unforeseen problem - Stella. Not that she's committing any blunders. In fact, for her first time in a meeting with another company on foreign soil, she's been perfect. She sits in the corner taking notes, silent, invisible, and yet whenever I need something from her, it appears in front of me, sometimes before I say anything. I couldn't have asked for a better assistant.
The problem? As much as she tries not to draw attention - and she succeeds with the other people in the room - she somehow keeps getting mine.
It's that red dress. Each time I glance in her direction, it catches my eye, just like that red laser dot on the floor never fails to pique a cat's interest. I find myself staring at that patch of skin above her asymmetrical neckline and thinking that maybe I should have left my mark there on that spot above her pulse. My gaze wanders to the knees peeking beneath the hem of her dress, especially when she crosses her legs. I wonder what underwear she's wearing today. Another enticing silk piece? Lace? Does it match her bra? I don't see a strap, but surely she must be wearing one. Or is she?
All I want to do is tear that red dress off her and place my hands and my mouth all over that incredible body that's hidden underneath. I want to leave an indelible mark on every inch, to taste every part of her. Last night wasn't enough. Not close. There's so much more I want to do to her, with her.
Fuck.
"Ethan?" Ryker calls my attention. "What do you think?"
About what? I didn't hear what he just said.
I suppress a frown. What am I doing, entertaining fantasies in the middle of an important meeting, playing porn inside my head when I should be listening to every concern, answering every question?
I suddenly feel ashamed of myself. Stella isn't the problem. I am.
"The board wants full access to Mr. Odermatt's original program," Asher speaks up, his voice filling the awkward silence in the room. "Isn't that right, Ethan?"
I silently thank him for my cue and straighten my shoulders. Enough messing around.
"Exactly. And this is something I'm afraid we cannot compromise on, though we are willing to hear out all your concerns on the matter and are prepared to make all the arrangements to make sure the code remains secure and intact..."
~
"I think we did good," Ryker tells me after the meeting.
It's evening now and we're in the lobby, finally free of that conference room. We're just waiting for the car so we can go back to the hotel and get some much needed rest. Much deserved, too. The meeting took longer than I thought it would, but Ryker's right. It did go well.
"It's all thanks to you," I tell him. "You were on top of everything."
"Just doing my job," he says humbly. "Which I couldn't have done without your support. And Asher's. It's a team effort."
Well said, but I'm still ashamed of my lapse earlier.
"Is there something else bothering you?" Ryker asks.
Of course he noticed.
"Now that the meeting is over, we can talk about it."
"I'm fine," I assure him as I try to push the thought of Stella from my mind.
I should at least be able to stop thinking of her when she isn't around.
"I just... remembered something for a moment there, something from the office, which of course I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. No harm done. You were able to shrug it off."
"Thanks to Asher." I look around. "Speaking of Asher, where is he?"
Ryker shrugs. "Restroom?"
Just then, the elevator doors open. Asher steps out, a woman with curly black hair in a royal blue two-piece suit beside him. Why am I not surprised?
"There he is," Ryker announces.
My eyes narrow. "Wait a second. Isn't that Violet Cleary?"
She was at the meeting. The Head of Odermatt's finance department. Intelligent. Confident. Fierce. The kind of woman Asher won't easily be able to charm into bed - which means he won't be able to help but try.
He looks like he's trying now. I know that grin, that gleam in his eyes. He's found his prey and he's trying to corner her.
Violet, though, isn't having any of it. She's standing her ground, claws ready to swipe. She looks like she wants to kill Asher, actually, instead of just trying to brush him off.
I frown. I sure hope Asher hasn't tried anything stupid and undone all of our hard work.
"What did you do?" I ask him