Mr. CEO(42)

A smile creeps to my lips. I know he settled on a new business with Arrivol. Their manufacturing plant is in horrible condition and he placed a bid on the old Chrysler plant. I put two and two together and know exactly how to f*ck him over. Worth a few billion at least.

I dial up Trent, knowing exactly what to do.

“You got my message,” he answers on the second ring.

“I did. And I want to f*ck that bastard over where it hurts.”

“Calm down, Log-”

I cut him off, I don’t need to calm down. “I want the plant on Levington.” I stop walking and stand in front of the far window. It overlooks protected woods that are a part of the city park. It’s peaceful, elegant even. It’s everything I’m not.

“We can use that in the-”

“I don’t care what we use it for. Patterson needs it.”

“I’m sure it’s a silent bid,” Trent says after a long moment.

“I don’t care how much it’s going to cost to win that bid. If you have to overspend, do it.”

“By how much?” he asks.

I snort into the phone. “I don’t give a f*ck if you spend another four million on the property. Patterson needs it or he’s f*cked, so f*ck him. Make sure he doesn’t get it. Is that clear?”

“Understood,” Trent starts to say something else, but I’m done talking. My blood is pumping with adrenaline and I can feel anger boiling beneath the surface.

I hang up the phone breathing heavily and squeezing the phone with rage.

“Mr. Parker,” Doctor Wallace says, snapping me back to the present.

I clear my throat and nod, setting the phone down and walking back over to the chair in the middle of the room.

“You should take it easy; stress isn’t-”

“I’m fine.” I cut him off and try to calm my racing heart.

“You’re not fine,” he says, walking over to the large bag he placed on the table. He looks back at me through his spectacles. “You need to keep that in mind, Mr. Parker.”

I take in a slow breath and nod.

For nearly three years it’s been on my mind every minute that I’m not working. I’ve never been able to ignore it. My heartbeat slows and I retake my seat.

Until her.

My Rose. Such a beautiful distraction.





Chapter 25





Charlotte





I stride confidently down the hall to Logan’s office, my heels clicking against the gleaming hardwood floors. I’m dressed in a white blouse and a tight black skirt that shows off my curves; I want to look good for my boss. For the past few weeks, this has become a regular thing for me, and I no longer feel anxious about meeting Logan without an appointment.

I look forward to it even though I still question our relationship. I know it’s stupid, falling for a man that doesn’t want to commit, but I can’t help myself. He makes me feel good. Valued. Even when I do get pissed off with him being evasive about us being together, he’s always able to deflect my ire with passionate kisses and a good hard f*ck.

If I was smart, I’d leave him. But it’s too late. I’m addicted to him, mind, body and soul. And worst yet, I think I’m falling for him. Hard.

As I pass his receptionist’s desk, I nod at his secretary, Eleanor. She’s an old lady, probably in her mid-seventies with stark white hair that she always wears in a severe bun. She returns an imperceptible nod. She’s so used to seeing me show up unannounced that she doesn’t even bother greeting me anymore.

I’m sure she’s wondering what’s going on between me and Logan, and why I have special access to him, but most of the time, I don’t give a f*ck. Logan is a man that gets what he wants, and he wants me. Still, I’m uneasy about being so bold about our relationship, even if it’s only his secretary who suspects something is going on. It’s only a matter of time before the whole building knows, and I’m not sure how they’re going to react when they find out.

When I get to the oakwood double doors of Logan’s office, I pause, my heart racing.

Why do I keep doing this? I know this isn’t going to end well. He’s all but admitted he wants to continue to take this one step at a time and won’t guarantee I won’t end up with a broken heart.

It’s a pointless question, because I can’t help myself. I have to see Logan. He’s become a necessity, like food or water. And there are no guarantees in life.

He’s told me not to knock, but I don’t like just busting in on him at a moment’s notice. I think a little heads-up is the polite thing to do. Taking a deep breath, I gently rap on the doors.

“Come in,” I hear Logan’s muffled command.

I open the doors and walk in, but nearly trip before I do, closing them behind me. Logan’s on the phone, but goddamn he looks sexy as f*ck. My heart beats faster and I unconsciously lick my lips. He’s sitting in his tufted leather office chair, wearing a black dress shirt, his red tie loosened at the collar, his shirt open at the chest. His hair, which is usually gelled and slicked, is kind of messy, like he just woke up.

My core heats with desire at the sight of him.

He looks up at me as soon as I enter. “Hold, please” he tells whoever it is on the other end of the line. He drops the phone to the desk without waiting for a response presses the hold button.