Page 3 of Obsessive Cravings

“Ken Stevens,” he said, extending his hand. This was my new manager. I recognized him from the virtual interviews. He was tall with thick graying hair and glasses that framed his green eyes.

“Ken. Hi, it’s so nice to meet you. This place is huge!”

“We are the largest firm in the city, and we have the best spot. It helps when your owner also owns most of the real estate in town.”

“Greyson Tides also owns the building?” I said. Ken had dropped the name enough during our interviews to know Greyson Tides was the most powerful businessman in Bridgeville. Something about that intrigued me. The way Ken spoke his name was beyond respect, as if there was power in it. And a man whose name alone held power made me curious.

“That’s right. Come on in, I’ll show you around.”

Ken led me into the open lobby of the firm, which took up most of the first floor. He chatted to me as he gave me the tour and introduced me to my new co-workers. After showing me to my office, which was three times the size of what I’d had at my old firm, he left me to get settled.

Gazing out the window, I had a strange sense of disbelief, as if I would wake up and find myself back in Treemont at any minute. Everything seemed surreal and so far out of my comfort zone that the instinct to flee and run back home hit me again. But returning home wasn’t an option. I’d made my choice and now I was here. There was nothing more to do than to keep moving forward. Looking backward was too painful.

Chapter Three

GREYSON

Good morning, Mr. Tides,” my assistant, Sherry, said as I walked through the doors.

“That asshole, Turnkin’s son, was stealing purses again. Call Den and have him pay them a visit.”

“Yes, Mr. Tides.”

I closed my office door, loosening my tie and pulling out my folder on Riley again. The picture of her didn’t do her justice. She was breathtaking. Those green eyes had been pools of emerald, standing out against the ebony of her hair. Those lips had parted when I turned to her, and I hadn’t been able to stop the thoughts of how I wanted to use them. They were full and a natural blush, the same blush her cheeks had grown as she’d dropped her eyes from me. The way her skirt had fit her curves and her black pumps had emphasized her calves left me imagining what was under that skirt.

While I hadn’t intended for her to see me, instead wanting to follow her steps and watch her, the circumstance had been fortuitous. Offering me an opportunity to earn her trust and to get close to her. Although, now that I’d been that close, I wondered if being anywhere else would be as satisfying. The scent of her perfume still lingered in my mind along with the smile that had put warmth in my chest where only ice had been for far too long.

My initial thoughts that her brother had sent her to Bridgeville faded the moment I started watching her. There were no bodyguards with her—my men had scoured the building and the block for any sign. She’d driven to town by herself, her car now stored in one of my parking garages. I could find no evidence to support the theory that Mason was involved, which told me she was alone. A surprising revelation, considering my animosity toward her brother. That could only mean she’d come here to rebel, or he didn’t know. The latter option made no sense, because Mason was too controlling to let that happen. Her presence was a mystery, but I’d take it as a gift that would only make my revenge sweeter.

Walking to the window of my penthouse office, I waited for her to round the corner, knowing exactly what direction she would come from. I’d given her the directions before I’d left her at the coffee shop, part of me wanting to linger, to continue hearing the sweet drawl of her accent and seeing the way the morning light sparkled in her eyes. Another part wondered at the effect she was having on me after just that brief interaction. It was dangerous, obsessive almost.

She came into sight, holding her cup of coffee in both hands as she looked around. I couldn’t help but chuckle. Even from this high up, I could see the childlike wonder in her eyes. It was apparent that Mason had kept her sheltered. His territory held a city, not one as extensive as mine, but large enough for her to not be so overwhelmed by stepping into one. Sheltering her had been a mistake because now she was mine for the taking. Mine to use and mine to taste. I didn’t like the way my body reacted to those thoughts. I’d envisioned how I’d use her, manipulating her into my bed and marking her as mine. Destroying her and returning her to Mason so he’d know that I’d been the one to mark her. But being in her presence had been intoxicating, and after seeing her, I wanted to do more. I wanted to own her, to ruin her for any other man. And I was no longer so certain I wanted to return her. The need to keep her pounded through me.

My phone chimed, and I looked down at it. I’d had my tech guy connect to Riley’s phone and all her devices overnight.

“My, my little girl,” I said, scrolling through the marketplace ad she’d placed to sell her furniture. I gritted my teeth, seeing that she’d put her phone number on the posting. Naïve to a fault. I wondered if her brother knew what keeping her in a protective shell had done. And if he knew she’d just walked into the lion’s den. “You shouldn’t be so revealing with your information, little girl. This town will devour you. And I’m the only one who gets to devour you.”

After tasking Sherry with taking care of Riley’s furniture ad, I had her call the firm manager, Ken, to my office.

My knuckles cracked as I patiently waited for him to arrive, my mind going through the first pieces of my plan to bring Riley to her knees. The thought put visions of what I’d do to her once she was there in my head. I was wrestling to calm my body down when Sherry buzzed to tell me Ken had arrived. Cursing my dirty mind, I told her to send him in.

“Greyson,” he said, entering with the confidence of someone who had been in my network long enough to have the privilege of using my first name.

“Sit, Ken. Tell me about her,” I said. He didn’t have to ask why I was asking the question. I’d ensured he would treat Riley as if she were the most important asset to the firm…which she now was.

“She’s something. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such bright green eyes, and that hair?—”

I slammed my fist on the desk, leaning forward. “Not her looks, Ken,” I said, my teeth clenched. “Don’t make me send your wife the number of the woman you meet for drinks every Tuesday after work.”

His swallow was loud, and he sat up straighter in his seat. “No, you don’t need to do that. I told you when I interviewed Riley—she’s smart, focused, and professional. She’ll do fine.”

“You gave her the large window office?”

He fidgeted in his seat, looking even more uncomfortable. “Bill wasn’t happy. I had to offer him a few extra vacation days to get him to comply. He was still grumbling about it until I told him the order came down from you.”

“Let me know if he gives her a hard time. And if anyone in that office, employee or client, gives her trouble, I want to know about it immediately.”

He nodded before he asked, “What’s so special about her? I’ve never seen you take an interest in the firm or any of the staff there.”

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