by Amy Brent
“Dad,” I said, tugging on the edge of his shirt sleeve to gain his attention. “Can I talk to you?”
“What is it?”
He followed me away from the rest of the crowd.
“Have you asked him yet about the internship?”
A guilty expression crossed his face. “I forgot, Vi. I don’t believe he has internships open right now anyway.”
“Don’t you think it would be a great experience though?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level. This was my one and only chance to get close to Cole, which was the only place I wanted to be. “My resume would look awesome with an internship at Crayton, Inc.”
“You don’t have to worry about that sort of thing, Vi. That’s why I have worked as hard as I have—so you and your mother won’t have to worry about money.”
“I know that, dad. And I appreciate it, but--” I tried to think of the best way to describe it. I loved my family. I’d grown up with wealth, but I wanted my own life. I wanted the experiences that my parents took care to shelter me from. I’d attended prestigious to private schools. I’d even finished college online because my mother was terrified of me going wild with a little bit of freedom.
I didn’t even want to think about dating because any guy who even came close to me was scared away by the Summers name.
A soft, toned arm brushed against my shoulders. The smell of my mother’s perfume filled the air as she brushed back some of my hair. Her eyes were a bit unfocused and glossy when she looked at me.
“Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, honey, to let her go for the internship,” she said. “Think of the people she would be meeting too. She’ll be working with Cole, and he’ll keep her safe.”
My father sighed in exasperation. “It’s not Cole that I’m worried about. It’s the other billionaires that he works for that might be desperate for female companionship. That’s what I am worried about.”
“Cole wouldn’t let that happen,” I said. I hoped that he would be the one looking at me. Not someone else.
“I can’t just ask him to take Violet into his company. That’s not my call.”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” my mother muttered, handing me her glass of wine. “We’ve been friends for over twenty years. Do you think that Cole would tell us no?”
“Gloria--”
“Mom. Wait--” I reached for her elbow, but she danced away from the both of us.
“Cole,” she said, loudly enough to gain his attention. “Alan and I have a small favor to ask of you.”
Cole’s eyes flicked over to where I stood rooted next my dad. My cheeks burned hotly under his gaze. This was humiliating, but whatever it took, right? My mother knew how to get what she wanted from people.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Alan has been meaning to talk to you about your internship program,” she said and gestured towards me. “Vi here is wanting some experience in the business field. She’s been looking into your company.”
A strange light flickered in Cole’s eyes. He started to shake his head, but I stepped forward to interrupt him. My heart raced against my ribcage. No matter how many times I had practiced in front of the mirror, it was still nerve-wracking to face him. Cole was a business man. He wouldn’t take me in as an intern if he didn’t believe I would benefit the company in the long run.
“You know that I graduated from college early,” I started, thankful that my voice wasn’t shaky like my nerves. “You know that my dad has taught me everything, but I can help your company. I can help with the expansion.” I locked my eyes on Cole’s unwavering ones. “Nothing will stop me until I prove my loyalty. I’ll do anything that you tell me to do. Whatever you want me to do.”
The rest of the party continued around us. I watched as Cole’s eyes darkened at the undercurrent I hoped he would pick up on. For that wild moment, his eyes were on me, and only on me. Not Martha. Not my parents. He was seeing me for the first time as an adult—particularly as a woman.
“It won’t be easy,” Cole spoke then, the husky timbre in his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “I won’t be easy on you. Just because you’re my best friend’s daughter, I won’t make your job easy. It’ll be challenging.”
I tilted my chin up to meet his eyes bravely. The setting sun cast an orange glow on Cole’s face. I could see the beads of sweat gathered at his dark hairline. The heat between us was consuming me from the inside out.
“I’m not afraid,” I said. “I’ll do anything it takes to give you what you need.”
Cole didn’t reply. His eyes were still focused on me, scanning my face for a long moment.
“Fine,” he said, breaking eye contact finally. “I’ll take you up on your offer. Tuesday morning, you start with the other intern.” He turned to look at my mother who clapped her hands cheerfully. “Don’t ask me for any more favors, Gloria. I don’t hire random people into my company.”
“You know Violet. She’s quick to learn. I’m sure that she’ll fit right in.”
“No more business for the rest of the night,” my father said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s enjoy the weekend before Cole and Violet head back into the city.”
“I am actually going to retire for the night,” Cole said. “It was a long drive, after an even longer day.”
He shook hands with my father, kissed my mother’s cheek, and then stopped in front of me briefly. Sweat gathered in my palms. I could smell his cologne still clinging to his skin from earlier in the morning. Our eyes met, but it was difficult to read him. I couldn’t tell if he was happy, or irritated with the situation.
“I’ll be seeing you on Tuesday morning, then, at 8:00 am,” he said smoothly. “Not even a minute late, Violet.”
I suppressed a tremble at the way my name came off his tongue. I imagined it coming out of his mouth in a different scenario.
“I understand,” I said. “I’ll be there early.”
Cole nodded once before slipping out through the gate that was his original escape plan. Relief flooded me. After all this time, after all this planning, I finally had the opening I needed. That same delicious heat filled me just thinking about it.
I turned to look at my parents who were staring at each other, one happy, the other irritated. My father didn’t look pleased at all, but I didn’t want to stick around to hear his reasons. I already knew them.
“I think I’m going to head up to get a shower,” I said. “It’s been a long day for me too.”
Not giving them a chance to hook me into a conversation, I hurried across the back patio and into the airy living room, outfitted with high-end furniture and expensive decorations. The bottom floor was abuzz with energy, as I expected it to be. There was never a quiet moment in the house anymore with mom busy playing the Queen of the Hamptons. There was always a group of rich friends to entertain over cocktails and lunch.
My room was quiet and cool; I locked the door behind me with a shaky sigh. Every inch of my body was quivering with tension and excitement. The fabric of my panties was already soaked from that dark lustful look Cole had given me before realizing who I was.
I didn’t need a shower. I just need a release, and a quick one so that I could get through the weekend without the ache. Now that I’d landed a spot in Crayton, Inc., I needed to prove my determination.
Delicious pressure built up in me when I slid a hand down underneath my skirt to rub at the aching nub there. Letting the sensation build up, I closed my eyes to imagine that it was Cole standing right there in front of me with that look in his eyes while his hand moved in rhythmic circles. The way he would naturally know how I liked.
It wasn’t long before pleasure burst inside me. I bit my lip to keep myself from crying out too loudly. The last thing I needed was one of my mother’s snooping friends saying she’d heard me. I sagged against the door in relief before pulling my wet fingers away.
Come Tuesday morning, everything would be set in motion. It would all go according to plan becau
se I hadn’t missed that look in Cole’s eyes. He was interested. He just needed some pushing in the right direction, and I was happy to assist with that.
Chapter 3
Cole
“Is there a reason why we have an extra intern waiting in the lobby?”
Irritation swept through me as I looked up at Cheryl who stood at the edge of my desk. A frown tugged at her lips, and she seemed completely oblivious to the fact that I was irritated at being interrupted.
“What?” I ground out. “Two interns?”
“Yes,” she said. “Two interns. Michael Foster, who won the position here, and a Violet Summers who says that you hired her over the weekend. Sound familiar to you?”
Fuck! I ran a hand over my face. I had completely forgotten about hiring Violet as an intern to appease her mother. I knew Alan wasn’t too pleased with it. He never wanted his daughter to be in the workplace, but then Gloria had to go ahead and ask in public with everyone at her soiree watching curiously for my response.
And it wasn’t just Gloria who had put me on the spot. In part, it was the bravery that Violet showed during her speech, but also that spark of subtext under all her words. An undercurrent that I was sure I imagined. The kid got her confidence from her father.
That’s right, Cole. Kid. She’s just a kid. Still, Violet was twenty-two years old. Her father is my best friend, but she’s an adult too. An adult capable of making hot-blooded decisions if she wanted too, even though I knew deep down that Alan kept her sheltered. He meant well. He didn’t want to see his one and only child struggling with heartache.
Which was bound to happen if anything ever went down between us. Now, I was stuck in a headache of a fucking situation.
“What do you want to do?” Cheryl asked. “I only have information on Michael Foster. I wasn’t informed of this spontaneous intern.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation. “That’s because I’m doing my best friend a favor by watching over his daughter while she gets some work experience. What positions do we have open right now that she could fit into?”
“Michael would be good for advertisement or the financial department as we discussed,” she said and handed the folder over to me. “You’re due to tell them what their duties are going to be here. I’ll place them wherever you want me to.”
“And Violet?”
Cheryl shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe a personal assistant would be a good idea? I can use some back up as well. That’s my suggestion at least.”
Putting Violet away from me in the company didn’t sit right even though a rational part of me warned that it’d be a good idea. I still couldn’t get those damn toned legs out of my head, even after that mental cock block I had forced myself into. All I knew was that I had been so horny after a few drinks that Martha Myers, as Gloria had introduced her as, had been the perfect distraction. Wild fucking in the backseat of her Range Rover, my eyes shut because I wanted to picture Violet squirming underneath me in pleasure—not someone else.
The guilt had eaten me raw all weekend, so much so that I had refused to see Alan face to face. We settled on a phone call when I told him about heading into the city early because of a work crisis. ‘Just keep an eye on her,’ he had said. ‘Make sure no one takes advantage of her.’
My throat squeezed itself shut. I didn’t know how to tell him that it wasn’t a random man in my workplace that he needed to worry about. It was me.
“Bring them in,” I said. “I’ll talk to them both and figure out where they are going to go before my next meeting.”
“Right. I’ll go and get them now.”
I waited until Cheryl shut the door to my office. It was on the very top floor of the Crayton, Inc. building. It was as large as a penthouse in all reality. I could move up here permanently if I wanted, but I kept my office spacious and clean of spare furniture. This wasn’t a place I wanted to relax in.
Sighing, I glanced down at the folder with Michael Foster’s name written on it neatly. This was the Foster kid, whose rich family wanted their son to work outside of their business first. On paper, Michael would do good at whatever he wanted to do. Not just in advertising though. He’d be good in the financial department.
That left Violet floating around somewhere. I rubbed my jaw as I thought back over all my conversations with Alan that had included Violet’s goals in life. She was good at whatever she wanted to do. Having a megawatt smile, attractive physique, and flirtatious charm would also help her in whatever I told her to do.
The door to my office opened. I stood up from my chair, grabbing ahold of Michael’s folder as I did. I found my legs rooted to the ground when Violet stepped in. Those long and smooth legs were on display with her pencil skirt hugging slender her hips and ass tightly. Her white blouse was wrinkle free, but I could see a lacy and cream colored bralette through the sheer fabric. Her sun kissed blonde hair was pulled up into a librarian type of bun.
A confident smile spread across her face when our eyes met. The energy around Violet was hard to deny. Even Michael Foster, a well-dressed and sharp-looking young man, didn’t bother hiding the fact that he liked the curve of Violet’s ass too.
Jealousy surged through me. I clenched my fingers around the folder, crinkling the paper briefly before I forced myself to relax. I fixed a stern look on my face as the two of them came to stand in front of my desk.
“Good morning to you both,” I said, nodding. “The two of you have earned your spots here at Crayton, Inc. I want you both to know that I have high expectations here. From the lowest paid employee to the VP of my company, I keep my expectations high. Hard work means a high reward. Sloppy work means that you will have your ass booted out of this company before you even know what’s happening. Got it?”
They both nodded. I found my gaze lingering on Violet as her grin turned into something different. It was a hungry smile, the type of smile that said she was ready to do whatever I wanted. She was ready to please, and that aroused me even more.
“I have specific places for you both here,” I continued, tearing my eyes away. “Mr. Foster--”
“Yes, sir,” he responded immediately.
“I am going to have you in the financial department with the head of my payroll. Any questions or concerns about that?”
“None, sir. Thank you for the opportunity.”
At least his family had taught him to be polite enough despite his wealthy status. Manners were a big deal to me. I couldn’t count how many people I outed just because they were spoiled little brats wanting a free ride.
“Ms. Summers--”
“Call me Violet,” she interrupted, frowning at me. “Ms. Summers is how people address my mother.”
Michael’s mouth fell open in surprise. I stared at Violet as her cheeks burned brightly when she realized what happened.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to--”
“Mr. Foster,” I said, turning to look at him. “Go with Cheryl. She’ll show you the payroll department.”
Michael glanced at Violet, who looked down at her feet. “Yes, sir.”
I waited until he was out of my office before addressing Violet. “I know that we have close family ties here, but this is my business you’re in. Professionalism is key to a good company.”
“I know that,” she said, voice muffled. “I’m sorry. I guess I just don’t like it when people make me feel like I’m my mother.”
“It’s a respect thing. Here, you’re Ms. Summers. All right?”
“I understand, sir. Where would you like me to be?”
The innocent question instantly put my mind in a place that I didn’t want it to be in. I twisted around sharply when I felt my cock harden again. I stared down at the bump in my pants with annoyance. Getting through the work day was going to be a challenge when I was already bothered enough.
“I need a personal assistant,” I said. “Someone to take my messages, write emails, and make phone calls when I’m not able to.”
A p
leased smile spread across Violet’s face.
“That would be great,” she exclaimed, shifting in the pair of ankle boots she was wearing. “Thank you for taking me in here as an intern. I know my mom pressured you into it, but I really do appreciate your doing this.”
"You’re welcome. I hope that you’ll like working here.”
“I’m sure that I will enjoy being your personal assistant.”
I stiffened at the sultry undertone. The corner of Violet’s lips quirked up before the door to my office opened again. Cheryl’s head poked in as she gestured for Violet to join her outside.
“Get her a desk near my office door,” I told Cheryl, gladly sitting down to hide the fact that I was throbbing hard. “The usual ID cards and computer access codes along with a company phone for Ms. Summers.”
“I will get right on it,” Cheryl said, and she opened the door for Violet to step out. “Anything else?”
“Make sure to keep an eye on Ms. Summers,” I said. I couldn’t shake the look on Michael’s face as he followed her into my office. I didn’t want any other males in my building looking at Violet in that matter. “That’s my best friend’s daughter. If something happened to her, I’d never hear the end of it. He would never forgive me.”
“Of course.”
Cheryl closed the door. I listened to their voices disappear in the distance as I gripped the edge of the desk willing my body to get back under control. I needed to do something again to get rid of this tension. This was fucking ridiculous. I smoothed a hand through my hair in aggravation. This was my best friend’s daughter that I was lusting after. This was Violet Summers, the girl I had watched grow up with fatherly fondness. What the hell was wrong with me?
