Liam
All eyes are on Claire as they announce her as the winner. Usually, I skip this kind of meeting, but at this point, I just want to be around her.
She’s nailed it, and I think a part of me always knew that she would.
I know she needs this more than I do. I also know that she’s worked hard for it.
At least in this process, I learned a thing or two. I know that I don’t just have to be the boss. I can indulge in the artistry of the advertising world. The passion that started it all is alive and well—and Claire is the one who helped me to reestablish that.
I should be thanking her, really.
I realize in this moment that I care less about the campaign and more about her. Watching her smile and accept the win so graciously makes me feel proud of her.
She looks happy, and it’s an image I never want to forget.
Something real is starting to form between us. And though it’s taken us a while to get here, and while I can’t quite believe I’m actually considering monogamy, there’s nothing I want to do to jeopardize what we have.
She’s a keeper. But more than that, just the idea of her ever being with some other guy drives me crazy with jealousy that I know I’ll never let her go. Not for a second.
She’s thanking everybody and promising her commitment, but all I see is her beauty. Today more than ever, I see her in her element, and her power and elegance exude in a way that I never knew was possible.
I always knew I wanted a strong woman, someone who would test me and broaden my horizons, but I never dreamed for a second that someone like Claire could be real.
I’m lost in thought, so happy to be here for her win. Now she can go far, and her company will become something big.
Evan jolts me out of my daydream, and I’m annoyed that he’s even here. He’s the one that wanted to take her down, to ruin her chances of success—and I’m not proud to admit that I went along with it.
“Fuck man, what are we gonna do now? She wasn’t supposed to win,” he says to me as though I’m still on his side.
I look at him angrily, “Drop it, Evan. You hear me? Just let this go.”
“Why? Because you’ve become so wrapped up in her? I can’t believe you’d let a woman determined the fate of our company,” he challenges me.
I realize now that my VP is a shady son-of-a-bitch who doesn’t have my best interest at heart. He’s all about one thing…himself.
He’s starting to get on my last nerve. This is Claire’s moment, and I want to see her enjoy it. Instead, I have him complaining in my ear.
“It’s none of your damn business, Evan, what happens between us. The plan was a mistake. It’s over. She deserves this win,” I say.
“Wow. I never imagined that Liam Alton would be led astray by a woman. She’s been nothing but poison to you and to the firm. You’re the one making a mistake by letting her get this without a fight.”
“Fuck off, Evan, just go. You don’t know the truth about any of this,” I say with a certain amount of fury.
I’m trying to control my rage at Evan so that Claire can enjoy her moment without any drama. I turn my attention away from him and back to her. I can deal with Evan later, but for now, I want to help Claire celebrate.
She walks towards me, and I sweep her up in my arms.
“You did it, baby. You really did it.” I say to her.
“Are you mad, Liam? Do you wish Dignity Creative got the contract?” I can see she’s concerned that I might be upset.
“No, baby, I want you to have it. This lingerie company is all yours, and you deserve it. Never forget that, okay?” I tip her head up so she has to stare into my eyes.
I want her, bad. I’m aching to thrust my cock deep into her sweet, little pussy and to prove just how happy I am that she did it.
“And I want you.” I whisper into her ear.
People are congratulating her even as they are filing out the room. But I know she’s as wrapped up as I am in the world that’s happening between us.
She squeezes my hand and whispers, “When, Liam? When can we celebrate, just you and I?”
“Tonight,” I whisper so low that onlookers can’t hear. “I’ll take you somewhere special tonight. Can you wait until then?”
“Barely,” she says, and I feel the heat coming from her.
I take her out into the hallway, and she’s smiling and tearing up a little bit.
I keep my hand firmly around her waist as Charlotte comes over.
“Claire, we did it! You did it. The company is saved, and now Epica is officially a force to be reckoned with.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Charlotte, you know that. Now go call everyone and deliver the good news.”
“Of course,” Charlotte says, as she’s already on the phone.
Claire looks up at me with inquiring eyes, “Are you sure you’re not mad? I know you wanted this, too, Liam. I feel kinda bad about winning.”
“Baby, I want this for you. You deserve it. I never want you to feel guilty about winning, not for a second. I’m truly glad it was you.”
We’re suspended in time, just she and I. Her ocean blue eyes threaten to undo me right here, because it feels like she’s begging me to just be her fucking master and to fuck her over the table or something.
It’s always like this between us, sparks flying and electricity going off. She’s helped me find my passion again. She’s jolted me out of my jaded slumber and made me feel alive.
Suddenly the world is my oyster.
And I only want to share with her.
Whether this is lust or love, whatever you would call it, I know that from this moment forward, I’m on her side, and I always will be.
She has to know my feelings. Now that it’s become obvious to me, I decide that tonight I’ll tell her exactly how it is...that she’s the only one.
I walk with her down the long hall, still admiring the beautiful lingerie on display and wishing she was in it.
“Okay, baby, I have to run to another meeting, but we’ll do something special tonight. I’ll call you.”
I give her a kiss and leave her side to wait for the elevator. She smiles at me and winks.
Sigh. I hate to go, but business calls.
I watch her tight ass saunter back over to where the executives, her new colleagues are, and feel a sense of pride wash over me. I feel like she’s mine already, and that I can partake of her happiness as if it’s my own.
Fuck. What’s happening to me?
But more importantly, where should I take her tonight