14. Lex
Two weeks had never gone by so fast. Work was wildly busy, but it was the moments in between that were speeding my days, which was a first. After Shane’s little visit, I considered reestablishing my boundaries with Linc and going back to just business. But he showed up the next morning with his dimpled grin for our run, and all thoughts of pushing him away fled. I’d leaned into him as he wrapped his arms around me and devoured my mouth in a fiery kiss, then laughed as he slapped my ass and jogged away backwards, arms spread in challenge. I can’t imagine letting that side of him go. Not yet, anyway.
My phone buzzes with a text, drawing my attention away from my laptop.
Linc: you’re distracting
My eyebrows rise. I’m alone in my office at Athena, and I don’t have plans to meet up with Linc or his partners until tomorrow.
Me: How so?
Linc: I can still smell you
Heat flashes through me, my clit buzzing with the memory of what we did last night. I shift in my office chair, spinning slowly to face away from the door.
Me: Hmmm, good. We’re even.
Linc: even?
Me: I can still taste you.
The three little dots showing he’s typing pop up immediately. I roll my lips between my teeth as I smile, imagining him leaning his head back and groaning as he reads my message.
Linc: feeling naughty, are we?
Linc: careful, beautiful
I glance over to confirm my office door is closed, then unbutton my blazer and shimmy it open, revealing the black lace crop top beneath. Snapping a quick picture of my torso, from my smirk to my waist, I send it off to him.
A soft knock draws my attention, and I pull my blazer closed before spinning my chair back around to meet Van’s amused gaze.
“Am I interrupting?”
“Interrupting what?”
He motions to the phone in my hand as he lets himself in and strides to the sitting area. “Picture time?”
Rolling my eyes, I stand, tucking a hand in my pocket as I walk over to join him on the couch.
“Thanks for stopping by.”
“Miles was…insistent.”
“I’m sure he was. Contrary to how he might’ve framed things, there’s no emergency.”
“Lex, unless I hear otherwise from you or a first responder, I’m always going to assume his urgency is manufactured. He’s worse than the boy who cried wolf.”
“He’s just…enthusiastic.”
Van grunts, moving to the bar cart.
“Are we celebrating something?” I glance at my watch. “Feels a bit early for scotch, if not.”
“Am I here because of the news about Greenstar Labs and PL?”
Sighing, I flop into an armchair. “Yes.”
“Then no, no celebration. But a drink is called for all the same.”
He offers me a tumbler as he takes a seat on the couch.
“Thank you. Though I don’t expect this conversation to be difficult.”
“Suit yourself.” He takes a long drink of his scotch, then looks over at me. “I didn’t expect your brother’s name to show up alongside Anne-Marie’s.”
“Neither did I. But it’s a dilemma.”
The Bulletin published an interview with Anne-Marie this morning, and it featured statements of support for her “revolutionary technology” from the Greenstar board of directors. As the newest member, my brother was quoted.
“What’s the dilemma?”
I meet Van’s stony gaze. “Whether I should warn him about what’s coming. Greenstar and its board, particularly those who are vocal in their support of Anne-Marie and her tech, are going to be in hot water if all goes as planned. I know Nate wouldn’t extend me the same courtesy, but I’ve long prided myself on having more integrity than the men in my family. It feels like the right thing to do.”
“You sound decided.”
Shaking my head, I take a sip of scotch. “I’m not objective on this one. Your opinion is valuable to me.”
“Lex, you know what I’m going to say.”
I did. Van knew more of my history than most. I didn’t feel the need to air my family’s dirty laundry often, but the context had been important for him to understand before he joined Athena. My father founded one of the largest financial services companies in the country, and I dreamed of being his successor. Unfortunately, I was born with a vagina, and thus became his biggest disappointment instead. The moment he was born, my brother became the heir to PL.
If that had been the end of it, perhaps a relationship could’ve been salvaged. But I was a smart, driven kid, and I wanted to earn my place in the family business more than anything. It took my father throwing me out for daring to dream of a life beyond being someone’s wife for me to realize there was no place for me to earn. And, though he’d had every opportunity to take my side, Nate had simply sat back and watched it all happen, soaking up the poison my father spewed about me along the way.
“I don’t owe Nate shit.”
Van leans forward, setting his empty tumbler on the coffee table with a loud thunk. “You really fucking don’t. And you’re right, he wouldn’t offer you the same courtesy. He’d gladly watch Athena burn if the tables were turned.”
My eyes close as I lean my head back. “I know.”
“And I hate this, but you’re also right that it’s the right thing to do.”
I look over at him, mouth parting in surprise. “Say that again.”
He glowers. “No. You heard me.”
“I expected you to play Devil’s advocate more staunchly than that, Van.”
He grunts. “Maybe you’ve rubbed off on me.”
“Me?” I chuckle. “I’d wager it’s your wife’s influence more than mine.”
A soft smile curls his lips, one I only saw when he thought or spoke of Cami. “You might be right.”
Sighing, I gather both of our glasses and sit them on the lower shelf of the bar cart. “So, I need to set a meeting with Nate.”
“Unfortunately. Don’t want a paper trail unless you’re ready for it to be public knowledge.”
“I wish I didn’t have to contingency plan for communications with my own fucking family,” I mutter, returning to the armchair.
“You deserve better,” Van snarls.
“We can agree on that.” I roll my shoulders back, physically shaking off the pall of my family. “While we’re on a related topic, things are going well for Solum.”
Van takes the topic change in stride, swallowing his ire. For now. “I’ve heard good things from Parker.”
“He and the team have done well. They’ve gone a long way to deepen trust with the partners.”
“You’ll be comfortable handing the account over after the Summit?”
“Absolutely, Parker’s earned it.”
While the statement is true, the thought of handing the account over in its entirety feels…wrong. We’re only a month in, but I can’t quite imagine my weeks without meetings with Linc, Shane, and Declan. It was more than the company on my runs, more than the sex–though that was certainly a plus. The seamlessness of how we worked together had a strong ripple effect. I’d had more proper meals in the last month than in the three months prior. I was sleeping better, and I felt more fit than I had in my twenties.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Van’s voice draws me out of my thoughts. “I think Parker’s going to build our sustainability portfolio, then strike out on his own.”
I cross my arms slowly. “Makes sense. Any idea of timeframe?”
“Three to five years.”
“Do we have a succession plan? He’ll leave big shoes to fill.”
“I’m working on it.”
“Good.” I stand, stretching my arms over my head. “On that note, I’m sure Miles is about to barge in here and send me off to my next meeting.”
Van follows and walks to the door, pausing with a hand on the doorframe. “You and Cami may have rubbed off on me, but you still don’t owe Nate shit. If you don’t want to speak to him, don’t.”
“I know. I’m sure it won’t be a highlight of my week, but I’ll sleep better knowing my integrity is intact.”
“You want company?”
My expression softens. “No, Van, but thank you. I’ve been handling Nate since we were in diapers. He doesn’t scare me.”
Van scoffs. “He shouldn’t. But if you think he’s going to get nasty without a buffer, I’ll be there.”
“Nate’s liable to be nastier if I bring you,” I chuckle. “He’s well aware of your disdain for him.”
He nods. “I’m glad. Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.”
As Van heads toward his office, I settle back in my chair. I glance at my phone and am surprised to see far more text notifications than normal.
Linc: fuckkkkkkk
Linc: goddamnit
Linc: are you busy?
Linc: would a quickie in the parking garage violate the rules?
Linc: Lex…
Linc: you didn’t seriously send me that and ghost me
Linc: there will be consequences if you don’t answer me in the next 5 min
His last text had come through ten minutes before. Smirking, I write him back.
Me: Oops. Had a meeting.
Linc: Pick a number between 5 and 10
Heat flashes through me, starting in my core before suffusing my limbs. My clit tingles with the promise of Linc’s punishments, which I’ve come to covet. They walk this beautiful line between pleasure, pain, anticipation, and excitement I’ve never felt before. I crave his dominance as much as I crave him.
Me: 9
Linc: good girl
Linc: when are you free tonight?
Me: 10
Linc: I’ll be at yours at 10:15
Me: I’ll be waiting.
Linc: preferably naked and kneeling
My breath catches as I picture the scene: me, naked and kneeling, facing the bed and away from the door. Linc coming in on quiet feet, trailing his fingers along my bare shoulders as he praises me for my patience. For my obedience. For my willingness to be there, ready for him, knowing a punishment was coming…nine times over. Holy shit, it’s scary how much I crave that feeling of just…letting go.
Me: Yes, sir.
The three little dots jump for a moment, then my phone rings with an incoming video call from Linc. I start to glance at my calendar, then think fuck it and answer anyway. His face fills my phone screen, eyes dark and expression hungry.
“You’re fucking killing me, Lex,” he growls.
“You liked that, then?”
“You tell me.”
He angles the camera down, giving me an eyeful of his hard cock straining his jeans. As I watch, he palms it, squeezing briefly. I lick my lips, and he groans.
“Fucking temptress. I need to hear you say it.”
“Say what?”
I give him my most innocent expression. He smirks in response.
“You know what, beautiful. Tonight.”
“Tonight,” I agree.
“You’re going to be waiting for me? Ready for me?”
“I will.”
He makes a guttural sound, his eyes half-lidded. “I can’t fucking wait.”
“Neither can I.” I squirm in my chair, my thighs pressing together, and his expression heats further.
“I’m going to save this for you.” He pans back to his lap, hand still on his hard cock, then back to his face. “You do the same. No touching. Your orgasms are mine today, you hear me?”
I nod, my pussy clenching. “I hear you.”
“That’s my girl,” he breathes. “See you tonight.”
Before I can say anything else, he’s gone. I melt into my office chair for a moment, going boneless as want and desire roll through me. Goosebumps had risen on my arms at his command, excitement pooling in my belly. I know the waiting will only make the eventual release that much sweeter and more powerful. And if it’s on the heels of his punishment? I whimper aloud at the thought. Lincoln Wilde, what are you doing to me?