The Executive's Secretary, page 5
Me: Stalking is illegal.
Bryce O’Connell, CEO of Bitching: I came down to find you.
Me: Alyssa decided to meet these guys.
Bryce Thomson, CEO of Bitching: What about you?
Me: Not so much.
Bryce O’Connell, CEO of Bitching: Do you need rescued?
Me: Yes. I’m not into the bro scene if you know what I mean.
I slid my phone back into my pocket and wondered if he would come to my rescue.
“So, Piper, what do you do for a living?” Mathew asked sliding a glass toward me.
The martini looked like dirty water. I hated martinis.
“I’m an executive assistant,” I replied.
“Oh, a secretary,” he said.
I sighed heavily and tried to smile. “Yeah, sure. I’m a secretary.”
“So, do you have a boyfriend?”
“Um, well…”
“She does,” a soft, baritone voice said from behind me.
I saw Alyssa’s jaw drop and the two guys’ faces were priceless. Strong hands slid around my waist and spun me around.
“Sorry I’m late, honey,” Bryce said, kissing me on the cheek.
“It’s quite alright, dear,” I replied.
“If you’ll excuse us this is our favorite band and we’ve been waiting ages for them to play here.” He whisked me away from the nightmare and toward the VIP section. My heart felt like it was about to explode.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Offering you an escape from the debacle those two clowns were creating.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I still owe you on Saturday night. Remember?” he asked.
“Oh, Saturday night, of course.”
“And who buys martinis in a bar? Let me get you an appropriate drink.” He led me to an elegant bar with a glass back and motioned for the bartender. “Two Bumble Berry’s, please.”
“Sounds fancy.” I smiled.
“If you order anything in a glass, it’s a good beer.”
“I see.” I nodded.
“How do you feel about hanging around your boss in a public setting?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I said.
“I hope you’re okay with the gossip that will start tomorrow.”
“I think I can be alright with it.”
“What else haven’t you told me about yourself, Miss Troy?”
“A lot. In the six months I’ve worked for you, you’ve never bothered to get to know me.” I took a swig of my drink eyeing him up.
“Well that’s all changing now.”
“What have you done with Bryce O’Connell?” I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. “A guy can’t be curious about his secretary?”
“Any other guy possibly. You? No. Not at all. You’re not the kind and caring type of person. I often picture you sitting at home torturing puppies and kittens.”
He threw his head back laughing until he grabbed his stomach. “Really now, Piper? I don’t torture animals. You didn’t see Mr. Jingles, but I have a cat. I’ve had him for six years.”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t torture him.”
“He has his own room.” He arched his brows at me and tried suppressing a smile, failing miserably.
“Fine so you like the cute and fuzzy. You’re still a total dick at work,” I muttered, the beer bottle lingering at my lips with the amber liquid sloshing around just waiting for me to drink it.
“I didn’t get to where I am by being Mr. Nice Guy, isM. Troy.”
“How did you get to being owner of the most successful company on the Eastern seaboard?” I asked, twirling the beer in the bottle.
“Hard work and perseverance,” he said, putting his empty drink down.
“Oh, that is bull shit. Tell me the truth. Did mommy and daddy set you up with a nice college fund? Did they buy you your first business? Granddad left you a big inheritance?” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
Bryce tilted his head to the side, furrowed his brows, and pursed his lips. “Not that it’s any of your business but my folks were poor. They had absolutely nothing. I earned a scholarship to college. I saved to start that fucking company. It’s all mine. Nobody helped me. That’s why there is no board of trustees. That is why there is no boss hire than me. I am the boss. Me. My name is the company because it is mine. The only thing my parents gave me was love and support. It was the only thing they could give me. As far my grandparents are concerned, well Piper dear, they’re dead. They’ve been dead since before I was born. I’ve never met any of them. Don’t make assumptions. You know what they say about people who do right? You make an ass out of yourself.”
I didn’t know what to say. Bryce O’Connell wasn’t just some rich boy from some rich family. He was a guy who came from nothing and made something of himself. Who was I to doubt him and treat him like he was some freak of nature?
Wow I’m a complete asshole.
“I think I’m going to go now,” he said.
“Bryce, please, I-I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t even know why I did.”
“No need to apologize, Miss Troy.”
“Don’t start with the Miss Troy’s. Call me Piper,” I said. My heart sped up at the thought that whatever good thing I’d finally broken from this man would be shut up again.
“No. This was all a mistake. This is what happens when I open up to people. They get too comfortable with me, and I end up looking like a jerk.” He turned and walked across the dance floor, making a beeline for the front door.
“Bryce, please. You’re not the jerk here. It’s me. I did make assumptions, and I am one huge asshole for it.”
He stopped and turned back to me. He watched me for a few long moments, his expression never changing. During that time, it felt like all eyes in the bar were on us wondering what his decision would be. Does he forgive the silly girl and her drunken mouth? Or does he walk out and treat her like the bad-mannered secretary she is?
“I don’t give second chances, Miss Troy.”
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach and I could feel tears well in my eyes. Tears over Bryce O’Connell.
“I understand,” I said, biting my trembling lip.
“You also didn’t let me finish,” he said, holding out his hand. “So, count yourself lucky.”
“I’m confused now, Bryce.”
“Give me your hand and come with me.” An electrifying rush ran through me as his fingers interlocked with mine.
Bryce O’Connell what are you doing to me?
I nodded my head and let him lead me out of the bar. To where I had no idea.
Chapter Seven
“Where are we going, Bryce?”
“A special place. Stop asking so many questions,” he said.
“Okay.” I sat back against the seat of his car, watching the city lights go by. “I didn’t tell Alyssa I was leaving.”
“Don’t worry about it. My friend will let her know.”
The car came to a stop in front of a small shop in a part of town I had never been in. I gazed in the large window from my seat and saw a few people seated at an old fifties style bar. A tall, robust man in a dirty apron and cap stood behind the counter. He laughed heartily with the few people who were in the bar while flipping whatever was on his old grill. A young girl in a knee-length, pale-blue dress and white apron walked amongst the tables with a tray full of food and drinks.
“It’s Maryanne’s. My parents brought me here all the time as a kid. Stay here. I’ll be right back,” Bryce said.
“Um okay.”
I watched as he walked through the worn door into the greasy spoon. He was greeted like an old friend in the dinner. A smile spread across my lips watching him with all the folks inside. I was privy to a side of Bryce that nobody in the corporate world ever saw. The real Bryce. He wasn’t some douchebag from the upper crust. He was a normal guy with a normal background. He wasn’t too different from me. My stomach was full of butterflies and I could feel my knees knocking together. My heart had leapt to my mouth and was thumping faster than ever. Bryce O’Connell had a surprise planned for me!
He returned with a bag and two drinks that he sat in the back. “Those are for in a bit. Now we have to go to one more place.”
“Okay.”
I struggled to keep my composure. I never had such an issue around him before. I was always able to stay in complete control of myself. I could feel my cheeks flushing and my body getting hot. When I peeked up at Bryce through my lashes, there was a hint of a smile on his lips. My already rapid heartbeat accelerates when I take his hand, clasping it with his long warm fingers. I felt a stirring in my panties for him I hadn’t before. Much to my surprise he locks our hands together. Lifting my hand to his lips, he kissed the back of it gently.
We came to another stop at the top of a hill. Grabbing the food from the back, he motioned for me to follow.
“Where are we?”
“A small piece of land I own outside of the city,” he said.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“An impromptu two am picnic.” He smiled, holding up the food.
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“I was such a dick at the bar,” I said.
He shrugged.
“Bryce…” my voice trailed off.
He put the food down and stepped toward me. Wrapping his arms around my waist he pulled me in to his body. I reached up, running my fingers through his hair.
“I’ve never been with anyone from the office before,” he said quietly.
“Never?”
He shook his head.
“Neither have I,” I said.
“Good.” He smiled, trailing a finger along my jaw. “I do have to warn you though; I can be a little possessive of things and people that I want. I also never give up until I have what I want.”
“Is that so?” I asked.
“Yes, and Piper I want you.”
“That’s fine, Bryce, because I want you, too.”
He wrapped his arms around me. I felt so small next to him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and slim; there was nothing about him that didn’t drive me nuts. The way those pants hang from his hips and the way his shirt stretched across his torso made me think awful thoughts about my boss.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks me.
My cheeks flush, and I divert my stare to the city skyline.
Oh, I was just thinking about how awesome it would be to have you in bed. To pull your hair as I just fuck the hell out of you. That’s all.
“Oh, nothing really, just how beautiful it is out here,” I lied.
“It is beautiful. This if one of my favorite places to be when I need to think, or I want to be alone.”
“But you’re not alone,” I reminded him.
“No, I’m not.” He released me from his grip and pulled the food out from the bag. “Hungry?”
Not for food.
“Starving,” I said, smiling.
“Tell me about yourself, Piper,” Bryce said, handing me a Styrofoam container that had the most delicious smell coming from it.
“About me?”
“That’s what I said. Tell me about you.”
“I work for you.” I smiled, taking a bite of the food.
“Besides that. Where did you grow up?”
“I grew up here. I went to the state college, worked my way through, and barely got the job as your secretary despite having a stellar resume.”
“How did you barely get it?” he asked.
“Your HR lady did not like me one bit.” I shook my head, remembering the day I met Cheryl from HR, the most miserable fifty-year-old woman alive.
“Whatever you did to get it I’m glad.”
“So am I,” I said. “Working for you will look amazing on anyone’s resume.”
“You’re leaving?” he queried, furrowing his brows together.
“I was kidding.”
“That wasn’t funny,” he said dryly, taking a bit of the burger he was holding.
“I thought it was,” I replied.
“Enough about work. Tell me about you. The you outside of that place.”
“Why don’t you tell me something?” I questioned him.
“You know enough about me. I know nothing of you,” he answered.
“I don’t know that much about you.” I pouted.
“Fine, Piper, I’ll answer your questions only after you answer mine.”
“Deal.”
“What are your parents like?”
“My parents? They’re okay. They’re not wealthy, but they’re supportive. I also worked my way through college to help with the bills, and any downtime I had was spent studying or on the farm.”
“Farm? You grew up on a farm?” he asked, sounding surprised.
“Yes, Bryce. I grew up on a farm.”
“So chicken, cows, horses?” A smile spread on his lips and his eyes lit up.
Is he imagining little me feeding the cows? Or me in itty bitty daisy dukes and cowboy boots? I do have those, Bryce. I have daisy dukes and cowboy boots. Stop it, Piper. Stop it!
“Yeah. All those animals that tend to go along with farming, we have them,” I responded, trying not to smile back at him.
He bit his lip and looked down at his shoes.
“What?” I questioned him.
“Nothing,” he said.
“Tell me, Bryce.”
“I was just thinking…” his voice trailed off.
“About what?”
“You working on a farm. Cute little pig tails and boots.”
I shook my head and smacked his arm. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re beautiful,” he declared.
“I’m average,” I replied.
“You are so much more than average.” He gazed in my eyes. I could get lost in his icy baby blues.
“I’m, um, well, yeah,” I mutter, trying to pull together something that sounds like a coherent sentence.
“Do you speak much?” His lips quirk up a bit at his own little joke.
“Sometimes,” I replied.
“I want to kiss you, Piper.”
“Okay.” I nodded in agreement.
I’d love it if you did more than that!
“I’ve wanted to kiss you all night,” he said, tilting my head back slightly.
Oh?” Holy fuck!
“You’re a terrible tease, Piper Troy.”
“I don’t try to be,” I replied innocently, batting my eyelashes at him.
“You’re doing it again.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur as his lips draw nearer to mine.
“Don’t be.” He closes the gap between us.
His lips were as soft and wonderful as I imagined. Maybe even better. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me against himself. I could feel his cock poking me. I glanced down and noticed that his jeans had gotten quite a bit tighter than before. I could feel the muscles deep inside of me clench at the thought of his throbbing cock only a few layers of clothing away. His kiss was demanding, slow, and. He reached for the hem of my shirt, pulling it up, placing soft kisses along my jaw and down my neck.
“Do you think this is the best place to do this?” I asked.
“Probably not, but I don’t think I can wait to get home.”
“Of course, you can,” I whisper in his before nibbling on it.
He let out a soft groan, his knees buckling just a bit.
“Damn you, Piper.” He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the car.
“Slow down.” I laughed.
“You have no idea how bad I want you right now. You do things to me no other girl has.”
“I have some idea,” I answered, glancing at his crotch.
The quickly came to life and we were leaving our impromptu picnic behind. When the night started out I didn’t have much hope for it going anywhere besides back to my apartment and to bed. Alone.
“Are you sure about wanting to do this?” he asked, pulling into his driveway.
“Yeah, absolutely.”
“Good.”
He led me through the house to his bedroom. It all looked the same as the last time I was there. High ceilings gave way to warm, chocolate colored walls, and the furnishings were mahogany wood with rectangle patterns of various shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples on the cushions. Against one wall were French doors leading to his back patio that were draped in sheer, red curtains. The bed was massive, made of the same wood as the rest of the furniture, and directly in front of the doors. Sitting on a desk off to the side was a single framed picture. I picked it up, admiring the smiling faces that seemed to be laughing. It was the only picture out of all in the room that was personal and had any true feeling behind it.
“My family,” he said, smiling at it.
“You have a beautiful family.”
“Thanks.”
“You have a sister?”
“And a brother,” he responded, shaking his head.
“What?”
“They haven’t changed a bit. In all these years they haven’t changed a bit.”
“You have?”
“Yes.” A frown took over the smile and I took that as my queue to change the subject.
“You have a beautiful view.”
“It is something else,” he said. “We didn’t come here to look at the view out my bedroom doors though.”
“No, we didn’t,” I agreed.
“We have other things to discuss.”
“Yes we do,” I answered.
He stepped forward, grasping my wrists. I was stunned into silence as he held them back with one hand. He unbuttoned my pants and slowly pulled down the zipper.
Thank God I wore the sexy panties! I’m so glad I didn’t go with the granny panties tonight!
“Mmm lace,” he muttered, sinking to his knees.
“Uh huh,” I mumbled as I felt his hot breath on my slit. “What are you doing?”
“Shh,” he whispered.
