Chapter 2
Adam
Present day…
I muttered a string of colorful expletives as my eyes opened. Shards of glass seemed to pierce my skull and my mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. After a few seconds, I embraced the horrible feeling and allowed it to wash over me. Ah, the familiar nausea and headache of getting wasted the night before. Taking a deep breath, I took in everything. The smell of alcohol, sweat, and sex―lots of it―that lingered in the air.
That wasn’t all that lingered. There was still a warm body next to mine. Flinging a hand out, I felt the familiar and incredible feeling of a pair of breasts. Okay, it wasn't all that incredible because that particular pair was definitely silicone. How I longed to fondle a pair of natural breasts.
“Good morning, handsome,” came the low, sultry purr.
“Hmmm.” I closed my eyes again and smiled, remembering all the amazingly filthy things the hot redhead did to me last night. Hopefully, she’d make my morning with a willingness to disappear.
Slowly, I opened my eyes again and sat up to peer down at the woman beside me. I wonder if she would turn this into one of those awkward mornings, where she tried to angle for a date for us to get to know each other better. I was so sick of those mornings. Yes, it had occurred to me that if I’m so sick of them, all I had to do was stop fucking around, but I couldn’t seem to stop.
The woman―for the life of me, I couldn’t remember her name―laid on her side, with one elbow propped up. Her auburn hair tumbled around her shoulders and she wore nothing but a come-hither smile and my tie around her neck. The material was nestled between her breasts and I couldn’t help staring at it.
“Ready for another round?” She chuckled and tapped my chest with her index finger. “You’ve got stamina, you stallion.”
Hell yeah, I do. A wave of male satisfaction coursed through me but it quickly diminished as I waited for the redhead to make my morning difficult. It was the last thing I needed after my incredible night of celebrating. My mood was soaring this morning. I was officially the new CEO of Thorne Holdings, two years ahead of the schedule.
“If I say I’m ready for another round, will you give me hell about wanting to stay?” I did a quick sweep of the room I had gotten for the night. I’d hit the hotel bar fully aware that I’d get wasted so I booked a room in advance. I did some stupid shit but I wasn’t that irresponsible as to try to make it home drunk.
“Please,” the redhead snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re cute but I’ve got other plans for this morning.”
It was my turn to snort. Cute? I didn’t take too kindly to being called cute , but I did appreciate the fact that she was ready to get the hell out as soon as we were done. “In that case, hell yes, let’s go for another round.” As soon as I dove toward her, there was a knock on the door. What the hell? There was a big ass do not disturb sign on the door. “Let’s just ignore that. Say, can you remind me of your name?”
She laughed and grasped the nape of my neck, hauling me toward her. “I never gave it. Names are irrelevant, Stallion .”
I liked her. “You’re so right.”
The knock sounded again before I could even reach for the box of condoms on the nightstand. “Go ahead and get it. Clearly, whoever it is isn’t going to go away.”
Jaws clenched, I gave Redhead a disappointed look and rolled out of bed. Snatching my boxers from the floor I stepped into it and strode to the door with purpose. Whoever was on the other side was going to receive the brunt of my fury. I didn’t like my playtime being interrupted, especially with a cool kitten like Redhead. No strings and no names―my kind of woman. I yanked the door open, fully expecting it to be hotel staff.
“What the hell― Dad. ”
Henry Thorne stood, arms folded and gray eyes, similar to mine, glaring daggers at me.
“It’s a good thing I know your favored location for sexacapes . Don’t you answer your phone? One would think with your new responsibilities you’d keep the damn thing close.”
Running fingers through my hair, I groaned. “Give me a break, it’s the weekend. I don’t officially start ruling the kingdom until Monday.”
“First rule of being in charge: you get no days off.”
And that was the first rule I was going to nix as the boss. Mimicking his stance, I smile. “Good morning, father. I assume whatever you have to tell me is urgent since you came all the way here. This place isn’t quite five-star.”
Henry looked skyward and let out a breath. I watched, amused, as he composed himself. I loved my dad as I was sure he loved me, but we butted heads often. He wanted a son who made his life easier by agreeing with his every word. Instead, he got me. A royal pain in the ass. Just like him, I liked to have things my way.
“You’re lucky you’re brilliant,” he said pointing an envelope at me.
“That I am, and you trust me implicitly to make you more money.” Eying the envelope curiously, I squinted. “What is that my first CEO check ? ” I didn’t like the Cheshire grin lighting up his face. My suspicion grew. “Dad, what’s going on?”
His smile faded as he peered over my shoulder, gaze narrowing when he saw Redhead. His nostrils flared but he didn’t go off on me. It wasn’t like he could chastise his twenty-eight-year-old son for having a woman in his bed. I just grinned at him. “Are you going to tell me why you’re here or what?”
He cleared his throat and frowned, obviously not wanting to talk in Redhead’s presence. With a sigh, I let go of any hope of morning sex. “Give me a minute.” He nodded and I closed the door, turning to her. “Hey… Ginger .” She smiled. “Would you mind…”
“Say nothing further, Stallion. I need to get going anyway.” She was in her dress and shoes in record time.
Since she was being so cool, I felt bad. “So, are you okay to get to wherever? I can get you a ride.”
“No worries. Just throw in an extra fifty.”
“I beg your pardon?”
She huffed and marched toward my pants and shirt that were strewn on the floor. My jaw practically brushed the cream carpet when she took out my wallet, opened it, and flicked out five hundred dollar bills and a fifty. “I did spend the entire night. Are we good?”
I could only nod, still numb from shock. Swallowing, I choked, “Go ahead and take all the cash, sweetheart.”
She lifted a perfectly arched brow, grinned, and did just that. I had no idea how much was left in my wallet but she got a few more hundreds. “ Pleasure doing business, Stallion.” She glided past me, hips swaying, and gave me a wink.
Business? Holy fuck, Ginger was a…
“ Oh God ,” I groaned. It was a first for me. Was I that wasted that I hadn’t realized? No one would ever hear about it, I decided. I’d take the secret to the grave.
Dad stepped in as Ginger opened the door and stepped out. Looking her up and down with clear judgment, he grunted. She gave him a smile and strolled off. I would have laughed if I wasn’t so horrified that I’d unintentionally hired a prostitute. Fuck me . Dad would go nuts if he knew. I recalled the lecture he gave me not too long ago.
“Son, you need to get it together. You’re ambitious and smart as hell. You run my company better than me, but I can’t show the world what a business prodigy my boy is because you always fuck up!”
“I wouldn’t say always ,” I defended. I had my moments of being responsible―like when I was kicking ass in a boardroom.
He’d scoffed. “When you’re not falling out of bars shitfaced with your idiot friends, you’re involved in a scandal with some woman. For the sake of my sanity, give your dick a goddamn rest, will you?”
Though I had nothing but respect for dad, I had struggled to keep a straight face. The way his face had flushed and his eyes bulged as he told me to put my dick on hiatus was comical.
“Don’t worry, old man. I’ll eventually become the man you want me to become. Right now, I’m young and stupid. I’m allowed to fuck up.” I’d gotten up from around his desk. Clapping him on the shoulder, I grinned. “Let me live and make my mistakes. I’ll learn and eventually...I will give my dick a rest.”
As it turned out, dad was right. I constantly fucked up. I spent the entire night with...a woman of the night. If the tabloids got a hold of that juicy tidbit, it would be another scandal on my growing list. Henry eyed my clothes on the floor and the rumpled bed sheets with a scowl. “You promised, kid. You said you’d stop the foolery once you took over.”
“Relax. It was one night. I’m happy about my new title. I’m allowed to celebrate, aren’t I?”
I felt bad about the disappointment stamped on his face. I understood his frustration. I really did. I was full of potential and he was counting on me to continue the Thorne legacy. God knew my older brother couldn’t be counted on―the moron.
Dad never understood me. I didn’t quite get myself either. A paradox is what I am. I liked being in control, and like dad had said, I was smart and ambitious. I planned things. I was methodical when it came to work and serious when I needed to be. Yet, I made stupid decisions in my social life. I was addicted to pussy, plain, and simple. I loved having a good time with women and I was usually drunk as fuck. A recipe for disaster.
I kept telling dad―and myself― that by the time it was my turn to be the face of Thorne Holdings, I’d have my shit together. Deep down, I knew I was lying to him. Who the hell wanted to be a straight-laced, suit-wearing, no sex dud like dad?
Grabbing a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, I chugged down the cool liquid, hoping it would help to clear my head. I did what I do best―shoved the whole incident with Ginger aside and played it cool. “Ready to talk, old man? What was so important that you had to hunt me down?”
He gave me one of his famous sharp, reprimanding stares―that I’d become immune to at around age fifteen―and sighed. “I’ll just get right to it,” he gave the room one more disapproving swipe, “So I can get out of here.”
I dropped to the nearest armchair and waited for him to spill while I massaged a temple. My head was starting to pound more than it was when I woke up. Henry had a lot to do with the extra discomfort.
“There’s been a slight change concerning your new position as CEO.”
Suddenly my headache disappeared and my business senses were on high alert. I sat taller. “ Slight change?” My eyes narrowed as I watched him begin to pace. Dad paced when he was upset or nervous. Dad pacing made me nervous.
“There’s been an unfortunate turn of events and I have to honor my word.”
“Just spit it out.” The mention of my new title had me on edge. I had a bad feeling about what was coming.
Dad cleared his throat and let out a long sigh. “Victor passed,” his voice dropped, the distinct note of grief resonating, “Two days ago.”
I was stunned. “Shit. Dad, I’m sorry.” Victor Carson was his closest friend. Their bromance spanned two decades.
“I’m fine. He wasn’t doing well for a while so it was expected…”
I nodded solemnly. I’d heard he was ill but I never gave it a second thought, being too wrapped up in my own shit. “Not to sound like I don’t care about your friend passing, but what does that have to do with me taking control of the company?” Again, I eyed the envelope he still held suspiciously.
“Before Victor died, he sold me his company.”
My brows shot up. They’d always been business rivals despite their friendship so I wasn’t surprised. “One more notch on our company’s belt,” I shrugged. “Is that what you couldn’t wait to tell me?”
“There’s more. Victor sold me the company with one condition. One that I thought would benefit you, you’ll have to get married.”
His words didn’t register immediately so I stared blankly at him for a few seconds. When what he said did register, I almost laughed because surely he was joking. The mere thought of settling down scared me to my core. That’s why I had fun with women― a lot of them―to bury my fear.
It was all my parents’ fault. Their relationship was...let’s just say I’ve witnessed way too much toxicity that would leave any kid scarred for life. I honestly didn’t know why they weren’t divorced by now.
“Good one, Dad. I never thought you were one for practical jokes.”
Henry’s brows knitted at the bridge of his nose.
“Son, I’m serious. The new requirement of your title of CEO is for you to get married...to Beth Carson. The paperwork was drawn up some time ago. I thought Victor was just being overly dramatic when he got sick. I didn’t think the old goat would…”
Sadness clouded his eyes but I couldn’t offer any comfort. I was still stuck on that one name. Beth Carson. After a stretch of silence, I did dissolve into laughter. Dad waited, wearing a look of annoyance. When I saw that he hadn’t cracked a smile and there was a bit of guilt flickering in his eyes, I sobered. Instantly, I tapped into that side of me that was capable of being serious. “Henry, explain .”
He tapped the envelope repeatedly and sighed. “There’s nothing much to explain. Marry Beth and you keep your title. Like I said, I have to honor my word to Victor...and there are legalities.”
I was confused, and on the verge of panic at the thought of the one thing I’d worked my ass for being snatched away. One thing I was sure about was that I’d rather cut my own dick off than marry Beth Carson. I hadn’t seen her in years. She’d made good on her promise that I wouldn't see her for a while and I didn’t mind in the least. Now, Dad wanted me to marry her? The fuck ?
Coming to my feet, I said, “No. I don’t know what you’re playing at but I’m not marrying anyone to keep what I worked hard for. I earned my title. You can’t just change the rules.”
“I knew you’d make this difficult, that's why I didn’t mention it before. Look Adam, this is the one time you won’t get your way. Marry Beth and remain head of the company or refuse and I’ll have to continue the role. After a while maybe your brother―”
“Over my dead body!”
“I thought you’d feel that way.”
Henry was a bit too smug as he handed me the wretched white envelope. I wanted to throw something. News of Victor’s death made me keep my temper on a leash. Barely. Hell if I’d lose my shit the way I really wanted to, I’d scare the old man into another cardiac arrest.
“This is for Beth. I thought it appropriate if you gave it to her, then you can pop the question in one go.” He grinned. “I imagine she won’t be too happy about the arrangement either, but, with your title as CEO in jeopardy, I’m sure you’ll be quite persuasive.”
“This is bullshit and you know it,” was all I could bite out.
“It may seem so to you right now Adam, but I have a feeling things will work out in your favor.” I thought I saw his eyes twinkle with merriment before he headed through the door, but I could be wrong. He knew I’d do whatever it took to run Thorne Holdings. The conniving brute set me up. For what ? To honor his dear friend’s dying wish? To coerce me into settling down? Pissed and confused, I ran my fingers aggressively through my hair, my growl echoing in the room.
Oh hell, I was going to do it. I was going to see Beth. I felt ill about it, but the company I ran behind the scenes for so long would not be ripped out of my grasp.