Hers (6 page)

The phone vibrates again.

Complicated like how? You're not going to see him again right?

I spit out the Starbucks tea I’m sipping on, spraying my computer screen with the faded pink liquid. Again? What the fuck is that?

That is the problem, I will. Walked into my new boardroom at Alexander Mobile this morning. He is a fucking board member here. I have to work with him. Daily. FML!

The humor of the situation would give her a laugh. I’m sure she’s sitting on the other end of the phone hooting over my own misfortune. Out of all the hookups in my life, and fucking believe me, there have been plenty, something like this has never happened. Ever. Work and play have never crossed paths, and honestly, I never thought I’d see the day when they did.

It would all have to wait, sit on the back-burner until dinner tonight, when I would sit down as a businesswoman and discuss the arrangements we would have to live by from here on out. I can deal with Levi; he seems like a pleasant enough guy. I’m positive he won't want our rendezvous to be boardroom knowledge; it would mar his reputation far more than mine. In fact, I can use that leverage to my benefit. He keeps his mouth shut; if not it will be the funeral of his career, not mine.

You have got to be kidding me, right? Board member! Well, if he was good in the sack, why not just go for an office affair? He married?

Married? I doubt it. But knowing all the other board members donned wedding bands, including Daniel, it only makes me think he has something to hide.
What the fuck? Why do I care about his current relationship status? Jesus!
I need to clear my head, leave for the damn day already.

I won't be carrying on an office affair, it’s in the past. One time. No strings. You know how I roll.

It was the truth. Not since Daniel, the man who took my virginity, did I sleep with the same man, or woman, twice. Only Star.

Looking over at the clock, it finally reads six. I’d only expected to stay at the Alexander Mobile building half a day, but stacks of paperwork kept me swamped with business. An hour is all I have to get home, change, and make my way to dinner, where I will start my game of blackmail with Levi. Although I hope it doesn't come to that.

Dinner

I didn't have time to stop at home and change, so I wear the same skirt and polka dot top that I wore to work earlier in the day. The host of Tokyo Fusion and I are on a first name basis. Vee takes me back to my table, and I order sake and some fancy Japanese beer. The need to unwind after a long day in the office is greater than I’d originally anticipated. On a typical Friday night, I would be soaking in my garden tub, listening to Skillet before heading to Sinners & Swingers and looking for some action. But tonight, I am forced to clean up a mess. A really big mess that I made, for once.

I sip on my beer, keeping my eye on the front door while I scroll through e-mail messages, figuring out what’s urgent, and what can be put off until Monday morning. My e-mail inbox always will be the bane of my existence.

Absorbed in an e-mail from my mother, I completely miss Levi walking through the door. His presence goes unnoticed until he’s standing in front the table.

“Seven?” His voice rings through my entire body, sending goosebumps across my flesh. Not exactly the kind of reaction I was anticipating by any means.

“Have a seat.” I motion to the other side of the intimate booth I requested, tucked away in the back corner. Instead, he plants himself down next to me, his thigh grazing the bare skin peeking out from under my skirt. It’s only then I notice the strap of my black garter belt, which is visible.
Fuck
.

“I don't want to make this any more difficult than it has to be. We clearly have to work together and I would hate for the one night we shared to get in the way of our careers.” My words are precise and to the point. No beating around the bush, because that simply isn't me.

“Seven, when you walked into that boardroom this morning, my entire world shattered into a thousand pieces.” He runs his left hand through his messy brown hair, and lets out a deep breath. “The other night. God. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I was tempted to find you. I Googled you. I wanted to leave a note for you at your front desk. But I didn't want to come across like a fucking stalker.” His words hit me like he just punched me in the face. Seriously, I may have preferred being punched over continuing whereever this conversation was headed.

“Yeah, stalker skills don't get any points from me.” I try to lighten the mood, but his blue eyes are no longer icy. They are as hot as fire, flaming with something. Lust, maybe?

“I've never been connected with someone like that. On that level.” His words sent a shock through my system. Who the fuck is this guy, and why does he seem to have some deeper impact on me?
Not fucking cool; not cool at all
.

“Wait. Please. Before you go on, Levi. It wasn't a connection; it was just sex. That's all. Really
great
sex.” I hold my hand up in defense, trying to put another inch of space between us.

I’m cornered against the wall as he moves in closer. “You thought it was really great sex too?” His face lights up, as he speaks. I gave myself away. He’s keen, smart, a receptive man, and he picked up on my words the moment they fell out of my mouth.

“Of course, it was hot. You can't make a girl like me come a couple times without knowing it was some damn good sex. But Levi, that is all it was. There was no magical connection. If anything, it was a sexual connection. Something I've had in the past. There is a lot more to me than meets the eye.” It was the truth; well, sort of. Yeah, I’ve had great sex over the years. But I would never tell him that our night ranked up there with the time I fucked Adam Levine in the dressing room at Radio City.

He moves in closer and closer. I have nowhere else to go. I’m pinned against the wall and he is blocking the only exit. His thigh grazes mine. “Come home with me, Seven.” His words caress my body with need, as his breath heats my neck. They promised every pleasure I know he could fulfill. I want so badly to say yes. Not because I like him, but because I can feel my clit swelling with need simply from talking about riding his beautiful dick again.

“I don't think that would be a good idea, Levi.” My words are short, but my voice cracks as I speak them. He knows I’m lying. I think it would be a fucking fantastic idea, but the boss in me knows that, with all the office fraternization policies I’ve put into place, it is a horrible idea.

“I think it would be a fantastic idea. No one would ever have to know.” He pauses only for a moment to lick the sensitive spot right behind my ear. I melt against his body, as he presses me up against the wall. “It can be our secret. We keep on working together, and all the while, I get the pleasure of knowing I am fucking the boss. Or better yet. The boss is fucking me. Up. The. Ass.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I am over the idea of dinner. The only thing I am hungry for is him. The waitress comes over to take our order, and I snap back to reality very quickly.
What the fuck was I thinking?

“I'll have my usual.” She quickly notes down my orange chicken over white rice, with extra sauce, then turns her glare to Levi, who clearly hasn't considered what was on the menu, other than me. “I’ll have beef and broccoli. Heavy on the broccoli, with a Coke.”

He waves her off, and focuses his attention back on me. Those eyes… I swear he can see straight through me, which scares the ever living shit out of me. One thing I have always prided myself on is hiding my emotions like a pro. My fucked up childhood ensured I would be a gold medalist in the emotionally void category. But this man acts like he can read my soul.

“I can't. I’m sorry Levi. As much as I would like to - and believe me, I would
really
like to- I just can't.”

I can see the rage building within him. He is mad, like really mad. Slowly he pushes away from me, and my body starts to ache for his touch again. Fucking traitor. He turns away before sliding out.
Is he really going to leave after he just ordered dinner? That would be rude!
Instead of walking for the exit, though, he slides into the booth bench across the table from me. His look is guarded, and his lips are pressed together tightly. He looks like a businessman sitting down to command a deal, and I am completely thrown off my game.

“You know, Seven. I came here giving you the benefit of the doubt.”

What?
Okay, so now he has my fucking attention; if he thinks he is going to get any kind of upper hand on me, he is sadly mistaken. He takes a sip from the glass of ice water placed in front of me on the table, savoring the cold, wet liquid, while never taking his eyes off mine.

“When there is something I want, I get it. And I want you. I want you all the time. I want what we had Wednesday night. I want more. And I
will
get it.”

Is this guy for real?
My temper is brewing. I’m a ticking time bomb, which is about to blow up in what could possibly be a very public meltdown.

“You. Listen. To. Me. Levi.” My words half resemble a growl. “You will not push me. You will not threaten me. I don't know
who
you think I am, but I will ruin you.” I take a sip of my beer, and gather myself together to shoot him a smile. Fake and dazzling. The calm before the storm I am about to unleash.

“I came here with the intentions of being nice, civil, even friendly. People don't get friendly from me,
especially
when I am their boss. But I gave you the benefit of the doubt, because I fucking like you, Levi Parker. But do not mistake my kindness for weakness, because we all know I am the one in charge here. In the boardroom, and the bedroom. Don't think for one second that I didn't notice your need for submission under my hand.”

I run my tongue along my bottom lip as my eyes take in the rest of his body, taking in his mannerisms and the change in his body language. A moment ago he took me on with bravado; now he is ready to cower like a lamb. “I make the rules - here, in the boardroom, and in the bedroom. And if you want to get back in my good graces, you better fucking wow me.”

A sly smile spreads across his face; he thinks he has won. But little does he know there is no way I am going to let him back into my bed. I made that decision the night he walked out of my penthouse. The knowledge of working together is just icing on the cake now.

“So, why don't we take this time to get to know each other a bit, Seven?”

The floor is pulled out from under me.
Know me
? What is this, the fucking
Love Connection
?

Maybe I will play the game, pull what I want to know out of him, maybe gather a little intel on Alexander Mobile, and Daniel. Good idea.

“What is it you want to know, Levi?” I wave my hand at him. “I’m an open book.” If he only knew.

His teeth tug on his bottom lip, and he runs his tongue across his top teeth. “Are you single, Seven?” Question of the hour. Does he really want to know me, or just size me up?

“Yes, have been for years. Although I am married to my work. Yourself?” I’m willing to bet he has a hot little Stepford wife, just like Daniel does. These New York City business types all do.

“Single. Divorced actually. My wife left me about two years ago.”

Interesting. Submissive little Levi was left by his wife, but I am sure there is more to the story. “Kids?” I question with confidence.

“None. Couldn't have any. Part of the reason she left me. I couldn't provide her with what she wanted out of life, so she found it with my partner at the firm I was working at.”

Yikes, that is harsh. I feel like I should apologize to him for that. “Damn, sorry I asked.”

His face shows relief, instead of pain. “She did me a favor. I didn't want kids anyway. I am not really the parent type.” He shrugs his shoulders as the waitress arrives with our food.

We eat and talk, discussing all the mundane details of life. Our night reminds me a lot of time I would spend with Star. The conversation comes easily; nothing is off topic, but we don't push to know the deep dark secrets we are both clearly hiding. I like to consider myself pretty damn good at reading strangers. If I didn't know any better, he was hiding something just as deep and dark as I, under the layers of our public personas.

A dinner I’d anticipated to take an hour and a half at most flows into three hours. We clear our plates, even sharing a few bites here and there. I indulge in a few more beers than I probably should, but I don't have anything to do in the morning, so what do I care? But the best part of the entire evening comes in the form of deep fried ice cream. The out of this world vanilla treat is probably my favorite at Tokyo Fusion. I laugh to myself as I lick the vanilla ice cream off the spoon.
Vanilla, what a fucking joke. My life is beyond fucked up, and my favorite flavor in the world is vanilla.