by Aya Mai
Speak of the sun, and it shall appear. Grayson came waltzing in, light on his feet. His eyes screamed fire, and his lips whispered sin. Speak of the devil was a more accurate saying in Grayson Montgomery’s case.
Ava looked down on the manuscript in her hands, only looking up to come face to face with a stunning blonde. Why did Grayson’s authors always have to be stunning, model lookalikes. Instead of shrinking down in her seat, Ava faced the bull by the horns and sat up straighter, giving Amber Dawson a pleasant smile.
Grayson’s eyes penetrated her skin as he sat down next to her, his leg grazing her bare one. She should start wearing pants to work, skirts and dresses were becoming dangerous clothing options when Grayson was in her proximity.
His heated gaze burned her. The sensation got so bad Ava looked over at Grayson, using her eyes to ask ‘what the matter was?’.
His eyes zoomed in on her makeup-covered throat where she knew his marks were. He had given her hickeys and left plenty of other marks on her flesh, forcing her to spend fifteen minutes trying to cover them up to the best of her abilities.
‘’Makeup,’’ Ava whispered under her breath, her fingers on instinct tracing the area where his marks were located.
She didn’t look over at Grayson, but she could hear him grumble displeasingly before regaining his professional business exterior.
‘’Miss Dawson, please have a seat. I’m Grayson Montgomery, the one you’ve been talking to regarding publishing your book. And this is Ava Campbell, she’s joining us for our meeting. She’s the publishing director of CPH,’’ Grayson explained, officially starting the meeting. His voice sounded strained and a bit on edge. Ava couldn't decipher if he were mad, sad, or annoyed. It sounded like a mix of everything.
‘’Please, call me Amber. If we are to work closely together, I think being on first-name basis would be best.’’ Amber looked at Grayson, laughing in a high-pitched voice that Ava automatically hated.
‘’Alright, Amber. First of all, we love your book,’’ Grayson said, looking over at Ava, who in return narrowed her eyes at him. He had loved her book. Ava hadn’t even read it. She had no idea what she was even doing here.
‘’Thank you so much for saying that,’’ Amber cooed, batting her eyelashes, reaching over the table to place a manicured hand on Grayson’s forearm. It was like Ava wasn’t even there. She was invisible to both of them, which made her let out an annoyed huff under her breath.
‘’We would love to publish it,’’ Grayson continued, carefully yanking his hand out of Amber’s reach. ‘’Isn’t that right?’’ he asked, looking at Ava expectantly, wanting her to back him up.
She had an insane craving to tell them both no, that CPH wouldn’t ever publish anything Amber Dawson wrote, but that was mean and childish. Ava knew deep down that Amber was only here because Grayson thought her book good enough to publish.
‘’We would love to publish it. It’s truly a great book,’’ Ava said, telling a little white lie. She hadn’t read it, but for better or for worse, she trusted Grayson’s opinion on the book. He was one hell of a businessman, and so far, every book he had pointed at had been a success.
‘’I emailed you the contract last night. What do you think of it? Do you have anything you want to discuss?’’ Grayson said eagerly, smiling sweetly at the young blonde, who didn’t stand a chance against Grayson Montgomery’s charms.
Been there, still doing that, Ava thought.
The meeting went on and on. Grayson and Amber talked about the book and the contract. They talked about what areas to change, and what Amber as the author would be expected to do, and what she could expect CPH to do for her. The young woman was eating up every single word that left Grayson’s mouth. He was a sight to behold in a conference room. He was a businessman through and through.
Ava boldly and gently placed a hand on Grayson’s bouncing thigh. Instantly, his leg stopped moving, and the stream of words leaving his mouth ceased. Ava smiled arrogantly. The fact that she had that kind of effect on the great Grayson Montgomery was a welcoming confidence booster. She removed her hand, which kick-started his and Amber’s conversation again.
When the meeting was about to reach its end, Grayson’s warm hand landed on Ava’s naked leg, right above her knee. Ava inhaled deeply, knowing Grayson’s touch better than her own. His fingers clamped down around her thigh, digging down into her flesh.
She slowly tried to move around in her seat so as not to draw attention to herself. Ava gazed over at Amber, who was busy ogling Grayson, and then she snuck a peek at Grayson from the corner of her eye. The scoundrel seemed unfeathered by his actions. He was sitting in his chair, completely relaxed, casually chatting with Amber, smiling charmingly at her while his hand moved further and further up Ava’s thigh. She coughed, but the pair didn’t react, so she coughed again. This time louder.
Grayson turned toward Ava, his smile screaming sin and delinquency. ‘’Are you alright, Ava? Why don’t you take a glass of water?’’ Grayson asked, pointing toward the glasses and the water that was neatly placed on the table.
‘’No, that’s okay. I’m fine.’’
‘’Suit yourself,’’ Grayson muttered, turning his attention and his two blue orbs back on Amber.
The blonde goddess and probably former cheerleading captain didn’t spare Ava a glance. Her entire attire screamed pom-poms, scrunchies, and glitter. Calm down. Stop with the mean thoughts about an innocent woman. It wasn’t Amber’s fault that Ava was… What was she anyway? What was she feeling? It couldn’t be jealousy, could it? No way. Ava didn’t do jealousy. She never got that involved with a man to develop jealous feelings.
The hand on her leg moved further up. She could feel Grayson’s expensive cufflinks scratching her inner thighs as his fingers reached up to touch her holy grail. She saw Grayson smirk with satisfaction and victory when he felt her wet panties. She was soaking wet. Ava wanted to yell at Grayson, but at the same time, she also wanted to wrap her legs around his hand and never let it go. Ava was a church mouse that had fallen for the evil, demonic cat. It was playing with her, but the worst part of it was that she liked being played with.
As quickly as the hand had appeared as quickly did it disappear. Grayson stood up and followed Amber to the door. The woman didn't even bother to say goodbye to Ava, she was completely enchanted by Grayson. She was a bird eating out of his hand. Typical.
Ava gathered her papers and took a glass of water when she was finally alone. Unfortunately, her solitariness didn’t last long. Grayson came barreling through the door with a big, goofy grin on his face.
‘’That was a success!’’ he exclaimed, clapping his hands together in front of him.
‘’Congratulations,’’ Ava replied, rolling her eyes at him.
‘’You did good,’’ Grayson said in a low, seductive voice, coming around the table, sitting next to her, his arm moving around her shoulder.
Ava clenched her hands into fists, she wouldn't let the charming scoundrel of a cat wrap her around his paw, at least, not right now.
‘’What exactly was I good at? My job or spreading my legs for you?’’ Ava spat, standing up, wanting to get the hell away from Grayson’s penetrating stare, scent, and personality.
‘’What’s that supposed to mean?’’
‘’Well, I couldn't possibly have done anything good regarding my job during this meeting considering I literally didn’t do anything. You talked to Amber the whole time, neither of you bothered to even look at me. You could easily have handled the meeting on your own. I did nothing but waste my time!’’
‘’Calm down,’’ Grayson mumbled, raising his hands in surrender. He had guts, Ava gave him that. He was a brave man for saying the two words all women hated the most to hear when they were upset.
‘’Go fuck yourself, Grayson. Or better yet, go fuck Amber. Cheerleaders always go for quarterbacks, don’t they?’’
‘’I’ve no idea what have got you so pissed, but don’t be so s
tereotypical when it comes to cheerleaders and quarterbacks.’’
‘’Are you saying that I’m lying? Because I recall you telling me all about your amazing high school years as a star quarterback during our date last night. Remind me again, who was it that you were dating? Oh wait, I remember. Cheerleaders.’’
‘’So you do consider last night an official date then?’’
‘’Is that seriously all you got from that?’’
‘’I was trying to impress you last night,’’ Grayson exclaimed. ‘’I was a damn good quarterback, and yes, girls flocked around me. At least until I got stupid and totaled my car in college, destroying my knee and my football career.’’
Both Ava and Grayson were panting heavily. Ava’s head was spinning out of control. She never could seem to catch her breath when Grayson was around.
‘’I don’t need for you to impress me,’’ Ava said lowly, hanging her head down. ‘’I just want to be respected.’’
‘’What do you mean?’’ Grayson touched her jaw, lifting her head, securing a loose curl behind her ear.
‘’I’m a businesswoman among businessmen. I constantly need to be twice as professional as any man. But even when I act the part as a brutal businesswoman, I don’t get respect. I only get called a cold-hearted bitch.’’
‘’That’s not true. Nobody thinks that of you.’’
Ava ignored Grayson’s comment and pulled away from him, out of the devil’s reach.
‘’If a man is found to be loose around the office, he’s a champ. But if I, a woman, let my hair down and is found out, then I’m nothing but a slu…’’
‘’Don’t say that. Don’t finish that sentence.’’ Grayson took a step closer, and in return, Ava took another step back.
Grayson’s normally gleeful eyes turned sad and fearful. Ava wanted so badly to wrap her arms around him and whisper in his ear that everything was going to be okay, but she couldn’t. She needed to be professional. Anyone could come stumbling through the door at any second.
‘’If I let loose during office hours, people would instantly lose their respect for me. Hell, my reputation could be at risk if I started wearing skirts considered a tad too short according to social norms. It wouldn't matter what my last name is or how good I am at my job. All everyone would see is a short skirt with her legs spread wide. I need to be professional at all times. I need this job. I love this job. Therefore, I can’t do this with you right now.’’
Ava had said her piece. She thought it would make her feel good and lighter, but it didn’t. It only made her feel sad. She attempted to move past Grayson, but he grabbed her arm in the process, yanking her against his body, his mouth breathing hot air into her ear.
‘’I’m sorry about the meeting. I shouldn’t have done what I did. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t see things from your perspective. I just wanted…I just needed to...’’
Ava made the mistake of looking up into his blue, expressive eyes. His unspoken words hung silently in the air. He had just wanted her, just needed to touch her. She nodded her head at him. She knew exactly how he was feeling. She had wanted the same thing. But just because you want something, doesn't mean you should take it. Just because you want to do something, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do it.
‘’I need to head to my office,’’ Ava said, looking straight ahead, avoiding Grayson’s eyes.
‘’What about tonight?’’
‘’What do you mean?’’
‘’Are you coming to my office?’’
After a long moment of silence, Grayson whispered a quiet please that made Ava tremble. She knew what she should say, but the word seemed lost to her mouth.
‘’I don’t know,’’ Ava muttered, leaving Grayson alone in the conference room. Why hadn’t she just said no? Why hadn't she ended things with him once and for all? Because she didn’t want to. With that thought haunting her mind, she barricaded herself in her office.
****
The office was quiet. Elaine had left her desk and gone home hours ago. Ava was busy reading a note over and over again, her head kept dropping down and her eyes closing. She was so exhausted she could fall asleep standing up. She should have gone home hours ago, but a light coming from the office located across the open office space had kept taunting her, stealing her attention.
Behind the light, she knew Grayson was there, waiting for her to come to his office as she usually did. But not tonight. Ava was ending it. She was ending them or whatever they were. She just needed to witness Grayson walk past her office and to the elevators, leaving her. Then she was done with Grayson effing Montgomery.
Another half-hour passed, and then she heard it. She heard Grayson moving around in his office, turning off the lights, closing his door. Ava was suddenly wide awake again as she braced herself for whatever emotion she’d feel when she saw Grayson leave.
She saw his frame, but to her surprise, it wasn’t walking past her open office door, it was standing still, leaning up against the door. Whatever she had expected to happen tonight, this wasn’t it. Maybe Grayson had some parting words for her that he wanted to get off his chest. That seemed logical.
‘’Are you done?’’ Grayson yawned.
‘’What?’’
‘’Are you done with work for today?’’
‘’Well…I do need to go over a few more notes.’’
‘’I don’t care. Come on,’’ Grayson exclaimed, nearing her with firm steps, yanking the papers out of her hand, grabbing her wrist, pulling her to him.
‘’What are you doing, Grayson?’’
‘’I’m taking you home with me.’’ Grayson sounded so matter-of-factly that it took a second for Ava to comprehend his words.
‘’Excuse me?’’
‘’Listen,’’ Grayson exclaimed, her body still leaning against his, his tired eyes roaming over her face. ‘’You didn't come to me, so I’m coming to you. And I’m going to take you home to my place where I’m going to feed you and then fuck you. Okay?’’
Say no, Ava. Say no. Say no. Say no.
‘’Okay.’’
Ava should curse out her weak will and grow a backbone that wasn’t made out of Jell-O, but her answer made Grayson exhale in relief and his eyes glinting with mischief again, and for some strange reason, that made Ava smile.
Chapter 5 - Grayson
The sun was rising. Grayson looked at his watch again, it was time for work or else Ava was going to be late. He didn’t want to wake her, she was finally sleeping peacefully in his arms, her curvy body warming his.
Grayson placed a soft kiss on her cheek, nuzzling his nose into her hair, inhaling her strawberry scent. Ava moaned and twisted in his arms, her ass hitting his morning wood.
‘’Well, it’s a good morning for you,’’ Ava grumbled, her voice heavy with sleep.
‘’Indeed it is,’’ Grayson replied, wrapping his arms around her waist in a firmer hold. If he was lucky, she wouldn't notice the time and storm off.
‘’What time is it?’’
Grayson groaned, of course, she would ask him that. ‘’It’s still early, we got plenty of time, sweetheart.’’
Ava stilled in his embrace. He just knew she was about to call him out on his bullshit. She grabbed his wrist, her gaze zooming in on his watch, letting out a scream when she saw the time.
‘’Still early? Plenty of time?’’ she shouted, running around his bedroom naked, picking up her clothes they had successfully scattered all over the place last night.
Grayson rested his back against the headboard, his hands twisting together behind his neck, his eyes following the beautiful creature that was flushed red and spewing annoyed words at him. Damn, she looked good. His morning wood was going to be a problem that Ava wasn’t going to help him with, but after she had gone to work, he would award himself with a shower, letting his hand wrap around his cock while images of Ava went through his mind.
A white blouse hit him right in the face. He couldn't believ
e she had thrown her shirt at him. She was a feisty, little kitten, too bad they didn’t have time to play.
‘’What can I do to make it better. I said I was sorry about not waking you up earlier.’’
‘’No, you haven’t. You haven't said a word. You’re not sorry at all,’’ Ava was fuming. ‘’Stop smirking at me, Grayson. I’m going to be late. I have to go home and fetch a change of clothes before heading to the office. Urgh...the traffic is going to kill me. Why are you not in more of a hurry? You’re going to be late as well.’’
‘’Actually, I’m not. I’m not going to CPH today. I have a workday with William. We’re looking at a new potential client for Montgomery Inc.’’
‘’Well, that’s just great,’’ Ava hissed, yanking her blouse back from Grayson before disappearing inside the bathroom.
‘’I’m sorry that I have another company to run. Montgomery Inc doesn’t run itself, you know. And I am only a consultant for CPH, you don’t need me every day.’’
The door to the bathroom burst open, Ava’s stern gaze attacked his.
‘’Of course, I know that. I’m not stupid.’’ With that said, Ava was gone behind the door once again.
Of all the ways he thought this morning could have gone, he had been spot on. Ava had been pissed at him for not waking her earlier, but he had enjoyed watching her sleep, she had looked so unguarded it made his heart beat with fierce protection.
Grayson got out of bed and put on some sweatpants. His meeting with William was hours away. He walked to his closet and pulled out an outfit before heading to his bathroom, knocking softly on the door, pulling it open when he didn’t get a response.
‘’Here you go,’’ Grayson said, handing her a hanger which carried a black skirt and a red, silk blouse. He gave her a smile, thinking this would make her day, but he was thoroughly mistaken. If Ava’s eyes could shoot fire, he would have been an ashy mess by now.
‘’I don’t want to wear another woman’s clothes to work. I don't want to wear another woman’s clothes ever.’’
