“Those are the best ones, but I’m good. Thanks.” I eyeballed the exits.
We were meeting in a large conference room in the back of the distillery. Somewhere I’d never even been before.
“What’s the matter? You nervous about Dicktor?”
“What?” My voice shook.
“Goodness gracious! Are you okay? So, you think he is going to fire us all too? That’s what everyone else is chatting about. He’s never met with any of us in person, so this can’t be good.” She sighed, pushing the food around on her plate.
“Oh. Well … yes. Of course. I’m worried we will all be fired,” I lied.
Although the thought of us getting fired had crossed my mind, that wasn’t why I was a nervous Nellie. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw Mr. Big Ego walk through that door. It was very odd for him to all of a sudden want to meet with us. That could mean anything. I could only imagine what outlandish request he had that would require his personal involvement or what some or one of us had done to piss him off enough that he wanted to have a public chat.
“Whatever it is, we’ll be—” Lisa stopped mid-sentence and looked over my shoulder. “Speak of the devil,” she whispered.
Victor had entered the building, standing tall in his usual suit and tie.
Fucking hell! The devil looks delicious, I thought as I watched him make his way to the head of the table. My eyes zoned straight in on his firm ass as he turned to take a seat.
Of course, Sara took an empty seat to his right. There were several empty seats toward that end of the table. No one wanted to sit next to the big, bad wolf—except that ass-kisser Sara.
“Good morning.” He smiled and made eye contact with everyone—except me. It was as if I weren’t even there.
Bastard.
“I know this is rather unusual for you all to meet with me instead of my assistant, Sara. Because I see some nervous faces, I want to assure you all that nothing is wrong. You are an exceptional team, and I’m very proud to have you organizing my big events. Fleur-De-Lis wouldn’t have the amazing publicity it has if it wasn’t for all of you. So, give yourself a round of applause.”
The tension in the room evaporated, and everyone cheered.
Typical alpha male.
He could win people over so easily by his charm that they would forget how much of a butt nugget he was. Well, I was one stubborn gal he would not be charming with that bullshit.
“And I want to give a special thank-you to Samantha Masson, who had the creativity to plan my most successful event yet—Halloween night. Her hard work, her ideas, her illusions, and her talents—all of them—made the night truly unforgettable. Thank you, Samantha.” He locked his eyes on mine.
My cheeks grew warm, and my nipples grew hard.
Damn it, body! Don’t be fooled!
“You’re welcome. Just doing my job.” I smiled and crossed my legs, squeezing my inner thighs together when all I really wanted to do was spread them apart. My body was becoming a traitorous bitch.
He cleared his throat. “I’d like to see you top that for our holiday event. I’d like to see all of you top it. And that is why I wanted to meet in person. I think, together, face-to-face, we can collaborate much more easily on a party that I would like to be a little bit different.”
My team collectively held their breath. Different for Victor Beaumont? We were entering unchartered waters.
“Different how?” Lisa spoke up.
“All of the usual pomp and elegance, but I want to be less micromanaging. I’d like to hear everyone’s thoughts and ideas.” He leaned into the table and clasped his hands together.
Sara’s eyes bulged beside him.
“I trust you all know what I like, and I think you have a good handle on things. Surprise me. Dazzle me.”
Sara clutched her clipboard to her chest. I guessed Mr. Beaumont hadn’t had the time to consult with his number one on this matter beforehand.
I tipped my head back. “Is this party for the usual crowd?” I asked, leaning into the table to match his demeanor. I could play business too.
“Great question! It is for the same crowd, so it shouldn’t be too hard. You know how they are too. We can have fun and maybe get a little wild and crazy.” He glanced around the room.
“Crazier than you coming out of a casket?” Pete asked.
The room erupted in cautious giggles.
“That was pretty damn dope, wasn’t it?” Victor smirked.
His audience laughed again, agreeing. He sat up straight in his chair, animated. I noticed Sara shrinking beside him, the more excited he became.
“Yeah, it was pretty damn dope. So, how are we supposed to top something like that at a holiday party?” Lisa tapped her fork on her empty plate.
“I don’t know. That is what you all excel at. I am only here to tell you my thoughts and put my faith in you. So, brainstorm with that”—he checked his watch—“and Sara will circle back with Samantha next week. Thanks for your time today, and I look forward to hearing what everyone comes up with.”
He stood to go with Sara following behind him like a lost puppy.
The room grew loud with everyone throwing around their ideas, but I remained silent. I contemplated what Victor was scheming. This meeting had been out of character for him, and something wasn’t right.
“Samantha.” I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Victor wants to speak with you in his office. He has a few specific ideas he needs to run by you,” Sara sneered at me through clenched teeth.
“Oh? Okay. Well, where—”
“Follow me.” She scurried off and down a long hallway. Her ponytail bobbed through the back of her hat, begging me to reach up and yank it.
My heels echoed on the hardwood floor as I rushed to keep up. I could only see the back of her, but I knew she wore a smirk—much like the one her precious boss always wore on his chiseled, perfect face.
Damn it! I still felt slippery between my legs.
We stopped in front of a dark wooden door. I could already smell the leathery scent of Victor’s cologne from the other side. My breath became heavy.
“Mr. Beaumont?” Sara tapped on his door. “Samantha is here to see you.” Her voice caught in her throat.
I was afraid even to open my mouth or else mine would too.
“Come in.”
We both shuffled our feet inside as if we had been summoned by the Devil himself, which was plausible.
“Thank you, Sara. Can you please shut the door behind you?” Victor rose from his chair to greet me while Sara huffed out of his office.
Victor turned around to shut the window blinds behind his desk, sending my heart rate to damn near cardiac-arrest levels.
“So, about these ideas I had,” he growled.
I didn’t move from my spot by the door. My feet had quit working the moment that door shut and he reached up to close the blinds. I bit my lip while he slowly made his way toward me, reaching behind me and locking the door with a quick flick of his wrist.
What the fuck is happening to my brain? My body? My self-control? Why am I not running away from this rat bastard?
“This doesn’t look like a business meeting.” I narrowed my eyes as he pulled me over to his desk.
“No? Well … huh. I don’t know why. We’re about to get down to business.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, and with one quick motion, he swiped his arm across his desk, sending papers and pens flying everywhere.