Beyond Temptation

Chapter 2

Liam’s POV

I was having a really shitty morning. Scratch that. A shitty month. I needed to breathe.

I asked Michelle, my assistant, to postpone my morning meetings for half an hour. That would have to be enough for now.

Dad had me buried in these “appointments”, as he called them. Just one more display of his distrust in me. In my work. I could never live up to his standards. I wasn’t trying to take over the family business, I was just trying to be an active part of it.

I was walking down the street with an iced coffee in my hand, that I had just picked up at an overly busy cafe, making me spend more time than I wished in that queue. I was hoping to have time to just take a walk around the block, with fresh air and maybe nothing on my mind, if that was even possible.

But this hint of rage that was stinging my insides wasn’t going away. Why does dad think I need someone else? I don’t need a babysitter. I’m doing just fine on my own. He’s the only one that doesn’t see it.

While all these and many more thoughts were rushing through my brain, a stranger ran straight into me. My only reaction was to grab her, trying to avoid her hitting the ground hard on her ass. As I pick her up by her waist and squeeze her against my chest, I look straight into her eyes and I can’t help but notice how beautiful they are. Her eyes are a hazel brown with a black circle that seems to exist to contain all that color in place. Her smell is so sexy that my mouth waters just wondering if it matches the way she tastes. I feel her nails digging into my arm, holding firmly onto me as if her life depended on it, and I immediately feel a pulsating heat inside my pants. She is staring right back at me, holding my gaze. As I see her mouth starting to fall open, my immediate thought is to stick my tongue in it and taste her until her lips are bruised. I wanted to rush my hands all over her body, right here in the middle of the street.

These thoughts are dangerous. Too dangerous. Stop it, Liam!

I shook my head as if waving off those incredibly juicy thoughts, letting go of her as brutally and coldly as possible. I can’t afford any distractions, and I could see this girl would be a big one if I let her. And from her reaction, she wouldn’t mind being one either. Not even one. Little. Bit.

I handled it the only way I could. I wore my asshole personality like a king, turning her off with my harsh and not so friendly grunt "Don't you watch where the f**k you're walking?".

I swear she even flinched. Of course, my words didn’t mimic what had just happened, catching her completely off guard. We were both hypnotized by each other, and I know that she didn’t expect such a line. But this was for the best.

She said something in reply with a pissed off expression plastered on her face. I didn’t quite hear it, I just stared at her before noticing that I had spilled my iced coffee all over her. Really? That long line again?

She was visibly disturbed by the sight. I think I even saw her eyes sparkle from newly formed unshed tears.

OK, I’m glad I shrug her off. What kind of person almost cries over a coffee stain on her shirt? Just another daddy’s spoilt little brat, who knowledges nothing else but money, shoes, clothes, and social status. I don’t need that kind of superficial s**t in my life.

I don’t need anyone after me just because of my family’s money. I’ve been there and done that. I don’t need another gold digger in my life.

She turned on her heels, quickly crossing the road, cursing, and gesturing her way into a small cafe. Her round and sexy ass swaying, made me want to go get her back and finish what I almost started.

I then noticed that her lit-up phone was on the floor. I picked it up quickly dialing my number so that I could keep hers then deleted the registry. You never know when you need a late-night booty call. A guy has his needs after all.

After having mystery girl’s phone number saved, I follow her to the cafe to return the device. I knew she would be in the bathroom, cleaning up. I never thought I would catch her half-naked though. A very nice view indeed. I took a little bit more time than necessary before I began speaking since I was admiring her without her even noticing. When I finally spoke, she jumped in surprise covering up. But it was too late. I had seen it all. And that image had an immediate reaction from my c**k, since I was rock hard in just a matter of seconds. What the f**k does this girl have that makes her special? I’ve been with so many women before and none have had this type of effect on me. Something’s wrong.

Telling her that I had seen much better was not a gentleman’s move, but I had to push away these thoughts.

Maybe that was the problem. If I just f**k her and get it over with, all this desire would simply disappear. I think I just need to get laid. I just bumped into her, why am I having this desire rush?

I’m sure I left her in that bathroom thinking I’m a huge d**k. That was my intention, and I’m pretty sure I succeeded.

I head off to the office. No time for another coffee. At least this strange encounter took my mind off all the s**t going on with my father and the company. On the other side I now could only think and wonder about what that perfect mouth would taste like and all the ways my tongue could make her moan.

Jamie’s POV

I walked as fast as I could to make it do AD’s building on time, with one hand over my cleavage and the other stretched to the side to try and balance myself. There goes my newly gained confidence. I was walking like a child in her mother’s high heels. Somehow stumbling and tripping along, I made it on time.

Before going into the building, I used the floor to ceiling glass to at least make my hair presentable, taming it from the wild nest it became because of the breeze and my brisk walking.

I entered the very modern space and went straight to the receptionist. This was a very large and high building, and it housed various companies, throughout its 57 floors.

“Hi, good morning. Could you please tell me what floor AD Studio is on?” – I nervously smiled.

“Floor 50 to 57.” – he replied not even looking up. People can be really rude in this city.

“Ok thank you. And on which floor can I find their reception?”

“50th” – wow, that was a good conversation!

I headed to the elevators, no way I was going up 50 flights of stairs, despite being s**t scared of riding elevators. I’ve been able to overcome it enough to use them, but every time I’m in one and they hiccup or come to an abrupt halt, I start to shake like crazy. I can’t even imagine getting stuck in there again. It’s a long-ass ride, 50 floors! I’ll just have to keep my thoughts elsewhere and I’ll be fine.

I watch the numbers on the display on top of the elevator reach 0, and the doors open without a sound. The inside is all covered in white glass, light wood, and stainless steel. The numbers are displayed on a touchscreen on the right, where I type 50 to start my dreaded ride. I stand against one of the walls, gripping the metal bar so hard, my knuckles turn white.

Think about something else. You’re in another place, somewhere nice and safe. 

I try to force my mind to think about something else. Anything would do right now. Almost without even a struggle my mind quickly roams off to that hot, rude dickhead I ran into earlier. I can’t believe my knees even buckled when I was pressed against his hard warm chest. Oh, that chest, and his arms! All rock solid. I imagine what else I could make rock solid. Oh my God! STOP! What the hell?

The doors open on the 50th floor, and I sigh in relief. I guess the ride was less problematic than what I was thinking about. Those thoughts worked me up in a way I really don’t need to be right now.

I quickly get to the reception where a blond blue-eyed woman is sitting behind the counter. She has a very professional look going on, with her dark blue pencil skirt suit, high heels, and a chiffon blouse under her open suit jacket. She was really beautiful and fitted right in with the surroundings. The whole place was impeccably decorated, with a very lean and clean look to it. Again, light wood and white was the style that covered the whole place, from the walls to furniture, it had a Nordic décor feeling to it all, but much classier and more expensive, but still simple. Exuberant! That’s the word. And so is she.

“Good morning. My name is Jamie Harden. I have an interview scheduled for today” – I’m starting to feel the nerves coming on.

“Good morning Miss Harden. As I’ve mentioned in my e-mail, we are a little bit delayed today so I will have to ask you to please wait for your turn in the waiting room. It’s right down the hall to your right.” – She says, with a bright white smile, contrasting with her burgundy lipstick.

“Thank you so much” – I turn towards the hallway and sigh in relief that I have not yet lost my opportunity. That e-mail she mentioned must have been the one I started reading before bumping into… Don’t go down that road again!

I get to the waiting room, and it looks like I’ve just entered a man’s only club. Five men are waiting, most of them probably around my age, and one definitely older. I scout for the most isolated seat and take it. Now I start to shake, and my palms start to sweat. If I don’t get this job, I don’t think I will manage to stay in New York any longer. Giving my father the satisfaction of seeing me fail and go back home is something I will try to avoid at all costs. I don’t want to waste my life in that goddam nobody’s town working at my father’s drug store, with him letting me know how big of a disappointment I am in his life every chance he gets.

“Jamie Harden? Mr. Dornier is ready to see you” – a tall brunet calls me out of my thoughts. I nod once and get up from my seat. I fix my jacket trying to hide my cleavage as well as I can and start walking towards the woman with my head as high as I can manage. Once I reach her, she smiles and whispers in confidence:

“They are in for a big surprise. They’re expecting another man. Your name is kind of ambiguous you know?” She winks and smiles again in amusement.

When I enter the office, my eyes land on a very handsome man. Much older than me with a very strong presence. You probably wouldn’t miss him in a crowded room. I guess that must be Mr. Dornier. He has very dark brown hair, with a few streaks of silver on the sides giving him a very gallant look, a golden tanned complexion, and dark brown eyes. He has a dark grey suit on, with a very expensive look to it, with a white button-down shirt and a light grey tie. He is sitting behind a big conference table next to a younger man with light brown hair. He’s also wearing a very expensive, for sure tailored, suit. The brunet sits next to him still leaving an empty seat next to Mr. Dornier. This can only mean someone is missing. Four people present for my interview? This is going to be even harder than I imagined.

“Please have a seat Miss Harden.” – he says pointing to a chair opposite from the three of them. “I’m Adrian Dornier, CEO, and founder of AD Architects”

The double doors behind me open suddenly, making a loud noise when they close again. I don’t look back since Mr. Dornier didn’t deviate his eyes from me and doing so would only be disrespectful. I hear heavy footsteps on the wooden floor, and this God-like Adonis sits in the empty seat across from me.

HOLY s**t! IT’S HIM!