“You’re welcome.” Kaitlin chuckles, pulling up a chair and patting mine for me to sit.
“The first step is being able to log into your computer.” She gives me a look, her eyes flicking to the door behind me. “By the way, that bathroom is just for Mr. Crawford. I guess Beatrice didn’t tell you that?”
I recoil, grimacing. “Oh, God, no, sorry. She didn’t mention it, but I should have asked.”
“Don’t be silly, you couldn’t have known. The bathrooms we’re allowed to use are just around the corner. He doesn’t like to pee with the rest of us grunts.”
She chuckles as if it’s funny, and then nods to the screen, where the company logo has just popped up.
“Let’s get you all set up.”
Chapter 5
Lucas
Ilean back in my chair, giving my suit a once-over to check that everything looks presentable. It wasnotmy intention to fuck the new escort that fast, and certainly not while fully clothed in a six-thousand-dollar suit.
But then, I didn’t realize how beautiful she was until she walked in.
Jesus, those eyes. Needy, innocent, and captivating. Whoever taught her to perfect that look deserves a raise; it pushed every button I have and then some.
I picture her on her knees in front of me while I’m on a call, sucking me off while I negotiate million-dollar deals. My cock twitches.
I check my schedule, irritated to see that due to the merger meetings coming up, I barely have any gaps in my day. Certainly no time for another quick fuck before I have to bury myself in contracts.
I wasn’t kidding about the furniture either. I want to have her ride me on every surface in this office.
I clear my throat, running a hand over my tie, berating myself for the direction of my thoughts. I’m forty next year and fantasizing about her like an eighteen-year-old.
Get a grip, Lucas.
I review my calendar again. I have a thousand documents to review before next week, and I haven’t even started on them—legal is gonna have my ass.
Grimacing, I note the time of the in-person reviews I have this afternoon. One is here in Manhattan, the other on the opposite side of the city. I’ll have to take the chopper to get to Barnes Enterprises in time.
I’m not looking forward to that meeting; the CEO is a pain in the fucking ass, and I’m still pissed off as I recall our last encounter.
Rude doesn’t even begin to describe the man.
Opening my laptop, I notice I have an email from him waiting in my inbox, and I click on it. I shake my head, trying to get rid of the intoxicating buzz of sex so I can clear my mind and focus.
But what a way to start the morning.
I skim the email, jaw tightening with irritation. Even after countless discussions where I have painstakingly explained we won’t be able to retain all of his staff after the merger, he’s still demanding impossible severance terms that I can’t agree to.
If Barnes won’t compromise on some of his requests, he’s going to drive his company off a cliff. Ever since this merger was floated, I’ve had a gut feeling it’s the right move. It’ll make me millions of dollars once it’s complete, but I won’t be backed into a corner. Not by anyone.
I close the email, running a hand through my hair as I rise, walking to the hidden closet in the wall, and pressing the concealed panel to open it.
Pulling out a fresh shirt, I drop my jacket over the chair and change, making myself presentable again.
I pull out my cell phone, walk to the enormous glass windows behind my desk, and take the remote from my pocket. At theclick of a button, the glass changes from opaque to see-through, and New York City appears in front of me. I inhale deeply as I dial.
“Sterling House, how may I help you?”
“Hi, this is Lucas Crawford. I’d like to speak to Pippa Grooman, please,” I say, as there’s a rustling over the line, a click, and then I hear Pippa’s silken tones through the phone.
“Hi, Mr. Crawford. How has your morning been?”
