The modern office features luxurious furniture, height-adjustable desks, and ergonomic chairs for a comfortable working environment. The icing on the cake for me is the swimming pool, gym, and huge cafeteria with several food stations to choose from. Those are only a few perks the company has to offer. We are now being taken to a room with an auditorium-style setup. On top of each desk is a Beacon Pro X, the latest laptop assembled by Stone’s computer-build technicians.
One look at the agenda and my excitement increases tenfold. The genius himself will be addressing the group at eleven thirty. I spend the next two hours completing new hire paperwork and learning company policies. Finally, we’re granted a ten-minute break, and I go to the employee lounge. I immediately eye the tasty donuts on the counter. Not too long ago, I shamelessly scarfed down two. Eating another one would totally be pushing my daily calorie intake. These hips are wide enough.
“Pepper.”
“Yes?” I turn from the fried deliciousness to a vaguely familiar face. He’s tall, tan, with jet-black hair and gray eyes. We look to be similar in age.
“I thought I recognized you.”
“Have we met?” I can’t place him.
“We went to Duncan University together until I graduated last year.”
A light clicks on in my head. “Camden?”
“Yeah.” He openly ogles my chest. “So, you’re interning here for the summer?”
He invited me to a few parties at his frat house, but I always declined. I promised my father to focus on my studies and not to engage in the typical college life. My answer wouldn’t have changed regardless. Camden gave me the creeps with the way his eyes undressed me, much like he’s doing at this exact moment. I never understood his interest in me. One day, he sat next to me in the library and started a conversation. We bumped into each other from time to time on campus after that.
“Yep. I’m really stoked.”
“If you want someone to show you the ropes, I’m your man.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do you want to grab a bite to eat later and catch up?”
“I can’t. I’m having dinner with the family.”
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I’ll have to check my schedule.”
I’m such a wuss. Being straight up and telling him I’m not interested would put an end to him asking again. My problem is, I hate hurting people’s feelings, but more times than not, I find myself in the hot seat because of it.
“Okay,” he says, disappointment clear in his voice.
“Well, I better head back.”
“See you around.”
“Yeah.”
At the announcement of my arrival, I receive a standing ovation. My eyes roam over the enthusiastic faces of the young and impressionable as I walk to the front of the room.
“Good morning,” Keisha, an employee from the human resources department, greets.
I nod, standing behind the podium. The audience watches me expectantly, waiting for words of wisdom. I remember being like them—ready to take on the universe—but lately, I’ve been restless. The monotony of my daily activities is starting to grate on my nerves. I’m missing passion and excitement in my life. I need a challenge. I’m supposed to pump up the new recruits, get them thrilled about the prospect of a career at Stone Inc. by explaining how hard work and dedication pays off. I’m usually all for the dog and pony show, since talent is important for growth and blowing the competition out of the water, but it wouldn’t be good for my turbulent attitude to be sensed by the interns. The speech will be short and to the point.
“Welcome to Stone Incorporated. Each of you is sitting here today because you made a lasting impression on the recruitment team. They saw greatness in you. Building this company from the ground up was no easy feat. I encountered numerous obstacles and repeated failures, but I remained resilient…”
Twenty minutes later, my speech is concluded, and I receive another standing ovation as I exit the room.
I’m horny as shit. That’s probably why I’m antsy. I’ll stop by Secrets, a high-class gentleman’s club for the uber rich, and be balls deep in some pussy by midnight. Fucking until the wee hours of the morning should ease my frustrations. I’m well-known, but even if I weren’t, it’s easy for women to spot power and wealth. They’re all too willing to overlook my scars in the hopes of obtaining a piece of it.
On the drive to Dad’s, my thoughts wander to Dominic Stone. His piercing eyes, chiseled jaw, Greek nose, and full lips add to his male beauty, despite the marred skin covering the right side of his face. He has an intimidating countenance. Though his words were encouraging, the subtle hints of his body language told the story of a restless soul. Being one myself, it wasn’t hard to recognize him as a kindred spirit.
I pull into the driveway of my childhood residence and turn the engine off. It always takes me a few minutes to compose myself before going inside. A person’s home should be their sanctuary from the unpleasantness of the world. For me, it was a prison. Attending school was a refuge for me until my father forbade it, convinced I would be corrupted. Being retired, he devoted his time to homeschooling me. Bible study was a major part of the daily curriculum. Every scripture is ingrained in my brain. I missed out on so much—prom, graduation, a first kiss.
