Page 3 of His Price

Curious now as to what Liam sent, I sign quickly and accept the rectangular package wrapped in sleek black paper and a shiny red silk bow muttering, “thank you,” while closing the door.

Of course, my mind goes to jewelry. Liam is rich after all. I wouldn’t put it past him in the least to try and woo me with his riches. I’m going to need to stay on my toes around him. I can’t become a part of this feud between him and Jackson. Because while I know that Liam wants me in his bed, I can’t trust that he wants me there for the right reasons. I don’t doubt in the least that the reason he wants me so badly is to get back at Jackson. To have something that Jackson holds dear.

While I’m not going into this blind, I also want Liam just as much. This weekend is my chance to let my desires free before reining myself back in and forgetting all about Liam Maxwell.

I move to my comfy dark gray couch and take a seat, removing the silk ribbon and then ripping open the paper at the sides. I’m thinking diamonds and sparkle when I open the top of the box, but that’s not what I find. I slowly begin to grin, realizing I should have known better.

Opening the wooden box, the wordslove objectifiedare on the inside and lying against the black satin fabric is a gold dildo. I reach for the note tucked inside the box.

In Liam’s handwriting, the note reads:Think of me.

Heat courses through me as I run my fingers along the ink. So, this is the game we’re going to play, he and I? My tummy clenches with unfulfilled desire. Images of using this dildo while he watches flash through my mind. Perhaps that’s his intention, I wonder. Is he going to make himself unforgettable this weekend? Will he make me want more of him than I do right now? Will he be the man that I become so enraptured with I won’t be able to let him go?

I know his game. He expects me to be shy, unsure, overwhelmed by his boldness. Maybe at one time in my life I would have been that girl. Not now. I have nothing to lose. All I have is to gain one wild weekend where I give in to the sin that’s been burning between us for years.

I slide my fingers around the dildo, and by the weight of it, I’m assuming it might be real gold. Thinking of his intense gaze on me, I grow warm and wet between my thighs. It’s easy to imagine him when I slide the dildo within my sex until I’m breaking into orgasm. And as I drag a finger up the side of the dildo, a plan forms, only clenching my thighs tighter.

If he wants to play this game, I’m all in.

* * *

LIAM

Two days have passed since I’ve seen Aria. She’s remained heavily in my thoughts. Her using the dildo I sent yesterday is a constant tease that I can’t seem to stop thinking about. I want her to know what will happen this weekend. That the sex we will have will be kinky and hot, and that I plan to draw every erotic sensation out of her.

Sadly, however, by Monday afternoon, I need to focus on business.

I move through the office of Bakker Pharmaceuticals, which is located not far from the Los Angeles Zoo. I stride through the bare hallways, passing by the offices, absorbing the atmosphere around me. The Bakker deal is the beginning of a wave of mergers between a handful of pharmaceutical companies. Whoever wins the Bakker deal will likely stand to win the other two smaller companies preparing to merge with the single goal of producing new life-saving drugs.

My law firm represents Norcross Pharmaceuticals, the company fighting hard to get in front of this merger. With three other companies fighting equally as hard, my team has been working day and night to learn all they can about the CEO behind Bakker, Calvin Bakker. He’s been hesitant to accept a deal yet, which speaks that he wants something very specific.

I’m here today to find out what that is.

I stop at the bank of windows and shove my hands into the pockets of my black slacks, gazing into the factory below. I’ve seen many factory workers before but there is a difference between Bakker’s employees and what I’ve seen at other places.

“What are you thinking?” a soft voice says behind me.

I turn toward Mallory, my assistant and Aria’s best friend. For two years, Mallory has worked for me. And in those two years, she’s always remained perfectly put together with her long blond hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, fresh makeup around her bright green eyes, black skirt and white blouse impeccably ironed. She’s got the brains, grit, and determination that I depend on daily. “What do you see?” I ask her, curious if my instincts are lining up with hers.

She steps in next to me, glancing down into the factory. “I see happy, hardworking employees.”

I nod in agreement. “That’s what I see, too.” The mood here appears lighter, happier, loyal even. Within minutes of entering the company, it became evident that Bakker treats his employees well, and because of that they work hard for him. I understand that line of thinking because that’s the way I run my law firm, too.

“Did you see this?” Mallory points to a bulletin board full of papers behind her. “Family barbecues, play days at the beach, movie nights. It seems that Mr. Bakker holds quite a lot of events for his employees.”

“It certainly does.” I glance back at the workers sitting at the tables wearing white lab coats, face masks, and hairnets. “What about their wages?”

Mallory opens the file folder in her arms and flicks through a few documents. “Above standard, for sure.”

I consider that. My instincts tell me we’re moving in the right direction. Two of the other companies have made their offers for the merger, and from my inside sources, I know Bakker is waiting for all four offers to decide. I need an advantage over the other companies, especially the Pioneer Group, since my sources say their offer is high. I feel like right now we’ve found it.

“It’s got to be family.” I turn to Mallory. “That’s what drives a man like Bakker. He thinks of his employees like family. I bet if we focus on his employees, ensuring they are taken care of, we’ll get that advantage we need.”

Mallory nods. “What do you need me to do?”

That’s what I appreciate about Mallory most. She’s the best researcher I know, and whatever I need, she gets me. Every single time. I imagine this is what a marriage feels like, a partnership. In business, Mallory is my better half. Together, we are a kick-ass team. “Find out everything you can about Bakker’s personal life, more about what he does for his employees and what he does personally for his company.”

“Consider it done,” Mallory says with a smile, closing the file folder.

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