It's my first day of work at Hudson Paragon Solutions, and I'm far more nervous than I thought I would be. I spent a good five minutes applying concealer this morning to cover the dark bags beneath my eyes. Sleep wasn't kind to me last night. It came in short ten-minute bursts with long spaces between.
Croix dropped by before work to bring me flowers and give me encouragement. It was sweet, but it cut into the time that I needed to get ready. Now, I feel half-ass put together in a black pencil skirt and a white blouse with a black blazer. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail so quickly that there are frizzies sticking out everywhere. This is not the kind of first impression that I had wanted to make to the staff at Hudson Paragon Solutions.
Carol greets me with a smile when I step into her office. She has me sit across from her while we wait for Mary Carmen, the woman I'll be replacing, to come retrieve me. I end up sitting in Carol's office for twenty minutes before the lady finally arrives. She's a petite Mexican thing in her late fifties with a smile that goes on for miles.
“Mary will show you the ropes today,” Carol tells me as she passes me off to Mary, who seems more than eager to get started.
We make casual conversation while I follow Mary to a small office at the far end of the building. She sets me down in front of a computer, and for the first half of the day, I'm made to watch videos about the company. It seems like a cop-out, especially since the videos ended an hour before lunch and she didn't bother to come retrieve me. When I finally approach her in her office, she tells me to just hang out until lunch and that she'll start training me after. I wait until I'm not facing her before I sigh, wondering why I let this stress me out so much.
After lunch, I end up waiting for nearly an hour before Mary finally comes to retrieve me. The remainder of the day is spent shadowing her while she does things on her computer and only explains about half of them. It seems like she's not too keen on me taking over her position, though I don't understand why. She's retiring. It's not like they're firing her to replace her with someone younger.
By the end of the day, I'm more disillusioned than tired. This was not what I had expected at all. Then again, it's just day one, and I haven't gotten into the meat of things.
Hopefully, Mary will allow me to take a more hands-on approach tomorrow. That's how I learn. Lecturing me isn't going to do much. Perhaps Carol told her not to overwhelm me. Whatever the case, I'll have to get my hands dirty eventually.
***
“Billionaire roulette.” I grin at the headshots lined up on Croix's desk. This is what will be presented to potential clients when they come to inquire about placing a reservation at The Billionaires Club. This is the bait to lure them into handing over their cash.
Every face on the buffet carries its own charm. All of these men are bedable, but I still think Croix is the most handsome. In the game of roulette that clients play when they come to The Billionaires Club, I definitely hit the jackpot.
“I'm pleased with how everything has turned out.” Croix pulls me down onto his lap.
“Me too.”
“How's work going?” He pats my hip.
“Slow,” I say with a sigh. “To be honest, I thought I'd be doing more by now.”
Mary is still being dismissive about training me. That's why I'm on an extra long lunch break today. It took me less than a week to realize that lunch breaks have a two-hour window at Hudson Paragon Solutions. That suits me just fine for now. It gives me time to come see Croix.
“You'll be running that whole place before long,” he assures me.
“For as little as I did here at The Billionaires Club, I feel like I'm doing even less there.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts. From what I know about being a managing director, you're going to have your hands full once they actually put you to work. Consider this the calm before the storm.”
“I suppose you're right.” I lean against his chest. “How are things going here?”
“As good as they can be.” He drapes his arms around my waist. “We open next week. I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be.”
“You shouldn't be nervous at all. You've totally got this.” I smile.
“I appreciate your confidence in me.” His grip tightens slightly.
I've been sitting on his lap for less than a minute and I can already feel his erection poking against my ass. It takes my mind back to all of the sex we've had in this room. A blush spreads across my cheeks as my mind goes to dirty places. My eyelids grow heavy while I wonder if we have enough time. I would totally forgo eating lunch for sex.
I grind down on him. The thought of fucking Croix on my lunch break is scandalous. It would certainly be the most interesting thing to happen to me today. At least it would give me something to fantasize about for the rest of the afternoon while I sit behind Mary like a zombie.
“Is someone getting frisky?” Croix breathes against my neck. My skin instantly erupts into goose pimples.
“Maybe,” I purr, closing my eyes and enjoying the feel of him being so aroused.
“We haven't had a nooner in a while.” He untucks my blouse from my skirt to slide his hand up under it.
“Too long.” I reach back to guide his face so that our lips meet.
“Hey guys!” Raj's voice pipes in from the doorway. The upward inflection in it startles me so much that I nearly fall off of Croix's lap.
I stand and clutch my chest, glaring at Raj. “Don't do that!”
“Do what?” He gives me a toothy grin, strolling into Croix's office like he owns the place.
“You about scared me to death.” I pat my heart, glad that it's beginning to slow.
“Did I catch you two doing something?” He bends slightly, giving Croix a mischievously inquisitive look.
“You wish,” Croix laughs.
“Catching you guys in the act would have been the highlight of my day.” He stops at the edge of Croix's desk, resting his fingertips on top of it.
“What do you want, anyway?” I place my hand on my hip, taking a stance to silently tell him that he's interrupting us. Time is ticking on my chance to get laid, and getting cock blocked wasn't in my game plan.
“I just came to say hello. Is it a crime to want to see my good friend?” He holds his hands up, and I can't tell if he's genuinely hurt by my reaction or not, but I instantly feel guilty.
“No, it's not a crime.” I shake my head.
“Good, cause I'm starving. Let's all go grab some lunch.” He juts his thumb towards the door.
Inwardly, I sigh, but both Croix and I can't help but smile. Raj has an infectiously cheerful personality. It's hard to be mad at him. I guess sex will just have to wait for some other time.
***
My sexual frustration stayed with me all day. Not only that, but it increased as I sat behind Mary thinking about the feel of Croix's hard cock pushing up against me. I spent the remainder of the workday fantasizing about riding him, how hot it would be to have him inside of me while I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him.
By the time I got off work, my panties were moist, and my body was on overdrive. I knew that my vibrator wouldn't be enough to get me through the night. I had to see Croix.
When I sent him a text asking if I could come over, he was more than elated to agree. The second he opened the door to me, I nearly pounced on him, turning all of my fantasies into reality.
***
“The Billionaires Club is opening next weekend. I want you to be there for the launch,” Croix tells me as we lie in the darkness, and I desperately try not to fall asleep. I know I need to get up and leave, but he's just so damn comfortable. Plus, I don't want all of these warm, happy feelings to go away. They're always the most intense when I'm lying in his arms.
“Why?” I nuzzle back against him.
“You helped to put the place together. I think it's only right that you see it open.”
I stroke his forearm, thinking. “I'm not sure I want to see all of those women clamoring to get in your pants.”
“Clamoring, huh?” He lets out a short laugh.
I turn in his arms to face him. “I'm serious. Every single woman in that place is going to want to fuck you.”
He makes a shocked face. “Are you saying that you're jealous?”
“Maybe,” I mutter, looking away from him.
“It never bothered you when you were working at The Billionaires Club.”
“That was different. I was approaching everything from a strictly business standpoint,” I confess. “I knew I couldn't get my emotions tangled up in business, or I'd go out of my mind.”
“And now?” He tilts his head to catch my gaze.
“Like I said, it's different.” I refuse to tell him anything more.
“I think that if anyone should be worried, it's me.” Croix takes my hand into his and draws it to his lips for a gentle kiss.
“What's that supposed to mean?” I quirk an eyebrow.
“You've never been to The Billionaires Club before, so you have no idea what kind of clientele we typically have.”
“That's not true.” I shake my head.
I've read everything there is to read about The Billionaires Club. I know the client demographic. Most of them are older women. A lot of them are overweight. There are still a few starlets and their friends who frequent the club, though, wealthy gorgeous young women just out to have a bit of fun.
“Trust me, the billionaires would much rather be fucking you than anyone who shows up for the opening.”
“I doubt that. Mischa Charles is on the guest list. Every guy I've ever known would fuck Mischa Charles.” My gut twists with anxiety as I think about how Croix will have just as much of an opportunity to sleep with her as the rest of the guys.
“A lot of the billionaires have probably already slept with Mischa Charles.”
“Have you?” I stare him straight in the eyes as I ask.
“Yes. She's been to the California location a few times.”
His honesty stings. I'm glad he told me the truth, though. It makes me trust him more.
“Now I'm not going to want you around her,” I grumble.
“Why not?” He pulls me closer. “I don't want her. I want you.”
“She's prettier than me.” I allow my insecurities to get the better of me.
“Nonsense.”
“It's not nonsense. She's got a perfect face and legs and ass—”
“And a shitty stuck-up personality.” He cuts me off. “Mischa Charles can't hold a candle to you. I see it. The other guys will see it too.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I say dryly, though I really do appreciate him trying to cheer me up.
“I wouldn't trade you for any woman in the world, Raven.” He clutches my hand tightly before pressing it over his chest. “You are my heart. I love you, and I'd never do anything to fuck things up between us again.”
I smile, letting my guard down. “You're a really good guy sometimes, you know.”
“I'm a really good guy for you. I don't care what anyone else thinks of me.”
“You're a really good guy. Don't pretend to be an asshole.” I tap my fingers over his heart.
He draws me to him, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat. “I would kill any man who ever tried to touch you. You are mine.”
“I am yours,” I reply, dropping my walls and allowing myself to feel for him.