Fighting For Her
Page 3
She jumped out of the chair and stood before making her way out of my office, closing the door behind her.
Heather was a great assistant, she understood how I worked and kept me and my schedule in order, but she was one of those women who loved to talk about everything. I’d always chalk it up to the fact that she didn’t have a lot of friends because I kept her so busy at the office, so I always tried to listen to her; but sometimes it was worse than nails on a chalkboard, today being one of those days. I wanted nothing more than to get into the office and work on real work, needing a distraction from the way I’d left things with Reagan the other night.
I’d been sitting on a conference call for the past two hours about a new condominium that was being developed in Atlanta when a call came through to my cell phone. I glanced down at it and saw Reagan’s name flash across the screen. I pressed the decline button while pulling up my calendar to pencil in a time to call her back when I realized that my calendar was slammed all week.
A few moments later my text message alert sounded and I opened the text from Reagan.
Give me a call when you get a minute, please.
Glancing up at my calendar, yet again, I shot back a response.
Really busy this week, you’ll have to call my assistant and make an appointment.
Not thinking anything of it I sent the message, knowing this was the best way for her and I to finally get together and talk, hell maybe even go out on that date like we’d promised Addison.
Less than ten minutes later Heather was ringing my office relentlessly, to the point that I had to place my call on hold and pick up, “What Heather?”
Her voice shot back quickly, “Hello Mr. Conrad, you have someone here to see you.”
I took another look at my calendar for the third time in the past fifteen minutes, “I’ve got nothing on the schedule, do they have an appointment? I’m really busy today.” Aggravated I awaited her response.
“Well, no, there is nothing on your calendar, but she says you’ll see her regardless.”
“She?” I asked curiously.
“Yes, her name is Ms. Larson”
A faint grin splayed across my face for less than a moment, “Send her in.” I clicked back over to my conference call, “Gentlemen, can we wrap this up, I’ve got a meeting that I need to get to?”
The head architect began his final thoughts just as the door of my office slowly crept open, almost as if someone was trying to sneak in unnoticed.
Reagan’s body emerged from behind the door and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She appeared to be frozen in place for a second and I took full advantage of it, scanning her from head to toe. The tips of her cheeks were flushed crimson red and I could tell by her rigid stance that she was nervous, but clearly trying to hide it. Her breast rose up and down with the deep breaths she was taking, slowly, in and out. My body temperature began to heighten as I imagined sliding every piece of paper off of my desk and having my way with her right then and there, for everyone in my office to hear.
Still on the phone I pointed to the chair for her to sit. She shook her head no, instead placing her purse down and making her way toward the grand windows that made up the exterior of my office. Her blatant disobedience heated my body even further and I hid the grin that was tugging at the corner of my mouth.
I wrapped up my call and placed the phone down on the receiver silently, taking in Reagan’s perfect silhouette standing before me. Her tight black pants hugged her hips flawlessly and her blouse was just sheer enough that I could her bra peeking out in the sunlight, leaving nothing to the imagination. A flashback of me ripping her out of her clothes the first night I met her shot through my mind, adding intensity to my arousal.
After a moment of gawking I cleared my throat to gain her attention, “So, what brings you to my office?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Reagan’s tiny body spun around like a tornado and in an instant she was in front of my desk, steam practically pouring from her ears, slamming her hands down on my wooden desk as she leaned over it and peered into my eyes like she wanted nothing more than to rip them out and discard them in my trashcan.
I laughed inwardly, knowing if I let it escape my throat she’d probably try to kill me. Instead I lowered my voice to a deep growl and gave her the same look she was giving me, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, you’ve seen where it will get you.”
Reagan pulled her hands from my desk hastily and crossed them over her chest, forcing her perfect tits up even further for my viewing pleasure and then she proceeded to yell at me, trying to remain in control of the situation, “You want me to make an appointment to talk to you?” She demanded over my desk, clearly irritated with me.
My body leaning back in my chair I clasped my hands together behind my head and watched as her eyes scanned over my muscles. Oh yea, she may be pissed, but she’s not ready for this to end, I thought before answering her question.
“Yes, I’m busy. Usually, if someone needs to see me that is what they do, they call my assistant and make themselves an appointment.”
Rage filled her eyes, for the umpteenth time since I’d met her and I watched as her hands flew into the air while her voice rang out in a mixture of hatred and disappointment, “Oh, so I’m just like the rest of them, I need to make an appointment to see you? You know what; I shouldn’t have even come here. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
She spun around making her way to my door and I knew I needed to either lose the tough guy, I can have any girl I want attitude or be content with her walking out of that door and never coming back.
I slammed my hands down on top of my desk so hard that twinges of pain shot up my forearms, “Damn it, Reagan, what do you want from me?” I demanded. I had to know what her intentions were. Did she really have some kind of feelings for me or was this just a game we were both playing?
I watched as her shoulders slumped and she glanced down at the floor, probably trying to figure out what her response would be. Lifting her head slowly, she looked into my eyes and the words staggered out of her lips, almost as if she was scared to tell me what she wanted, “I...I’m not sure, I just thought, well, we told Addison we’d go out and I guess I just figured we should probably get it over with before they get back.”
Anger took hold of me. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I wasn’t some charity case that needed her to do me any favors, “So that’s it, you just want to go on our date, so we can get it over with?” I asked. Pissed that this was all it would amount to, her and I appeasing Addison and nothing more.
Concern took hold of her face when my words hit her, “Well, no, that’s not what I meant.” I watched her as she turned and walked back toward the windows. She looked defeated and in that moment I realized that maybe I’d read her wrong, maybe she did want something more, she just didn’t know how to tell me.
Crossing the room I made my way over to Reagan and lifted my hands, resting them on her shoulders. I knew if she pulled away it’d be done, but much to my surprise she relaxed and my stomach clenched in excitement.
Wanting to touch more of her body I allowed my fingers to lightly trail their way down her delicate skin, finally finding their place directly on her perfect hips. Assessing her facial expression in the reflection of the window I decided to pull her body in closer to mine, molding them together.
I was surrounded scent of fruit mixed with sugar. The mixture of her natural scent colliding with her perfume had me aching to lean in and taste her, but I knew we needed to sort things out first. So, I asked her exactly what I wanted to know, “What do you want, Reagan? I’m not a mind reader; you’ve got to tell me.”
My hands gripped her tightly as she inhaled deeply. I was standing there, frozen in anticipation of her answer as I held my breath. And then, as if the Heaven’s opened up and handed me everything I wanted on a silver platter the word “you” rolled off of her tongue. Fireworks burst from my chest and I knew I needed to lock my office do
or, because I was about to devour this woman standing before me.
I turned and crossed the room in a few giant strides. Closing the door, I twisted the lock and made my way back to her just as she pivoted to face me, passion flaming in her big brown eyes. Her hands fluttered as she lifted them toward me, taking my face between her palms, “I want you, Cole. I’ve wanted you from the minute you touched me in the bar the night of Addison’s bachelorette party.”
There was nothing else I needed to hear, Reagan was the first girl I’d wanted in my bed for more than one night and she was telling me she wanted the same thing, hell, she wanted more. She wanted to be with me and only me. My body moved as she used all of her might to push me backwards. The back of my legs slammed into my chair and before I could sit all the way down Reagan jumped onto my lap, straddling me as her fingers tugged at my hair.
My body was on fire as she peered down at me and all I could think of was what’d happened to the timid woman who’d been standing before me moments earlier. I’m not sure where she’d disappeared to, but I was glad that in this very moment she was long gone.
Reagan’s body leaned into mine, pressing herself further into me. Her tongue darted out and trailed over the length of my jaw, stopping just below my ear. Whispering seductively she begged for permission, “Is this ok?” I couldn’t even begin to form a response, so instead I just moaned in sheer pleasure, hoping she’d take that as an all access pass to do whatever her little heart desired.
CHAPTER SIX
After being rudely interrupted by my mother earlier in the day at my office Reagan and I had practically been forced into dinner with my parents. Pulling out of Reagan’s driveway we headed toward The Bellevue for dinner with my mother and father, all the while I was admiring how beautiful she looked sitting next to me in the passenger’s seat.
Reagan glanced over toward me and I reached across the center console to grab her hand, bringing it up to my lips. She smiled at me and then began laughing, “I cannot believe your mother caught us earlier, I was so embarrassed. I hope she didn’t say anything to you father, but most importantly, I hope it’s not brought up tonight at dinner.”
I couldn’t help but smirk as I leaned over and kissed her hand again, “You’re fine, I can assure my mother won’t bring it up.”
We pulled up to the hotel and hopped out of the car, quickly making my way toward Reagan’s door. Opening the door I reached for her hand to help her out, just as James, one of our valet attendants, hurried over to me, “Good evening, Mr. Conrad.”
I greeted James as Reagan looped her arm through mine and leaned in, whispering toward me, “They know you by name, huh, frequent customer?”
I smirked, ignoring her question before entwining my fingers with hers, leading her through the lobby and up to my parents’ penthouse.
My father greeted the both of us at the door and we were quickly bombarded by my mother, along with a glass of wine for Reagan and a beer for me. Wanting to spend some one on one time with Reagan, my mother insisted that my father and I go relax in the study before dinner.
Reagan’s eyes grew instantly and I could tell she was nervous. Trying to calm her nerves I placed my hand on the small of her back and leaned in closely toward her ear, “You going to be okay?” Reagan nodded as I kissed her cheek, “She’s harmless, I promise.” The concern was still lingering in her eyes, but I knew my mother would be on her best behavior.
The crunching of leather filled the room as my father took a seat in his brown leather chair that was adorned with gold studs. Crossing his leg, he reached for the latest edition of Golf World and began flipping through the pages. “Tell me son, what’s different about Reagan. Your mother insist that she is the one, she’s been going on and on about it since Casey’s wedding.”
I let out a light chuckle before sitting on the adjacent couch. Lifting my beer I took a long drag and then answered my father, “Obviously it’s too soon to know if she’s the one, but I can tell you this much, if I had to pick tomorrow, out of all the women I’ve been with, she’d be the one, hands down.”
My father peered over his black rimmed glasses and then went back to his magazine, “Well, I just hope you know how important it is to protect yourself. Your mother and I would love nothing more than to see you settled down, but we by no means want to see you taken advantage of. You’ve worked so hard to build your empire and we want to ensure that it is well taken care of.”
I shook my head at my father, he loved me and I knew he only wanted to protect me, but sometimes he was just ridiculous, “Look Pops, I know what’s at stake and I’d like to think that I built this empire you speak of by making good decisions, not by allowing people to screw me. My career has nothing to do with my relationship with Reagan or my love life, hell, I’m not even sure we are in a relationship at this point. I just know I want to be around her, get to know her better. If things go further than that then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
My father nodded his head and I knew that was the end of our Reagan conversation and I was glad. I didn’t need my parents trying to get involved in my love life. Did I just say love life? Shaking my head I downed the entire contents of my beer bottle and took to my phone, answering emails from earlier in the day. There were a slew of incoming messages from my assistant, Heather, but one in particular caught my attention.
Cole, please be advised that your calendar is very tight this month and there is no time for distractions. You’ve got several big projects coming down the pipeline and I want to ensure that you are fully prepared. I’ll see you tomorrow; maybe we can discuss your upcoming projects over lunch? Respectfully, Heather.
Confused by her tone, I re-read the email more thoroughly this time, noticing it was sent shortly after Reagan left my office. Typing up a quick response I looked it over before pressing send.
Heather, thank you for your concern, but it appears that you’ve forgotten who’s in charge of Conrad Developers. I know exactly what is coming down the pipeline and I don’t need you worrying about my “distractions”. Please continue to do the job I pay you for and nothing more.
Thank you, CC
It may have sounded harsh, but I didn’t need yet another person in my business, so I wanted to squash that before it even started. I stood off of the couch and excused myself as I made my way out toward the balcony. Peeking out onto the balcony I noticed it was empty so I came back inside and hollered, “Mom, Reagan, where are you both?”
My mom leaned from around the corner of the kitchen, tasting from a spoon that had just been dipped into some sort of sauce, “I’m in here honey, Reagan is in the restroom.”
After tossing my empty beer bottle into the recycling bin I opened the fridge and reached for another. The carbonation shooting out from under the bottle cap filled my ears as I popped the top on the bottle. “Mom, this smells delicious, can I help out with anything?” She shook her head, “Absolutely not, but you may want to go check in on Reagan, she’s been in there for a while.”
I set the bottle down and made my way down the narrow hallway toward the guest bathroom. I knocked lightly on the door and it creaked open just a bit; noticing the light was off I shoved the door open and saw nothing but an empty bathroom. Not even a second later my phone vibrated and I pulled it out of my pocket, it was Reagan.
I had to run, please apologize to your parents for me. There was an
emergency at the office that I had to handle asap.
Not thinking twice I dialed Reagan’s number. It rang two times before sending me to voice mail. Did she just ignore me? I made my way back into the kitchen, “Mom, I’ve got to run, Reagan had an emergency at work and had to take off. I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to go check on her, make sure everything is alright.”
Worry took over my mother’s face, “Is everything okay? She didn’t even say goodbye.”
I silently cursed her in my head for bolting without any word and then went back to my concerned mother, wrapping her in my
arms and placing a kiss on the top of her head, “I’m sure everything is fine, she probably just had to get back to the office, they’ve got a really big hearing coming up and it looks like there was a last minute emergency. I’ll be sure to keep you posted. If it’s not too late I’ll swing by on my way upstairs.”
My mother squeezed tightly around my waist and pressed up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek, “Go. Make sure everything is fine with that young lady. I really like this one, Colton.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I grabbed my keys and headed downstairs toward valet.
James got my car in no time, opening the door for me to hop in I stopped him, “James, did you by chance see the young lady I was with earlier?”
James nodded, “Yes sir, she left not too long ago in a cab. I’m sorry, I didn’t think to ask where she was going.”
I patted his back in thanks before pulling the door closed behind me, taking off toward downtown while I dialed her number only to be ignored, yet again.
Knowing Addison and Case were on their honeymoon I decided to interrupt them regardless. I called Addison and it rang three times before she answered, her voice radiating through the phone.
“Cole, how are you, how is Reagan, have you taken her out on a date yet? Me and Case are having such a wonderful time on our honeymoon, in fact right now I am lounging on a private beach, naked!”
I let out a loud laugh that shook my body, “I’m glad you both are enjoying yourselves, but I really didn’t need to know you were naked. I just need Reagan’s address, what building is she in downtown and what floor?”
Addison squealed, “Are you going to surprise her? She loves getting flowers delivered to the office. Make it extravagant, Cole. She’s a high dollar attorney and the ones she works with will know cheap flowers when they see them.”