6. Nick
Nick
Ican’t focus.
The numbers on the spreadsheet in front of me blur together. I rub my eyes, trying to shake the fog in my mind. It’s been like this all morning—ever since I ran into Ava in the elevator.
I don’t know why I’m so bothered by seeing her again. Maybe it’s because I haven’t stopped thinking about her since the wedding. I should be over it. It was just one night. One incredible night. But for some reason, I can’t let it go.
Why in the hell is this one woman so hard to shake?
I’ve had plenty of women. Women that twist themselves into pretzels and do all the things a man could want.
They’ve thrown themselves at me, desperate for my attention, my money, my name.
And I’ve played along, because why not? It was easy. Fun, even.
But she ensnared me with no effort. No tricks. Just her. That was more potent than any freaky toys or skimpy lingerie.
Ava is … different. That’s cliché. But it’s true.
She’s not trying to get me. If anything, she almost seems annoyed by me.
That’s got to be it. That’s why I want her …
because I can’t have her. It’s the thrill of the chase.
I chased and got her. Now, I want to be chased. And she isn’t giving me what I want.
My office door swings open without a knock, cutting off a fantasy spiral. I look up, annoyed. Sierra stands in the doorway, her arms crossed, her expression sharp.
“Where have you been?” she demands, stepping inside and slamming the door behind her.
I lean back in my chair. “None of your business.”
She raises an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. “Someone’s in a mood today.”
I don’t respond. I don’t have the patience for her bullshit right now.
Sierra walks over to my desk, swaying her hips like she’s on a fucking runway.
She’s dressed in her usual power suit—black, tailored, and designed to intimidate.
It’s tight. The buttons on her blouse are undone just enough to show off a glimpse of black lace.
It’s a look that works on most people, but not on me.
It’s a repellent. It actually makes me shudder to think I used to fuck her. To think I thought I loved her once.
“Who’s the new chick?” she asks, leaning against my desk. “Are you fucking her?”
I glare at her. “Again, none of your business.”
She rolls her eyes, clearly not impressed by my tone.
I watch as she perches on the corner of my desk.
Her skirt rides up high on her thigh. It’s intentional.
She leans forward, flashing cleavage. “Come on, Nick. You can’t just bring some random girl into the company without telling me.
I’m a jealous woman. I’m not going to have you fucking some floozy right under my nose. ”
“I can fuck anyone I want under your nose and anywhere else I fucking please,” I hiss.
“Who. Is. She?”
“I didn’t bring her in,” I say. “She applied for a job and got hired. End of story.”
Sierra studies me for a moment, her eyes narrowing. Then she switches tactics, her expression softening as she scoots her ass across my desk. She moves closer.
“You’ve been so distant lately,” she says, her voice dropping to a purr. “Is something wrong?”
I lean back, putting as much distance between us as possible. “Sierra, don’t.”
She ignores me, reaching out to touch my arm. One long, red, manicured nail trails up my arm. “You know, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you. I’m an amazing listener. And I can multitask.”
She moves her foot and plants it directly on my crotch. I look down, actually wondering if maybe my cock will stir to life. Sierra is a beautiful woman, I suppose. She oozes sex.
But nope.
Little Nick is fast asleep.
Nothing.
She does nothing for me. It would be easier if I could get turned on. If I could fuck Sierra right here on my desk, it might help me get Ava out of my head.
I consider it for the briefest second.
But I can’t do it. I cannot muster any desire for this woman.
I jerk my arm away, my patience snapping. “Get away from me.”
Her smirk falters, but she doesn’t back down. “You’re always so grumpy, Nick. Maybe you just need to relax.” She pulls her foot away and slides off the desk. She bends forward and reaches for my belt.
I know what she’s offering.
“I’m not in the mood for this,” I say, standing up and stepping around my desk. “If you have something work-related to discuss, then talk. Otherwise, get out of my office. I don’t want you touching me.”
She crosses her arms, her expression hardening. “You better be nice to me, Nick. Or I might have to play my ace card.”
I laugh, though there’s no humor in it. “It’s getting old, Sierra. If you’re going to do it, do it. Otherwise, leave me alone. I’m sick of this stupid game.”
She glares at me. For a moment, I think she’s going to say something else, but then she takes a deep breath and steps back.
“Fine,” she says, her voice clipped. “We need to talk. Business.”
I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “What now?”
“My development team is working on a new project,” she says, her tone all business now. “We need more resources. I want to bring in a few more developers and maybe a project manager.”
I sigh, knowing this is just another way for her to manipulate more money out of me. She thinks I’m stupid, like I don’t know the bullshit she’s trying to pull. “Get me a proposal by the end of the day. I’ll look it over.”
She nods, but she doesn’t leave. Instead, she steps closer again.
“You know,” she says, her voice low and sultry as she slides a hand over her breasts. “We could discuss this over dinner. It’d be more … productive.”
I stare at her, my patience wearing thin. “Ask your boyfriend to have dinner with you. I’d rather eat in a pit with vipers.”
Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think she’s going to snap. But then she forces a smile, though it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Fine,” she says, turning on her heel and heading for the door. “But don’t say I didn’t try.”
She slams the door behind her. I’m tempted to lock it, but I know there’s no keeping that barracuda out. If she wants in, she’ll chew through the fucking door.
I sink back into my chair, letting out a long breath.
I don’t know why I let her get to me like that. Sierra’s always been a pain in my ass, but lately, she’s been worse than usual. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to fall for her seduction the first time. Sierra is the reason I can never see myself in a real relationship again.
Back then, I had fallen for the seductress act. I loved that she went down on me all the time. She was bold and daring. We had fun. But now I look back and realize she literally led me around by my dick.
And I was dumb enough to let her do it.
I thought I was in love. I would have walked through fire for her. I saw a future. I actually envisioned us playing with our grandchildren. I had been young, dumb, and naive. I gave her my heart, and she demolished it.
Now, the thing beating in my chest is a scarred mess. She is the reason I will never allow myself to fall in love again. There is no way I will ever allow myself to be vulnerable again. No woman will ever have that power over me again.
The intercom on my desk buzzes, snapping me out of the spiral. I press the button with a sigh. “What is it, Lila?”
“Mr. Sullivan, you have a meeting with the marketing team in ten minutes,” my assistant’s voice comes through, crisp and professional.
“Thanks,” I mutter, releasing the button. I stand, adjusting my tie and preparing myself for another boring meeting.
I only have to come into the office a couple times a month. I made my money early in life selling a gaming platform that took off like wildfire, and now I prefer to enjoy it rather than trying to make more. My company runs smoothly without me being on top of them. I have good people in place.
But sometimes … I have to show up.
I push through the double doors of the conference room. The marketing team is already seated. I take my usual spot at the head of the table, nodding curtly.
“Show me what you’ve got,” I say, pulling the folder in front of me open.
The next hour is a blur of numbers, projections, and strategies. I listen, ask questions, and make decisions without any of the usual bullshit. I sign off on some of the plans, require others to go back to the drawing board, and consider the meeting over.
Before I can leave the room and make my escape, Lila appears.
I see my escape to the beach evaporating. “What is it?” I ask.
“It’s Sarah from HR. She needs to speak with you. She says it’s an emergency.”
Another sigh. “Phone or in-person?”
I’m still hoping there’s a chance I can get out of the office.
“She said if you were still in the building, she’d like to see you in person. It’s sensitive.”
I nod and get to my feet. “I’ll head down.”
I grab my keys and wallet from my office. I plan on leaving as soon as I handle whatever it is.
I step into the main lobby and head to Sarah’s office.
“Nick,” she greets me with a smile. “I didn’t know you were in the office today.”
“Just for a couple of hours. What’s going on?”
“We’ve got a situation,” she says.
“What kind of situation?”
“You know we’ve been attempting to hire a few developers,” she starts. I can tell there’s a story. “I just hired someone in our department after the abrupt departure two weeks ago.”
“Why abrupt?” I ask.
“Well, that’s part of the situation. There’s been another complaint about Sierra’s behavior. Someone’s accusing her of creating a hostile work environment. This is the third one in the last month.”
I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Who made the complaint?”
“A junior assistant. She’s too scared to go on record, but she’s willing to talk to you in person.”
“Set it up,” I say, already knowing where this is going.
Sierra’s antics are getting out of hand, and now it’s affecting the rest of the office. I need to handle this before it blows up in my face.
Anyone else would be fired.
But the thought of dealing with her drama makes my head ache. I’d rather be just about anywhere else.
“I know we’ve had this discussion in the past,” she says. “I understand there are some extenuating circumstances, but I need to know how you want me to handle this.”
“Handle it with discretion,” I reply. “Set up a meeting with the assistant. I want to hear her out personally.”
Sarah nods, her expression understanding.
“I have to ask—how much longer can we let this go on? These complaints are piling up, and it’s creating a toxic environment.
People are starting to talk. We’re one complaint away from a lawsuit.
We’ve managed to avoid one thus far, but Sierra is really pushing the boundaries. ”
I rub my temples, feeling a headache brewing. “I know. But you also know why this isn’t straightforward. Sierra … she’s not just any employee.”
“Exactly,” Sarah says gently. “She’s not just any employee. She’s your ex. And while I respect that, I have to consider the well-being of the rest of the staff. This can’t keep going on.”
“I’ll talk to her. Again. But this time, I’ll make it clear that if there’s even one more complaint, she’s done.”
Sarah hesitates. “And if she doesn’t take it seriously? She’s not exactly known for backing down.”
“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let’s focus on hearing this assistant out. She might just need to know she’s been heard. I can do that for her.”
She nods. “I’ll set up the meeting. In the meantime, maybe you should prepare yourself for the possibility that this could get uglier.”
“Schedule the meeting for tomorrow,” I tell her. “I’ll do what I can to diffuse the situation.”
“Will do. Thanks for helping me out with the situation.”