I let Mr. Paxton in with a wide smile.

“How are you this evening? Come in, come in,” I greet him.

I have my work face on, with a smile that looks welcoming but allows me to weasel out what people are really thinking.

It’s not working tonight.

Maybe I’m scattered. Maybe Paxton isn’t playing an angle.

That’s the thing though; everyone is.

We sit down together on the couch, and since the wine is there, I offer him some. He’s flattered to accept a glass, and he immediately begins to loosen up. He’s talking about a couple of offshore investments, things I’ve actually been looking for at his portfolio.

“I’ve had those on the read list for some time,” I say, pandering to him.

My smile is wide and genuine now, enjoying this moment of mental mimic. I’ve also probably had too much wine.

“How soon can we move on this?” he asks, taking another sip. “I’m hoping to move several million into this from the others on slow return.”

“Of course,” I say.

I take a quick look at my computer. Always on. Like Will.

Shut the fuck up.

“So, I think—hey!”

As I turn back, I see Paxton taking off his jacket.

He gives me an out of place, something’s off, kind of smile.

“It’s so hot in here,” he comments.

His voice is very quiet, I’m not sure what to say.

I’m getting a weird vibe now. It’s not that warm. This is awkward as fuck.

I invited him in, so I don’t feel like I can’t just kick him out because I feel weird.

He’s a top client; I have to try and handle this delicately.

“Look, Mr. Paxton—”

“No, honey, no,” he interrupts as he shakes his head.

His eyes seem to crawl all over me.

“I’ve got to be honest. When I heard Ambrose was getting a new CEO, I was mostly relieved. Will’s a top business man, but he blows meetings all the time. I was happy to have someone new on the job. The way you handled that phone call…”

His eyes take on a dreamy look.

Oh, fuck.

The phone call when Will was fucking me.

What did this old pervert hear?

“I’ve never been inspired like that,” he admits.

He reaches out and squeezes my knee.

Right, that’s it.

I quickly stand up and take a step back.

“I cannot allow you to touch me, Mr. Paxton. This is unacceptable behavior.”

He falls on to his knees in front of me and gazes up at me like a lovesick boy at his first dance.

“Yes, honey. Do me just like that. Tell me what I can and can’t do. I need you to punish me.”

“What the fuck!”

“Yes! Swear at me! What next? Lick your shoes, oh, please tell me I can lick you shoes. Make me.”

I take a step back, “Ah, I think, we had a cross in communication, somewhere…”

“No! Don’t lose it! No! Talk to me in that stern voice! Look, I’ve got cash—a lot of it—on me. I know you’re an important woman, buying your cooperation in this won’t come cheap, but—”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes! That’s the tone! Call me your pay pig, your money hunk, human ATM! Make me give you that cash, honey!”

Oh shit.

I keep backing away towards the balcony. I really don’t know what to do now.

This is some freaky kinky shit I have wandered into. I know some guys like being dominated—but fuck.

This is just weird.

He goes back to his coat and pulls out a handful of money. He gets up, green pieces fluttering everywhere as he advances on me.

“Look how I blow for you honey, I blow my hot, hard, cash all over the place, just for you. Because you’re special. I haven’t had a boner like I got on that phone call since I was a teenager. What were you doing? Handling my money? Oh, tell me you had those sweet hands all over my money.”

I can’t answer. If I start screaming at him that he’s a freak and to get the fuck out, he’ll probably consider it foreplay and take his pants off.

I can’t just meekly submit, no fucking way.

If I hurt him, my career is over.

I’m smart. I’ve got to be able to think my way out of this.

“Mr. Paxton,” I start, trying for a neutral tone, and he’s still advancing on me, cash falling all over the floor.

If I go back much further, I’ll be on the balcony, and I really don’t want that.

I turn back to check out freak features—and then I realize he’s right in front of me. He leans in, making puckered lips at me.

“Just give me those sweet lips, just once,” he begs.

Mr. Paxton has this cheeky look on his face, like he knows I would rather slap him, and he’s hoping I do.

I’m completely frozen. I can’t think.

At that moment, a fast-moving blur comes from behind me and Paxton is on the carpet, struggling...with another man.

They roll on the floor, and as Paxton comes out under, I recognize who’s on top.

“Will!” I gasp softly.

Will punches Paxton square in the jaw and stands up, giving him a kick for good measure. Paxton starts crawling around, trying to get up as Will grabs him by his jacket’s collar, and hauls him out the door.

“Where the fuck did you come from?”

I’m standing frozen, arms around myself. I seriously don’t think I can move.

“Climbed the fucking balconies. I saw something going on…I could see someone up here. I don’t know, I had a bad feeling. Are you okay?” he says, all between breaths.

I nod, slowly, thinking, no, I wasn’t alright, not until you got here.

He steps close to me, and I feel my heart bounce.

I can’t help but grin as I take in his sent, and start to feel that warm tingle between my legs.

Oh, yeah. This guy gets me going. I can’t even help it.

“So,” Will says, as he rakes a hand through his hair. “We should talk then?”

I nod as I move towards the couch, feeling shaky and scared, but full of hope too.

“Yeah. Let’s talk.”