Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year's Eve Anthology

by Molly McLain

  “Then why?” she gritted.

  “Because after two years, I figured you’re either too passive or too lazy to demand real work, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.”

  “You were testing me?”

  “I still am. I won’t be grading you this weekend on how well you can ride my dick.” Embarrassment gave her soft looking skin a nice, red glow.

  “Then what’s the test?”

  “Eric Morris III.”

  “What—”

  “You’re going to take the lead, and you’re going to land this client.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “I’ll fire you.”

  Chapter 3

  MILA

  I wanted to scream when he uttered those three words with such conviction, but I didn’t. I saved it until I was alone in my gorgeous hotel room. I made sure to use a pillow since Mr. James ensured we had adjacent rooms. He was just on the other side as self-assured and in control as always.

  My job was on the line all because I didn’t stand up for myself sooner. It wasn’t fair. It couldn’t be ethical, could it?

  Mr. James had given me the day to relax while he attended an MMA fight, but how could I, knowing the stakes? I needed to come up with a strategy, or at the very least, search online for any open positions. I’d never even met Eric Morris, but from the emails, I could tell he wasn’t completely opposed to the idea of J&S handling his finances, but he was reluctant to jump ship from a sinking company out of loyalty and fear that J&S was too big to still have values. Family being the most important of them. Chase James was a young bachelor with no wife or kids or prospects. He also hasn’t spoken to his parents since he took over the company five years ago.

  How could I make a multi-international company and it’s CEO family-friendly overnight?

  I wanted to call Christina, but she’d only figure the answer out for me, save the day, and I’d spend the rest of my career thinking I didn’t deserve my job. Instead, I holed myself inside my room and spent the day researching the man whose wealth held my career in its little green grip.

  The next day, I still hadn’t figured out a way to seduce this man into letting us manage his money, so I made my way to the bar, and one mojito later, I gave in and called the shrewdest person I know.

  “Unless you convince your boss to get married and have a kid before the gala then you’re doomed.”

  “Chris, I can’t convince him to do any of that. I don’t even think he sees women outside of his bedroom.”

  “Hence the doom.”

  “Mila?” I swallowed my retort when I heard the familiar deep sound of my boss’s voice calling my name.

  “Mr. James,” I nervously greeted. I could hear my best friend cackling on the other end. “D—did you enjoy the fight?” He wore a white shirt that stretched tight across his muscular chest and dark blue jeans that made his long legs seem longer.

  “I did.”

  I was completely tongue-tied when he grabbed the handle of the stool next to me and took a seat. “Am I interrupting?”

  “What?”

  He nodded toward the phone still plastered to my ear. “It seemed important.”

  “You heard?”

  “No.” His frown deepened, this time with suspicion. “I saw your face when I walked in.” His gaze dropped to my second half-finished mojito. “I guess that isn’t doing the trick. Let me get you a real drink.”

  “Oh, I don’t—” He had already dismissed me and signaled the bartender. “Chris, I’ll have to call you back.”

  “You better give me all the juicy details,” she warned.

  I turned my head as far away from my boss as I could and hissed, “There isn’t going to be any details.” A quick peek over my shoulder showed me that I wasn’t as quiet as I had hoped. His grin was a little too knowing for my liking. I hung up and turned back to find a champagne flute in front of me filled with yellow liquid. “What is it?”

  I studied the drink with a distrusting eye. I didn’t think Mr. James would slip me a roofie. He had way too many offers to do something so despicable. I just didn’t know what his motive was.

  “Death In The Afternoon.”

  My eyebrows rose. “Are you dropping hints?”

  “That you should relax? Yes.” He nodded toward my drink I still hadn’t touched. “Drink.”

  “I’m off the clock.”

  He smirked. “This is a business trip not a vacation. You’re never off the clock. Drink.” He dismissed me by picking up his beer and taking a healthy sip.

  I did what he ordered because, with one conversation, he made me need it more than ever. I felt the burn of the alcohol slide down my throat and was surprised by how strong the harmless looking drink was. “Wow, that has a kick.”

  “Do you like it?” His eyes were on me again, which, with a strong drink, was a bad combination choice.

  “Very much.” I gulped down the rest of death and suppressed an unladylike burp.

  “Should I order another?”

  “No. I think I’ve had enough.” I started to rise from my seat when his hand took control of mine.

  “Why the rush?” I felt uncomfortable and hot at the same time and was afraid of the electricity that sparked the moment our skin touched.

  “I’m sorry. I have to figure out a way to woo a very rich man into trusting my boss with his money or he’ll fire me.”

  “It seems like your boss is quite the dick,” he replied. I was alarmed by his willingness to play but was already too addicted to the game to stop.

  I leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “Are you wearing a wire?”

  He slowly shook his head. “You can check if you like.”

  Oh. My. God. Were we actually flirting? “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “I think I can solve your problem.”

  I was confused now and unsure if I wanted to play. “How’s that?” Idiot.

  “Leave him.” He spoke the words as if he had to force them out.

  I stammered over my response. “L—leave him?” He’s officially thrown me for a loop.

  “You should work for someone you like. Someone who doesn’t issue ultimatums to get his way.”

  His sharp stare made me feel like I was under the microscope. “Or maybe he’s exactly what I need. He may be an arrogant manwhore, but he gave me an opportunity when no one else would, and now he’s giving me another to prove I deserve it.” If he was surprised by my reaction, he didn’t show it.

  Very quietly, he said, “Then you should get to work then.” He let go of my hand and wrapped it around the neck of his bottle, dismissing me yet again.

  I thought about the look in his eyes when I basically told him I wouldn’t leave him. I couldn’t describe it, but it made my stomach ache and took my breath away all at once. Despite my distraction downstairs, I found my hotel room somehow and closed myself inside the loneliness of my lovely room. It was safe.

  I didn’t have much time until the gala, and I figured if I was going to make an impression, I’d need to sober up fast and start getting ready. I was thinking about the sad, little black dress I found at the back of my closet when my gaze landed on the foreign object spread meticulously over the bedspread.

  I was almost sure it wasn’t there before I left, and I questioned if I somehow unlocked the wrong room. One quick glance showed my luggage in the corner of the room, confirming I hadn’t stumbled into wonderland. Moving closer, I realized it was a dress I was so afraid of and gingerly picked up the beautiful fabric that someone used to create this masterpiece. Christina would say I was exaggerating and that it was just a dress, but I didn’t own nice things like this. Ever. Christina, however, had suitors that tried to win her affections with beautiful trinkets. I didn’t envy her, but it was nice to be on the other side for once.

  There was an ivory card lying on the bed with two simple words.

  Impress me.

  I flipped the card over but didn’t find a name.
It didn’t matter. I knew who was responsible for the beautiful gown.

  A cup of coffee, a shower, and one grueling make-up and hair curling session later, I slipped the dress over my shoulders and let it fall past my thighs, then my knees, and finally pool over my feet. I slowly turned to face the mirror and sucked in air at the sight of me. Now, I didn’t want to toot my own horn, but goddamn, I looked hot. The dress had a high-neck bodice and a long slit that stopped mid thigh. I spun around and found most of my back bare. The dress began again at the top of my ass and continued down to my feet in soft waves of black material.

  I thought about the shoes I brought and pouted. They would never go with this dress, and if it wasn’t for the slit, my dress would have covered them completely.

  Maybe you should wear the dress you brought.

  It wasn’t as beautiful or extravagant as the dress Mr. James picked out for me, but it would do, and at least the pumps went with the dress…

  I took one last look in the mirror and knew I wouldn’t be able to part with it. Even if my shoes didn’t match. Turning toward my suitcase, a deep bronze box lying on the desk caught my eye. I recognized the label and almost squealed when I plucked the top from the box and saw the most beautiful black and silver strappy heels. I knew without the price tag the shoes had to set my boss back a pretty penny, but I couldn’t find the shame in me to care.

  I thanked Christina for dragging me to get a pedicure the weekend before and quickly slipped the shoes over my feet. I didn’t have much time, and while I knew most of the guests wouldn’t arrive until after the event had started, I couldn’t afford to waste any time.

  I stuck my simple yet elegant diamond studs I inherited from my mother into my ears and took one last look in the mirror. A nervous flutter started deep in my belly when I wondered what Chase—Mr. James—would think when he saw me. Would he stare or even tell me I looked beautiful? Normally, I’d say it crossed the line of professionalism, but we’ve been dancing over those lines since yesterday morning. What was one more step?

  The knock on the door startled me from my daze. I turned away from the mirror, quickly wrestled the clutch I brought to wear at the gala, and stuck my phone, lipgloss, and keycard inside before carefully making my way to the door. I was always nervous in a new pair of heels. The stems on these were sleeker and higher than I normally wore, and I prayed I didn’t embarrass myself tonight.

  There was another knock by the time I reached the door, this time louder and harder than before, and I had one good guess who was likely brooding on the other side. Opening the door, I wasn’t prepared for the vision waiting for me or the fist flying toward my face. He stopped just inches away from my face and quickly drew his hand back.

  “Oh, my God!”

  “What took you so long?”

  “What took me so long? That’s all you have to say after you nearly socked me in the face?”

  He looked ready to argue before his face softened and he exhaled. His powerful shoulders relaxing under the jacket of his tux made it hard to look away. I did a quick scan of him from head to toe while my brain was distracted trying to get my breathing back under control. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “I will be once my heart stops thinking it’s under attack.”

  He shot me a look as if I were a silly child. “You’re twenty-six years old, Mila. You’re not going to have a heart attack.”

  “I watch House, Mr. James. You don’t know that.”

  His smirk was sexy on him even if he was mocking me with it, but then he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me from the threshold before stepping close. I heard the door slam shut behind me at the same time my body recognized that he was invading my space. Our body temperatures combined was hot enough to melt the clothes right from our bodies, and I cringed when my clit jumped at the possibility.

  “What are you doing?” I gasped. He didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he backed me against the closed door and made a tsk sound.

  “I told you to call me Chase.”

  “It’s inappropriate.”

  “What’s inappropriate is you ignoring a direct order from your boss.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, Mila. Do as I say, or I’ll have to find a new way to get my point across.”

  “H—how?” Don’t be stupid, Hunt!

  His smile was dangerous, and I told myself it was pee soaking my panties.

  “Curiosity killed the cat.”

  “You’re the one threatening me.”

  “It’s a warning, Mila. Curiosity will get your pussy in a lot of trouble if you push me.”

  I almost swallowed my tongue. When I didn’t argue any further, he very slowly pulled away from me, and the more distance he put between us, the easier it became to breathe.

  “Are we clear?” He appeared completely unaffected by our encounter until my gaze dropped and found am impressive bulge that wasn’t there before.

  “Crystal.” My tone was sharper than I expected. He simply nodded and started down the hall toward the elevator. I tried to get my head back in the game but found it difficult. Mr. James—Chase—knew what tonight would mean for me if I failed. He was the one to set the rules, yet he knocked me off my feet so easily. One would think he wanted me to fail. I could no longer deny he wanted to sleep with me yet everyone knew his employees were the only women Chase James wouldn’t fuck.

  Was he looking for an excuse to fire me just so he could sleep with me?

  It was farfetched and a desperate move that no one would believe someone like him would pull. Even me.

  Whatever his true motives, the only way to beat Chase at his own game was to win.

  I’d never been to a gala before, and now I knew why. I felt like a commoner among these people. The gala was being held for a charity I’d never heard of called VetSports. It was a charity that Eric Morris III strongly believed in and donated generously to its cause.

  The large room was already filled with many guests despite the early hour, which made me wonder at the length of the attendance list. The room was filled with large round tables covered with crisp, white tablecloths and small floral centerpieces. The dance floor was made of inlaid oak, and the windows were made of floor-to-ceiling glass. Chase had mentioned something about fireworks at midnight that we’d be able to see from here. The twinkling lights caught my eye as we ventured deeper inside. Waiters, dressed in black and white uniforms, expertly moved around us. Some of them carried dessert trays, and others carried champagne trays. When a waiter passed us carrying fresh champagne flutes, Chase deftly plucked two from the tray and handed me one.

  “I don’t think I should drink anymore today.” I was too nervous, but on the other hand, the slight buzz from the champagne could give me a boost in confidence.

  “Drink,” Chase insisted. I knew by the set of his jaw and the darkening blue in his eyes that he had decided for me.

  I took a modest sip and looked away from his piercing stare. I didn’t see a sign of Eric Morris on my first scan of the room, and by my third, I figured he would arrive late like the rest of the guest list. Chase mingled with other guests while I played his shadow. Conversation seemed to be centered on the fight earlier today and the hunky champion. I excused myself to the bathroom and ignored the predatory look in my boss’s eyes when I stepped away from him. If he expected me to play his arm candy all night, tough. I set my flute on top of a waiter’s empty tray before making my way to the bathroom. There was already a line, and after ten minutes, when the champagne had begun to press against my bladder, I grudgingly figured many of them were there only to powder their nose. Five minutes later, I was able to relieve my bladder, and after a quick glance in the mirror, I gladly left the chaos of the bathroom. Had it been deserted, I might have hidden in the stalls all night.

  When I stepped back into the ballroom, I found it even more crowded than before. I couldn’t spot Chase anywhere among the guests, so I decided to move around the room. There were bars along the ed
ges of the room, and when it became clear I wouldn’t find Chase anytime soon, I made my way to one of them.

  “What will it be?” the handsome bartender greeted.

  “Just water, please. Thank you.” He moved away to fill my order while I looked around at the room admiring the other guests in their formal wear. I was secretly grateful to Chase for the dress and realized I never even thanked him for it. On the other hand, if he hadn’t created that little scene in the hallway, I might have gotten the chance.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  I found myself looking in deep brown eyes, tan skin that was slightly wrinkled around the eyes and mouth, and thick black hair that stylishly gelled for the evening. I’ve seen this face once in a photograph taken of him five years ago for a magazine piece highlighting twenty of the country’s wealthiest men under forty.

  Eric Morris ranked number five on that list.

  “Mr. Morris, a pleasure.”

  “Is all mine, Mrs…”

  “Just Ms. and it’s Hunt.”

  “Well, Ms. Hunt, I’d give every penny I have to know the thoughts running rampant in that pretty head of yours just now.” His Texan accent was thick, and I could tell he was using it to his advantage in order to charm me.

  “Oh, I’m afraid it’s better if you don’t know.”

  “Man trouble?”

  “You can say that.”

  “And that man is here with you today?”

  I nodded because it was the truth, but I didn’t understand the severity of telling the truth until he said, “Interesting. And it was Chase James I saw you with when I came in, was it not?”

  I felt my heart plummet to my stomach and a thousand denials screaming in my head. What do I do? What did I do?

  “Mr. Morris,” a familiar deep voice called.

  Oh, no.

  How could I be so stupid? Even if he hadn’t seen me, he would have found out I was Chase’s assistant. Chase cast a worried glance my way before shaking Mr. Morris’s hand.