Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
She needs a man like me. Like us. We can be good for each other.
She can pull me back to life and out of my sobering moods. In return, I can show her how very good it feels to be commanded and dominated. Nicole doesn't know it yet, but things are about to get very interesting around here.
Adam leans back on the leather sectional with his black espresso and asks what we're all thinking, "Do you think she'll have us, though? She's very strong-willed, and it might take a lot of doing to break her down."
"I don't know either, Adam," I say. "But I damn well would like to try."
"My God," Adam says. "She's got you hooked and you only just met her."
"Finally, someone has Chase taking an interest in," Cameron laughs.
They're having fun at my expense but I don't mind. I'm excited and that rarely happens.
I spend the rest of the day trying not to be preoccupied with Nicole, but already she's permeating my thoughts in dangerous new ways.
I can't wait to have my secretary call her and tell her she's got the job. She'll be so excited.
But I doubt she’ll be as excited as me.
Nicole
I've had the most emotional day. What started as a simple interview to try and gain entry into a prestigious company ended with me and my panties twisted up in knots.
I never expected to like my potential boss—make that bosses. Now I don't know what my motivation is to work for Holt, Banks, and Shea: the desire to bring good into the world, or to bring those three men to bed.
Damn it, Nicole, get it together, I think.
I wonder how I got into this mess. I couldn’t have really seen it coming; no one warned me that the partners would be the most handsome and domineering men on the planet.
I'm walking back from the big skyscraper. The evening shadows of the city's buildings are descending over me, making it almost look like nighttime.
I make my way home, pulling my jacket ever tighter around my small frame as the wind picks up. I'm ready to make a margarita and make a very important phone call to one person... Lily.
I make my way downtown towards my place. The walk did me good; I needed the fresh air to clear my mind.
Ideas and desires are swimming inside my head. My heart's still pounding at the thought of being in the room with all of them.
I climb the stairs to my little studio, my sanctuary within the city. Once inside, I lean against the door and take a breath.
It's time to call Lily. I get the tequila ready while the phone rings.
"Nicole! Hi! What's up? How'd it go?" Lily sounds giddy with excitement.
"Um, it went well. Thanks for not telling me how gorgeous these men were gonna be."
"Are they gorgeous? I didn't even know." She's laughing, and I realize she was in on the joke the whole time. I should have known she’d set me up if Sebastian fucking King was behind it.
"Do you think Sebastian would've sent you over to some dingy place where you didn't belong?" she asks, laughing.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that. Had you given me some warning, I could've been prepared. Like I could've worn an awesome outfit instead of coming straight from the bar."
"You didn't!"
"I did."
She's laughing hysterically now. But to me, it's not funny. Not only were they hot, but they stirred something deep inside of me that I've been too afraid to face alone. My deepest darkest passions are coming to the surface and I don't know how to contain them.
Just as I'm adding the right amount of lime to my drink, there's a knock at the door.
"Hang on, Lily, someone's here."
I make sure the chain lock is on before I open the door slightly to see who it is. To my surprise, it's a courier.
"A letter for Miss Nicole Donovan."
"Thanks."
I take the letter and gently trace my fingers over the words “Holt, Banks, and Shea.” I watch as the courier leaves before getting back on the phone.
"Lily, you wouldn't believe what just arrived: a letter from the firm."
"Well, open it, silly."
I do as she says with trembling hands. I'm not sure whether I even want this job anymore or not.
They've rocked the foundations of my integrity. Do I want to work for a firm where my desires are of a personal nature? Or do I want to hang onto my dignity and work somewhere that's just professional?
And boring. Boring might help.
Then again, who would turn down a chance to work for Holt, Banks, and Shea? I'll make a name for myself for sure with this kind of an opportunity.
I open the letter, and to my total surprise are the words "Congratulations, we’re happy to inform you that..."
"Oh my God, Lily! I got the job. I really got the job." I’m jumping up and down with happiness. I mean, sure, I didn’t know any other company who notified successful job applicants the same way universities did, but still…