by S. J. Tilly
My new office is more of a small multipurpose room, boasting a round table with four chairs and a decent sized desk. The back wall holds the view of Minneapolis, the side walls are solid, and the entire front wall is all glass, including the door. It's semi-opaque so it blurs anyone who passes by, but if someone is close enough it’s possible to recognize them.
Eric looks about ready to start a war, but the only threat out there is Brent.
“You can let him in.” I tell Eric, rising from my chair.
Unlocking the handle, Eric pulls the door open but doesn’t move out of the way. “Yes?”
I can hear Brent stammer, but I can’t see him anymore, since he’s completely blocked from my view by Eric’s shoulders. “Oh, um, can Sasha come out?”
I can’t help it. I crack up laughing. He sounds like a kid asking if his friend can come play. “Oh my god, Eric. Let him in.”
When Eric steps aside and I get a look at Brent I laugh even more. His cheeks are so pink they’re nearly red. And the way he keeps glancing at Eric as he sidesteps past him has me slapping a hand over my mouth.
Brent widens his eyes at me once he’s past the door guard, mouthing Wow.
My smile is wider than it’s been all day. “Hey there, Brent. Welcome to my lair.”
“No kidding. Pretty sure if anyone could use some sugar and caffeine it’s you.” He hands me a coffee and I grin when I see where it’s from.
“Thanks, you’re not wrong.” I greedily take a gulp. “So, come to hang out?”
Brent chuckles. “I wish. The boss man told me to come get you.”
“Oh, okay.” With my coffee in one hand, I pick up my notes with the other.
Eric is blocking the door. “You’re going to Vincent’s office?”
Brent clears his throat. “Yeah, uh, he said to tell you that you can have an hour free. I can walk her over.”
Eric shakes his head. “She’s not leaving my sight until she’s with Vincent.”
Brent opens his mouth to say more, but I stop him with an exasperated sound. “It’s no use. He’s serious.”
“I’ll follow you.” Eric rumbles as he holds open the door.
I use my elbow to nudge Brent forward. We walk side by side and a glance over my shoulder confirms that Eric is a few strides behind us.
Brent leans in so he can whisper, “So… what the hell is going on? You either pissed off the boss big time, or you literally blew his mind, because I’ve never seen him do something like this before.”
I pretend to think it over. “Well, I don’t think he’s mad. And I haven’t blown him since that day you nearly walked in on us, so…”
My words have their desired effect when Brent chokes so hard he almost trips. “Sweet Christ, woman! Are you trying to kill me?”
“Of course not. Just trying to get your mind off my new bodyguard.”
Brent makes a humming noise. “Speaking of blowjobs.”
“That’s what I thought.” I laugh. “You had quite the adorable blush going back there.”
“Oh my god, shut up!” Brent hisses at me. He slows as we near Vincent’s office. “Seriously though, is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll tell you about it when I can. Eric is just here as a precaution.” It’s enough of a truth that I don’t feel bad telling it.
“Okay, but if there’s anything I can help with, let me know.”
“Thanks, Brent. You’re a good friend. And probably the only fun person in this place.”
He barks out a laugh. “Oh, I know that’s the truth.”
Vincent is already standing in his doorway when we get there.
Proving his fun status, Brent makes a sweeping gesture as he bows. “Your lady and her guardian have arrived.”
Vincent shakes his head, but I can tell that he’s amused. “Eric, I’ll walk her back to her office. Be back there in an hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
I half expect him to salute, but he just turns on his heels and stalks off.
“Where do I get one of those?” Brent mumbles under his breath. Vincent rolls his eyes but before he can speak, Brent waves him off. “Yeah, yeah, hold all your calls. Knock before entering. I got it.”
I snort seeing the look on Vincent’s face and step past him into his office.
Shutting the door behind him Vincent gives me a fake glare. “Why do I feel like you’re the reason for my assistant’s new attitude.”
“I promise, I have no idea what you mean.” I say, seating myself in the visitor’s chair.
Vincent watches me closely as he slowly circles his desk before taking his own seat. “How are you doing?”
There’s something in his tone and I know he’s not talking about work. “I’m okay.” I reply. “Not great. Not horrible.” I shrug one shoulder.
Vincent’s eyes trail up and down my body, as though he’d be able to see if I’m lying.
Leaning forward I place my hand on top of his where it rests on his desk. “Vincent, I’m okay.”
The hand beneath mine rolls over so our palms are touching. “If that changes, let me know.”
“Yes, sir.” I wink.
That gets the firm set of his mouth twitching just a little. I start to pull my hand back, but his fingers latch around my wrist. “I can’t decide which way I like you best. Defiant and asking for punishment. Or compliant and begging for reward.”
I fight off the urge to shiver at his words. “That’s good, since you seem to cause both reactions in equal measure.”
His fingers give a gentle squeeze. “How’s it going with Eric?”
“Fine, I guess. I’m pretty sure the guy who delivered our lunch nearly crapped himself with how scary Eric was being. Poor kid deserves a huge tip, which of course I don’t know if he got since you told Eric I’m not allowed to pay for anything.”
“I always tip well.” Vincent replies, ignoring the rest of my statement.
“I can pay for my own lunches, Vincent.”
“You paying is one more point of contact with strangers that I’d rather you didn’t have.”
I raise my eyebrows at him. “It’s delivery. It’s paid through an app.”
He holds my gaze. “I don’t care.”
“You’re impossible.”
He tugs my arm, causing me to lean over his desk. “You like it.”
“Maybe. Just a little.” With my free hand I use my thumb and pointer finger to demonstrate how little.
Vincent laughs and releases my arm. “Now before you distract me with your womanly ways, let’s go over those talking points you sent.”
“Womanly ways?” I scoff. “And if anyone is a distraction, it’s you and this damn office. We should really start meeting somewhere else...?”
“Not going to happen.” Vincent turns to his computer. “Okay, so the list you -”
I cut him off. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Vincent slowly looks back at me. “Do what?”
“Have Annie with you at Marie’s House. With Randal out there…”
“Sasha, we’ve been over this. It’s the right call. People are going to find out about Annie being a Mazzanti, and it’s better to do it now and control the story. Like you said, the sooner the better, and hopefully by the time fall rolls around Annie’s new classmates at school won’t care. She’s not the only filthy rich kid in this city, and the whole point of your PR campaign is to make it clear that the Mazzanti family is here for legal business and nothing else.”
“But with Randal -” I interject.
Vincent waves me off. “Randal is always a threat. Has always been a threat. I liked to think that I scared him off, but he was always out there. Waiting. Him coming after you doesn’t change that. Only now he’s shown his hand. We know he’s in the city. We can focus our energies here on finding him. And removing the threat once and for all.”
I let that sentence hang in the air. In one breath he talks about being a legit businessman, and the next he’s talking ab
out eliminating threats. I don’t ask for clarification. If my daughter were the target of a madman, I’d rip his throat out with my own bare hands without a second thought.
I give Vincent a nod. “Okay. If you think it’s the right call.”
“I do.” His tone is confident. “Plus, this isn’t like the press conference we hosted here. It’s not open to the public. It’s just your one journalist friend.”
“Yeah. Vanny is the best in the city. We can trust her. She’ll also have a photographer with her, but we get to select which photos will be published.”
“I’ll have Angelo, Eric and a few other guys there with us. And my mother always travels with Max, her bodyguard. It’s as controlled as we can get.”
I exhale, feeling slightly better. “There’s also a few people from the PR team that will be there, and I believe that my boss will also stop by. It’ll definitely be overkill on our side of things.”
Vincent smirks. “Overkill is underrated.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
SASHA
F orty-five minutes later, I smile at Vincent. “I think we’ve covered it all. I’m sure someone will come up with something to add in the next couple days, but I’ve no doubt you can handle the adjustments.”
“Right you are.” Vincent stands, holding his hand out for me as he steps around the desk.
Without thinking, I take it and rise. The feeling of his fingers twining with mine is so natural.
“Umm, what are you doing?” I ask when I realize he’s leading me towards his couch and not the office door.
“We have some time.”
My steps slow. “Vincent, I don’t want to have sex with you.” He gives me the most knowing look and I return it with a slow blink. “I don’t want to have sex with you, in broad daylight, in your office, with Brent sitting on the other side of the door.”
“Brent!” Vincent shouts. “Go away!”
I burst out laughing.
“Uh, what?” Brent’s question is muffled by the still closed door.
I quickly slap my hand over Vincent’s mouth.
“Nothing!” I call out.
Vincent nips at my palm before dropping bodily onto the couch.
“Seriously, Vincent. I’m not having sex here.” I put my hands on my hips to emphasize my point.
“As adorable as your little stance against me is, I’m not asking you for sex. I just want to sit for a few minutes. Together.”
He sounds like he’s telling the truth, but I still don’t understand what he wants.
“Good lord, woman. Why are you stubborn about everything?” Vincent says a second before reaching out and pulling me to him.
I expect him to yank me onto the couch next to him, but instead he grabs my hips and pulls me down so I’m sitting across his lap. My butt on his muscular thighs. My feet hanging off his lap. My shoulder pressed against his warm hard chest.
Vincent wraps one arm around my back, keeping my body snug against him. His other hand drapes over my thighs, fingers toying with the material of my dress.
“There.” He murmurs, his breath fanning against my forehead. “This is better.”
I hum my agreement. He’s right. This is better.
Tucking my hands under my cheek, I relax into his body. Feeling the rise and fall of his chest.
“You were right.” Vincent strokes a hand down my thigh before continuing. “What you said in your apartment, you were right. I could give you a list of motivations for my previous asshole behavior, but they would just be excuses.”
I try to sit up to look at him, but his grip around my back tightens. “I appreciate the sentiment, Vincent. But what are you talking about?”
“Us. I’m talking about us. About being a real couple. About being in a relationship. I don’t want to try and hide my feelings for you anymore. I want this to be official.”
Warmth pools in my chest at his words. “Are you asking me to go steady?”
He pinches my hip, making me squeak. “Keep being a smartass, see where that gets you.”
This time when I try to push up, Vincent lets me. I don’t put much space between us, just enough so I can see his handsome face.
Vincent holds my gaze. “I’ll probably suck at being in a relationship, but I’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out.”
These are the words I’ve been waiting for him to say and I feel them in every inch of my body. He told me as much last night when he demanded that I tell him I’m yours. It was hot as fuck, but having him say this in the calm of the day, it means even more.
“Vincent, I want that too. I want you. I probably shouldn’t, since you’re nothing but trouble, but it hasn’t stopped me yet.”
“Good.”
He leans in but I press a hand to the center of his body to hold him still. “But we can’t.”
Vincent’s eyes narrow. “Why not?”
“Because I could lose my job.”
“Who cares.”
“I care!” I say, exasperated. “Here, in the world of reality, people need jobs. You know, to pay for things like rent and food.”
Vincent doesn’t break his stare. “I’ll give you whatever money you need.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare at him. “You’re insane. You know that?”
He shrugs, the movement shifting my body with his. “What? I have the money. It would make no difference to me.”
I bite down on a snarky reply. This man is impossible. “No. Not going to happen.”
“Sasha.”
I shake my head. “I’m not looking for a sugar daddy, Vincent.”
His huff reminds me so much of Annie I have to stop myself from smiling. If I do that now, he’ll think he’s won.
“Sasha.” He says again, this time in a gentler tone. “I just… I don’t want… I don’t want you to go to your next project, working for some other rich asshole, who’ll inevitably drool all over you.”
My jaw drops open. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you being out there. Away from me.” He gestures to the window. “I’m warning you right now, I’m going to be a shit boyfriend. I’ll be needy and jealous and I’ll rip the arms off anyone who tries to touch you.”
“Vincent, out of the two of us, I’m going to be the jealous one. I’ve already witnessed women throwing themselves at you just for a second of your attention. And I don’t even want to know where we compare on the number of ex’s.” I can hear it when my tone turns pouty.
Vincent’s eyes stay in mine. “That’s easy. I have zero.”
“Zero?” I raise my eyebrows at him. “Am I honestly to believe that you were a virgin when we met? Annie was conceived by immaculate conception via your godlike powers.”
Tilting his head, Vincent gives me a don’t be dumb look. “Obviously not. But I’ve never had a girlfriend. There’s no one that I would consider an ex, as you put it.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Seriously.”
“Not even in college? High school?” I press.
He smirks. “There might be a few girls that would argue with my statement, but nothing was ever official. Never in my life have I referred to a woman as my girlfriend.”
“Huh. That’s… kinda sad.”
His smirk is still in place. “Don’t feel bad for me, sweetheart. I had plenty of company.”
“Uh, gross!” I smack his firm abdomen.
“Do that again.” He growls leaning into me.
“Oh my god.” I shove him back into the couch cushions. “This doesn’t change anything, Casanova. We can’t just go around making out in public. And my boss is going to be at Marie’s House with us, so you can’t be all Mr. Grabby Hands.”
“Mr. Grabby Hands?” Vincent’s deadpan delivery has me choking on a laugh.
“I’m serious.”
“Sasha, I’m not going to pretend that there’s nothing between us.”
I take a deep breath, hoping for patience. “Do it
for me. Just until my contract with Mazzanti Enterprises is over. We have the shoot at Marie’s House in a few days. Then another week until the gala. Then I’m done. After that, you won’t be my client anymore. You won’t be a client of Minnesota Relations anymore. At which point, I can no longer get fired for having a romantic relationship with you.”
Vincent looks unmoved by my speech. “You don’t know that she’ll fire you.”
“I’m almost certain.”
“I’ll tell her not to.” The arrogant ass states.
“Um, no. That’s not how the world works.”
“Then if she fires you, I’ll just hire you. You can do the same exact work, but as a Mazzanti employee.”
He’s so serious, so oblivious to the issue, that I smile. “That’s a sweet offer, but no.”
“Why?”
“Why? Oh gee, I don’t know. I get fired for sleeping with you. Then you hire me. Then all my coworkers here know that I’m sleeping with the boss. Not just the boss, but The Boss. No one would respect me. And everyone would be afraid that I would take any work problems directly to you. It’s a hard no, Vincent.” How does he not get this?
“I’ll tell everyone to be nice to you.”
If I roll my eyes any harder, I’m going to strain them. “Oh, well that’ll clear it up.”
He scowls. “I know you’re being sarcastic, but I think it would be fine.”
I pat his cheek. “You’re adorable. But the answer is still no.”
He stays silent for a long moment, eyes staring over my shoulder, and I start to worry about whatever plan he’s concocting in his mind. With him distracted, I take a moment to just take him in. Those nearly black irises so focused. So piercing. When they’re directed at me, I feel like he can see all of me, and I feel like I can see all of him.
I know he’s serious, about everything he’s said. This large, hard, potent man wants me to be his. Me. Sasha Clark. I have decent self-esteem, but I’m nothing special. And beyond being just plain hot, Vincent has power. And I don’t simply mean monetary or business power. But raw power. The sort he exudes from every pore. He carries himself like he lives on a different plane of existence. He walks through a crowd as if he’s a king striding past his court. It’s heady. It’s addicting. And I don’t think he even realizes he’s doing it.
