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Yes, the thought of a stranger watching me undress is creepy, but I can’t help but feel a little turned on. Would I be this aroused if the roles were reversed?
To be honest, I would probably watch him under similar circumstances, but I wouldn’t be so brazen to use a telescope. Luckily, I hadn’t stripped completely nude before noticing I had an audience. Would he still watch me if he knew I was aware of his dirty little secret?
I pull my hair into a high ponytail and walk into the bathroom to start my bath, forcing myself to ignore the dull throb between my thighs as I replay the feeling of being watched by the handsome stranger across the way.
Chapter 4
ASHER
“The projections for the next five years look outstanding,” says Joe, pointing to the chart on the screen. “I’ve done the work, and we’re looking at a possible one hundred and two percent return on our investment.”
I suffer through dozens of these meetings throughout the day and this one is no different. Joe, or Juggernaut Joe as we like to call him, dabs at the sheen of sweat on his forehead. I’m not sure why he gets so nervous when trying to sell us on an idea of his. We’re all friends and I trust their judgement, otherwise I wouldn’t have them working with me.
I absentmindedly flip my pen over and over and try to recall the investment figure Joe mentioned earlier. The notepad in front of me is mostly blank, except for a few doodles I drew to help pass the time.
“Repeat the investment amounts for me again. How much will we be out of pocket initially, and how long until we start seeing some cash flow?” I ask.
Despite the monotony of the meetings, there’s only one thing capable of keeping my attention… money. I need the cold hard facts. How much do you need? When do I get it back? And how much interest will be included? The bottom line is the most important thing to me, luckily my other board members help handle the rest.
Joe flips back through his notes and repeats the information he knows I’m looking for. One bad investment, a single wrong move has the power to render me penniless. Thankfully, I make all the right moves.
The other investors swivel their chairs to face me, waiting on the final decision. We work together as a team, but there can only be one boss.
“Sounds good to me,” I say. “I’ll have Amelia draw up the necessary documents and we’ll get this show on the road.”
Everyone gathers their various notebooks and folders, preparing to leave the conference room. I grab my things and prepare to bolt, but Joe blocks the door.
“Slow down, Asher,” he says playfully. “We just closed on a major deal, let’s go celebrate.”
Celebrate. I’m not sure I know what that word means anymore.
It’s been ages since I’ve celebrated anything. I go on a few bland dates a month and to the occasional company party. I’m usually juggling several things at a time, and partying doesn’t rate highly on my agenda. There are twenty-four hours in the day and I prefer to spend mine making money.
Normal people can live in the moment, but not me. I like to schedule everything, including fun. When someone asked me to have drinks in my early twenties, I would drop whatever I was doing and party all night. But at thirty-five, my priorities are a little different.
“Not tonight, Joe,” I say. “I’m slammed with work, plus I have some loose ends to tie up at the building I’m looking to purchase.”
Joe steps aside to allow me out of the room, but follows me down the hall to my office.
“You and I both know you can do this job with your eyes closed. Besides, you know what they say, all work and no play will make a man’s balls shrivel up,” he teases.
We laugh as I shove a stack of paper into my briefcase and check the time on my Rolex. If anything is worth having, then make sure you have the best, is a motto I live and die by. My suits, cars and way of life in general all fall under this motto and I must stay focused to maintain my standards.
“You’re absolutely right,” I say. “Trust me, my balls are currently in no immediate danger, but I promise we’ll get together soon and party all night. In the meantime, go tie one on with the guys. You worked hard on this deal these last few months and gave an amazing presentation. You deserve to celebrate and have a little fun.”
We walk out of my office and Joe claps me hard on the back before we part ways in the hallway. I enjoy the silence of the elevator as I ride down to the ground floor. Given the number of meetings I have in a day, I always appreciate the moments of quiet, no matter how short. I stand out front and wait for my Rolls-Royce to pull up, a rare occurrence since I hate waiting for anything.
