Part 13 (1/2)

I nod, and he hands the girl a card while he and his a.s.sistant grab up their briefcases and notes. I put my own notes away just as the girl sweeps back in with the tab in her hand.

Mr. Kent signs it, and then he heads out to make room for my last client of the evening. It's almost three now. I had no idea that was going to take so long. My last meeting is for drinks only.

”Anything else, Ms. Branderwood?” the meek girl asks.

”Um, yeah. I'll take a white wine; whatever you suggest. My last client should be here shortly.”

”Of course.”

She scurries off, and I start fumbling around on my phone to double check my notes for the Kent project while waiting on the representative for Kinset Industries. I've never heard of them, but apparently they need a website to make sure people do start hearing about them. It's an internet business, but apparently the founder lives in Sterling Sh.o.r.e. I really need to take my location off my website.

”Ms. Branderwood?” a smooth, familiar voice asks, and my phone drops to my lap as my heart stops beating.

Very slowly, my eyes peek up to see if my ears have heard right, and I get sick to my stomach when I see they have. There he is - icy blue eyes, perfectly tailored suit, and s.e.xy dark hair tousled to perfection.

Oh d.a.m.n.

Tag She looks stunned, speechless, and completely flabbergasted. I almost smirk, but I keep my stern, businesslike face as I stare down at the trembling girl who is frozen in shock.

”Should I sit?” I finally ask, mockery in my tone.

”I...um... well... I'm supposed to be meeting someone.”

I finally do smirk as she stands and her phone drops from her lap and slaps the floor.

”d.a.m.n it,” she says under her breath, but I bend to pick it up before she can reach it, my eyes falling on her sleek, perfect legs as I slowly stand back up and take a step toward her.

”I'm here about Kinset Industries - my newest company. I believe you're interested in designing the website?”

Her jaw tries to fall, and I stifle my ha-ha grin as I walk over to hold her chair for her.

”After you, Ms. Branderwood.”

She looks so d.a.m.n good from the back. Her perfect a.s.s is shaped all the better in this tight little dress meant to be pulled up so her legs can wrap around my waist.

”Okay,” she hoa.r.s.ely releases, not turning to meet my eyes. ”What did you want to see on your site?”

Her quick business air almost makes me smile as I take the seat across from her.

”Straight to the point, Ms. Branderwood? What happened to foreplay?”

She swallows hard as her eyes involuntarily rake over me, remembering what it felt like to be under and on my body, and then her cheeks blush as those scandalous memories arise.

Staring at her generously exposed cleavage, my c.o.c.k twitches and hardens to the point it's d.a.m.n near painful.

What. The. h.e.l.l?

There's no way it only gets hard for her. I can't be this f.u.c.king obsessed. I'm going to need therapy to get back whatever this d.a.m.n girl took away.

As.h.i.+ara This is so f.u.c.ked up! What is he doing here? Is he trying to make me squirm? Why is he offering me a project for a startup company?

”Um, I don't think I'm the girl for this project, Mr. Masters. You should probably find someone a little more qualified,” I murmur with a little more of a respectable, less stammering tone, completely ignoring his foreplay remark.

”I think you're perfect for this,” he says while leaning forward, his hands forming a steeple in front of his face as his elbows rest on the table.

His eyes burn into mine. I've never seen him like this. He's not the playful, flirty guy from the wedding. He's a commanding force in a suit - calm, composed, and s.e.xy as h.e.l.l.

”How did you... I mean why did you-”

”Kinset is mostly an internet business, so I knew I needed a phenomenal website designer. Melanie has some of the best web designs for her many little businesses, so I asked her who she used. And here we are. Not to mention, she's been a little worried about you.”

s.h.i.+t.

I should call Melanie. I didn't think about her calling my old number and worrying.

”I'm fine,” I murmur while looking down at my hands.

”Is he bothering you again?”

Why did Melanie call him?

”It's nothing I can't handle,” I murmur while forcing a smile. ”So, are you sure you want me for this? If so, we should work on some of the basics right now.”

Tag She's scared. I can see it in her eyes how scared she is. She's trying to hide it from me, but it's so obvious.

I've seen her in l.u.s.t, happy, excited, and scared. That day she told me about this creep, I saw the fear in her eyes. Now, I see it again.

”Don't lie to me. What's going on?”

She looks away before shrugging. I can tell she doesn't want to let me in, and it's starting to p.i.s.s me off. She doesn't have to do this alone, but she's too f.u.c.king stubborn to see it.

”He called, sent a few notes, sent a few texts, and made a few more threats. It's nothing any different than last time. I moved, changed my numbers, and now he's not bothering me. Don't worry about it. It's not your place.”

Not my place? Someone has to do it, and apparently I'm the only one with b.a.l.l.s big enough to do it.

”You shouldn't be staying alone. I've talked to a security company, and I've hired some bodyguards to come watch over you until this is resolved.”

Her eyes pop up, and then she shakes her head.

”Tag, you don't need to do that. I'm a big girl. I can handle this. You've got far more on your plate to worry about. Just let me deal with this.”

I want to grab her by the shoulders and shake the h.e.l.l out of her. I don't know if she doesn't understand how dangerous this could be, or if she doesn't want anyone to know how f.u.c.king terrified she is.

”It's already done. Sorry if you don't like it, but Melanie will kick your a.s.s if you don't accept it.”