Page 6 of Mister Lane

“No,” the voice snapped, a little less smooth, obviously growing irritated. “I need Miss Fontaine. That’s her job now, Ms. Tate. I understand that you’ve been doing this job on and off for months now, but you are aware that you are no longer acting as a personal assistant. Your new duties, as of this morning, are only to train Miss Fontaine on the computer systems and teach her the daily tasks of her job. When it comes to meetings, notes, and any personal duties, that is no longer your job. When I need notes, that will only be done by Miss Fontaine. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Mr. Lane.” Veronica’s tone was subdued, but I could hear the curtness and knew she’d gotten her feelings hurt by the rejection.

“I need you back in the legal department as soon as possible.” His tone softened slightly as he continued. “You’re aware thatwe appreciate all that you’ve done and your flexibility with working in both departments. We hope that the generous raise you received last month reflected that appreciation. But, going forward, you will no longer be needed in this capacity. So please send in Miss Fontaine. Thank you, Miss Tate. You may go now.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Mr. Lane.”

There was the sound of heels clicking on the wood floor. Before I could think to move and pretend that I had been doing literally anything other than obviously eavesdropping, the door was swinging open. Veronica stepped through, and as soon as she saw me standing there wringing my hands in front of my pink dress, her eyes darted to the floor.

“Mr. Lane would like to see you now.” She ran a hand over her hair as if to smooth the already perfectly smooth strands down. She hadn’t provided the warmest welcome to me, but I felt kind of bad for her. Nobody liked getting a stern talking-to from their boss.

“Thank you, Veronica,” I said softly, not wanting to cause her any further embarrassment. I stepped around her as she walked to the desk and swallowed as I pushed open the door and took my first step into Mr. Lane’s office.

Chapter

Six

Mr. Brayden Lane

That Veronica bitch.

We’d suspected for the longest time that she was just like the others, just maybe smarter. Not as desperate, but she’d always been working an angle, we were sure of it. She just never crossed any lines. We were willing to let it ride as long as she didn’t do any of the stupid shit that so many of the others had done. She did her job and did it well, so the little gestures that could be interpreted as flirtations, the shy smiles, subtle glances, and lingering touches when reaching for something, could all be ignored. Still, I wasn’t going to let her play any games with my sunshine. And Miss Emily Fontaine was definitely my sunshine. The moment I saw her on that screen, she brought light into my dark world in a way I’d never expected.

There was a secret side of me that I had never explored before that wanted to do dark and depraved things to her. I wanted to spank her and tell her what a good little slut she was for me as I left my handprint on her ass. I’d make her choke on my cock and watch as her tears rolled down her face, knowingmy brother would hold her and tell her how precious she was. I wanted to tie her up and fuck her ass, while my brother kissed every inch of her skin and told her how perfect she looked taking my big cock. She’d be our perfect little whore.

Because that’s what she was. My sunshine was ours, she just didn’t know it yet. Once I saw her on that screen, I knew she was something I wanted more of. Then, once I’d held her in my arms, there was no changing or denying it any longer. Then, when I’d felt her little heartbeat fluttering in her neck as I told her she needed to be tied up to be kept safe? That was all it took to know that she was the one that we’ve been waiting for our whole lives.

And right now, my brother is going to realize it as well. I couldn’t wait for my little sunshine to discover the surprise we had waiting for her. I grinned to myself as I spun in my chair and turned to face my monitor. I clicked my mouse so I could watch the camera feed from Brandon’s office.

I snarled at the screen as I watched Veronica try to bring him that damn blue cup of coffee. What the fuck was she thinking, telling Emily to grab that fucking cup off the top shelf? I shook my head. Even if she had not been my sunshine, that was still a bullshit move. This wasn’t middle school, and I didn’t tolerate bullying. She didn’t like it when I stopped by the desk on my way out and warned her against playing games with Emily. Because of that little stunt she decided to pull, her sweet job here at Lane Industries would be history if she ever pulled that shit again. Strike two, and you’re out. No third chance with me.

I leaned back in my seat as my little sunshine stepped hesitantly through the door and grinned, knowing what she was about to see.

Chapter

Seven

Emily

“Hi, Mr. Lane, I’m Emily…” I barely got the words out before I gasped, my mouth dropping open in surprise. The last person I expected to see sitting behind the large mahogany desk was the man I’d already seen twice. Well, I suppose I’d only seen the man once, though I’d met him twice, since I didn’t actually see his face this morning when he caught me from falling. But I knew it was the same person from the elevator since he’d said something about catching me twice. It had to have been the same person.

I narrowed my eyes and snapped my mouth closed. I didn’t know what to say. Did he already know who I was those times, or was I as much of a surprise to him right now as he was to me? I didn’t know if he was playing a game with me or if he really didn’t know who I was, but I didn’t like the feeling of being made a fool of.

Before I could open my mouth to demand answers, I remembered that I needed this job if I ever wanted to get out ofmy crappy apartment. I couldn’t take any chances of losing my new job already, not on day one.

“Mr. Lane. My name is Emily Fontaine,” I repeated. “I’m your new personal assistant. For the record,” I muttered under my breath, “I don’t need a keeper.”

Apparently, it wasn’t as quiet as I thought it was, because that man immediately broke into a brilliant smile. And my brain pretty much short circuited. He was already too beautiful for words, too handsome to be human. If I were too fanciful, I would say that he was something other than human, like a fae or vampire or something paranormal from a romance novel. But seeing him smile, that should be illegal. His blue eyes crinkled in the corners charmingly, and I decided I didn’t like it one single bit.

“Is that so?” he asked.

I tried to put a scowl on my face, but it didn’t really work. “Yes,” I nodded firmly.

“Hmm…” he rumbled in his throat as he studied me with something else in those gorgeous blue eyes other than just the humor, something that made me want to squirm in my seat. “Did you bring a pad of paper and a pen for taking notes?” he queried. I glanced down at my hands as if one would magically appear, which of course it didn’t. “It appears that you might need a keeper after all.”

I looked up to see him still smiling at me, this smile a little more on the smug side, as he slid a pad of paper over to me across the wide expanse of his large desk. With a very unprofessional huff that made the man chuckle, I lifted my chin and walked over to the chair in front of his desk. I took a seat, and had to admit silently that the chair was very comfortable. I’d never say that out loud to the man grinning wickedly at me, tapping a long, well manicured masculine finger against the yellow legal pad. With a glare, I leaned forward to grab the paperpad off the desk, then stared stupidly down at it before glancing back up at him to see him waving a pen in the air.

“Would you like a pen?” he asked, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.