Jonas’ old man was a titan of industry, but at the expense of everything else, including a relationship with his two sons. He’s Jonas’ Achilles heel—the type of man he never, ever wanted to aspire to—but I’ve heard all the recent rumors. These days, Jonas is a carbon copy, albeit without the trophy wife, but it’s only a matter of time in that respect.
“There isnothingyou can do to stop this sale, Miss Parker,” he says coldly, reverting back to my surname. The same one he’s planning on obliterating, just because he can. “I suggest you stop embarrassing yourself and accept the inevitable. You failed, and I won.” He can’t keep the triumph out of his voice.
I hate you, Jonas Farley, with every breath in my body, but that damn emotion skids way too close to another for my liking.
“This isn't a battle that either of us can win Jonas…” I glance at my desk, more specifically at Al my cactus, who’s sitting, pride of place, next to my laptop. It was a present Jonas bought for me on our first anniversary. It came with a note:The only other pricks allowed near my spitfire.Now, he’s acting like the biggest prick of all.
“I beg to differ—”
“Please.” My father’s face swims before my eyes.
“Are you still on the line? Don’t you have more important things to do, like clearing out your office? I’m hanging up…”
Don’t say it, Grace. Don’t say it. Don’t tumble back into a tangled web of hell and heartbreak with that man.
“I-I still have your red silk tie,” I stutter, shutting my eyes tight and refusing to listen to my inner voice.
There’s a pause.Does he remember?
“Meet me in my office in an hour.” All that cold composure is gone.Not everything in our history went up in smoke, it seems.“Come prepared to sell your fucking soul to me tonight, Grace Parker, if that’s how you want to play it. If you really want that company back, you’ll give me everything. And I meaneverything.You’ll swallow down every damn order I give you, without question. Understood?”
Before I can answer, he’s already hung up.
3
Jonas
Present
Iwas fulfilling my role as a Grade A bastard perfectly until she mentioned the tie. I was acting colder than frosty the fucking snowman. She was suffering, and I was eating that shit up. She may have landed that blow about my father, but I’d recovered like a pro...
Until thatgoddamntie.
It was like a time warp. All of a sudden, I was back in that hotel room with her. Christmas Eve, four years ago… Kissing her, fucking her, getting off on the taste and smell of her excitement, and watching her skin bloom red under my touch.
Ending the call with a savage swipe of my finger, I fall backward into my executive chair. Right now, my dick is throbbing harder for a memory than it ever did for any of the women I’ve been with since.
Damn her!
I’m going to strip her raw for exposing my weakness like this, and then I’m going to fuck all that pride and stubbornness out of her.
I steeple my fingers as my inner sadist comes out to play, catching sight of my reflection in the glass cabinet opposite. I’m grinning like an asshole. Ear-to-ear. And I know exactly what’s making me that way… It’s the thought of Grace, debased and on her knees, taking my dick, over and over. Hitting the back of her throat, and making her spit up all over her delicate chin.Happy fucking Christmas to me…
“Mr. Farley?”
The sound of my secretary’s voice filters through my fantasy. She’s standing just inside my office, and watching me warily—like she’s a sheep and I’m a hungry wolf.
She got that right.
“What is it?” I lurch forward to disguise the huge bulge in my pants.
“I’m on my way home and I wanted to wish you…” She tails off when she sees the look on my face. “Nevermind, I’ll see you in three days.” She turns to leave.
“Two,” I say to her departing back.
She turns in alarm. “But I-I booked the time off months ago. It’s my—”
“Do I look like I give a shit? I want you here. You belonghere. The Parker & Fisk paperwork needs to be finalized, as soon as possible.”