12. Reassurance
Reassurance
Electra
I exited the car in front of Thorn Enterprises, and a group of reporters instantly pushed me back. Lights from the cameras blinded me, and it was only thanks to the security that I could enter the building.
Bastian warned me that they camped on the street just to get a photo of us, yet I didn't realize they were this crazy. They almost knocked me off my feet.
Waiting for an elevator, I inhaled deeply, feeling a hand on the small of my back.
Bastian stood on my left side, smiling softly at me.
I noticed a few men giving us curious glances, and two receptionists whispered to each other, but Bastian didn't care about them.
His attention was on me. He was watching my every move; not even the slightest change in my demeanor could escape his observant eyes.
"I'm fine." I smiled at him when we entered the elevator, but his gaze still didn't leave my face.
I really was okay. The episode with the reporters didn't shake my confidence, and I was prepared to accompany my handsome boss to the grand opening of his new corporation.
I had already sent his brand new suit into the office so he could change after lunch, and his prepared speech was in my purse. Everything was as it should be .
"Prove that," Bastian challenged, taking me completely by surprise. My eyebrows shot up, and I snickered, thinking he was making fun of me. Yet, I couldn't be more wrong.
"Do you want me to wipe that grin away from your gorgeous face, princess?" he inquired with a deadly serious expression, putting his hand on the wall next to my head and leaning into it. Our noses were merely an inch apart, and I gulped, lowering my head and avoiding his probing gaze.
"Don't make me repeat myself," he growled, lifting my head with his finger under my chin. My whole body was on fire from his stern voice and overwhelming presence.
"I don't know what you want me to do," I breathed, losing myself in his eyes. I was sore from our morning session, but I knew I wouldn't say no if he wanted me to persuade him with his cock in my mouth.
"You'll have a speech today," he announced instead, breaking my bubble of having some fun before reality hit us both.
"I'm your assistant," I pointed out, frowning. I hated it when he provoked me and then turned everything upside down.
"Exactly. You'll do as I say," he stated, pulling away from me when the sound indicated that we had arrived at the highest floor. He walked out into the hall without waiting for me to join him. I slowly followed him, glaring at his broad back and musing about his weird behavior.
A long time has passed since he displayed his usual arrogance. He was bossy to other employees, but he was charming and polite to me. I forgot how commanding he could be, and my brain couldn't find a good reason to protest against his words.
Was I prepared to step out of my comfort zone and satisfy him?
I wasn't sure, but I knew I couldn’t handle the thought of him being ashamed of me.
This was important, even if I didn’t think I was the best choice for the job.
He didn't leave; he was here and capable of going on the stage and talking to those people without any preparation .
I sat behind my desk, trying to develop a good argument to start a conversation again. He sounded like his decision was carved into stone, but there must be a way to escape this.
My stomach twisted with unease as I looked at the guest list for the opening. Also, one of his managers from his other company sent me a schedule, and my name was on it. Shit! He already told them that I would speak. I couldn't wait another second. I had to stop this nonsense.
I abruptly stood, ignoring the ringing phone, and entered his office without knocking.
He raised his eyes from the computer, lifting one of his eyebrows expectantly at me.
I closed the door behind me and walked to his desk.
My mouth was suddenly dry. It was one thing to imagine the situation in my head and another to face this devilishly attractive man and try to talk him out of something.
Before I even said one word, I knew I would lose, but I had to try anyway.
"I can't give the speech, sir," I said, tapping my fingers gently on his desk, trying to avoid his eyes.
"Because?" he asked, typing on the keyboard and averting his gaze from me. I stole a glance at him. He didn't look angry, just busy.
"You're much better at it than me, and it's your company. It's not appropriate." I took a steady breath, expecting him to yell at me, but as often before, I was mistaken. I always waited for him to start shouting at me like my mother did, yet he was different. He was nothing like my mom.
"You're my girlfriend. It's all right." He winked at me and continued with his work, dismissing me. I wasn't ready to give up. I was honored that he trusted me with something so significant, but I couldn't risk messing things up.
"Bastian, I won't be speaking at the grand opening of your corporation," I stated resolutely, determined to argue with him until he would back down.
He stopped typing, his eyebrows furrowed, and he turned to me with a blank expression, blinking a few times before he leaned into his chair, watching me.
"Are we really going to fight over this?" he inquired, squeezing the armrest. "You already said yes."
"Only because you had to leave for San Francisco," I replied, placing my hands on my hips. "Why are you pushing me?"
I felt cornered. He knew I would do anything for him, and he was using it against me. But I just didn't understand why it was so essential for him. Two months ago, he didn't even know me. He had prepared for this event long before we met, and suddenly, I was to be the shining star.
"Because if I don't do it, you'll stay hidden behind your safe walls for all eternity," he retorted, his eyes hardening at me.
"What?" I squealed, bubbling in my chest. He hit my soft spot, and even though I didn't want to admit it, he was right.
"You know what I mean, Electra," he grumbled, standing. "You're an intelligent woman who is wasting her potential. You can do much more than answer the phone."
"You own a PR company," I groaned, watching a smile spread across his face. "Every manager can do it. Why me?" I just couldn't comprehend his interest in showing me to the world. Maybe he was embarrassed by me just being his PA. The thought made my heart clench.
"I own a few restaurants, too, and you still cook for me occasionally. What changed, princess?" he whispered, curling his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. He caressed my jaw with his thumb while I glared at him. I was still upset, but my resilience was melting under his gentle touch.
"I'm afraid I'll let you down," I replied, biting my lower lip. I put my hands on his chest, playing with his orange tie, significantly contrasting his business look.
"You can't disappoint me, Electra." He kissed my cheek, the smell of strawberries tingling in my nostrils, and I smiled a little.
My heart was dancing in my chest, and I felt a weird excitement spreading through my veins.
I wanted to do it, but my mind blocked me.
Fear of performance was paralyzing me. I didn't know how traumatized I was by my mother until he wanted me to show my abilities.
"You need to face them, princess," Bastian said, looking lovingly into my eyes. "It's a great opportunity to prove to your mother and the world that you're exactly where you should be. By my side."
"Why is it so important?" I cried out, pouting. Sometimes, I acted like a child, but I couldn't help it. At that very moment, he was more like my father than a boyfriend.
"Because I want you to be okay,” he declared.
"Never again do I want to see you sad because of some stupid comments or because of your parents.
It started this morning, and I won't stop until you accept yourself the way I accept you.
" He gently pecked my lips and smiled when I wanted to deepen the kiss.
"I'm not joking, princess," he muttered, brushing his nose against mine and stroking my shoulder with his hand. "You will give the speech today. Okay?"
A loud knock on the door interrupted our conversation, and I wriggled to get out of his embrace, but he didn't let me go.
"You didn't answer," he reminded me sternly, and I almost rolled my eyes at him.
"Yes, Daddy. I'll give the speech."
He chuckled and motioned for me to open the door. I gave him a hard stare, taking a deep breath and straightening my spine. An alarming thought about being pathetic crossed my mind, and I had difficulty pushing it into the back of my subconscious.
A heavy boulder settled in my stomach, gnawing at me. I left Bastian’s arms only two seconds ago and was already lost.
Slightly shaking my head to get rid of a distant memory from my childhood, I opened the door.
A man dressed in a fancy black suit stood on the other side, his broad back facing me.
But when he slowly turned around, I gasped, instantly realizing who he was.
And the expression on his face told me he recognized me, too.
Pete, my one-night stand.
"Hello, darling," he greeted, grinning at me. "I'm here to see Bastian."
"Come in," my boss called out, and I moved to the side, almost stumbling over my feet so Pete could walk in. He didn't stop watching me when he entered the office, and Bastian raised an eyebrow at us .
"You two know each other?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. There was something hostile in his tone that made me quiver. I didn't want to find out what he would say if he knew about me and this man having a threesome with another guy.
"We've met," Pete answered, giving me a wink, "but we weren't formally introduced." He turned to me, holding his hand out for me to shake. "I'm Peter Thorn, your boss's halfbrother."
Holy crap! What?