25. Gabriella
Gabriella
“ I wouldn’t need to be an ass if you would do as you’re told the first time.”
Doing her best to not interfere, Angie nodded and walked toward the front of the plane. If my memories could be trusted, there was a third seat in the cockpit. On shorter trips with only two people manning the flight, the attendant often went to the front to give the passengers some space.
Damien’s dark blue stare stayed fixed on me as he buckled his seat belt, and I buckled mine.
“I wonder,” I said, “if this campaign isn’t a mistake.”
“It’s not.”
The plane began to move.
“I’m concerned,” I said. “What if it doesn’t work out the way you and Mr. Sherman think it will?”
“There is more riding on this than your position. I can’t think of anyone who is more capable than you.”
“Then I don’t understand the clothes.”
Damien sighed, uncharacteristic exasperation saturating his words. “They are just fucking clothes.”
“So are these,” I said, pointing to myself. “I don’t fully comprehend what you want from me, this position, or this campaign.”
He inhaled, his nostrils flaring as he gripped the arms of the soft leather seat. “I want Beta Kappa Phi to be the entity on the ground, talking to administrators and doctors about what our coalition has to offer. I want to increase our scripts and sales and, in the process, increase our donations to Beta Kappa Phi so that the fraternity can fulfill its objectives to a larger client base.”
That objective of being on the ground seemed redundant. “Sinclair…hell, all of the companies pay reps to go door-to-door who do the same thing.”
“The difference is that a rep is a paid employee of said company. You’re not. That gives your endorsement more weight, and Beta Kappa Phi’s reputation as an unbiased organization gives you the needed clout.”
“And at this meeting,” I began, thinking aloud, “I’m supposed to be who? Be your date? Assistant? Friend? Acquaintance?”
“The Shermans are good friends of mine. Van knows that we share a history. I would assume that means that Julia does also. The term friend works.” His lips quirked. “I wouldn’t have offered this position to an acquaintance.”
“Friends…” I nodded. “With benefits?”
“Those are two separate things. There is the campaign and there is us. What have you heard from Ms. Barns? What are Beta Kappa Phi’s feelings about this campaign?”
I knew where he was going with this. “I’m sure you’re aware. She’s in favor.”
“You’ve had time to consider what the position means. Do you regret saying yes?”
“I don’t know. The jury is still out.”
“Tell me why.”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t like the feeling that you offered this campaign to Beta Kappa Phi to get to me.”
He grinned, his stare softening as small lines formed near his eyes. “And they say I’m the narcissist.”
My eyes opened wider. “You didn’t?”
Damien shook his head. “You’re correct. I did. It shouldn’t be a secret, Ella. I want you back in my life. This idea presented the perfect opportunity. That said, know that I would never have proposed this position to the coalition—to my friends—if I didn’t think you were the best fit for the job. You have years of experience working at Sinclair. You were with me when I became CEO. It would take time to teach someone all that you already know. On top of that, you have the people thing down to a science. You’re going to knock their socks off.”
A giggle bubbled in my throat. “I haven’t heard that saying in a long time.”
“You will blow them away.” His eyebrows moved. “Speaking of blowing?—”
“Damien.”
He grinned. “Okay, different subject. Tell me what you know about the coalition.”
I sat back. “I’ve only had access to public records…”
I went on discussing the seven pharmaceutical companies, the names of each CEO and the spouse’s name. Two of the CEOs were women: Julia Sherman and Cynthia Broche. I recited each company’s top formulas and the usage.
“What did you think when you learned about Perry?” Damien asked.
“I had a terrible time finding information.”
Damien nodded.
“But I found them. Perry is the name behind Body Kindness , the health supplements. Their fortune is from over-the-counter health aids. I never dreamed that market was so lucrative.” That made me think. “No facility will prescribe their formulas, and they don’t have FDA approval.”
“It isn’t required. Their claims are carefully worded. The ownership is as well. It’s one of the confidential aspects of the coalition.”
“So how can I influence their sales?”
“If you saw a commercial for a health aid…say to improve sleep, would you buy it?”
I shrugged. “I might give it a try.”
“If you took that same concern to your physician and he or she suggested a nonprescription alternative, would you try it?”
“I would.”
“That is where you fit in. You speak with the physicians and facility administrators and advocate for Perry’s products.”
I nodded.
Angie appeared. “We’re at cruising altitude. You’re welcome to move about the cabin. Is there anything I can get for either of you?”
Damien’s eyes met mine. “It’s not a long flight.”
“Fine,” I said incredulously as I unbuckled my seat belt.
“I love the enthusiasm,” he said.
Standing, I spoke to Angie. “I’d like another cup of coffee for when I return.”
“I’ll have it waiting.”
I didn’t stick around to hear what Damien ordered as I made my way back to the sleeping cabin, closing the door behind me. Removing the suitcase from the closet, I laid it on the bed and opened it. Being as I’d just repacked the outfit this morning, the navy jacket and skirt were on top of the other clothes.
It was as I was pulling my blouse over my head that I heard the door open. Bringing my blouse in front of me, I held the material against my chest and met the navy-blue stare. “Damien, inappropriate. I can dress myself.”
His smirk radiated in his orbs as he closed the door, remaining within the cabin, leaned against the wall, and folded his arms over his chest. “You see, I decided to make sure you followed directions this time.”
“This” —I motioned between us— “isn’t what friends do.”
“Two separate things. I told you that. There is our campaign and then there is us.” He tilted his handsome face. “Multitasking.”
“Maybe Johnathon could give me an itinerary on when we’re work friends and when we’re multitasking. I’m having a bit of a problem keeping up.”
“I’m not.” He smiled and his tenor dropped. “Drop the shirt.”
It wasn’t fair the way my body reacted to this man. If he were anyone else, I would give him a piece of my mind and call HR. Yet there was something about Damien that caused me to lose all my good sense. Dropping the blouse, I faced him in my bra and skirt. The shoes I’d worn were kicked off, leaving my feet bare. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say that meeting Julia Sherman, the CEO of Wade Pharmaceutical, freshly fucked isn’t a good first impression.”
Lowering his arms, Damien walked toward me. “Does that mean we can fuck again?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Yes. Why are you asking?”
“At the hotel last weekend, when you cut me off, you said ‘no more of this.’ I took that to mean intercourse. After all, you haven’t had a problem with what we’ve done since then. I would be perfectly happy to let you ride my face or suck my cock because your lips are heavenly, but if actual fucking is back on the table, I want to know.”
“Shit, Damien,” I said, clasping my thighs together. My gaze narrowed. “Monday night, you didn’t push us farther or even touch me to make me come. That was because of what I said?”
He nodded.
“You actually listened?” I shook my head and walked a few steps. “I mean, you didn’t. I asked you not to call me.”
“I didn’t call?—”
“Yes,” I interrupted. “You found a loophole. But the reason we were touching ourselves is because you were respecting a boundary?”
“Restraint,” he said with another smirk. “I want you. I know I can be demanding, but unlike last time, I want you to know I’ll try. I do respect you.” He lifted his cheeks into a full-wattage smile. “I also want to make you scream as I eat your delicious cunt.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “I don’t know what to think.”
“It’s not complicated. I was a fool to let you go. I’ve made mistakes. This is a chance for me to prove to you that I’m sincere. And when I’m with you, I’m also hard as steel.” He ran his long finger over my neck, shoulder, and collarbone, down to between my breasts. “If you don’t think it takes restraint to not fuck you every minute, you’re wrong.”
My gaze followed his finger, and then I looked up. “Why did you disappear? You had me thinking there might be something between us. We went from an insane number of calls to you going MIA.”
Damien’s smile faded as he took a step back. “I wasn’t planning on talking about it.”
“If it’s another woman?—?”
“I never cheated on you in the past. I sure as shit wouldn’t do that when I’m trying to win you back.”
“Then what?”
“My dad.”
My chest ached at Damien’s tone. “Your dad? Is he okay?”
“He should be. He had a heart attack. It was pretty bad. I flew to Florida.”
“Oh.” I took a step toward him. “I’m sorry. Is he still in the hospital? Why are you here?”
“I’m here because Sinclair is my responsibility. Do you remember when I became CEO—the probationary period?”
I thought back. “Yes. Isn’t that done?”
Damien shook his head. “Five more months. Dad is stable. Mom and Dani are with him. If I were in the hospital, even when I was a kid, and the great Derek Sinclair had a meeting, I could guarantee he’d take the meeting.”
I lifted my palms to his cheeks. “I’m sorry about your dad. I’m here if you want to talk.”
Damien shook his head. “I’d rather concentrate on Sinclair and you.”
“Me?”
“You make me smile, Ella.”
I tilted my head. “I’m sorry I didn’t wear the outfit. I was upset with your demands preceded by no other communication.” Lifting myself to my toes, I kissed his cheek. “I’ll change now.”
He reached for my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “I’m staying until you’re done.”
“Fine, but multitasking will have to wait.” I undid the zipper at the side of my skirt and let it fall to the floor.
The color of Damien’s eyes darkened as they focused on my bra and panties. “You have your own room, Ms. Crystal, but tonight, I’m going to be the one to remove those panties.”
A rebuttal was on the tip of my tongue. However, as I took in his stare and I recognized the sadness he was hiding, I knew that if given the chance, I would want to spend time with Damien, reminding him that he wasn’t alone.