Friday is a clusterfuck.

For starters, Tyler’s flight was delayed because of weather. He didn’t get in the office until close to noon, coming straight from the airport after spending the night at his gate.

The first two meetings he had scheduled for the day were with previous clients, both of whom I had worked with previously. Because of that, I was able to lead both meetings with minimal help from Ryder.

His afternoon meetings were another story.

Three new clients, back to back. With Tyler gone all week I was able to complete their files. Unfortunately, Tyler didn’t have time to familiarize himself with the files before jumping back in.

For the first time ever, I saw panic on his face. He’s normally a laid back, go with the flow type of person. He’s great at what he does and makes it look effortless. Doing everything I can to lower his stress level, I sit in on all three meetings and chime in when necessary.

At the end of the day, after all the clients have come and gone, Tyler calls me into his office to thank me for all my help. We both know things would not have gone as smoothly as they did had I not made my presence known at the meetings.

“Before you go, I need one last thing from you,” Tyler says as I hand him all my notes.

“Sure. Which file do you need?” I ask, reaching for the stack on the table to my right.

“Crafted with Care Home Furnishings.”

JP’s file.

“It’s on my desk,” I reply, standing to gather it for him.

“How about you fill me in instead. For starters, what time are we meeting tonight?”

“I made you a reservation at seven o’clock.”

“That works. I need to run home and shower first. And are you planning on joining us?”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, I nod my head. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Are you sure because I get the feeling that you don’t want to go, and you don’t have to. Plus, I heard Devon was in town this weekend.”

“No, as much as I detest that man, he has a valid point. A large portion of their advertising strategy is to target women. If I can be of help, you know I want to in any way I can.”

The thought of sitting at the same table makes me nauseated, but I can do this. It can’t be any worse than being alone with him in the conference room.

“Okay, I’ll see you at seven, then. Are you bringing Devon with you?”

Hell no!

“Um, no. It’s a work meeting, so I thought I’d catch up with him after,” I explain. The truth is, I haven’t mentioned it to Devon yet. He was still asleep when I snuck out of the room this morning and rushed to work.

In fact, aside from texting him when I got to the office his morning to apologize, I haven’t spoken to him at all today. I’ll call him on my way home and fill him in. I’m sure he’s expecting me to come back to the hotel when I get out, and I will after I stop home to pick up my dress. I left it hanging in my room by accident.

Was it an accident, though? Or was my subconscious telling me to avoid this meeting? Either way, I have to go back for it.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you in a little bit,” Tyler states, dismissing me.

After dropping JP’s file on his desk, I snag my purse and head out for the night. Looking around for Ally and Emerson to say goodbye, I find both of them are missing. Maybe they left early.

With my dress hung over my arm, I let myself in the hotel room and call out for Devon. I sent him a message when he didn’t answer my call. He hasn't replied, and it’s been almost an hour. I’m not normally the worrying type, but this is the first time he hasn’t responded.

“In here!” he shouts.

Walking into the bedroom, I find Devon under the covers with his laptop on his lap. He smiles at me when I lean against the door frame.

He’s wearing a button-down shirt and a tie, the same one he had on when he arrived last night. Beneath the covers I guarantee he has less clothing on. Maybe nothing.

“That sounds great. If there’s nothing else, I’ll put everything together on Monday when I’m back in the office and have it to you by noon. Great. Have a nice weekend.”

Closing his laptop, Devon slides it off his lap, throwing back the covers and confirms my suspicions.

“Nice outfit,” I remark as he stands.

A businessman above the belt but that’s where his outfit stops. In nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, Devon slowly approaches as he removes his tie in one swift motion, tossing it over his shoulder for flair.

“I wasn’t supposed to be working today, and I feel like that’s all I’ve done. One call turned into two which turned into a conference call and then suddenly you’re here, wearing far too much clothing,” he says as he begins unbuttoning his shirt, slowly popping each button.

“Well, as much as I like where your mind is headed right now, I have to change and head to a meeting myself,” I say, unfolding my dress from my arm and shaking it.

“What? Since when?”

“Since we have a client that insists I’m at the meeting so there’s a female perspective present.”

“Damn,” he says, popping his last button and letting his shirt fall to the floor. “Can I at least help you change?”

“I think that can be arranged.” Pushing myself onto my tiptoes, I kiss him gently on the lips, careful not to press my body to his. I don’t want to start something we can’t finish.

That doesn’t stop him from pulling me to him, grabbing my ass, and lifting me in the air. Wrapping my legs around his waist, Devon presses my body against the wall, eliciting a moan from deep down, and deepens our kiss.

For the second time today, I’m rushing to get ready to head to work. Only this time, I don’t want to leave. Devon is watching me fix my hair, pouting next to me.

“I can always call Tyler and tell him you’re not feeling well.”

“I won’t be gone that long,” I explain. “And when I get back, I’ll let you help me take this dress off, as fast or slow as you want,” I reply, making eye contact with him in the mirror.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” he says with a smirk.

I hope he does. I’m not sure how much more I can take before I rip his clothes off and have my way with him. If the look on his face twenty minutes ago was any indication, he can’t wait much longer either.

Practically shooing me out the door so I can get my meeting over with, Devon promises to be awake and waiting for me when I return.

“Dixon, party of three,” I tell the hostess.

“Your party’s already here, Ms. Dixon,” she replies.

Laughing to myself at her comment, I contemplate correcting her, but I know there’s no point.

My laughter comes to an abrupt halt when I find out that JP is the only member of the group that’s arrived. Taking the seat across from him, he eyes me suspiciously before poring me a glass of wine.

“Where’s your boss?” he asks, checking his watch.

“We had a busy today at the office today. I’m sure he’ll be here any minute,” I say, glancing around the restaurant, my focus on the entrance.

“Before he arrives, why don’t we talk about why you’re not wearing the necklace I sent you.”

The necklace. I need to give that back to him.

Reaching into my purse, I pull out the box and set it in front of him, practically slamming it on the table. That wasn’t my intention, but when his smile falls, one spreads across my face.

“Thank you, but no thank you. It would be inappropriate for me to accept such an expensive gift from a client.”

“I didn’t send it to you as your client.” His signature grin slowly appears, making me uneasy. It’s the same grin I fell for once. I used to find it attractive on him, accenting his long lashes and penetrating stare.

Not anymore. I know what kind of person lies beneath the surface.

“As far as I can see, there’s no other reason you would be sending it to me. I have no reason to accept it.”

Before JP can reply, I catch sight of Tyler headed our direction. He’s still wearing the same suit from this afternoon, making me wonder if he ever left the office.

“Sorry for being late. I had a few things to finish up and lost track of time,” he says as he takes the chair next to me.

Watching as JP pours him a glass of wine, I notice the absence of the jewelry box. That’s not the only thing missing. JP’s grin has turned into a smile, his posture is a little straighter, and his mannerisms are professional.

For the next two hours, we talk business, finalizing plans for his media campaign. When the guys order an after-dinner drink and the conversation begins to take on a personal note, I take the opportunity to excuse myself for the night.

My presence wasn’t needed any longer, if at all to begin with. JP never once asked for my opinion. Neither of them did, and I didn’t offer it. I quietly sat in my chair, sipping wine and eating my chicken.

My anger grows the closer I get to the hotel. JP wanted me there because he wanted to prove that he was still in control. He was calling the shots. He knew that threatening my job would get me to cave to his demands.

Slamming my palm against the steering wheel, I scream in frustration.

Not again. I won’t let him manipulate me like he did before. He can manipulate Tyler into seeing only what he wants him to see, but I won’t fall for it. I’ve been down that road before and the potholes are large enough to swallow a person whole.

Taking a deep breath before entering the hotel room, I let it all go. The meetings, the threats, and inappropriate gifts. His stupid grins and smirks. The way he looks at me like we’re playing a game he writes the rules to.

I made it through the first week, I can make it through one more. Once this week is over, I can cut him from my life and never have to hear or speak his name again. I don’t want to even think about him or our past if I can avoid it. I hope he understands that. If he doesn’t, he’s in for a rude awakening.

Opening the door, I’m about to holler for Devon when all the air leaves my lungs.

The entire room is lit with candles. The curtains are drawn, the lights of the city sparkling below. The furniture has been pushed into one corner and all that’s left in the living room area is the rug. On it, a bucket of ice with a bottle of champagne chilling and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries.

The door clicks closed behind me as Devon appears from the bedroom.

“Remember that time I told you I was planning on holding you captive for an entire weekend and having my way with you? Well, the time has come, Justine. I hope you don’t have any plans for the next forty-eight hours.”

Smiling, I drop my purse at my feet and walk to where Devon is standing, my feet picking up the pace the closer I get. Jumping into his arms, I wrap my arms around his neck and capture his lips.

Sliding down his body, I turn so Devon can unzip my dress. Slowly pulling my zipper down, Devon’s fingers graze my spine, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“I’m going to go slow. So slow you’re going to beg and scream but I promise, by the end of the weekend, you’ll be so happy you’ll want me to do it all over again, slower than the first time.”

“Promises, promises,” I tease. “Less talk and more action and I might believe you.”

“Oh, baby. We haven’t even started yet.”

His words couldn’t have been more accurate. Devon took his time with me, exploring every inch of my body while I begged him for more. Every time I thought he was going to give me what I wanted, he’d bring me to the brink of ecstasy and wait for me to calm down before starting all over again.

It wasn’t until Saturday afternoon that I started screaming at him. I needed more. I needed him. Begging and pleading had done nothing to coerce him. He was a man on a mission and his mission was to drive me insane.

Waiting for the perfect moment was worth it in the end.