“Really, Bryce, I would feel more comfortable if I could return it to you,” I said, extending the card to him.

“Just keep it, you don’t have to use it yet. Whenever you feel comfortable, then you might like to use it,” he suggested, tilting his head to the side just staring at me. “You really do look a heck of a lot like your mother.” His lip quirked up to the side. I could tell he’s sad.

“I know, I get that a lot. Sometimes it’s hard to look in the mirror, it makes me miss her more,” I admitted.

“I can see that…I hope she has left you with good memories.”

“She has…she was the best. That’s what makes losing her so hard.”

“I can see that,” he said, walking to the front of his desk and leaning on it. “I wish there was something I could do for you. I mean, since we met. Since I know the truth, I’ve felt so helpless. I know you don’t want my money, but it’s the only way I’ve been taught to reach out to somebody, but please, if you do need anything and I mean anything, please let me know.”

Suddenly his words set alarms off in my mind. What did Scott Wellington say to him? Did he blackmail him too? Was this why he was saying they would be in touch? Shit…was I just being paranoid?

“I appreciate the offer, Bryce, and I am happy to stay in New York to get to know you, but really I don’t need a credit card. I just want to get to know you as a person, as my father,” I muttered quietly.

“I would like that too, Vicky…I have such a busy schedule though sometimes it’s hard for me to make time for things, but I’m glad you will be here at Tyson, that way I can stop by for lunch visits. Are you excited to start your internship this morning?” he asked brightly, clearly trying to shift away from the credit card discussion. “You mentioned not wanting special treatment, so you will be an assistant to the boss, I figure you can learn a lot from him. He knows his stuff. You will be in good hands…” he trailed off when there is a light knock on the door. “Luc, come in,” Bryce said, waving him in. “Luc, this is Vicky. Vicky is my daughter, Luc, so you better treat her well,” Bryce said pointing a finger to him then laughing. Luc didn’t seem as shocked to see me, as I was to see him. Did he know he was going to be my boss?

“Of course, Bryce, I can take her to Tower Two and show her around,” Luc said as one side of his lips tugged up slightly. I realized in that moment that he didn’t really smile; he always seemed so serious.

“Thanks, Luc.” Bryce smacked him hard on the back.

“Thanks, Bryce,” I smiled nervously. How could I work with Luc and not want to rip his clothes off? If Bryce only knew.

“Come with me, Vicky, we need to go to the next tower,” Luc explained with a professional tone. I tried to hide my flush creeping up my neck and onto my cheeks.

As we entered the elevator, Luc had a sardonic grin on his face. “What?” I asked, feigning innocence.

***

Luc

“You know what, Vicky…. this thing that’s happening between us, I can’t control myself around you,” I admitted, breathing close to her face taking in her feminine scent. She smelled like vanilla body wash, and I would like nothing more than to brand her as mine. As I stepped in close to her, I could see that I was making her nervous.

Her breath hitched, and I took time memorizing her perfect features, her sexy green eyes that have a slight slant to them, her small nose, and her naturally red lips. Looking at her lips made me want to dip my head and suck on them. “Whatever pull we have to one another, whatever this thing is…” She motioned with her hand back and forth between us. “We will never know because your control may be waning, but I have a handle on myself,” she replied, standing her ground. She was so sexy when she turned bossy like that. Only I knew differently. Her control was waning. I could read it in her body language, the way her breathing picked up when I was near and her eyes roamed over me, checking me out like I was food. I could see right through her facade.

I took a step back and exhaled and then I leaned against the elevator wall. “Shit, I am glad you have self-control because if you would have let me, I could have fucked you hard against that wall right now,” I admitted, not making eye contact. Her jaw dropped open and her cheeks turned pink. I was turning her on, despite what she was willing to admit. I was getting to her. Good.

Finally the doors opened and we walked out, crossing the lobby to the Tower Two elevators. I noticed the fear in Vicky’s eyes as she turned her head from side to side scanning the area. I think for Wellington. Once inside the elevator again, the space almost seemed too small to fit the two of us. I watched the numbers light up above the doors as the elevator climbed floors. Thankfully it beeped and some people stepped inside. One of them a female and she stepped beside me rubbing her shoulder against mine.

“Hi, Luc.” She smiled seductively.

“Laura.” I nodded curtly.

“Would you like to meet for drinks later?” she asked quietly, but not quiet enough because probably everyone in the elevator heard her ask me out. She was a good-looking woman, a brunette with a slim figure and long slender legs. She looked like she knew how to have a good time, but I didn’t touch women. The truth was the only woman that has made me want to touch her in any way was standing on the opposite side of the elevator nervously biting her lip. My eyes flicked up to Vicky before I opened my mouth to answer.

“I have plans Laura,” I replied, while my eyes were glued on Vicky. I didn’t know if Laura noticed my heated gaze on Vicky, but I didn’t care. I only wanted to plant my dick between her legs. I was practically undressing Vicky with my stare and I enjoyed how squeamish she became under my gaze. I pictured ordering her around in bed and loving as she obeyed my requests of pleasure. A few floors later, Laura and the extra people got off and it was only Vicky and I, alone again. I kept quiet but maintained my stare, watching her every move trying to figure out what was going on in that head of hers. She was a wild card I still needed to discover.

When we reached the fortieth floor again the elevator pinged, and I motioned for her to step out first. The setup on the fortieth floor was almost identical to the set-up of Tower One with sleek white marble flooring and dark wood accents. The reception desk was in the center of the hallway, and I employed a beautiful blonde secretary like Bryce.

“Mr. Lebaum, your messages are on your desk,” Lucinda, my secretary, smiled brightly to me. As Vicky followed me into my office, I felt like a man obsessed, but I knew I needed to rein in my emotions and not expect too much. She was scared, I could see through her.

Chapter 13

Vicky

His office was about the same size as Bryce’s, with the ceiling to floor windows that showed off the beautiful Manhattan landscape. His desk was large and carved of solid dark wood. In front of his desk were two Colonial style chairs and off to the side was a large brown couch and clear coffee table, with a small fridge beside it.

Given the size of the office and the comforts of home, I assumed he was a workaholic like Bryce.

He walked over to the window and looked outside. He was quiet and it made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what to do next or what he expected of me. Didn’t he bring me here to show me around? I couldn’t help but notice how good he looked in a black pinstripe suit that hugged every inch of his muscular body. My eyes landed on his delectable behind and I tried to pull my gaze away before he noticed. I felt like a child whose hand was caught taking candy from the candy jar.