Release Me (Stark Trilogy 1)

“What the fucking hell?” he asks. His body is rigid and his eyes are burning. The amber one seems to hold some compassion, but the dark black one looks like it could suck me down, down, down. Dangerous, I think. Ollie’s right. That temper is dangerous.

“Carl fired me. Don’t even pretend like you didn’t know.”

“I didn’t,” he says. The tension leaves his body. “Fuck, Nikki, I swear that I didn’t, though I probably should have expected it.” He reaches for my hand, and I’m numb enough that I let him take it. He presses his lips to my fingertips, and the contact is so gentle and sweet it makes me want to cry. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why did you say no? The proposal was amazing. The product is amazing. You were impressed—I know you were. And now Carl thinks that I snubbed you or fucked you or otherwise got under your skin enough that you want to get back at me through him.”

“He told you that?”

“He hasn’t told me shit. He didn’t even have the balls to fire me himself. But I’m not an idiot. I know what it looks like and what he must think.”

“You have gotten under my skin,” he says. “But that’s not why I said no.”

“Then why did you? I mean, come on, Damien. It’s a damn good product.”

“It is.” He pulls a small device out of his pocket. It takes me a second to realize it’s a remote control. He pushes a button and the room grows dark as the lights dim and the windows shift from clear to opaque.

“What are you—” But I don’t bother to finish the question. A menu appears on a drop-down screen. Damien scrolls down to select one entitled Israeli Imaging 3IYK1108-DX.

A moment later, a grainy image appears. It’s difficult to see everything, but it’s clear that what Damien’s showing me is a product similar to the one Carl pitched.

“An Israeli company called Primo-Tech has already received a patent on a similar product. They have a marketing plan in place, and they’re deep into beta testing. They expect to roll out the full product next month.”

I shake my head. “Carl doesn’t know anything about this.”

“No? Well, maybe he doesn’t. Or maybe he was hoping that I would invest so that there would be enough capital behind his product to beat Primo-Tech in the marketplace.”

I look at him. Carl can be a shit, but surely he wouldn’t do that. Would he?

“I don’t play those kinds of games, Nikki. When I invest, it’s because I have a clear path in the market. I said no to C-Squared because of the Primo-Tech product. It has nothing to do with you.”

I nod. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Would you like me to explain that to Carl?”

“Hell no. I don’t want to work for a man who jumps to those kinds of conclusions.”

“Good.” He looks me up and down, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“What?”

“Nice suit.”

It’s an innocent compliment, but it doesn’t sound innocent at all. I notice that the lights in the room are still dim and bite my lip in nervous anticipation.

“Not that I like to see you unemployed, but this works out well. Your day job was interfering with my plans for you.”

“Oh.” My mouth is dry. I swallow. “Yes, well, I’m hardly joining the ranks of the idle masses. I’ll need to find a new one.”

“Why?”

“I have this thing about eating and paying my rent. I’m just wacky that way.”

“In case you forgot, you’ll have a cool million in a week. For that matter, if you need money now, I’m happy to advance you a portion.”

“No, thanks. That money’s going into the bank. I’m not spending a dime until I’m ready.”

“Ready?”

I shrug. I know Damien could help me launch a start-up, but I’m not ready to share that dream with him. Not yet.

“Secrets, Ms. Fairchild?” His voice is playful. He moves closer, so that I have to tilt my head up to look at him. “Shall I beg you to tell me what you intend for my money?”

“Your money, Mr. Stark? I don’t think so. I’m earning every last penny.”

“Oh yes,” he says. His low, sensual voice curls through me. “You most definitely are.”

His thumb grazes my lower lip and my breath hitches. Beneath my thin blouse, my nipples are stiff against the lace of my bra. I want to draw his thumb into my mouth and suck on it. I want to slide my tongue over it and listen as Damien moans. I want to feel his hands on me, our bodies pressed together, his erection straining against the expensive weave of his tailored slacks.

I want it, but I don’t take it.

Instead, I back away. “Our time hasn’t started yet, Mr. Stark,” I say.

His eyes burn with dark fire, and then he laughs, the sound as smooth as fine whiskey. “You’re a tease, Ms. Fairchild.”

“Am I? Well, I guess you’ll have to punish me.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, and I flash a seductive smile. I’m playing a dangerous game, but right then I don’t care. I feel powerful, and I like it.

“Nikki …” His voice is raw and needy and I feel the quickening in my belly, the tightening in my thighs. I want his hands on me, and I feel my resolve weakening.

I’m saved by the sharp buzz of his intercom. “Mr. Maynard on line two.”

“Thank you, Sylvia.”

He holds up a finger, signaling me to wait, then taps his earpiece. “Charles,” he says. “Give me an update.”

He listens for a moment. “No,” he says, and I’m certain that he’s just interrupted Mr. Maynard. “You know damn well that I’m not interested in playing games or idle threats. I will file a defamation action if this goes any further. Make sure he understands that. Yes, of course I realize that. No, Charles, I’m not concerned about how difficult our case might be, I’m interested in stopping the son of a bitch. Well, then I guess you’ll just have to bill me for all those extra hours, sounds like a win-win as far as your firm is concerned.” His expression hardens. “Well, if he digs that up, then I’ll really have to play hardball.” He listens for a moment, then frowns. “No, you know she wouldn’t. You took care of the new facility?” He nods, his expression weary. “Just make this go away, Charles. That’s what I’m paying you for.”