Page 629 of Hell Hath No Fury
POWER PLAY
A WORKPLACE ROMANCE
SADE RENA
CHAPTER ONE
Rylan
The bass from the music thumps hard, sending vibrations through the glass in front of me. I’m on my third drink and pretty damn close to ordering another. The girls were supposed to meet me here to be my sounding board for the bogus day I had. But Aileen got stuck in the office, and Katheryn had an emergency.
So here I am, alone with pent-up frustration over the shit my boss pulled this afternoon. I’ve worked my ass off to make it to Senior Vice President of my department. One would think that comes with a certain level of trust and privilege.
But instead of building my team how I see fit, I’ll be forced to work with my boss’s son. Honestly, I don’t know what pisses me off more. The fact I’m stuck with an employee I don’t want—one I probably can never fire even if he’s the worst at his job—or that I don’t have a father to drop me into a high-level position. It’s my department, and my boss should have consulted with me first.
I wave down the bartender, my shoulders slumping when my attempt goes unnoticed. I sigh but keep my sights trained on him, determined to grab the man’s attention.
An arm snakes onto the liquor-stained countertop, and my eyes immediately fall to the full tattooed sleeve adorning it. With my interest now sparked, I trace the black lines, following them up to a muscular bicep and firm chest.
“Oh, my,” I whisper as I take in the man who’s planted himself on the stool next to me.
I won’t even fuss about the fact there is plenty of space at the bar, yet he’s chosen to prop up here. I won’t say I’m mad about it, either.
It would be a lie—a big, bald-faced lie.
It may just be the alcohol talking here, but this man is too damn fine for his own good. Not to mention he’s wearing my favorite cologne, Gucci Men’s. Sucking in a breath, I lean against the counter, slipping a finger between the locs at the nape of my neck while trying desperately to get a better glimpse of his face.
Not that it matters. My body seems to like him already, even if all I’ve managed to see is a side view. With my brows raised, I admire how his beard blends into his low-cut fade—a style I love on a dark-skinned man. As I look him over, I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, not paying attention to anything else.
“I take it you like what you see?” he says, without a glance in my direction.
My body pulses in reaction to the deep baritone coming from him—and I mean every nook and cranny. I cross my legs to combat the tingling sensation in my center and let my mouth turn up at the corners.
The bartender stops in front of us, placing a round for us both on two napkins. I glance at it, somewhat shocked.
“I saw you having a hard time getting his attention.”
My grin widens, and I nod, impressed. Frankly, I hadn’t thought the stranger noticed me, plus I was so busy eye-fucking him that I didn’t see him place the order.
“Thank you.” I bring the cocktail to my lips and take a long sip.
He turns, flashing me a million-dollar smile. My sex throbs again, forcing me to swallow the air that traps itself in my throat.
“I’m Kareem.” He holds out a hand.
I flick my gaze to it before slowly placing my hand in his palm. “Thank you for the drink, Kareem. I’m Rylan.”
“Pretty name for a beautiful woman.”
I swear if he keeps smiling at me like that, I will do something I may regret in the morning.
“So, are you going to answer my question?” He takes a big gulp of the amber liquid in his glass.
“Huh?” I crane my neck, unsure of what question he asked. Yep, this liquor is going to get me in trouble tonight. Between his scent and the rasp in his tone, I’ve already forgotten his name.
“You like what you see? It seemed like you were undressing me with your eyes.”
My breath lodges in my throat again, and I choke on the sip I just took. Kareem—okay, I didn’t forget his name—reacts quickly and pats my back. His touch on my bare skin sends chills down my spine, and I wish I’d not left my blazer at the office.
