Executive Engagement

If I hurt him, my career is over.

I’m smart. I’ve got to be able to think my way out of this.

“Mr. Paxton,” I start, trying for a neutral tone, and he’s still advancing on me, cash falling all over the floor.

If I go back much further, I’ll be on the balcony, and I really don’t want that.

I turn back to check out freak features—and then I realize he’s right in front of me. He leans in, making puckered lips at me.

“Just give me those sweet lips, just once,” he begs.

Mr. Paxton has this cheeky look on his face, like he knows I would rather slap him, and he’s hoping I do.

I’m completely frozen. I can’t think.

At that moment, a fast-moving blur comes from behind me and Paxton is on the carpet, struggling...with another man.

They roll on the floor, and as Paxton comes out under, I recognize who’s on top.

“Will!” I gasp softly.

Will punches Paxton square in the jaw and stands up, giving him a kick for good measure. Paxton starts crawling around, trying to get up as Will grabs him by his jacket’s collar, and hauls him out the door.

“Where the fuck did you come from?”

I’m standing frozen, arms around myself. I seriously don’t think I can move.

“Climbed the fucking balconies. I saw something going on…I could see someone up here. I don’t know, I had a bad feeling. Are you okay?” he says, all between breaths.

I nod, slowly, thinking, no, I wasn’t alright, not until you got here.

He steps close to me, and I feel my heart bounce.

I can’t help but grin as I take in his sent, and start to feel that warm tingle between my legs.

Oh, yeah. Th

is guy gets me going. I can’t even help it.

“So,” Will says, as he rakes a hand through his hair. “We should talk then?”

I nod as I move towards the couch, feeling shaky and scared, but full of hope too.

“Yeah. Let’s talk.”

16

Katrina

I thump my sorry ass down on the couch, wine in one hand, food in the other.

I get the cork off the bottle and take a swig.

Who the fuck even needs a glass?

I pull over the laptop and click on Bea.

I’m way too mad to just sit here or do some work. Too tired from the long day to work out.