Page 38 of At His Beck & Call

“I understand that,” he says smoothly. “But it’s mainly wrapped up now, right? Transfer the final negotiations to Lewis, and I’ll get Carmen’s files sent over to you. She’s a lucrative client, and this will impress the other equity partners. It could help secure your position in the future, especially if you impress her.”

Damn it, Tom knows me too well.

I’ve wanted to become an equity partner since I joined the firm. It’s part of the reason I rose through the ranks so fast, working every hour I could to get in with the right people. If I can pull this off and make EP I’d be one of the youngest in the city. Most people don’t make that step until they’re in their fifties.

Will this Reynolds case push me over the top?

I’ve never been Tom’s favorite, and most of the board doesn’t seem to like me much, but I bring in millions for the firm every year.

Tom shifts his weight as I remain silent for a little too long. He needs me to agree, and I enjoy making him squirm for a bit.

“Alright,” I say eventually. “But Lewis will have a lot of work to finish off. Doeshehave capacity?”

“He’ll make time,” Tom says unconcerned, and I chew on the corner of my mouth to hide my irritation. Tom has no idea what Lewis is working on and doesn’t care.

“Send over everything Reynolds sent us, and I’ll talk to her tomorrow,” I say.

“Thanks, Oliver,” Tom says, already moving on from the issue.

I won’t see him again until Carmen Reynolds’ money is firmly in his pocket.

“How’s your mother?” he asks as I look up. He knows I’m single, and even though he asks after my mom every time he sees me, it always feels perfunctory.

How’s the only family you have? Still alive?

“She’s good, how’re Megan and the kids?”

“Oh, the rugrats are good. Julia just turned ten.”

“Time flies.”

“It sure does. Don’t stay too late,” he says with a little smirk as he turns away, walking swiftly out and managing to slam the door behind him.

I stare at the ceiling, considering what I just agreed to. Carmen Reynolds is one-half of a large luxury goods business. Her husband, Richard, is a billionaire, having spawned hundreds of franchises from his business model, and both of them have shared in the profits. I always thought their marriage was pretty solid, but then, all marriages look solid in the media. Until they don’t…

I have an uneasy feeling this is going to be a nightmare.

Leaning forward, I open an email to Lewis, the poor schmuck who’s going to be cleaning up the Clarendon case, and send him as much detail as I can before I log off for the night.

As I turn off the lights and power down my computer, my eyes linger on the chaise at the other end of the room. I fantasize about stripping Lissa naked and just having her lounge on it all day, touching herself, letting me fuck her, tying her up, and making her beg for my cock.

Blowing out a long breath, I adjust myself, snap off the lights, and head home.

Chapter 13

Lissa

Iarrive at the office the next morning to total chaos.

When the elevator doors open, the usually quiet hallway is buzzing with activity and noise.

Renee and Paul walk by carrying stacks of archive boxes, and several other men follow behind them, carrying more. They’re heading in the direction of Oliver’s office, and I’m suddenly glad I came in early.

I make my way toward Adelaide, who I can see directing everybody with a tight expression.

She’s wearing a dark purple cardigan and shirt today with purple pants, and she even has purple earrings on. I can’t help smiling, wondering whether she ever wears a different color. She still looks far more elegant than me though, in my shitty suit.

When she sees me, I detect the relief in her eyes and it makes me so happy.