A smile appeared on Adriana's face as she hit the enter button on her laptop.
" Finally, " she groaned tiredly moving her neck from side to side to remove the kinks and aches from so much bending to work on her laptop.
She just completed the numerous reports she needed for the next managerial meeting coming up next week.
As the new CEO of her father's company, she has a lot on her desk to do. Their company, Starprize Winery was performing below par because her father had been lax with his employees giving them room to do as they please.
Adriana loves her father and respects him a lot, but the man was kind to a fault.
When she took over as the new CEO a few years ago after graduating top of her class from Havard business school, she found their accounts to be in red, and most of all other departments with a lot of mess that had the company in so much dept that she is still fighting till this day to pull them out.
She has managed to pull them out from red but they were barely floating and the efforts it is taking to keep her father's company from going under were beginning to take their toll on her.
She looked out of her ceiling to floor window to find that the sun was completely out, and the sky was covered in darkness.
A look at the golden wristwatch around her wrist told her she was late again getting home.
She sighed tiredly and began to pack up.
If she wanted to be home and be ready for the evening outing with her girls she needs to leave now.
It was Friday, and she and her girlfriends were going clubbing, a tradition they started a few months ago to help them destress from the stress of the weeks.
All her friends were workaholics who needed a way to let out steam and so they devised a means to do that.
Dancing and having fun in the club wasn't enough for Adriana to burn out her stress so she chooses another outlet. Sex with random men she picks up at the club.
Since she was always busy with work and didn't have time to date these random hooks ups were the only way she could burn out the pent up frustration that plagues her at the end of the week.
Adriana wasn't surprised to find everywhere deserted when she walked out of her office. It was already past nine so most of the employees were already at home.
She nodded at the night security at the lobby before walking into the night. Her brown Lexus Jeep was the only car in the garage.
She opened the door just as her phone rang.
" Hey girl, what is up? " she answered with a smile when she saw it was Reilly, one of her best friends calling.
" Are you on your way? "
" Ehm, " Adriana stammered not knowing how to tell her friend that she was just leaving work now. They have one rule. To leave work early on Fridays, but these past few days with their company facing an external auditing Adriana has had to do a lot to make sure they pass it which means many late nights at work.
" Don't tell me you are still at work, " Reilly screeched.
Adriana winced as the high-pitched sound grated on her ears. She pulled the device away for a second before bringing it back.
" I won't tell you that, " she joked and then smiled as she imagined her friend rolling her eyes.
" You better not be late tonight again if not Shannon will have your head " Reilly warned with a trace of a smile in her voice.
" Yes, sergeant, " Adriana salutes with her voice as she closed the door. She could almost feel the eye roll through the phone making her chuckle.
" See you tonight dork head, " Reilly muttered and rang off.
With a smile on her face, Adriana drove off.
Walking into her apartment Adriana began to undress leaving a trail of her clothing as she matched towards the bathroom.
Her shower lasted but five minutes and she was out, standing naked dripping in front of her walk-in closet.
" What to wear, " she soliloquized to herself as she ran her aquamarine eyes over the assortment of clothes hanging off the racks.
Her red-painted long-nailed fingers moved recklessly through the pile, moving from the jeans and blouses to the gowns as she continued to contemplate her choice.
A happy grin appeared on her pink full lips when her eyes caught sight of a black backless shiny short gown.
" Perfect, " she outed reaching for the gown.
Adriana walked out of her closet with the gown in hand and went to get ready for the night.
The last item to make it to her body to complete the spectacular sexy look she had going for her tonight was a sexy open-toe four inches black sandals which displayed her red painted toes to perfection and pointed out her straight long legs.
Adriana twirled one more time for the mirror, her eyes glowing with admiration for her perfect stunning appearance this night.
Yep, she was good to go.
She picked up her clutch and headed towards the door. She was meeting her friends at the club.
When Adriana arrived the parking lot was already filled so she had to drive down a bit to find a place to park.
Her blood began to pump as she walked into the club. There were a lot of bodies on the dance floor moving to the strong and upbeat music flowing from the numerous speakers scattered all over the club.
Her heart pounded to the rhythm of the strong beats as the music flowed through her body.
Adriana looked around for her friends and smiled when she caught sight of the three women and she set off towards them.
" Adriana! " One of the women hailed standing up to greet her.
" Hi, Shannon, " Adriana greeted the tall slim brunette as they air-kissed each other. She repeated the same thing with the other two women at the table before taking a seat on the only vacant seat at the table.
" You are late! "
" Not that late, the night is just starting, " Adriana lifted the plump blonde's drink to her lips as she winked at her.
" Get your own drink, " Reilly snatched her glass from her friend glaring at her.
" Haven't you heard Ri, there is love in sharing, " Adriana mocked playfully.
" Haven't you heard, there is STIs in sharing, " Reilly shot back grinning at Adriana.
" Ooh!!!!, " the other two women crooned as they laughed.
" Was that a shot at my sexual proclivities? " Adriana arched her brow.
" It is a shot at you getting your own drink. "
" Whatever, " Adriana stood up to do just that.
" What is it going to be tonight? " The bartender flashed her a familiar smile.
Adriana and her friends were regulars at the club and were known by most of the bartenders at the club.
" Tonic and Gin, " Adriana returned his smile.
" On the rocks? "
" No, I am going straight tonight. "
" When have you ever been not straight, " the bartender teased?
" Oh, you never can tell Joe, I might meet a hot woman someday who might tempt me into playing for the other team, " Adriana teased with her most awesome flirty grin on display.
The bartender shook his head with light grin, not believing the woman. He knew she was as straight as they come.
" Here, " he placed her order on the counter.
" Thanks, " Adriana accepted her drink with a smile and turned back to her table.
" Flirting with the bartender again? " Helen, the African American woman in the group asked raising her left brow at the tall blonde.
Adriana sighed dreamily as she took her seat.
" If only he was straight, " she turned to run her eyes hungrily over the bartender's form.
" His sexiness is wasted on the men, " Shannon commented eying the bartender.
The other three women nodded their heads before shifting their interest to something else.
" So how is the company coming along? " Reilly asked looking towards Adriana.
" You know the rules Reilly, no work talk here, " Shannon reminded the blonde.
" Sorry, just worried for Rina, what with the auditing and them being on the verge of losing their company. "
Adriana sighed silently wishing her friend didn't have to remind her. The reason for this outing was for them to forget for a few hours the huge responsibilities and work that awaits them in the real world.
Reilly is a defense attorney working for one of the top law firms in the city, Helen is a Pediatric surgeon, and Shannon is a physical therapist who is just starting up her business. They were all packed up with work and huge responsibilities that makes having a life difficult for them.
They have been friends since high school, despite having drifted to different aspects of the work sphere have remained friends.
" You don't have to worry Reilly I have got everything under control, and Shannon is right. No work talk tonight. I really need a breather from it. "
" Amen sister, " Helen echoed as they raised their glasses together before swallowing them at a go.
The drinks came pouring in as the women talked and laughed among themselves talking about anything and everything except work.
" So who is gonna be the lucky guy tonight? " Shannon asked a little tipsy.
A coquettish grin appeared on Adriana's face as she ran her eyes over the club picking out the eligible men she has had her eyes on since walking into the club.
Every Friday night, Adriana always goes home with a gentleman for a night of hard sex with no strings attached, and the next morning she sends them on their merry way and never to be repeated.
Some of the men she has slept with were in the club and have been giving her the looks but Adriana doesn't do repeats. That is her rule.
She laughed as she and her friends checked out her potential lay for the night.
" What about him? " Shannon pointed.
Adriana followed her hand and froze as her heart leaped off her chest down to her stomach scattering the butterflies nesting down there.
" Wow! " Helen echoed the words in her mind and Adriana could totally agree. She was staring at the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. His face was sculpted and reminded Adriana of the Greek god, Adonis she has seen in a painting somewhere.
How on earth had she missed him tonight she wondered gawking at the man.
" I think we have found ourselves a winner tonight, but darling you need to wipe the drool off your lips is making a mess on the table, " Reilly teased.
Adriana ignored her and signaled the bartender to their table.
A few seconds later the bartender was at their table.
" What can I do for you, Rina? "
Adriana beckoned him closer without taking her eyes off the man she was gawking at.
" Please send over that gentleman's drink and tell him is from me. "
The bartender looked where she was pointing and shook his head with a knowing grin.
" I see you have found your mark tonight. "
" Yep, and I can't wait to have him in my bed. " A seductive smirk played across Adriana's lips as she continued to eat up her target.
She and her friends watched intensely as the bartender made his way towards the gentleman's table with his drink on a tray.
The man wasn't alone and had two other gentlemen with him.
Adriana's heartbeat skyrocketed as the bartender placed the drink on the table and leaned in to whisper something to the man while pointing in her direction.
Her heart lurched hard against her chest when the man looked her way and she met his eyes from across the room. His gaze was powerful and made Adriana wet with just a look.
A frown appeared on her forehead when the man turned down her drink sending the bartender back.
" Did a man just say no to you? " Shannon asked in disbelief.
Right from their high school days, Adriana has always been able to get any guy she sets her eyes on, and being as stunning as she is most guys have a had time telling her no, until tonight.
" I guess there is a first time for everything. "
Adriana shook her head. " I am not giving up until I have him, " she promised with an intense look in her eyes and an arrogant seductive smirk on her lips.
Skyler stared seriously over the report he was going through. Their company Rivers empire just acquired a new chain of hotels. Cate and Castle.The hotel was one of the best hotels in the city just before things started to go wrong and they found themselves on the verge of liquidation.Their company had moved in to buy the hotel from the owners at a very cheap price.The owners had been reluctant to sell at such a ridiculously low price but just as Skyler was able to convince him otherwise.Before he was made the CEO of his father's company, he had been the marketing director.His co-workers then had accused him of coating his tongue with honey, because there has never been anyone he couldn't sweet-talk into a deal that brought about his nickname. Sweet talker.Skyler had been the one to talk his father into the deal because he had been reluctant to invest in a business that was sinking, but Skyler believes the company still has potential and he was going to make sure he achieves it.
If looks could kill, Skyler's friends will be dead on the floor.Skyler glared at them as they head off to the other side of the room abandoning him to the vixen that was heading towards him like a tigress on a prowl.Skyler's glare turns to one of fright as he realized he was going to have to deal with the woman whether he likes it or not.He looked towards the exit, his sharp mind calculating the distance between him and the door and if he can make a break for it before the vixen reaches him." Hello, " a feminine voice poured over him causing his whole body to break out in bumps, as the voice strokes his flesh like a soft evening breeze.He turned around to face the voice and swallowed his tongue.The woman was even more gorgeous up close.A smug grin played across Adriana's lips when she saw the shock and appreciation in the guy's stunning green. She must say she was a little bit stunned to find his eyes this green. Rarely has she seen that color in men. From across the room she
Skyler just found out that moving with the full body of a woman plastered across your full body length like a koala bear was the most difficult thing on earth. No make that the second most difficult thing. The first was invading the snaky hands of the said woman. If Skyler didn't know better he will swear with his life that the woman in his arms was an octopus. Her hands seem to be everywhere and all over him. God, please save me, Skyler moaned in distress as he tried to evade yet another sneaky caress from the woman. Adriana couldn't get over how good the man she was plastered over smelled. His cologne wasn't obviously masculine nor suffocating like most men who smell like they took a shower with their cologne. Rather he has this delicate spicy smell almost bothering on feminine tinkling her senses and sparking her system with an intense desire to touch. She wanted this man desperately and the need was driving her insane. Adriana didn't know whether the insane desire to touch
Adriana let her tired body relax more atoning itself to the smooth rhythm of the car as it purred over the road.The interior of the car was amazing and smelled like the man beside her.She couldn't help stealing glances at him.His face was stunning under the moon reflection, almost ethereal.He hasn't said anything since they set out, but she wasn't surprised by that. The man beside her was a man of few words. Adriana almost expected the silence between them to be uncomfortable but it wasn't.This is the first time in a long while she is in such close space with a man and nothing is going on. No talking, or make out session just complet silence.The silence was so comfortable that she didn't see the need to fill it with empty chatter. Neither did the guy.Skyler could feel the blonde's stare on his face even though she was being subtle. " Take a picture it might last longer, " Skyler teased not taking his eyes from the road.He has always been a careful driver and having a passen
" Ahh!!! " A painful scream tore horrifyingly through Adriana's throat once she rose from the car and stood on her injured leg. " Fuck! " She jumped hopping off her feet and nearly nosedived to the ground. " Easy, " Skyler wrapped his strong arm around the blonde's slim waist to stop her fall which pushed her body against his chest, causing them both to freeze. For a brief moment, they stood in that position sucked in by the intense emotions swirling between them. Skyler's heart raced where the blonde head rested and his hand shook with the tenacity it took to restrain himself from leaning down to take the blonde's lips with his. The shock of his thoughts snapped him back to reality and he withdrew his body from the blonde, holding her at arm's length while still supporting her. " I am sorry, " he apologized softly not knowing why he was apologizing but needed to say something to break the silence between them. Adriana sighed silently in her mind. It felt so good to be in
It felt like in a dream, the excruciating pain Adriana was feeling. She tried to get comfortable but the pain wouldn't let her and the problem is, she can't even pinpoint the source of the pain.Her sleep was restless as she tried to sleep amidst the discomfort.Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and her eyes opened.The first thing that hit her was the throbbing pain in her left foot." Fuck! " This hurts she exclaimed loud into the room sitting up.A glance at her foot revealed some swelling around her ankle.What a lousy Friday night. Didn't get laid but got injured instead.Adriana was about to get out of bed but paused mid-way as she recalled the face of the gentleman she met last night.He is so dreamy, she gushed to herself. Wonder if I will see him again if I go back to the club.Worth a try, Adriana gave herself a secret smile as she hopped down from the bed making sure to keep her weight off her injured foot.Her thoughts still on the man and how to entice him into a date
Skyler barely slept a wink last night because his mind had been so occupied by the thoughts of the blonde from last night. It was in the early hours of the night that he finally found sleep.Despite sleeping late it didn't stop him from waking before his alarm went off.His body has gotten used to waking at this time of the night that he hardly needs his alarm clock but that doesn't stop him from setting it every morning.Skyler is hardly the type to stop a habit once it has been formed.He started using the alarm clock when he was seven because he needed to get up early for his home lesson. All through his grade school and high school, he was home-schooled as his father hadn't had any belief in the school system.It was only during his college years that he had been let out of the nest and that was because he had set his foot down even still his dad still got him, personal tutors.Skyler got out of bed and straightened. A made bed means a good day. He never leaves his room without ma
Skyler's shoes struck heavily on the expensive beautiful linoleum floor of his parent's home as he stomped towards the door, his body vibrating with restrained fury. Of all the stunts his parents have ever pulled this takes the cake.The sound of his shoe could be heard all through the walls of the empty hallway as they echoed his fury.As soon as he was clear of the dining room Skyler took out his phone to call the valet to bring around his car. He couldn't wait to get out of this place.He was almost to the door when a voice spoke behind him. It was his father's butler. An Irish gentleman in his sixties, with the kindest grey eyes Skyler has ever seen in his life. A man that was more of a father to him than he his real father. A man that treated him like he was somebody instead of something to be feared, frowned upon, or studied.Darragh is a second-generation Irish American. His parents came to America years ago when he was still a wee lad and he started working for his parents as
Skyler looked down feeling a little ashamed. He doesn't know what made him admit what he just did. His childhood has not been a normal one and diving into the horrors that shaped his childhood was not the way he wanted to start this date. He braced himself and looked up at Adriana who was gawking at him as if he has several heads. Guess it is a foreign notion to have someone who has never tasted ice cream before in his life. Ice cream was one of the sinful pleasures of childhood that every kid had indulged in, every kid except him. His mother had been a healthy diet fanatic who couldn't stand her only child eating anything that wasn't healthy. Ice cream was one of the little things she denied him growing up. " Can you pretend you didn't just hear that? " he requested. His tone was part pleading and part serious. He wasn't ready to answer the questions that he was sure to follow. Adriana started to shake her head at Skyler's request. He can't just dump such a huge bomb on her and
You can never go wrong with ice creamAdriana was a nervous wreck. Today is D day of her date with Skyler. After the shamble that was their first date, this was giving her jitters. She had not been able to sleep a wink as her thoughts roamed around her date with Skyler. Even before the sun kissed the sky she was already up and heading towards her kitchen for a much-needed wake-up call of her coffee shot. Now she was fully dressed and ready. A nervous look at her wristwatch revealed that she was a few minutes late. They had made arrangements for her to pick Skyler up at nine am but her watch told her she was five minutes late. It must be a curse or something that no matter how early she starts she always ends up late. She sped out of her house like it was on fire. This date she was determined to make it memorable to wipe out the bad memories of their first date and already she was off to a bad start. She wasn't looking forward to that superior frown that is sure to be on Skyler'
Adriana barely tasted her dinner and when she arrived home she still couldn't forget. She kept visualizing Skyler with the brunette and the smile on his face. The more she thought about them the more restless she grew. When she couldn't take the disturbing thoughts anymore she came down from her bed and went to the kitchen where she took out a bottle of half-opened Brandy and a wine glass and went to her kitchen table and sat down. She poured a little into the glass and drowned it and then another and another and only stopped at the third glass. The burning drink in her system still couldn't help with her troubling thoughts. She stood to her feet and began to pace around her kitchen with another glass in hand. Why can't I stop thinking about him? She wondered in annoyance walking from one end to another. She wasn't like this. Has never been this hung up on a guy before. " What are you doing to me, Skyler, " she groaned hitting her head on the wall. She kept hitting her head tryin
The restaurant Daniela picked was a popular one in the city and as usual most of the seats were filled with Patrons. Their entrance barely sparked any curiosity in the people inside who were more focused on their meals and conversing with their dinner mates. The table arrangements had four, three and two seats so they went for the three table seat arrangements since they were waiting for another person. Being a gentleman he is, Skyler pulled out a chair for Daniela before taking his seat. When they sat down Daniela quickly picked up the menu on the table to keep herself occupied. Honestly, she felt a little nervous around Skyler. " Are we ordering now or waiting for your girlfriend? " Skyler asked looking in her direction from above his menu. " Fiancee, and yes we are waiting that is if you don't mind? She will join us in the next... Daniela looked at the slim golden chain watch on her slender wrist... ten minutes. "" Oh, I don't mind. Maybe we can have some drinks and you can t
The beautiful bright Monday morning sun found Skyler behind his desk head over his laptop working. He had a stern and concentrated look on his face as his slender long fingers moved intermittently on his laptop. This strong concentration was interrupted by the ringing of the intercom on his desk. It was the reception desk downstairs in the lobby calling.His brows furrowed into two frowny lines, and a look of displeasure appeared on his face. Skyler hated being interrupted when he is working. He glared at the intercom like it was its fault for ringing before he picked it up. " Hello, " his deep smooth voice resonated through the telephone" Mr. Rivers, there is a woman here to see you but she doesn't have an appointment, " a syrupy female voice answered on the other end. Skyler's brow wrinkled. Who could this woman be? His heart leaped from his chest to his throat when he imagined who it could be. Is she here? Does that mean she regrets what she has done and has come to apolog
" Do you like him? "Adriana's heart skipped in her chest at her mother's question. " I don't know mum? " she whispered with the vulnerability of a child seeking guidance from her parent." Well, I have to say he is hot and I don't blame you if you do. "" Mum! " Adriana screeched feeling a little mortified on her mother's behalf. " Hey! old, not blind, " the older woman defended" How did you even know what he looks like? "" There is something called the internet. I asked google. " Adriana laughed again before letting out a sighShe was lost on what to do about Skyler. Her sigh was a lot of words to the woman on the other side who knows her child so well.She will not be this disturbed if she didn't like the young man in question. She had called to tell her daughter not to go through with whatever her husband had her involved in. She was not going to sit back and watch her husband push their child into marrying someone she doesn't love, but from what is happening right now it mi
" Why didn't you let me finish off back there? I knew you were very horny. "Adriana stumbled as her face burned. She didn't want to look in a mirror right now because God knows she will be wearing the face of ripe tomato fruit. She opened her mouth to answer severally but nothing came out. She was just too dumbfounded to offer any reasonable words. The woman not receiving any answer stopped suddenly and turned to face Adriana, a hungry look in her eyes. Adriana not expecting her to stop nearly ran into her but caught herself in time. " I am so so... " the words died suddenly in her mouth as she looked to see the woman eyeing her like she was a piece of meat. Adriana felt her heart leap to her throat as she swallowed with difficulty. Everything grew silent because all she could hear was the beating of her heart. " What are you doing? " she gasped out and closed her eyes at how husky and shaky her voice sounded. When she opened it she blinked to find the woman right in front
Inside the cab, Skyler wouldn't stop thinking about the blonde no matter how much he tried and it was pissing him off. He wanted to go straight home and forget that this day happened but at the same time, he didn't want to be alone. His mind seemed to be at an impasse on the decision to make so he just stared out of the window while his cab driver chatted about some celebrity news involving an actor caught cheating on his wife. Skyler craved some quiet but didn't know how to tell the cabby to shut his trap. Being rude is never him so he resigned himself to his incessant chatter. At least the noise from the Cab driver was distracting him from his troubled thoughts. No woman has ever disturbed his mind like the blonde and he didn't like that one bit. The women he has had the misfortune of dealing with are always forgotten before his fifth step away from them. His eyes stared vacantly at the scenery as they passed, the buildings, the shops, and the human beings walking on the pedest
Skyler couldn't believe he wasted his time on this. That is why he never bothered to date. All the women are the same shrews and stubborn just like his mother. He has lost the zeal to fight with the blonde and just wanted to go home. Since she is insisting on not taking him home he will just have to find his way home. He stared at the blonde feeling a little disappointed that this will be the end of them. He had liked her even if it was a tiny bit. She had made him happy the little while they were together. Well, it wasn't meant to be. He didn't say another word to the blonde and just turned to head home. He will just call himself a taxi. Adriana expected Skyler to argue more when she said she wasn't taking him home and not the resigned disappointed look that appeared on his face making her appear like an org. If he wasn't going to apologize and just walk off like a child throwing a tantrum then he should suit himself, Adriana huffed and walked towards her friends. Her friends s