Punish Me (Savage Bosses)

1 – BRYNLEE

The dark, umber locks resembling the deep brown of the soil with hints of red like the Georgia clay fall carelessly over a handsome face that I once loved. My heart rises and stops in my throat, threatening to choke me.

“Mr. Charles, this is Ms. St. Clair, your new COO,” Adriana, the Chief Human Resources Officer, announces.

His head lifts slowly as those thick, bushy eyebrows that I always adored jerk up in surprise.

His hazel eyes roam over me, slowly taking in every curve. He misses nothing, and his arrogant smirk lets me know that.

While I do the same to him, my perusal of his broad shoulders, defined biceps, and well-formed pecs are more inconspicuous.

“Bryn?” he says when he lifts his head while I hiss, “Ro.”

“I take it that you two know each other,” Adriana says, reminding me of her presence because I’d all but forgotten her from the moment I laid eyes on Ambrose Charles.

“Yes, we—”

“Knew each other a long time ago. He’s my brother’s best friend,” I say, interrupting him before he can utter another word.

“Oh,” Adriana says. Slowly, a smile takes over her face. “Well, if it’s okay with you two, I’ll leave you with Mr. Charles. I’m sure you would love to catch up,” she says cheerily.

“Sure, leave her with me. I’ll take care of her,” Ambrose says. I don’t like the insinuation in his voice or his stare.

“If you need anything at all, Ms. St. Clair—”

“Brynlee. You can call me Brynlee,” I say, turning to smile at her over my shoulder.

After all, I will need at least one ally in my camp now that I know what I’m up against.

“Okay, Brynlee. If you need anything, just call me or come to my office,” Adriana says before closing the door behind her.

Turning back to glare at Ambrose with my arms crossed over my chest, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same. I thought you were still working for your sister’s company.”

“I left. Interviewed here and was hired to work for Mr. Cape.”

His eyes darken, and his smirk drops. For a brief instant, I almost feel sorry for him when I see the sorrow that takes over his features. Only for an instant, though, because it quickly passes when I recall our past.

I was hired by the construction firm to work for Mr. Michael Cape, who died of a heart attack three weeks before my start date. When I received the call about his passing, I was informed that it wouldn’t impact my role or start date, but they were working on getting his replacement transitioned into the role. The name of his replacement wasn’t disclosed to me because the preferred candidate had not formally accepted the role yet, nor had an announcement been made to the incumbent staff.

Although I’d known that my brother’s best friend, Ambrose Charles, worked for the company, I never expected to work together, let alone for him.

“I’m sure they told you that he passed away.”

I nod. “They did. I’m sorry for your loss.”

He nods and stares blankly at some point behind me, but I can tell he’s not here with me. I’m growing uncomfortable and want to escape his presence as quickly as possible, only I’m not quick enough.

“How did you end up here? Thought you were still in the sports world,” I lie.

He flashes a charming smile my way that moistens my panties and says, “You never did a good job of keeping up with sports, did you?”

“Not interested enough to follow men and their sticks and balls,” I gripe bitterly.

“Yeah, I’d heard you were dating Cruz, Atlanta’s shortstop.”

“How did you come to be in this position?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Career-ending injury. Fell back on my dual degrees in construction and finance.”

“Mm...that doesn’t automatically make you CEO.”

Sighing, he clasps his fingers and answers, “Mike Cape was good friends with my dad. Took me under his wing when I was hired and eventually became my mentor. I grew to head up the Building Group and became VP of that department. Mike was grooming me to replace him when he retired in three years. Unfortunately, tragedy sped up that timeline, and here I am.”

“They didn’t have anyone else to put in the position besides you?”

“It’s not a losing situation for the company, Bryn.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean it like that.”

“I was the closest one prepared for the role besides the former COO, who left to start his own company.”

“The guy that I’m replacing?”

He nods. “It would’ve taken too long for them to recruit externally and train someone into the role when I know this company like the back of my hand.”

“Still...big learning curve, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I’ve been getting acclimated the last couple of weeks.”

“How come you didn’t know about me?”

“So much going on. I knew a B. St. Clair was coming in, but...how do I say this politely? We suspect that Sandra Crowe, our receptionist, has an early onset of Alzheimer’s. She’s the one that screwed up and had you listed as Brian St. Clair.”

“Ahh,” I say, recalling that Adriana had explained there had been some mix-up in my paperwork, which had her calling me to clear up some clerical errors. “They fixed that a week ago, though.”

“I’ve been out of town this last week, concluding business in my prior role before handing it off to my replacement. So, I was expecting Brian today.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re looking good, Bryn.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

“It’s Brynlee, and thank you.”

“Okay... Bryn . It’s been a while.”

“Not long enough,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry about how things went down. Always wanted a chance to right my wrongs, but you wouldn’t take my calls—”

“Ambrose, I’m here to do a job, not to reminisce. There’s no need for explanations or apologies. That was another lifetime, and a lot has changed for me, as I’m sure it has for you,” I say coldly.

He rubs the back of his neck. “Things have changed. In fact—”

“Is there anything else you need from me... work-related before I go to my office?”

“Is that how we’re going to do this?”

“Do what?”

“You do realize we will work closely together. You realize that people go through you to communicate with me, and the only way to guarantee our success, your success and mine, and this company’s, is to unite the two of us.”

“I won’t have a problem as long as you can agree to leave the past where it belongs,” I say, standing and smoothing my hands down my sides.

Pulling his hand over his beard and mustache draws my attention to his maturity, the chiseled jawline, deep grooves around his eyes, and the smattering of gray strands in his mustache and beard.

This handsome stranger was once a cute guy who broke my heart.

It’s a damn shame that I’m in no position to walk out and tell everyone to kiss my ass right now. I can’t keep running.

“Is that how you always show up for work?” he asks, his eyes again scrutinizing my outfit.

“Is something wrong with what I’m wearing, Mr. Charles ?”

That cocky-ass smirk returns. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get settled in my office,” I say, tugging my purse higher up my arm.

He walks from behind his desk, shoving his hands into his pockets. As he walks past me, his cologne tickles my nose, and I recall his unique natural body scent, how he snores softly when he’s tired, and how his voice sounds when he’s buried inside me.

Yes, I need to run like hell. I grab the doorknob, ready to pull it open, and his hand clasps over mine. His body emanates a dangerous heat that I can’t escape, and the low growl in his throat is subdued enough to be perceived as a warning but loud enough for my attentive ears.

“Baby, you can’t keep running.”

“I stopped being your baby ten years ago.”

I jerk the door open and slam it behind me. Running into my office, I close my door and lock myself behind it.