“Have a seat.”
Clutching my pen and pad of paper, I tried to will away my blush as I padded across the rug. Trevor shut the laptop with a snap and watched me, smile not leaving his face. I noticed that when he grinned, the scar along his jaw line stretched and faded away. It was only when he was serious that it stood out in sharp relief.
“It’s been a while, Lori,” he said, seeming eager to remind me of our last encounter.
“It has.” I refused to rise to the bait and smiled back. “What can I do for you?”
“I have something that belongs to you.” He leaned forward and put his hands flat against his oak desk. They were strong and large, his fingers long and well manicured. He looked at me, blue eyes dancing as he gauged my reaction. He unlocked the bottom drawer with a key and took out my panties. My belly flustered at the sight of the familiar purple garment pinched between his fingertips. I’d thought they were long gone to parts unknown.
My face became red hot as Trevor held them out across the desk, dangling them. I leaned forward to take the flimsy scrap of fabric from his grasp, but he tugged it back. I studied his face. Impassive. I reached further and he pulled it out of range. Okay... We played this game of reach and pull a few more times. I was nearly laying flat on the desk by the time I finally snatched it from him. The position was more than a little familiar.
“Thank you,” I said, my chest dragging against the smooth finished surface as I slid back into my seat. The tightness of my nipples made me all too aware of my arousal. My heart beat erratically as I hastily balled the panties and wedged them between the pages of my notebook before standing to go, eager to return to transcription duties.
At least that’s one loose end tied up. Phew.
“Wait, I’m not done with you yet.”
I turned my head back to meet his amused eyes, only to be stabbed by icy daggers. A deep line marred the space between his arrogantly slashed brows.
He laced his fingers together. “What’s your relationship with my brother?”
I swallowed hard as I took my seat, preparing myself for his inquisition. Where was he going with this? How blunt should I be? Well, Trev, as of Friday we were having explosive sex, but I think that ship has sailed.
He continued, “I need him at a hundred percent. As you probably know, there is a lot at stake with the future of the company right now. We all need to be on top of it.”
“I didn’t know we were that close to a deal,” I said, a little startled. Would that fact be revealed to me as I continued to type the notes that Jordan gave me?
He raised his brows, seeming curious about my interest. “We just need a few key things to fall into place,” he said evenly, studying his fingernails for a moment.
“That’s why I went to a meeting in Vegas on Friday.”
“How did that go, if you don’t mind me asking?” I’d heard Susan’s side of the story, but I was genuinely interested in hearing what Trevor had to say.
His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed. I was almost afraid I’d asked. Susan had said he was in a bad mood.
“Let’s just say Hyperion and Bishop Corp. don’t see eye to eye yet.” His speech was clipped. “I’m certain they’ll come around soon.”
“I hope so,” I said sincerely.
He eyed me suspiciously. “You haven’t answered my question. What is your relationship with Jordan? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to distract me.”
Distract Trevor Bishop? That would be like trying to distract a king cobra from striking. Knowing that if he saw me as a distraction for Jordan I’d probably be canned, I decided to dance around the subject.
“Doesn’t the non-disclosure agreement I signed keep me from talking about Bishop affairs even if it’s to the other brother?” I joked, but immediately regretted doing so.
“Don’t get smart with me,” he snapped, his voice a chilly bite. I shrank in my chair. “You’re not in an elevated position in this company despite your proximity to its CEOs. Your continued employment here depends on your performance—and your ability to follow directions, like answering my question.”
I realized I had been getting too comfortable with Jordan. I had to remember the Bishops were my stern bosses, especially Trevor.
I chose my words carefully as if my life depended on it. “Jordan and I have a good professional relationship. He trusts me.”
“He looked tired today. Tell me why.”
It was apparent I wasn’t the only one who noticed. How was I supposed to know? He could’ve been up doing any number of things. Doing work...watching television...talking to Vanessa... My mind raced for an answer. “I did go with him to the Children’s Hope Ball this weekend,” I said weakly. “Maybe he’s a little jetlagged. We flew in yesterday.”
Surely, he didn’t lose sleep over me, did he?
Those arctic blue eyes that managed to be hot and cold at the same time searched my face. I squirmed in my seat; it felt as if his gaze was penetrating my soul for secrets. I silently prayed he wouldn’t see the one where I banged the hell out of his brother. An eternity passed. His expression relaxed. “Maybe that’s it,” he mused, leaning back in his chair. “Though you look as radiant as ever.”
“Thank you,” I sputtered at the unexpected kind words. A tiny thrill made the hair on the back of my neck rise. Was that the first compliment he ever gave me? Sensing an opening, I decided to take a chance. “I think it’s really great that you founded that charity. It seems like a good cause.”
Trevor blinked rapidly, looking a bit taken aback. He quickly recovered and smiled smoothly. “It is a good cause.” He paused. “I can see that Jordan does trust you. You have yet to win my trust, however.”
This was incredibly frustrating. I wanted Trevor to trust me—wanted to prove that I could be valuable on a professional level to both him and Jordan. If I didn’t, it’s back home for Lori. Sam’s words echoed in my brain: Get your boss to like you. This would be how I could advance myself—winning Trevor’s trust.
“That’s all I wanted to know. You’re dismissed.”
“Wait, Mr. Bishop,” I said, mustering my courage. “I’m interested in finding out how we could remedy this situation. I want you to trust me. I’m a hard worker. I know you’re very busy. If there’s anything I can do to lighten your load, please give it to me.”
To my surprise, Trevor contemplated my offer. He smiled in a strange way and appeared to come to some sort of decision. “I have a little errand for you to run. Think of it as a test.”
“Anything,” I said eagerly, but stopped when he held up a finger.
“It’s important, something I would usually do myself but I have to handle other things at the moment,” he said. “Considering the sensitive nature of the task, I’d expect complete discretion.”
“Of course,” I said, leaning forward, thinking this might be my big break.
“There will be no records of this,” he emphasized. “Go to this address.” He held out a plainly printed business card but snatched it back when I reached for it.
“Memorize it. Don’t write it down.” He held it out slowly where I could see but just out of reach. It didn’t have a name on it, just an address.
I repeated the cross streets over and over again in my head until I was sure I wouldn’t forget them.
He reached into his back pocket to pull out a dark leather wallet. He handed me several bills, peeling them from a thick stack inside. “The exchange will be cash only. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” I nodded emphatically. I felt a small niggle of worry. Was I about to do something illegal? Pick up some cocaine for an unstable CEO with drug problems? I didn’t want to ask. I figured I was already on thin ice.
“Once you get to this address, ask to speak to the owner. He’ll be expecting you. Tell him that you’re there to pick up the package for Trevor. Don’t use my last name.”
“Got it,” I said, standing. “I’ll do it on my lunch break.” Hopefully,
that would show him that I was dedicated to the company—willing to give up my free time to complete his tasks.
“You’ll do it now and be back in thirty minutes,” he responded.
“Thirty minutes?” I was dumbfounded and was sure I looked the part, too. That address—if I had my map of Manhattan straight in my mind—was clear across town. I’d be lucky to make it there in half an hour, let alone come back.
“I need it later today. You want to prove yourself. Here’s your opportunity.” We both looked at the clock on the wall, which showed 11:30 a.m.
“But with the traffic—”
“Tick tock, Lori.” His lips curled into a smile. “You want to earn my trust, don’t you?”
Biting back a panicked curse, I ran across the carpet, grabbing my shoes instead of putting them on.
“One more thing. Don’t look inside the package.”
My brain fired off alarms. This is SO sketchy. But I didn’t have time to argue. I darted out of Trevor’s office, making sure to close the door behind me for fear that he count that as a mistake. Could I actually make it across town and back in thirty minutes? I wanted to succeed—needed to. I had to impress Trevor with how capable I was. But he wasn’t joking when he said I’d be tested. It would be a downright miracle pulling this off.
I blew past Susan’s desk, still shoeless, not stopping to answer her question about my hurry. She knew how Trevor was. She’d piece it together.
I didn’t even care about the stares I garnered sprinting barefoot to the elevators, sliding in just as the doors were closing. Once inside, I tried to catch my breath while slipping on the shoes, repeating the address over and over again. I have to get this right.
At the lobby level, I darted from the elevator again, my high heels drumming a frantic beat across the marble floor. I hailed the first taxi I saw and breathlessly gave him the address.
“And step on it, please,” I added. “There’s a big tip for you if we make it back here in thirty minutes.”
“Thirty minutes?” the driver asked dubiously. “I don’t know if that’s going to be possible, young lady.”
He swerved out into traffic, earning us a lot of angry honks and curses. “I do like a challenge, though.” He cackled.
I grinned at my luck in choosing a driver and replayed the instructions in my mind, eager not to mess anything up.
“Now, are you sure that’s where you want to go?” the driver said. “I don’t know if that’s the right place for a nice young lady like yourself.”
“I’m running an errand for someone. That’s the address he gave me.”
“If that’s where you want to go, that’s where I’ll take you.” He floored the gas pedal to propel us through a yellow light.
I watched the city zoom by on the other side of the windows. I silently urged every light to stay green, every car to get out of our way, and for the driver to break a few laws to help me impress Trevor.
We were already fifteen minutes into the commute when we were caught by yet another red light. The driver and I groaned at the same time.
“We’re so close.” He pointed his finger. “Look, it’s just at the next corner.”
“What is it?” I asked, squinting to see the sign. “Can you see it from here.”
“Sure can. It’s Sexy Sophie, right there with the pink neon.”
Sexy Sophie? I didn’t have time to mull that one. “Meet me right out front,” I said, throwing open the door and bounding onto the sidewalk. “Keep the meter running!”
I sprinted for it, darting past pedestrians. I arrived at the shop breathless, clutching a sweaty wad of bills. Bright neon piping outlined the sign, flashing on and off with a buzz. The window of the store featured lewd posters and a number of mannequins clad in what could barely be called underwear. A couple of them sported strap-ons.
“A sex shop?” I wondered aloud before pushing in the door. Instead of a customary ring to notify the workers I had entered, an electronic sexual moan worthy of a porn award echoed throughout the shop. I blushed wildly as I looked around for someone to help me, trying to ignore the shelves of sex toys, costumes, and things I couldn’t even put a name to if I tried.
What the hell am I doing here?
“Can I help you?” a portly gentleman with frizzy hair asked.
“I need to speak to the owner,” I said quickly. “I’m in a huge rush.”
“I’m the owner, Bob,” he said. “What can I do for you, honey?”
“I’m picking up a package for Trevor.” Despite my panic, the right words somehow tumbled out of my mouth. “Please, please hurry.”
“Right away,” Bob said, bustling to the counter. I followed him anxiously and watched as he retrieved a large brown paper bag presumably containing the precious item. “That’ll be eighty dollars even, doll.”
My hands trembling, I thumbed at the twenties until I had the right amount.
“Thank you,” I said, grabbing the bag, which was unexpectedly light, and making a run for it.
“Enjoy.” I only faintly heard the owner say the word, as I hurried out the door, leaving a round of sex moans behind me.
Outside, I was relieved to see my taxi waiting. I jumped in the back and we took off with a screech of tires and the smell of burned rubber, outraged honks dissipating in our wake.
“Are we going to make it?” I asked, checking the car’s clock. Oh my god. It was already 11:46.
“With the way traffic was, I’m not sure what I can guarantee,” the driver said. “I’ll do my best, though.”
“Thank you.” I sat back, trying to slow my pounding heart. I really didn’t know if we would make it back on time. I shuddered to think what Trevor’s reaction would be should I fail him in this.
Having nothing else to do except brew in my anxiety, I eyed the nondescript bag next to me, confirming that I did in fact have it. Curiosity began to present itself.
Don’t look in the package. Trevor’s last words haunted me. Perhaps it was the stress or the ridiculousness of the whole situation but the rebel in me decided to rear its head. If I went through all this trouble to get this stupid item for him, surely I deserved to know what it was. One little peek wouldn’t hurt...besides it’s not like he’d ever know I looked...
A loud honk snapped me out of my temptation. I came this far. It’d be a shame to screw up now.
Before long, we pulled up to the front of the Bishop building, the past few minutes a complete blur. I quickly handed the driver a few large bills, the equivalent of ten times what I had pay and glanced at my cell phone. I had five minutes left.
Immediately after the driver said “Goodluck”, I raced up the steps toward the building entrance, dodging the occasional person here and there. Just as I reached the top, my heels snagged on the last step and I tumbled to the ground, the bag flying several yards in front of me.
“Jeez Lori, are you all right?”
I scrambled to find my feet, purposely ignoring whoever called out. I didn’t have time to chat.
“Let me help you with that.”
Just as I spotted the box that had tumbled out of the paper bag, two masculine hands scooped it up.
“Give it to me!” I cried frantically, like a mother crying for her child.
As I snatched the bag from the ground, the hands offered the box to me. I hastily dropped it inside the bag, feeling absolute dread that the contents might have been damaged. I sped through the building to the elevators and punched the button. A ding sounded and I silently thanked the gods that there was already one waiting for me. Although I had made a mental note on my first day that the elevators were fast, the ride up to the twenty-sixth floor felt agonizingly slow. As soon as the metal doors opened, I tore across the building, ignoring Susan on my way as I arrived at Trevor’s office door.
My phone indicated I had a whole thirty seconds left to spare. Overcome with joy, I prepared to knock in triumph. Suddenly, an image flashed through my mind of Jordan handing me the box. On the co
ver was an explicit rendering of a woman inserting an enormous pink object into herself. Big bold letters at the top read “Dr. Frankenstein’s Butt Stuffer”.
My hand flew to my mouth.
What. The. Fuck.
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The Bishop Affair (Dominated by the Billionaire Brothers - Part Four) Page 5
