Page 9 of Power
I climax with her name on my lips, spurting my cum all over myself and the laptop screen balanced on my knees. I watch, mesmerized as it slides down over Bailey’s image before swiping my finger through it. It won’t be the first laptop I’ve orgasmed over, and it won’t be the last.
My phone buzzing in my jacket pocket cuts through my fantasies, and I answer it. “Everything is in order.”
My father doesn’t reply. He hangs up, having heard all he needs. I’m not spying on Archer for him, but dad was concerned when Laura fucked up the assignments this morning. He is no longer the King of Hearts. That is Archer.
But old habits die hard.
I should know.
ChapterSeven
Bailey
I’mup even earlier the following morning, the anticipation of the day already clawing at me. My stomach is in knots, but I’m starving, having missed dinner last night. Turning on the shower, I wait for the water to heat up, which takes ages, so I disappear to get my coffee ready. It’ll be cooled down enough by the time I get out.
Returning to wash carefully, I step back out a few minutes later to dry off and apply a light layer of fragrant body lotion.
The smell of morning, the sun streaming through the window, providing a soft warmth in the cold apartment. I get dressed with as much care as my shower, slipping on a pair of black panties and a white bra. I slip on a white blouse and pull my skirt on, doing up the side zipper quickly. I brush my luxurious hair out and sweep it up into a neat bun on top of my head. I glance in the mirror and almost laugh at my appearance. I’m a bundle of anxiety underneath the groomed exterior. I apply a small amount of makeup, never needing more than the basics.
My hands shake as I pad across the wooden floor to the kitchen. I take a small sip of coffee and place some bread into the toaster. I clean up last night’s non-dinner, moving it to the fridge to try again later. The toast pops, I spread it with butter and hastily eat it before I lose my appetite again. Barely remembering to pack up a quick lunch, I pour some coffee into my travel mug and finally, I’m ready to leave the apartment. I grab my phone, bag and keys and head out into the hallway. As I step out, another surge of anxiety as I think of Archer erupts. I push down my fear, though, determined to be more sophisticated and smoother than I was yesterday. I cringe when I think about the bumbling idiot he joined at lunch.
* * *
An hour later, after battling through a busier commute even though I’m earlier than I was yesterday, I enter the high-rise building. My stomach twists into a ball of pure nerves as I see Archer waiting for me in a navy suit and white shirt, similar to that he had on yesterday. The events from the last day rush over me and hit me in full force. They are both confusing and exhilarating at the same time. I’m not prepared for this. I didn’t expect him to meet me here again, and how did he know I would be here at this time? How long has he been waiting?
He smiles at me; it is slow and sexy as he greets me. “Bailey. You’re perfectly on time.”
I blink, and my determination to be less idiotic abandons me under that bold, slightly amused blue gaze that has enraptured me and turned me into a mooning fool.
“Hi,” I murmur. “How are you?”
I cringe at my lack ofchat.
His smile grows more seductive. “Better now.”
Two words which send my heart thumping in my chest and my blood racing through my veins. How does he make talking so sexy?
He leads me to the waiting elevator, where we get in, just the two of us. I lick my lips as the doors slide shut, blocking out everything else from my awareness.
He stands closer than he should. “How are you, Bailey?”
“I’m good,” I pant.
He moves closer so that his shoulder touches mine. He is so close that I can smell the soap he showered with earlier. My mouth goes dry, and my heart skips beats when his hand brushes lightly against mine as he leans forward to press a button on the panel of the elevator that takes us up to his office.
“You sorted out the issue?” I ask, wishing I had something else to say. But I don’t. He has rendered me useless.
He turns his head, that wicked smile dancing on the curve on his lips. “I did. Are you glad, Bailey?”
He makes it sound like he will be disappointed if I answer anything other than yes. But who am I kidding? I’m ecstatic. I know in my head that nothing can ever come of this; he is my boss, but just being near him is enough to motivate me to give my all to this job. The fear of disappointing him or upsetting him is real and simmering under the surface. It doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize about him, and that I will. He is even more gorgeous than he was yesterday, if that’s possible.
He leads me to his office when the elevator doors ding open. This time, I’m more prepared to be greeted by Owen and Finn. I can tell these men are close. To please one will please them all; to disappoint one will result in them all being upset with me. I am a people pleaser at heart. I don’t like to cause waves or have a confrontation. I will take an awful lot before I snap, which makes me appear aloof or unconcerned, but I know I’m sensitive. I will cry in the middle of the night when I’m alone rather than let it bother me out in the open. Something tells me that these three men are going to cause me a lot of tears in the night. I feel like a rabbit caught between three predators, equally as dangerous but in very different ways. I drag my gaze to Owen’s slighter paler blue gaze than his brother’s. No less intense, but more haunted. I wonder as to the cause of his pain, and I know the thought reflects in my eyes. His stare softens slightly, and he smiles.
“I remember you,” I blurt out. “From Manchester University.”
I cringe inwardly again. I can’t seem to stop being an idiot in front of them.
His face lights up. “I remember you too. Star student.Elite.”
