I’m a prick, and I’m damn good at it. I’ve never really hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it.
Well…until Nina. My behavior toward her, though unforgivable in some aspects, had always been about protecting her, from me, from my wife and from a long line of mistakes I’d never be able to correct. I’d handled almost every situation in the last few years in one way or another on her behalf, or with her in mind. She was embedded in me, a part of me, and was now the reason I sat behind my desk staring out of my window instead of ensuring my next client’s fortune.
I could never forget the surge of need that shot through me the first time I laid eyes on her. Long silky hair, breathtaking eyes, and lips among perfectly contoured high cheekbones. Petite, but completely alluring, her curves mesmerizing with her movements. From leg to lips her body was a beacon of sin. She wasn’t oblivious to the effect she had on the men around her, she just didn’t seem to care.
Or the first time she walked into my office. She was already a wealthy woman but wore it horribly. She wasn’t classless. She was very well spoken. Not completely the white trash, lottery ticket winner I had envisioned. She was easy prey when I approached her at the Admiral’s Club. Her dress was as ill-fitting then as it was the day she stood in my office completely clueless and looking to me for answers.
“Ms. Scott, please have a seat.” I gestured as she walked in, taking a look around.
“Nice,” she said quickly, trying to mask her awe at the size of it. I grinned.
“So the reason I approached you was to see who was handling your investment banking,” I said smoothly, pushing my portfolio toward her. “If you haven’t had a chance to look online, here is a list of our clients.” She opened the leather-bound folder, eyeing it briefly. I knew she didn’t recognize the names on the list. I had researched her a bit. She grew up local, married some douche bag in college, and quit to live the American dream, to become a housewife and mother, though the latter was never carried out. She did not have a child bearing figure. She was petite, her body perfectly tight.
Stay on point, Devin.
“Anyway, those aren’t important.” I didn’t want to embarrass her. My intentions were simple. I wanted her millions, and I wanted to multiply them and hand some of the profit back to her while keeping the rest. “I’m just going to be honest with you, Mr. McIntyre,” she said, crossing her legs. “I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to things like this. Until now, my best tool for utilizing my money was to buy economy size packages of hamburger meat and separate them into freezer bags.” I laughed loudly and watched her squirm. Her face reddened considerably, and I knew instantly she regretted saying it.
She studied my face, searching for some sign she could trust me. I didn’t give her anything. “Ms. Scott, I simply want to run a few things by you. You can have your lawyer look them over and decide what you think is best for you.”
“Fair enough,” she said with a smile.
That smile started it.
I knew she had recently finalized a divorce. She was a little thin, and I could see the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. I felt the need to protect her then. It wasn’t subtle, but a sharp lash to my chest. This woman had no clue how to handle her new fortune. I stood up, rounding my desk.
“Nina, I’m going to be honest with you. You need to really look before you leap at this point. I’m sure you are aware of the horror stories of those who come into fortune and lose it quickly.”
“Well aware,” she countered with a hint of bitterness. I knew her ex-husband had done a number on her. It wasn’t my problem, and I couldn’t help her with that.
“Just be careful. Don’t believe me or take my word for it. Hire someone, someone who knows what they are doing, who can ensure you are protected in every move you make.”
“Isn’t that your job?” she said, looking up at me, her gray eyes making me forget my focus. The woman was absolutely stunning.
“Not exactly,” I answered, taking the seat next to her. “I plan to gamble a bit with the money you allow me to play with. It’s a process. But I can guarantee you are in good hands.”
“You’re reputable. I did research that much,” she said with another smile. My body tightened in reaction. Her long brown hair looked like spun silk lying on her shoulders. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but mostly I wanted those heart shaped lips wrapped around my cock. “So, before you and I start investing, let’s get you a right hand to form a corporation. I’ll have a friend at another firm make a recommendation so I won’t have a hand in the matter.” I stood up and heard her faint words.
“Thank you,” she whispered. I looked down at her and saw the sincerity in her face. “I know you say not to take your word for it, but I have a feeling it might not be such a bad thing to trust you.”
“Make me earn it,” I added, “and make everyone else. You’ve done a hell of a thing, Ms. Scott.”
“Thank you,” she said, reaching for my hand. I shook hers politely before she turned to walk out. “Beautiful,” I said audibly.
I’d never said a damn thought out loud without intention in my life. This woman had just fucked that up.
She paused, so I knew she’d heard it, but didn’t say a word as she left my office. And just like that, this prick fell in love.
“Mr. McIntyre, Mrs. McIntyre line one.” I cleared the haze and picked up the phone, dreading the exchange to come.
“Eileen.”
“Darling, when will you be home?”
Acid curdled in my stomach, making its way up at her words. “I was just thinking about your pretty little head.”
“Oh,” she said cautiously.
“Yes, I was picturing it under the guillotine.”