“You know. Boys being boys.”
“I do know, but that seemed like it had a little extra on it.”
“I think it’s best if we just focus on getting that footage you requested. You mentioned you were in a hurry, so we can do that now if you’re set up and ready.”
She wasn’t in a position to argue after that.
I put on my thinking cap and gave a guided tour of the property grounds while she asked questions and her crew filmed. I was doing everything I could to focus on what she was asking, but it took every ounce of concentration I had. My mind kept wandering back to him, and what he did to protect my honor.
CHAPTER 3
Cora
Senator, can you please hold.” Mrs. Johnson leaned forward at her desk and motioned for me. “Ms. Reed. Excuse me.”
I turned sharply to my left to address the urgency of her voice. “Mr. Rossi insisted you see him immediately. He’s in his office.”
“Yes, Mrs. Johnson. Thank you.”
“Ms. Reed. He was very explicit. I wouldn’t stop to drop your things at your desk if I were you. Just saying.” Mrs. Johnson pulled her face back as if she was in a wind tunnel. Her eyebrows raised. It was the ultimate red flag that I was walking into a shit storm.
“Shut the door, Ms. Reed.”
I had barely finished turning the knob when he continued.
“Can you tell me what this is?” Mr. Rossi pointed the remote towards the giant flat screen on the wall. Adding emphasis to the press of the play button.
It appeared to be a replay of the six o’clock morning news. It was the crew from the morning before. They had featured the walk-through tour I provided them after Mr. Rossi had left the site.
“It’s the news crew, Sir. I provided them a carefully conducted publicity tour after you left.”
“Ms. Reed. Are you trying to insult my intelligence?”
I could feel my knees starting to shake. I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, hoping Mr. Rossi wouldn’t notice I was trying to steady myself. He just stared at me like an animal ready to pounce.
“No, Sir.”
“Then can you please tell me what this is? Why you took them beyond the limits we outlined for the other reporters. What this dialog is you provided them.”
“Sir, you told me to ‘handle them at your discretion.’ I followed those orders exactly.”
“Exactly? Ms. Reed, exactly means verbatim. You ad-libbed. You deviated from our carefully constructed PR push. Do you realize our investors have been calling me all morning asking me what in the hell this is?”
I felt my heart was about to explode from my chest. My pulse was through the roof. I could feel sweat trickling down my spine and beads of perspiration on my forehead and chest. My armpits felt wet. My body was in fight of flight mode. I had seen what Mr. Rossi had done to those two men the day before. If he was capable of that in public I couldn’t even imagine what he might do in private. The door was shut behind me. I was out of options. My mouth went dry and I froze up.
“Well, Ms. Reed. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.”
“You’re damn right it won’t happen again.”
The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. He just stood there. Staring at me. I felt my entire world was about to collapse. It didn’t take a genius to know what line comes after ‘it won’t happen again.’ I braced myself and waited to hear those three words. Beating out those other ten thousand applicants was about to be all for naught. All the preparation. All the hard work at college. All for nothing. And to make matters worse, I was about to have a strike on my resume from the most powerful man in the country. The man who controlled lobbyists and politicians, and to whom the very President called when he needed a host for a fundraiser dinner. I wouldn’t even be able to get work designing a prefab tree house in middle of God knows where. Fuck my life.
But then something strange happened. Something inside me turned. If this powerful man was going to take me down at least I was going to go down with my pride intact. I would stand strong and take my punishment like a woman. And just thinking those thoughts gave me a shot of adrenalin. I felt my stance strengthen, my cloudy head clear, and my mind come back to the room. I felt an inch taller. Go ahead and fire me. You can take my job, but you can’t take my pride. And I’m proud of the decision I made yesterday.
“Sir, I’m sorry. If you feel you must fire me then so be it. I’m happy with the contributions I’ve made here and I was hoping to make a lot more.” I swallowed and felt a sense of pride. I was speaking my mind as clearly and truthfully as possible and it gave me a rush. “Mr. Rossi, Sir, you are an extremely well-respected and feared business man. It’s one of the reasons I wished to work for you. One of the reasons I still do. But as much as that persona turns on some people, it equally turns off others. Lately your approval ratings with women have been down. Yesterday I sensed a chance to do something about that, so I grabbed the bull by the horns and showed them that not only is Mr. Rossi a tyrant like the media says he is, but he’s actually a responsible, caring business leader who cares about the people and the communities where he invests. And I think that piece came across that way to the entire city of New York.”
Still nothing. He just stood there sizing me up. His chest wasn’t even moving. I couldn’t tell if he was breathing, a sharp contrast to my own current state. I could feel my chest heaving and earlier when I had felt the extreme need to exercise the flight part of fight or flight, my body was now telling me that standing and fighting was the only option. And it wasn’t even an option. Mr. Rossi’s office was clearly the lion’s lair, and I wasn’t about to show fear. And after getting that little tirade of my chest I didn’t feel any fear. I felt exhilarated. If he wanted to fire me it was his loss, not mine.
“Ms. Reed, we need to make a few things clear. I never have, nor do I currently intend to run for political office. Therefore I couldn’t give a rat’s ass what my approval rating is, as you so call it. And therefore my image with the media, does not need softening up. I don’t care if the media cums, stays, lays, or prays. They can tell the story however they want, but you should know, Ms. Reed, that they would be extremely foolish to cross me, as I’m sure you witnessed yesterday. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So next time you consider my approval rating just remember, you obviously have me confused with someone else. I don’t need anyone’s, I repeat anyone’s, approval. And speaking of approval, be reminded that any outgoing statements about this company require my approval first. Your discretion is simply the manner in which you will deliver the pre-approved material which we have carefully crafted in order for each message to reach its intended targets. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Now that we have that out of the way, Mrs. Johnson has the dinner menu for Saturday evening. She needs to know your order before close of business today.”
“Sir?”
“The charity ball, Ms. Reed. You delivered one hell of a performance yesterday. We’re all eagerly awaiting your follow-up act.
CHAPTER 4
Cora
I pedaled faster, trying as hard as I could to take my mind off him. Spin class always had a way of doing that. Your blood is pumping, you’re focused on the instructor, and you feel like your whole body is on fire. Blood is rushing everywhere, except to your brain. I welcomed the lightheadedness tonight, but it never came.
Taking my mind off him wasn’t an option. It was literally impossible. The more energy I exerted on the bike, the clearer my thoughts became, and the more friction I created on the seat. I could feel that banana seat rubbing my vagina. It was hard, fast, and unforgiving. God, it was just what I wanted from him. The more I tried to forget about it, the more I thought about it. Nothing was working, and the ultimate failure would be having an orgasm right her and now.
I got off the bike and w
alked out of class. People do it, but I never had. The need to step outside and get some air. To keep going. But I had no intention of returning. Not tonight at least.
I went to the women’s locker rooms and grabbed a towel, heading for the shower. My needs immediate and urgent. I pulled the curtain shut and turned on the water. The lukewarm water of the shower head running over my vagina did anything but cool me. If I was hot before, I was molten lava now. I slid my left hand down and into the familiar position, and began pleasuring myself. Unlike some nights at home, when it seemed to take forever to fully relax and let go if I was able to let go at all, this time it was instant. One touch of my own hand sent me over the edge. I shook and felt the rush through my veins. My eyes closed and my mouth opened. My exhales were hard and my moans discreet. God what was happening to me? I couldn’t even make it home. I was getting myself off in the shower at my gym.
As I came I just pictured him. The way he held himself so firm and forceful. The way he spoke, his voice deep and deliberate. The way he scolded me for being a bad girl. I was praying he was going to punish me right then and there. Just pull a whip out of that top drawer and bend me over his knee.
Could he see how hot he had made me? He must have. My nipples could have cut glass they were so hard. The way he just stared at me. The way his words terrified me at first, and then energized me. How in the hell did he do that? Did he even know he was doing that? He must. Maybe it’s a game he plays with all his new hires. The ones he wants to torment. As much as I tell myself it’s just me, it can’t be. There has to have been other girls. But the HR records show no new hires in months, and the last few were men. Maybe he’s just going through a dry spell. Or maybe it is me. Maybe I am something special to him. Maybe he’s enjoying this. And maybe I’d like nothing more than to enjoy him.
To watch his face as he does all the naughty things he wants to me. See him thrusting above me, cumming, and then exhausted and collapsing onto me. Knowing I satisfied him completely and fully. And it would be mutual. One touch would send me over the edge. Have me screaming for more.
If the properties he builds are so extravagant, I can only imagine his own home. How he must have designed it down to the last detail. The rooms he has. The bedroom. I had to know. But first I had to get out of here. I reached for my towel and dried off. Hopefully I could make it all the way home before my libido took control again.
Dominic
I poured myself a glass of the Macallan 64 Years Old in Lalique Cire Perdue 1946. The casks were laid down in 1942, ’45 and ’46. It was the second most expensive bottle of whiskey in the world and I wanted a taste. I also owned the most expensive, but I was saving that. Until she was mine. A drink to celebrate. Together.
That Macallan was laid down during the height of the second World War. And that’s exactly what I was going through myself. A war. A battle in my head. My head told me to keep this strictly professional, but my cock that was constantly rock hard in her presence firmly vetoed that idea time and time again. My head was starting to realize my cock was right. She was perfect, in every way.
I had told her the truth this morning. My phone had been ringing like mad since the morning news report. I came up from my morning workout to find seventeen missed calls already. I didn’t even bother counting the text messages.
The questions were relentless. Who is this bombshell I have working for me? Was she trained or was she naturally this well spoken? How did I find someone who might finally soften my public perception, attracting even more investment?
But that was beside the point. Although she had performed brilliantly, she had to be reined in. I was damn proud of the way she handled herself and presented the company. It was even more impressive considering what I had just done to two of their so-called journalists. But I wasn’t about to let her start making her own decisions. Not yet at least. She needed more time to understand how I think. To become a second voice for the company. And if she only knew the things I was thinking about her and the moans of pleasure I wanted so badly to hear from her. The pleasure that I caused. Me and only me. God, just thinking about it and I was already hard again.
I took a sip of the Macallan and stared out my window. I had the best view in all of New York, but the only thing I could see was her. The curve of her back, the angles of her jawline, and that plump ass that was always perfectly on display each and every day, tormenting me. I had to have a release or I was going to go crazy.
I unzipped my fly and jerked down my boxer briefs. That fucker was already nine inches and trying for ten. I could have stacked the iron plates from my home gym on him and he wouldn’t have sagged a bit.
I took another sip of the Macallan, closing my eyes and leaning my head back. I swirled around the single malt Scotch whiskey in my mouth, imagining it was Cora’s juices I was tasting. I let them lay under my tongue before swirling them around the tip and throughout the mouth. I could taste the saltiness of her sweat. The sweat she produced from the fear inside her and the heat of passion. I could taste her sweetness, just like her sent that tormented me every day in the hallways, in my office. It seemed to float through the building, blocking all other scents out. It was the only one I could smell.
I stroked my dick harder. I didn’t have any lube, but I didn’t even need any. Seconds later I felt my core tighten as my cock erupted like a dormant volcano coming to life. I covered the window with my explosion. It looked like someone had thrown an entire bucketful against the soundproof glass. And luckily for the city it was soundproof, thus preventing the deep growl from my chest from resonating across the city skyline.
I looked down at the floor. There was a clear path of cum leading right up to the window. It was then I noticed I must have been at least seven or eight feet away. I had shot that load full, and long, and high. It had hit the glass at at least four feet from the floor. If that would have been unleashed inside Cora it might have destroyed her, or set the world record for number of babies from natural insemination.
I threw my pants in the washing machine and showered off. The water completely on cold. I slapped the marble shower wall hard. Fuck! I thought I could just bust a nut and everything would be okay for awhile. Who in the hell was I fooling? No one, that’s for damn sure. That orgasm may have moved mountains, but it left me feeling empty. An extremely poor substitute for her. Seeing her face. Kissing her skin. Smelling her natural fragrance.
This couldn’t continue. There was no point in fighting it. The man who thought he had everything in this life, had nothing. I was all for nothing without her.
CHAPTER 5
Cora
I nearly ran right through the red light. Luckily the driver from the other direction hit his horn or else I would have been T-boned into oblivion. I was happy that all I got was a middle finger, and not something a whole lot worse.
Focus, Cora.
All I could think of was the presentation I was to give Dominic. I had gone over my prepared remarks over and over again in my head, but I knew I’d have to program my words into my psyche. It’s one thing to get through my entire presentation at home in front of the mirror. It’s a whole ‘nother ballgame doing it when Dominic is in front of me. Evaluating me. Judging me. Staring at me the way only he can. He doesn’t just stare at me, he stares through me.
When I arrived at the office I heard the front door click open before I announced my presence. He was watching. He was waiting.
I walked in and immediately noticed the door to the first elevator was open. It was like he had programmed the entire building to give me every green light. Smooth sailing right before the typhoon.
The elevators were so fast and smooth. I had never been in ones like these before. Hitachi said they were the fastest ever built, traveling at over seventy feet per second.
When the doors opened, signaling the arrival at the top floor, I exited and made the walk to Mr. Rossi’s office.
It might have been nearly evening on a Saturday afternoon, but you would neve
r guess it by looking at him. He seemed to be hard at work and dressed as if he was heading to a photo shoot for Italian Vogue. His consistency was unbelievable. Always dressed to the nines. Always the right choice of words. And always intimidating and scary as hell.
“Good evening, Mr. Rossi,” I said as I stood in the doorframe to his office.
Without looking up he raised a hand and motioned me in. He pointed to a spot on the floor. I walked toward it and stood.
“Six inches to your left.”
I moved.
“Set your things down on the sofa and you can begin.”
I moved to the sofa and sat down my briefcase. The sofa was a classic Italian leather design. I had studied it in college. Over the years it had only grown in icon status.
I returned to the spot and began. I tried to focus on all the points I had prepared in regards to the Eagle Rock project, but all I could focus on was him.
Built: A Dirty Office Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants #3) Page 2
