I slumped back against the door, dropping to the floor. With a cup of coffee in one hand and the contract in the other, I laughed. Story of my job, really. On one hand, I served coffee to the PR queen as her PA; on the other, I had one of our biggest clients, who demanded to work only with me.
Shaking my head, I got to my feet and moved to my desk. Sitting in the chair, I placed the coffee and the contract on the desk and decided if I was going to do this, then I better do the job well. Opening up my emails, my fingers started working on their own accord.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Welcome to Blue Stone PR
Mr. Black,
I was kindly informed this morning I’d be the point of contact for all PR business dealings.
Please contact me at your nearest convenience to schedule a meeting to discuss future projects.
Payton Miller.
Hitting send, I moved on to scanning the signed contract into the system. Halfway through scanning, my door flung open and in walked Clarissa and Katrina, both wearing smug smiles on their lips. Damn it, I was not in the mood for these two today. I kept my back towards them, not acknowledging their presence. But, of course, they acknowledged mine.
“So what did you do?” Clarissa snarled from somewhere behind me.
“You need to be a little more specific than that, Clarissa,” I replied, adding more paper to the copy machine.
“Did you sleep with a client to get him to sign the contract?” She snickered and my back straightened. She was just being malicious; surely she didn't know what happened between me and Gabriel, right?
“No, Clarissa, that’s kinda more your style, don’t you think?” Kylie’s voice rang out through the room. I hadn't even heard her come in. Turning, I noticed an unhappy Kylie glaring at Clarissa and Katrina.
“How dare you speak to me like that!” Clarissa screeched. Her sister stood from my office chair and agreed with her sister with a nod of her head. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Oh yeah.” Kylie’s gazed descended on Clarissa before coming back up to her eyes. “Yeah, I have a pretty good idea.”
Clarissa moved forward, pointing her finger at Kylie. “My father could drown you.”
Kylie snorted. “Be my guest, but unless he wants an unhappy senator, you can take that finger out of my face before I break it.”
With a growl, Clarissa grabbed her sister and dragged her out of the room, glaring at me and Kylie on their way out.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”.
Kylie winked, leaving my office and shutting the door behind her. Damn, those girls needed knocking off their high horses. I was quickly pulled out of my thoughts when my computer pinged. Opening my email, I smirked as I noticed the name on my latest email.
It was from Gabriel.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Welcome to Blue Stone PR
Payton,
I see Kate decided it was beneficial to transfer the account to you.
My schedule has suddenly freed up this morning.
G
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: RE: Welcome to Blue Stone PR
Gabriel,
Oddly enough, my schedule is clear for this morning.
When is convenient for you?
Payton
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Welcome to Blue Stone PR
Now.
G
Now?
I stared at my computer, confused. What the hell was he talking about?
I nearly catapulted out of my chair as a loud knocking sounded at my office door. I wondered whom it could be. Kate didn't knock since she usually just barged in, and everyone else was getting ready to head off to the bonding session.
“Come in.”
I stood and moved to the copier to check the progress it made on the contract when I heard that voice that had heat pooling between my thighs and my anger consuming me.
“Good morning, Payton.”
I turned slowly, coming face to face with the man who could make or break my future. I was stunned. Was this what he meant by his email? Did he think he could just pop up out of nowhere without warning? Who the hell did he think he was?
“Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Black? I was under the impression we’d be scheduling a meeting.”
I tried my hardest to keep my gaze solely on his but, of course, my greedy eyes weren't satisfied with that. He was wearing a figure-hugging, three-piece black suit that only showcased the muscles I’d already run my palms over. His tie, a deep grey, matched his eyes. Eyes that only conveyed hunger and dominance every time I was in his presence.
“I've buried myself in your pussy, Payton, you can stop with the formal BS.” He smirked, unbuttoning his suit jacket before finally taking a seat in the chair opposite mine.
Speechless, I took a seat at my desk, chastising myself for staring at his lips while he talked about my damn vagina. Was he under the impression that because he fucked me it gave him the right to talk to me like that? Who talks like that?
“When you stop referring to my vagina, I'll stop with the formal BS, Mr. Black,” I seethed, leaning forward in my chair. “And for the record, if we’re going to work together, I don’t want to hear another word about the night at Omega. This is a business transaction.”
“I thought this was a business relationship? A transaction would imply something else entirely.” He placed his chin between his thumb and finger, looking all kinds of smug.
“Does it really matter what it is? The point is you could get me fired. But I suppose for someone who’s worth millions that that doesn't even cause a blip on your radar.” I paused, glaring at him. Damn it, he’s delicious. “I told you before, I value my job more than your genitals.”
“Really?” He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating around the room. “I can guarantee by the end of the week I'll have you coming all over my desk.”
“Is that a bet, Mr. Black? I can tell you right now that the only desk I'll be coming over is mine by my own hand.”
I watched with fascination as his pupils dilated, his gaze becoming heated. His grey eyes changed right before my eyes, just like they had at Omega. The grey was gone and in its place was black; deep, dark black that seemed to go on for days.
Black by name, black by nature.
“Are we making a wager, Ms. Miller? Poker is more my game, but with you, I’d be happy to play blackjack.”
“It doesn't take skill to win at blackjack. It’s all about the luck of the draw, the odds are stacked against you.” I crossed my arms defiantly. Smug asshole.
Suddenly, he was on his feet, his hands splayed between us on my desk as he leaned in close. "Lucky for you." He smirked, his lips trailing across mine in a gentle caress, leaving me breathless. Before I had a chance to respond, he pulled back. "I can count cards."
My body instantly responded to his. He was a mere inch away from me, the heat from his body radiating through my very skin, seeping in deeply. I was becoming breathless from his presence, the burning need to thread my fingers in his hair and pull his lips back to mine becoming unbearable.
“I have no problem slapping you again,” I whispered breathlessly, the fire inside me burning, licking flames in places I never knew really existed.
“You’re enjoying this,” he said, slowly moving around my desk, stepping towards me.
“And what do you think 'this' is exactly?” I whispered, our eyes locking as he nudged my knees apart with his, stepping between them.
He paused, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips as I felt the shock of his fingers against the exposed skin of my thigh. “Foreplay. It’s always foreplay with you.”
“I told you once, you don’t even know me.”
He methodically placed his other hand on my other thigh, pressing down with delirious pressure as he came to his knees before me. He gazed at me for a moment, my breath catching as his eyes mesmerized me, before lowering his lips to the hem of skirt –which had now ridden up a few inches from having my legs spread to accommodate him.
I gasped, a whimper escaping my lips as I felt him run his tongue around the very edge of my skirt, flicking expertly against my flushed skin. A slow rising moan left me as his hands trailed from my thighs, moving at a slow, delectable pace, the fabric of my skirt moving inch by inch as he exposed more and more of my skin.
“I may not know what your favorite movie is, where you grew up or what your favorite meal is, but I do know the unique scent that fills the room when you’re turned on. I know your scent makes me hard as fucking steel and I know that if I ate you until you screamed, you’d still beg me for more.” He smirked, staring back up at me. I could only watch in rapt fascination as he moved back between my thighs. “Oh, Payton.” He chuckled, the sound vibrating through me. I moaned hard as he gave me one swift lick against my sensitive skin before standing to his feet. “No panties again?”
Standing at his full height, he buttoned his suit jacket as if turning me into a damn frenzy was a normal every day thing.
“You know all that from fucking me once?” I forced out, straightening my skirt and standing from my chair. “How about you?” I pointed, moving towards him. “You fuck random strangers in your offices with your flashy, voice-controlled doors, you like to call woman princess – do that again, by the way, and I'll rip that hard as fucking steel dick from your body, and you have a tattoo on your rib cage which you won’t discuss. How’s that? Am I at least a little warm in my assessment?”
I titled my head slightly, trying to gauge his reaction. There was none. Instead, I watched as his pupils changed from their pin-pricked state and the utter lust in his eyes disappear as the molten grey hue returned.
“I want you.” He paused, his hand suddenly cupping my chin, straightening my head. The simple touch had heat pooling between my thighs. He moved in, his lips so close to mine. “In my fucking office on Monday.”
With that, his hand fell from my face and within a blink of an eye he was out of my office, slamming the door shut behind him.
What the fuck just happened?
“SO HE JUST STORMED OUT? Who does that?” Kylie's voice pierced through the room, causing the entire coffee shop to quiet and stare at our table.
I shrugged as I took a long pull from my coffee. It had been two days since my run in with Gabriel in my office. I had called Kylie the moment my breathing went back to somewhat normal and, of course, her squeal had me cringing against my phone.
The office bonding session lasted another day, bringing back an enthusiastic Kylie who wanted every detail of my "erotic office fight" with Gabriel. I rolled my eyes at her ridiculous name for what happened but promised coffee with her so we could discuss where I went from here.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know how we’re going to work together with all—” I waved my hands in the air “—this. I don’t even know what this is. I mean, when he’s in the room, all I want to do is slap him and jump him. What’s up with that?!” I groaned, running my finger around the rim of my cup.
Kylie sighed, her shoulders slumping forward as she shook her head.
“It’s pretty simple, Pay. You’re just so closed off in the love department that you can’t see what’s in front of your eyes.”
“And what exactly am I missing?!”
“What you and Gabriel have is a classic case of sexual tension, but not just any sexual tension, it’s the kind where you love to hate him but hate to love him. Maybe you should just screw him out of your system.”
“You've got to be kidding me. There isn't any sexual tension between us, it’s just my body remembering exactly what he can do. Plus, screwing him out of my system isn't happening. He’s a client now, Kylie. I can’t just screw a client and you know it.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But what else do you suggest? You can barely stay in the same room for five seconds without fighting with him. If you’re not careful, Kate is going to get wind of your so-called business relationship and pull you from the account.”
“As long as she doesn't fire me in the process, she can have the account. He drives me crazy, Ky. I haven’t gotten any work done in the last two days since he walked into my office and now I've got to meet with him on Monday? He knows that my job is important to me and he’s manipulating that to get what he wants.”
“And what do you think that is? Sounds like he wants you, not Blue Stone PR.”
“He doesn't want me. He likes the idea of having pussy on tap while he’s working. I've met people like him, I've been with people like him, I've been hurt by people like him. Damn it, he’s fucking with my head and I hate him for it.”
“So why not make the bet with him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look, he said he’d guarantee he’d have you coming all over his desk by the end of the week, right?” I nodded my head, wondering where the hell this was going. “Then make the bet. Just change the terms so that you'll have the advantage. Give him a month, not a week and make sure he understands there shouldn't be anything sexual between you, only business. That way, you'll get what you want: an account you can take charge of and shock the shit out of Kate and stop all of—” She waved her hand in front of her, mimicking my earlier actions. “—this with Gabriel. It’s a win win.”
“It could work. It would coincide with the opening of Alpha.”
“The question is, do you want him to stop doing what he’s doing right now?”
Her question caught me off guard. Did I?
“From the look on your face, I’d say no. No, you don’t.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s infuriating, domineering, cut-off and intrusive. He drives me crazy and we've only spoken three times.”
“Well, from what I can tell, you like it. In fact, I’d go out of my way to say he could well be your Prince Charming.”
“Kylie!” I scolded.
“What? Just because you don’t believe in fairy tales, it doesn't mean they aren't real. Come on, Pay, from what you've told me this guy is pretty much you but with a dick. He’s met his match and he loves it, that’s why he’s getting a kick out of it. You’re exactly the same. You like that he challenges you, catches you by surprise and could fuck you into next week if you asked him. He’s Prince Charming material in his own way. He may not ride a white horse and you might not be a damsel in distress, but he could sweep you off your feet just as fast.”
“The only way he could sweep me off my feet is if he tackles me to the ground. Feet sweeping isn't sexy or fairy tale-like, it’s just another way to give women a false sense of hope when it comes to men and romance.”
“You’re such a lost cause, Payton.” She shook her head, draining the last of her coffee. “One day, you'll fall in love and it'll be so damn deep you won't be able to see which way is up. When that day comes, I'll be standing right beside you, whispering in your ear that I told you so.”
“Yeah, and I'll be standing right next to you slapping you stupid for being such a vagina. It'll never happen. Not after him, Ky. It'll never allow myself to be so weak to fall in love again, I won’t do it.”
“Something tells me Gabriel might just change that.”
“Something tells me if you don’t drop it, those Louboutins I borrowed will have non-removable scratches.”
“Oh my god, that was uncalled for! If the shoe gods could hear you, you’d be banished from shoe heaven in an instant.” She twisted in her chair, rolling her eyes as she waved to the waiter to order more coffee.
I grabbed her hand and her
cup, pulling the cup towards me.
“You just referred to the shoes gods. No more coffee for you.”
“Bu- but, it’s so smooth and tasty and… oh, my sweet baby Jesus!”
What in the world?
“Don’t look now, but I think my vagina just literally squealed like a cheerleader. That has to be the hottest man alive standing at the counter ordering coffee right now.”
I turned slowly, my curiosity peaked as I tried to get a look at the man who had Kylie squeeing much louder than usual. The moment my eyes landed on the unassuming stranger, I nearly choked. I'd know that ass anywhere. It was Gabriel.
I quickly whipped my head back at Kylie, my eyes wide in shock.
“He’s delicious. Oh my god, have you seen that ass? Sweet Jesus, I think I’m having a hot flash. Can you get hot flashes at twenty-four? Oh my god, I've started the menopause!”
I groaned, placing my head in my hands as I sunk deeper into my chair. No way could this be happening.
“Payton!” she whisper snapped. I ignored her, ready to sink to the floor if I needed to. “Payton! Pay! Jesus, Payton he’s coming over!”
Oh no. Not here, not now.
“Kylie, shut up! Please for the love of god, shut up!” I hissed, removing my hands from my face. I reached down to grab my purse, ready to make a run for it.
“Why are you so jittery? He’s hot and he’s looking right at you!” she screamed, clapping her hands.
“Stop it, Kylie. It’s…”
“Gabriel Black.” His voice carried through the coffee shop, smooth and tempting like a hot fudge sundae. I watched in absolute horror as Kylie’s eyes widened in recognition, a smile taking up most of her face as he put his hand out to her. “And you are?”
“Kylie Jackson,” she replied smoothly, placing her palm in his. “Payton’s best friend and a black belt. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I groaned, hiding my face behind my hands once more. This could not be happening.
Once Upon A Time Page 9
