I had one thing in mind after Jill dropped me off: PrinceCharming. Who could possibly be the part owner and COO of Talon Inc. and my boss, Noah Talon.
I got into my house and locked up for the night, making sure to take a large glass of ice water up to bed with me. I peeling off my dress and threw it on the floor along with my nude heels. For once in my life I didn't want to cover myself up, so I laid down on my bed in my lingerie letting my hands drift up and down my body while thinking about Noah.
My phone pinged with a notification making my heart race. It would be the usual time for him or LimberJack to contact me. I laughed at myself for getting so worked up. Jennifer sent me a picture of her laying next to Jill making smooch-y faces and Jill gave the camera her middle finger.
'Better get to sexting gurrrl'
'On it!'
I replied to Jennifer and ignored all of my texts, e-mails, and missed phone calls so I could log on
This morning was bittersweet. Nursing a hangover on a Tuesday feels like I've hit a new low. But I reread my messages from PrinceCharming, aka hopefully Noah, and it was best the cure!I picked out a white dress that I bought as a bikini coverup. Not really fall material but I didn't want to make it to easy for him since he will be looking for a woman in a white blouse.Little did he know the miracles of shapewear. I could be wearing sexy red lingerie that can be seen if you are looking close enough, but I plan on staying in my dim office all day. I feel super sexy wearing a romantic, barely there, lingerie set. Never doubt good lingerie!I hadn't even gotten into my car when Adam texted me about missing "team building yoga class" which is total bull crap. We don't do anything as a team in yoga. And most of the people there aren't even in the same departments!Of course Adam was standing in my office behind my new chair with tight lips and his nose
I sat in bed with my ginger tea and a large glass of filtered water on my nightstand just waiting for either guy to reach out to me.I'm pathetic. This is pathetic. What am I? A teenager waiting on a boy to call? Do teenagers even get that reference now adays? Wow, I'm old! The days of one phone number for a phsycial house phone. The internet made it worse by taking up that one lines bandwidth so no one could call or leave a message. Thankfully Steve Jobs, as egotistical and sexist as he was, started Apple. The real hero of that story: Stephen Wozniak.This is what I'm thinking about while I pretend to not wait for a private chat request from either of my guys. My guys? I have to stop saying that. I don't own them.I feel like I'm cheating on LimberJack. We did discuss being exclusive and here I am getting pretty hot and heavy, ready to reveal myself to PrinceCharming. During my six years living in Colorado, I haven't been asked to become a girlfrien
Walking into work with my black and white CK dress on with my stilletto heels and in an exquisite one piece lingerie, I felt sexy as f*ck. It fit a bit tighter around the chest and waist but I have missed yoga class and drank often this week, so it's nothing I'm concerned about - which is so unlike me. And I love it. I knew I'd have Adam or Noah or at least a cup of coffee waiting for me at my desk and was sad when none of them were there. "Sorry I'm late! I apparently fell asleep duing meditation." Adam's hair was wet but definitely had product in it. His jaw line had hair growing out of it again, reminding me of Charlie Hunnam. Lord have mercy! I had to pick my jaw off of the floor. "N-No problem. Thanks. So much." I stuttered out in parts. "Yeah well I didn't know I snored loudly until today." "Hmm?" I noticed he made himself comfortable on the couch in my office. It really was more for show, not a comfy sofa, but he seemed to
The rest of the day went by in a blur. Jennifer had left my schedule on my desk before she ran like she was on fire out of my office earlier. It started with this Friday's board meeting. The three of us, Adam, Noah, and me, had to present the findings of our beta testing to the board. After that there was a gap; we left Tuesday morning for Vegas and stayed the entire week there. My schedule said that Monday was left for packing, so I didn't have to come into the office. My entire schedule sounded like a dream come true: 1. Presenting a ready to go to market platform that brings in a stream of revenue and hopefully new clients to their already successful dating app. 2. Drinking and eating out of misery or celebration post board meeting. 3. A whole weekend of nothing to do. 4. Monday off to pack for an all expenses paid trip. 5. Riding in my first ever private jet. 6. I can either go to the meet and greet for
Adam's POVI drove to work with the same clothes I wore yesterday on. I didn't give a flying fuck about how I looked. My eyes were red-rimmed with bags under them. My hair was out of control. I even had a red nose because I had been crying in my car. My usual outlet would be a run or a yoga class, but here I was sitting on the side of the road, crying.The trees had turned from green to brilliant reds and oranges only a few weeks ago and now were a dull brown. In this moment I felt connected with what those trees were going through. The rocky landscape felt like a symbolism for my rocky life. Financially I've been stable for the most part. I didn't grow up having to without anything I wanted let alone needed. But no matter how much money you have, it truly doesn't buy happiness.Money helps attract gorgeous women who would otherwise never take another glance at me. And real friends? Like soul connecting, makes you laugh until you cry
I left the conference room in a flash. I knew the presentation backwards and forewards. They were the ones that needed the practice, not me.I asked Mark to all the security guards as I took the next elevator down to the parking garage and got the hell out of there.Are we still presenting tomorrow? Are they still going to the business conference next week? Was I still invited? How could Jennifer not tell me? She was supposed to be my friend. I would have kept it a secret and been there for her.We've only known each other for a few weeks and even though it feels like we've known one another since forever ago, we didn't. Trust takes time to build and we haven't had that time.Be safe. Her warning was about Noah...She's wasn't in love with me. That was so self-centered of me to assume. She's trying to help me and my guess is that she signed an NDA (non disclosure agreement) which bound legally to not share whatever happened with her and Noah.
I woke up crying in pain but lulled myself back to sleep with over the counter pain medications and a heating pad. Multiple alarms were on in, even the oven timer, so I would wake up at 6:30AM at the latest. I needed time to let the hot water from the shower loosen my tense muscles, blow out my hair and curl it, even add make-up because I looked like I hadn't slept a wink even though I had been asleep since 6PM the night before.Skipping my morning coffee, I opted for caffeine pills and a black tea latte that tasted nothing like an actual coffee latte. I was in the office and ready to go by 8AM. Presentation was at 9AM and the tee off time at the country club was 10:30AM. It was a tight schedule. Hopefully I'd be back home and in bed by 11AM. And no matter what the outcome of today, I had already decided that I would put in my notice of leave so I could move home before my sister went into labor. I would like to put in a two week's notice but I knew that would be a dick
I wrapped up this week and went home to celebrate with a bottle of sparkling wine. I would have bought the good champagne but I remembered who is paying for next week and decided to wait.The shower felt glorious. Hot water beads drilling into my stiff shoulders after I had a nice light dinner and half the bottle of Prosseco on my own. I wrapped myself in one of my large beach towls that I never use and decided to just air dry in bed. I turned on Netflix, The Queen's Gambit. I don't even like chess or that time period but I couldn't stop watching it. Before I knew it, time had flown by and it was a half hour to midnight.I was physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. Exhausted. Yet when my phone pinged with a notification for a private chat, I couldn't help my excitement. I had been so turned on by these two unknown, now known, men online with just words and emojis, but now it had seemed so real and uncomfortable. But that didn't mean I was any less aroused. 
5 years later... Adam and I were celebrating 5 years of our success as a couple. Although Adam says we've been together over a decade because the day we met is when our souls recognized each other as the others half. He's such a romantic. I was also celebrating 5 years as a badass COO boss woman in a male dominated field. Wired magazine was going to be printing an article about women in technology and asked me to be on the cover! We had a lot to catch up on over these last few years that came and went in the blink of an eye! We were both happy that everyone we invited had come to the party. Even Noah, although he stayed close to his dad all night and wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Noah had been in therapy and even started an 'alternate lifestyles' club in the area, embracing what he truly took pleasure in. Not everyone was a fan of it, Kate and my mom especially, but I was proud of Noah. I respect that he knows what he wants inside the boardroom and bedroom. That he's wil
Holly's POVI curled up in bed and was about to go back to sleep after buying my ticket home for Kate's wedding. A one-way ticket. And the incessent knocking at my front door was back."I SWEAR TO GOD MINDY! IF THAT'S YOU!" I growled and opened the door."Lucky for me, I'm not Mindy." Adam stood in the doorway with flowers, food, and looking tired and not as put together as he usually does. Big dark bags under his eyes. His shirt wasn't stylish or clean. I just started at him. "Can I come in?""Oh. Yeah. Uh. Sure." I opened my door and put my arm out inviting him inside."It's pretty clean in here.""Had a little help.""I heard. Mindy is a bit of a gossip. She's got a big mouth.""Matches her large breasts. Don't you think?" Why was he here, talking about Mindy, of all things.He caughed and set the food down. "I thought you wouldn't mind Chinese again. Is that alright?"I nodded.
Adam's POVI had no idea what I did to upset Holly. She knew she was it for me. Didn't she? Why wasn't she answering my phone calls or texts. I wanted to drive over to see her but Dan told me I couldn't do that without admitting fault. So legally I was stuck to stalking her social media.Holly hadn't updated her Instagram or FaceBook. She wasn't answering her phone. I didn't attempt to slide into her private messages on the app."Come in!" There was a knock at my door. I usually don't close my door but I've been dealing with so much since I had to let go of Noah. He's now at a "resort" for anger management. Or at least that what we are telling the press. Jennifer has stepped into Noah's role seemlessly though. The board is looking to appoint a new COO soon but I think she should stay on, not just as the interim person."Hey, Adam." I knew that voice. "Can I talk to you? For a moment?""Yeah, come on in Mindy. Have a sea
I got an Uber and went back to my house. Drank and watched Housewives. I drank like I was a housewife. I wasn't. I wouldn't be a wife anytime soon. So how could I be a house wife?I turned the TV off and checked my phone.92 MISSED CALLS99 NEW MESSAGES52 NEW VOICEMAILSI went in and deleted all of them. Didn't even look at them. They were all from the same three people and I didn't have time for people who treated me like crap.Noah reached out a few times but never left a message or text.Jennifer left multiple voicemails and texts but they were all in defense of Noah and Adam's behavior. She was a cheater herself. A liar. So I deleted the rest without a second glance at them.Adam had tried so many times, I finally got the courage to block him. Maybe I should block Jennifer too. And Noah.Just cut them all out of my life. For good. There was a missed call from Kate so I rang her back.
I watched in horror as Noah scrolled through the multiple personal messages that Adam had with other, I could only assume, female beta users."Jack? Using your middle name was a bit too easy to have the females in the company flock to you." Noah smirked. "And anyone that knows you, knows you love yoga and the great outdoors. LimberJack was a little too transparent, brother."It hadn't been to me. But I wasn't like many people in this company, male or female, that were hoping to catch the eye of a Talon brother. If I had been obsessed with him, I'd probably have known his middle name and put two and two together but I didn't. I wasn't that girl. I was lonely girl.Noah clicked on a chat with Mindy32 who was obviously the Mindy that had was so obsessed with him. I bet she's 32 years old or her birthday is March 2nd. Usually the numbers we choose mean something to us.Chats that came up to the weekend we had Chinese food and he slept over in my bed cam
I woke up with a horrible hangover. My alarm was going off and I realized it was only Tuesday. And I needed to get my butt moving or I was going to be late for work.***Adam was sitting at my desk with his feet up. "How is my little drunky drunk?" He laughed and got up to hug me. "Still wearing your sunglasses, I see. I take it you don't remember talking to me last night?""Nope." I slid my sunglasses off and accepted a hug from Adam. He was warm and cuddly. I could have had these arms around me last night, but instead I woke up in my bed. Alone. With a headache and a very foggy recollection from last night. "What did we talk about?""Oh, nothing. Just how many children we are going to have. When you are moving in. I'm taking your name instead of keeping Talon, which makes perfect sense for the company.""Please tell me you are lying." I could feel my face turn pale."Holly. Come on now. We talked about when we were going to do it. And I sa
I sat in my office reviewing the two job opportunities. Even though one was a demotion, my salary didn't change. Could I work with Dev after this morning? Could I work for Noah after every thing we've been through? I texted Jennifer: Hey, want to go out for drinks? Bring Jill! She texted me back immediately: Jill says we are in. WOOT! WOOT! Is Adam coming? I texted her: No. This would be a girls only happy hour. She texted me back where and when to meet. The usual spot at 6PM. Good, now I had someone to discuss this whole thing with and wouldn't feel so alone. I don't feel like I can discuss this with Adam honestly. And it wouldn't be nice to put him in the middle of this decision. There was a knock at the door. Looking up, it was Noah. "Holly." He nodded. "Can we talk?" I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. "Of course. Come on in." He shut the door behind him, which made my skin p
To my surprise, Talon Tech wasn't a far drive from the resort Adam had built for us. I was awake and ready to take on the world of corporate America again. Had it only been two weeks since I was last here? Adam dropped me off at my office and reminded me of our IT operations team meeting in a few minutes. This was basically the team giving me a 'quick glimpse' into what has changed, what needs to change, and any issues we can stop before they become issues. I felt like I was being coddled. And in a way I was, but a lot can happen in two weeks. That's three whole weekends without work. Optics are not looking good right now for me. I walked into the conference room and the room of twenty plus people went silent. I hated having all eyes on me and now all eyes were on me and they were obviously just talking about me. "Good morning, everyone! I am so happy to be back from all that craziness and back to this craziness." I paused, no one laughed.&n
Adam lifted me up a bit and scooted me further onto the bed. The bed creaked a bit and the sheets smelled like they were brand new.I didn't want to slow down but Adam pulled away making me feel cold without his lips on mine."You miss me that much already, do you? I'm just taking off my shirt, Holly." He winked at me, "I think you should too."Red, hot, excited blush crawled up my neck and face. Damn Irish roots, I'm always blotchy and red. I took the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Adam tugged my shirt off and threw it somewhere."This bra is next. Why did you wear such dull clothing today?"I bit his shoulder as he said that, trying to unhook my bra."Because I didn't want to taunt your brother. You know, my ex fiance?""Oh shit." He sat up looking down at me. "I'm going to hate myself for this.""For what?" Adam was starting to scare me."For telling you that Noah is, or was, here.