Power Play - Lauren Landish Page 0,202

still ring in my ears. It’s been days, and she’s all I’ve been able to think about.

It’s unsettling. I’m not one to let my mind wander aimlessly. I put my mental efforts to good use . . . focusing on work, strategies to increase my power, and ways to become the businessman I want to be. But Madison has managed to penetrate my armor, and my thoughts have been a never-ending loop of replaying what happened and fantasies about what should have happened. She’s consuming me from the inside out, leaving me fascinated and curious . . . and hungry for more.

I’ve wanted to go back to the bar. Twice, I’ve even gotten as far as picking up my keys and heading to the door, only to stop myself. I forced myself back to my desk, trying to concentrate on work.

I’ll admit that pride has been part of what has kept me from chasing Madison. I don’t normally go out on a limb like that, handing out my personal cell number. Usually, I take women’s numbers so that I’m the one in control. But I knew she wouldn’t give it to me, so I veered from my norm and gave her mine.

And not only did she refuse me and kick me out, but she hasn’t called me. It’s infuriating.

Sitting in my office, I settle back into my leather-tufted chair and try to calm my raging thoughts. I turn my eyes and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the city skyline.

The windows allow me to look out, day or night, without fighting the blinding sun. And from the exterior, the yellow metallic coating makes the whole tower sparkle like a tall, flaming sun . . . hinting at the danger and Dangers inside.

Still, it’s not the best office in the building, but I’m determined to move up. Soon enough, I’ll lay claim to Dad’s office and then I’ll finally have the penthouse office in the Danger Tower.

But now, there’s something else I want to claim . . . Madison’s sweet body. My brain immediately jumps back to its rolling loop, happy for the momentary permission to indulge. I think about the way she felt grinding against my thigh, the heavy softness of her breast in my hand, and her breathy sighs and moans echoing in my ears. My cock hardens in my slacks and I have to grip the armrests of my chair to stop from taking matters into my own hands. With a deep breath, I shudder, making an effort to gain control of my thoughts. It’s harder than it should be.

Let it go, Scott, I tell myself. She hasn’t called. She’s not interested.

Besides, I can’t afford any distractions right now. With this deal looming, I need to get my head on straight and make sure my dad and the board see the opportunity I’ve laid out as the best option, the only option. To do that, I can’t waste time thinking about pussy. I’ve probably just built it up in my head anyway. I was half-gone on horniness, and the martinis didn’t help. Because of my skewed memory, I’ve built her up to pedestal proportions because she didn’t play according to my usual rules. Madison was a simple mistake, that’s all it was.

A mistake that you would make again if given the chance.

Maybe, except for the way she looked at me when she saw my tattoo. The expression on her face in that instant haunts my dreams. I know my tattoo isn’t that bad. It’s pretty fucking awesome, actually. So what went wrong?

With a mental shake, I chastise myself. Whatever her issue was, it doesn’t matter. Right now, I need to work. There’s too much at stake, and I can’t let Dad choose Chase once again. Chase’s plan is smart, I’ll give him that, but it’s safe, predictable, and low-risk. Considering the irony of our family name and the odds Dad had to tackle to make the company what it is today, I’m surprised Chase is so close to getting the nod.

Maybe Dad is getting soft in his old age? Not that he’s old, really, but venture capital can be a young man’s game, needing quick and decisive action and a willingness to go big for the financial rewards. Maybe that’s the angle I should play? Pander to Dad’s desire to be the alpha big dog, setting the tone of the business, because that’s what my plan offers.

That’s good . . . potentially, even a great way to

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