Working Girl: Volume Two

by Scarlett Metal

I pulled her onto my lap and cupped her face in my hand as I kissed her lips. A whimper of protest escaped her lips at first, but soon she was melting against me.

  My mouth moved over hers, my other hand on her thigh as my tongue slid into her mouth, teasing hers. I mimicked in her mouth what I wanted to do to her pussy with my tongue. I kissed her long and hard, until she was panting in my arms. I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead against hers. “I wanted to give you something to remember when you were thinking about this weekend,” I whispered. I kissed her forehead gently and helped her off my lap. “Good night, Violet.” I opened the door for her.

  She looked at me wide-eyed, flustered from my kiss. “Good night,” she finally stammered and left the car. I watched her hurry inside before instructing the driver to head for home.

  After that kiss, I had no doubt she would say yes to this weekend.

  Chapter Four

  Violet

  I got onto the elevator up to my apartment and brought my fingers to my lips. They were still swollen from the way he ravaged them. I took a deep breath and pressed a hand to my stomach. There were so many reasons Deacon Harris infuriated me, and so many reasons I should stay away from him, but my body couldn’t deny how much it wanted him.

  The elevator doors opened on my floor and I hurried to my apartment. I was exhausted, and the effects of the wine I’d had tonight were taking their toll on me. I unlocked the door and went in, stripping out of my jeans and sweater on the way to my bedroom. I took off my bra and left on my panties as I slipped into my king size bed.

  I fell asleep just after my head hit the pillow, but I was plagued with dreams of him all night. I dreamt he had me tied to a big four-poster-bed and was going down on me. I woke up crying out his name with my hands between my legs, fingering myself to a monstrous orgasm. I was dripping wet with need.

  For Deacon Harris.

  The man who, in not so many words, threatened to end my teaching career.

  As much as I wanted to hate him, my body craved him.

  I removed my hands as my body trembled and pressed my thighs together, shivering from the last tremors of my release. A weekend with him might not be a bad idea; I would overdose on him and get him out of my system. I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore once the school year had ended, and it was already half over.

  I dozed off for a bit and groaned when my alarm went off. I got up and showered, dressing in my favorite red skirt and cream colored blouse, along with red heels. I put on my blonde wig and my makeup before grabbing a big travel-mug of coffee. I had a slight headache from a little too much wine the night before, and I prayed my six-year-olds would be quiet and behave today. They usually did behave, but a room full of kids that age was generally not very quiet.

  I watched as each kid arrived, wondering if Deacon would be dropping off his son this morning and press me for an early answer about the weekend. I was relieved when I saw Bruno arrive with Shane, giggling at the way he held the hand of the small boy. It was obvious he cared about his charge, and it was sweet to watch the big gruff man with him.

  When Shane saw me, he ran to give me a hug. “Miss Jones,” he exclaimed, yelling in my ear.

  “Good morning, Shane,” I said with a laugh. He pulled away, a big smile on his face. “Excited to be back today?”

  He nodded furiously. “Yes. I couldn’t wait.”

  I patted him on the back. “Why don’t you put your backpack on your hook and get ready for the day?” He ran off and I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. When those Harris men did things, they went all out, that’s for sure.

  I took a couple of ibuprofen and drank a bunch of water, making my headache go away in no time. By the grace of god, the kids behaved all day, but I found myself getting antsy the closer it came to the end of the day.

  I still didn’t know what I was going to tell Deacon. One minute I was positive I wanted to tell him to get fucked and I wasn’t spending any more time with him, but fifteen minutes later all I could think about was the way he felt inside of me. At this rate I probably wouldn’t know my answer until he was standing in front of me.

  When school was about done, I helped the kids get their backpacks ready. I found myself casually looking around for Deacon and was disappointed when I didn’t see him. At the final bell, the kids lined up and I walked with them outside. Some found their rides right away and I waited with the others—Shane being one of them.

  I saw Bruno on the phone nearby and he came over to Shane.

  “Your dad got called away on business. I’m going to take you home,” he said, bending down to pick up the boy. I overheard what he said and my heart dropped. He turned to me. “He told me to tell you he would be in touch soon.”

  I nodded and thanked him before busying myself with a little girl who was having some trouble with the zipper on her backpack. If Deacon wasn’t coming to pick up his son, I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up at my place later, but that was getting old. I hated feeling like I was at his beck and call.

  Once all of my kids were gone, I finished some correcting and got ready to head to my yoga class. I loved yoga and I was looking forward to it tonight. It was a great stress reliever and much needed.

  I said goodbye to a couple of the teachers still hanging around and headed out to my car. I got out my phone, scrolling through some emails as I strode through the parking lot. I looked up to unlock my car when I saw him standing nearby, leaning against a car with a boyish grin on his face.

  “Hello, Violet,” he said, pushing himself off of the car and coming toward me.

  I rolled my eyes and put my hand on my hip. “Are you kidding me? Who do you think you are, Deacon? You can’t just show up at my apartment and my work all the time.” I waved my hand in the air. “I would’ve never pegged you for a stalker.”

  He held his hands up and shook his head with a chuckle. “Easy now, girl. I was busy with something and couldn’t make it to pick up my son today. I was dying to know your answer about this weekend, but why do I have a feeling you’re not going to tell me what I want to hear?”

  I opened my car door and threw my bag into the passenger side before turning back to him. “Deacon, I think we need to end whatever this is between us.” I pointed back and forth between us. “Just let me go back to living my life, please.” I pleaded with him. “I had a nice life. Believe it or not, it was a simple life.”

  He said if I gave him a weekend, he would leave me alone if I wanted. If last weekend was any indication of what we would be like together, I doubted that would be the case. We would continue until the life I worked so hard to build was torn apart. I couldn’t and wouldn’t risk that for a man, even one as sexy as him.

  He ran his hand through his hair, resting his hand on the back of his neck. “I’m not used to not getting what I want, Violet.”

  “I know,” I sucked in my breath. I was going to stick to my resolve, as hard as it might be. “I can’t. I can’t risk losing everything.”

  He started to reach for me but stopped, his shoulders sagging. “Okay, Violet. You win.” He walked back to his car, and I watched him, fighting the urge to tell him I changed my mind. I had expected more of a fight from him and was a little disappointed when he didn’t take me into his arms and give me one of his lip-bruising kisses.

  Before he got into his car, he flashed that smile at me and my stomach quivered. “Take care of yourself, Violet.” He opened the door and got in. The car started and peeled out of the parking lot. I watched him until he turned out onto the street, breathing a sigh of relief. Now life could get back to normal.

  ***

  I was fooling myself if I thought life would ever be normal after Deacon came into my life. Oh, it seemed like it was for a couple of months. I taught school during the week and saw clients on the weekend. I didn’t see Deacon again; Shane was brought to school by Bruno every day. I would get excited each morning and end of the school day, then find myself disappointed when I didn’t see Deacon.
I kept telling myself it was for the best that I stopped seeing him, but I couldn’t get him out of my mind.

  When I slept with my clients, I would close my eyes and imagine I was with him. I would think about his mouth on me, his hands touching my skin, and his cock inside me. There were even a few times I almost called out his name in the throes of passion.

  I came home from school one day and picked up my mail before going up to my apartment. I was sifting through it in the elevator when I came to an envelope with sloppy handwriting and no return address. I tore it open as I walked to my door and gasped when I pulled out the contents. My hand was shaking as I unlocked my apartment. I rushed inside and locked the door behind me before sitting on my couch to take a closer look.

  In the envelope was a picture of me and him. It was taken a couple of weeks before Leslie saved me. I looked terrible, wearing too much makeup and clothes that barely covered my too skinny body. He looked higher than a kite in his jeans and t-shirt. His arm was wrapped possessively around my neck. The bile rose in my throat as the memories of those times came flooding back to me.

  I flipped it over and covered my mouth with my hand when I read what was written there.

  Miss me?

  I threw the picture down and huddled in the corner of my couch, fighting back the fear that filled me. How did he find me?

  I fished my phone out of the purse I had dropped on the floor. Hands shaking, I managed to keep hold of it and called Leslie. I paced my apartment while the phone rang, anxiously waiting for her to answer.

  “Hello, Violet,” she said when she finally answered. “I was just about to call you.”

  “He found me,” I said, glancing at the envelope on the table.

  “Who?” she asked slowly.

  “Eric,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

  “Fuck,” she mumbled. Normally when she used that word, it made me giggle. Leslie ran an escort service, but she was one of the most prim and proper ladies I knew. I rarely heard her swear or cuss. If she did, it was serious.

  This was serious.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. It’s a picture of us together at some party. On the back he wrote, ‘Miss me?’.” I walked into my kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine.

  “Save the picture and I’ll come get it tomorrow. I can’t tonight. Will you be okay?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I replied as I reached for a wine glass.

  “Just be careful. Do you want one of my bodyguards?”

  “Not yet.” My apartment building was very secure, and I didn’t plan on leaving the rest of the night. Besides, if Eric really wanted to get to me, a bodyguard or two wouldn’t stand in his way.

  “If you change your mind, call or text me. I have to go, but be careful, Violet.”

  We ended the call and I went to double-check the locks and security system. When I was satisfied they were secure, I went into my big walk-in closet and rummaged in the shoe boxes. I sat down when I finally found what I was looking for.

  One of the first things Leslie gave me when she found me was a small hand gun. She even took me to the shooting range and taught me how to shoot it. She always said every woman should have a gun and know how to use it. After what I had just lived through, I wasn’t going to argue. A gun could have saved me from a trick-gone-wrong more than once—and maybe would’ve allowed me to escape from Eric even sooner.

  I used to go shoot it and clean it once a month, but I had gotten too relaxed and comfortable in my life. For the first time in years, or maybe even in my whole life, I felt safe. Despite what I did for a living, I didn’t feel like I had to constantly look over my shoulder anymore. I thought back to the picture Eric sent and shivered. Apparently that wasn’t a good idea.

  I slowly lifted the gun out of the box and held it in my hand. I fought back the wave of emotion that threatened to overcome me. I swallowed hard and stood up, still holding the gun. A tear escaped down my cheek, and I wiped it off with the back of my other hand. I had vowed long ago I wasn’t going to shed any more tears over that asshole. If he decided he was back, I was going to deal with him once and for all.

  Chapter Five

  Deacon

  I was driving home from a business meeting, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Violet. She was never far from my mind. I still couldn’t believe she didn’t agree to a weekend of ecstasy with me, if for no other reason than to get me to leave her alone.

  I had to respect her resolve, though. She was a strong woman, and unlike anyone I’d ever met. It only made me want her more, but I hadn’t decided my next move. I could contact Leslie and hire her again, but I didn’t want her like that. I wanted her to be with me because she wanted to, not because I was paying her.

  Since she turned me down in the parking lot, business had kept me busy. I even had to travel to Ireland for a week. I hated doing that and leaving Shane home alone, but I trusted my security team, and they kept a watchful eye over him. His bodyguard Bruno looked after him like he was his own son.

  He was still loving school and having Violet as his teacher. He talked about her nonstop every night, and it was obvious he adored her. My son was happy and living a life as normal as he could; I didn’t want to mess anything up to scare his teacher away. Maybe when the school year was over I would make a move. I was a patient man and had no trouble waiting for what I wanted. I would find a way to make Violet mine. I was always tempted to drop him off or pick him up so I could see her, but things got too busy.

  I checked my phone for the millionth time. I had to send Charles to another business meeting for me, and I was waiting to hear how it went. It should have been over an hour ago, and it wasn’t like him to not contact me right away. There was no one else I could even call, as he went alone against my better judgment.

  I dialed his number but it went right to voicemail. His phone either died or he had it off. That wasn’t a good sign. I could count on one hand how many times I hadn’t been able to get in touch with him. I stepped on the gas, eager to get back to my house.

  I arrived home and quickly went inside. I didn’t see his car, but I was hoping someone else had heard from him. The house was eerily quiet, and my stomach started to churn. Something wasn’t right. I had been around long enough to trust my gut. I bounded out of the house and back to my car. I was going to head to the docks where he was supposed to have the meeting. It probably wasn’t a good idea to go alone, but I didn’t care.

  I had no sooner started the car when my phone rang. I didn’t even check the number and swiped my finger to answer it immediately.

  “Deacon,” I said, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I sat in my driveway, waiting for the person on the other end of the phone to speak.

  “Deacon Harris?” a deep voice asked. My stomach sank when it wasn’t Charles’s voice I heard.

  “This is he,” I replied. “What can I do for you?”

  “This is Dr. Smith calling from County General Hospital.” He stopped to clear his throat. “I think we have someone here who works for you.”

  My shoulders slumped, shaking my head that my instincts had been correct. “Charles-“

  “Yes, he works for me,” I said, cutting him off. “What happened?” I started to back out of my driveway. If someone hurt Charles, I had no idea who their next target might be. I couldn’t risk not knowing. I was going to pick up Shane from school and keep him nearby until I knew what was going on.

  “He was found by the side of the street badly beaten. I can explain more when you get here,” the doctor said.

  “Okay. How did you know to call me?” I started speeding down the road, praying there were no cops on the way to the school.

  “He was slightly conscious when he arrived and he said your name. He started to say more but then he passed out. We found your name on a piece of paper in his wallet.”

  “How bad is it?” I asked, my voice thick with emotion. Charles wasn’t just my right hand, he was family. Losing him would be
devastating, especially to Shane.

  The doctor paused and cleared his throat. “I would rather talk about it when you get here, Mr. Harris, but we’re not sure.”

  “Thank you, I’ll be there soon.” I said, hanging up on him before I lost it. I tossed my phone on the seat next to me and took a deep breath. I had to concentrate on what I was going to say to Shane. He had already known enough loss in his short life, even though he couldn’t remember his mother’s death. I didn’t want to completely shelter him from the truth, either. My father was always open and honest with me, and I wanted to be the same with my son.

  It was mid-morning, so traffic wasn’t bad, allowing me to get to Shane’s school in record time. I parked in visitor parking and went through security to get inside. I’d never been there in the middle of the day and was pleasantly surprised they didn’t let me inside until I proved I was Deacon, Shane’s dad. Even though I was in a hurry to get to the hospital, it made me feel better about my son’s safety there.

  I stopped and told the principal I had to pull Shane out for a family emergency. He had me wait in his office while he went to get him. I was a little bit disappointed I wouldn’t get to see Violet, but I had bigger things to worry about right now.

  I sat in the chair across from his desk, tapping my toes impatiently on the floor. How long did it take to pick up a first-grader?

  I finally heard his tiny voice approach and stood up, meeting them outside.

  “Hi, Dad,” he said with a grin, throwing himself in my arms.

  I picked him up and held him tight, closing my eyes in relief he was okay. I had known in my head he was, but seeing and touching him calmed my frazzled nerves some.

  He pulled away to look at me. “Where are we going, Daddy?”

  I looked past him for a second and caught Bruno’s gaze. He looked worried. “We have to go visit Charles. He’s sick.” I turned to Bruno. “I will take Shane. Can you follow me to the hospital? I would like you there too. I will explain what I know when we get there.”