The Rule, page 1
part #1 of All In Series
The Rule
All In Series - Book One
Maggie Cole
Pulse Press
This book is fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. All names, characters, plots, and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 by Maggie Cole
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Free Gift For You
PSST - I have a short story you’re going to love and I want to give it to you for free! It’s The RULE 1.5!
This short story is a sequel to Tom and Liv’s story, so don’t read it until you have finished reading this book, The Rule, first!
Grab it now so you have it!
www.authormaggiecole.com/therulesequel
From time to time, I’ll email you juicy new freebie stories and let you know about my new books. But don’t worry, I’ll keep your email safe and won’t share it with anyone or abuse it.
Promise!
Also, make sure to join my free Facebook group to take part in contests, have a chance to be my next character, win free signed copies of books, and more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggiecole
Check out The Secret, Book Two of the All In Series. The blurb, prologue and a sneak peak of chapter one are included at the end of this book!
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Thanks so much for all your support!
Maggie Cole
For my husband, who continues to support all the crazy, new adventures in our life; thank you for everything you do so I could make this dream a reality.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
GET THE RULE SEQUEL FREE!
The Secret - Prologue
The Secret - Chapter One Sneak Peak
Coming Soon By Maggie Cole
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Olivia White was fifteen minutes early. It was a trait that got my attention and one that gave me fifteen extra minutes of blue balls.
She walked in and glanced around the conference room before she gazed up toward where I stood. Her blue eyes pierced directly at me, and I took a step back. I didn’t want her to know I was there and forgot for a moment that she couldn’t see me through the blackout glass.
“I need a few minutes to get set up. Will that be all right?” she asked one of my assistants.
Her sweet voice alone made the hairs on my neck stand up.
“Sure. The adapter is right in the table. Do you need anything else?”
She smiled kindly at him. “I think I’m good. Thanks, Paul.”
Paul left the room, and she turned back toward me.
Olivia licked, then slowly bit her perfectly pink, lower lip, and surveyed the room.
My dick pulsed as I wondered what it would be like to feel those plump lips on my own? What would her tongue taste like? Her mouth was a mouth meant to kiss for hours. No doubt, after you got done kissing her, you still wouldn't want to stop.
I took another step, so I was as close to the glass as possible.
She walked to the front of the room and glanced up toward the blackout glass again. Did she sense I was here?
Her perfect, pert breasts rose and fell as she took a deep breath, walked back to the table, grabbed her bag, and pulled out her laptop. She plugged it into the adapter, so her presentation would pop up on the big screen.
Instead of sitting down, she leaned over and typed quickly on the keyboard. Her body hovered over the table, as her dress inched up the back of her thighs.
My mouth went dry. Her thighs were flawless. They looked silky smooth and volts shot up my spine. I could almost feel them squeezing my neck.
When her presentation popped up on the screen, she stood up straight and began to flatten her dress against her body. A flawless french manicure graced what resembled soft hands, and they glided over her stomach. She ran them over the curve of her waist. Then, almost as if just to tease me, she pushed them behind her and ran them over her butt and thighs.
My cock stood at full attention and visions of what she would look like naked flooded my mind. What would her hands feel like on my skin? Would she grip my hair in desperation to fly?
I eyed all of her. Her body was perfect. It would flawlessly fit against mine.
She sat and swiveled toward me, then crossed her legs. Her forearm pressed on the table, as she leaned comfortably back into the chair, and drummed her fingers on the table. Not nervously—more out of boredom.
I gazed down at her, as my pulse increased. My eyes went to her legs, bare between her short heels and the fitted dress that clung to her curves, and I felt my body become stiffer. As she continued to tap on the table, I thought about how those fingers would feel digging into my back.
She reached up and tucked a rogue strand back into her bun. I wanted to release that messy bun, run my fingers through the cascade of her hair, and tug it so I could feast on her long, luscious neck that was made for lips to brush against. What would she sound and feel like vibrating against my mouth?
My staff walked into the room and snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood up, turned her long and lean frame toward them, shook their hands, and exchanged hellos before she quickly took charge.
I stood mesmerized, as close to the glass as possible and listened to her present while hanging on her every word.
Olivia White didn't just ooze sexy. No, she screamed intelligence and confidence as she presented out-of-the-box yet practical ideas and asked questions along the way. It dawned on me that she was bold but not cocky. There was no doubt that she knew her craft well, but I sensed that she had no idea how beautiful, smart, or sexy she really was.
That turned me on further.
I had seen her online, read about her in the papers, and watched her clean up her clients’ messes in press conferences. Her self-assurance told me that she was always in control. I wondered how it would feel to have her under me, shaking and losing all inhibition, whimpering and calling my name from those succulent lips, and begging me to send her to a new high.
My blood had raced through my veins from far away. Being this close to her, unleashed an entirely new level of desire.
And I cursed myself. I needed to stop these thoughts. My company required Olivia White's expertise, and there was no way I would risk putting her in danger. She deserved more than someone with my screwed-up past. I couldn’t and wouldn't allow myself to indulge in pursuing her.
No, I needed to stay away. Anything with her wouldn’t be superficial, and there was no way I could give myself the gratification. She was exceptional, a rare treasure, and I refused to expose her to my shameful past.
1
Liv
It was mid-October in Manhattan, and I was running late. Normally, I was early, but lately, I couldn’t get off the hamster wheel. I had an important meeting, and being late was something that drove me nuts.
I started crafting my ‘I’m sorry I’m late’ apology in my head and thinking about the main points of my presentation.
The elevator was about to close when a large hand slipped between the doors. “Sorry to hold you up. I’m late.” His voice was deep and sexy, and he gazed down at me with crystal clear, blue eyes.
I stood shocked as I stared up at Tom Marko.
Before I could respond, he asked, “Aren’t you Olivia White?” He reached out to shake my hand. He smiled at me with his straight, perfect white teeth, and I breathed in a sexy scent. I was pretty sure his cologne was BVLGARI.
How did he know who I was? Tom Marko was GQ’s most eligible bachelor, and he knew who I was?
He wore black dress pants, a leather jacket, and a plain white t-shirt that hugged his body. It wasn’t too tight and wasn’t too loose. You could see the definition of his chest beneath it, and his broad shoulders led straight into well-defined arms.
My heart skipped a beat. He looked like, smelled of, and oozed sex.
I’m not sure how long I ogled him. I finally snapped out of it, grabbed his hand, and offered the firm handshake I’d perfected over the years.
As our
“And you’re Tom Marko. I guess we're both late.”
His eyes scanned mine. “I’m not normally late, sorry.”
I laughed. “I’m not either.”
He didn’t take his eyes away from mine.
“I didn’t realize you were attending the meeting today. Sneaking in, are you?” I winked at him and realized I was still holding his hand and pulled it away.
Crap! Did I really wink at Tom Marko? What was I doing? Pull it together, I harshly told myself, and tossed my long, cool blonde hair.
I had seen pictures of this famous basketball star and cheered for his team, the New York Volts, many times. Sure, I admired Marko’s appearance from afar, but his in-person presence was doing some severe damage to my nerves. Butterflies did a wild dance in my stomach.
“Sorry, I didn’t inform you of my attendance. I hope that’s okay?” He smiled at me and asked for approval.
What did he think I would say? Sorry, Basketball God, you can’t attend a meeting for your own company.
“Not a problem.” I’m sure you’ll add nothing to the meeting but act like you know what is going on.
Athletes filled my clientele list. Most showed up to meetings because their business managers or financial advisors tried to get them interested in some pursuit beyond their athletic career. That way, when they retired, they would have something meaningful to do.
I had played the same song and dance many times. Well, I could dummy it down for Tom Marko. I’d done it for so many others.
The elevator opened. We were still on the lobby floor.
Tom laughed and returned my wink. “I guess you have to hit a button to go up.” He rubbed his hands nervously through his thick, wavy, blonde hair.
Wait. Was Tom Marko actually…nervous? Surely I imagined that. Because that wink was also pretty damn hot….
Okay, why did his wink make him hot, whereas I’m sure my wink made me seem like a hysterical schoolgirl? Get a grip, Liv.
This wasn’t good. Tom Marko would hopefully be my newest client, and I had a strict policy when it came to clients. It was one of the reasons my company quickly became one of the top PR and marketing firms on the East Coast.
People knew I meant business and got results. And I never mixed business with pleasure. Never. And it wasn’t from a lack of offers.
The elevator stopped, and a bunch of people walked in. Tom stepped back from the buttons but kept his eyes on me. His head reached almost to the ceiling of the elevator, and his 6’10 frame made my 5’10” frame feel short.
I only dated tall men, so height wasn't something new to me. I guess you could say height really turned me on. Of course, none of the men I’d dated were Tom Marko. He had the most breathtaking body I had ever seen.
Extremely tall.
Strong.
Ripped.
I licked my lips.
And then he smiled at me.
Jeez. Now I’m licking my lips at him? I flushed, but his attention drifted from me since the people on the elevator realized who he was. To my surprise, they dared to ask for his autograph.
I had to give the one bimbo credit. She had a perfect size double zero body. She stepped between Tom and me, giggled and tossed her hair, as she pushed her fake DD boobs against him and asked him to sign her shirt.
I saw him try to step back, but he had nowhere to go.
He graciously gave everyone their autographs and turned her around and signed the back of her shirt on her shoulder. I‘m pretty sure I saw a bloom of embarrassment wash over his face.
Was Tom Marko a humble guy? I guess I always assumed he would be a cocky ass, but here he was, apparently uncomfortable. His neck and cheeks flushed a shade of crimson.
I don’t know why I thought he would be arrogant. Well, maybe because he was gorgeous, famous, and admired by women everywhere he went? Girls like the bimbo over there who talked nonstop about what a big fan she was and if she could ever do anything for him….
I must have rolled my eyes for real. I thought I only did it in my head. Tom saw me and softly laughed while the other people in the elevator gazed at us confused.
I laughed, too. Our eyes met, and we shared our secret joke. The floozy turned to me, her voice was high and raspy. “What’s so funny?”
I only shook my head and tried to stop snickering. Tom grinned at me.
The elevator doors opened, and the girl gave me a death stare. She got out but not before she caught Tom’s arm and rubbed her boobs against him once more. “Soooo nice meeting you, Tom,” she crooned and batted her eyelids. She grabbed his hand, shoved a piece of paper in it, and closed his fist around it. “Call me,” she purred and delivered another quick boob rub on her way out.
I rolled my eyes again as Tom turned his lips up uncomfortably.
Did he really not enjoy the extra attention? I saw him eye the ceiling and let out a bit of air. No, he definitely didn’t enjoy it. It surprised me, as he would be the first athlete in my experience who wasn’t all about bimbos.
Most of the people stepped out of the elevator. New people stepped in. It got crowded again, but this time Tom stepped all the way to the back of the elevator right next to me. My heart thumped faster. His sexy smell once again made my body pulse.
The new people had some class. A few told Tom they were huge fans but didn’t ask for his autograph. Tom seemed...relieved. Could that really be? Was he really not into it?
I tried to figure him out and keep my composure. I reminded myself that I was a professional. It didn’t matter if he was into extra attention or not; it wasn’t my business. I focused on the floor, then sneakily glanced toward him. His thigh muscles hugged his pants in just the right way, and I licked my lips again, as I wondered what it would be like to squeeze my own thighs up against his.
His hand grazed mine and snapped me back to reality. I panicked and stood frozen with the back of his warm hand, touching the back of mine. My heart beat faster, and heat rushed up to my neck. He gazed down at me—I could feel it. But I wasn’t about to look up because I knew I’d give my thoughts away.
I pulled myself out of my paralyzed state and yanked my hand away as the doors opened. Everyone got off except for Tom and me. There was one more floor to go, and I started to feel rather suffocated.
It was only us now.
My mind reeled. Why isn’t he stepping away? Unnerved, I could feel my blood as it surged through my veins.
He finally stepped to the side and turned to me. “Glad to see you have a sense of humor. I like that with the people I’m working with.”
Working with…as if, he had already decided that he was going with my firm?
I had this funny sense of excitement but also disappointment…client meant he was off-limits to me on a personal level.
Get your act together, Liv! It’s not like you have a chance, anyway. I definitely couldn’t be his type. He’s Tom Marko! How could he be interested in my non-fake C cups and size eight body when perfect-bodied floozies threw themselves at him every day?
Good grief–why the hell was I thinking like this?
Tom Marko’s account meant millions in revenue and possible referrals to his other teammates. Not to mention potential work with a few other businesses Tom was involved in, according to his business manager.
I felt myself shift into business mode. “Glad I could amuse you. Right this way.” I motioned for him to follow me. As we stepped into the lobby, I did my best to straighten myself up and appear confident.
I usually was confident and never got butterflies. But my insides were flipping.
