by Adele Huxley
Contents
Title Page
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Excerpt
Playing with Power
Book 1
Adele Huxley
This book is work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for readers 18 years or older.
Copyright © 2014 by Adele Huxley
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.
All requests should be forwarded to: [email protected]
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The Playing with Power Series for sale on Amazon!
Playing with Power - Book 1
Playing with Power - Book 2
Playing with Power - Book 3
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Prologue
It’s difficult to pinpoint the best moments in life until after they’re gone. The fondest memories aren’t always announced. They don’t come with balloons and feasts and circled dates on the calendar. Instead, they’re a collection of everyday things we only miss when they’re gone or have irrevocably changed. Unaware how special each minute can be, people rush through their lives confident that the best is yet to come. Lauren was no exception. Not knowing it then, as their car sped down the highway, she was leaving the last vestiges of her adolescence behind. Years later, Lauren would look back to that trip with Nick and feel a bittersweet twinge of regret. She’d think, If only I’d known then how quickly things would change, I would’ve held on tighter, remembered more.
The roar of the open windows reduced the music to a loud, wordless melody. Lauren leaned against the head rest, her dark hair whipping in the wind, and closed her eyes. It was a day that felt somewhere between spring and summer, a clear blue sky with a warm sun. The traffic on the highway was light, a pleasant surprise as they drove into the city on a Sunday afternoon. Nick grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers, pulling his eyes from the road for a second to grin at her.
“You can’t fall asleep now, we’re almost at your favorite spot,” he said, his blue eyes sparkling.
“You can’t blame me. You barely let me sleep this entire weekend.”
“It’s not my fault I can’t keep my hands off of you! Stop being so sexy.”
Lauren reached her arms above her head and stretched. Two hours in their cramped rental car and she just wanted to be done. “It was really nice to get away just for a couple days. I never noticed how quiet the country is until we moved—or how dark.”
“You know, we could have that all the time,” he said coyly, tiptoeing around a topic he knew was volatile.
She sighed. “We spent all weekend talking about this. I’d really rather not rehash it. We made a decision together, remember?”
“I know, I was just thinking aloud, didn’t mean anything by it.” He slipped his sunglasses down and scowled. Lauren rolled her eyes and stared out the front, hating that he made her feel like a mother putting her foot down. Her bad mood didn’t last long because just over the next hill was something she’d been waiting to see for hours.
The New York City skyline slipped into view. Even if it meant going out of the way to get there, Lauren always made sure to enter the city from the same direction for just a glimpse. The whole of Manhattan stretched along the horizon. From the Freedom Tower on the right to the cluster of soaring, iconic buildings in midtown, to the void where she knew Central Park rested. The awesome sight made her feel significant and insignificant all at once. To be one of millions living in one of the greatest cities on Earth, struggling to make it, to succeed—the skyline embodied all that and more.
“There it is,” Nick said casually, as if she liked it for the same reasons everyone else did. Lauren knew he’d never understand. To her, that urban landscape was like an affirmation. It was where all her hopes and dreams would come true.
The road dipped and curved, the brief view now obscured. She didn’t know it but that would be the last time she’d look on that skyline with the hopeful optimism of youth. The next time her eyes fell on that outline, her life would be one big adult mess.
1.
Never outshine the master
Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power. - The 48 Laws of Power
Parker Jarvis, CEO of StyleSpur, stumbled through his presentation looking more like an ill-prepared high school senior than a multimillionaire businessman. Lauren Kemp sat with her legs crossed, appearing engrossed in the presentation but secretly hoping her face didn’t betray the disdain churning in her stomach. Always the very picture of calm, collected support, Lauren thought. One of us has.
Positioned in the corner of the meeting room, she was able to chance a quick glance at the group of businessmen arranged at the table. It was difficult to gauge their responses. Their starched collars and $2,000 watches were in sharp contrast to the basket of Nerf guns sitting in the corner and while this was only the second investor meeting they’d held in the StyleSpur office, she hoped it was the last. Lauren didn’t have to turn around to know the entire team, all fifteen of them, were nervously watching through the glass windows.
“As you can see here, our projections show that we are on track to continue disrupting and transforming the online retail business. Consumers are ready for this paradigm shift and StyleSpur is in position to give it to them.”
Parker, you idiot. It’s like you’re playing MadLibs with business jargon! You think they can’t see though all that? If you’d just taken the time to look at the presentation beforehand—She cleared her throat and leaned forward. With all eyes on her, she tried to salvage what she could.
“Obviously, the key to business is staying ahead of the competition. After our dynamic breakout, retail companies have been chasing StyleSpur for the last three years.” Lauren keyed the next slide forward, a sales projection for the following three years. Ignoring the thinly-veiled irritation on Parker’s face, she continued. “The system we’ve created will revolutionize how the public interacts with fashion online. Companies will no longer chase us. They’ll join us. We’re already at the front of the pack and with this boost, we’ll be leading the way for decades to come.”
“I was just about to say that, thank you Lauren,” Parker said caustically. Same to you, buddy, she thought as she smiled sweetly.
Henry Adams from Pinnacle Ventures raised his hand to interrupt. It’d occurred to Lauren if the Urban Dictionary ever needed a photo of a certifiable silver fox, he’d be the man. With his tanned skin, white hair, and athletic physique, Henry was gorgeous. Gorgeous, ridiculously wealthy, and kind of a jerk.
/> “Parker, for the sake of saving a bit of time here, why don’t you just show us what it is you’ve created?”
“Of course, we’re all busy men here,” Parker grinned.
As he sped through the demonstration, Lauren’s annoyance skyrocketed. He flew through the features of their new website, brushed past the innovative app Lauren had designed and developed on her own, and essentially took credit for everything. It’s not that she needed a pat on the back but a little appreciation or acknowledgment wouldn’t hurt. Hell, there wouldn’t be anything to present if it weren’t for me, she thought bitterly. Parker set the remote on the table and leaned forward on his hands.
“Let’s skip over all the buzzwords. We have plans the other guys can’t even comprehend. We’re on top and plan on staying there. What’s so wrong with making bundles of cash while we’re at it?” Lauren resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Of course Lauren here has been invaluable to the creation of these new features.” Lauren smiled at the investors and, for a brief moment, thought Parker might redeem himself. “Without her keen feminine insights, I don’t think we would’ve been able to get this far. Being able to tap into the brain of a woman on a daily basis—I don’t have to tell you all how tiresome it can be but turns out, surprisingly valuable too.” The men at the table laughed as color flooded Lauren’s cheeks. She managed a small chuckle as Parker patted her on the shoulder. “Just kidding, sweetheart,” he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear.
“Well Parker, I think we’ve seen everything we need to see,” Henry said as he stood. “That’s enough shop talk for right now. Let’s go grab some dinner.”
“Only if you let me buy, Henry. I’ll tell you about my trip to the Seychelles.”
Lauren smiled politely as the businessmen filtered out of the meeting room. They regarded the office and employees as if they were exploring an exhibit at the zoo; programmers in the wild. After they’d left and she was sure she could move without shouting a string of obscenities, she returned to the open plan office. A dozen pairs of expectant eyes were on her in an instant.
“Guys, you’ve got to stop this! We have so much work to do and I can’t have you worrying about every meeting Parker and I sit on. It’s early stages. You can’t get worked up every time a suit walks in here.” She settled into her desk in the center of the large room. “You all have more important things to worry about. For instance, how is it possible I manage to kick your asses at foosball every day.” They laughed, relaxing and thankful for the reassurance. Lauren wished someone would do the same for her.
2.
“He didn’t even acknowledge I’d written any of it. To every person in that meeting, thanks to Parker, I was just the token woman.” Lauren knocked back a shot of tequila and shook her head. “It’s like he wanted me to stand up and say, ‘I have a vagina and I approve this message’ or something.”
“That guy is such a creep,” Ali grumbled. They were in their favorite booth in their favorite bar, Pony Up, a dive bar that wasn’t in any travel guide.
“He really is. What’s worse is that he’s really good at what he does.”
“It doesn’t give him an excuse to be an asshole. Plenty of successful businessmen are nice people. Look at Warren Buffet or the guy that runs Virgin.”
“Richard Branson. Yeah, I know but for every one of them there are a hundred Parkers. Eh, I don’t need to like him, I just need to work with him, but even that is difficult most of the time.”
Alana Novak was Lauren’s best friend. She grew up in a tiny Oklahoma town but moved to New York City as soon as she could afford it. Ali didn’t have an ounce of Midwest left in her and you’d never guess she’d grown up throwing hay. But if you took one look at her dark hair, hipster glasses and pegged her as a struggling actress, you’d be right on the money. Lauren and Ali met at a company bowling night shortly after she’d started dating a salesmen at StyleSpur. Long after Ali’s relationship fizzled, the girls remained close friends.
“I have an idea,” Ali said. She leaned forward, her blue eyes almost glowing in the dim light. “We’ll arrange a way for me to meet him. I’ll seduce him, make him fall in love but resist his sexual advances. Once I know I have him snared, I’ll lure him to a romantic weekend away in the Hamptons. He’ll pay, of course. One night, after a nice meal of lobster and expensive champagne, I’ll insist we go for a drive to look at the stars. ‘Oh, it’s so romantic. I miss the stars living in the big, bad city!’ He’ll eat it up. We’ll spread out a blanket near the water and I’ll strip him down, promising to deliver untold pleasures. And when his little pecker pops out,” she paused for dramatic effect, looking left then right before leaning back against the booth. “I’ll just laugh. Laugh and laugh and then snatch up the keys, steal his car, and leave the little urchin naked and alone.” Ali nodded solemnly, as if everything she’d just said was absolute fact.
Lauren tried to keep a straight face but burst into a fit of giggles. Ali merely smirked.
“I’m serious. I’ll do it. Just give me the go ahead. I might even push him into the water for good measure...”
“I think it’s great! Really, you should definitely do it but there’s one fatal flaw in that plan,” Lauren laughed. “You’d actually have to spend time with him and I’m pretty sure you’d last five minutes before just punching him square in the jaw.”
“Fair point,” Ali said raising her pint glass.
“You are totally the creative yin to my nerdy yang,” Lauren laughed. “Just promise to never join a cult or commune without me, okay?”
“I swear it,” Ali said somberly, one hand over her heart the other raised in a three-fingered girl scout salute.
Lauren gave one final laugh before crossing her arms. “Ugh, I’m just so sick of it. I’ve worked so hard for that company and all for what? The hope that we’ll keep surviving these stressful milestones and have the money to keep going. Or maybe, just maybe, a big fish will come along and buy us out.” She groaned and flopped on top of the table. Resting her head on her bent arm she continued, “Problem is, because Parker is who he is, I’m getting the chance to learn so freaking much. I’m getting an up close look at how startups operate and at my age with my experience? Priceless. Anyway, I’m sick of hearing myself talk about it. How did your audition go?”
“You sure? It’s just gonna be me bitching now. It went alright, I guess. I really like the role, I think I did well and they probably liked me so that means I’m not gonna get it.” Ali pulled one long leg up and hugged it to her chest. She played with the condensation on the outside of her beer glass.
“Oh stop it, don’t be so pessimistic.”
“You know it’s true. Whenever I like something, or somebody for that matter, it’s doomed.”
“You did choose one of the harshest careers in the world. I honestly don’t know how you do it. Everyone judging you, critiquing you, measuring. What about that guy you knew who was told his head was too big for his body? What the hell can you do about that?”
“He did look like a bobblehead. Hell, if I had your body I wouldn’t have anything to worry about! See, with your dark hair and eyes and skin color you could easily be Latina, Eastern European, even Asian with the right makeup. I’d be turning parts down left and right. We should figure out how to Freaky Friday ourselves.”
“Um, I’m not saying no...I’m just saying I think I might need to talk to Nick about that before committing to anything Freaky Friday-ish,” Lauren laughed.
“Speaking of the devil,” said Ali.
Lauren jumped as a hand touched her shoulder. She spun around to see her boyfriend grinning down at her.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Scoot in, will ya?” Lauren shifted to the middle of the booth and they shared a brief kiss.
“All done? It’s so early.”
“Yeah, it’s dead in here. She let me knock off early tonight.” He rolled up the sleeves of his red plaid shirt, exposing his muscular forearms.
“Yay!” she exclaimed, giving him an excited hug. “I’m glad.”
“Nick. My dear sweet, obscenely handsome Nick,” Ali sighed.
“Yes, my dear sweet Llama?” He grinned.
“How many times do I have to tell you? You keep this thing up with Lauren and you’re gonna provoke my jealous side. I don’t think you’ll like me when I’m jealous.”
“You know, you never explain what it is specifically you’ll be jealous of. Is it because you want Lauren to yourself or are you secretly in love with me? I think it’s time we ask these difficult questions because I’m starting to think you’re just full of idle threats.”
“A little from column A, a little from column B. Did you know our little gal here had a shitty day.”
“Again? What happened?” he asked, his eyes filled with sweet concern.
“It’s alright, we can talk about it later. To be honest, I just want to play a little pool, get a little buzzed and go home, okay?” Lauren suddenly felt too weary to talk about anything related to Parker and StyleSpur without a good amount of alcohol in her body.
“We can definitely take care of that. Lemme grab a round and you girls put some quarters up on the table.”
Pony Up was pretty quiet for a Wednesday night. The music was turned low and a couple were playing darts on the other side of the room. The air conditioning cut the humidity and the stale beer smell every bar seems to have. Lauren was balanced on a bar stool sipping a Juan Collins, her feet dangling far above the floor. They’d been taking turns on one of the three pool tables before giving up the pretense. Now they were just drinking and she finally felt content.
“You doing okay, babe? You look thoughtful,” Nick said as he wrapped his arm around Lauren’s waist.
