Chapter 5
Montgomery
One.
Bratty.
Mouthy.
Pain in the ass.
Beautiful.
Formidable woman.
As soon as Aspen slammed the door, I lifted my head, forced to take a series of deep breaths.
I’d ever met a woman like the spunky redhead in my entire life.
She was bold, intelligent, and I’d realized quickly that her level of confidence was boosted by the fact she actually knew what she was talking about.
I pressed my hands on my desk, shaking my head as I thought about her.
And every single thought was depraved, filthy, and sadistic. The things I wanted to do to her were likely illegal. My cock ached just thinking about shoving it deep inside her luscious pink pussy.
She’d been just as aroused as I’d been, the glisten on her pussy lips almost too much to resist. I could have easily shoved my shaft inside, taking her like some animal.
Perhaps I would at some point. Huffing, I shook my head, closing my eyes.
What the hell was I thinking? Not only was that something that couldn’t happen, but I refused to care about anyone ever again. It was far too… painful.
Who the hell had said anything about caring about her? She was just another gorgeous woman. Then why did I ache to the point my entire body was shaking? Damn it. This wasn’t something I needed or expected.
I refused to allow anyone to get close ever again.
My thoughts drifted to my unused playroom, the location I’d built with Carmine locked since her death.
I’d even considered destroying the various apparatuses and implements, but something had kept me from doing it.
“Damn.” I had to get out the ugliness inside my head. The playroom was locked permanently.
When the door was thrown open, I knew immediately who was storming inside.
“What in the fuck did you think you were doing?” Robert demanded, his voice lifting by several decibels.
I glared at the open door, knowing that Marjorie was paying attention to every word that was being said. She’d gone to him out of shock and horror, just like I figured she would do. I took a few seconds to collect myself, doing my best to shove aside my anger at the heated interruption.
The look on my friend’s face was one of rage and disgust. “I suggest you remember who you are talking to, Robert.”
“The person I’m talking to at this moment must have lost his bloody mind. You’ve stooped to some low places before, but this behavior is getting out hand. Your anger is going to destroy you. Is that what you want?”
Smirking, I rose to my full height, glancing down at the contract once again. I did find it interesting that she’d surrendered to the punishment. I fisted then opened my hand several times, longing to feel the burn from disciplining her with my palm. I could only imagine what that felt like.
You want her. Take her. Use her.
The dark inner voice was one I found difficult to ignore.
I was lost for a few moments in my dirty images of her, confused as to why she’d managed to entice me on any level.
I’d managed to shut down completely. Then she’d awakened me with a few minutes of her time.
I rubbed my forehead, calming my nerves.
He took a deep breath, rubbing his eyes then walking closer. This time he lowered his voice. “The last thing we need to have happen is for both you and the company to be sued for sexual freaking assault.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Robert walked closer, shaking his head. “A little bird told me you disciplined your new employee? Please tell that’s some kind of insane mistake.”
“No mistake. She broke several rules.” I thought about the way she’d reacted, the soft moans she’d tried to hide beneath her icy exterior and my cock twitched. The woman needed to be tamed.
“And you did what exactly?”
“I gave her a spanking.”
“You are fucking out of your mind!” he barked.
“So what?”
A few seconds of tension remained between us. Her rubbed his jaw then took several deep breaths. “Did she threaten to sue you?”
“At first. Then we made a new business arrangement. You were right in that she is one savvy business professional.” I couldn’t help but grin, my balls tightening all over again. I couldn’t wait to get started working with her. To see what she was made of would be of great interest.
Robert seemed befuddled. “What are you talking about?”
“If she adds five percent to the profit in three months, she’ll get paid another one hundred thousand dollars. The next portion was her idea. If she’s able to jump the percentage to forty percent in the year, she’ll be paid a cool half million.”
His mouth opened, his eyes bulging. “I’m going to ask you a second time. Are you fucking out of your mind?”
“Not at all. Think about it. She’s going to work her pretty little tail off. If it works, fabulous. If not, well, maybe the profit will still increase by a reasonable margin. It’s a win-win all the way around.”
Laughing, he leaned over the desk, planting his hands on the surface.
“Let me break it to you, Montgomery. You can barely pay your bills as it is. In other words, Wolfe Wineries is tanking because you can’t get your head out of your ass.
You might be worth millions now, but unless you invest additional money, which seems doubtful that you even want to do, you will lose what you’ve worked for.
Knowing you as well as I do, I have no doubt that you won’t like her ideas.
You will never agree to implementing them because you think you know it all.
Even if you do, you’ll make her life a living hell, just like you do for every single other person who dares to work with you. And that includes me.”
I took my time answering. “I never said I wasn’t ruthless, Robert. That’s what it takes in order to succeed in this business.”
“Then you failed miserably these past couple of years. Even more so since you found out Westfield is gunning for you.”
“I know that, Robert. I don’t need you to shove it into my face. Prescott Westfield is a pig.”
“Yeah, that is true, but he has enough power, money, and influence to continue driving this company into the dirt. I did some digging after our discussion. From what I’ve heard, he’s strongarmed his way into purchasing another winery from a man I never thought would never thought would sell.
Thank God, two of the other owners are still holding out, but it won’t be long until Prescott puts more screws to them. ”
I took a deep breath, rubbing my eyes. “That’s because they’re scared of him. I’m not that kind of man.”
“I have no idea what kind of man you are any longer, Montgomery. You’re certainly not the strong leader I remember.”
“Fuck you, Robert!” I’d never been so fucking angry in my life.
Another more pointed moment of tension settled between us.
“I’m worried. Okay? Very worried. I’m not certain why Prescott has resorted to threats. Other than I heard the Feds are breathing down his neck. You know he has connections to some really bad individuals. Whatever he has planned will destroy Napa Valley.”
I knew exactly the kind of connections and alliances Prescott had forged over the years.
He was dirty in every way, capable of doing heinous things.
That wasn’t going to make me cave into his desires.
“I don’t give a crap. Just do your job and I’ll make certain Prescott doesn’t have a chance to get his hands on my business.
” Overemphasizing the term likely pissed him off.
That was confirmed as he cursed under his breath.
He grabbed the contract off my desk, taking long strides toward the door, his shoulders heaving.
“If you’re really serious about getting your life back on track then I’m going to give you two pieces of advice, both of which I know you’re going to ignore.
You need to find a way to get rid of those demons that are hanging around your neck like a noose before it’s too late.
If you don’t, you’re going to lose everyone you’ve ever cared about, if that includes anyone but yourself. ”
I refused to answer him given the level of anger nearly suffocating me. “And the second piece of advice?”
He snorted, lifting a single eyebrow. “You need to suck up to that young woman in every way you can. As I said, I knew when I hired her that she was a fireball. She’s got your number and you might be surprised what kind of hell she can make your life.
And if she does, I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure that she receives not only the money you promised her but all the credit for doing so.
That just might make her the new star of Wolfe Wineries. ”
The man paused long enough for the shit to slide into my brain and I could tell he was enjoying himself. Well, fuck him and anyone else that attempted to stand in my way. I would bring my family’s winery back into the glory it deserved no matter what it took, including crushing all those around me.
He dared to laugh as he walked out, once again slamming the door. I took a few seconds to control my breathing, resisting tearing everything apart in my office. I had to get control. I needed to find a way to rise up from the darkness.
Without a doubt, there was one thing I would do—follow my inner voice.
I would take exactly what I wanted.
And that included the sexy, voluptuous Aspen Porter. A deep growl resonated from the depths of my system. Primal. Hungry.
When I was finished with her, the woman would belong to me. Every. Single. Inch.
* * *
I stared out the window of my vehicle as I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.
The sun was just beginning to set, ending yet another day of bullshit.
I remained angry, the phone calls taking up the majority of my afternoon just another reminder how bad the situation was with the winery.
I’d infused enough capital that I wasn’t comfortable doing any more until things started to turn around.