is wrapped around his cock. Hmm. Very naughty Ben. How delicious is this?
“Well?”
I can tell he’s holding back a laugh.
“I guess you could say we’ve passed the test of phone sex then?” I ask, trying not to laugh myself.
Now his laugh explodes through the phone. “Passed? We fucking aced it, baby.”
As we get ready to say goodnight, I remember the family dinner my mom wants to do. I ask him about it and he seems to be okay with the date.
“Two weeks is good. Dad will be back by then and things will be much calmer. Tell your mom it’s a go.”
“Great. I’ll let her know. And Ben, thanks for the great phone-gasm.”
“It was totally my pleasure, but Sam, I’m always happy to lend a hand. Or a mouth. Or a tongue.”
Thirty
BEN
My days have been hectic and my nights lonely. I haven’t seen much of Sam between my work and hers. The sound of her voice cradles me and I miss her warm body next to mine. The phone is wedged between my ear and shoulder as find myself on the verge of begging as I shut down my computer.
“You wouldn’t believe the clients today. Apparently the constant rain over the last few days is making everyone crazy.” I say.
“What happened?” And the humor in her voice makes me smile.
“One of Dad’s clients called me to tell me her psychic said red is bad. So I need to dump any investment where the company’s logo is red.”
That gets a laugh out of her and it feels good. She’s been stressed and I want to make her feel better. “And how can you possibly do that?”
“Exactly. I think I’ve convinced her to hold off and see if the psychic meant something else. And that’s not the half of what’s happened today.” I pause, but when she doesn’t speak I switch gears. “Sure I can’t convince you to come to my place tonight?”
“I wish, but with Nick gone, I’m afraid I’ll be working from home tonight.”
“I can come over there,” I coax.
“You’ll distract me and I’ll never get anything done.”
“Okay, but that means I’ll be texting you to show you how lonely I am.”
Her giggle has a husky note to it. “You realize you’re giving me blackmail material.”
My brow rises. “So, the good girl is actually bad. You’d do that?”
“Don’t test me, Ben Rhoades.” She laughs again. “But I really have to go. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”
I sigh. “My hand is getting such the workout.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
A few parting words later and she’s gone.
“Who would have ever thought the great Ben Rhoades would be pussy whipped?”
My head snaps up so fast, I might have given myself whiplash. There, leaning on the doorframe, is Jeff.
“Who’s pussy whipped?”
“You, my friend, unless you agree to hang with us tonight.”
Before I realize I’m even doing it, I’m shaking my head. “Nah, man, I’m tired.”
“Exactly, you sound just like Mark.”
I pause for a second realizing he’s right. I shrug. “It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah, and that sweet little event planner with the great rack has you all wrapped up.”
My eyes narrow as my heart begins to accelerate. “Keep your eyes to yourself and don’t talk about her tits. Not cool.”
“So it’s official—you and Mark are being led around with a leash around your necks.”
I counter quickly. “I thought you and Mark were going out tonight.”
He shakes his head. “No, I hoped if you got on board you would convince him. Instead, I find you practically begging some woman to get laid. That’s how it starts, man. They want to give it to you all the time until they know they have you. Then they tease you with it and use their cunts to keep you in line. I’m telling you, variety is the spice of life. They don’t really respect you until you show them you can get it somewhere else.”
His words sound so familiar. I’m sure I’ve said something similar to Drew over the years.
“Don’t knock it until you try it.”
With his head cocked back, he lets out a belly laugh. “That’s the best you’ve got? You should hear yourself, man. She’s got you so fucked in the head you can’t even give me a proper comeback.”
I ponder his words for a second until I realize I don’t care what Jeff thinks of me. Sam makes me happy and I don’t want to lose that.
“Dude.” Jeff says, forcing me to glance up. “Look, is there a rule that we can’t tap a client?”
“There isn’t anything in the employee handbook if that’s what you’re asking.” The human resource manager and I have become fast friends these last several weeks since Dad has been out. “But it is strongly discouraged. Why?”
He shrugs. “I’m out. Later.” He pushes off the doorframe and disappears into the darkness of the office. Almost everyone is gone and I get to my feet and leave too.
The rain is coming down so hard, I have my wipers on the highest speed when my phone rings. I almost don’t answer because I need to concentrate on the road. When I see who it is, I answer using the in-dash Bluetooth.
“Cate.”
“Ben.” Her voice doesn’t quiver. However, I can’t be sure.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” Her sigh is heavy. “I just miss you guys and Jenna’s out.”
Good, she’s okay.
“Hey, can I call you back when I get home? It’s raining like crazy.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.”
I hate how she sounded with that last comment. “I’ll be home in ten. I’ll call you right back.”
My plans had included sending Sam a picture of me and my hand, but that will have to wait. When I get inside, I pour myself a glass of Lagavulin before I call Cate back.
“What’s going on, little sis?”
“It’s nothing really.”
But I know better.
“You can always come back home. Jenna still has your room vacant or you can stay with me. My house is big enough for the both of us.”
She’s quiet and I realize this is the second time tonight I’m trying to figure out the right thing to say to a woman.
“I can’t.”
Her words are soft, but their meaning is loud and clear.
“He’s there and I see him everywhere. I hate to say it, but it’s easier being here in DC in that respect.”
I drain the contents of my glass. “I get it.”
“Ben, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down.”
So she’d heard that. I push my hair back.
“Take your hand out of your hair, Benny.”
“God, you know me.” I pull my hand free and start to pour another two fingers.
“Everyone knows you. But I didn’t call for us to be sad. We’ve had enough of that. How’s Sam?”
I take a quick sip and bite down on the warmth that’s spreading through my gut.
“She’s good.”
Just like Cate knows me, I know she’s nodding her head in agreement.
“Good, I like her. She seems good for you.”
“She is. I’m going to meet her family for dinner in a few days.”
“Wow, you are serious about her.”
I shake my head. “I am. It’s weird—I don’t think I’ve met a girl’s parents since high school. And it should scare the shit out of me. And in a way it does. But I’m also kind of looking forward to it.”
“I have a good feeling about you two.”
When my next words spit out, I know I’ve been holding them in without anyone to talk to about this.
“I think I’m falling for her.”
A squeal rings my eardrum. “Oh, Benny, I’m so excited for you. Drew knew one day you’d fall in love.”
“Hey, I didn’t say the L word. I remember when Drew told me he was in love with you.”
The conversation fills my ear as if he were there.
“Ben, I think Cate’s the one.”
“Don’t fuck around, Drew. She’s like my little sister.”
“I’m not fucking around.”
“You’re right. You’re a serial monogamist.”
The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset Page 67
