CHAPTER THREE
As I stepped out of the shower and wrapped my towel around me, I sighed with disappointment. I'd made myself come nearly four times since getting home and I still felt unsatisfied. I still had an itch that made my mind wander back to the intense moment I shared with Arieon.
I would have fucked him. I wanted to fuck him and I hated myself for it. I fumbled in my drawer of extracurricular toys. I wasn't that woman. I wasn't the kind of woman who fucked men that basked in their privilege. Men that walked into jobs and took them away from deserving people. I was stronger than that. Better. Or at least, I'd thought I was.
My hand found what it was looking for inside of my drawer. I wrapped my fingers around the "back massager" and pulled it out. It had never let me down before. Tonight, I was going to use it to fuck myself back into reality. To push every latent fantasy of Arieon out of my head and remind myself that the moment in the elevator was a lapse in judgment and nothing more. I placed the massager on the bed and finished readying myself for the night.
As I twisted the last bits of my hair, my phone buzzed across my dresser. I picked it up, already knowing who it was. The only phone calls I ever received were from work or my best friend. And it was well into best friend hours.
"Hey, Ti," I answered, pressing the speaker phone button.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Well, it's almost eleven so, you know the usual. Hosting an orgy, making scientific breakthroughs, saving the world. Nothing special."
"Smartass," she grumbled. "I don't even know why I put up with you."
I laughed but in honesty, I didn't know how she'd survived me all of these years. I'd put all of my effort into my work. It had always been on Ti's shoulders to hold our friendship together and she did so without falter.
"So, how was work. It's Arieon day. How terrible was it? Did you fuck with him?"
"What? No, I didn't fuck him," I answered before processing it wasn't what she had asked. "I mean...Shit." I took a deep breath. It was bound to come up eventually. It would be easier, in the long run, to just get it off my chest sooner rather than later. "I kind of showed him my pussy...well, I guess just my underwear but...It was intense." I shook my head. "No. It was inappropriate."
"Wait, wait, wait. Back up. You did what now?"
"We were stuck in the elevator and he was rubbing my feet and things just got...strange."
Ti was silent for a long moment. "I'm going to need more details than that."
I sighed. "Ti, I really don't want to break it all down right now. I'm just trying to forget it all and get through the rest of the week. I've got way too much on my plate to add Arieon Banks to the mix."
"Eventually, you're going to have to give me the play-by-play on this but alright, I'll let it slide for now."
"Thank you." I took her off speaker phone and placed the phone to my ear.
"So, are you going to get the promotion then?"
"What?" I asked, sliding into bed with my massager as my side.
"I mean, you flashed the man and if you did it right, I'm assuming that means an upgrade."
I rolled my eyes. "Goodnight, Ti."
*~*~*
As I strolled into my office, I moved with pep and purpose. I'd given myself enough orgasms the night before to brighten my spirits. It was going to be a good day. I had tons of work to do and a first thing in the morning meeting to keep my mind fresh.
I made a quick stop in my office for my files and headed to the conference room. I had a flawless presentation prepared. It was over-the-top and targeted perfectly for The Bud Brothers, a famous and infamous beer company with profits that stacked as high as the lawsuits filed against them. Their family had been with Elion for nearly fifteen years, and with his retirement, they wanted reassurance they'd be taken care of. And I had the perfect plan of execution to ensure them they would be.
As I stepped into the conference room, my chest tightened. Arieon sat at the conference table across from the two bleach blond brothers, his head tossed back in laughter.
"Arieon," I breathed, drawing their attention. I cleared my throat as they watched me expectantly. "I mean, Mr. Banks." I moved from my lingering stance in the doorway to the table. Placing my hand at the edge, using it to hold me up. My legs felt like rubber. "What are you doing here?"
"I work here." Arieon smiled and tossed his head back in laughter again.
"I know, I just mean...It's Friday."
Arieon cocked his head and I realized how ridiculous I must have sounded. "I mean." I turned my attention to the brothers. "Chris. Reese." I nodded at each of them. "So nice to see you again."
"Yeah, you too." They climbed to their feet. "Thank you, Arieon. We were concerned with your uncle retiring but we feel good about it now."
They gave me a wave before they hurried out of the door.
I stared after them, dumbfounded. What the hell just happened? I turned to Arieon who climbed from his seat wearing a triumphant grin.
"What just happened?"
Arieon's grin widened. "I found out that you had a meeting with The Bud Brothers."
"So you took it?"
He seemed genuinely taken back by my fury, surprised that I didn't match his chipper tone. "No. I didn't—I mean, I just know Chris and Reese. I thought I could make it easier on you if I just met with them."
I was livid. Anger boiling in my belly. "I don't believe this. Two weeks of planning this presentation and you just stroll in and play the 'old friend' card."
"I-I didn't think about that. I guess I should have talked to you first."
I sighed as I met his eyes. What did it matter? What was I even doing? I worked hard but I knew better. Connections and prestige, that's what made your way. If working hard was the key, I'd have been managing partner. Pft, working hard. What a joke?
"It's whatever. You're the boss, right? You get to do what you want." I tucked my materials back under my arm and moved for the door. I felt deflated, beyond deflated. I felt defeated. Defeated in a way I never expected I'd ever feel.
"Ellen." He reached out for me, catching my arm. "I'm...trying."
I nodded, shirking out of his grasp. I knew he was trying, that's what made it hurt so bad. He was trying, putting in a mild effort in the ninth hour but I'd given my life to the company. I'd spent my twenties knee-deep in paperwork and all I had to show for it was a boss that was "trying".
I spent the rest of my day staring at the walls before deciding to leave. There was no point in me being at work. I was too demoralized to be productive.
I was still in the midst of my pity party when Arieon walked up next to me, standing silently as he waited for the elevator. The last thing I wanted was another elevator ride with him. Before that morning it might have excited me but now, it just made the world seem even more bleak.
"It's fixed," he said, bouncing on his heels next to me.
"What?" I asked, only half paying attention while I continued to mope.
"The elevator. I got the guys to get in here and work on it this afternoon. Was just a small wiring problem."
"Great," I said unenthusiastically.
He let out a heavy breath. "Look, I'm sorry about this morning but you're going to have to start showing me some respect."
I cut my eyes at him. It set a flame inside of me, pushing away some of the darkness. "You've got to be kidding me."
The elevator arrived and I stepped inside. "Maybe you should just get the next one," I said, holding up a hand as he followed behind me.
He shook his head. "No. Maybe you should tell me what I've done that's so horrible." He stepped inside of the door, holding an arm to one side to keep them from closing. "I'm just doing what I have to, Ellen."
I crossed my arms and eyed him up and down. "Fine, you really want to know?"
He nodded and I took it as a cue to unleash the hellfire burning inside me.
"Frankly, I don't like you. I don't like that you waltzed in here, stole my promotion and walk around like everyone should be delighted to worship at your feet."
"Well, I am the boss."
"You're a privileged child who got handed the job on a silver platter because you were born to the right person. I'm a Harvard grad, with an impeccable record and the only person keeping this company afloat while you show up for two hours on Tuesday's. So, no, Arieon. I don't think I'll be showing you that respect anytime soon."
Arieon's lips settled into a straight line and he narrowed his eyes on me. "I could fire you, you know?"
I planted my feet, standing my ground. "So do it," I challenged. I wasn't bluffing about my record. Arieon could fire me right then and there and I'd have another job before I made it to my car. If he thought he could scare me, he had another thing coming.
He kept his eyes on me as he took a step forward, letting go of the elevator doors. It was almost intimidating. I almost took a step back as the doors slid closed behind him. But then he blinked and his shoulders sagged in defeat.
He put his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "I'm not going to fire you." He sighed. "Listen, I..." He stopped short as the elevator jerked, sending me toppling over. I'd have face planted had he not reached out to catch me. His arms quickly moving beneath my own.
He was a rock beneath me, his hard steady arms keeping me upright as my own feet betrayed me.
I cleared my throat as I gathered my feet back beneath me and lifted out of his grasp. "Thanks," I said softly as I collected my bearings. "What the hell happened?"
Arieon moved to the elevator panel, pressing all of the buttons but nothing happened.
"I thought you said they fixed it," I said, my tone harsh and accusing.
"They did. Or, at least, that's what they were supposed to do."
I shook my head. "So, we're stuck. Again. Great."
Arieon turned on me. "It's not my fault."
"Well, whose fault is it then?"
"Why does it always have to be this way with you?" He moved closer to me. "You're smart, you're sexy, you're accomplished. You can't really be this bitter."
"Bitter?" I blinked in surprise. "I worked my ass off and the unqualified nephew of the boss that can't get a simple work order done out ranks me."
Arieon held up his hands. "That's not my fault either. I wasn't trying to take anything away from you. I was just trying to show my uncle that I was taking things seriously."
"Yeah, well, showing up one day a week really drove the point home." I let out a frustrated breath. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to work in this business and look like me? To be a woman with hips and ass and melanin? The second you walk into a room people assume you know more than me or that you're more qualified, and I thought Elion was the guy that built the company that was above that." I shook my head. "I'm not bitter, Banks. I'm disappointed."
Arieon stepped back, pressing himself against the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest with a sigh. "I guess, I wasn't thinking about it like that," he said softly.
I softened my tone. "Of course you weren't. You don't have to."
Silence settled between us and I shifted uncomfortably.
"Ellen," Arieon started, breaking up the quiet that had engulfed us. "I wasn't trying to take anything away from you. I didn't even want this job, I just...My uncle is a hard man to say no to."
I pursed my lips. He had a point. Elion hadn't built an empire by being easy to deny. I sighed. Maybe I had been a bit heavy on the hazing. I moved to lean against the wall next to him. "I know you're not trying to be a dick."
"And I know you're not trying to be a bitch."
I laughed. "Oh, no. I definitely was."
He turned his head, giving me a once over before he chuckled. The sound eased me and I slid closer to him without thinking about it.
"But you may not have deserved all of it. You definitely deserved some but I may have taken it a bit far," I confessed, thinking over my actions of the last few months. God, I wasn't usually so prickly but I'd definitely put Arieon through the ringer. He sparked severe reactions from me. Highs and lows that I couldn't seem to get a handle on.
He nodded and met my eyes. The intense blue burned into me and I suddenly felt flustered. My entire body going haywire.
I cleared my throat. "So, you think I'm smart, huh?" I offered with a laugh, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Yeah." Arieon didn't break the intensity of his stare. Instead, he inched toward me and I moved away until I hit the corner of the elevator. "And successful," he added, placing a hand to the elevator railing and pinning me into corner.
My breathing went ragged and my heart pounded in my chest. He smelled so damn good. How did a single person smell so intoxicating?
He leaned in and his voice rumbled low in my ear as hovered over me. "And sexy."
The word sent a tingle through me and I shivered as I felt his warm breath in the crook of my neck.
"Arieon," I breathed. It was supposed to be a warning but instead, came out as a plead. A soft begging for him to touch me, to follow through on his lips lingering over the skin of my neck.
He leaned back and met my eyes again, the sheer intensity of his stare was enough to make me damp. He licked his lips as he stared me down and heat coursed through my center. Suddenly, he wasn't Arieon Banks. He wasn't my boss or the person on the top of my hit list. Instead, he was just a gorgeous man eyeing me like a glass of water in the desert. A stallion in desperate need of a good ride.
I couldn't seem to stop myself as I pushed forward, crashing my lips into his. I don't know what I expected, for him to pull away, to disappoint me. But he didn't. He gripped the back of my head and pulled me in deeper, spreading my lips with his tongue as he dove in to explore my mouth. He kissed me like no man ever had. The kind of kiss that stole the breath right out of my lungs and made me quiver. Had I been standing, I had no doubts that kiss would have taken my legs right out from under me. His kiss was relentless and by the time he released me, I was breathless and dizzy and half out of my mind.
His lips moved straight for my neck, giving me no moment to recover, no second to rethink the throbbing between my legs as his teeth grazed against my skin. It was an overwhelming sensation with the addition of his hand traveling up my thigh. I scooted forward to open myself to him, welcoming his touch as it climbed higher and higher, pushing my skirt up and exposing me.
He lifted his head and pressed his forehead to mine as he examined me. My skirt hiked up to reveal white lace panties even I had to admit made my pussy look like a star at the Grammys. They were the perfect contrast to my skin and it made me wild that he stopped to appreciate it.
"Goddam, Ellen. You're so fucking beautiful." His voice was heavy and unapologetic. It was a tone that I'd never heard from him and it turned me on even more than that look of desire in his eyes as he rolled them over my body.
"Touch me." In response to his change in tone, my own came out pleading. I wasn't usually that girl. I begged for nothing. But I would have begged for him. I would have kicked and cried and payed money to have his hands on my cunt in that moment. But he didn't make me ask twice.
A thick, rough hand slipped into my panties and I moaned in appreciation. Closing my eyes and leaning my head back, I arched into him. Maybe it was because I hadn't been touched by a man in so long but his hand was like magic. The pads of his fingers working the most perfect rhythm over my clit before they dipped inside of me and started all over again. I was so wet, running like a faucet to his touch. Each time he slipped into me, I tightened, going slick against him as my body begged for more.
I opened my eyes to find him watching me, a serious look on his face. "You're so sexy. I want to see you come."
I nodded, unable to speak. The only sounds I could seem to manage were my moans and groans of pleasure. He was definitely going to see me come and I couldn't pretend, even for a moment, that he wasn't driving me wild.
His thumb flicked over my clit, changing pace as two fingers worked my opening and I exploded. My hips jutted forward, my hands flying up to clutch at the railing. I'd completely lost control. My body bucked against him as I released but he didn't lose his rhythm. He kept going, kept his thumb teasing me, kept his fingers pulsing, making what should have been a mild orgasm go on and on until it was almost unbearable.
When he finally relented, I was trembling. Every nerve ending in my body on fire and every muscle exhausted. But even in my fatigue, I wanted more. My eyes grazed lazily over him as I shakily lifted myself, sliding out of my panties and stuffing them into his suit pocket. My hands went for his belt and gave it a gentle pull.
"I want you to fuck me."
His eyes widened but he didn't hesitate. He leaned forward and wrapped a hand around my waist, lifting me to my feet before he kissed me again, his mouth taking complete possession of mine. Fuck, those kisses. Where in the hell had he learned to kiss like that?
When he let me go all of my exhaustion had faded and I needed him. I needed to feel him inside of me. I needed to know if every appendage on him was compatible with my body.
He turned me around, pressing me into the corner. His hands traced the outline of my body and moved up my stomach to clutch at my breast. I could feel him pressed against me. Could feel the hard outline of an impressive cock.
"Please, Arieon." I rolled my skirt up higher to give him a clear path of entrance and gasp when his hands aggressively clutched my ass. Kneading the tissue until I was certain I was going to come again before he entered me.
He let me go just as I was on the edge, my breath heavy and hot as I listened to him unbuckle.
I lifted my leg onto the railing, desperate to feel him. I was a wet aching mess and I had no shame about it.
I heard the zipper on his pants go down before the elevator churned and jerked.
"Fuck," Arieon swore, the sound of his zipper going back up, piercing my ears before I could process what was happening.
I could hear his buckle being fastened before it finally dawned on me. We were moving. Shit, we were moving. In an elevator. At my job.
I put my leg back on to the floor and quickly rolled down my skirt. Shit, shit, shit. I'd only barely gotten myself together as the doors slid open on the basement floor.
I jumped in surprise at the hoard of interns waiting outside of the elevator.
"Oh my God, Ms. Carp, are you okay?"
The hoard split in half as interns went left and right between me and Arieon to check up on us.
"I'm fine. I'm fine." I backed away, putting as much space between myself and anyone else as I could. I didn't want to talk to them. I couldn't. I couldn't think of a thing to say. The only thing I could think about was the fact that my panties were in my boss's front pocket.