His Terms

Once it was just Lawson and Rian in the office, Lawson leaned back and shook his head. “I was actually pretty surprised when you called me this afternoon and told me what you’re planning.”

“I know, I could tell.” Rian removed his hands from behind his head and rested his forearms on his desk. “I have to admit that proposing this to Miss Case will probably have her getting violent, offended, and end with her walking out and quitting.” That actually had this sour feeling settling in Rian’s stomach, but he pushed it aside.

“And you want her so badly that you’re willing to risk that?” Lawson asked. “What about any one of the other single, not employed by you, women that are in this state? You know many well-to-do women, many of whom would jump at the opportunity to take on what you have outlined in the contract.”

“I know,” Rian said evenly.

“Then what is it about this particular woman that you would risk losing yet another secretary, and having the possibility of her going to the media and bringing this to light?”

“If she does, then she does. But it isn’t like the media hasn’t heard it all before.”

“We don’t need another slam at your character so soon after your last sexual partner decided to jabber.”

Lawson had a point, but Rian didn’t care. “I want her, Lawson. There is something different about Miss Case, something I want to explore if she’s willing.” He leaned back in his chair, the thoughts and images running through his mind playing havoc with his dick. He could see her in his home, on his bed, and under him, taking everything he gave her, and showing him that she wouldn’t give in easily. “She isn’t a pushover that is out to please me because of who I am.”

Lawson stared out the window behind Rian and shook his head. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I do,” Rian said without hesitation.

“I think the legal route that you’re taking is better than what you’ve done in the past, but I have a feeling this might backfire regardless.”

Yeah, it probably would, but if it meant he had Sorcha, even for one night, he’d take whatever fallout happened.

5

“But he didn’t say why he wanted you to come in?” her friend Cora asked, looking as curious as Sorcha felt.

She shrugged. “I told you exactly what he said. He was cryptic, and almost seemed pleased with himself for some reason.”

“So, are you going to show up?” Cora took a drink of her beer and set it back down. The little pub they were at wasn’t too far from the office building they both worked at. Cora had been the one to get her the interview with Rian Hartford, and even though Cora worked in the law office in the same building, and not for the enigmatic man, she had pulled some strings.

The music around them was loud, peppy, and the latest dance song. The pub was small, but a lot of the Irish community in this part of town frequented it because of the imported beer and food they had, especially the college aged population. Sorcha stared at Cora and shrugged. “Do I really have a choice? Before going into this job I said that if Mr. Hartford needed my assistance at any time, for any reason, I was there. I am basically his personal slave.” She growled out the last part.

“You really hate it there, don’t you? Makes me almost feel guilty for telling you about the job,” Cora said genuinely.

“Honey, hell no, you shouldn’t feel sorry. The job is great, and in fact I love it. I get to meet all these rich and famous people when they contact the office for retail property inquiries.” Sorcha shrugged and started picking at the edge of her beer label. “I owe you a lot for getting me the job.”

“Sorcha, you got the job. I just got you the interview. If Rian Hartford didn’t want you I can guarantee you wouldn’t be sitting in that ritzy office five days a week.”

Sorcha nodded and stared at the condensation on the bottle in front of her. “The man just drives me insane, Cora, like so damn crazy that I have never wanted to kick a man in the junk, or strip my clothes off and lie on my desk for him, more times than I have working for Rian Hartford.”

Cora laughed loudly. “Join the club, girl. That man rubs everyone the wrong way with his cocky, bastard-like attitude, and also has the women dropping their panties and grabbing their ankles. But if he was a pushover he wouldn’t be at the top, or have so many sexual conquests under his belt.”

“Well,” Sorcha straightened and looked at Cora. “I can see why he goes through secretaries so fast. They probably can’t stand his arrogant ass either.”