His Rules

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

K acey

The man had an amazing ass. I could only imagine it in tight-fitting jeans. Loose-fitting jeans. Any fitting jeans.

“Are you with me?” Sebastian’s deep baritone pulled at all my good senses, prepared to toss them away.

No, I couldn’t do that. I’d made a promise to myself. No more men. None. Zero. Even if they had the best ass this side of the Mississippi.

“Absolutely. I was just thinking about everything I’ve told you. I think you can turn the company around, but you need to make some changes.”

“So you’re suggesting a business expansion?”

Sebastian had an incredulous look on his face. We’d gone over ideas for over two hours and I was now throwing out spitballs.

“The way I see it, you have nothing to lose by considering doing so. Your idea about providing a turnkey luxurious experience for the wealthiest of wealthy is a good one, but I think you’re missing out on the most profitable aspects.” I wasn’t certain if what I’d said made any sense to him.

He drummed his fingers on the table, taking a few seconds to stare out at the New York skyline. The restaurant was one I never could have afforded while living here. It was the kind of place with no prices on the menu. If you had to ask, you couldn’t afford to eat here.

While my father had taken me out to some incredible locations when he’d visited, nothing had been of this caliber. I still had no idea why Sebastian had gone to so much trouble with the dress and the shoes, the champagne in the chauffeur-driven car, since we’d been talking nothing but the upcoming meeting since we sat down.

He was being completely professional and hadn’t so much as looked at me as anything but a colleague except when I’d opened the door. That was the moment I’d seen a flash of what he’d shown me the night we’d crossed the line.

Although we hadn’t known we were doing that.

Just two adults indulging in their passion.

I shook off the thought as he continued mulling over what I’d told him.

“My father was the hospitality guru. I wasn’t a people person.” I was surprised he had no issue with admitting his faults.

“Let’s be frank and I’m not trying to insult you, but you still aren’t. You’re cranky and irritable. You have no patience and you cut people off when you’re done hearing from them. That doesn’t bode well for being able to nurture business relationships. If it’s a one and done then fine, be a jerk. But if you want repeat business, you need to hire the right person for the job.”

Why was it what I’d just said had a dirty sound to it?

“That’s what Drake was for,” he insisted, the sparkle in his eye returning.

“Yeah? Well even if he isn’t sabotaging your company, his image as the playboy is turning people off.”

“How so?”

“Let’s face it. He has a smarmy attitude that is easily apparent when you meet him. You guys might be rich, but you’re not in that league. Rich people need to feel like they’re being catered to and Drake just doesn’t have that in him. Imagine mixing your luxury planes directly with the hospitality business. Women usually suggest and plan for vacations, extended stays, and even some business trips. They definitely don’t want to see the face of a man they consider to be condescending to them as the face of the company. I suggest a woman.”

Why not go all out since I had his ear?

“Very astute of you. Almost profound and quite accurate. I thought you were taken by him.”

“Not a chance. He gives me the creepy crawlies.”

“I was certain by the way he was looking at you that your connection was much stronger.”

“If you think I was hired to undermine you, then you’re dead wrong and that’s highly insulting. I do have integrity.”

“Oh, I know that all too well.”

“Then what is it? Are you jealous?” I ran the tip of my finger around the rim of my wineglass before bringing it to my lips. He watched my every move. When he leaned over the table, a little flutter occurred in my heart.

“I’m not usually a man who becomes jealous of anyone.”

“But I’m your exception. I wonder why.”

“For one thing, as I already told you, I need to be able to trust you.”

I nodded. “I hope you know you can.”

“I do.”

“Then what’s the other reason?”

“Because I meant what I said. I will discover everything that makes you tick.”

While the comment wasn’t particularly romantic, it was his way of saying he was interested. “I’m curious. What makes you tick?”

He smirked and wrapped his long fingers around his glass of whiskey. It was sinful that I was enjoying spending time with him. He’d been right in that I used sarcasm as a method of keeping him at arm’s length. I thought it would be easy for a man with hot and cold tendencies, but all throughout dinner, I’d found myself relaxing.

Even enjoying the often-heated conversation. He’d listened to my advice, some even making him laugh. But he’d listened. That had been unexpected.

Maybe there was some decency in him after all.

“What makes me tick?” he repeated.

“Making money?”

“I won’t lie and say that having a healthy bank account that allows me to indulge in my passions isn’t pleasing, but I prefer the chase and the win.”

“So corporate of you, or does this go for your personal endeavors as well?” Was I fishing to find out what he thought about me? Absolutely. Why not? Since we had crossed that line, it offered some leeway when digging deeper into the man.

“Always in my personal life. I’ve always been competitive. If I didn’t win first place in every race, I considered it a total failure. My father did as well.”

“Why do fathers push their sons so hard? Why can’t they just be kids?”

“My dad wanted the best for his sons. While he was never there to pitch softball for practice, he always made time to talk to us. That was valuable too. He instilled in us that doing our best was the only option.”

“Failure is often in the eye of the beholder. Some failures can be considered wins.”

He chuckled. “Only if you’re looking through rose-colored lenses. I’m curious. What made you leave New York?”

I knew he’d eventually ask that question, but I wasn’t certain how or if I wanted to answer it. “I needed a fresh start.”

“Because of the location, the job, or the man?”

I winced a little when thinking about Nathan. “All three. Plus, I was homesick.”

“Tell me about the asshole.”

“There’s nothing decent to say. I thought I cared about him, but it was all a game, only I hadn’t been provided with the rules. I was thinking happy ever after and he was thinking fling until something better came along. It did by way of Cherry, a voluptuous blonde with fake tits.”

“Ouch. The jerk didn’t know what he had.”

Why was it his words caused me to blush? I licked my lips and his gaze became heated. Even his nostrils flared. “No, he didn’t. I knew then my time at the company his father owned wasn’t going to work out the way I’d thought. So, I made a decision one night and that was that. Tell me about your wife.”

“Is this tit for tat?”

“It’s only fair.”

He laughed as if I’d invoked another memory. “Not necessarily. Women are complicated. Ashley was more interested in my bank account and her future as head of my father’s corporation, which he sold because I wanted nothing to do with the hospitality business.”

“Oh… I guess my ideas sucked.”

His laugh continued. “No, they did not. If I hadn’t been such a pigheaded man when my father had suggested my brother and I take over, perhaps I’d have come to my senses about Ashley sooner. Even my father was on board for the union. Come to find out, he was using me as a bargaining chip for the sale he’d proctored.”

“Are you still speaking to him?”

“He is family, Kacey. We don’t abandon family.”

A sigh escaped my mouth. “You’re right. They must come first before anything else.” Maybe I was purposely using my father to push myself further away from temptation if nothing else.

“Do you remember what I told you about your father not being so innocent?” He made the question sound coy.

“Yes, but I don’t think I want to know.”

“There are some stories Daniel would kill me over if I repeated, but one thing that I learned all those years ago was that your father has a wild streak a mile wide. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, but he’s even more conniving than I am. Just ask him about the night we had to talk ourselves out of being arrested after being found on top of the huge flagpole in front of the administration building.”

“You did not.”

“Oh, yes, we did. It was on a dare and remember, I never let anyone win. Only that night, he did.”

I couldn’t stop laughing. “I never thought of my dad as a gymnast.”

“I think monkey is the appropriate term.”

We laughed together. While he’d mentioned my armor, he had a huge shield wrapped around himself. But I sensed it slipping away. “What I wouldn’t give to see a picture of that.”

“Actually, one of the jerks from the frat took one. I finally broke into his room about four months later and removed it.”

“You broke in?”

He winked and I was all flustered. “Your dad had the tools and did the dirty work. I just searched through the kid’s things. We might have left a little present for him as well.”

“Oh, dear God. What?” I couldn’t seem to stop laughing. I knew my dad wasn’t a saint, but hearing about the antics they’d been involved in was adorable. And I might be able to use the info for blackmail one day.

“The guy hated snakes, so we found like six and put them in his bed under the covers. You could hear him screaming at the coffee shop we were waiting at. Priceless.”

“You have a mean streak running through you.”

“Trust me, my perfect diamond. I do.”

Perfect diamond. I was catching the same vibes as I’d had when opening the bag holding the dress.

“Why don’t we head out?” he asked, already tossing his napkin on the table.

“Okay. I know we have a busy morning.” I took a last sip of wine, chastising myself that I didn’t want the night to end.

But that was the truth.

With the restaurant being on the one hundred and first floor of a building, the ride in the elevator took a little longer than normal. We’d all but closed down the place, only a few people left, which left us very much alone in the cramped box.

I backed against the wall, feeling more uncomfortable than I had before. He pressed the button and immediately crowded my space.

“We should talk about what happened between us,” he said, still with his deep voice.

“What’s there to talk about? We are adults. We enjoyed a night together. Now we work together and neither one of us wants to hurt my father. I’m fine with that. I’m a big girl.”

“What if I’d like to see you again outside of work? What would you think?”

“What would I think?” I was breathless, even lightheaded.

“Yes.” He placed one hand on the wall just above my head. Somehow, I had a feeling he wasn’t really asking. He was making a statement in a way that wouldn’t drive me away. I easily sensed it.

I reached out, tentatively placing my hand on his chest, even sinking the tips of my fingers into his muscles through his shirt. “I think you should wear jeans every once in a while.”

“Don’t do that.” He lifted my chin with a single finger.

“What am I doing?”

“Deflecting.”

“Oh.” I was a woman who rarely found herself tongue tied. That was the effect this man had on me. Even my pussy was throbbing in response.

He lowered his head until our lips were almost touching. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Yes, you will. Then life will go on and I’ll be forced to find another job.” And pick up the pieces. I wasn’t going to share that with him.

“I’m not going to fire you.”

“Are you certain about that?”

“Hell, lady. I’m not certain about much at this point except for one thing. I want you.” He rubbed his thumb from one side of my chin to the other and I was pretty certain he was going to kiss me.

“This isn’t a good idea.”

“Probably not.”

But luck wasn’t necessarily on our side. The elevator stopped and seconds later, a crowd of eight rushed into the elevator. There was a second restaurant in the building. While they were half drunk and not paying any attention to us, they were invading our space.

The growl Sebastian emitted was a clear indication he was pissed.

I was too.

He pulled his hand away, very slowly closing his fingers. When he rubbed his knuckle across my cheek, I tried to keep from making a single sound.

Finally, we were at the bottom, the eight partiers bounding out toward the front of the building. He placed the palm of his hand on the small of my back and tingles rushed through my system. Skin to skin contact wasn’t a good idea. My legs were slightly wobbly.

Once outside, I took a deep breath. The night air was crisp, the stars beautiful, and the streets were filled with people enjoying a Wednesday evening out and about.

“This is what I love about New York. The energy.”

“Then there are the crowds and the crazy drivers.”

“You aren’t a romantic. Are you?”

“Not in the least.” He guided us toward the waiting car.

I walked ahead of him and something caught my eye. It would seem fate was fucking with me and enjoying herself when doing so. “Oh, shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian was instantly on edge.

“Just my ex walking this way with his now girlfriend.” Two seconds later, they both noticed me. And both were grinning. Cherry was practically beaming.

The bitch.

I couldn’t move as a flash of pain replaced all the positive aspects of the night. I so desperately wanted to act like I couldn’t care less, but for all the hardening I’d promised myself, I’d hated being used more than anything. It wasn’t about the way I’d felt about Nathan as much as the betrayal.

In a shocking move, Sebastian grabbed my hand, spinning me around and yanking me against his chest. He cupped the back of my head, pulled me onto my toes, and captured my mouth.

I was breathless immediately, stars floating in front of my eyes. While initially stiff, as soon as he swept his tongue inside, I melted into him. The kiss wasn’t simple nor was it boring. It was the intimate moment shared between two people that every woman dreamed of.

It was a red velvet cupcake with a sweet cream cheese frosting.

The feeling of his hard cock pressing between my legs sent goosebumps down my spine. I was floored how incredible the man tasted, the hint of bourbon exciting my senses.

His tongue dominated mine and all other sound was shut out. When he finally broke the kiss, he ran his crooked finger across my lips.

Sighing, I purposely turned my head so I could catch Nathan’s eye. Damn if he wasn’t fuming. Oh, what a shame.

I was about ready to taunt him when thick fingers latched around mine. Sebastian had offered me a small lifeline, but his level of patience had concluded. “You’re coming with me, my diamond in the rough.”

“Where are we going?” I asked as soon as Thompson opened the door to the backseat.

“My hotel. Where you’re going to spend the night.”