Only Yours (8 page)

Holy Shit.

My mouth hangs open. I shake my head at him as my cheeks heat. He is such a pompous ass. At every turn I take, there he is trying once again, to control of every aspect of my life.

I stand, no longer able to sit and be still. Not able to control my fury, I turn towards him and shove a finger in his chest. I’m feeling extraordinarily brave at the moment. Due to his solid chest muscles, my small finger doesn’t make a dent.

“Daemon,” I begin in what could almost be called a growl. That is also the only work I manage to squeeze out, before he startles me, by taking my finger in his hand and pressing it against his warm lips. I really miss those lips. I watch mesmerized as his tongue darts out and wets the pad of my skin. All my nerve endings are awakened by his touch. I shiver as a chill skirts down my spine. The kiss is brief, but it does a number on my frazzled mind.

While staring up at him in bewilderment, Daemon drops my hand and continues on about his pre-arranged plans. “I’ve already spoken with Sasha. She and Trey she will watch over Dimples while you’re away. Since you will be leaving straight from work to go to the airport, I will have Trey retrieve your car and return it to your home this afternoon.” He seems satisfied with himself as he leans back on his heels and shoves his hands deep into his pockets. Shooting me a daring smirk, he asks, “Any questions, Kelly?”

“Only one,” I mumble, then quickly shake my head, “No. Make that two questions,” I correct.

His mouth sets into a hard line. I take that as my cue to ask away, so I do. “First of all,” I begin, motioning towards the banquet of food set up against the side walls, “What is up with all the food? I assume this is your doing since we don’t normally cater to clients in Cherie’s office.” From where I’m sitting I can see bowls of fruit, varieties of muffins and rolls, thick bacon, and what looks to be some type of salmon with bagels. There is are a few more containers, but they have silver warming tins covering them, so I can’t tell what’s in them.

Cherie lets out a harsh laugh. “My office looks like a three ring circus. I think it’s fitting considering what’s happening, don’t you?”

Daemon shoots her a scolding look that would have most people backtracking and stumbling to correct themselves. She seems completely unfazed by it. If anything, I think Cherie is as put out with the man, as I am. After all the hoops he keeps making her jump through, I don’t blame her.

“I thought you might be hungry. You never give yourself enough time to eat before work, and then by lunchtime, you’re starving. I thought this might help. It’s all your favorites.”

I hate that he knows me so well. It is yet another reminder of how close we had become before everything went to hell. I’m locked in an internal debate over whether or not to give into my grumbling stomach, or ignore it and refuse to eat. That plan might have worked, if my traitorous stomach wasn’t being so loud. I wouldn’t be surprised if Charity can hear it all the way down the hall. It’s the bacons fault. It smells too damn good to ignore.

I try and ignore his self-assured smile as I make myself a small plate. He really brought in all my favorites, including a huge bowl of nothing but cantaloupe and watermelon. I love fresh fruit.

Plopping back down in my seat, I take a few bites, savoring the contrasting textures and the slew of flavors meshing together. I swear my mouth is having its own sort of orgasm. At least some part of my body is getting a happy ending. Licking the cantaloupe juice off my fingertips, I glance up at Daemon, and ask my second question.

“Who is the quiet man that has been standing watch over us this entire time? I didn’t take you as someone who needed security or a full-time butler. What gives?”

Taking a step back. Daemon motions for the gentleman to come closer. Once he does I am surprised to find that he is younger than I first thought, probably late forty’s instead of fifties, the short brown hair covering his head is just beginning to grey at the edges. His eyes seem kind with small laugh lines creasing the corners. He body although short is clearly muscular and well cared for.

“Kelly, I would like you to meet, James Dixon.”

James thrusts his hand out and I easily take it. “It is nice to meet you James,” I say softly, before shooting Daemon another questioning look.

The bastard laughs. “James is here to help you. He is somewhat of a jack of all spades. He will be accompanying us on our trip and will act as your shadow when I can’t be with you.

“What do you mean
‘he’s my shadow’
?” I ask softly.

“Exactly as it sounds. There will be times when I have work to tend to and can’t escort you through the city. Not every place there is safe, Kelly,” he chides as though I am an errand child being difficult. “James will act as your driver, personal assistant, and can step in and help with anything else you might need. I’ve known him a long time and trust him fully.”

I gape at him. “You’re insane,” I sputter, exasperated.

I can feel the blood in my veins start to boil. I wave my hands around like a lunatic, gesturing towards James. I’m sure the poor man is wondering what horrible deed he did to get stuck with a crazed woman like me.

“I don’t need a baby-sitter Daemon, and I sure as hell don’t need to take a trip to Spain with you. This is absurd on so many levels. You’ve made your point already so just drop all of this. I can order quality furniture from Spain without having to go there with you. Haven’t you ever heard of the internet?”

By the time I finish, I’m practically screaming. I feel so out of control. My body is shaking with every labored breath I take. I hate how easily he turns me inside-out and upside-down. No man should be able to crawl under my skin the way he does. It’s not right, and it if I am being completely honest, it scares the hell out of me.

With narrowed, dark green eyes, he pins me in place. He is way too quiet and that worries me more than him yelling back at me. I actually prefer the yelling. Yelling means he is rattled and moving off of instinct. Silence is so much worse. Silence means that he is thinking and planning his next move. I am all out of moves. It’s not even noon yet and I am already mentally and physically exhausted. My taunt, stressed-out muscles feel like they’ve gone ten rounds with a prized fighter and lost every one.

Reaching into a brief case by his chair, he pulls out a check and lays it on the desk in front of Cherie. She picks it up and studies it, a small smile flittering on her lips. I can’t tell what the sum of the check is, but it has to be large to catch Cheri’s attention. “This should cover Kelly’s services for the next two weeks and any inconvenience her being away will cause the company.”

Tucking his coat and briefcase under his arm, he walks over and whispers something into James’s ear. James listens attentively to whatever is being said and nods his head accordingly. As Daemon as he heads for the door, James stays in his spot, making no shift to follow him.

My eyes widen with worry.
Why isn’t James going with him?
Surely he isn’t staying behind to keep an eye on me. This is beyond belief.
He wouldn’t do that...right?

When Daemon reaches me he stops. Tucking a finger under my chin, he tilts my head back and stares into my eyes. I cross my arms and glare at him. This has gone too far. He has gone too far.

He smiles at me, but the smile does not reach his eyes. He is so damn close. The smell of his cologne wraps around me, pulling me in, and promising wonderful, dirty things. I instantly feel my nipples pull tight. If I leaned in just a smidgen, his chest would be pressed against mine. I rake an unsteady hand through my hair, trying to banish such thoughts.

God, I am such a mess
.

He leans forward, pressing a light kiss to my forehead. “Play nice, Tulip. I’ll have a car sent here at five o’clock to pick you both up for the airport.”

“No way. He is not staying,” I protest. “Daemon-“

He glares at me.

My argument lands on deaf ears. Shaking his head in amusement, he flashes me a devilish smile, and slips out the door. I want to scream in defiance and call him every name in the book as he retreats, but in doing so, everyone in the office will also hear me. I can’t cause a scene and not have everyone talking about it.

Dirty Bastard!

For the last hour I have been trying to type up a design proposal to send to Mr. Givens for the remodel on his Victorian home in The Heights area. Normally I could finish this within twenty to thirty minutes max. Not today. Besides my nerves being frayed, my mind is reeling from what lies ahead for the next few week. Not to mention, my new personal assistant is sitting across from me watching everything I do with a smile plastered to his face. I have to assume the smile is fake. Nothing that has happened today is smile worthy. I mean, he was practically ordered to follow me around like a puppy.

Who
would smile happily about that?

I hit the save button on my computer, groan, and slam down the top of my laptop. “I’ll be here all day at this rate,” I mumble under my breath. Palming my eyes, I lightly rub at them, wishing I could somehow erase this day and start anew. If I could, I would pack a small bag, grab Dimples, and I’d run away and hide for as long as it took for Daemon to forget my name and everything about me.

I silently laugh at the absurdity of that idea. The truth is that Daemon is not my only problem. It’s also me. I could be living clear across the world, and years from now, I would still be thinking about him. Remembering the way his touch turns my body into a live wire, the feel of his lips on mine, and the way his cock magically hits every nerve ending within me, as he slowly fucks me hours on end. Nope. There is definitely no easy way to run away from all that.

“Are you okay Ms. Dawson?” James softly asks, from his seat in front of me.

“No,” I sigh, pulling my hands away from my face.

I give him a small smile, not wanting him to know he is part of the problem. It’s not his fault his boss has a few screws loose. “I am certainty not okay James, but I don’t have time to keep dwelling on all the bad. I have a lunch date I need to get to. Will you be okay by yourself here or do I need to call Daemon and have him send a car for you?”

Standing, I reach behind my desk and retrieve my purse that I keep stashed on a hook. When I turn back around, I’m surprised to find James already standing and waiting by the doorway. He’s got crazy ninja skills. I never heard him move.

Remembering my phone, I open my desk drawer and dig around, searching through a bottle of Tylenol, several hair ties, and multiple tubes of lip gloss, until I finally spot it hiding beneath my favorite paperback copy of E L James’s book Fifty Shades of Grey. I swear that book changed my life. It’s one of the many reasons I finally took the chance and found the courage to leave Gary. Reading about the impressive orgasms the characters in that book enjoyed made me realize it’s possible to miss something you’ve never had.

Heading past James and out my door, I stop by Charity’s desk and let her know I will be out for the next hour or two. She nods her head but once again, refuses to look my way. I have never expected much from Charity, mostly because I know I would be sorely disappointed, but her non-chalant attitude is pushing me over the edge. She chose the wrong day to push my buttons.

I slam my hands down onto her desk, inches from where she continues to type. The sound echoes within the quiet hallway, earning her attention, and a few others near-by. I am not big on confrontations, but enough is enough.

“Charity, what is your problem?” I ask leaning down and getting right into her personal space.

Her eyes widen and quickly dart around, seeing that we have an audience. I don’t wait for her answer and continue on. “When I ask you a question or to perform a task for me, I expect your utmost attention and respect. If you can’t handle that with a grain of niceness, then maybe I need to speak with Cherie, and replace you with someone who can. ”

Her lip quivers with anger. If looks could kill I would be pushing up daisies. If it were anyone else, I would handle this differently, more professionally, but Charity does not understand what professional means. Reaching out, I tuck a loose strand of hair that has fallen out of her bun behind her ear, while keeping my eyes trained on hers the whole time.

Keeping my voice level and devoid of emotion I ask, “Do we have an understanding Charity or do I need to make a phone call?”

Her head shakes side to side, but it is not enough. I want more. “Words Charity. I need to hear you say it,” I prompt.

Swallowing hard, she tilts her head back, and gives me the fakest smile I have ever seen. Her voice is chilly and full of hatred for me as she answers. “No, Ms. Dawson. I understand.”

I stand back up to my full height ready to leave again. “Good. I’m glad we understand each other. I’ll be back soon.”

I stride down the hall in a mental fog. I need a vacation from all the crazies surrounding me, and unfortunately, I have a feeling my trip to Spain isn’t going to help me in that department. If anything it is only going to make things much worse.

It isn’t until I am standing before the banks of elevators waiting on the next car that I notice James is still with me. He is so quiet and keeps to himself that it’s easy to forget when he is around. I think hard, trying to remember if he said whether or not Daemon would be sending a car for him, or is he already has one parked here he could use, while I am away.

“So James, “I say turning to him. “What are your plans for the rest of the day? Have any loose ends you need to tie up before we leave tonight?”

“No loose ends for me,” he chuckles. He has a nice laugh. One that lights up his face and takes over his whole body. I can picture him doing it often. That thought relaxes me. Seeing him as a person with a job to do, and not some mindless drone following orders, makes being around him easier.

“
My wife, Jill, takes care of our affairs. Although she won’t admit it, I think she is looking forward to a few weeks of me being gone. She normally uses my time away to go and see her sister in Florida.”