“Damn right.” He grinned down at me.
The next several weeks we spent learning how to work together.Reallywork together and not just try pissing the other off or undermining each other like before. Our first order of business was how to spin the SEC investigation to the press because there was sure to be a leak about the fraudulent activity within the company. It was a real doozy and we couldn’t quite see eye-to-eye on how to make it a positive thing. I knew the reputation of the company rode on this, along with my father’s reputation. Eventually, we decided it was best to make a joint statement that was honest and forthcoming, instead of trying to brush it under the rug. Thankfully, our statement went over well and the press spun the mess in a good light.
After we were through that storm, we could really focus on the company and making it the best it could be. The employees seemed to embrace my father’s decision, welcoming us both as their new leaders. Sure, we argued, but it was more playful now, and often we worked it out in the bedroom with makeup sex. It was where our best brainstorming happened. Chandler had been right about how stubborn we both were, and while it caused us to butt heads, it really showed us how passionate we were about work. I found that incredibly sexy about him.
Despite his pride that used to get in the way, he started listening to me and my ideas. He valued me as his partner, and that was even sexier. He also didn’t seem so stressed anymore with the pressure of stepping into my father’s shoes and proving he belonged there. I think it was the second chance he received that made him realize he was where he rightfully should be. Afterall, he did save the company. I made sure to remind him of that often, if I ever felt like he was doubting himself.
And he made sure I never doubted myself by listening to my ideas and following my lead a lot of the time. I knew the thought lingered in the back of his mind that I resented us being joint CEOs, but it couldn’t have been further than the truth. We made each other better, and with my pregnancy there was no way I would be able to do this all on my own. My dream came true, it just looked a little different.Better.
Chapter 52
Chandler
“How do you think the meeting went?” asked Gabriella as she picked up the paperwork from the glass surface of the conference room table. I was momentarily distracted by the way her blouse scooped down, giving a peek at her even fuller breasts. It took actual effort to focus on work and not think about what I wanted to do to her when we got home.
She cleared her throat and straightened up, lifting a brow that said “Really?”
I shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry. You know I can’t help it.”
“Meeting. Focus. What did you think?” she said in a serious tone, though the small smirk on her face betrayed her professionalism.
“I think it went well,” I said with a firm nod, getting back to business mode. “The investor seemed enthusiastic about what we could do with his money. It’s like everything that went down with the SEC somehow made us stronger.”
Gabriella nodded, bringing the paperwork to her chest and clutching it there. “We did give the press one hell of a story,” she said, looking pleased. “It almost made Harold Enterprises morehuman. I think it’s always seemed like some big, bad beast, but what happened humbled us.”
“Humbledeveryone,” I said, thinking back to when I thought I had lost everything. The job. The girl. The baby.
“Dad will be pleased,” she said as she strode for the door of the conference room.
“Where is he again?” I asked, following after her.
“Barbados, but he should be getting in any minute now. He and my mom needed a vacation.”
“The retired life,” I said enviously as we walked down the hallway to our offices.
“You don’t really want that,” laughed Gabriella as she peered up at me. “You live to work.”
“I live for other things, too,” I said suggestively, leaning in and nipping at her earlobe with my teeth.
“Hey now,” she said, giving me a playful shove. “Not in the office.” She looked around nervously.
“Why not? It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
“That was before we were put in charge of the entire company.”
“Fine,” I said with a dramatic sigh.
“But that doesn’t have to stop us as soon as we walk through the door of the apartment…” she said, a smile pulling her lips to the side.
I felt my cock twitch in my pants and suddenly wanted it to be five o’clock on the dot. As resistant as Gabriella had been to get frisky in the office once more, that didn’t stop her from practically devouring me as soon as we got home from work. Her pregnancy hormones were working in my favor.
She turned toward her office, but not before brushing her ass against my growing erection, knowing full well what she was doing. I let out a quiet groan as I watched her walk to her office across the way. I backed into mine, not wanting the entire office to see my hard-on. Today would be a very difficult day to get through.
When we got home, Gabriella delivered on her promise, not even waiting until we were in the apartment. She had me pressed against the mirrored walls of the elevator as soon as they closed and began their ascent up to the penthouse. Her mouth moved at the same slow rhythm of her hand as it enclosed around mycock, stroking it up and down through my pants. I thought I might explode against the fabric right then and there, but I held it together.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, she pushed me against one of the large pillars of the entryway and hastily pulled my pants down to my ankles, followed by my briefs. She lowered herself to her knees and gripped the back of my thighs before she looked up at me with a mischievous grin. It was the best damn sight I had ever seen.
Her hazel eyes stayed on mine as she ran her tongue along the underside of the head of my cock, before taking the tip between her luscious lips and sucking.
