Only You (A Sweet Torment Novel) (5 page)

“I’m different because of my priorities.”

“Oh? And what would your priorities be?”

“You. This job. First and foremost.”

He took in my entire face and body in one hard look, leaving hot tremors raking over my skin. “That’s a pretty selfless notion, Miss Levine.”

I shook my head. “Not selfless. Logical. I gain as much as you would by having me. I don’t do anything halfway. I also don’t make poor investments into my future. This job is what I want. What I need, and in turn, I’m what you need. Because I’ll work beyond hard.”

“All or nothing kind of woman, huh?”

“Yes.”

His gaze lingered on my mouth for a moment and I couldn’t help but steal a glance at his.

“I like that,” he rasped.

I swallowed hard. I had him on the hook, and now it was time to get the power back. “Good, because now I want to tell you what I require.”

“Oh, please do,” he chuckled.

“After the three months are up—”

“Assuming I hire you.”

“I want a letter of recommendation. Personally signed by you.”

The home, job, and money would be the nest egg. What got me on my feet. But a letter of recommendation from the head of this type of company, along with work experience being an exec assistant to the CEO? That was my golden ticket. I’d be hirable again, even if it wasn’t in politics.

“My reputation and name on a document, much less vouching for someone, is a big deal, Red,” he said, as if I didn’t understand that already. “I’d only give you a personal letter of recommendation if you earned it. And I can tell you right now, my standards are high.”

I wanted to remind him that only a week ago, he was in ripped jeans and looked the part of delivery boy.

“I’m aware and am prepared to earn what I’m asking for.”

Just when I thought he was going to agree, he shook his head. “There’s something missing.”

“What?”

“You,” he said with a harsh tint to his voice. “You’re selling me, and doing a hell of a job”—he skated those eyes over me again—“but I can’t get past the front.”

“I’m not putting up a front.”

His mouth twitched a little. “Yes you are. I can sense it.”

“Then I don’t know what else you want from me.”

“I’ll settle for a piece of the real you.”

Now my mind was buzzing with confusion and terror. I was going to lose this opportunity. All because Leo thought I might be disingenuous? Because he wanted something real?

“I’m being real,” I whispered, but the expression on his face said he didn’t believe me.

“Well then, I’ll be in touch.” He extended his hand, showing me the door, and my pulse ratcheted up.

“No,” I said. “I can’t leave. Not without this job.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Because I have nothing left.” The words slipped out, and even though I covered my mouth with my hand, it didn’t magically bring the words back. It was too late. They’d been spoken.

“Nothing?” he said.

I looked at him and his face was pulled tight with concern. Something I hated, but there was nothing I could do.

“Tell me, Paige. What’s going on with you? The truth.”

I glanced down and realized I had nothing left to lose, other than my pride. But that was my final bargaining chip, and this was my last hand to play.

“Things have snowballed rather quickly for me. I’m out of a job and place to live come the weekend. And . . .”

“I’m your last resort?” Leo asked.

“No.” I met his eyes. “You’re my only resort.” A flash of pity crossed his face and I hated it. So much it made my pride bristle. “You wanted reality? I just told you mine. But despite my recent . . . issues, I believe I’m the best person for this job, Leo.”

Something like understanding radiated from him and he nodded. “Anything else, Miss Levine?”

I shook my head.

“Well, then I guess the last hurdle to overcome is the sexual harassment prospect.”

Hope flared through me. He was considering me. Just this last issue to move past and I’d get this job. I knew it. Clung to that hope. Time for bold moves to secure a victory.

“I’m not going to lie, there is chemistry,” I said.

“
Nice
chemistry?” he added, and I knew he enjoyed throwing that word back at me from the night we’d been together. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I wounded Mr. Shipping CEO’s ego.

I lifted my chin. “You’re right though. We have a past incident between us. But working together will be different. Strictly professional.”

“Forgive me if I don’t trust—”

“Me?” I cut him off, trying to tamp down that flaring ache I got whenever my word came into question. I knew what he was getting
at. “I can understand your hesitation. I was the woman you met in a bar and fucked, and now I could cry sexual harassment if you hire me, right?”

All humor left his face and he stared at me. The same way everyone else did when faced with a decision whether to trust me or not. I knew he felt the latter. But no matter how much that sucked for me personally, I couldn’t blame him.

“It’s smart to be cautious,” I said, and he frowned. If there was something I was good at, it was taking emotion out of the equation. Sometimes things just were the way they were. But I couldn’t lose this chance.

“You sound so . . . reasonable,” he said.

“I’m a reasonable person, Leo.” It suited me well, especially the past few years in politics. “What if I said I could ease your mind about this sexual harassment idea?”

“How would you do that?”

“If I harassed you first.”

With that, I cupped the back of his neck and yanked him down for a searing kiss. It was only a moment, but enough to just barely bite his lower lip and taste his tongue. With my free hand, I cupped his cock—which was semi-hard—through his pants. I released him quickly, before I got caught up in how perfect his lips were or start to wonder why he was getting hard just by talking to me.

I took three steps back and looked at him. Hoping to God I didn’t overplay my hand.

“There,” I said, a little breathless. “Since I was the one to do that first, you can always fire me on the spot and I couldn’t argue.”

“Bold play, Red.”

I licked my lips and still tasted him. Wished like hell I could get a deeper taste, because whether I got this job or not, I was pretty sure it would be the last time I got to.

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the edge of his desk.

“Three months. Exceptional job performance and one letter of recommendation—a letter I am not promising unless I see that you deserve it.”

I nodded, my heart racing with a very dangerous thing: hope.

“Alright, Miss Levine, I’m going to need you to start right away.”

Chapter Five

T
his i
s nice,” Hazel said and put one of my suitcases down. One of the only two I had. Plus the dry cleaning bag that had two gowns in it. Gowns I had worn a few times over the years to major political galas.

“Yeah, it is nice,” I said, and looked around.

There were hardwood floors throughout, a small light-blue couch, and white wood fixtures. Two big windows let in sunlight and a view to the grounds. The main mansion—aka house-office-extravaganza—was two football fields away. Everything was perfectly decorated and quaint.

“Oooh, purple sheets! I love it!” Hazel called from the bedroom. I peeked in and saw that the bed took up most of the room. It had four cherrywood posts and was covered in rich hues of lilac and grape. “Pretty sweet setup you have here.”

“For the next three months or so,” I mumbled.

It was plenty of time to work hard, save my paychecks, earn a letter of recommendation, and make contacts for a future job.

Hazel wandered around, then settled on the couch and splayed her arms over the back.

“I’m going to miss you.”

My chest hurt a little because I was going to miss her too. “You’re only two hours away, and Columbia is going to be amazing.”

She smiled and I recognized that look. Pride. Something I hadn’t felt lately. But Hazel deserved only the best things to happen to her.

“We can always meet in the middle,” she offered. I smiled and nodded, not wanting to bring up any issues, like the fact I didn’t have a car. Hell, Hazel was the one who drove me out here in the first place.

A light knock came from the open front door and a very handsome man walked in. A man with piercing blue eyes and black hair.

“Settling in alright?” Leo asked.

Hazel instantly stood and I adjusted my shoulders, not sure whether to reply to Leo first or pick up Hazel’s jaw off the ground.

I decided to reply. “This is really lovely. Thank you, Mr. Savas.”

He frowned and took one step inside, but hovered by the doorway. “Mr. Savas? Since when are we on a formal basis, Red?”

My cheeks heated just a touch, which I hated since I rarely blushed. Politics was like poker—your face could give away your position. Unfortunately, Leo knew exactly which buttons to push . . . considering he pushed some—or rather licked them—at the bar.

Hazel looked surprised too, but in a giddy way.

Leo smiled and extended his hand to Hazel. “I’m Leo.”

She shook it.

“So great to meet you. Paige told me all about you and this new job and . . .” Hazel looked around the apartment with wide eyes and breathed deeply. “This is just really wonderful.”

“Well thank you,” Leo said. “And Paige told you all about me?” He glanced at me and smiled.

Hazel nodded and I wanted to roll my eyes. Instead I clarified. “Of course, I told her about the interview.”

He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “That was a memorable exchange.”

“Paige always makes a good impression.” Hazel nudged my arm in support. If only she knew the secret conversation Leo and I were currently having.

“That she does,” Leo said.

“Well, it was so nice to meet you, but I have to hit the road.”

“Thank you for the ride, Haz.”

“Of course! I’ll see you soon for girls’ night. I’ll talk to Amy and arrange a meeting place. I know you’ll be busy, but don’t forget to call me.”

She hugged me, and everything about Hazel exuded genuine. Too bad I wasn’t genuine back. I loved her and Amy like sisters, but I never shared anything too deep or personal. Everyone had lives, and mine was best kept surface-level.

“Have a safe drive back.” I smiled widely.

Hazel gave a little wave and Leo said goodbye, though he stayed in my doorway. Only when Hazel was puttering her little Honda down his mile-long driveway did Leo turn to face me.

“You’re so full of shit, Red.”

I frowned up at him. “Excuse me?”

“Girls’ night? Big smiles and breezy conversation? You put on a show.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” And since this was technically his house, I could hardly kick him out.

“I’m talking about you. The way you were in my office, going for this job, was very different than the woman you just showed your friend.”

“I’m a competent person, Leo.”

“I know, but something tells me your friend Hazel has no idea what you’re really going through.”

“No offense, but you don’t either. And I’m fine.”

He smiled. “In the interview, you said you had nothing left, Red. And the look on your face made me believe you.”

“I don’t want your pity.”

“And I won’t give it. You’re better than pity.”

The way Leo said that made me like him a little more. It also irritated me that I liked him. But then he finished with, “It just seems like your friend doesn’t even know the real you.”

“Ah, you don’t know me.”

He took a step closer and smirked a wicked grin that made my skin heat and chill at the same time.

“I do know you. At least a lot better than your friend Hazel does.”

I scoffed and glanced at the ceiling. “How do you figure?”

“Because I’ve watched you come.”

I went to refute his statement, but it caught me so off guard, that all my mouth could do was hang open.

“You can tell a lot about a person just by seeing them being taken over by pleasure. I’ve seen you vulnerable, wild, and sensitive. Felt every part of you shudder and clutch around me.” He took another step. “I’ve also heard that slight catch in your voice when you talk about something that’s hurting you, like you did the night in the bar. I watched you drink tequila with a purpose, to drown whatever you were feeling. And just now, I watched who I assume is one of your best friends in the world, walk out of here without a clue as to who you really are deep down.”

I tried to swallow but my throat issued a big “fuck you” and refused. I reached for my wit and composure instead. I dealt with people all the time. Had to think on my toes, keep conversations of all kinds going, spin bullshit until it equaled answers. But standing there, staring down Leo, taking in his penetrating eyes and deep voice, I found it difficult to bounce back. But I still tried. Tried to get the power back.

“I think you’re right, Leo,” I said with a low tone. “I’ve seen you come too, and am enlightened after witnessing such a thing.”

“Oh? How so?” he asked with a grin.

“In a word?” I ran a fingernail down his chest and leaned in. “Quick.”

His face fell and eyes grew dark. I spun from him because I was just about to take back my words, tell him that single night had been one of the best experiences ever. But that wouldn’t help me now, or for the next three months.

Leo had some weird effect on me. Yes he was hot. Yes he represented everything in a man I stayed away from. That was, until I found out he was really wealthy, really powerful, and really tattooed.

God that tattoo. I still thought about it. How it looked like it came alive as his body moved and worked mine over the edge.

I shook my head. That right there was a reason I needed to get a goddamned grip.

“While I appreciate your giving me a job and a place on the grounds, I think it’s best we not discuss the facts about that night.”

“You mean the fact that you came, then left?”

I raised my chin. “Yes.”

Something heated in his eyes. He had that same look yesterday when he referred to me leaving him at the bar. Did the ultra-powerful bad boy in disguise have a hang-up on being ditched? I took in his jeans and sim
ple tee and, even though he was dressed down, had a hard time believing Leo Savas had a hard time with anything. Especially women. Hell, I’d bet my left kidney he regularly had them running toward him, never away.

His jaw ticked like he wanted to say something, but he obviously decided against it, as the carefree swagger returned.

“I think you’re right, Red. Why rehash old memories?”

I gave a curt nod. “Well, why don’t you tell me a little about my job—”

“It’s a Saturday. Calm down. Besides, this weekend I figured you going over this”—he handed me a tablet—“would be the best use of time. Cathy, my assistant, has backed up all the necessary information, contacts, accounts—basically her entire job—on that thing.”

I looked at the tablet and powered it on. Of course it already had an e-mail account up and going for me as well as several introductory docs regarding my job description, passwords, and account managements. Yeah, I had a lot to catch up on.

“Where’s the rest of your stuff?” he asked, looking around.

“Rest?” I asked, and looked at my two suitcases still by the door. “I hung a bag in the closet.” If that’s what he meant.

He picked up both suitcases and tugged upward, as if weighing them, trying to figure out what was inside. The action did crazy things to his biceps, which made my toes curl. Thank God I was wearing closed-toed shoes.

“I’m guessing clothes.”

“And shoes,” I defended. “Why are you jiggling my luggage?”

He shrugged and put them down. “Just wondering where the rest is. Like trinkets. Photos. Keepsakes. A decorative pillow.”

“Decorative pillow?”

“Yeah, all that stuff someone hangs on to because it means something. At this point I’d settle for a DVD or favorite book.”

“I have a book on my Kindle,” I once again defended, though I had no idea what exactly I was defending. Maybe the lack of social and family life that Leo seemed to be zeroing in on.

After Amy moved, then Hazel, I realized how little of the apartment was mine. Aside from necessities, I didn’t have all those things Leo was talking about. And I was fine with that.

“Look, I worked a lot, so that didn’t leave time for chick flicks and leisurely reading. I also don’t hold on to stupid shit like macaroni necklaces from first grade or blue ribbons.”

“Why?”

Because they didn’t prove my worth . . . even if I had such things, they would only be a reminder of the life I’d come from and never wanted to be a part of again.

No. The items that were important to me were hanging in the closet. Two dresses I saved up for so I could show myself at galas and fit in. Show I belonged. Even designer outfits on clearance took a big chunk of my money. But I had spent it on my clothes and shoes not because I cared about fashion, but because they garnered respect from others. At least for a little while, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

I glanced around the small bungalow, staring down a gazillionaire, and it hit me how truly alone I was.

“Because things like that just don’t matter,” I said, half to answer his question and half to make my internal voice shut up. I liked being alone. Liked figuring things out and owning my world. Which was why I was anxious to dive into this job and get lost.

“What does matter to you?” Leo asked as if honestly wondering.

I shrugged, not wanting to answer. The idea of a life I could be proud of mattered. Therefore, as of now, this new job working for Leo mattered. Hazel and Amy mattered. But there was no way to jump into a topic like this without either tequila or emotions. And I was out of both.

“What matters to you?” I asked Leo, ignoring his question and turning it around on him, hoping it would wrap up the Paige Depression Hour, which had only reminded me how little I had in my life.

“Family,” Leo said instantly. “And I kind of have this business thing going on.”

I laughed a little. That charm of his was lethal and he made everything seem so easy. Something I tended to get caught up in and would be smart not to. Especially since I already felt off around him. He made me feel less censored. For God’s sake, I grabbed his dick yesterday to secure this job. Yet, there was an ease I felt with him, like the truth could easily come out. But that would be a dangerous endeavor. Because based on our few encounters, I had a hard time keeping feelings out of decisions when it came to him.

“So family and business blend together for you then?”

He glanced away for a moment. “Savas Shipping started with my great-grandfather and every generation has taken it over. Business and family are beyond blended.”

“I see.” When his stare remained on mine, making it hard for me to breathe, I decided to try to lighten the conversation. “Well, looks like the world hasn’t seen the last of the Savas name.”

“We’ll see,” he said with a soft mumble.

“It’s not like you have to figure out the next Savas heir or anything any time soon.”

He grinned. “Obviously you haven’t spoken with my mother.”

“She’s putting the pressure on?”

He just smiled and shook his head. “My family likes to involve themselves in my personal affairs. Especially my mother and sisters. Got to love them.”

That made the small heat in my chest instantly chill.

“What about you?” Leo asked.

“Does my mom pressure me to have babies?” I said with shock and disgust. So much that it seemed to stun Leo.

“That’s not exactly what I meant, but we can go with that.”

Great, my big mouth had brought up this subject, and it was one I didn’t want to discuss with anyone, much less a guy I’d had a one-night stand with who was now my boss. And Leo was looking at me like I had lost my mind.