RUSH (Montgomery Men Book 1) (7 page)

“Just call her,” he said as he tossed the message slips onto my desk. “You’ve been an ass for three days, more than usual.”

Again I would allow very few people to speak to me in that manner. Lex always laid it all out without hesitation and spoke what was on his mind. He wasn’t shy and didn’t sugarcoat shit.

“Your patience is for shit, and you’re making me want to use up some of my vacation time to get the hell away from your cranky ass. So either you call her, or I’m taking the rest of the day off.” He cocked his hip out and rested his hand there, challenging me.

The elevator chimed, and the sound echoed throughout the open entry. With my office door still open, it sounded much louder than usual.

Lex spun around and shook his head in displeasure as he exited my office. Cocky little fucker. I approached my door and listened as he greeted our visitor, feeling disappointed when I realized it was just Farris, our mailman.

The frustration of wanting something that was apparently out of my reach was beginning to get to me. I never had to play games, or chase any woman. Getting women had always been easy for me—wink, smile, buy her a few drinks, and bam, next thing I know I’m waking up satisfied and ready for a new day. But Kiera was obviously immune to my charms.

I had to get my head out of my ass and move the fuck on. This shit was so out of character for me. I could have my pick of a hundred different women with one visit to the nearest restaurant, or fucking grocery store for that matter. Why the hell was I so hung up on the spicy brunette that still showed no signs of interest in me?

“Well it’s not a phone call but . . . ,” Lex announced from my door as he smugly walked toward me and held out the small envelope. “Here ya go.”

I looked down at the envelope, which was a soft shade of blue.
Mr. Montgomery
along with my address was scribbled on the front. The section for the return address was simply stamped with
Stockman and Wright Law Office
.

Irritation set in.

I slipped my finger beneath the seal and ripped it open a little too aggressively. It exposed the card within, which had a simple
thank you
written on the front in calligraphy.

I wadded up the torn envelope in my hand as I stared down at the card, taking a few seconds to control my irritation before flipping it open and reading the message inside.

The flowers were beautiful, and my office smells amazing. Thank you for the kind gesture. Kiera Masterson
.

And the fucking shit was typed out. Not handwritten like the address on the envelope. It was fucking printed using a damn computer, so impersonal and an obvious brush-off.

“Get Ms. Masterson on the phone,” I said, still holding the card. I didn’t even take the time to look up at Lex. Instead I moved around my desk and sat in my chair, waiting.

He scurried off excitedly, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. What the fuck about this entire situation was there to be chipper about? That man needed a Valium

Within minutes the intercom on my desk beeped, followed by Lex’s voice. “She’s on line two. Be nice. She is entirely too sweet for your arrogant, domineering behavior.”

Ignoring his warning, I picked up the phone, still staring at the card and attempted to stay collected.

“I’ve been given the thank-you-card brush-off. I’m offended, Ms. Masterson,” I said into the receiver. My heart thumped rapidly in my chest as I leaned back in my chair and remained calm and cool. “Whatever happened to a simple thank-you call?”

She didn’t answer, and I couldn’t help but smile. Apparently Lex hadn’t warned her that I was the one who needed to talk to her prior to sending the call through to me. I liked that I affected her. I could see that I did when she came to my office. She tried to seem appalled by my words and advances, but the way her body reacted said otherwise.

“Mr. Montgomery,” she finally spoke. “I’m sorry if I came across as unappreciative. I just thought a thank-you card was the best form of contact. Though the flowers are very beautiful, they truly weren’t necessary.”

“I could have gone with my other option, but I can assure you, Kiera, you’d prefer the flowers.” Though I often thought of how her cheeks flushed as we stood close enough for our bodies to react to the mere presence of each other. “Though option two would have given us both more pleasure than flowers ever could.”

I chuckled when her hitched breath filled the silence.

“Would you prefer that option, Kiera?” I asked, hoping to push her out of her comfort zone. She had a timidness about her, yet deep down I felt she just needed a little push to find her inner strength. A little taunting message to get the reaction I was in desperate need of.

“The flowers were obviously the right choice,” she replied in a hushed tone.

“I don’t agree, because they only left me on standby for three very painful, long days. I’d hoped they would trigger a phone call or maybe a second visit.” I leaned back in my chair and began to play with the tip of my tie. “I’m not a patient man, and your silence over the last few days, followed by this dismissive card, has only left me even more eager to get what I want.”

“I’d hoped maybe it would give you the impression that what I’d said before was true.” She paused for a moment before clarifying, “I’m not interested in anything further with you.”

“I think you’re lying,” I challenged without hesitation.

“Excuse me?” There was that sassy girl that had caught my attention. “You don’t know me well enough to determine if I’m lying. But I can assure you I have no intentions of being yet another woman who willing crawls into bed with the infamous Ashton Montgomery. I value myself a little more than the women who allow you to use them and then toss them aside. Not now nor will I ever be your whore.”

I was thrown by her instant change in attitude. Before I could argue she continued, “Have a good day, Mr. Montgomery.”

And the call ended.

I was left staring at my phone, wondering what in the hell just happened.

Had I been outwitted by this spitfire of a beauty?

KINSLEY

“I’LL HAVE A VENTI ICED
White Chocolate Mocha, light on the cream,” I said to the barista as I peered down at the email that had just arrived on my phone. It was from Mrs. Stockman and contained my full agenda for the day. One particular item on it jumped out at me, making me feel suddenly nauseous.

Pick up the signed documents from Montgomery Enterprises.

I wondered what the chances were that said documents would be waiting in reception with Blonde Girl and her bitch of a sidekick.

“Well if it isn’t the one responsible for my hate-filled work environment.”

I jumped at the sound of someone speaking entirely too close to my ear and spun around only to come face-to-face with Lex himself. Now him I could tolerate. The guy was a sweetheart and funnier than anyone I had the pleasure of meeting before. I knew if he and Meghan were in the same room together, I could have been entertained for hours.

“Hey,” I said.

“That’s all you got for me?” he asked. “I have had to work side by side with the male form of a damn fire-breathing dragon and all you have for me is ‘hey’?”

“I’m . . .” I paused for a moment, trying to figure out just what to say in response. “Sorry.”

He rolled his eyes. Yep, a full-grown and absolutely fucking adorable man literally rolled his eyes at me as he looked down at his nails. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I could see myself loving this guy.

“You’re sorry?” he said in a huff. “I thought you were more compassionate than that.”

“What?” I laughed. “Did you honestly expect me to pounce on him and ride him like a raging bull?”

“Oh sweetheart, now I’m envisioning that very thing, and even the thought of it is making me hot. Of course the view would have to be from Ashton’s backside, but I feel my temperature rising.” He placed his knuckle between his teeth and bit it as he groaned. “The image of his ass tensing every time he—”

I cut him off with a loud humming noise. We had gained the attention of a few innocent bystanders, and I couldn’t allow him to complete that sentence. I would not be responsible for the two older women behind us falling over from heart attacks. Or the mother that was holding the hand of her young daughter smacking Lex for his explicit, over-the-top description.

“Do not finish that sentence.” I narrowed my eyes in warning before turning around to pay for my coffee. When I faced the barista, she was staring back at us, gaping in shock.

Apparently talking about riding a man as if he was a bull wasn’t the best topic for a seven a.m. visit to Starbucks.

Instead of apologizing, I handed her a twenty and told her I’d cover Lex’s drink as well and to keep the change as a deserved tip for the way we were corrupting them all.

“So you owe me,” Lex said as he jogged to catch up with me as I left the store.

“How do I owe you? I just bought you a coffee.”

“Oh honey, you would have to buy my coffee every morning for the next year in order to make up for the hell you have caused.” Lex hip-checked me, and I stopped walking just as I reached the corner of First Avenue and Eighty-Second Street.

“How am I responsible for the current mood of your overbearing and obnoxious boss?” I was still confused.

“He’s not used to being told no,” he said with a smirk, and I knew then he was eating this up. He obviously loved the situation his boss had found himself in. “He’s so flustered it’s hard not to laugh. Yesterday he came to the office wearing one chocolate-brown loafer and one black.” Lex shook his head. “And then he had me clear his entire schedule because, and I quote, ‘Those bastards can wait.’”

I arched a brow, waiting for him to explain why these things were so bad.

“All those people who make appointments with him, hoping to get even a small donation would bend over backward to gain his support. He’s maintaining control where he can, because he’s so thrown by not being able to gain it over you.”

Mr. Montgomery’s behavior made sense now that Lex explained it, yet that explanation didn’t make me want to change my mind and kneel before him. Okay, so kneeling before him didn’t sound all that bad, but I would keep that little secret to myself. After all, Mr. Montgomery was a very sexy man despite being pompous and infuriating.

“Can you just go to lunch with the guy? Maybe he’ll realize you’re a raging bitch and that will be the end of the desire he feels for you,” Lex said with a shrug. “Or you’ll find you are equally attracted to him and mount him right there in the restaurant, riding him like a raging bull.” The asshole chuckled as he repeated my earlier comment.

I pinched his side, causing him to squeal like a banshee, which made me laugh uncontrollable. I never imagined a man Lex’s size could screech that loud or that high.

I felt comfortable with him. I truly hadn’t felt this relaxed in a very long time.

“Okay, fine, no lunch with him, but I do think you and I must hang out. You, girl, are a riot, and I’m sorta growing an unexpected attachment to you and your spunkiness.” Lex threw his arm over my shoulder as he led me across the street toward downtown.

Nothing about hanging out with Lex made me nervous or unsettled. In fact I found myself actually looking forward to it.

My newfound friend had deserted me.

The moment Lex realized I had to pay yet another visit to Ashton’s office, he suddenly remembered he had dry cleaning to pick up. I knew it was an excuse, and I made a mental note to slip liquid ex-lax in his latte next time I bought our drinks. He would pay for leaving me alone at the hands of the dragon when I was counting on him to serve as a buffer.

My hands were clammy and my stomach was in knots as I entered the elevator and tapped the button that would whisk me to the floor I vowed never to visit again.

I smoothed my skirt and fluffed my hair. Why? Fuck, I had no idea. Nervous energy maybe, or the simple fact Ashton made me feel flustered and I needed to keep my hands busy.

The door chimed, sliding open before I had planned for it to, and I was caught mid-adjustment with my hands pressed against the sides of my boobs, making sure they were positioned correctly.