Saved by the FORBIDDEN Silver Fox

1. Sienna

1

Sienna

"Y ou stole my deal."

I barge into Lucas Hollisters pristine glass and chrome office high above the LA skyline, Louboutin heels clicking on the marble floor. He glances up from behind his ostentatious desk, carved from a single piece of black onyx.

The arrogant bastard.

"Ms. Westbrook, what an unexpected pleasure." His voice drips condescension. "Do come in."

I march right up to his desk, hands on my hips. "Cut the crap, Hollister. You know exactly why Im here."

He leans back in his leather chair and steeples his fingers under his chiseled jaw. A ghost of a smirk plays at the corner of his lips. "Enlighten me."

Oh, Ill enlighten you all right.

I slap the contract down on his desk. "The Spanish villa. You went behind my back and outbid my buyer! That sale was mine."

"Was it? My understanding is the seller accepted my very generous offer. All above board." He shrugs.

My blood boils in my veins. I want to slap that infuriating smug look right off his handsome face.

"You know damn well that deal should have been mine. But you couldnt stand to see me succeed, could you? You just had to swoop in and steal it away."

He rises from his chair, six foot three inches of solid muscle and designer suit. He steps out from behind the desk. "Ms. WestbrookSienna"

"Dont." I jab a finger at his chest, the heat of his skin burning through his crisp white shirt. "You dont get to Sienna me. Not after what you pulled."

"Its just business." He catches my wrist in his large hand. Electricity zings up my arm at the contact. Why does he have to be so handsome "Not my problem if you cant learn to play in the big leagues with the rest of us."

I yank my hand away and meet his penetrating stare head on. Steel blue eyes clash with my own whiskey brown.

"Screw you and your big leagues. Unlike you, I earned my place. I didnt have everything handed to me on a silver platter."

Something dark flashes across his chiseled features. Ive struck a nerve. Good.

"You know nothing about me or what Ive earned." His voice is low and rough. Dangerous. "But rest assured, Sienna, I always take what I want. In business and inother areas."

His heated gaze rakes over my body, lingering between my thighs. My traitorous heart picks up its pace. I lean in closer, our faces a mere inch apart.

"Well Mr. Hollister, you picked the wrong girl to screw over this time." I look him up and down, lip curled in disdain. "Trust me, you are not taking anythingfrom me."

Before he can respond, I spin on my heel and stalk out, head held high. Im halfway to the elevator when powerful fingers close around my upper arm, yanking me back. I collide with a rock hard chest.

"Were not done here." His voice rumbles through me.

I shove at his chest but he doesnt budge. Hes a fucking brick wall.

"Let go of me," I hiss.

He loosens his grip but doesnt release me. "Whats your angle here, Ms. Westbrook? Is this really about one measly commission?" His eyes narrow. "Or is it something morepersonal?"

I bark out a harsh laugh. "Dont flatter yourself, Hollister. I wouldnt touch you if you were the last man on earth. Im here because you cost me over two-hundred grand. Money, I need, no thanks to you."

"Two-hundred grand, hmm?" He rubs the pad of his thumb along the sensitive skin of my inner arm. I suppress a shiver. "And what, pray tell, does the virtuous Sienna Westbrook need with that kind of cash? More overpriced shoes? Botox, perhaps?"

I see red. Before I can stop myself, my hand cracks across his face. His head snaps to the side.

Silence rings between us. Oh shit.

Slowly, he turns back to face me, a red handprint blooming on his cheek. His eyes glitter like chips of ice.

I brace myself for his rage, his retaliation. But it doesnt come.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face. Then, to my utter shock, he starts to laugh.

"Well, well. The kitten has claws." He rubs his jaw, eyes dancing with dark amusement.

I bristle at the condescension. "You have no idea what this kitten is capable of."

"Oh, I think Im starting to get the picture." He takes a step closer, crowding me. "Youre not just some pretty face in a tight skirt, are you? Theres fire in you. I like that."

I stand my ground, tilting my chin up defiantly. "Funny, I dont recall asking what you like."

"You didnt have to." His gaze drops to my mouth. "Its written all over your face. You want me, Sienna. Admit it."

I let out an incredulous laugh. "In your dreams, Hollister. I wouldnt sleep with you if my life depended on it."

"Is that so?" His voice drops an octave, sending a traitorous shiver down my spine. "Then why is your pulse racing? Why are your pupils dilated?" His fingers graze my collarbone. "Why is your skin flushed?"

I slap his hand away. "Its called revulsion. You make my skin crawl."

"Liar." He grins, cocky and sure. "I make your skin burn. Your body is practically vibrating with need. For me."

"Screw you." I shove at his chest again. "Not everyone falls at your feet, begging for scraps of your attention. You may have money and power, but youre nothing but a sleazy rich man a silver fox with graying hair who takes advantage of younger women by acting like a big man! Something flashes in his eyes, hot and hungry.

"Oh, Sienna. but I am ALL man." He grabs my hips and yanks me against him. I feel every hard inch of him pressed against my stomach. "And Ill prove it to you."

Before I can protest, his mouth crashes down on mine. I gasp and he takes advantage, his tongue invading, conquering, possessing. I should push him away. Slap him again. Knee him in the balls. But instead, I find myself kissing him back.

What the hell am I doing?

His lips are firm and demanding, his scruff scraping deliciously against my skin. He tastes like expensive scotch and sin. I fist my hands in his hair, holding him to me. He growls into my mouth, the sound vibrating through me, stoking the fire building in my core.

This is wrong. So wrong. He is 16 years older than me. But.. it feels so damn right.

Abruptly, he tears his mouth from mine. Were both breathing hard, chests heaving. His eyes are wild, pupils blown with lust.

"Still think Im playing at being a man?" His voice is rough, gravelly.

I lick my kiss-swollen lips. "I think youre a bastard."

He grins, fierce and feral. "But you want me anyway, dont you? Admit it, Sienna. You want me as badly as I want you."

I stare at him, heart pounding. I should deny it. Tell him to go to hell. But the words stick in my throat.

Because the truth is, I do want him. God help me, I want him so badly I can hardly think straight.

And from the triumphant look in his eyes, he knows it too.

Bzzzz. Bzzzz.

My phone vibrates in my purse, the shrill ringtone piercing the heated tension between us. I tear my gaze from Lucass with effort and fumble for my phone.

"Hello?" My voice is breathless.

"Sienna! Oh thank god. Its Mrs. Ramirez, My elderly neighbor sounds frantic. "Theres a burst pipe upstairs. Water is pouring into my apartment! And yours too, Id wager."

My stomach plummets. "What? Oh no..." I rake a hand through my hair. Lily. My little girl is home with the sitter. "Im on my way!"

I hang up and spin towards the elevator. I have to get home, assess the damage, get Lily somewhere safe and dry

"Everything okay?"

I had forgotten Lucas was even there. He watches me with those intense blue eyes.

"No, its not." I push past him towards the elevator, heels clicking urgently. "I have to go."

He easily keeps pace beside me. "What happened?"

"None of your business." I jab the call button repeatedly.

"Clearly it is my business, since its got you in such a state." He crosses his arms. "Let me help."

I laugh harshly. "Oh sure, now you want to help? After stealing my biggest commission of the year?"

The elevator doors slide open. I step inside but Lucas blocks the entrance with one muscular arm.

"Sienna. Tell me whats wrong."

His voice softens slightly. I hesitate, debating whether to confide in him. But the thought of Lily home alone with the flooding makes the decision for me.

"The pipe burst in my condo," I explain tersely. "My neighbor just called. Theres water pouring in."

Understanding flashes across his face. "You need to get home. Ill drive you."

"No!" The last thing I need is more time alone with Lucas Hollister. Im already in too deep. "Ill call an Uber."

"Dont be ridiculous." He gently but firmly guides me into the elevator. "It will take too long. Come on."

Before I can argue further, the doors slide closed. Lucas hits the button for the parking garage.

We ride down in silence, the tension crackling between us. I can still taste him on my lips, feel the imprint of his body against mine. Heat blooms in my core and I silently curse my wayward libido.

Get a grip, Sienna. Hes an arrogant prick who just cost you a fortune. Focus!

Lucass cherry red Maserati idles at the curb. Of course. He opens the passenger door for me with a gentlemanly air and I slide in, the buttery leather seats caressing my thighs.

He takes the wheel, and we peel away from the curb in a squeal of tires.

"Where am I going?" His voice is calm, controlled.

I rattle off my address with shaking hands. He nods once and the powerful engine rumbles as we rocket through downtown traffic.

Fifteen agonizing minutes later, we arrive at my modest condo building in West Hollywood. Lucas throws the car into park and kills the engine.

Im out of the car before its fully stopped, my heart in my throat. Mrs. Ramirez stands on the sidewalk, a rolled-up rug clutched to her chest. Her eyes are wet with tears.

And there, crouched on the pavement beside her, is my whole world. My Lily.

"Mommy!" She looks up, eyes wide and frightened. Her blonde pigtails are disheveled, and her favorite overalls soaked through.

"Oh baby!" I sweep her up in my arms, holding her close. She buries her face in my neck, her little body trembling.

"Im here, Im here," I murmur into her hair, rocking her gently. "Its okay, youre okay."

Over her head, I meet Mrs. Ramirezs gaze, silently asking. The older woman gives a solemn nod, her face pinched with worry.

"Its bad, Sienna," she says gravely. "Real bad."

My stomach twists but I force a reassuring smile for Lilys sake. "Dont worry, sweetpea. Everythings going to be just fine."

Behind me, the drivers door slams shut. I turn to find Lucas approaching, all coiled power and intensity in his designer suit. His eyes find Lily and something unreadable flickers across his chiseled features.

For the first time, the great Lucas Hollister seems...uncertain.

Lucas clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Sienna, I..." He rakes a hand through his dark hair, looking uncharacteristically hesitant. "Do you have somewhere to stay? While they repair the damage?"

I blink at him, surprised by the question. "I...I dont know." I try to think of options. A hotel, maybe? But with what money? That commission was my safety net.

He takes a step closer, his presence solid and reassuring despite our earlier confrontation. "Let me help. You and Lily can stay with me until this is sorted out."

My jaw drops. Stay with Lucas Hollister? The man who just cost me a fortune and set my blood boiling with a single kiss? Is he insane?