Hustle Page 4

  You can pretend you’re a Bond girl or something.

  Yeah, just without the sex. And I know sex with Gabe would probably be toe-curlingly, heart-quickeningly incredible. You don’t get around with a body like that without knowing how to use it.

  I imagine his fingers weaving through my hair, his hand sweeping under my back to lift me against him, fill me with his…

  Enough, E. L. James.

  Sadly, I’m not headed for Gabe’s bed. I’m off to work, and boy would I rather be somewhere else. Tahiti, Hawaii. Hell, any of the ‘I’s. I’ll take Illinois.

  I park underground and shut down Herbie. There’s a final splutter from the exhaust.

  Daryl’s brand-new Maserati is parked in the spot opposite. The number plates read ‘G 5POT.’ I’m thinking ‘DOUCHE BOI’ would work quite well.

  I doubt he could find his own dick let alone the G-spot. I can’t even find it.

  I greet the security guy and head up in the elevator, thanking my lucky stars it’s empty.

  It’s still five minutes before I’m on the clock. I dump my things on my desk, Daryl on a call, winking at me from his seat.

  I take the opportunity to head to the kitchen and fix myself a coffee. I shovel in six sugars. It’s a habit I’ve been unable to break. I could never stand bitterness as I kid. Clearly, I still can’t.

  “That’s how I like it too—sweet.”

  I give a little jump at the intrusion, almost spilling the coffee.

  Slowly, I turn, and force the words out. “Morning, Daryl.”

  He leans against the doorframe and lets his eyes fall to the second button of my blouse. “Morning, beautiful.” He nods to the coffee. “Is that how you always take it?”

  “How’s that?”

  I shouldn’t have asked given the smug smile on his face.

  “Hot… wet,” he purrs.

  I try to squeeze past him. “I should really get back to my desk.”

  He blocks the door. “What’s the rush? It’s not every day you’re one-on-one with the big boss man, is it now?”

  Thank the good lord it is not. I try again. “Seriously, I should—”

  He stands firm. “I admire the enthusiasm, Shannon, but come on. Take a seat. Boss’s orders.”

  I pull out a chair and slump into it. I quietly sip my coffee. I’m not about to make the conversation here, listen to this human chode talk about his latest property acquisition or how he benched two-fifty at the gym this morning.

  He leans right over the table, eyes refusing to lift from my chest, actually dropping even lower to gaze over my legs. I’m going to need baby wipes after this.

  “So, how goes things, Shannon?” he begins. “What are you doing for fun these days? I feel like we don’t really get to connect, you know?”

  It’s no accident, I want to reply.

  I clear my throat, squeezing the coffee cup harder than I should. “Things are fine.”

  “You run, don’t you? A body that tight doesn’t come without work. I should know.”

  Looking over Daryl, I don’t think the Mr. Universe trophy is in danger. “I don’t run, no.”

  “Could have fooled me,” he shrugs. “Pole-dancing, perhaps?”

  He thinks he’s being clever, smiling.

  “No,” I state firmly.

  He throws his hands out. “Come on, open up to Uncle Daryl.”

  And this just gets creepier and creepier.

  “What about guys?” he continues. “You seeing anyone? Or is it a ‘she’ I need to be worried about?”

  I’m not even going to touch that one. I’d slap him, but that would be animal abuse.

  He’s asked me out before. Thankfully, I’ve always managed to squirm out of it.

  He directs his hands to his crotch, legs spread wide. “You know you want a piece of this.”

  It comes to me in a blinding flash of brilliance.

  The answer.

  “I’d have to check with my fiancé first,” I inform the world’s biggest boner-head.

  I wish I had a camera the look of shock on his face is so pronounced. It’s glorious.

  He straightens up, actually exhales like I’ve just announced something’s died.

  Yeah, your chances of getting within a hundred square miles of my pants.

  He tries to formulate a reply, but stutters, unsure what to say.

  I’m happy to fill him in. “Oh, didn’t I tell you I was engaged?”

  He’s still reeling, the A-bomb I’ve just dropped continuing to send out shockwaves. “No.”

  It’s probably the shortest sentence he’s ever uttered. He manages to regain some sliver of composure. “Who’s the lucky guy?” His eyes shift to my hand, and for a second I’m not sure why until I realize he’s looking for the ring.

  Crapola.

  I slide my hand away under the table. Still, my confidence is building. “Actually, he’s a Navy SEAL.

  Boom! Payload deployed.

  I can almost see poor Daryl’s penis shriveling up like an autumn leaf. “Oh?”

  The poor guy’s been reduced to single syllables. “I guess it just happened,” I continue, on a roll now. “But I suppose if you took more interest in anything other than my appearance you’d know that, wouldn’t you?”

  It’s bold, perhaps the most alpha thing I’ve ever uttered. I think I’ve gone too far, sure to be kicked out on my ass, but Daryl’s pride wins out. He smiles, shrugging it off. He gives a small laugh that sounds awfully like how Herbie starts in the morning. “I suppose so.”

  I stand and drop my coffee, still half full, into the bin, striding past Daryl on the way back to my desk. “Better get to it.”

  “Yes,” he says, standing and trying to regain something of his authority again. “I need you to get straight into those Saxon files.”

  I’m smiling so hard the corners of my mouth hurt on my way back to my desk. I feel like I’ve just won the lottery.

  You have. The ass-kicking lottery, plus you’re engaged to the dictionary definition of a man.

  My smile slips as it starts to sink in. It’s done. By enacting my revenge I’ve inadvertently agreed to Gabe’s request. There’s no turning back now, no retreat. I’d never live it down.

  I put it aside for the time being and dig into the files. Daryl remains quiet in his office, his door closed, not a single ‘Hey, beautiful’ sent my way. I don’t feel his eyes boring through my back.

  It’s a thing of beauty.

  Monica, one of the other PAs, bails me up at lunch. “Congratulations, by the way.”

  So everyone knows then.

  “Thanks,” I reply.

  She leans against the kitchen counter while I fork through my salad. “You sure kept that one quiet.”

  Ha! If only she knew. “I like to keep my personal life private.”

  “Sure,” she nods. “But a Navy SEAL? That’s badass. I don’t know how you kept it such a secret.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Your engagement, silly! I mean, you don’t even have a photo of him on your desk.”

  She’s got a point. “I don’t like to brag.”

  “Well, brag you should. Clearly. Is it true then?”

  “What’s that?” I ask, the picture of naivety.

  “Do SEALs like it extra wet?”

  I choke on what I think is a pine nut.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” nods Monica, filling in the blanks. She extends her hands apart. “What about his weapon? This about right?”

  I’m hammering my throat with my fist, nodding.

  “I bet it’s long, and hard, and always ready for action.”

  I finally manage to clear my throat. “I don’t know about that, but it is well loaded.”

  Did you even just say that?

  Monica’s mouth drops in shock. “Shannon! I had no idea.” She sits, lowering her voice. “Honestly? I thought you might be one of those weird twenty-something virgins.”

  “Imagine that.” I reply, t
rying to feign disbelief.

  Monica’s shaking her head. “I’m jealous. My last boyfriend was a,” she uses her fingers to air-quote, “a ‘talent acquisition expert.’ He had ‘thought leader’ written underneath that on his business card. He couldn’t even get it up half the time, and I’ve got strong jaw muscles.”

  We have entreated a whole new level of overshare. Until now my conversational repertoire with Monica didn’t extend much further than the weather and what was new in the vending machine, but my sudden announcement has turned her into some sort of sex guru-slash-confidant.

  Someone calls for her back in the office.

  She stands, still shaking her head. “Your guy? He’s out there saving lives, serving his country. That is a real man.”

  “It is,” I agree, smiling on it again while I polish off the rest of my salad.

  He is a real man, but he’s not yours, not technically.

  Not yet.

  Fake or not, maybe this will be good for me, I think, a new experience. It’s about time I got out, even if it is under false pretenses.

  You haven’t even told him you’re in.

  I head into the copy room and close the door, making sure I’m alone.

  I take out my cell and hesitate. Can I really do this? I’m an honest person. This goes against a large part of what I stand for.

  Then I see Daryl flirting it up with one of the new interns and my mind is made up.

  I dial Gabe’s number and wait.

  “Shannon,” he answers, the delight clear in his voice.

  “I’ll do it,” I blurt.

  He laughs, the tone of his voice smooth and rich. I can almost smell the spicy cologne he wears. “Okay. You sure?”

  I nod before realizing he can’t see me. “Yes,” I announce, “I’m sure.”

  “Good. Great.”

  “I just need one small, itsy-bitsy favor.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  GABE

  ‘Fish out of water’ says it all. I’m standing out the front of Douchebag Central here in the heart of town. I’m surrounded by a sea of suits, yet here I am in cargo pants and a tank top. It’s ninety degrees. Aren’t these guys hot?

  It’s not my world. Without the rattle of gunfire, an imminent threat, I’m on edge. Even now I’m scanning for exits, looking for possible incursions, something out of place. It’s instinct, habit. It’s not something I’m going to get forget overnight.

  A tap on my shoulder.

  I turn, adopting a fighting stance, until I see it’s Shannon.

  She’s a rose amongst thorns—literally. Her red blouse and pleated skirt highlight her curves perfectly. She looks so different to when I met her in the bar, yet she’s still beautiful, still has my cock doing backflips to break free.

  “Hi,” I say.

  “Hi,” she smiles, eyes flashing that striking, iridescent blue that reminds me of the Aegean. “Thanks for coming.”

  I don’t know what to do with my hands. I shove them into my pockets, fingers fidgeting with the walnut box I’ve been carrying around since last night. “No. It’s you I should be thanking.”

  I take out the box and open it. I feel as though I should get down on one knee, but I remain standing, oddly nervous. “What do you think?”

  She peers in. “Wow. That is some ring.”

  I’m not about to tell her it’s my mother’s, that she gave it to me with her blessing only last night. “I think it will suit you.” They’re my mother’s words, but I feel the same. “A beautiful ring for a beautiful girl.”

  Shannon’s blushing. She goes to draw her hair back over her ear even though it’s in a tight ponytail, her fingers falling away.

  She goes to reach for the ring, but I stop her. “No, wait.”

  I don’t know why, but I take the ring out, pocketing the box. With my other hand I take hers, about to slip the ring onto her finger.

  And I stop. I’m not sure why, but a strange awkwardness builds, like this is a taboo act.

  Just do it.

  I slide the ring on, noting how soft and delicate Shannon’s fingers are, the milky white of her skin that’s still asking for my lips.

  The ring’s a perfect fit. Even I didn’t see that coming.

  I let go and she holds her hand up. “Wow, look at that.” She seems spellbound by it. “I’m not really one of those girls who cares about the size of…”

  “The diamond?” I offer.

  She’s so red her face almost matches her blouse. “Yes. I’m not superficial like that.”

  “I don’t imagine you are.” I look up at the building in front of us. “Shall we go in?”

  I haven’t even noticed the paper bag she’s been carrying by her side. She hands it over.

  I take it. “What’s this?”

  “My lunch.”

  “You want me to carry your lunch?”

  “It’s what fiancés do.”

  “Do they?” I laugh.

  She looks embarrassed, shrugging. “I think I saw it on TV or something. I don’t know.”

  I hold the bag up. “It’s fine.”

  I follow her inside, her ass packaged beautifully in that skirt, the perfect size for my hands to squeeze, to grip as I finally slip inside her, my cock crushed by the wet walls of her pussy.

  Head out of the clouds, son.

  My drill instructor of a dick’s ruling my head these days.

  We’re quiet in the elevator, the cables outside whirring as we rise almost to the top floor.

  I follow Shannon out into a bustling office.

  Well, it was bustling.

  Everyone stops and stares when I walk in. I start to feel self-conscious before I remind myself why I’m here, quid pro quo and all that.

  We pause at a desk. “Is this yours?” I ask.

  I can see Shannon’s trying to stand in front of a photo of herself gathered up with all her pets. She shouldn’t be embarrassed by it.

  Her desk is quite Spartan compared to those around her, but I like that too—order, simplicity.

  I place the lunch bag down, can see a girl in the corner standing and nodding furiously at Shannon mouthing ‘He’s hot!’

  The door to an office behind us opens. A suited man walks out.

  Shannon turns and freezes.

  So this is her boss.

  Shannon literally can’t move.

  Fuck this.

  I take action.

  I shift forward and take Shannon around the waist, bringing my hand up to the side of her face and placing my lips on hers.

  Her body tenses with the shock of it at first, before easing, her lips and skin warm, intoxicating.

  She presses back against me, her tongue about to slip through, when I break away.

  I don’t want to. I want to smell the sweet, vanilla scent of her body, taste her lips again, but I needed to put on a show here for this boss, not film a porno.

  Shannon straightens herself up, her tongue whisking across her lower lip. Her cheeks are rosy, hot with arousal.

  She’s speechless, so I intervene, extending my hand towards her boss’s, who’s staring at me wide-eyed. “Gabe,” I announce.

  He takes my hand and I squeeze, just enough to let him know I could break every bone in his hand, all twenty seven of them, if I wanted to.

  He pulls his hand away and smiles. “Daryl, Daryl Somerset. I’m sorry, but you are?”

  Isn’t it fucking obvious? I’m just at six feet, but this guy can’t be more than five-five. I dominate him, in height, width, in fucking everything. It’s David and fucking Goliath. I pull Shannon into my side. She places a shaky hand on my chest. Nice touch. “I’m Shannon’s fiancé. Nice to meet you.”

  Now he’s picked his jaw up off the floor, Boss Boy starts to get his wits back. He pockets his hands and presses his chest out, standing with his legs apart like he’s some kind of alpha player who negs on girls and has a copy of The Game on his bedside table. I fucking hate these entitled, red-pill pricks.

 
I place the lunch bag on Shannon’s desk.

  She picks it up. “I’ll just run this to the kitchen while you two, ah, get acquainted.”

  We both watch Shannon leave. I’m suddenly overcome with a protective streak so strong it’s a wonder I don’t turn green and start tearing the place up like Eric Bana.

  Shannon told me all about ‘Daryl,’ about his little comments and innuendo.

  Fuck him.

  “So,” he starts, “I was surprised to hear about your engagement. I didn’t know Shannon was seeing anyone.”

  I look around and notice the odd employee prairie-dogging over their partitions. Let them watch.

  I step forward until we’re chest to chest, looking down into this excuse for a man. I bring my hands together and crack my knuckles. It’s a bullshit cliché, but it’s a classic.

  I watch Daryl’s Adam’s apple rise and drop, but he keeps his power pose up. “Look, Daryl,” I begin, “I think all women are entitled to respect, don’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  He swallows again. The fear’s coming off him in waves. “Do you think Shannon is entitled to it?”

  He nods, can’t form words.

  “Good, because I’d hate to… reeducate you on such a matter. Are we clear?”

  He wants to tell me to fuck off, but the fear’s holding his words at bay. “We are.”

  I take another step forward, forcing him back further. I place my hand on his shoulder. It’s like I’ve dropped a fucking sledgehammer on it. “To put it another way, keep your dirty fucking hands off my future wife.”

  Shannon comes up beside us. “Everything okay?”

  I pat Daryl’s shoulder. “Sure is. Ain’t that right, Daryl?”

  He nods awkwardly, pointing back to his office. “I better, you know…” And he disappears, closing the door behind himself.

  Shannon stands in front of me. “Whoa. What did you say?”

  I shrug. “Nothing he shouldn’t have heard a long time ago.”

  She stands on her tippy-toes and kisses me on the cheek. “See you later?”

  I can’t help but smile back. “Can’t wait, baby.”

  *

  Shannon emerges from the front of the building around six. I’m waiting there in a leather jacket and jeans, the most civilian outfit I could muster even if I do feel more at home in a ballistic vest.