BethanyBethany looked up from the pile of papers in front of her as Kent spoke. Her soon-to-be stepfather stood at the head of a long cherrywood executive-length table, his brow contorted."I'm not sure how this happened. Why the hell aren't the numbers tying out? Zarpeth is one of our largest clients, and I know we sent a really strong senior associate to count their inventory." He sighed and pulled the chair back, slumping down in it.Something inside of her wanted to do anything to make things right. She simply didn't have the experience. Just being out of school and headed back for her master’s soon, she lacked on-the-job experience."What can I do?" Bethany leaned back in her chair and slipped her hands into her lap as her phone buzzed."Call your brother, and tell him to get here." Kent sighed again and ran his fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair.His word stung without him knowing it. His reference to Damon being her brother left a mark on her. The reality that she had ju
Bethany"You're not trying to make me better. You're pinpointing my lack of common sense. That's not something you learn in accounting classes." She put her hands on her hips as heat rose up her chest and coated her throat. "And your tone is starting to get on my nerves. If you want to coach me to understand the details of shipment times at the client's warehouse, that's fine, but talking to me like I'm a dumbass because you know how things run at the Tampa plant and I don't isn't coaching."He let out a long breath. "I understand that you think we should be holding hands and smiling at each other after this morning, but I'm not interested in a relationship. If you're not willing to be a woman who’s worth my time, then you probably need to let me know that now. Save us some time."Bethany took another step back as a large ball of regret pressed into her throat, the room seeming hot all of a sudden. She wasn't even sure how to react, so she didn't. She dropped the paper she had picked
BethanyTuesday morning came fast, Bethany having ordered room service the night before and stayed in her pj's all evening. A few sappy chick flicks later, and she was a ball of tears, wishing that something besides her new plan would work. She knew a different Damon existed. He was the one that Matt worshiped. The one that was shocked to find out that maybe she loved him. The one that held her the first night they were together, not kicking her out but tucking her against him as they slept.Where was that guy? To what extreme would she have to go to dig through all of his protection to reach him? Was it worth it?"What the fuck am I going to do when I get there?"Because the truth of the matter was plain and simple. She was going to get there. It didn't matter what it took. Needing to know if anything could exist between them beyond the fiery physical attraction was paramount.Bethany finished packing up the room, throwing Damon's stuff in his suitcase as well. A soft knock on the do
She smiled as the flight attendant stopped beside her, the boy metro for sure but handsome. His smile widened a little as he looked down at her. Bethany smiled back, letting the gesture reach her eyes."Something to drink for you?""What do you suggest?" She leaned toward him a little, her tongue touching the edge of her mouth. "I'm not in the mood for liquor, but I am so thirsty."The boy's smile lifted a little until Damon cleared his throat. Bethany glanced over at him. His stare pinned her with accusation, but she ignored it, chuckling a little."It would seem my boss is thirsty as well.""Boss?" the boy asked."And my brother, actually." Bethany stared at Damon for a minute more, the light in his gaze dimming a little. Was he hurting from the way she was? She wanted to be glad of it, and yet it tore at her resolve. She couldn't do this for long. It wasn't who she was at all."Gin and Sprite," Damon responded before leaning back and closing his eyes."I'll just have the Sprite." B
BethanyEvery move she made reminded her of the way he touched her in the airplane restroom. The warmth between her thighs was a constant pleasure that caused her mind to be distracted. She had planned to own him, but once again he had pulled her strings and assumed control.They walked off the plane in silence, Damon having fallen asleep pretty quickly when they got back to their seats. The look from the male attendant when he finally delivered their drinks after trying forever was pensive at best. Damon's hand rested in her lap, his fingers tightly wrapped around her upper thigh.She just smiled sheepishly at the attendant and decided not to worry too much about it. She’d never see the guy again anyway. He could think all he wanted to about her brother manhandling her thigh.The bite mark behind her ear was safely covered by her thick hair, but her fingers kept brushing by the swollen flesh, the pain almost unbearable. Why Damon would think he needed to bite her so hard was question
BethanyBethany followed him closely as they walked into the house, his shoulders slightly slumped, which was cause for concern. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes heavy with exhaustion."You hungry?""No. Let's take a nap, and then we'll get something to eat.""Yeah. That sounds good." He moved toward his bedroom, stopping to lean against the wall as he pulled his foot up and tried to get his shoes off.Bethany moved in front of him and knelt before him, working to untie his shoes as his fingers slipped into her hair."Don't lie to me again, okay?"She looked up as she tugged a sock off his foot. "Lie about what?""Anything. I guess I understand the Sadie thing but don't lie to me again. One more time and I've nothing left to give you. Got it?""Don't treat me like I'm not intelligent again." Bethany stood, dropping the sock and looking up at him, her voice strong and steady. "I'm fucking brilliant, and you tore me down yesterday because you have the sensitivity of a grizzly bear.
BethanyHe slept late into the afternoon, and as much as she wanted to stay with him, she needed to clear her head. Bethany left Damon a note, blaming her stomach for her departure, and said that she would see him on Wednesday in the office. She called her mother to come and pick her up around three that afternoon. Nibbling at her lip with worry over her decision, Bethany let out a long sigh of relief as her mother showed up.She got in the car quickly and flashed a smile at her mom."Thank you. Damon's asleep, and it almost felt creepy sitting there watching him." She gave off a nervous laugh as her mom eyed her."I'm surprised you just didn't let Kent bring you home. I thought you and Damon didn't get along at all.""We don't really." Bethany shrugged and fidgeted with the air conditioner, trying to find something to do. "He just wanted to go over the audit and pinpoint areas that I should learn to focus on.""Bethany ... I know he's a really good-looking guy, but you know he's abou
Bethany"You guys get everything sorted out?""They did." She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. "Are you going to this outing tonight?""Yeah. It's just to a local bar.""Another club?" Bethany mumbled, rolling her eyes."No. Just a bar. We're going to have a few drinks. I'm going. You should come with us.""I'll see. I was hoping to catch up with some old friends back on campus.""Damon an ass while you guys were there?""He was pretty stressed out. He had his moments.""I hear he and his girlfriend are having issues. I would just steer clear of him. He always acts like this when he's upset about stuff." Ben smoothed his hand down his chest, flattening the tie before standing. "Anyways, keep that on the down-low, but I know you have to interact with him a lot, so don't take anything personal."His girlfriend? Was Ben referring to her and he didn't know? Bethany was aware that she was far from his girlfriend, but surely the senior associate in front of her wasn't talking