Chapter 12
Brennan Diamond
After rubbing out a wholly unsatisfying yet mind-blowingly powerful release in the tiny stand-up shower like the horndog my baby doll turns me into, I hire the female bodyguard who accompanied me to an overseas conference a few years ago and send her to Audrey’s mom’s bedside.
I grind through the morning in a slight haze. The tension in the office grows when Ms. Baker arrives, but with everyone’s workload so heavy, we maintain our professional attitudes and focus on completing tasks.
A few minutes before lunch break, I return from my last morning meeting and find Audrey half asleep at my desk with her elbow propped on the surface and her head in her hand.
With neat stacks of folders covering most of the desk, she sits with her eyes closed and her fingers pinched around the top page of the opened folder in front of her.
A quick glance reveals she’s working ahead and sorting paperwork for tomorrow morning.
She sighs and sways. I lunge around the desk and catch her head as it slips out of her hand. For a blissful moment, she snuggles into my palm and makes a low, happy sound in her sleep.
She jolts awake and glances around as though lost. When she stiffens and trails terrified eyes up my suit, I drop into a squat and lift her hand to my face.
“It’s just me, baby doll. You’re safe,” I murmur.
She inhales and blows out her breath before adding her second hand and framing my face. Endorphins flood my system as she offers me a wicked smile.
“Safe? With you? Only a monster would claim such a thing,” she says with mock affront.
I cover her hand with mine and lean into her palm.
“You’re right. I am a monster. Your monster,” I vow.
Her gaze softens, but she shakes her head and looks away.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t fallen asleep at work in years. This isn’t professional,” she says.
“You were up taking care of me all night, so of course you’re tired. We’ll postpone everything after lunch and leave the office early,” I decree.
“We can’t—”
“We can. Owner, CEO, and asshole boss, remember? We’re taking this afternoon off.”
She pulls her hands away from my face and scowls. I tease a fingertip along her jawline.
“But not until after your tutoring session,” I clarify.
“I… how did you know I was studying for the GED?” she asks.
I fix my glasses as I rise.
“You fell asleep at my desk before, remember?”
Her face turns an enticing shade of pink even as her eyes catch on my tie.
“You’re a sneaky jerk. Thank you,” she grumbles.
I smile and steal a quick peck on her temple just so I can enjoy her soft skin and fresh lemony scent.
“Of course, baby doll. I need to head out before the guards start spreading rumors about me standing them up. Be safe,” I say.
She glances at the door before nodding.
I can’t resist. Her lips are too tempting. She’s too tasty.
I leash my desires and kiss her with as much gentle reverence as the fire roaring within my blood allows. When I pull back way too soon, she blinks up at me with dazed green eyes.
“I’ll see you after lunch.”
She nods again without taking her stare off my lips.
I growl and stalk into the hall, knowing I’ll take it too far if I stay in the same room alone with her.
Ms. Baker greets me. I remind her of my extended lunch plans and give her the rest of the day off.
When she stares blankly at me for a moment, my senses heighten and hackles rise.
“Ms. Baker, may I walk you to your car?” I offer.
I can’t leave her here with Audrey even with other people around and the security cameras recording everything.
Unease worms through me as Ms. Baker reanimates and accepts my offer.
I wait for her to grab her briefcase before leading her down the hall.
We ride the elevator to the parking garage in silence.
I play the gentleman and walk her to her car before heading to mine.
Unwilling to leave before her, I wait until she backs out and drives off before turning on the ignition.
After a quick drive to the restaurant and a boisterous, extended lunch, I return to the parking garage and circle around until I’m certain Ms. Baker’s car is absent before pulling into my designated spot.
I return to an empty office and use the solitude to sift through the information and plan the afternoon.
The moment Audrey steps into view of the elevator’s security camera, I smirk in anticipation and rise. I grab the briefcase she left on the couch and meet her in the hall.
She balks when I take her tote and purse, but I hook my arm around her waist and tug her back toward the elevators.
“We’re in the office. Hands off,” she hisses.
I smile and move her bags out of her reach before stepping into the elevator and pulling her in after me. The second the doors close, I crowd her into the back corner, press one hand to the wall above her shoulder and cup her chin with the other.
“You’re all mine until it’s time for you to clock in tomorrow morning,” I growl.
She rolls her eyes despite the rapid rise and fall of her chest, and she pushes my grip off her chin.
“No. You have me until quitting time tonight—and I mean afternoon, not evening.”
I growl and inch closer to her.
“What if I have a delayed reaction to the drugs? You can’t leave me all alone.”
“You won’t, I can, and I will. Unless you have something work related to discuss, we’re done with this conversation,” she demands.
“My bodyguard made it to your mother’s bedside. I sent you her contact information and background check, but I’ve known her for years and trust her. Your mother is safe.”
Relief brightens her expression while anger sparks in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she grinds out through clenched teeth.
“What’s wrong, love? Jealous?” I prod.
She scoffs and rolls her eyes.
“Of course, Mr. Diamond. Who wouldn’t want to jump in front of a bullet for a fully capable, pompous jerk of a boss like you?” she snarks.
I press my palm against her upper chest and splay my fingers over her collarbone.
“More descriptors for your monster? I’m intrigued. This is a new kind of foreplay for me. Whisper more to me between kisses,” I murmur.
“Wow, the high and mighty Brennan Diamond has a degradation kink. Who would’ve thought?” she mumbles.
Her eyes drop to my lips, but she angles her chin away. I lean closer.
“Only when they come from your lips, baby doll,” I vow.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I weave my fingers through hers, but she jerks them free and gestures for me to lead the way to my car as she glances at the nearest camera.
I sigh and step out but refuse to move forward until she walks beside me. After settling her in my passenger seat and wedging myself behind the wheel, I turn on the car and shift into reverse.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
I tsk in mock disappointment as I back out of my parking spot.
“And here I was hoping we’d get there before you even thought to ask. Does my baby doll not trust me?” I tease.
She roams hungry eyes over me as I navigate through the narrow garage with ease.
“Unless you want me to jump out of a moving car, I suggest you rein in the jokes, especially the ones involving trust. We’re still in trial mode,” she warns.
I note the seriousness in her tone and switch tactics.
“Come with me to the charity ball next weekend,” I blurt.
“Aren’t you supposed to take Ms. Baker and search for your next investment while you’re there?”
With her crazy workload, I didn’t expect her to have read that far ahead or that deep into my calendar notes yet, but I should’ve known better.
“You’re the only one I want by my side at events from now on,” I say.
She sighs.
“Do I really have a choice?” she asks.
“You do. You always have a choice with me, but I hope you’ll say yes,” I respond.
“I’ve avoided high-profile stuff like this like it’s the plague.”
“Because you were afraid Donald would be there?” I ask.
She nods.
“You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Audrey. He can’t touch you. You’re safe with me,” I promise.
I reach over the console and cover her hand with mine. She stops fidgeting and pierces me with her bright green eyes.
“Okay, I’ll go, but what does that have to do with today? Where are you taking me?”
I smirk, prop my elbow on the center console, and maneuver the car between two trucks as I pull her hand to my lips.
“Just go with the flow, love. I invited you, so I’ll foot the bill,” I say.
“That tells me nothing. I swear, if you’re dragging me to a frou frou dress shop where they look down their noses at everyone who isn’t wearing the latest trend, then I’ll never go anywhere with you ever again,” she threatens.
The disgusted curl of her lip amuses me. I long to kiss it away but make do with teasing my lips over her knuckles instead.
“No dresses today. Accessories first.”
I smirk at her reaction and sneak my tongue between her fingers as I pull up to the curb in front of New York City’s most elite jewelry store.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
I smirk and nip her knuckle. She swears.
“Only the best for my baby doll,” I say.
Her expression turns mutinous, but I lick the pad of her pointer finger and close my teeth around the plump flesh in a teasing, gentle bite. Her pupils dilate, and red stains her freckled cheeks.
“The more you argue, the more I buy,” I warn.
“Fine, whatever,” she snarls.
I kiss the back of her hand, exit the vehicle, toss the keys to the valet, and offer Audrey my hand. She accepts my help out of the car and smooths her hand over her ponytail.
“I just want to point out I didn’t argue, only mildly protested. One item is more than enough,” she says.
I place her hand in the crook of my elbow and make a noncommittal noise in the back of my throat. Her exasperated huff as I lead her into the shop proves she’s no idiot. As we step over the threshold, I lean down and whisper in her ear.
“We’re not leaving until you’ve chosen three full sets.”
After a brief interaction with the salesperson, I study Audrey’s reaction to each piece closely. At first, she glances over the items in the display case with little interest, but when I insist she try on everything and slip the first bracelet around her wrist, her eyes spark with wonder.
Almost two hours later—and over half a dozen necklaces, rings, watches, bracelets, hairclips, headbands, and anklets each set aside for purchase—Audrey glances at the door with longing.
Worry squeezes my throat, but I relax my shoulders and press my hip against my baby doll as I lean my elbow on the display case to better see her face.
If we don’t find what I’m looking for here, then I’ll drag her to the next jeweler. Then the next. And the next. We’ll visit every shop in New York City if we must.
The saleswoman lifts the lid on a large box to reveal a set of earrings, necklace, and bracelet. The simple, elegant designs perfectly highlight the high carat diamonds.
Audrey stares in awed silence. The woman opens a smaller box and tilts it to show the coordinating set of couple’s wedding rings.
My baby doll unknowingly gives me exactly what I want as yearning fills her sparkling green orbs. Satisfaction roars through me.
I let the saleswoman handle the fitting, but vow to slip the engagement ring onto her finger myself soon.
After I propose.
I want Audrey to be my wife. I need her by my side.
My baby doll just picked out her own wedding ring and doesn’t even know it yet. She hides her pleasure behind a disinterested mask, but even after we move on to the next set of items, she steals glances at the boxes.
Her enthusiasm wanes, and she eyes the door again. When she requests a restroom break, I kiss the back of her hand and tell her to hurry back.
She scurries away. I tell the saleswoman to place Audrey’s favorite as the most important piece in my list of purchases and coordinate the resizing and engraving.
A feminine voice calls my name from the front of the store.
To my horror, Marilyn Swanson squeals and scampers through the display cases toward me.
She grabs my arm and presses her surgically enhanced curves against me in her typical greeting.
The last time she batted her fake lashes and pouted at me was at Matteo Ricco and Brook Simons’s wedding, but I shook her off and warned her against touching me again.
I try to shrug her off now, but she clings to my sleeve like a bur. Her high-pitched giggle feels like nails on a chalkboard.
She thinks she’s invincible because she’s heiress to the largest corporation in New York, but one glance across the store reveals her end is nigh.
Audrey stalks through the glittering diamonds and shiny gold without sparing the jewelry a single glance.
Her eyes remain narrowed on Marilyn’s cloying grip on my arm.
Joy blooms in my soul.
My sweet little baby doll rushes to my aid with vengeance in her eyes, fire in her hair, and purpose in every elegant stride.
I’m hers. Always and only hers.
Anticipation and excitement quicken my heart rate.
I can’t wait to watch her claim me.