“Oh my God.” I rubbed my face. My head was suddenly pounding. “If you come here, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”
“Too late. Open your door.” With that, he hung up.
And I lost my shit.
—Julian—
She answered the door like she was ready to beat my face in. Considering I was the one who taught her how to throw a mean right hook, I was prepared to block any advances.
Except for the one where she threw herself at me, but we weren’t there yet.
“You cannot be here! This is not appropriate!”
“Since when have we ever been appropriate, kid?”
“You’re not even listening to me! This is like ten years ago all over again!”
“But look what it’s done for your perspective. At least you’re recognizing our past.”
“Oh. My. God.”
While she threw yet another temper tantrum in the span of a few hours, my eyes raked in her wet body. She was wearing a light blue silk robe that left very little to the imagination. Her nipples were hard, they were pointing right at me.
When she realized where my stare had drifted, she gazed down and instantly covered herself.
“You’re violating so many HR rules, I don’t even know where to begin to report you.”
“You and I both know you’re not going to report me, Miss Troy.” I shoved open the door and walked inside. Heading straight toward the rectangular dining table.
She slammed the door shut behind me, turning around to lean against it. Her arms crossed over her chest. “You know most people wait until they’re invited inside.”
“I’m not most people.”
“Right, you’re Alpha CEO,” she mocked in a condescending tone I wanted to spank right out of her. “You don’t ask for anything.”
“You’re right, I don’t.” Sitting down at the head of the table, I met her pissed off stare. “I simply take, Miss Troy.”
“Oh, trust me, Mr. Locke, I, understand better than anyone, how much you take from people.”
“Are you referring to your virginity?”
Her eyes widened. “No! I’m referring to your asshole ways! How do you know I wasn’t here with my husband tonight?”
“You’re not married.”
“How do you know I’m not married?”
“You’re not wearing a ring and I know how much you love jewelry.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“I’m calling your bluff on the boyfriend,” I confidently countered. “Given your reoccurring attitude, I’m going to bet you haven’t been fucked in a very long time.”
She connivingly smiled, cocking her head to the side. “Just for that comment, Mr. Locke, I’m going to go down to the bar and find a real man who can satisfy my needs.”
“Try to leave, sweetheart. You don’t need a random fuck when I’m sitting right here.”
“I said a real man who can satisfy my needs, not some pretentious, arrogant asshole who breaks into my hotel room.”
“It’s not breaking and entering when you own the whole damn building. As far as satisfying your needs, we both know how many times I can make you come without trying. This pretentious, arrogant asshole gave you your first orgasm, and that was just with my mouth sucking your greedy little clit. Would you like me to elaborate on how many times I made you come with my fingers, tongue, and cock, Miss Troy?”
“No! I don’t need to be reminded about all the regrets and mistakes in my life.”
“Great, because I’m not here for a trip down memory lane. I’m here to talk business.” I nodded toward the chair next to me. “Sit down.”
“I’m not a dog, Mr. Locke.”
I resisted the urge to call her out on her bitch attitude, knowing it wouldn’t get me anywhere other than proving my point and pissing her off further. Although the desire was there, I firmly nodded to the chair again instead.
Mumbling under her breath, she walked toward the table and sat in the seat parallel to me. “Why are you here? What do you want?”
“I’m here to make you an offer you can’t refuse.” I opened my suit jacket to grab my own contract before sliding it across the table.
“What is this?” she asked without looking at it.
“This … is our contract.”
“Our contract? Our contract for what?”
“For your little press tour.”
“Stop calling your itinerary a little press tour. You make it sound insignificant when it’s far from that.”
“Well, Miss Troy, I have yet to see anything worthwhile other than it bringing you back into my life.”
“I’m immune to your bullshit charm. You said we were discussing business, and all you’ve done is piss me off.”
“I’ll do your press tour, but it’s going to be on my terms.”
“Your terms?” She jerked back. “Is that supposed to make me happy? I think you’re sadly mistaken on who is in control, Mr. Locke.”
“Quite the contrary, kid. I remain at the head of the table. Now turn to page two.”
She did, reading out loud, “Publicist, Autumn Troy, agrees to spend personal time with the client, Julian Locke, that isn't considered working hours.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “What the hell is this?”