Chapter Two
Alexander
Irecognized her right away. The last time I saw her, she was a young woman, fresh out of college, as she was leaving her mother’s office in the company of her friends, laughing and carefree.
Today, a beautiful woman stood in front of me that caused a pure, unadulterated lust to flow like fire through my veins. My gaze ran down her body.
She reminded me of a painting of Aphrodite I saw once. Her hair was dark and thick, falling in waves down her shoulders, her full lips were meant for devouring and sinning. And those eyes! Her hazel eyes were the most unusual color, and as I stared at them, I swore they changed shades. Her skin looked smooth like pure silk.
From the moment my eyes found hers, my brain stopped functioning. Those hazel eyes held so much emotions in them… sadness, wariness, defiance, and a hint of mischief all staring back at me.
I got the strangest urge to pull her and keep her close to me. That was the opposite of what I needed to do with this woman. The last thing the Caldwell family needed was to let another woman smear their name.
Her eyes darted to my brother, her eyes changing shade as she studied him and I wondered if she felt the pull towards Maxim. His cheerful attitude and wealth I accumulated for the Caldwell family made women flock to him. To both of us. But his cheerful attitude made him more likeable. Her eyes came back to me and a feeling of possessiveness came over me. I found that I wanted those eyes only on me.
“Follow this way,” I pointed to my office, agitated at myself for feeling a pull towards this woman.
She took a deep breath, following me, keeping as much distance as she could. I stopped at my office door and purposely waited. With each step she took closer to me, my blood churned with desire for her.
I motioned with my hand, to let her into my office ahead of me.
“Thanks.” Her voice was soft.
She walked by me, her body inches away and I couldn’t help but admire her graceful back as I followed her into my office. She must have been aware of my eyes, because her back was stiff as she walked to the guest chair. I wanted to put my hands around her waist and turn her to face me. I wanted to see those eyes and those lips.
She stood there as if undecided whether she should sit down, her eyes darting between me and Maxim. As I seated myself behind my desk, I leaned back and watched her.
“Mr. Caldwell, please let me apologize,” she started, and I enjoyed her smooth, soft voice imagining what it sounded as she moaned. I felt my cock twitch with each soft word that left her lips.
I should get rid of her, she would be a distraction I didn’t need. But I was also wary of her and what she was doing in my building. My conversation with her mother seven years ago didn’t go well. Maybe she was here for revenge? Her mother was the reason there had been a stain on our family name for the past thirty years. She was the reason for my father’s downfall. Seven years ago, her mother was going to start it all over again. I couldn’t let her smear our family name. So I fought back. First, I tried talking to her. When she refused, I bought all her company’s debt, bribed her investors, and then I paid her a visit again. I forced her to sell the company or lose it all.
Now her daughter sat in front of me. I intended to find out everything about Liberty Smith and her intentions.
I should keep a close eye on her.
When I shamelessly listened to her conversation in French back in the elevator, I got the sense this woman hid behind her well built walls. She portrayed strength as her eyes watched me but also vulnerability.
It took exactly ten seconds from the moment she stepped into the elevator to realize she was my new secretary and I couldn’t help but feel satisfaction at having this woman close to me.
I wondered if she was here to claim what was hers.
Chapter Three
Liberty
“Sit down, Miss Smith,” Mr. Caldwell ordered, his frost blue eyes on me.
I sat on the edge of the chair in Caldwell's office. I could have just buried myself. I swore it was the last time I was going to assume somebody didn’t understand what I was saying. But both of their expressions were completely blank. How was I to know they understood every word?
“Mr. Caldwell,” I addressed him again while he was seated behind the desk, his piercing eyes on me. The other guy was leaning casually against the door. I felt like a school girl in the principal’s office.
“Please don’t cancel the secretary contract,” I muttered, looking into those cold blue eyes. “It would be devastating to Lena and her company.”
That she just started, I added in my head.
I knew better. That was such a dumb and irresponsible move on my part.
Neither one of them seemed particularly concerned with my statement. The other guy chuckled for a second and commented, “Plus your friend might not hack into Callen’s phone for you.”