Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 48: YES, MA’AM

LAURA

Torture me.

These two words kept ringing in my head, even when I strayed so far away from Tristan to avoid giving in to any more temptations.

Torture.

Did he really think this was torture? What I just did was to him?

I almost laughed at the thought..because if that was what he thought...he was every wrong.

This was no torture, not in anyway. Not yet, anyway.

It was just me testing the waters and seeing how much either of us could take before the dam broke. Testing to see if the problem was with my body or...it just craved one man.

The very moment my lips met his, I knew it. My body only wanted Tristan, in a fucked up way. Maybe it was the reason I had subconsciously avoided any intimacy with anyone else.

That sexual pull I felt with Harlan...could it really have been fake? A product of my imagination? But I like Harlan! As much as it seemed like my body did not like him, I really did.

So it was confirmed. The flesh wants Tristan, had wanted him since five fucking years ago. And my soul? It wanted Harlan, it connected with him. That had to be it.

This was a complicated situation, but it could be resolved.

Except that Tristan said something along the lines of ’I’m yours’.

Did he think I would adopt his betraying, pathetic ass just because I let myself kiss him?

"Are you done thinking about how good that felt?" Warm breath caressed my ear without warning.

I jumped away in shock and further arousal.

Tristan was behind me, a smirk on his lips.

"Good?" I managed a sardonic scoff. "Don’t be so full of yourself all the time." After a brief pause, I added. "Did you creep up on me?"

He shrugged. "You were just too lost in your thoughts to notice me." He twirled the glass between his fingers and stepped even closer. "You know, you should do that more often."

My stomach flipped and I lifted my chin high to hide how much his words affected me. Was there even any need to hide again? "Do what?"

"Do the things on your mind. Drop the shackles and give in to what you feel."

I scoffed and did something that might not seem wise at the moment. I took a few steps forward and closed the distance between us. Just to prove a point..that I was not affected by him.

Who was I lying to?

Tristan’s gaze dropped to my lips as I challenged him with my words.

"So, you think I feel something for you, because of one silly, drunken kiss?"

The corner of his mouth twitched in a half smile. "I know. And it’s not just one silly kiss. We shared plenty in the past."

"Tristan!"

"Yes, Laura." His eyes twinkled with delight and amusement. He was enjoying this, my obvious discomfort, my confusion, the denials.

His gaze burned so intensely into my lips, I had to make a critical decision of stepping back before my body betrayed me again. "You know what? I think we’re done here. The pictures are great."

With a fresh wave of clarity, I was just realizing how late it was. I should be home by now. Back to my son and my sanity.

I stormed over to the desk and pulled the laptop close. Then I swiped left and right repeatedly. "This, this, this. You know what? They all look great."

"Whatever you say." Tristan was behind me again. I set down the glass with a thud and quickly grabbed my purse, nerves racing.

"Please fix that schedule," I said as I hurried towards the door. "I won’t come running every time you call out of the blues."

"Yes ma’am."

I whirled for a moment, my face flushed. "Ma’am?"

He nodded, blue eyes darkening as they moved down my body. "You have all the power now."

I rolled my eyes and turned to leave, because I really had no words in retort. He might be right.

Tristan’s voice stopped me by the door. "Ms. Hayes." The professional tone made me turn. "Yes?"

"A part of our schedule is going to involve weekly private strategy dinners where we discuss our progress and a lot more...just between us." He paused, his gaze sweeping over my face. "Is that okay?"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Did you conclude already or you’re really seeking my opinion?"

"I’m seeking your opinion."

"Alright then. Let me sleep on it. And even if I do agree, it’s going to be on my own terms. My rules. Deal?"

His eyes twinkled again. "Deal."

°°°

I got home to find Mara already in, running around the living room with Eli in a game of tag.

"Guys, not in the living room!"

Eli ran towards me as soon as he heard my voice. "Mama!"

He crashed into my thighs and I ruffled his hair. "Hey sweetheart." I flung my purse on the couch and picked him up. "You’ve been having fun without me, huh?"

He squealed as I threw him up in the air. "Mama! You can’t do that anymore. I’m grown."

I scoffed, setting him down. "A grown man, huh?"

Mara’s voice came from behind me. "Hey."

I turned and smiled at her. It didn’t feel genuine. "Hey. You came around."

"Yeah.." She stepped forward and dropped a kiss on my cheek. This one felt awkward. "It’s been a while since I saw my boy, and I thought I’d come around and tell you that we found the explanation for the three million grand from Pierce Holdings."

"And? What is it?"

"We think it’s a scheme by Madison Steele."

I laughed. "It’s obviously a scheme. How did she succeed? That’s the part I’m interested in."

Mara cleared her throat. Then she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a jar of orange juice from the fridge.

I watched as she filled a glass and took it all in one gulp. Mara was usually like this mostly when she was nervous. The sugar helps to calm her nerves.

What could she be so nervous about? And what scheme was Madison really plotting this time?

"Mama," Eli tugged on the sleeve of my shirt, distracting me from my thoughts. "I have something to show you."

I glanced down at him. "Take my purse upstairs and wait there for me."

He quickly did as told and I was left alone with Mara. She was on her second glass of the juice. I walked over and poured myself one.

"So, what are you not telling me?"

She lifted her gaze and watched me carefully. "She got to one of the greedy fishes. The staff from the design team."

I took a gulp of the juice to wash away the anger that was starting to boil deep inside me.

After I swallowed, I fixed a dead glare on Mara’s face. "Are you going to get straight to the point?"