by Carly White
“After you.”
She ignored the desire in his eyes and turned around, making her way to the small office. Fiona was no less peeved with him and she was trying to keep her distance. He was handsome, but he felt dangerous to her. He was the kind of man that got what he wanted and by the way he looked at her, she wondered if she was next.
“Well here it is, though I was told you already got it. The speech is yours to make and then there will be the cutting of the ribbon to start construction.”
“My father was supposed to do it, but he has fallen ill.”
“We hope he gets better soon. Tom has been a fixture here since I started working here as a freshman.”
“You don’t look much older than that, so it must not have been long.”
It was supposed to be a compliment, she was sure of it, but the way he was looking at her, it didn’t feel that way. “I graduate in April, so about six years now.”
“Oh really. What are you going for?”
“Actuary.”
Carl was surprised by her answer. He too had a penchant for numbers, but he had never met someone that looked like her, crunching numbers all day for a living. She would definitely be a stand out wherever she went.
“That is quite a career path. I can’t see many like yourself doing it.”
“Why, because I am a woman?”
“No, because you are just too feisty for that kind of work. I feel like I’ve offended you and I don’t really know why.”
“It’s nothing. It’s just men like you expect people to act differently is all. I am not used to kissing rich guy’s asses and if you had been on time, I suppose I may have been nicer.”
He whistled. “You need to get laid it sounds like.”
Carl was checking for a reaction and outrage was what he expected and what he got.
“I am not one of your groupies Sir, so if you don’t mind being a bit more professional.”
“Fine, I will. But one day you will go to your knees when I command you to.”
His words shocked her even more, but she didn’t say anything. There was nothing to say, not denial that she wouldn’t ever. All there was in response was a look on her face and a slight cast down to his pants front. Carl didn’t mention it, but it was noted, as was the way her bottom lip quivered with the suggestion.
They went over the evening and what was expected of him. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of his body and she felt her skin heating up, the silk shirt she wore started to feel stuffy. It wasn’t the man, but the confidence in the ridiculous things that he said that made her nervous. She would never do something like that, would she?
After the meeting was over, Fiona was finding it hard to stay in the small room with him. She was suffocating, the man sucking the very air out of her. He was slow to leave though, so she started toward the door, trying to let him take the hint. He didn’t, or he was purposefully being obtuse. “Was there anything else that you needed Sir?”
“Please call me Carl.”
“Well Carl, if there isn’t anything else, I really need to go.”
“Where?”
“I’ve got a date.”
“It must not be that anticipated if you waited for me.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice, now did i? You know that since your donating most of the money, I would have to take up a 24 hour vigil if need be. So now, I will have a first date without any time to get changed and dressed properly.”
Carl moved towards her mid-sentence and removed the chopsticks that held her hair up. The golden strands fell down her shoulders and he smoothed it out with his fingers. Fiona shivered, but she didn’t move away. His dark eyes held her, letting her know his intentions.
When his hands moved to her shirt, she balked a little, moving back. Carl seen it as progress more than a denial, so he just smiled. “I was just trying to help is all. No one could say no to you like that. You don’t need to dress properly. You are perfect just as you are.”
She was sure if she should be mad, but she couldn’t muster up the emotion. Fiona wanted him to touch her again, but she knew his type and didn’t want to get sucked into a man like that. He was the type that would leave her drowning in her own need, long after he was done with her.
“Thanks, but I really must be going.”
“I could give you a lift if you want.”
“No need.”
“Are you going to the gala tomorrow night?”
“Yeah, kind of have to.”
Carl moved towards her and moved a strand of hair out of her face. Her heart stalled and the breath in her lungs stilled. His hand moved towards her face and she thought for a moment he was going to kiss her. Her eyes closed as she waited, but then he moved away and she was left embarrassed and tinged red.
“I’ll see you soon Fiona. As always, a pleasure.”
Chapter 4
Fiona found herself nervous getting ready for the fundraiser. She knew that Carl would be there and though she despised men like him, always taking what they want, she had to admit there was an appeal to him. Fiona could still feel the way his hands had touched her gently and then the way she had leaned in waiting for a kiss that never came.
She was there for work. Fiona had to make a speech and host most of the evening. It would be with a lot of people, rich, powerful people, but there was only one that made her heart race just thinking about him. Fiona pushed the thoughts aside and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was up like it always was and then right before she left, she decided to keep it down.
Her invitation was for a plus one and since the date had went so badly the night before, Fiona had called on her friend Debra to go with her. Debra would go anywhere there was free boos and hot men, the fact that there were so many wealthy bachelors there probably helped her cause and convinced her to go.
“Are you ready yet?”
Fiona looked to her friend standing behind her. “Is that a new dress?”
“Yeah, you like it?”
“I actually do. It’s not what you usually wear, is there a reason you are letting the titties out to play?”
Fiona looked down and readjusted herself. They were out a bit, but not that much. “Does this look desperate?”
Debra kind of laughed and pulled the dress back down where it was. “I’d wear it to church, so I think you are safe. There is nothing wrong with showing a little skin, but there is something wrong with me not knowing who.”
“Just this guy that is donating some money for the new library expansion. He came in yesterday to look over some paperwork and I don’t know, there was just something about him.”
“Was he nice?”
“No, not at all, that’s the weird part. He was one of those guys that expects you to fawn over him or something.”
“Well there is something to be said about confidence. Men that are confident are that way for a reason.”
“There is confident and then there is cocky. This guy is really cocky.”
“I like him already. Go for it. You are already thinking about it or you wouldn’t be wearing that dress.”
Fiona knew she was right. She was thinking about it, a lot.
***
The gala was nicer than she thought it would have been. Dealing with rich people could be burdensome, but everyone was nice and seemed to be in a festive spirit. She never understood the need for such a big event to raise money for charity, unconsciously wondering if the money couldn’t be better spent with the charity. But she had to be there and though she was supposed to introduce the biggest donor later, she couldn’t find him in the crowd. Fiona found herself trying to spot him, but it never happened and when she went up on stage to introduce Carl, he materialized from the back of the crowd.
She watched him make his way to the stage and she couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. He was gorgeous and the suit fit him very well. Her heart beat hard in her chest and she was a bundle of nerves by the time he finally got up there. Fiona star
ted to walk off the stage, but he stopped her with a firm hand on her arm. Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear. “Go to the coat room and wait for me there Fiona.”
Carl turned back to the people assembled in front of him and smile, thanking everyone for coming. His speech talked about the family and his own experiences at USC. It ended with his love for the college and the need to keep one of the best free libraries open for all of those that lived nearby. It wasn’t just the library for the college, but for anyone that wanted to use it.
There was a round of applause and then another speaker took the stage. Carl had already forgotten about all of it. He was just there to do the motions, though he found himself doing more. What he was there for was the young blonde that had a sharp tongue and supple curves. She had a hint of submission in her eyes that he took as a personal challenge. Whenever he saw something that he really wanted, Carl was used to just being able to take it.
He walked slowly to the coat room at the entrance. It was quite large and one of the only private places at the moment with all the people crawling around. Usually Carl was sure about everything, but he wasn’t sure she was going to be there. It was a gamble, being so forceful so soon, but it was the only way he knew to be and a woman like Fiona brought it out in him.
Opening the door, he let out a sigh, not even realizing that he had been holding his breath. She had her back turned when he first came through the door, but it was her, she was unmistakable in the dress she was wearing. He had seen her looking around for him and Carl hoped that she had dressed that way for him especially. There was no date with her when she had come in, only a brunette that he had seen once or twice working at the library.
“So you came.”
“As you commanded.”
“Well that was a fast turnaround.”
“Yes, well I couldn’t very well say much up there on the stage, now could I? What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that I really wanted to talk to you in private.” He also wanted to see if she would come at all, but he wasn’t going to bring that up. She might walk out just to spite him. Fiona had that kind of look in her eyes when she looked at him. She was like a wild stallion, trapped and not even realizing it yet.
“Here I am Carl, what did you want?”
His plans went out the window when she looked at him with that look. “I want many things from you Fiona, but for now I would really just like a kiss.”
It wasn’t a question because he was already leaning in to touch his lips to hers. It was more of a statement and Fiona was still not prepared, even with a warning. Carl grabbed her up, pulling her towards his body with his grip on her round ass.
Fiona was caught up in the moment, the feel of his hands and mouth on her. The kiss wasn’t enough though and he was quickly pushing her back till her back hit the wall and she was pushed into the rack of coats. She whimpered against him, her body reacting before her mind could. Fiona pushed back and he finally pulled away, giving her a minute to breathe.
She was panting slightly when she looked back up to him with dilated eyes. “I thought you just wanted a kiss?”
“For now, but we need to get back out there before anyone else notices us gone.”
Fiona nodded, but she didn’t make a move. Her body trembled slightly and she could feel the sudden heat that had come over her, cooling as he moved back. “I want your panties though.”
She shook her head like she couldn’t possibly be hearing him right. “What?”
“Your panties.”
It was clear to her that he meant it and there was an instant anger from the suggestion. Who was he to suggest such a thing? “What if I am not wearing any?”
His eyes darkened and his retreat was forgotten. Moving closer, she took a step back from him. His hand came out and lifted up her dress. He saw the matching red panties that went so well with the dress and put his hand out, fully expecting her to do as he said.
“I can’t go out there with no panties on. The dress is too short.”
“I suggest that you don’t bend over then.”
There was the option to refuse, she knew it in the back of her mind, but she didn’t want to refuse. Instead of arguing or walking passed him in a huff, she grasped the sides of the thin material and jerked them down with little ceremony. “Does that get the library a bigger donation?”
He shook his head, putting the material to his nose and breathing in deep. It was slightly wet and he could feel the moisture on his fingertips. His member jerked and thickened in his pants, but Fiona was bypassing him on her way out.
Chapter 5
Fiona did not see Carl again and she wasn’t sure if he left or not. She should have been relieved that he was nowhere to be seen, but it was hard to. Fiona hadn’t liked the way he had commanded her, but the way that his eyes had closed for just a second before he had breathed her in, was enough to make her tingle in her nether regions for the rest of the night.
When she got home, she undressed and laid in bed naked, thinking about the man’s touch. What would it be like to be with a man like him, she wondered to herself. He hadn’t gotten what he wanted, but he had planted a seed that wreaked havoc on her dreams.
Every time she went to work, she looked for him, but ever since the few stolen moments in the coat closet, nothing. She wished that she had stayed, seen where it would have went or given herself more memories to take with her. Now he was gone and she knew there was no chance that she would see him again. Why would he mess with a woman like her, when Carl could literally have any woman he wanted? He wouldn’t of course. That is what she told herself to try and drive him from her mind, though it wasn’t a very successful plan.
Another week went by and she thought about him less and less. He had just been a passing hot moment in her life and Fiona was fine with that. She had other things to worry about like school and trying to find a good company to work for after she graduated. There were a few offers, but none in California where she wanted to stay. While actuary was a good career path, there were not as many openings for them and it was looking like she was going to have to travel towards home to get anything that sounded good.
“Here Fiona. This came in the mail for you. I hope it is good news.”
Fiona needed some good news and she took the envelope from her. It was large and a bit heavy, showing that there was substantial paperwork in it. With no return address, she didn’t know who had sent it, but her name was written out in printed pen. Many ideas of what it could be went through her head, but she didn’t know which one was right.
“Well open it.”
She looked up and asked how her day had been, trying to get the attention off of what was in her hand. “Oh it was fine. You should have been there, Ethel fell and her skirt was up to her chin. I swear I have never seen someone turn so red, so quickly. I almost felt bad for her.”
Fiona nodded, knowing that Debra didn’t feel bad for her in the least bit. She pulled out the small stack of papers and looked at the cover letter. She read the first few lines and it was a job offer. Running her eyes to the bottom of the page, Fiona stopped when she saw the name. Her ears tuned out her friend and she wasn’t sure what she was even talking about anymore.
“What’s wrong Fiona? Is it bad news?”
“No, I mean, I don’t know. It’s a job offer for Castroy’s company. They are looking to hire an actuary to help with management decisions.”
“Wow, that’s a huge company. What is the salary looking like?”
Fiona slid the top paper to her and her eyes widened. “Wow that is a very generous offer. I would already be on my phone accepting it if I were you.”
“Yeah, but this was the guy I was talking about.”
“Wait, you never told me that it was Carl Castroy.”
Fiona read the rest of it and started to flip through the paperwork. “Lucky bitch. Why would Castroy Inc. need an actuary?”
“Most large businesses use them to get the probabilities
for certain decisions. How is your job hunting going?”
“I’ve got something lined up, so I am good to go. I’m really glad to see that you are getting yours lined up as well. I didn’t even know you had applied with them.”
“I hadn’t. I don’t know what this is about. I can’t work for him.”
“Why? Because of a kiss?”
“It wasn’t just a kiss.” It wasn’t to Fiona anyway. She didn’t know how Carl felt about it or if he felt anything at all, but it hadn’t been just a kiss to her. To Fiona it had been something more to make her body react in such a way.
“I swear you are pining for him. You haven’t gone out. Lenny said that you would barely look at him through the date and then you took off as soon as the bill came.”
“He’s just not my type.”
“Yes he is.”
“Well not anymore.” Fiona was not looking for the easily agreeable man anymore that would do whatever she wanted. She wanted the firm hand that Carl had shown.
She sighed and put the papers down. “There is no way I can take this job anyways.”
“Why?”
“It would be wrong considering what happened between us.”
“Don’t let one little kiss keep you from a job you may love and pays really good.”
Fiona nodded and she wanted to take it, but the benefits and wage did not make her feel that way. It was the man who had signed the bottom of the letter. It was Carl that she wanted and she knew that if she accepted it, she would be agreeing to some things between them that had been mentioned before. Fiona still thought about his comment about her scurrying to her knees when he wanted. Biting her lip, she picked it back up and dialed the number.
Chapter 6
“Mr. Castroy. You have a call on line 5, says it’s Fiona Avie about a job offer. I don’t see anything that went out to her, but she said it was sent by you.”
“Yes Katie, thank you.”
“Sir, did I miss a proposal being sent out last week?”
