Mr Spencer: Chapter 3

“I haven’t had sex before.”

“Never?”

She shakes her head.

I watch her, my breathing ragged. Is she fucking joking?

“Tonight with you would be my first night.”

My eyes widen in horror. “What the fuck?” I push her off my lap and stand immediately. “Are you kidding me?”

“No, I’m not!” she snaps, annoyed by my reaction. “I’m offering you my virginity. Do you want it or not?”

Her virginity.

I stare at her, my mouth hanging open. “Of course I fucking want it.” I run my hands through my hair and begin to pace. “I… I mean.” I stop and look back at her. “Never?” I mouth.

She shakes her head, and I wince.

A virgin. A virgin. A fucking virgin. I’ll split her in fucking half.

I have no idea how to fuck gently.

“This isn’t exactly the reaction I was expecting,” she whispers.

I look over at her and my face softens. “God, Charlotte.” I lean down and tenderly kiss her beautiful big lips, holding her face in my hands. “You’re the perfect woman.”

“But?” She scowls.

I stare at her, lost for words. My heart is hammering hard in my chest.

If I take her virginity she’ll become needy and attached, and I’ll only fuck this shit up. Girls fall in love with their first sexual partner and I don’t do love.

I so want to, though. I get a vision of myself teaching her the ropes, and my cock begins to weep. It would be so fucking good.

“Spencer, what’s wrong?”

I swallow the lump in my throat, and I kiss her softly as I try to control my hunger.

She deserves her first time to be soft and gentle… neither of which are my strong points. Plus, I’m big. I’ll hurt her.

Not if you warm her up first.

I get a vision of kissing her inner thigh, and my cock hardens to a painful level.

“You should go,” she whispers sharply.

I stare at her in confusion. “I knew you were different the moment I laid eyes on you,” I admit quietly. She’s fucking perfect inside and out.

God, I want her. Everything in me wants her.

She stands abruptly and opens the front door in a rush.

“Goodbye, Spencer.”

What? What the hell? “Wait, I… I don’t want to go,” I stammer.

Fuck, why did I hesitate? Now she thinks I don’t want her.

“I want you to leave. Immediately.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, standing my ground.

“You heard the lady,” Wyatt growls from the front porch.

We both turn in surprise.

“Not now, fucker,” I snap.

“Get out before I beat you to a living pulp.”

“What the hell?” I frown, and my eyes flicker to the beautiful girl in front of me. “Charlotte?”

“Please leave, Spencer,” she says as her eyes fill with tears.

My face falls knowing that I’ve hurt her feelings.

She turns and runs up the stairs, leaving me no choice. Wyatt pushes me towards the front door, and I rip my arm from his grip.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” I shout as I storm out onto the porch.

“Don’t come back.”

I turn to him. “I’ll be back whenever it fucking suits me, you prick. Stay the fuck out of my way.” I storm to my car, start it up, and rev the shit out of the engine.

I stare at her house for a moment, glaring at the fucking idiot guard dog standing on the front porch.

I don’t even have her fucking phone number.

I tear out of the driveway and out through the large stone gates.

“Well done, Spencer, you stupid prick.” I grip the steering wheel with white knuckle force.

That was one gigantic fuck up.

I sit at my kitchen table and type the words ‘Charlotte Prescott’ into Google.

It’s now Sunday night, and I’ve been in a world of pain since Thursday when I last saw her.

I have never regretted not doing something so much in my entire life.

I sip my scotch as I wait for the results to come up. I smile as a gallery of images of the beautiful woman flash across my screen. I click through the images one by one, taking in her perfect angelic face.

There are photos dating back to her when she was a child in a private school uniform, and then at Polo events, a few charity events, but surprisingly there are very few images of her recently.

That’s because she’s never out.

I raise my eyebrows, winded by what I’ve just read. Fuck me.

No wonder she’s so guarded.

I sip my scotch with a shaky hand, and I read the next article.

Fuck. I slam my computer shut in disgust with myself. I keep seeing her disappointed face when I hesitated accepting what she so bravely offered. She thinks I didn’t want her because she was a virgin. If only she knew how far from the truth that is.

I walk into the restaurant at 7:00 a.m. Masters and Sebastian are at our usual table and have already ordered for me. We do this every Monday. It’s hard to find time to see each other, so we grab it while we can.

“Hey,” I say as I slide into my seat.

They both frown as they look over at me. “What’s wrong with you?” Seb asks.

“Nothing.” I take a paper from the table and flick it open. “How was your weekend?” I ask.

“Better than yours, obviously.” Masters tuts. “What happened in Nottingham last week?”

“Nothing.” I sigh.

They both smile. “She wouldn’t see you?”

I blow into my cheeks. “She saw me.” I flick the pages of the paper angrily.

“Well, what happened? We want details.”

“No details.” I look up to my two friends. “You were right, though. She is well and truly out of my league.”

“How so?”

“She’s a virgin.”

They both stare at me, and I swear, it’s so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

I throw my hands up in the air. “I know, right? What the actual fuck is that about?”

“Oh, hell,” Masters whispers, running his fingers over his stubble. “So, what happened? She told you she was saving herself for marriage, and then kicked you out?” Seb asks.

“Nope. She told me she was a virgin and I freaked out like a fucking baby, and she kicked me out.”then

Masters stares at me. “You did what?”

I shake my head. “I can’t deal with that kind of pressure, man. I can’t even be monogamous to one woman for more than a week.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Seb nods. “That’s a truth.”

Masters frowns at me, not saying a word.

“We had dinner and then went back to her house. Before we got inside, I had words with her fucking security guard.”

“She has a security guard?” Masters asks.

“Yeah, and I reckon he is sweet on her. He was way too invested.” I pause as I remember the look on Wyatt’s face. “Once I got rid of him, we got busy and I told her we should fuck. That’s when she told me she was a virgin.”

Our breakfasts arrive to a table filled with silence.

I pick up my knife and fork.

“Fuck me,” Seb eventually whispers. “Why does this shit never fucking happen to me?” He slaps his forehead. “I would give my left fucking nut to have a virgin.”

Masters chuckles. “Right?” He cuts into his toast. “Imagine how hot the sex would be.”

They both smile darkly.

“Stop it.” I groan. “Don’t even think about sex with her.” I point my knife at Sebastian. “You go near her and I’ll fucking kill you.”

The two of them chuckle in unison.

“Jesus Christ, calm down.” Seb laughs.

I run both my hands through my hair. “This woman has got me going fucking crazy.”

“So, do something about it.”

“I can’t fuck her!” I snap. “You don’t just fuck a girl like Charlotte.”

“No, you don’t.” Seb shakes his head. “You fuck her, you marry her. Hands down, one-hundred percent.”

I begin to perspire. “See?” I point my knife at them. “I can’t get married.”

“Why not?” Masters frowns.

“Because, I’ve seen the hell you two have been through and I’m not wired to be with just one woman.”

“I didn’t think I was either,” Masters says.

“What made you change?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I didn’t want anyone else touching me but her.”

I stare at him.

“And I didn’t want to touch anybody else. It stopped being just about the sex and more about when I got to spend time alone with her.”

I shake my head in disgust and look at Seb. “See, this is what I’m talking about. Nothing good can come of this.” I bite my food off my fork with force. “You’re pathetic, by the way, Masters.”

He nods. “I get it, Spence. Run. Run the fuck away now.”

“I did.”

“Then why is it pissing you off?” Masters ask.

“Because she’s so fucking perfect I can’t even deal with it. I’ve jerked off so many times that my dick is chaffed, and I can’t get any satisfaction from that. I didn’t go out all weekend because I didn’t want to sleep with anybody else.”

Masters shakes his head. “Yeah, that sounds about right. Hate to tell you, but you’re pretty much fucked already, man.”

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sheridan is in town this week. She’ll snap me out of it.”

“God, you’ve been on and off with her for a long time.”

“About ten years, I think.”

“Why don’t you just make a go of it with her?” Masters frowns.

I screw up my face in disgust. “It’s not like that between us.”

“So, let me get this straight: you’ve been fucking this chick from New York for ten years and you don’t even think about her once when you’re not with her?”

“God, no, never,” I answer with certainty. “I’m not being a stepfather to her three bratty kids, and I definitely don’t want to move to the states. Nor do I want her moving here. We just have fun.” I scowl and look up at the ceiling. “I think she’s even got a boyfriend now.”

“But she’ll call you the minute she gets into town and you’ll go to her hotel.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ll fuck her ‘til she can’t walk.” I bite the food from my fork. “When she’s in London, she’s mine.”

“How often does she come here?”

“Four times a year.”

“How long does she stay each visit?”

I shrug. “Ten days or so.”

“Like I said,“ Seb mutters. “Why doesn’t this fucking shit ever happen to me?”

We continue to eat our breakfast, and the boys talk and chatter cheerfully, but my mind is in Nottingham… with Charlotte.

I hate that she thinks that this is about her. This isn’t about her, it’s about me and what I can’t be.

If I go there, eventually I’ll fuck it up. I know I will, and I can’t stand the thought of that.

It’s best to just leave it as it stands. I can’t see her again.

I exhale heavily at the depressing thought, and I stare out of the window, feeling like shit.

“Fuck’s sake, snap out of it.” Masters groans.

“Whatever.” I sigh, tucking into my breakfast again.

It’s going to be a long day.

Lara falls into the seat opposite me. “Good Lord, I need a strong drink. Can you buy it by the bottle here?” She sighs.

I smile and sip my wine. “What happened?”

She throws her hands up in the air. “Ugh, where do I start?” She holds her finger up. “Oh, I know, let’s start with the fact that there was a pubic hair on my desk this morning when I got to work.”

“What?” I gasp.

“That stupid wench from accounts is fucking somebody, and she’s doing it on my desk.”

I put my hand over my mouth and stifle a laugh. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She frowns, horrified. “I called the other girls into my office and we all agreed that the hair was definitely pubic. We had a two-hour discussion over it.”

My eyes widen. “What did you do?”

“Disinfected the hell out of everything, and then put a complaint into management.”

“I have no words.”

She shakes her head in disgust. “I do. Get a fucking room.” She pours herself a glass of wine, but she’s so distracted that it sloshes over the side. “It’s disgusting. Now everywhere I look in the office, I imagine her huge hairy vagina has been on it, getting pummelled.” She sticks her fingers down her throat to fake vomit. “Oh, and don’t even get me started on the kitchen. I’m never eating my lunch on that table again.”

I tip my head back and laugh. God, Lara is really riled up about this.

“Anyway.” She shakes her head. “How was your weekend?”

“Good.” I shrug, and I feel a little sadness creep back in. I’ve been bummed all weekend over Spencer not wanting me. I’m embarrassed and I wish the whole nightmare hadn’t happened.

She sips her wine and watches me. “What is that look?”

“I saw Spencer last week.”

She frowns. “What? Where?”

“He came to my work.”

“Spencer Jones? The Spencer from the other night? The one you kissed at the wedding?”

I nod with a sad smile.

Her mouth falls open and she leans against the table. “What did he want?”

“We went out for dinner.”

“What? Like, on a date?”

I nod and try to hide my smile. “He had the day off, and he waited outside work for me to finish.”

She sits back in her seat. “Holy shit.”

I shrug. “So, yeah, that happened.”

She frowns. “What exactly happened?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyes widen. “Charlotte… I am all for you finally going on a date and all, but with him? We both Googled him last week when you kissed him, remember?”

I twist my lips.

“He’s a total womaniser.” She tuts.

“I know that. I won’t see him again, don’t worry. It was just nice to do something out of the ordinary, you know?” I am not telling Lara the rest of the story. She just wouldn’t understand.

“You’re just bored.” She sighs. “And I want you to break free, I really do.”

I smirk.

“To be honest, it’s time you broke out of Edward’s reign,” she continues.

Lara hates the way that Edward tries to control me, to the point they have had many an argument. I think they secretly like each other but would never admit it.

“Edward is…” I shake my head as I try to articulate my thoughts. “He’s at the height of his controlling phase.”

“Ha, what’s new?”

“William came home this week and Edward called Penelope a whore. They had a huge fight, and William took off back to Switzerland.”

“Penelope is a whore.” She screws up her face. “I wish she’d gone back to Denmark with that German she was fucking,” she adds. “If she just left William back then, he would be over her by now. Maybe he’d finally be with someone deserving.”

“I know, she makes me sick.” I sigh.

A comfortable silence falls over us, until Lara smiles at me, something clearly on her mind.

“What?”

“Why don’t you move to London?”

“Lars.” I sigh. “When are you going to give up on this?” She’s been trying to talk me into moving for about eighteen months now.

“Never.” She takes my hands across the table. “It’s not like you can’t afford it. Your trust fund is bigger than the English reserve bank. Look, just move there for six months, date gorgeous men, have fun, meet new people. Elizabeth is in London, and you can go out and meet new people.”

I stare at her.

“You are going to go crazy in that stuffy castle of a prison, Charlotte. You are wasting the best years of your life.”

“It’s not a prison,” I retort. “I live there because of my father, and it’s my home.”

“Bullshit. Edward will control you while you continue to live there, and you know it.”

I stare at her.

“He knows who you date, when you get home, what you are eating for dinner.”

I sip my wine. “It’s true, he does.”

“All I’m saying is that it’s great that you’re ready to start dating, but do it in London, away from your brother.”

“I love my brother, Lars. I know he’s just trying to protect us all after mum died.”

“I know he is, too, and he’s a good man. Just misunderstood.” She smiles as she watches me. “He goes away tomorrow for six weeks, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah.” I frown. “How do you know that?”

Her face falters. “You mentioned it the other week.”

I stare at her for a moment. I didn’t even find this out until two days ago, and I haven’t spoken to Lara in that time.

“What are you doing in town, Lars?” I ask casually.

Is she fucking my brother?

No. Don’t be stupid.

“Oh, it’s Mum’s birthday tomorrow. I got the day off work, so I came home to see her. Do I need an excuse to see my best friend, too?”

“No.” I smile.

“Will you think about London?” she pleads.

“I have my job and I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” I shrug. “If I’m meant to move to London, the universe will give me a sign.”

“I know it will.” She smiles knowingly. “Now, we need to talk about Spencer.” She widens her eyes. “Tell me everything. Let’s stalk him from afar.”

I giggle.

“What does he do for work?” She frowns.

“Steel or something.”

She takes her phone out and begins to search him.

“Don’t tell me anything about the women you find on that thing,” I snap. God, it’s bad enough that he didn’t want me, I don’t need the women he did want rubbed in my face.

“Oh.” She frowns as she reads. “So, he owns a steel company and designs skyscrapers that supplies steel to most countries for the said skyscrapers.” She purses her lips. “His company has four hundred staff. Wow, he’s no slouch.”

“I never said he was. You did.”

“Just don’t tell Edward that he came to your work. He will go nuclear. Or your father, for that matter.”

“I’m not that stupid.”

Lara’s eyes hold mine. “Promise me.”

“Promise you what?’

“Promise me you won’t fall for this guy’s cheap pickup lines. He’s a player—the player of all players.”

“I know, I’m not stupid. Give me some credit, please.” I sigh.

“Good.” She smiles broadly.

I sip my wine and stare across the restaurant. If only she knew that I offered myself to him on a silver platter and he turned me down.

I close my eyes in disgust. What the hell was I thinking?

It’s 10:00 p.m. and all is quiet on the estate. I pull the curtains back and stare out into the darkness. My mind keeps going over the fact that Lara knew Edward was going away tomorrow.

How did she know that? Had I told her and forgotten?

No. I hadn’t even known it myself.

I see the two security guards walking down the road performing their last sweep of the grounds for the night, and I walk out onto my front porch. “Hello,” I call out as they approach my property.

“Hello, Charlotte.” They both smile.

“Lovely night,” I say, aiming for casual.

“Yes, and warm for this time of year.”

“Does my brother have company tonight?” I ask.

They glance at each other. “I believe so,” Ryan says with caution.

“Do you know who with?”

They exchange looks again. “A… female friend,” Ryan answers.

I fold my arms over my chest. “And her name is?”

They once again look at each other. “We’re not sure, Charlotte.”

I tilt my chin and think for a moment. “Is this the first time she has been to the estate?”

“No, I don’t believe it is,” Ryan says. The two of them keep walking past in the hope that their interrogation will soon be over. “Goodnight, Charlotte,” Ryan calls out, effectively ending the conversation.

“Goodnight.” I huff, and I turn back into my house.

I head straight for the kitchen and flick the kettle on.

Edward and Lara? Surely not.

She sees other people. It was only last week that she went on a date with someone.

I think back over all the times over the years when they have had aggressive arguments with one another… mostly over me. Although, I must admit, they have always seemed to know a lot about each other.

Why would they hide it if something was going on?

Are they fucking?

No. They’re not. I know they’re not. I’m just imagining things that aren’t there.

God, I really do need to get out more. Lara is right; I’m going crazy cooped up in this castle.

I make my tea and sit on the couch, my mind in overdrive.

I tap my tooth with my fingernail as I think. I wonder if Lara’s car is at his house.

I go into my office and pull the drapes back. I can see the lights from his house in the distance.

He has his own road in and out of his place, just like I do, but because his house is at the end of the estate, I wouldn’t have any clue who he has down there. Until tonight I’ve never wanted to know.

Well, damn this.

I go out to my front porch, sit on the steps, and put my trainers on. I’m going to see exactly who Edward is bedding tonight.

And if it is Lara, there is going to be blood. Whether that’s his or hers, I don’t know yet, but I won’t be impressed if they are sneaking around behind my back.

His, I decide. It will be his blood.

The thought of him sleeping with my best friend boils my blood.

She’s way too soft and sweet for him.

I know for sure if I had someone here for the night, Edward would be here in an instant, ordering them home. I look down at my white sweater. Hmm, this won’t do. I run upstairs and change into a black jumper and a black beanie. If I’m going to go spying, I may as well look the part.

I turn the torch on my phone on, and I look left and right to make sure the coast is clear. Then I slowly start to walk down the road towards Edward’s house. It’s a fair distance from my house, but I know the security staff have done their last check for the night and are tucked back in their office at my father’s. Wyatt finished work at 6:00 p.m. because he thought I wasn’t going anywhere.

I walk, and walk, and walk.

God, this seems it’s a lot farther in the dark.

I finally arrive at Edward’s house and duck behind a tree before I peer around it. Like my house, his house is made of sandstone and covered in ivy. Our houses are near identical, both two storied with four bedrooms. The only differences being that he has had his house updated to his tastes and added another large living area at the back. Unlike me, he won’t be leaving his house, so he has made it his forever home.

I tiptoe across the large circular driveway. There are no cars here, damn it. She must be parked in his garage, whoever she is.

The lights downstairs are off. I walk around to the side of his house and look up to the higher floor. Edward’s bedroom light is on and the curtains are open.

Ugh, damn it, I wish I could just see who he has up there.

I blow out a breath and sit down on the ground for a moment.

I look around and wonder what to do.

About three metres out from his window sits a large tree. What if I climbed it? Just got a look at who is in there and then climbed down.

No harm done.

My heart rate quickens as I walk over and look up at the tree, smirking to myself.

What the hell are you doing, Charlotte?

I put my arms around the trunk and take the first step up, then another, and then another. Before long, I’m way up high. I just need to get to that taller branch and I will be able to see in. I step up and hug the trunk. It’s pitch black outside, but I can see into the lit bedroom clearly.

I watch in silence. Nothing’s happening.

I peer down at the ground. Oh hell, I’m up really high. I cling to the tree as if my life depends on it, because at this point, it actually does.

I didn’t think this through at all.

Then I hear movement. I squat down in a panic.

Edward comes into view, forcing me to hold my breath. He’s facing away from me but… oh no.

He has no clothes on. My brother is naked.

The blood drains from my face.

He turns towards the window, his huge erection standing proud. He’s holding handcuffs and spinning them around his finger as he talks to someone who is obviously still in his bed.

My eyes are as wide as saucers. Oh, dear God.

Not this. Anything, but this.

I step back to try and get away. I slip, and I try desperately to grab the trunk. Unfortunately for me, I miscalculate and go hurdling down towards the ground, somehow managing to grab a branch along the way. It kind of breaks my fall for just a moment before I hit the ground hard with a thud.

“Ouch,” I whimper as I lie in a crumpled heap.

What the fuck did I just see?

I stare up at the stars hurting all over. I get a visual reminder of my naked brother and it makes me scrub my eyes with my fingertips to try and remove it from my brain.

I remain on my back, looking up at the dark sky for ten minutes, in the dark, crumpled on the ground.

That really hurt.

Eventually, I crawl onto my hands and knees and push myself off the ground.

That is the last time I’m ever going to spy on anyone ever again.

What is he doing up there right now?

I scrunch my eyes together to try and block out the image of him with those handcuffs.

I feel nauseous.

I stand in the afternoon sun on the front landing of my father’s house. My father and Edward are in their customary expensive suits. Their security staff are buzzing around, and the last of their luggage has been packed into the car. Five men are going with them, while the other five stay here to look after the house and me.

I wish it wasn’t like this. I wish we didn’t even have to have security. My father was, and still is terrified that something is going to happen to me like it did to Mum. He knows now that casinos and gambling are mixed in with the family empire, all bets are off. Security is at an all-time high.

My father’s eyes rise to meet mine. “Will you please reconsider coming with us, Charlotte? Six weeks away would be wonderful for you.”

“Dad,” I sigh. “You two are going to be working the entire time.”

“I’ll have the plane pick you up. Maybe you could come out there for a shorter amount of time,” he offers hopefully.

“No.” I smile as I kiss his cheek and wrap my arms around him. “Have a great time, and I will see you soon. I will call you every day.”

I turn and smile at Edward who is unusually quiet today.

Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t picture it.

Last night’s spying activities have traumatised me. “Have fun, Edward.” I smile.

He frowns, and I know he’s worried about leaving me. “I can be back here in twelve hours if you need me to be.”

“I’m fine.” I step back from him. For all of Edward’s faults and his overbearing ways, I know he really does mean well and is acting out of love for William and me. “It’s six weeks, for God’s sake.”

“Please be careful, Charlotte. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Don’t go anywhere without Wyatt and Anthony.”

Anthony is Edward’s normal guard, and he is leaving him here to guard me. “I won’t, I promise. I’m not stupid.” My eyes glance over at Wyatt who drops his eyes to the ground. Okay, fine, maybe I’m a little stupid, but I never will be again. I learnt my lesson, and thankfully Wyatt has kept his promise about keeping Spencer a secret.

Edward and my father get into the Bentley. Eventually, it slowly pulls out of the driveway with the security in the car following on behind them.

I give them a wave and a smile as nerves flutter in my stomach.

I’ve never been alone for this long before.

I angle my face up to the sun and smile broadly, feeling the vitamin D sink in.

“Elizabeth is coming over for the night.” I smile over at the boys.

Anthony’s face lights up. “What time will she be here?”

“Around six.”

“Very well.”

Anthony has had a crush on my beloved friend for years, and to be honest, I think she has a bit of a thing for him, too.

I’m going to set them up on a date one day.

I turn and walk towards my house.

Six weeks all alone. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or petrified.

I hear the handle turn on my office door, and I glance up to see Sheridan standing before me.

“Hello.” She smiles.

I grin brightly and stand to kiss her cheek. “Hello, darling.” My eyes drop down her beautiful figure which she’s dressed in her usual power suit—a navy skirt and matching jacket with a white silk blouse unbuttoned to tease me just enough. Her long dark hair is up, and she is wearing tortoise-shell framed glasses.

Sheridan is the CEO of a multi conglomerate global company. At the age of thirty-five, that’s a huge accomplishment. My company supplies steel to her company, so we effectively work side by side but for different companies. Listed on the New York Times as one of the most powerful women in the United States, Sheridan works hard and plays harder.

She gets me like nobody else ever has. We have a sexual relationship based on trust and friendship, but we both know this for what it is. No lies, no pretence that we’re going to fall in love, and best of all, no bullshit.

“How are you?” I ask her.

“Why is Electra still here?”

I roll my eyes and drop into my chair. Electra is one of my PAs who gives us all nothing but trouble. She gets under Sheridan’s nose, and the last time she was here Sheridan demanded that I fire her.

“She’s here because I can’t fucking fire her. I gave her a written warning and she brought the damn union in to threaten legal action.”

Sheridan points to the door with her thumb. “She’s sitting out there messing around on Facebook.”

I swing my chair from side to side, holding my pen between my fingers. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Where are the other girls?”

“God knows. I mean it, Spencer, you need to fire her. It’s not fair that your other two PAs have to do her share of the work.”

“It’s just not that easy.”

“Oh, fuck off. It’s dead easy. I’ll do it now for you, if you like.”

I smile as I look up at her. “Not everyone is an ice queen like you, Shez.”

Sheridan makes grown men cry in her company. She’s the hardest woman I know.

She strolls over to the window and looks out across the city, casually flicking through her phone before she hits call.

“Hello, this is Sheridan Myer from Universal Steel.” She listens for a moment. “I need some security cameras installed throughout the offices, please.” She listens.

“Immediately.” Sheridan glances over at me, and I roll my eyes. “I need you here today, please. There are three offices that need to be fitted with invisible cameras after hours. Okay, great. You do know where we are? Yes, the fifteenth floor, and ask for Spencer Jones.” She hangs up without saying a goodbye.

I sit back in my chair. “I don’t need security cameras.”

“Bullshit. That little troll is going to try and sabotage you. Mark my words, she’s a nasty piece of work.”

I smirk. “Because you’re Mother Teresa, right?”

“I won’t have you taken advantage of, Spence, and if she tries to wipe your computers or anything shady, at least we’ll have proof.”

She lets her hair down, kicks off her shoes, and walks back over to the window, leaving me to watch her. She stares out over the city for a moment, and then her eyes drift back to me. “You’re different.”

“How so?” I frown.

“You normally have me pinned to the wall within five seconds flat.”

I sit forward in my seat and rest my chin on my hand.

“Have you met someone?” she asks.

I hesitate before answering, unsure if I want to discuss this with her. “Yes and no.”

She walks back across the room and sits on my desk. She crosses her legs, and my eyes drop to her muscular thighs revealed by the split in her skirt. “What do you mean, yes and no?”

“Yes, I’ve met someone, and no, I can’t have her.”

“She’s married?”

“Just the opposite.” I pause for a moment. “Young and innocent.”

She doesn’t hide her amusement. “How young and how innocent are we talking?”

My eyes hold hers. “Very young, and as innocent as you can get.”

She chuckles. “Oh God, Spence, she won’t be able to hold you sexually. I can’t, and I know how to fuck.”

I run my hand up Sheridan’s thigh and inhale sharply. “That you do.”

She takes a hotel key card out of her pocket and slides it across the desk. “I have a business dinner tonight, but I’ll be back in the room by ten. My usual room, the penthouse at the Corinthian.”

I pick the card up and stare at her for a moment.

She leans down and takes my face in her hands, and then she kisses me slowly.

My cock hardens instantly.

“See you then?” she asks as she tenderly brushes my hair back from my forehead.

I smile and run my hand up her thigh. “Of course.”

She ties her hair back into her bun and slips her high heels back on. “I’ve got to go. My two PAs are in a café downstairs.” She walks towards the door. “Can I fire the troll on my way out?” she asks hopefully.

“No, you may not. Goodbye, Sheridan.”

“Until tonight, darling.” The door closes behind her and I hear her say, “You’re not getting paid to be on Facebook, young lady. Get to work.”

I chuckle for a moment. She’s a hard ass bitch.

I walk over to the window in my office and stare out at the view. The city is bustling down below.

I wonder what Charlotte’s doing now?

I get a vision of the look in her eyes when she thought I didn’t want her, and my heart sinks, forcing me to exhale heavily.

It’s not fair to start something when I already know its fate.

I’m doing the right thing.

It’s best if I don’t go near her again.

When the clock strikes 11:00 p.m. I walk down the corridor towards the penthouse of the Corinthian.

I know this hall, I’ve walked it many times, and always with anticipation.

Something’s off tonight, though. I see the door up ahead and I stop and stare at it for a moment, sucking in a quivering breath.

I wish I was going to see Charlotte instead. She’s the one I really want to see.

I exhale heavily, swipe the key card on the hotel door, and listen as it clicks on its release. The light in the apartment is muted when I step into it, with only the lamps lighting up the space, but I know where to find her.

I walk into the bedroom to see Sheridan naked on her hands and knees on top of the bed. Her long dark hair cascades down her back, and a white satin ribbon is tied around her neck, like she’s a present.

My present.

On the side table sits an array of dildos and lubricant.

My cock instantly hardens.

“Hello, darling,” she purrs before she slides a butt plug into her mouth and sucks it. “I was just about to start without you.”

I smile as I take my jacket off and hang it in the walk-in robe. “You know, you really play hard to get, Sheridan.”should

She moans, and I step back into the room to see her on her knees, bending over as she slides the butt plug deep into her ass. Her eyes close with pleasure, and I unzip my pants with a brand new urgency.

“On your back, legs open,” I growl.

It’s 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning, and I’m lying in my bed watching the morning news. Although I’m not paying much attention. I can hear it, but it’s nothing more than background noise.

It’s as if everything around me is on mute. This whole week has been on mute.

I feel like shit.

I fucked Sheridan, and the only way I could make myself come was by imagining she was Charlotte.

I’ve done it for three nights in a row.

The sex is hot—super fucking hot—but only because, in my mind, I’m fucking my angel. My Charlotte.

Not Sheridan.

And now the sick taste of betrayal rests constantly in my mouth.

I feel like I cheated on Charlotte, even though we are nothing to each other.

I hate that we’re nothing.

I hate that I used Sheridan’s body to ejaculate when I was thinking about another woman.

I’ve never done that before to any woman. I’m always completely focused on whomever I’m with. Thankfully Sheridan has gone out of town now.

Regret runs deep in my blood.

What kind of man am I? Imagine if she knew.

I pick up my phone and check it.

No missed calls.