Page 15 of Decoded
“Do you feel this, pretty girl?” His hot breath made me want to gag as he pressed his body further into me and whispered in my ear. “You come into this office dressed like a little slut and this is what it does to me. Do you want me to bend you over my desk? Is that why you wore this tiny little skirt? I’d love to hike it up and make you feel so damn good. Come to my office and let me take care of you.”
Thankfully we heard people making their way towards us and he stepped back and walked away before his hands could travel anywhere else. My coworkers had come in before I could adjustmy face and when they asked about me, I just said I thought I was coming down with something. It wasn’t a complete lie, because when my body came out of shock, I rushed to the bathroom where I immediately got sick. I sank to the tiles of the floor and hugged the toilet, choking out sobs.
I had been so excited about wearing the outfit I had chosen that day. Penny and I had gone shopping and found this adorable pleated black skirt. I don’t typically like showing off my larger legs, but the way it hit just above my knees made me confident instead of self-conscious, so I decided to purchase it. I had paired it with a soft pink v-neck sweater because I’m always a bit chilled in the office and threw on a pair of black kitten heels to finish the look.
As soon as I got home, that skirt I loved so much was thrown into the trash.
“I know, Jaz, I really do. And I want to, but I can’t afford to lose this job right now. Plus, he’s my dad’s best friend. It’s just going to cause more issues. I can keep ignoring him.”
Skyla leans over on my shoulder, “I love you, Anna, but it isn’t healthy to ignore this. These are serious acts he’s committing.”
“We just want you safe and happy,” Penny continues. “You are the best person ever and don’t deserve to be harassed. Do you think if you told your dad what was going on, he’d put a stop to it?”
I snort. My relationship with my father is complicated, at best. He’s never been downright mean to me, though he does like to make little digs about my weight more often than not. I do believe he loves me, but I’ve never come first, and there’s no way he would choose me over his best friend.
“Absolutely not,” I say with a shake of my head. “He and Daniel Brenner have been friends for years. There’s no way he would believe me over him.”
“But you have proof,” Penny suggests, gesturing to my phone.
“I know my dad, guys. He could watch it happen and he’d blame me for it. I think I’m just going to start looking for other jobs. It seems like that’s the easiest solution at this point.” I don’t confess to my friends that I’ve already applied for one. Something in me is scared to put it out in the world and risk losing it, even though it’s something I easily told Keaton.
Thinking of him makes a place inside my chest pinch. I was really hoping to spend a little more time with him before seeing my friends. My heart ran away and started dreaming up scenarios of this the older-than-me man with the sweetest smile wanting more than one night from me. But as always, my heart was wrong. So very wrong.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Penny says, snapping me back to reality. “Maybe you can even look at doing something in photography. You’re so good at it and I know you love it so much.”
“Not sure I can afford that right now, but maybe.” It would be incredible to do something I’m actually passionate about, but I’m barely capable of paying my bills as it is, so photography will just remain a hobby for now.
Thankfully the conversation shifts to what our plans are for our time here in Vegas. No surprise it’s going to consist of a lot of pool time, casino time, and drinking. We finish up our breakfast, my delicious slice of pie long gone. As I stand to walk out, Jasmine grabs my left wrist.
“Anna, can you explain why there’s a fucking wedding ring on your finger?”
Chapter twelve
Keaton
D
riving back to the hotel, I can’t help but be furious about having to waste my money, time, and resources. The trip out here was just a power play for Caruso Enterprises. We’re a fucking cybersecurity company, so digital signatures should always suffice, but some people we work with demand in-person meetings, usually to ask any additional questions or attempt more negotiations. Today there were no questions or negotiations. I simply got the signatures we needed to make this happen and then was expected to sit and chat while sipping on overpriced scotch.
Dealing with this company, though, is what led me to meeting the woman I haven’t been able to get out of my mind all morning. After seeing what my dad’s death did to my mom, I had absolutely no desire to let someone wreck me in the same regard. Relationships just weren’t a thing for me and that was that. Now this beautiful, curvy goddess has entered my world, and I will do anything in my power to make sure she never leaves it.
The thought should scare me, especially how suddenly it happened. I should be skeptical of how easily we got along. Don’t get me wrong, I generally get along with people, but usually there’s some flaw that you notice in others. With Anna, there’s literally not a damn thing about her I would change.
I toss my keys at the valet and jog through the lobby to the elevators, eager to get to my woman. It’s been hours since I had to leave her this morning and my cock aches to be buried back inside of her. If I’m lucky, she will let me feast on that delicious pussy of hers first. I doubt she’s still sleeping, but if I’m lucky, her friends aren’t in town yet and she stuck around.
Swiping my key, I rush to the bedroom, only to find it empty.
“Anna,” I call out, glancing around the room and noticing her things are missing.
Shit.
“No, no, no,” I mutter under my breath, my chest tightening in panic. I look everywhere for any trace of the woman who captivated my mind, body, and soul, but the only piece of her I find are the white cotton panties I tore from her body last night. Pocketing them, I sit at the end of the bed.
Rocking back and forth, my hands buried in my head, my brain searches for some possible way to find my girl. We talked about how she and her friends were going to go all out this weekend, but she didn’t mention a single specific event. Hell, she didn’t even tell me where they were staying.
Stewing in turmoil, my phone begins to ring with a conference call from both my brothers. “What?” I bark.
“Whoa, big bro. What’s wrong?” Camden asks, concern clear in his voice. He’s a gentle giant, taller than both me and Lincoln, but a helluva lot kinder than either of us, too.
