Be a Doll(53)

My business was all I had and I didn’t care if it was unhealthy or if I was judged for it, but I wouldn’t let my intense workaholic disposition compromise my business and the plans I had for GM Enterprises. That would be quite laughable to be shunned because I was a hard worker.

“Don’t think it’s a done deal yet,’’ Chance warned me and handed me the files. “In here you have the last business plan and projections for the next six months for Tober’s company and a few other things regarding business deals in shambles now that it’s well known he’s retiring.’’

“It’s no surprise.’’ I grabbed the files and also found Chance’s reports regarding the financial states of a few subsidiary companies I own and a few that Tober’s company works with. As usual, Chance was ever efficient and thorough. There hadn’t been a day when I had regretted hiring him as CFO, both for his skills needed for such a position, but also for his sneakiness in gathering information thanks to his amicable behavior. “A company changing hands always goes through a tough time. That’s why we need to hurry things up.’’

“Speaking of, I heard that you’re going to get Moran’s company. Hostile takeover, Mathis, really?’’

I shrugged and offered him my trademark cold smirk. “He opened his trap where he shouldn’t have and as a perk I’m screwing with my father indirectly.’’

“It’s not exactly like you to act in spite.’’

He wasn’t entirely wrong there. While I had already made drastic choices when stepped on the wrong foot by someone, it was always with the sole purpose to further my empire. Here, with Moran, it was more of a yelled ‘fuck you’ than anything else, even though it wouldn’t hurt my company if everything went according to plan.

“I’m entitled to a few…’’ I trailed off looking for the right word but failed. “Let’s just say that I hate the man and he ran his mouth where he shouldn’t have. It only helps the role of infatuated husband I have to incarnate anyway.’’

“It’s about your wife, then.’’ He chuckled and stood up, buttoning his gray suit jacket. “Interesting. Careful there, man. In no time I’ll be thinking you have a soft spot for your wife.’’

It was on the tip of my tongue to reply with something biting, but instead I remained stoic and nodded at my friend as he left my office on a laugh. I didn’t care what he thought because it wasn’t true. I was only going through a hard time acclimating and the lack of sex wasn’t helping anything.

The fascination I had for Lila had nothing to do with infatuation and my need to be inside her was only natural. She was a beautiful woman and the spirit in her was all the more attractive.

I glanced at the clock on my computer screen and cursed.

I still had hours left to wait until I could finally fuck my wife.

I still had hours left before I could taste her everywhere.

I still had hours left before I could do my best to get this fixation out of me, or try as many times it took until I was back to who I had become. Cold and uninterested.

Absentmindedly, I clicked open a new email for my assistant and typed fast.



To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Cancellation - Call conference



Jonatan,



I have to leave early today. Reschedule the conference call with Los Angeles for tomorrow, early afternoon.



Mathis Grimes

CEO GM Enterprises.

***





LILA


After spending the afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and gazing at a few paintings by Picasso without really seeing them, I decided to go back to Mathis’ apartment. I had been too distressed and overwhelmed after what happened in Mathis’ office to enjoy the luxury of spending a whole afternoon at one of the most famous museums in the world surrounded by the best art my eyes could drink in.

I wasn’t used to being so emotionally all over the place and after four years spent at Carter Manor I had thought my time there would have healed me of any other emotional explosion, but it only took one man to derail me and make me forget all of what I had been taught.

So, after three fruitless hours, I hailed a cab and came back to the luxurious apartment where I was finally able to get control over my damp palms, the hammer that was my heart and the other signs of how turned on Mathis Grimes got me on the couch in his office.

But it was getting closer to the time when I knew my husband would be back. He said he would be home early and I had no doubt he would be considering what would happen once we had the privacy that was offered to us here. He wasn’t the kind of man who would deny himself any sexual gratification and it’s been a few months for him now. He was a ticking time bomb and the timer was coming to an end.

I polished off my tall glass of water and set it back on the coffee table with a steady hand and my eyes glued to the front door. I was back in control and ready to face what would happen head on.

I wanted to have sex and while Mathis Grimes would be a mistake and could very well be my biggest regret, right now he was my only choice if I ever wanted to quench that ever growing need inside me. He was also too difficult to resist and his teasing game had had the best of me.

I contemplated discarding my high waist skirt and cashmere sweater to wait for him only clad in my La Perla light gray and white underwear, but that stupid thought made me snort.