Page 13 of Craving the Player

Chapter Seven

Sierra

Ihate dresses. They're only good for two things. Drawing unwanted male attention to your body, and making you worry that you’re going to flash your goods every time that you have to pick something up from the bottom shelf. The chafe currently living between my thighs would be enough to make me throw my stapler across my office in afit of pained anger if my boss didn'thappen to be standing in front of me, watching me oddly as Iawkwardly shift my ass around on my leather office chair.

“Are you alright?" Cole Travis, head of Marketing asks slowly, the corner of his lips twitching. He must have noticed my scowl. Great, now he must think I’matotal bitch.

"Yeah, of course." Iclear my throat and attempt to sit up straight. The sharp-featured male lets astar-studded smile bless my eyes as he nods, seemingly happy with my reply. He toys with one of his gold cufflinks, drawing my eyes to the crisp, perfectly tailored navy blue suit he’swearing. Ablush pink tie is knotted perfectly at the base of his throat, sticking out against the white dress shirt beneath it. He looks wealthy. Wealthy enough to intimidate me.

"Have you chosen aproject yet? Iknow Igave you quite afew options."

"Almost. I’mstuck between two right now." Ismile back, clicking my pen repeatedly before Irealize that I’mfidgeting and drop it on my desk, placing my palms on my thighs instead. Somewhere safe.

“Iwant to ask which two, but Ithink I’ll wait and keep your decision acomplete surprise.” His eyes move around my surprisingly spacious office when he adds, “I’mexcited to see what you accomplish here, Sierra. Idon’tbelieve you’ve ever been pushed to your full potential.”

Itake his words with agrain of salt, knowing better than most how quickly things can take aturn for the worst. Especially in acompany like this. One where disappointment and one wrong move can ruin your career.

"Thank you for the opportunity, sir. So am I." Heat rushes up the back of my neck and Idrop my gaze to my open laptop, abright, somewhat cliché quote beaming back at me.

Agoal without aplan is just awish.

"I'll check in with you in afew days. If you have any questions, anything at all, don'thesitate to ask." His kind tone is comforting as he gives me one final nod before slipping out the door. Adangerous amount of pride fills my chest as Ifinally let my grin breakthrough.

"Actually." Cole’svoice startles me, causing me to jump slightly as Inotice him peeking back through the doorway. "How about you take the afternoon off? It’sabeautiful day."

"Are you sure?" Islip my bottom lip between my teeth anxiously. Is this some sort of test?

His unique, turquoise coloured eyes hold aplayful glimmer as he shakes his head lightly. "I'msure."

"Thank you, sir." Iknow Imust be beaming.

"Cole works," he replies, his tone nearly weightless as he sends me aquick, almost missable wink and leaves my sight—for real this time. Leaning back in my chair, Isnatch my phone from my desk drawer and call my sister.

"Sierra? Aren'tyou working?" she chuckles.

"That'swhy I'mcalling! Now shut up and listen!"

"Okay, okay. Down girl."

"What do you say to margaritas and dancing tonight?" Ican'thide my sudden excitement. Happiness warms my blood and Ibuzz in my seat. It’sbeen months since Clare and Ihave gone out together.

"You had me at margarita," she replies excitedly, asmile evident in her voice.

"My house at seven."

BRADEN

My single-story family home sits on the other side of anewly patched road. It glares at me, mocking my level of nervousness as Icontinue stalling my arrival. It'snot like I'mnot happy that the old man is finally happy again. It’sthe overwhelming and honestly, disturbing fact that he'smarrying someone I could be marrying that freaks me out. Out of every other single woman in the world, he had to go and choose someone twenty years his junior. Figures.

Ispot my brother'sbrooding figure in the living room window, his head shaking at something being said to him. It'sstill so weird using that term. Brother.

"Crap," Imutter when Tyler'shead turns to the street, blowing my cover when our dad follows his gaze, eyeing me up. Throwing open my door with alouder than needed groan, Istep outside and attempt to prepare myself for the imminent hours of awkwardness I'mabout to endure.

"Jerking off out there or something?" Tyler asks the second Iwalk inside and kick off my shoes.

"Fuck off, eh?"

"No can do, buddy. Lana made us afancy dinner that we definitely don'twant to miss." His annoyed expression matches mine to aT, not like I'mthe least bit surprised. Tyler and Iare similar enough that if you hadn'tever witnessed his grumpy “Ihate the world” attitude and borderline anger issues, you would assume that we were twins. Of course, I'mthe better-looking brother, but that'sadiscussion for another day.

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