Fighting Temptation (Bay State Series Book 1) (2 page)

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“
Hey John, what's up?” I ask, answering my phone.

I'm stoked my old college buddy John Stevens decided to accept my job offer. Sure it took some coaxing, but in the end I made sure he couldn't say no. I was just about to offer him anything to get his ass here.

Having lost my most valuable team member due to his family relocating because his mother in law's sick, I really need someone I can trust to fill his shoes. 

John was the first person to come to mind when thinking of who to get as a replacement. Seeing as he's over nine hundred miles away, I figured it wouldn't be easy.

“Yeah Braydon, listen buddy I have a huge favor to ask you. Rachel's best friend is planning to make the move with us and she kinda promised her we would help her find a job.”

Fuck if she looked anywhere near as good as John's fiancé, I'll be in deep shit. Bachelorhood suits me just fine after being burned in college by some two timing slut. Fun is all I'm looking for, and I sure as hell don't mix business with pleasure. What the hell, he's doing me a favor. Might as well hear him out. “Well what's her story?”

“She was an assistant to some dickhead at an advertising firm. I'm sure she would start an entry level position if that's all you had to offer.”

Hmmm, I take a couple seconds to think about it. I could use some eye candy around the office. “Alright, I'll tell ya what, why don't you have her send me a resume. That way I don't put her somewhere she's way over qualified for. The least I can do is help you out. You're sure as hell saving my ass,” I finish with a laugh.

“Yeah trust me, I know your ass needs plenty of saving.” Now he's laughing too. “Seriously though, I think you'll get along great with her.” Oh just fucking great, that's what I'm worried about!

“Alright well I gotta get going, I have a late meeting with a client. I'll keep an eye out for that. Give her my office fax. I'll call her once I have a chance to look it over.” Looking at my watch I realize I'm running ten minutes late. “Have a good night and thanks again.”

“No problem Braydon, and thank you. Talk to you later.”

                                     *****

Only slightly speeding to make my appointment with Lucy, I get there right on time.

Walking into the restaurant I spot her immediately. She always flirts way too much with me, and I admit that being a man, I enjoy the hell out of it. Giving myself a quick mental shake to remind myself that I don't mix business with pleasure, I make my way over. When I reach the table she rises and I take her hand giving it a friendly shake.

Believe me, I can see the disappointment in her eyes that I don't take it to my mouth for a kiss. “Good evening Lucy, you look lovely tonight.” Her body is rockin' in a skin tight, blue velour mini dress, that showcases her tits and ass to perfection.

Always the kiss ass with the clients. She makes no secret that she wants more from me. And over and over I let her down as easy as I can.

“Thank you Braydon, your looking handsome.”

I let the compliment go. “Let's get down to business shall we?”

   The corners of her mouth turn down into a bitter frown, but voices her concerns pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure it's all just a bunch of made up bullshit to get me to come out to dinner with her.

I should have known this night couldn't go down so easily. Just when I think we're about to wrap this shit up she starts on me..... Fuuuccckkkk, this shit's getting so old. I'm seriously thinking about dropping her as a client if she can't take a hint.

“Braydon, you know I want you, why can't you just give me a chance?” And there she goes batting those fucking eyelashes. Doesn't this woman know although I find her attractive, I only have so much patience.

“Lucy I've already told you so many times. Why do you keep beating a dead horse? Yes I find you attractive, but it's just not gonna happen, I'm sorry. Trust me it's nothing personal. Now if you'll excuse me I think this is my cue to leave. I hope you have a good evening.”

I rise to leave and she stands, reaching for my arm. I turn to her and give her the most serious, put out, expression I can muster. “Just stop please, before you embarrass yourself. Goodnight Lucy.” What the fuck is wrong with that woman? As I pass the hostess I tell her to put the bill on my tab and to have a good night.

                                *****

It's been four days since my phone call from John, and still no resume from Rachel's friend. As I'm sitting at my desk reading my emails there's a knock on the door. “Come in.”

“Hey boss,” my HR manager Brent pops his head around my door, “this fax just came for you.”

“Thanks, you can just leave it on the table by the door.”

“No problem. Hey a bunch of us guys are going out to the club tonight. You wanna join us?”

    “Sure, when and where? I could use a night out to unwind.” You would think the kid never got along with one of his bosses before by the smile on his face.

“That new strip club that just opened up. We're  all getting the Green line at North station about eight o'clock.”

I stand up and walk over to the table where he's standing and grab the resume. “Sounds like a plan, I'm about to head out for the day. I have a few things to take care of, so I'll see at around eight.” As he turns to leave I stop him. “And Brent.”

“Yeah?”

“Tonight's on me. Consider it a mid year bonus.” 

“Well damn,” he says on a laugh, “you should've waited to tell me until after you got the bill. Lap dances all night for this guy. Fuck yeah!!”

Now I'm the one laughing. “Just be careful or you'll cut into your Christmas bonus.”

“I'll try to keep that in mind while I have some hot ass grinding on my lap.” And with that he's out the door.

As I walk back to my desk to put the resume away until tomorrow, I glance down at it and catch her name. Ilyanna Sicliano.

Hmmm, very Italian, and now I know I'm knee deep in shit. I've got it bad for Italian women. I don't know if it's the complexion of their skin or the absolute confidence in themselves that they carry?

All I know is I'm curious. So instead of just filing it away, I sit back down at my desk. Instead of getting my shit done so I can get ready for some hot stripper ass, I type her name into the search engine.

Here we go, Ilyanna Sicliano's social media page. I know without a doubt it's her. Twenty three from Knoxville, Tennessee. I hover over the link for what seems like forever before clicking the mouse. Instant hard on is the only way I can think of to describe the face that's staring back at me. Abso-fucking-lutely beautiful.

Sexy.

Hot.

Damn so many adjectives to describe how great she looks. Goddess, yeah, there's a word. As if looking at her profile picture isn't enough torture I decide to check out her albums.

Big mistake, the first one to catch my eye is titled “Myrtle Beach” from just last month. My mouth's suddenly dry, my pants just a little tighter. I shouldn't click the album, I shouldn't. But I'm not a pussy, so like the dumb ass that I am, I do it anyway.

All I know now after looking at her incredible body at all different angles, is that I now have a five alarm emergency in my pants from imagining her in a bunch of different angles with me. Above me, below me, next to me, around me, gripping me.....

There's no way I can leave this room like this. I get up to lock my door, unbuttoning my pants on the way. As I sit back down I pull them down enough to get my throbbing cock out comfortably, and start to stroke. It doesn't take long maybe two or three minutes of tight fisting while imagining how her skin tastes under that barely there bikini, and I explode all over my shirt.

Thank fuck I have spares in here. Yup, no doubt about it, I am so fucked when she gets here and I see her in the flesh. I know I'll end up hiring her just so I can see her everyday, I could have a lot worse to look at around here.

There's absolutely no reason why I won't be able to stick with my rules. I've denied myself plenty of hot chicks in the past. What's one more? I'm just afraid that no matter who I'm fucking, it's going to be Miss Sicliano I'm going to be thinking about.

As I'm waiting for the elevator to take me to the garage, I can't believe what just came over me. I haven't jerked off to anything on the computer since high school. Suddenly I'm not really feeling like joining the guys. But I will, at least for a little while.

                                     *****

    Later at the club all the guys are having a blast. This red head with a great rack and pierced nipples keeps giving me the eye, but I can't muster the interest to return it.

I cannot for the life of me get a certain sexy, Italian bombshell out of my head. I wish the fuck I could, it's starting to get on my last nerve. Never has a woman affected me this much. I stand up and throw a stack of hundreds on the table.

“You guys have a good night, I'm beat. I'll see you at the office tomorrow.” A collective group of hands shoot up in the air, but they couldn't seem to tear their eyes away from the ladies giving them a show.

Lucky them, wish I could enjoy it.

Just as I reach the door I get side stepped up against the wall by the sexy red head. “Hey baby, you wanna have a dance with Desire?”

I step away from her, barely noticing she's covered her tits. “Sorry not tonight.” I don't miss the frown on her face. Honestly I couldn't give a shit. And with that I'm out the door, heading home to hopefully sleep off this funk.

CURIOSITY

I wake to the shrill ringing of my phone on the nightstand. I roll over and open one sleepy eye to glance at my clock. I let out a groan, it's only eight thirty.

After the night out that Rachel insisted we have, I'm a little hung over. Picking up my phone I check the number. I don't recognize it, being from an area code I've never seen before. I let it go to voicemail, choosing to roll over and go back to sleep.

I'm woken up by my mother calling to me through the door, “Ilyanna, I'm running to the grocery store. Do you need anything?”

It takes me a minute with my sleep fogged brain to answer her, so she calls out again. “Give me a few minutes momma, I"ll come with you.” I grab a change of clothes and head to the bathroom to get dressed.

Once outside my room my mother takes a long hard look at me. “Rough night huh?” She starts laughing at me. She knows how Rachel is when we go out and has seen me like this on countless occasions. Not that I'm an alcoholic, but the times I do go out I like to have a little fun.

I smile back at her, “Is it that obvious? You know I have a blast and get a little carried away when we do karaoke.” I try to recall last night or at least as much as I can remember. Oh yeah, some Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, maybe even a few more I can't seem to remember. I also vaguely remember some sexy cowboy buying me a few drinks. But that must have been all it was, since I woke up in my own bed.

“I know you do, just remember to be safe and don't drink and drive.”

Shit now I remember we left our cars at the bar and took cabs home.

    “That reminds me, on our way back home can we swing by the bar so I can pick up my car? I took a cab home.” She sure did raise me right. Well that and having a cop for a daddy, didn't leave much room for anything other than following the rules.

   “Sure, I'll let you get ready. Just let me know when your all set to go.” I give her a still sleepy nod and hurry off to the bathroom. Once I've changed and brushed my teeth, I put on a little eye liner, blush and lip gloss. There, ready to go. I throw my hair up in a messy pony tail on my way out the door.

“So,” my mother says as we're heading to the store, “are you getting excited for the big move?”

“I am, I'm just a little nervous about finding a job. I haven't heard anything from Mr. O'Donnell yet and I sent him my resume yesterday morning. I hope he has a position for me, or I'll be back to square one.”

I really hope I don't have a hard time finding something, I don't want to soak John and Rachel like a sponge. Even though they told me not to worry about it, I know that I will.

“He's probably a very busy man, running his own company. I'm sure you'll hear from him soon. Just don't give up hope, we have nothing without it.”

Hope, that one little word I had drilled into my brain growing up. I haven't had much of it since Jackson crushed my dreams of becoming his wife and starting a family together like we'd always talked about.

That was a little over a year and a half ago. I know I'm only twenty three, and just twenty two,  expecting a proposal. He seemed so happy.

To think it was most likely to do with, urgh, I don't even want to think that she devils name. Why did I need to be reminded of that awful time? Trying to dismiss it from my mind, I just sit quietly, looking outside my window.

We make our trip into the store a brief one. Only picking up a few essentials.

Having stayed quiet for so long in the car, my mother asks, “Are you sure your alright? You don't have to go if you don't want to.”

I think about it for a second before answering. “That's just it, I do really do want to go. I think it's just what I need. I'm just a little apprehensive. You know? New state, new people. It'll take some adjusting, but I really am excited.”

Not wanting to talk about it anymore, I decide to check my phone. After searching my bag for a few minutes, I realize it must still be sitting on my nightstand at the house.

I think my mother can sense my need for silence and we maintain a nice quiet ride to the bar. Once we're parked beside my car I lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Love you momma, be safe. I'll see ya back at the house. We can make some lunch.” After our goodbyes, I take off my seat belt and open the door.

Her voice interrupts my exit, “Don't forget what I said, I just hate to see you unhappy.”

I give her a small smile as I exit the car with a wave. Believe me, no one wants me happy for a change more than I do.

On the drive home I get lost in my new favorite song, I don't dance. God his voice is so sexy, I could listen to Lee sing all day. As a matter of fact most days I do. The final strains of the song play as I pull into the driveway and I remember my absentee phone.

I head straight for my room. Three missed calls, a voice-mail and one text. Two of the calls are from the phone number I didn't recognize this morning.

Checking the text I see it's from Rachel.

{ How you feeling girl? Most likely dragging ass like me!! Lol!! Let me know your alive would ya? It's noon and I haven't heard from you. Xo ;) }

{ Calm down woman, I'm alive. Just slept in and went to store with my mother, I'll give you a call later xo ;) }

As I'm checking my voicemail, I get goosebumps from the voice on the other end of the line. I wonder if he looks as good as he sounds? Mr. O'Donnell has a certain tone of authority that does things to me. Always one to enjoy being dominated in the bedroom, I start imagining that voice commanding me to do all kinds of naughty things.

My goodness girl, get a grip. This man could be my new boss. I am so not gonna go there.

I resign myself to call back after lunch, and go hunt some grub.

Lounging on my favorite chair out on the deck, I just stare at my phone like I'm afraid of it.

Seriously this man is over nine hundred miles away. What can he do to me over the phone? I'm acting like such a child.

Finally gathering up enough courage to call him back, I find his missed call and press send. At the third ring he picks up. “This is Braydon.” Wow so informal!

Mmmm, that voice. “Hi Mr. O'Donnell this is Ilyanna Sicliano returning your call about a possible position.”

“Yes I wanted to let you know I have a few options that I think will suit you well. However I would like to have a face to face interview before making any final decisions.”

“That sounds great, I'll be getting there on the twenty eighth, so anytime after that will work for me.”

  “Good, I'll let you know when I have some available time after that. I look forward to meeting you Ilyanna.”

   “Thank you Mr. O'Donnell, I really appreciate this.”

     “No problem at all, and please call me Braydon."

     “Of course Mr. O'Donnell, I... I mean Braydon.”

“Great, this is my personal cell, so please program it. I will send you a date and time for your interview. Have a good day Ilyanna.”

“You too Braydon, talk to you soon.”

    Ending the call, I find myself more excited than ever. Doing a happy dance and jumping up and down.

    As soon as I collect myself, I call Rachel. “I just can't believe how easy that was, Rach. Things are looking really good. Not sure what all I'll be doing yet. He said he's going to set up an interview for when we get there.”

“I'm so happy for you, we need to get together and do some final planning, and maybe some shopping.”

    “Shouldn't we like, not spend a bunch of money before the move?”

“Don't be ridiculous, Braydon's paying all of our moving expenses, even yours according to John. Pretty sweet huh? I'm telling you, this is just what you need. We can pick out a few new business suits and a few clubbing outfits. There's so much to do in Boston, gotta be looking hot when we make the scene.”

“Your killing me,” I bust out laughing. “Your getting married in eight months, you so don't need any attention.”

“No but you do, and I'm your side kick. Who else is going to shove liquid courage down your throat?”

“Oh great, now your gonna try to kill me with alcohol poisoning. What kind of friend are you? Why are you so quick to put me through disappointment? They're all the same if you ask me. They don't give a damn about my feelings. I'm so sick of womanizing pigs. I'm not saying I don't like to have a good time and maybe hook up a time or two, just please promise me you won't push a relationship on me. I'm just not ready for it. I don't think I'll ever be.”

“Jackson really did do a number on you, didn't he? Don't worry, I won't push. Just promise me if someone good comes along you won't automatically categorize him with that piece of shit. I found my soul mate. Yours is out there somewhere.”

She does have a point, I know not all men are like him. It's just that's the only kind of man I seem to attract. It's like I have a neon sign over my head telling the male population that I'm a sucker. “I don't know if I can keep that promise, it's gonna take a lot for me to trust a man again. Enough on that subject, when can I come over?”

“Come over now. I don't have anything going on. I took a sick day since I still had a bunch banked, and don't forget your plastic.”

                                *****

“Ooohhh I love that skirt, put it the cart!”

“Are you kidding me that's way too short, I'm not getting a job as a hooker.”

   “Come on live a little, your not the one getting married. I need to live vicariously through you.”

“Fine whatever, just don't be mad when I don't wear it. Can we look at the pictures of your new house again? I just want to imagine we're already there and away from this place. I seriously can't wait. I want to leave right now and put this place behind me. I'm feeling a really good vibe from all this and I want to start living it. I feel like any day now my bubble's gonna burst.”

“Sure, I love looking at them too, and seriously stop worrying. Everything's going to work out fine. Should we check out and have this stuff shipped to the p.o. box in Boston? That way we make sure it doesn't show up here after we leave. That would royally suck.”

Once my purchases are paid for, she shows me some pictures of their new house. I'm barely paying attention, my thoughts on a certain stranger and his extremely seductive voice.

As if reading my mind, she suggests, “Let's look up Braydon.” Turning to me with a shit eating grin on her face, I just shake my head at her candor.

“Come on, it doesn't matter. I'll see him when we get there.” I don't know who I'm trying to fool, I am after all, just a wee bit curious.

She searched him anyway and I must say, damn what a fine specimen of man. Not that I had any doubt by the way he sounded on the phone.

I don't dare let on that I find him attractive or she'll be playing match maker. Even though she promised she wouldn't. I know her too well.

That man is hot with a capitol H, sexy, fine, so many ways to describe him. Soft light brown hair and a killer smile. Just forget about it, he's gonna be your boss, strictly off limits.

    “Okay, we looked him up. Are you happy now? Tada! He's a man.” I laugh it off, pretending that I'm not affected, “I better get going home, I need to start packing. Good night Rach, I love you.”

“Love you too Ily, have a good night. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Oh before I forget, I'll need a final box count for the movers. Just let me know when you have most of your stuff packed. Any last minute things we can keep in the car with us on the drive up there, and the car hauler should be here to pick up our other cars to transport them the same day as the movers. As soon as I know a definite time I'll let you know.”

“Thanks,” I say as I hug her goodbye, as soon as I get home I'm going to do a more thorough search of my new fantasy man.

                                     *****

“Ilyanna, your alarm's been going off for a while now. Are you getting up? The movers will be here in an hour.”

Damn, damn, damn.... This is the fifth or sixth time I've overslept. Waking up multiple times in the middle of the night will do that to a girl.

It starts by feeling hands on me, I'm never facing him, but I know who it is by his voice. “Mmmm, you feel so good, your skin is so soft, I could touch you all night long.” I start to say something and he places his hand over my mouth. “Just feel me Ilyanna, I want to give you pleasure like you've never known.”

And boy do I want him to give it to me. So I do my best to keep quite.

He starts to follow his hands with his mouth and right before he gets where I need it most, I wake up panting and just a little wet. I find my trusty b.o.b and take the edge off. But now that I've imagined him, I can't help but want him.

I'm so screwed. I don't know how I'll deal with the temptation he'll present. My only hope's that he'll be somewhat cold towards me like Paul was. Only not so mean and hateful. Yeah that's it, I'll just try to keep my distance.

“Sorry I overslept I'll be out in a couple minutes.”

                                *****

It's the day of the big move and John and Rachel are at my house to pick me up. The movers were here yesterday, needing an extra day on the road.