Page 30 of Daddy's Princess

For the first time since I took over Titan-Rose, I feel resentment for my position. From the moment my father died, I took up the mantel and have poured everything I am into making this company a success, and I have. Now that I’ve found Sugar, I’m starting to realize how empty that success is without someone to share it with.

I really hate it when my mom is right. I can already hear her ‘I told you so’ echoing in my ears as she laughs at how quickly I’m falling.

It takes Herculean effort to not chase after Sugar. I’ll take care of Mr. Lea, then I’ll track her down and let her know exactly how wrong she is for thinking this thing between us is a mistake. And then I’ll show her how perfectly we fit together. Sugar Larson is mine.

* * *

The meeting ran longerthan expected. Mr. Lea is a talker. He also needs reassurance about everything. Usually, I’m happy to do a little handholding with our clients. Our attention to the concerns of our authors is one of the things that keeps Titan-Rose a step above the other publishing houses. We don’t publish just anyone. We cherry-pick only the best, and then once we have them, we make sure they have a hand in the production of their books every step of the way. From content editing to illustrative design, we keep them apprised of the progress and take in their concerns and do our best to stick with their vision for the final product.

It’s one reason why I’m so fucking pissed over Jeff Thompson and his shitty storyboards. Every time I think about my mistake in letting Jeff be in charge of hiring the illustrators, the angrier I get. Sugar is right, I should know my employees. And if Jeff were any kind of fucking department lead, he would’ve known that despite their talents, Barry and Leo weren’t a good fit for Titan-Rose.

I’ve given them a chance to fix their fuck up. If they can’t follow through, then I’ll have to make some tough decisions. Like firing one of my father’s closest friends. With effort I push down that frustration, and go in search of Sugar.

My first stop is the conference room she was set up in earlier, but it’s empty. I make my way toward the cubicles we have delegated to the interns. There are only three of the five desks occupied. Taylor and Gene are both bent over their keyboards, typing furiously away on whatever project Nadine has them working on. The third is occupied by a tall blonde who is wearing what would probably be considered office appropriate if Titan-Rose moonlighted as a strip club.

“Mr. Titan,” she purrs, somehow managing to make my name roll off her tongue. “How can I help you?”

The way she looks me up and down tells me she’s not asking only in a professional capacity. “I’m looking for Sug—Miss Larson.” I quickly correct myself. Sugar obviously isn’t comfortable with her peers knowing we are involved, and for now, I’m going to try to respect that. There will be plenty of time for me to claim her publicly if I have anything to say about it.

The blonde flips her hair over her shoulder and, with a disgusted look on her face, informs me that Sugar left right after lunch, claiming to be sick. “She just didn’t want to admit she’s in over her head with the project she volunteered for. Poor thing just can’t hack it with the professionals.” She makes a tsking sound and shakes her head, then a predatory smile spreads over her garishly painted, red lips. “I’m happy to help you with anything you need, Mr. Titan.”

“That won’t be necessary, Ms…” I trail off, realizing I have no idea what her name is. I’ve really lost track of my employees recently, and that’s not acceptable. My mother would be ashamed if she found out that I’ve let something so important slip.

“Britney Chamberson,” she says, rising from her chair with an outstretched hand.

“Nice to formally meet you, Ms. Chamberson.” I briefly shake her hand and have to fight the urge to wipe my hand on my pant leg. How someone can make a simple handshake feel dirty, I don’t know, but she managed it.

“It’s my pleasure. Please, call me Britney,” she says with a sultry smile. “Are you sure there isn’t something I could do for you?”

“I’m sure,” I say, giving her a hard look, but she’s either oblivious or isn’t fazed. Before she can elaborate on what that ‘something’ she’s so eager to do for me is, I turn on a heel and return to my office.

In less than two minutes, I have Sugar’s personnel file pulled up, and I’m dialing her phone number.

12

Sugar

I’m absolutely horrifiedwith myself. After building up my resolve to keep things with Oliver strictly professional, I attacked him like a feral cat. A horny feral cat. The memory of his hands possessive on my body. The sound of rendering lace as he ripped my panties away echoes in my ears, and I shift at the intimate reminder that I’m completely bare beneath my prim and proper skirt. I replay the look on Oliver’s face as he leaned forward to taste me. His green eyes promising unspeakable pleasure.

A dog barks a few feet away, startling out of my thoughts. My cheeks flush when I realize how crowded the park has become while I’ve been lost in sexy daydreams of my boss. I look around guiltily, feeling like everyone’s eyes are on me.

Of course, no one is paying any attention to me. There is a group of moms standing to one side of the playground equipment, chatting and laughing while their children play. A young man—about my age—is playing frisbee with a beautiful golden retriever. An older couple is sitting on a bench just opposite my spot under the huge oak tree I’m sitting beneath. My eyes linger on the couple. They are holding hands and smiling at each other as they talk. They look like one of those couples that’ve been married for fifty years and has spent every one of their days together, falling more and more in love with each other.

Normally a scene like that would evoke feelings of happiness. Instead, I feel a pang of jealousy with a side of wistful desire. After Cody, I promised myself I wouldn’t get entangled in another relationship. I was determined to keep all men at arm’s length. I remember my steely resolve to stick with one-night stands at the club. Though, if I’m truthful with myself—which I’m obviously not very good at doing lately—I was never going to be the girl who did random hookups.

I’m not a causal relationship kind of girl. It’s never really been my thing. Even before Cody, the men I’d hooked up with weren’t one-time things. They may not have been serious or going anywhere meaningful, but they were more than just a one-night stand.

Damn Oliver Titan for making me see the truth. Damn him for waking up my body and stirring my sleeping heart. Damn him harder for making me question my resolve and presenting me with the kind of temptation I obviously can’t withstand.

After a few more moments of people watching, I look down at my sketchbook. I scowl when it’s none other than Oliver Titan staring back at me with that same hungry look that he had moments before he lapped at my pussy like it was his favorite treat.

I only just resist the temptation to scribble out his handsome face. I can’t bring myself to sully his likeness. I turn to a blank page in my book and let my pencil glide across the paper. The image of the older couple slowly starts to take shape on the page. I’m so intently focused on my task that I don’t see the rogue frisbee coming my way. It hits the tree over my head and then falls directly in my lap and onto my sketchbook. My pencil snaps at the force of the frisbee, causing a thick dark line to run right through the middle of my drawing.

“Buddy, no!” I hear the command half a second before I’m clobbered by an over-enthusiastic dog. “Buddy!” his owner scolds as he runs our direction. Buddy has completely abandoned his frisbee in favor of sniffing and licking my face and hands as I do my best to ward off his eager puppy kisses.

By the time Buddy’s owner has pulled him away, I’m giggling joyfully at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“I am so sorry,” Buddy’s owner apologizes. “Bad dog!” he scolds an obviously pleased with himself Buddy.

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