Tempt The Boss

by Madison, Natasha

  Now, I’m in the car on the way to the party. I get there right before six, leaving my car at the valet. Walking the red carpet, I see the media setting up and wave at a couple of reporters I know. Opening the door, I walk in, and I’m speechless.

  I see Scarlett, the event planner, walking up to me.

  “So, what do you think?” she asks as I take in the room. There are dimly-lit chandeliers everywhere, casting the room in a sexy glow. White roses are placed around the entire space in mirrored vases. All the tables have a little lamp that looks like a martini glass is filled with little fake diamonds that are the lights. Once the overhead lights are turned off, they’ll give an almost intimate lighting effect.

  “It’s really sexy.” I watch the wait staff getting into their position.

  Chris walks over to me, wearing a suit without a tie. “Didn’t Scarlett do good?” he asks.

  “She did.” I look at the door and see John coming in. He’s wearing a custom-made black suit with a black tie. Dani walks in wearing a black dress, followed by Barbara and Steven, who are both dressed to the nines.

  “It’s so beautiful,” Barbara says. “This is my favorite one yet.”

  I look around taking in the booths. There are buckets set up at each one for bottle service. “You guys go reserve a booth now so we don’t go crazy later.”

  When I turn back around, my heart skips a beat as I see Lauren walking in. She looks breathtaking.

  She is wearing a coral-colored jumpsuit. It dips down dangerously low in the front and comes up to wrap around her neck, leaving her shoulders exposed. I’m watching her look around when I see the valet guy running back in, calling her name, and she turns around to greet him. With her hair tied up on top of her head, I can see that her back is bare all the way down to her waist. As if that isn’t sexy enough, there is a slit on the side of each leg running up from her ankles to the tops of her thighs, giving a good view of her toned legs. She’s got on a sexy-as-fuck pair of gold stilettos with fake diamonds on them that I would kill to have digging into my back later. A simple pair of diamond earrings finish her look.

  When she walks over to us, I can see her pant legs swish around her with each step, giving me a peek of her legs. “Sorry I’m late, I took an Uber,” she explains, and I rake my eyes over all of that exposed, silky skin.

  I just stand here, taking her in. The need to grab her hand and claim her as mine is a war I’m internally waging with myself.

  “Holy shit, Lauren, you look amazing,” Dani exclaims when she comes back over to us after reserving a booth. “I love this color on you.”

  “Thank you so much. Oh, look, there’s Barbara. I’m going to go say hello.” She walks away, and we all watch her go. And we aren’t the only ones, either. The wait staff has all taken notice of her. The bartender spots her saying hello to Barbara, and he makes a beeline over there, giving her a fake smile and talking to her. She tosses her head back and laughs at whatever he said, and my blood boils.

  I make my way over to her side just in time to hear her order herself a lemon drop martini. “I’ll have whiskey on ice,” I tell him right before he walks away.

  “Can I have a word please, Lauren?” I ask her.

  “Sure, but I didn’t get my drink yet. How about later?” she says while she talks to Barbara and ignores me. She stands next to Barbara, talking, so I lean on the bar next to her, hoping that me being this close is throwing her off her game.

  The bartender puts the drinks on the bar in front of us.

  “Shall we toast?” Lauren asks. “To new beginnings and to letting go.” She smiles at Barbara, who winks at her and clinks her glass. Both of them sipping and smiling as I take my whiskey and down it in one shot.

  “Picture time,” Scarlett announces.

  “Picture time?” Lauren asks next to me.

  “We always take a group picture before the opening of the club for the wall,” Barbara explains.

  I grab her hand in mine, our fingers intertwining as I walk us over to the red carpet where the photographer is waiting.

  She tries to shake her hand free, but I don’t let her. I take my place in the middle, next to John. I let go of her hand, bending down to whisper in her ear, “Don’t fucking move,” I tell her through clenched teeth. “Not one fucking inch. Don’t test me.” She rolls her eyes at me.

  We spend the next forty minutes snapping pictures. Finally done, we walk back inside and each grab a champagne glass, with which we toast our hard work.

  I drink my glass watching Lauren watching me. I smile at her, watching her eyes dilate, knowing she wants me just as bad as I want her.

  I walk over to her. “You look beautiful.” I rub her cheek with my thumb. “Come home with me.”

  Her eyes on me are smiling. She steps closer to me, then her eyes go over my shoulder and she stills. Her face changes, her smile is gone, her spine is straight. “Jake?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  LAUREN

  I knew showing up tonight dressed like this was going to cut him at his knees. I’ve never felt as sexy as I do in this outfit.

  But I’m not the only one dressed to kill. Austin is in a custom-tailored navy blue suit and a crisp, stark white dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and no tie. Silver cufflinks rest at his wrists next to where his name is monogrammed and his silver Patek Philippe watch peeks out. Polished brown Ferragamos—what can I say, I’m a shoe girl—complete the whole package, and what a package he is.

  I tried not to watch him from my spot at the bar, but I saw him heading my way out of the corner of my eye. When he grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, I knew I would be going home with him. Well, that and when he told me not to fucking move. I was almost tempted to move just to see what he would do.

  Looking at him while we toasted, I was so proud of everything he did. I watch as he walks over to me. “You look beautiful,” he tells me while he rubs my cheek with his thumb. “Come home with me.” I step closer to him, ready to tell him I’d go anywhere with him. Smiling at him, I glance over his shoulder for one second, and that one second changes my night.

  My smile fades, and my spine stiffens as anger rushes through me. “Jake?”

  Jake walking in with Camilla on his arm brings me back a bit. I didn’t attend many of his functions when we were married, because there was always something going on at home.

  Austin turns to see what I’m staring at, watching Jake and Camilla walk toward us, his hand holding hers. “What the fuck?” he says under his breath.

  I don’t have a chance to tell him everything I need to.

  “Hey, Lauren, what are you doing here?” Jake asks when they stop in front of me.

  “Um…” The words stay lodged in my throat.

  “She helped make tonight happen,” Austin answers for me, putting his hand on the exposed skin at my lower back. “Austin Mackenzie.” He offers his hand to shake Jake’s.

  “Jake Watson, Lauren’s husband.” He shakes Austin’s hand.

  “Ex,” I say, gulping down the rest of my champagne. “Ex-husband.” I look to Jake and then to Camilla. “Gabe’s former teacher. Lots of exes in the room.” I laugh nervously.

  “Oh, wait.” Jake snaps his fingers. “Are you the Austin who took the kids skating?”

  Austin grabs champagne from a passing waiter and hands it to me before he places my empty glass back on the tray. “That would be me. We took the kids out last Friday. They had no school.”

  “Are you two dating?” Jake asks, surprised, his eyebrows going up.

  I don’t know how to answer this. We’ve never really discussed the status of our relationship. Having sex, yes, driving each other insane, yes. Dating, um… it’s complicated. “We are,” Austin states. “If you’ll excuse us, I see someone we need to say hello to.” When he grabs my hand, I nod at them and follow him wherever he takes me.

  He walks over to a couple who just walked in the door. From the shouting that wafts in and the flashing came
ras, I know it’s someone important. “Cooper,” Austin greets, raising his hand to him.

  The couple walks over to us, and I can’t help but stare at them. The man is huge and gorgeous, obviously not as gorgeous as Austin, but still mouth-droppingly handsome. Austin lets go of my hand to shake his friend’s and bringing him in to hug him. “Asshole,” Austin says. “Good to see you,” Cooper replies with an easy smile at him.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Plus, we get to spend the night in the hotel, where I plan to take full advantage of Parker.” I look to the woman at his side who just rolls her eyes.

  “Please, he’s all talk. Lately, he falls asleep before the twins.” She laughs at her husband.

  “I’ll show you falling asleep,” he tells her, then turns to look at me. “This man has no manners. Cooper Stone.” He reaches out for my hand. “This is my wife, Parker Stone.”

  Austin laughs at him. “This is the guy I used to play with in college. He’s now retired and playing Mr. Mom.”

  “And loving every fucking second of it.” He leans down to kiss Parker’s lips.

  “So, how did you two meet?” Parker looks at me.

  “I’m his PA.” I take another sip from the champagne.

  “Are you the one who turned his testicles the size of boulders?” she asks me, laughing. “I saw the picture.”

  I grab the glass with both my hands, laughing as well. “How is it everyone saw this picture but me?”

  “Oh, I can send it to you. I think it’s Cooper’s screen saver.” She laughs at Austin, who is groaning next to me.

  “I’m going to fucking kill Noah.” He puts his hands in his pockets. I don’t get a chance to say anything else, because there is more yelling coming in from outside, and the camera flashes are going crazy again.

  “I guess Matthew has arrived,” Parker says to the group, and we don’t have to wait long before the door opens and in comes Matthew.

  He’s got black hair that is parted on the side, a bit longer on top and shorter on the sides. His slim-cut black suit is cut perfectly for his frame. His dark gray shirt is paired with a shiny black tie. With the way his jacket hangs open, showing off his muscular chest, it’s plain to see that he spends a fair amount of time in the gym. “Matthew!” Parker shouts, waving him over. He looks over his shoulder and sees Parker waving. He gives her a big smile and turns to guide himself and the woman who is by his side over to us.

  They start to head this way, zig-zagging through the crowd, which has grown, and occasionally stopping to say hello to people on the way.

  “Hey, Mom, Coop,” he greets them both with a hug and kiss for Parker. “Where is Karrie?” He looks around for whom I assume is the woman he walked in with.

  The blond woman is talking to a man who is kissing her hand and laughing with her. She looks amazing in her figure-skimming white dress. The top is off-the-shoulders with sexy little sleeves that cling to her biceps, and the dress hugs her in all the right places as it tapers down her thighs to stop just above her knees. Her thick hair hangs loose around her bare shoulders. Matthew spots her and walks right up to her, grabbing her hand, completely unfazed that the other guy is still holding her other hand.

  Right before they get to us, she pulls him to a stop and says something to him. He leans down and kisses her on the mouth, and it’s not just a peck either. No, that’s a kiss one gives their lover, the kind of kiss that you feel all the way down to your soul. When he finally lets her go, he takes her hand and closes the distance to us.

  “Well, that settles that,” Cooper murmurs as he sips the beer that the waiter just delivered to him.

  When they make it to us, Parker smiles at the girl and greets her. “Karrie, you look beautiful.”

  Cooper looks her up and down and smiles at Matthew. “Good luck, son.” Matthew glares at him.

  “Austin, this is my girlfriend, Karrie.” Matthew pulls her into his side with a hand around her waist.

  “I’m not his girlfriend. I’m his chaperone.” She holds out a hand to Austin and then to me. Austin and Cooper both bust out laughing at Matthew’s glare at her.

  “I’ll show you a chaperone.” Matthew stares at her, and she glares back at him.

  “Good luck finding me,” she quips. “I don’t have to be with you until next week.” She tries to pry his fingers off her hip.

  With that, he laughs and grabs a beer off the tray from the waiter who is walking past us. “Try to run. I dare you,” he challenges her. “Remember the last time you tried that.” He takes a pull of his beer. The memory must be something, because her cheeks turn pink.

  “Lauren, do you dance?” Parker asks when Rihanna’s “This is What You Came For” comes on. I nod my head and then down the rest of my champagne, handing the empty glass to Austin.

  “I love to dance,” I say, while the guys all groan.

  “Let’s go get a booth,” Matthew says. “The dance floor looks cramped.”

  “I’m going to dance. Who is coming with?” Karrie heads for the dance floor, not even acknowledging Matthew’s comment. Parker follows her, and I follow Parker.

  The three of us find a spot on the dance floor, where we are joined by Dani. The four of us are moving to the beat of the music, hands in the air, hips shaking. Singing along with the music as it changes from one song to another.

  I don’t know how long we are out here, but I can’t help but notice that a group of guys has circled us and are trying to cut into our group. The lights dim, with the glow of the chandeliers softly lighting the room.

  I look around to see where Austin is, and I don’t have to look far. He’s standing at the railing, looking down at us with Cooper on his left and a woman hanging on his right side. She is wearing a red one-sleeved lace dress that is very tight and very short. Her hands are wrapped around his arm, while she whispers in his ear.

  “I’m going to get something to drink,” I inform the girls and then head over to the bar. I stand at the side of the bar, trying to get the bartender’s attention, but there are so many people.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I hear from my side. I turn to see Jake there, alone. I look left to right and try to find Camilla.

  “I’m getting myself a drink.” I lean one arm on the bar to take the weight off my shoes.

  “I meant, what do you think you’re doing with that guy?” His hands go to his pockets, and it’s then I see that he’s gained weight around his stomach.

  “I really don’t understand your question, which is none of your business for that matter.” The bartender finally comes over.

  “What can I get you?” he asks.

  “Two shots of tequila.” I look to Jake. “What are you having?” He shakes his head no to the bartender.

  “You can’t possibly be serious about this guy. He has player written all over him,” Jake chides, while the bartender puts the shots down in front of me.

  I down a shot, pressing my lips together as the liquid burns all the way down. I look back at Jake. “You can’t judge a book by its cover, Jake. After all, you didn’t look like a cheater, yet that is what you are.” His mouth tightens into an angry, grim line. I take the next shot and tell him, “You don’t get a say about who I date. Not now, not ever.” I look back at the railing and see that Austin isn’t there anymore, and neither is the woman who was hanging all over him. My heart sinks, and my stomach is burning with devastation.

  Camilla chooses that moment to find him. “I couldn’t find you anywhere.” She leans into him and kisses him, putting her hand on his face. The big round diamond can’t be missed.

  I look at them both, while the bartender places another shot in front of me. I quickly down that one before looking back at them. “Congratulations on the engagement.” I point to her hand. “Excuse me,” I say, trying to walk past them, but Jake stops me by grabbing my arm. I raise a brow in question as my eyes look from his hand on my arm to his face.

  I don
’t get a chance to say anything further before we hear a roar from behind me. “Get your fucking hand off her before I break every single bone in it.” I look over my shoulder to see Austin’s angry face glaring at Jake.

  Jake loosens his grip on my arm, and I snatch it back. “Good luck, Camilla. You know what they say, once a cheater, always a cheater.”

  And with that parting shot, I walk away from the three of them to make my way to the bathroom.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  AUSTIN

  We stand upstairs above our booth, looking down at the four women dancing, the four of us watching closely.

  What the women don’t realize is that they are attracting attention—a lot of attention. Cooper is next to me, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes narrowed practically to slits. Matthew stands next to him, growling every ten seconds, and I wouldn’t be surprised if steam started pouring out of his ears. The only one calm about all this is John, who is leaning against the railing, looking at us. “Suckers.” We all turn to glare at him.

  Cooper leans forward. “Um, you mind explaining what you’re doing with Karrie?” he asks, turning his head to Matthew.

  “Nope. She’s mine.” He sips his water. “She’s just fighting the inevitable.”

  “She left you once. What makes you think she won’t try it again?” Cooper asks.

  “I handcuffed her to my bed for four days.” He smiles at the memory. “I dare her to try it again.”

  “You know that’s kidnapping, right?” Cooper grins.

  “Would you let Mom leave?” he asks him, knowing full well that he wouldn’t even let Parker leave for four hours. “Just get on a plane and take off for God knows where?”

  “I hope you used comfortable cuffs.” Cooper laughs as he looks back down at his woman.

  “Exactly,” Matthew states. “Now, I’m going back down there, because I’ve given her enough space.” He walks down the stairs and onto the dance floor, going straight to her. He moves in right behind her, his hands landing on her hips as he brings her closer to him. She doesn’t move until he whispers something in her ear, then her arms move up his chest and around his neck.