“Poppy, stop. Take off the thinking cap for a few hours. Have some champagne and take a twirl on the dance floor. This was your first big project as CEO and it’s a success. Enjoy it before you move on.”
She was right, of course. “Okay. Let’s get more champagne.” I’d paid for the good stuff because most of the staff had worked hard and helped me settle into my role. I knew it was because if I succeeded they had job security, but that was a good enough reason for me.
“Ms. Masters, congratulations. You’ve done quite nicely.” Corrine Wood stood, looking uncomfortable in the one shoulder dress that highlighted her sculpted arms, but her pinched smile remained carefully in place.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wood. That dress is gorgeous.” Her skin flushed prettily because she wasn’t as much of a tight ass as she pretended to be. “This party is the result of a lot of hard work. I had an idea and they made it happen.”
“Yes, well, that is the mark of a good leader. Getting your people to follow you, which you have done with aplomb.”
“Thanks,” I laughed. “That’s a great word and it doesn’t get much use these days.”
“It does not,” she agreed with a small smile. “My reason for approaching you, other than congratulations of course, was to tell you that I plan to hang onto my shares. You can count me as an ally. Just say the word.”
“Wow, Mrs. Wood, thank you. I appreciate that, and I’m glad that you found me. I heard that you have a beautiful thirteen year old who wants to be the next Shaun White and I have just the thing.” Talia was the best assistant ever because she’d already left and come back with the stark white ski suit with multi-colored chevron certificate. “Just tell her to pick a number on the online form.”
“That is…thank you, Poppy. Bailey will love it.” She accepted the certificate and went in search of her husband.
“You’re amazing at that.” My eyes closed at the sound of Blake’s voice behind me.
I didn’t want to turn around, but I had to. I could do this, as soon as I took about ten deep breaths. “Thank you, Blake. And thanks for coming to support Out & About Apparel.”
There, that sounded normal. For a telemarketer.
“You look gorgeous,” he said, his tone full of awe and his eyes glued to my hair. It would seem Talia wasn’t the only one obsessed with my hair. “So beautiful.”
“Thanks,” I told him and took a step back. “You always look good in a suit.” And in a tux he looked downright delectable. If I was having those kind of thoughts about him. Which I wasn’t.
“The line looks great.”
“Yeah, like our stuff only a million times better!” His sister Lacey, stopped between us, cutting the tension with the precision of a machete. “Great job, Poppy.” She wrapped me in a surprising hug but I went with it.
“Thanks Lacey. You look great.”
She twirled. “And thank you for the retro theme because this booty looks great in polyester,” she shook her butt a little. “Because it clings,” she whispered. “Okay, I’m off to mingle. Point me to the singles, Poppy.”
“Most of sales is single. Look for the really hot ones who look a little too overdone.”
“Got it, thanks. Go back to giving hell and groveling guys. Later!”
“Is that what you’re doing?” I turned to Blake and I really shouldn’t have, because the way he looked at me with that downward tilt of his head, blue eyes dazzling in the ballroom lights, it made me forget that we were over. History. “Groveling?”
“I hadn’t gotten to the groveling yet, I was just getting started with charm and compliments.” Why did he have to be so damn charming? “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure. Come on.” I took his hand and we left the ballroom, finding an empty room down a dark hall off the ballroom. “Okay. Talk.”
“I didn’t do anything with Christianne, I swear.” He sucked in a breath and balled his hands into fists rather than muss his hair. “She likes to play games and-,”
“I believe you.”
“You do?” I understood his skepticism, but other than how annoyingly hot she was, I wasn’t upset about her.
“Yeah. I heard and saw enough to know that much. But it didn’t feel too great having your worst fear recognized.”
His brows dipped into a frown. “What’s that?”
“That you were only with me to seduce me into giving you the company.”
He growled and stepped forward, grabbing my hands in his. “That was never part of the plan, trust me. All of this would have been a lot easier if I’d been able to resist you.” His tone was urgent. Anguished. “Victoria did mention it but I wouldn’t do that. Why do you think I was such an ass to you in the beginning?”
I laughed and he brushed soft kisses along my knuckles. “I thought it was all part of the coldhearted businessman persona you’ve cultivated.”
“Not exactly. I was prepared to hate you, and then I met you.”
“And my purple hair?”
“I like the blue, it matches this sexy outfit.” His fingers sifted through my newly dyed teal tips. “But I didn’t hate you, I liked you. And then I was intrigued by you. And then enchanted by you.”
“Blake,” I whispered, my emotions getting the better of me.
“Everyone else saw it, everyone but us.”
“Saw what?”
“That we’re perfect for each other. That you love me,” he cupped my face and brushed a kiss right on my mouth. “and that I love you,” He did it again, a little longer this time until I relaxed into him, gripped his shoulders. “Did you hear me?”
I shook my head, feeling a little dazed from his declaration. “Um, what?”
He flashed a knowing smirk. “We’re in love, Poppy.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how you’re supposed to say that.” His deep laugh made me smile.
“I love you, Poppy. I didn’t know it, and I didn’t know enough to be looking for it. But you’re here and I’m so damn sorry if I ever made you doubt my feelings for you.” He held my face in his hands, forced me to look deep into those beautiful eyes of his and see the truth. I didn’t want to see the truth though, because it scared me.
If he loved me like that, like the promise in his eyes said he did, that meant what I was feeling wasn’t just sex hormones. That ache deep in my chest and stomach, the nonstop thinking about him, the getting turned on by the memories of us together, all of that together meant one inescapable, one undeniable fact. I loved him too. “Shit.”
He chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Not exactly the response I was hoping for, but I can work with that.”
“No, I was saying ‘shit’ because I love you too. I love you, Blake.” The look he gave me was so intense it nearly stopped my heart.
“That’s so damn good to hear. So damn good.” The relief in his voice was palpable, the anxious way he touched me, as though he had to be sure it was me right there in front of him. “So, what now?”
“You tell me. Are you still trying to take over my company? Because I love you but I think that would doom us from the start.”
“No. I’m keeping the shares I have now because I know a money maker when I see one. But Lacey was right, I need my people to step up their game so we can beat you legitimately.”
“I look forward to it. Maybe a friendly wager is in order, when the time comes.” I wrapped both arms around him and pulled him close so I could climb up his body, letting out a long moan when his hands settled on my ass. “For now though, Blake, my love.”
“I like the sound of that,” he laughed and kissed my neck gently and then nibbled it not so gently.
I rolled my eyes and grinned, twining my fingers in his hair. “I think a bit of makeup sex is in order.”
“Is the door locked?”
“Do you care?” I slid down his body and turned my back to him, pointing to the hidden zipper.
Blake tugged on the zipper and tugged on the bow at my neck. “The only thing I c
are about right now, is hearing you scream my name.”
“You men, you’re all the same. A little ‘I love you’ and they start talking dirty.”
“I love you, that means I can talk as dirty as I want to you.”
“Yeah?” He nodded and thrust into me. “Then let me hear it.”
“I love you,” he growled and then he leaned in until barely a molecule could fit between us, and filled my ears with the sexiest, dirtiest, most erotic things I’d ever heard.
And then he took me home and did them to me.
This was a good damn start.
* * *
The End
Dear Reader, hope you enjoyed Poppy & Blake’s story. If you’d like another sexy glimpse into their world, I’ve included an extra Secret Scene which didn’t make it into the final cut at the end of this book. Check it out!
If you’d like to find out how Lacey finds love, you can find her story in Sinful Takeover here.
A sneak peak is also included in this book, read it next!
If you’re looking forward to Luke’s story, check it out here
Secret Scene
Poppy
My body had never felt so achy, so loose-limbed. So, satisfied. I was in bed, wide awake while Blake slept soundly beside me, thinking about all the wicked things we’d done in the past twenty-four hours. The smile I wore couldn’t be stopped by any person or thing. I just felt so…good.
Blake had been the best choice for a first sex partner because his ego wouldn’t let him fail, and he hadn’t failed. Not by any stretch of the imagination. He seemed to get off on getting me off. Which just created a whole cycle of well, getting off. The harder he worked to make me come, the more I wanted to return the favor, which is how we’d ended up in this big bed more than we’d ended up at the conference. A groan escaped as my legs kicked out, stretching muscles that had never gotten quite as worked out, not even after the most grueling hikes in Oregon.
“Now that’s a sound a man could get used to waking up to.” Blake’s words came out a deepthroated growl as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me flush against him. “How are you feeling?”
I knew he was still kind of freaked about the fact he’d taken my virginity, but his concern caught me off guard, and I froze against him. “Good, actually. Really good. Very good.”
His deep chuckle sounded in my ear, enveloping me in the inviting warmth of the sound. “I’m sure we can do better than that. If you’re up for it.” His hand slid down the center of my body until one flinger slipped between my thighs and into my damp, hot core. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”
After a full day of being wrapped around his big naked body, I didn’t flush at his dirty words, I just felt them. Let them push me all in so that I could experience it all. I wanted to experience it all, right now, this weekend because I knew it couldn’t last.
When we left LA, we would also leave all of this behind us.
“Uh-oh, that’s not the look of a woman fully engaged. Shit, you’re sore aren’t you?”
“No. I’m just wondering how many more orgasms my body will take until it starts eating itself.” Just to make sure the moment was as humiliating as possible, my stomach let out a growl that would have made any mother lioness proud.
Blake smirked and kissed my neck as his fingers continued to play me like a Fender guitar. His fingers plunged deep into my wet, pulsing center. He just knew what moves would drive me crazy and push me closer to the edge of pleasure.
Maybe it was a madness. I couldn’t be sure yet.
Suddenly his fingers stilled.
“We should probably get breakfast,” he teased, his expression serious. “Go on, call room service. I’ll let you decide.”
Unsure what kind of game he was playing, I reached for the phone and pressed the button to reach the lobby. “Um, yes I’d like to place a breakfast order,” I told her easily, feeling odd with his fingers buried in me while I spoke on the phone.
“Sure, what can I get you Ms. Masters?”
“Yes, Ms. Masters, what would you like?” Blake’s deep voice made my belly clench, my body heated at the dark desire written on his face. My answer didn’t come fast enough and he thrust deep, making me moan.
“Eggs! Scrambled eggs for two, toast with fruit and hash browns and bacon. Lots of,” my breath caught as his fingers worked faster, plunged deeper and brought me ever closer to the precipice. “Bacon. Please.” I glared at Blake, who wore a satisfied smile as sweat slicked over my skin, my imminent orgasm making it hard to hang up the phone. “Not. Fair.”
“Who said anything about fair?” He grinned and slid between my legs, burying his face where his hands hand been, wringing a long, powerful orgasm from me. “I believe we have time for a shower?”
“She said fifteen minutes. I’ll wait right here until you’re done.” A loud squeal escaped me when he stood and yanked me to the edge of the bed, scooping me over his shoulder and smacking my ass.
“I said we have time for a shower. Together. Showers are more fun when you’re not alone.”
I didn’t believe that, but I was willing to test it out. For scientific purposes, of course. “Another new experience,” I practically cooed at the sight he made, naked and hard. Ready to take me hard and fast. Completely.
He slid the door back and gestured me inside where I got busy adjusting the water, just as his warm hard body pressed up against mine. “And soaping up is my favorite part, Poppy.” Before I could respond, his hands were coated in green apple body wash, lathering every inch of me thoroughly. “Fuck, Poppy. These curves are meant to be touched. Everyday.”
My body thrilled at his words, buzzed on edge as his palms scraped against my nipples, cupped heavy breasts and squeezed my ass before slowly washing my legs. Slowly. So excruciatingly slowly that I felt ready to explode at any moment. Next, he washed my hair and it felt so good my moan echoed in the room and his cock pressed against my back. “This is way better than getting a wash at the salon.”
“I should hope so,” he growled in my ear, nipping the soft flesh as his hips pushed forward, sliding his cock into me from behind. My hands shot out against the slick tiled wall to brace myself for Blake’s quick, frantic thrusts. “Fuck. Poppy.”
The way he always said my name, like he couldn’t believe it was me making him lose his mind just a little with every sexual encounter. It was empowering and I arched my back, pushing against him to add more friction, more pressure. “Blake. Oh, Blake!”
“Poppy.” He grunted the dirtiest things in my ear as he lifted me until my feet didn’t touch the ground and pounded into me like his life depended on it. He drove hard and he drove deep, pulling another orgasm from me while he chased his own down, like a bounty hunter on the prowl. And then, he exploded. Hard and fast.
Somehow, I managed to laugh after I caught my breath.
Blake joined in.
The absurdity and the sexiness of all was too much.
***
THE END
* * *
"How did I end up like my own single Mom? Pregnant and alone, with a Baby Daddy?"
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Sinful Takeover
Prologue
Lacey ~ 3 months ago
“I want you to handle the KBBM acquisition, Lace. I don’t have time right now.” Blake stood in front of my desk looking exhausted as he raked a hand through his blond hair. The blue eyes he inherited from our dad looked tired and when he dropped down in the sleek white chair, I knew there was something more to it.
“Why? I mean, I’m happy to do it, but you are such a control freak I figured you’d want your fingerprints all over this deal.”
“Control freak? Now you sound like Poppy.” He shook his head, looking even more tired than I realized. “Can you do this or not, Lacey?”
“Of course I can.” I rolled my eyes at this fatherly big brother tone, not ready to give in quite so easily. “But you’ve h
ad such a stranglehold on this company for so long, I want to know what the hell is going on.”
He sighed. “Poppy just found out she’s pregnant. Only eight weeks but she’s going to have to scale back which means I need to ‘learn to fucking delegate’. Her words, not mine.”
I nodded and assured him that I was more than up for the challenge and spent the next month going through stacks of papers on the financial and market health of KBBM. The sports television was the top spot for all things sports, particularly those outdoor sports that Oregonians love like hiking, kayaking and mountain climbing. For twenty years Bob and Marie Shepherd had ran the station perfectly, drawing in big names in sports and in the state to host programs and comment on events. Their tragic death in an avalanche three years ago started the decline. The two Shepherd siblings hadn’t done a good job and they were finally ready to admit defeat.
It had taken me months to get a handle on just how the station was doing because the two smaller holdings, a radio station and a network of online channels and blogs, were doing much better under another manager. Now I pulled open the green glass doors of the building where the KBBM studio and offices were held and went inside. The lobby was just as one might expect from this kind of office building, understated sophistication. The goal was to make all but the most important and richest, feel inferior.
It worked.
But I wasn’t intimidated. My older brother Blake was as rich and self-important as they came, and dealing with him for decades meant I looked at men like him as if they were squishy teddy bears. Just like Blake. After a careful appraisal of the lobby the bell finally sounded for the elevator and I stepped inside, barely able to hide the eyeroll at the mirrored gold doors. Tacky as hell.
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