No Choice

by Steele, C. M.

We got to the office quickly, too quickly for me, but here went nothing. Tim took me to the front desk where they gave me a badge with my name on it.

  “Miss Cromwell, you’ll be able to get in and out of all parts of the building as Mr. James’s assistant. Welcome aboard. If you need anything, let us know,” said Carl, the head of building security.

  Tim escorted me up to the top floor and into the executive suites. The building itself was neat and beautiful, but the executive offices were ten times more physically inviting.

  “Wow,” I whispered.

  “Yes, these are nice. This is where most of the meetings are held.”

  “Did she decorate the rooms?”

  “No. It was done by the building architect and his team—I know what happened is still in your mind, but you have to the let it go or Cam will send you home, then be completely worried about you.”

  “I know. It’s just that this is where she came to fantasize and plot to be with Cam. I’m going to be okay.”

  “Good, because here comes Cam.” I turned and saw him coming our way with a big-ass smile.

  He walked right up to me, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me deeply like we hadn’t seen each other before he left this morning. Not that I was complaining, but I still looked around to see if we had an audience.

  “Hey, baby. Welcome to James Investments.”

  “Thanks, Cam. Should you be holding me like this?” I asked, his arms still around my waist.

  “Relax, sweetheart. We’ve got a meeting, and my team is waiting in the conference room down the hall to meet you.”

  “Cam, I’ve got a few errands to run. I’ll be back around three for our meeting,” Tim said before leaving.

  “Okay, I’ll see you then.” He turned back to me and handed me a notebook planner that had his schedule in it for the next two weeks, but nothing before.

  “Everything is normally kept on the computer, but the detectives took it for evidence. I’ve been too busy to think about it. You can go over my schedule while I take a call in the office after the meeting.”

  He grabbed my hand and walked me down the hall as we waved goodbye to Tim. We’d just gotten down the hall when he pinned me to the wall and his mouth was on me. He pulled back and rested his head on my shoulder as we tried to catch our breath.

  “Fuck, babe. I no idea how turned on I’d be with you here. By the way…that outfit is nice and sexy, but I don’t think you can help it.” He kissed me lightly before dragging me the rest of the way down the hall.

  Surprisingly, we entered the conference room before they sent out a search party.

  If she didn’t think I saw the look on her face when she walked into the suites, she was way wrong. My Natalie looked frightened, and I needed to ease that fear. I kissed my woman hard, partly to ease her anxiety and partly because I was psyched that she was here. It didn’t help that the suit she had on fit her like a second skin. It wasn’t slutty. In fact, it was more like the opposite, but it didn’t matter because I was rock hard for her and damn if she didn’t have the top two buttons undone on her white blouse.

  The meeting went by really fast. When I first dragged her in there, she was nervous as hell and it was noticeable to all the staff. Of course, I didn’t just introduce her as my temporary assistant, but as a future part owner of this company, and my future wife. As the boss, it was my right to have my wife come work here since the company would be hers too.

  Everyone was affable and businesslike with Natalie. She won over the group without even trying. She’d made a simple suggestion about a monthly celebration to honor employees and their achievements as well as their birthdays. It would be celebrated at the end of the month after the reports were due in my office. That way, it wouldn’t interfere with anyone’s schedule.

  I smiled at her several times, which didn’t go unnoticed by the staff, seeing as she was sitting by my side, and I had to turn to her to look at her. I got a couple of grins and lighthearted jabs when they were walking out, but all in all they were great to my woman.

  I walked her back to my office, where there was a desk right outside my door. I pointed to it and said, “This, sweetie, will be your desk. Although it really doesn’t matter because most of the time you’ll be in here.”

  “No wonder she went crazy over you. She spent a lot of time alone with you.”

  “Don’t be jealous, babe. You’ve got no reason for it. Besides, I want you in here, whereas with her, I got her out of my office as fast as I could. I didn’t let her in on every conversation, not that she didn’t listen in, it seems. However, you, as my wife, will have stake in the company and therefore have the right to listen into all my conversations that aren’t about you.”

  “Oh my. I forget that I’ll be your wife soon.”

  “Damn. I think about it every day, and here you forget.”

  “That’s not what I meant. I’ve been planning this wedding every day. Of course I know I’m marrying you. It’s who you are that I forget about. The rich and prominent businessman running a multi-billion dollar company. Now, I’m a part of it. It’s a little unnerving.”

  “You’ll get the hang of it, Nat. I trust you,” I replied honestly before stealing a peck.

  “Come, sit down, and just listen in on my call. You don’t have to pay attention. You can focus on that schedule I gave you.”

  I took the conference call that lasted about two hours, and I let her listen in. She looked at the schedule and had everything memorized before the end of the call and gave me some notes to help with the call. For her first day, she was doing well.

  I had a meeting with Tim, so I gave Natalie a brief tour of the building, then a small project of writing up the notes I took during the call. Thankfully her computer was set up by the time I gave her the assignment.

  “So tell me, did you find anything else to nail her on? I want this bitch locked up for life, or I may have to bury her.”

  “No, her place had already been gone through by the police, and it was very thorough. I did go and pick up the items you requested and dropped them back off at your parents’.”

  “Thanks. What about the houses? Did you find any that would suit Natalie and me?” I didn’t have time to look at the houses that I’d narrowed down before her graduation for me and Natalie. He’d sneakily asked her certain things, and so did Van.

  “Actually, Vanessa and I looked at four of them for you, but one of them is off the market.”

  “Then why did you look at it? Was it pending sale?”

  “No because Vanessa fell in love with it and demanded I buy it for us.”

  “Thanks for that. Why couldn’t you leave the brat at home? What if Natalie would’ve loved the house?”

  “Then you should’ve took her yourself to see it. Finders keepers, man.”

  “Whatever. So did you grab the information?”

  “Yes the file is at the house as well. I didn’t want her accidentally seeing the file.” The man was smart and sneaky. I didn’t know if I liked those qualities in a man for my sister, but the man loved her.

  “Great. I’ll take a look at it once I get home. Did you schedule the viewings already?”

  “Yes. You’re booked for all day Saturday.”

  “Any news on my attempted murderer?”

  “Only that the police do believe Crystal’s statement that she had nothing to do with your cut brakes, and I agree,” Tim said with a sympathetic shrug.

  “Great, so I’ve got several crazies after me. First the brake cutter, the last fuck, and the former assistant.”

  “Sorry, man.”

  It was a long week, and I didn’t know how he did it. I think temporary was a good idea. It was finally Saturday, and Cameron said he was taking me somewhere special today.

  “Is it a hot dog stand again?” I said to be a smartass.

  He gave me a grimace before growling, “Don’t be a smartass. I was told that you’ll love it.”

  We drove twenty minutes from his parent
s’ and about an hour away from Seattle and the office. He pulled up to a three-story brick mansion. I thought maybe we were going to have a lunch here, but no, he answered my question, or rather the realtor did when she made her appearance.

  We were house shopping. Inside, I was jumping up and down with joy. It made this whole relationship and wedding more real to me. I still couldn’t believe a man like Cameron James wanted to marry me, but I wasn’t going to argue it.

  Cameron and I looked at three houses, or rather—mansions. I told him we didn’t need that big of a house, but he argued me right out of it after kissing me stupid, weakening my defenses.

  “I told you I plan to have you swollen with my babies. I want a baseball team, sweetie. We’re going need a place to house them all.”

  All I could do was nod in agreement. His love for me was a constant wonder to me.

  It was the second house that I fell madly in love with, and so that was the one we would purchase. It had twelve bedrooms, and of course he teased that we must fill it up with the James baseball team with a couple of relievers. It sat on a hill with an unobstructed view of Seattle and its garage was nearly half the size of the house—that appealed to Cam. Like most men he loved cars. There was plenty of space for children to run around and play, but it also was gated off with a guard booth at the front entrance for added protection, something both of us truly liked.

  Time was flying by so fast, I didn’t even realize that I was about to get married in a week, and I’d missed my period for the first time in my life.

  Chapter 13

  “Hey, chickadee, when does your flight land tomorrow?” I asked my best friend. I couldn’t wait to see her. She’d been there when no one else was.

  “I should be there about noon. Are you picking me up?”

  “I don’t think so. Cam has a morning meeting that he needs me to take notes for.”

  “Working before the wedding—seriously? I’ll just catch a cab then?”

  “He’s got to catch up on a lot because of his injuries and everything that took him away from the office. You won’t need a cab. Simon, Cam’s older brother, will pick you up. You remember what he looks like?”

  “Yes, a lighter version of Cameron.”

  “Good. I’ll let him know when your flight lands. I’m so excited you are coming. I can’t wait!” I squealed.

  “Me, either. It’s been too long,” she said sadly.

  “Yes, we need to see each other more,” I chimed in just as the brothers in question appeared right in front of me, so I had to hang up.

  “Emmy, I’ve got to go. I think I’m in trouble with the boss for taking personal calls.”

  She laughed at me and said, “I’ll call you if my flight changes. If not, I’ll see you tomorrow!”

  “See ya,” I said as I hung up with a smile, then looked up at the men.

  “Personal calls, Miss Cromwell. What am I going to do with you?” Cameron asked with lust coating his words.

  Simon laughed, and I knew he was thinking about the gym. I caught the outline of Cameron’s cock through his trousers, and the gym came to my mind as well.

  “Whatever you please, sir,” I purred and licked my lips, earning me a grunt and a scowl.

  “So what time am I picking up my future bride?” Simon chimed in, intentionally interrupting us.

  “Noon,” I replied without taking my eyes off my man’s pants.

  “Good. You didn’t tell her about all our private conversations, did you?” My head jumped up at his question.

  “No, Simon. I promised I wouldn’t,” I said with a tilt of my head.

  “Good, then she doesn’t know she got me hooked.” He sheepishly smiled before he stole a Starburst out of my candy dish and dashed away. He took an orange one too, my favorite—damn asshole.

  “So, Mr. James, I’m sorry.”

  “No, I don’t want to hear it. Please come in my office, Natalie,” he snarled. I got up with my head bowed in shame, but a huge grin on my face. I wondered what he was going to do to me.

  I barely made it into his office before he slammed the door shut and pushed me against it.

  “Whatever I please?” he said as he ground his hips against mine and undid his tie. I just nodded as he took the tie off without unknotting it and slid it onto my neck. He pulled on it to tighten it and dragged my face to him.

  “I don’t like this outfit you chose to wear today, my dear. Stop licking your lips. You are not getting any of my cock in here,” he said as he rubbed his finger against my lips. “That’s for the outfit. I’ve been hard since you got into the office this morning. Do you know how hard it is to make important decisions when all I can think about is being inside of you?”

  “I’m…”

  “No, I told you. No, ‘I’m sorry,’” he said with a sadistic grin. He let go of his tie for a brief moment just to undo his pants. I watched as he let his beast out for my eyes. Cam stroked himself and looked up at me with a raised eyebrow.

  “The call I could let go since it was important, but you’ve got to make this outfit up to me,” he whispered in my ear before dropping to his knees and lifting up the hem of my short skirt, sliding down my panties. He sniffed my pussy before kissing my mound, then forcefully spreading my thighs. He ate me out until I was about to come, then he teasingly pulled away. He walked me back to his desk, which he cleared with little care as to the papers on his desk. Then he pushed me down onto my back and onto the wood surface.

  After unbuttoning my blouse, he opened it harshly to reveal my bra-covered breasts. He looked down at the mess he made of my clothes and smiled. “If only I could make this a picture in my office, but then again I’d never get anything done,” he hissed, then licked his lips.

  “You better not,” I said in outrage as I looked at my nearly fully dressed fiancé, disheveled and outrageously aroused.

  “I don’t want anyone seeing you unclothed, so you never need to worry about that,” he snarled.

  Grabbing hold of the tie in one hand and his cock in the other, he pushed his way into my depths. I cried out, but before a sound could be heard, he used the tie to pull me to him and captured the scream with his mouth. He rode me hard against the desk, our flesh slapping together until we were both coming hard.

  That was the best day at the office either of us had.

  I was already looking into a male replacement for Natalie as my assistant. I couldn’t have another day like today. I spent the whole morning with her pussy on my mind and the rest of it with it on my tongue, and it still wasn’t enough. I sent her home right after I fucked her roughly because there was a shitload to do before the wedding tomorrow, and I would’ve taken her again.

  Everything was ready for tomorrow, and I prayed that my attacker would decide not to make an attempt at me or Natalie tomorrow. Crystal was locked up awaiting trial, and Courtney’s fate was sealed last week. My plan had been in motion since I spoke to Tim the morning after I got my girl out of another man’s clutches.

  Every time I thought about the sight of her in his arms, I thought about how Courtney was the reason she left me. Yeah, I’d had a small part in the mess, but she wouldn’t have left me if she didn’t believe I cheated. When I found out she was virgin and that jackass ex almost got what was mine, my mind thought of more evil things to do to Courtney.

  Courtney had been a huge coke sniffer, something I didn’t learn about until I left her, so I knew how to destroy her. My goal had only been to get her blacklisted because to her that was worse than death, but she’d taken her punishment to a whole new level.

  There had been a tip put out on her supplier just as she was to get her next batch. She’d been arrested, and her parents bailed her out. It couldn’t be kept quiet because I wouldn’t let it. It was known, and she lost all her circle as well as the people she’d tried to mingle in with mine. I was happy with her social demise, but her dumb ass decided to take it to a new level. She went to a new supplier, and their shit had some potent stuff i
n it. An hour later, she was in the ER in serious condition after crashing into the concrete barrier on the highway.

  Last I heard, she’d need a year or so of therapy to walk again. Karma was a bitch, just like her.

  Those were just my own demons, but Natalie had her own. We hadn’t heard anything from her parents since that one call, but the report I got yesterday told me a lot. I wasn’t going to tell her before the wedding because this was supposed to be our happy day.

  Hopefully they weren’t aware of the wedding, but I really doubted it since they had her number and knew that she was living with me. That stupid bitch Crystal, after hearing my conversations with Nat, called Nat’s mom and gave her all the details she could. I understood why they didn’t warm up to the idea of anyone else for her to marry besides George Foley.

  She told me that she hadn’t spoken to her mother and sure as hell wouldn’t have invited her, so we should be okay, but I was feeling like tomorrow wasn’t going to go as planned. I drove home, anxious as hell.

  When I got home from the office, Simon was drinking a beer in the kitchen, something he never did. “Bro, what’s up?”

  “Nothing…” he huffed, then took another swig of his beer before looking back up at me. “Fuck. It’s her, man. I got really hung up on her from one encounter, but according to Natalie, she didn’t really remember me or even ask about me.”

  “She was busy that day and full of excitement. Just win her over. You’re good looking, smart, and one hell of a guy. She’ll fall for you.”

  “Do you know if she’s bringing a date?”

  “No, she’s coming alone. Nat did tell me that Emmy isn’t dating anyone one.”

  I understood his feelings. I’d been there before, twice. The first time was when I saw her, then the next was when she left me.

  “Bro, just get some sleep. You need to be at your best.” He nodded his head and dumped the beer down the drain.

  “How did you handle it?”

  “The first time was easy, though at the time I didn’t think so. I learned everything I could and didn’t give her a choice about us. We were together, and that was it.”