Madison

“This isn’t going to work. First, I’m a brand-new employee. Second, I don’t plan on being a personal stylist for long. Third, we slept together so there’s a conflict of interest. Kaylee is much more passionate than I am. You’d be much happier with her expertise.” I keep my tone steady. I can't let him know how much he's affecting me.

He pushes his tall and commanding body off the wall. His dark brown eyes don’t waver from mine. “You. I want you. And not only as my stylist,” he says quietly. He reaches into his pocket and hands me a folded note. I take it and open the letter, gasping because he kept it and because I wrote If it’s supposed to happen, then we’ll meet in the middle. “I can't stop thinking about that night.”

An unintentional sigh escapes my lips at his words. “I wrote this not knowing if we’d ever see each other again.” I gulp. “Bryce ...”

“I’ll see you at seven.”

“Okay.”

“By the way,” he says while moving closer to me and into my personal space, “you look very beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Somehow, I manage to accept the compliment without sounding like a squeaky child.

“Drive safely,” he tells me. I nod and walk out of his office.

Don’t look back.

Yet I do.

Pulsing heat dances over my skin with because he’s standing in his office staring at me.

Big and Scary, hands me a card with Bryce’s information, and there's his number on the card as well. Peter, that's his name as per what's on the card, walks silently with me to my car.

“Peter?”

“Yes, Ms. Smith?”

I turn my head toward the office, and then look at Peter. “Is Bryce always so … overbearing?”

Peter smirks. “Not usually.”

“Oh.”

“He’s a good man, Ms. Smith. Drive safely.”

“Thanks.”

Getting in my car, I digest what Peter said, and the way Bryce is getting under my skin. I’m not in any position to have a relationship, especially with a client. There must be some policy that states employees shall not be intimate with clients. I’ll find the policy and let it resonate in my mind because there’s no way I can ever be seen with Bryce again. The only exception is going over his clothing options. It’s going to be a challenge, and I’m not completely sure how to handle everything. There’s no denying I find the man attractive, but these feelings can never develop any further than they already have. My night with him keeps playing in my head, and I lose focus. If I put myself in a position to get hurt, then I will.

I’m about to drive back to work when I realize I don’t have my folder with all my notes. The walk back is quicker. I’m not going to linger; I’ll just grab my things and leave. The receptionist isn’t at her desk, so I head toward his office. Big and Scary isn’t around either. I knock on the door, and a female says to come in.

When I open the door, a beyond gorgeous woman with long blonde hair, high cheekbones, and plump lips is sitting on his desk with her hand on his arm.

They look cozy.

Intimate.

A jealous wrench pumps through my blood and into my veins. I want to smack her hand off his arm and stare her down.

Oh, no. I am not feeling jealous. No!

Blondie eyes me suspiciously, her lips curling into a slight sneer. I instantly don’t like her or want to get to know her. She seems to have a stick up her ass, and we haven’t even spoken. Right now, she and I are in a battle to see who’ll falter first.

“Madison,” Bryce says and pushes Blondie’s hand away, making her avert her eyes from mine to Bryce’s hand on the desk.

I win. Ha!

He stands and is starting to round his desk. In response, I grab my folder, smile, and wave before rushing out. I need to get out of here, beg Kaylee to take this account, and never ever think about Bryce Hunter again. Frantically, I press the down button on the elevator and look back to see if he’s coming after me. There’s no one. Part of me is relieved, and the other is a little butt hurt. This only proves he’s a man whore, and I shouldn’t allow my body to burn from his look and touch. To him, women are conquests, and he’ll do anything to conquer. Little does he know, I’ll fight him to the death before I submit to him once again. I exit the elevator and rush back to the car and slide in.

A knock on my car window scares the crap out of me, and I turn to see it’s Bryce. Fucking Bryce is standing outside my door, waiting for me to open my car door, and come out to what ... talk?

I open the door and step out of my car, then lean against the door to wait and see what he’s going to say.

“Don’t ever walk away from me if I’m calling for you,” he demands. “Why’d you run like that?” His sexy and commanding voice travels straight to my core. I need to get it together. He’s my client. A very important client. This is my job, and I need to remain professional. I’m going to continue to repeat this until it settles in my mind and I can do my job without acting like a giddy schoolgirl. Sure, he’s a fucking sexy as sin man, and we shared a hot night together, but all of that’s in the past. We’re starting with a clean slate because he’s my client.

He’s my client.

He’s my client.

He’s my client.

I shake my head. “Why are you out here?” I can’t keep the frustration out of my voice.

Bryce’s hand reaches for me, and I shudder a breath. His finger takes a strand of my hair and twirls it between his fingers. I don’t move or look away.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Playing with your hair. Letting you know how badly I want you again. Your lips. I miss tasting you.” His voice slows and turns deep. It’s driving my body crazy and making me hyper alert. “You’ll see you feel the same, so I suggest not fighting this. Don’t run off like that again. I want you, Madison. No one else. Whatever you're thinking, don't.”

“It’s not a good idea. It was one night and one night only. There's so much going on in my life. I don't have time for a boyfriend.” I need to continue coming up with excuses to keep Bryce away. I’m not sure how much resistance I have in me before I cave, and that scares me more than anything. I’m only scared because Bryce has the power to break me, and I can’t go through that pain again.

He smirks as if this is a “hard to get” kind of game. “Let me prove you wrong.”

I’m not sure what to say. We are standing in the middle of his parking garage and neither of us makes a move. It seems like hours have passed when his cell phone rings, breaking our trance.

“You should get that. I’ll see you tonight.”

Bryce reaches over and opens the door for me, waiting until I’m in and then shutting the door. He still hasn’t said anything, so I smile and reverse my car out of the parking spot to exit the garage.

As I drive back to work, I can’t help but think about him. I know it’s not a good idea to get involved, but I can’t ignore the way he makes me feel. It’s an instant attraction—a need to get to know more and delve into the depths of his soul. I crave that. Then again, I’m smart, and men like Bryce Hunter don’t see commitment and love, they see playthings and where they’ll find their next dirty little secret. Pretty soon, I’ll forget him, rock my job, and do something more.

It’s almost six thirty when I finish putting together his outfits, but I’m pleased with everything I’ve picked out. I’m using two mannequins and mixing up what he can wear with each suit, and what he can wear when he wants to be casual. The idea of casual Bryce makes my heart tingle. The way that man can rock a suit leaves me no doubt he’ll look sexy in a casual outfit.

“Explain to me how you’re going to walk away from this account. Madison, the man is exceedingly hot, and you said he's amazing in bed. Are you sure you want me to handle it?”

“Please. I can’t do it, Kaylee. I really can’t.”

She raises a brow. “So you had sex with him. You’re acting childish, and I’m only saying that out of love. He wants you. Why can't you see that?”

I sigh. “Bryce Hunter is dangerous for me. I've been with a powerful man and look what that did to me. I can't put myself in that position again. I barely made it out after Kent. What makes you think I can survive it again?” I flatten my hand on the crisp blue and gray tie and imagine him wearing it. “I need to be alone for now. It doesn’t matter if I feel a connection to him. I’m sure any woman with a pulse who sees Bryce will feel a connection to him. It’s nothing and I’m putting it behind me.”

I need to keep telling myself this. The more I’m around him then the more he’ll wear me down and I’ll give in to him again.

“Go on. Why do you think that?” she presses.

I give her a nonchalant look and turn back to work. “I already told you.”

“There's more.”

“I'm scared okay? When we were together, there was this connection. It was there when we had sex, and it was there again today. I won't deny it, but I have to protect myself.” I take a few deep breaths before continuing, “Yes, he’s hot. He’s dominant. He wants me to be his stylist or girlfriend, I don't know, and I can’t do that. It’s really that simple. A broken heart doesn’t heal right away. It takes time. I deserve time to myself.”

“Unless Bryce makes it worth your while,” she suggests in a righteous tone. “Think about it. If you really don't want to be with him, then keep him around for the amazing sex. Keep your feelings at bay, then take advantage of the benefits he’s giving you.”

I see her eyes light up with her good idea, and I have to shake my head. “No! Bryce isn’t the type of man who lets you keep your feelings at bay. I see myself easily falling in love with him, Kaylee. If I stay away, then I’ll be done. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Kaylee rolls her eyes. “You don’t know what you’re giving up. How old is he?” she asks while typing on her phone. “I can’t find much about him online.”

“Why do you want to know how old he is?” I don’t mean to come off flippant, but his age has nothing to do with this.

She shrugs her shoulders. “Just curious.”

I roll my eyes. “He never told me. I’m sure he’s probably in his thirties. He’s much older than I am. With the age difference, that means we have different levels of experience. He’s the master, and I’m the student. It won’t be worth it.”

My phone buzzes on the floor, and I gasp when I see the name. How in the hell did he add his contact information into my phone?

Bryce: I look forward to seeing you soon.

Madison: I’m not feeling well, so Kaylee will be bringing over the clothes. It’s for the best. I’m putting in my notice. This job isn’t for me. Nice meeting you and good luck.

Bryce: Why are you lying to me?

Madison: I’m not lying.

Bryce: It’s not very nice to lie, Madison. If you continue this façade, then I’ll have to put you over my knee and show you how badly you want this. Because you do. You want me the way I want you. The more you deny me, the more I’ll push you. If you submit to me, I’ll show you all the pleasures of the world. I can give you anything and everything you want.

“Oh, hell no,” I mutter.

Madison: I don’t want you anymore. It was one night and one night only. You’re not my type, and I’m certainly not yours. If you want a plaything, might I suggest Tinder or even a strip club? I’m sure you can make someone very happy, but I can assure you it will not be me.

He doesn’t text me back, and I’m perfectly okay with that. Pushing Bryce out of my head will be easy. Men like him want sex and more sex. They don’t care for women. Women, to them, are disposable. I bet he uses that line on all the women. Most likely, he has pickup lines in his notes section on his iPhone. All he needs to do is highlight, copy, and paste the lines into the text message box, press send, and then boom! Instant booty call. Sadly—for him, not me—that’s not going to happen.