Business: Phoenix #1 (4 page)

Casey

 
“How
about you, Casey, who’s your perfect man?” Sasha asks whilst twirling her hair
with her fingers and I can feel Hannah’s eyes also focused on me.

I laugh.
“I haven’t got one. I don’t want a man. You guys know I’m going to live life
with nine dogs and a crazy hair color, I’m thinking maybe green.” I watch as my
two best friends shake their heads.

Whenever
the girls get on the conversation about boyfriends it always results in the
same questions, who is your perfect man Casey? Why are you still single Casey?
Shall we go speed dating? How about a dating website?

Hannah
rolls her eyes at me and Sasha raises her eyebrows. They know me too well and
know that I am sensitive about my non-existent love life, but they also know
that I am not willing to do anything about it. I’m too busy running my business
to be bothered to chase a man and truthfully, I don’t think that I will ever be
able to trust again.

Don’t
get me wrong, I do get a lot of offers from men to take me out, but I’m just
not interested.

Hannah
says it is because I am scarred from what Darren did to me, but she also says
that I have had enough time to heal, maybe she is right. Maybe it is time I
start to let my hair down, enjoy myself and let a man take care of me.

I’m sick
of being the ‘boring woman’ who sits at the side at parties when the girls are
dancing and letting men buy them drinks and it’s been far too long since I have
been touched by a man.
 
“You must have a type, Case.” Hannah probes.

“Yeah,
lying cheating bastards.” I say in my serious voice and both girls burst into a
laughing fit. “Hmm… I like dark hair, a tall man, broad shoulders, athletic and
I’d like a man to tell me what to do.”

“You’ve
just described Matthew Jackson!” Hannah winks at me.

“No I
have not!” I laugh but I know that he definitely meets the criteria and the man
is gorgeous and has a great personality.

Maybe it
is time to let my hair down after all.

~~~~~

One
would think a whole afternoon to get ready for an event would be enough time —
not for me. Marco has been spending the past few hours perfecting my hair and
makeup before moving on to Hannah’s.

My
house keeper, Debbie brings us a bottle of champagne with three glasses and
pours each of us a glass before going back down the stairs.

After
taking a few sips of champers, it’s time for us to put our dresses on. I have
chosen to go with the silver Stella McCartney ball gown that Mia sent for me.
The dress is a mixture of classy and sexy. With an elegant V-neckline the dress
is simply stunning. Now, for the sexy — the dress has a slit which runs all the
way almost to the top of my thigh. Due to the dresses structure we opt that a
bra would ruin the effect. I fasten my heels and stand up.

“Wow!”
Marco and Hannah say at the same time.

I
turn to look in the full length mirror in my bedroom and I couldn’t be happier
when I see my reflection. “Marco you did well!”

Marco
starts to curtsy and we all burst into laughter.

The
car pulls up outside the event and we wait for the driver to get out and come
round to open the door, when we step out we will be on the red carpet and there
is a sea of paparazzi ready to snap us.

I
take a deep breath as the driver gets to the door, “Ready, Han?” I have been to
these kinds of events numerous times, but I can never shift the nerves I get
beforehand.

I
step out and I am momentarily blinded by all the flashing lights — we start to
make our way along the carpet, posing for pictures together and stopping to
answer questions the reporters shout before making our way inside the hall
where we are greeted by Sasha, we exchange pleasantries before making our way
to a table. I find myself looking round trying to find Matt l but I can’t see
him anywhere.

“He’ll
be here soon.” Hannah says, I must have made it too obvious I was looking for
him.

“I
know.” I flag a waiter over to take our order. “Could we have two bottles of
champagne, please?”

“Make
that three.” A deep, sexy American voice says from behind me and instantly I
know it’s him. I turn to face him and oh my God. He looks divine. I have to squeeze
my thighs together to stop the pool forming between my legs. He is wearing a
three-piece dark grey suit which fits him perfectly, showing off his masculine
frame.

I
don’t recognize the man standing beside him, but he is also a fine specimen of
a man. He nods at me.

“Hi,
Matt.” Is all I manage, I’m lost for words.

“Hi,
Casey.” He moves to take the seat beside me and turns to whisper in my ear “The
way you look tonight — I wish you weren’t all business and more pleasure.” I
can feel his breath as he speaks and it sends a shiver down my spine as he
refers to our previous conversation.

The
time goes by so quickly — it’s true what they say. Time flies when you are
having fun.

Matt
and I have spent the night in our own little world, chatting amongst ourselves.
The connection we have is undeniable. We started by talking and laughing, but
ended up whispering with our heads bent close together.  Our eyes meeting, our
breath mingling, our hands just barely grazing each other was making me crazy. 
Is it the champagne or Matt Jackson that was making my head spin ever so
slightly?

Shortly,
I excuse myself to go to the ladies with Hannah and Sasha.

“Woooow,
will you two get a room?! You’re making me blush.” Hannah teases.

“The
two of you would make a perfect couple; you are both sexy and wealthy!” Sasha
winks.

“Will
you two shut up?” I laugh at my two friends.

“He
looks like he is going to pounce on you any time soon. You’re going to have to
take that man home tonight.” Hannah wiggles her eye brows and Sasha agrees.

“Oh,
I intend to.”  I wink at them before turning toward the mirror; I touch up
my lip stick, rub my lips together and blot.

“Come
on, it’s time for a dance!” Hannah directs us out of the ladies room, we twist
and turn through the scattered tables and eventually we make it to the crowded
dance floor and start moving to ‘Beyonce – Single Ladies’. I recognize a few of
the people around us.  Luke Parrie, who is the most arrogant person I have ever
met, is dancing with a girl whose face I know but can’t put a name to. As
always, Luke’s wing man Greg Wells is close by and he is dancing with a red
head.

I
remember when Hannah and I were ‘blessed’ by their presence at an award
ceremony a few months back.  Luke wasn’t too happy when I told him he didn’t
stand a chance when he asked if he would be able to look inside my panties.  It
wasn’t long until he turned abusive; calling me a bitch and saying I wasn’t
good enough for him. He obviously didn’t enjoy being turned down.

We
dance for a few more songs before Hannah and I head back for a drink leaving
Sasha dancing with some friends of hers. Matt is standing close by to our table
talking to an older dark haired man and beautiful girl, her blonde hair pulled
back into a neat bun, her makeup done to perfection which makes it a little too
obvious that the look was completed by a professional makeup artist and an
elegant neck line on show with her halter neck dress. She’s  flirting with Matt
and makes it too obvious, unnecessarily laughing and touching his forearm, her
eyes never leaving his face, even when the other man seems to be talking.
Irrational annoyance begins welling up inside of me.

I
sit and finish off my glass of champagne before looking at Hannah who is
watching me. She signals the waiter and gets him to top our glasses up with
wine. We both thank him at the same time as he walks away.

“Tonight
has been so much fun,” Hannah smiles at me and I nod in agreement. It was fun
until the blonde bombshell appeared, I wish that she would just disappear and
leave Matt alone. I have my back to them so I can’t see if she is still
flirting with him which is driving me crazy but at the same time I’m glad I
can’t see because the thought alone makes me feel sick.

As
if Hannah can read my mind she moves closer to me and whispers; “You are so
much better than her, Case.” With a little wink she sits back and takes a sip
of her wine.

“There
is no comparison.” I shrug my shoulders.

“Have
you seen the way that Matt looks at you? He looks like he is going to pounce at
any minute.” Hannah states.

“I’m
sure that he is looking at her the exact same way, Han.”

“Can
I sense a little bit of jealousy here, Casey Phoenix?” Hannah asks, her voice
is high pitched like she is struggling to believe what she is saying. “You
never get jealous.”

“Jealous?
Me?” Is that really what I am feeling, jealousy?

Hannah
doesn’t say anything, she just laughs. She knows me too well, that I don’t get
too involved with men to let myself have the opportunity to ever consider being
jealous. It’s just a no go for me.

Before
I know it Matt is sitting beside me and I glance over my shoulder to see if
Blondie is still around and she is nowhere to be seen. Bonus, Hannah excuses
herself and heads back over to the dance floor.

“You
okay, babe?” Matt’s eyes wonder down my body, to the slit in my dress and back
up to my face.
“Yes I am fine, thank you.” I hate that name, Darren used to call
me and every other girl ‘babe’. Probably so he didn’t get our names muddled.
Prat.

A
wide smile takes over his face and butterflies start going crazy in my stomach.

“Are
you sure?” He asks knowingly.

“Yes
I’m sure. Where’s your date gone?” I ask sarcastically and he starts to laugh
and shakes his head.

He
finishes his whiskey with one mouthful before placing the glass back on the
table. Not once does he take his eyes from my face and it intimidates me a
little.

“My
date? You mean Laura?” And I nod repeating her name in my head. ‘Laura and
Matt’ doesn’t have a nice ring to it, but ‘Casey and Matt’ sounds promising.

He
playfully raises an eyebrow at me. “I didn’t think you would be the jealous
type.” He laughs.

“I’m
not jealous. I’m just curious where she went, that’s all.” I act unbothered and
knot my fingers

together
in my lap, watching a group of people over from us, I avoid making eye contact
with Matt.

“She
is the daughter of Peter Kirby. Do you know who he is?” Matt asks.

“Yes
I know of him.” Peter is a well-known retired sportsman who now has a large
business empire; he normally attends functions like this but obviously sent his
daughter along in his absence. I have only met him once or twice but he seemed
friendly enough.

“She
came across to introduce herself and I told her about the possible merge of the
Jackson and Phoenix empires. She agreed it would be an awesome move.”

“Well
tell her she can merge with Jackson Industries if she thinks it would be that
awesome.” I say sarcastically. I think all the wine has released my inner
bitch, the bitch who never really gets an opportunity to come out to play.

Matt
laughs again, his tongue dashing out to wet his lip and I have to squeeze my
thighs together tightly.

“Fine.”
Is all he says, but the delivery in his low thick voice has my heart beat
fluttering.

Uh-oh,
have I gone a step too far? I hope he doesn’t think that I am some crazy
jealous woman who, after one kiss gets jealous over every single woman he
speaks to.

I
don’t know where the confidence comes from, but I am going to blame the wine, a
sudden rush of adrenaline comes over me, my whole body burning, wanting and my
heart beat racing. I put a hand on his cheek, the connection of the stubble on
his face to my palm drives me crazy and I move closer to him, before I know it,
our lips are together, our tongues dancing. It doesn’t take long for Matt to
take control of our kiss, his tongue taking the lead and tasting every part of
my mouth; his fingers gently stroking my thigh where the slit meets.

I
feel like my inner goddess has been released, I feel sexy and I feel wanted.

And
I enjoy it.

Casey

When it is time to leave we decide to share a ride
together, the four of us pile into my limousine, we drop Hannah off at her
house first of all, and then drop off Jack at the hotel and Matt and I get
dropped off at my house.

“Nice place.” Matt says when we get inside. He’s right, it
is a nice house, a little big considering I live here alone — well, that’s when
Debbie isn’t here, so it’s just really me and the security men who sit outside
at the gatehouse.

“Thanks — my dad built it for me.” I smile. “Would you
like a drink? I have champagne and beer?” I offer

“No thanks, I’m not thirsty, I’m hungry.”

“I could make us a pizza—“

Before I know it his lips are on mine devouring me, the
kiss is deep and passionate, but soon escalates as we are both desperate with
hunger. Without breaking our kiss Matt slides his hand up the slit of my dress
rubbing my bare thigh. His other hand palms my breast through my dress and I
moan at the pleasure rippling through me. My own hands start fumbling with his
suit jacket and with his help it falls to the floor. I start to open the
buttons on the waist coat and peel it off him. He breaks our kiss and moves
round to my ear where he starts to nibble on my lobe, my head falls back to
enjoy this moment. When I look back I realize he has pulled his shirt off and
is now completely topless. I take a few moments to admire his toned torso and bulging
biceps. This man should really have a modelling contract or something.

It doesn’t take me long to realize that his arms aren’t
the only thing that is rock hard. I rub the growing bulge which is starting to
show through his pants.

“Fuck Casey, I want you so bad.” Matt growls

I undo his trousers and push them and his underwear down
and his cock instantly springs to life. I really cannot find a fault with this
man. He is huge. I start to worry if he is going to fit.

His hand runs back up my bare thigh and finds my panties
and slips inside, pushing a finger inside my opening to make sure I am wet
enough before sliding another finger in and fucking me with two fingers.

“You’re ready for me Casey, come here, turn around” He
instructs me, his voice full with authority and I follow as he bends me over
the back of my couch and lifts my dress up. Within moments his fingers are
inside me the pace faster than last time. As his fingers continue to fuck me
harder and faster I let my head fall back and enjoy every moment.

As I begin to reach the brink of my climax I begin to
shudder, Matt reaches his spare hand round and begins to rub my clit. A violent
orgasm runs through my whole body and leaves me feeling limp.

“You are so sexy when you cum for me Casey. Your pussy is
so beautiful when it is throbbing.” He growls from behind me.

Within moments I feel him against my opening and with one
strong thrust he is inside me, I can feel my walls stretching to accommodate
him. The next thrust he is fully inside of me.

“Fuck Casey, you’re so tight!” He hisses, “You feel so
fucking good.”

He pulls back out, leaving me feeling empty, waiting for
my next dose. With one fierce stroke he is back inside of me. I cry out and he
lets out a low grumble of pleasure. He quickens his pace clutching tightly on
my hips as every inch of his cock fills me. I cry out as my second orgasm
shakes through me. Matt pumps into me harder and faster to drag my orgasm out
as long as he can and after several more thrusts he finds his own release.

His cock jerking inside me, he cries out.

We barely sleep that night, our hunger for each other
evident so when we make it upstairs it isn’t long until we are at it again,
just like in the kitchen, en suite and dining room.

Whenever
his hands aren’t on me, I instantly miss his touch; I crave it and then regret
what I had done.

~~~~~

I wake feeling sore, but I have never felt so attractive
in my life. Every inch of me aches and yet, I feel so sexy. Matt has made me
feel so special; he has been so attentive to my needs and wants. Darren never
made me feel that way. His touch never sent sparks through my body the way Matt’s
does and how he gives me butterflies just by looking at me. I now realize
Darren was only bothered about his pleasure, whereas Matt makes sure we both
get our release.  

We spend that Sunday together, never leaving my house once
and I am grateful that Debbie doesn’t work Sundays, we both have turned our
phones off so we aren’t interrupted once. We share an electrifying shower
together and cannot take our hands or eyes off of each other.

Afterwards Matt prepares us breakfast of bacon and eggs
which we eat at the dining table. I can’t help the flush in my cheeks as I
remember what we did on this very table in the early hours of the morning.

I can’t help but think that what we are doing is wrong on
so many different levels. I haven’t even known this bloke a week and he already
knows my body like the back of his hand, he can push me over the edge just by
looking at me with his eyes. How can I be professional around a man who just by
looking at me, can turn my legs to jelly?

Once we finish eating we clean up our dishes we make our
way back up to my bedroom where we both lay in bed facing each other. The duvet
is only covering us both half way and I am grateful that I threw a quick nightie
on after our shower; Matt on the other hand, has just been walking around in
his shorts. I can’t help but admire the man’s perfect body. Every muscle on his
abs is defined rock hard and the only hair on his torso is a fine line of dark
which runs from his short line to his naval.

He props his head up with his arm and watches me
attentively as my eyes dash to his biceps which are now on show; I swear they
are bigger than my thighs.

My eyes travel back up to his face where I observe all of
his features, how is it possible for a man to be this good looking? How is it
possible for such a good looking man to be in bed, watching me admire him?

I eventually make eye contact with him and he raises both
of his eyebrows at me “Quite finished now?” he jokes.

“I was just thinking what a good body you have Jacks. How
do you work out?”

“When I’m home I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week with my
buddies. Sometimes James comes along when he can be bothered.” He laughs, “Lazy
fucker he is – but I also run. My place isn’t far from the beach so I go out
there most evenings. Also, sex is a brilliant way to exercise, especially if
you have a good partner.” He wiggles his eye brows and his lips turn up into a
sexy grin.

“Ah, sexercise, I’ve heard about that. But do you do it
often enough to see the results?” I know I shouldn’t as I probably won’t like
the answer, but I can’t help myself. I sit up in the bed to brace myself for
his answer.

Looking up at me he shrugs “You can never have too much
sex – the women are so easy over there, and as soon as they come across a man
with money then it’s even easier.”

I start to remember about all the different women in the
pictures with him. Has he had sex with all them too? I try my hardest not to
let my feelings show so I put my best poker face on. “Yeah – money definitely
makes people more attractive. I have never had as much male attention in my
life--”

“The men aren’t attracted to your money, Casey. You are an
attractive woman.” 

We are silent for a couple of moments, occasionally
exchanging glances which hold the entire weight of our attraction for each
other.

Matt sits up beside me and I watch him, “Tell me your
story, Casey,” He looks straight in my eyes trying to read me, his hand slowly
rubbing up and down my spine sending them sparks rippling through me.

“My story? It’s not that interesting Jackson-“ He nods for
me to continue and I take a deep breath, “I thought I was in love with my first
serious boyfriend – he was called Darren and I was with him a little over three
years, turns out the bastard was sleeping with one of my friends for the
majority of the time we were together- I was planning to surprise him for his
21
^st
birthday, I bought him a cake, champers and planned a chilled
night in, the two of us- I’m not the best cook but was planning on trying to
cook him a three course meal, really make a nice effort for him,” He watches as
I glance down at my hands I didn’t realize I had been playing with, before
looking back at up at him. “I bought him a lottery ticket for his birthday
which I never ended up giving him, which turned out to be the big winner – the
reason I am who I am today. You don’t realize how lucky I am not to have thrown
the card, which I had put the ticket in, at him.”

“Unlucky bastard, I bet he soon regretted thinking with
his dick when he realized you were a millionaire.” He rubs the bridge of his
nose with his free hand.

“Once word was out he tried to call me once or twice
telling me how he had made a big mistake and how he has always loved me, but I
didn’t believe his bullshit. I suppose he ruined my trust in men.” I shrug my
shoulders and give him a small smile which he mirrors and takes my hand in his,
his thumb slowly rubbing the back of mine.

“Look, Case, I am only in the UK for another week or so. I
would like to spend more time with you outside of working environments.”

“I can finish work earlier on an evening and we can go out
for a meal?” I offer.

“No, not like that, I want to see more of the UK. Why
don’t we spend time away from all of this, say London?”

Although the idea was crazy, I hadn’t had time away from
work in so long. Maybe it would be a good idea to let my hair down and have
some fun. I don’t know why but I agreed to visit the capital with him.

Matt places a soft kiss on my temple before getting out of
bed to get his phone; he turns it on and after scrolling through messages he contacts
his assistants back at the hotel – he requests them to book a hotel and to
arrange transport for tomorrow morning. I offer to drive but he just shakes his
head and continues with his conversation. I sit watching him pace the length of
my bedroom whilst having the conversation.

He speaks confidently with such authority and power that
he actually starts to come across as quite arrogant and then I remember who he
actually is – he is the CEO of over 70 businesses and before long, he will be a
partner in my company.

He stops in front of the full body mirror and pushes his
hair out of his face with his free hand before continuing with his
conversation, I see his eyes search for me in the mirror and we look straight
at each other and my heart stops still for a few seconds before he begins
pacing again.

I take this opportunity to check my phone – I reach to get
it from the bedside table and switch it on. There are five missed calls – two
off Hannah from last night and three off an unknown number at early hours of
this morning. I check my text messages to find the following off Hannah:

I can’t believe U took him home. Enjoy ;-)

So how did it go last night…? Was he good? Let me know
when he has gone back to the hotel and I’ll come over x

You’re still fucking aren’t you? You rabbit. X

Ring me when you can x

I laugh out loud and shake my head once I finish reading
her texts; I click on her name and press call.

“About time as well, what time is it? Tea time?!” Hannah
puts on her annoyed voice. I try to hold in my laugh. I can picture her with
her hand on her hip and her brow furrowed.

“Sorry mother, I’ve been busy.” I shoot her this line
simply to see what her reaction would be.

“I knew it! You fucked him didn’t you?! What was he like,
is he big? I’m coming over right now, get the kettle on, in fact no, put some
champagne in the chiller.” I try to get a word in but I can’t – she doesn’t
stop for air.

“Calm down Hannah!” I laugh. “Look – I’m busy; I was just
calling to see if you can cancel my meetings for the next couple of days, I’m
going to be away from the office.”

“He’s still there isn’t he?” She asks in disbelief – I can
imagine her face now. Eyes wide, mouth gaping.

“Yes-I’m going to London with him for a couple of days,
can you hold the fort please?” I say matter-of-factly.

Sensing the change in my tone, she pulls herself round,
“Of course I will, Case, you know that” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” And with that we end the call.

Is there anything she wouldn’t do?