Page 53 of Corporate Escapades

Mya hurried into the bathroom to freshen up before anyone else could distract her. Meanwhile, Vic, wearing only his sleep shorts, meandered out of his room and into the kitchen where Chase engaged in a battle with the gas stove.

“Do you know how to work that?” Vic asked.

“Of course, I do!” he snapped.

Vic sat and watched him flick the nob back and forth. He found it amusing since he knew the stove was long past its prime and no longer would light without the use of a kitchen match. As he continued to smirk at Chase, Mya appeared next to him. “Yeah, that’s never going to do it.”

“Chase,” said Mya, “you need a match to light it.”

Turning around, Chase gave her a funny look. “Why? It’s supposed to ignite when you turn it, right?” He looked at Vic, who was trying not to laugh.

“It’s old,” replied Vic. “It needs some help. The igniter’s broken. Check that drawer on your left. There should be some kitchen matches.”

Chase flung the drawer open and snatched up the box of matches. Retrieving one, he struck the side of the box and watched the match ignite. Placing it by the burner, he turned the knob and a larger flame appeared. “There we go,” he mused. “Eggs will be ready shortly. Mya, will you please throw some toast in the toaster?”

“Sure thing,” she replied.

“Hey guys,” said Paris as she walked into the room. She was already dressed for their hike.

“Morning,” replied Vic. He was happy to see her but a little annoyed that she’d snuck out without a word. He wondered if she regretted their late-night tryst.

Paris nodded toward Vic and then poured herself a cup of coffee. She felt bad about sneaking out that morning, but she didn’t want to make things awkward for everyone else. She wasn’t fully aware of her true feelings regarding Vic. He was a handsome and thoughtful lover. She felt safe at the moment, but she wondered in the back of her mind what last night had meant to him?

“I need to tell you two something,” said Mya as she climbed onto one of the breakfast stools. “I have some concerns. Ireceived a text from Cristo’s secretary, Bryn. She says she overheard a conversation yesterday at lunch. There are rumors that some of your colleagues might be out to sabotage your progress.”

“Sabotage us? But why?” asked Paris.

“Not everyone wants to see you successfully restored to your former positions,” replied Chase.

Vic shook his head. “Like whom?”

“We don’t have actual names, but there are murmurs that whoever holds your positions within the company might one day be next in line to run it. And keep in mind, your prior behavior is a sore subject with quite a few people,” noted Mya.

“So, what you’re saying is, our coworkers hate us?” asked Paris. “That’s wonderful.”

“You need to show them you can make amends and be kind and considerate leaders. Act like the bosses you once were,” said Chase.

“I know we’ve both had our heads up our butts for a while,” said Vic, “but I think it’s safe to say that we’re ready to fight for what’s ours. I don’t want to see anyone else run the company that our family put their friendship, love, time, and hard-earned dollars into building.” Paris nodded to back him.

“Good. Start watching your backs, as will we,” said Chase.

“It’ll be only a matter of time before the saboteurs see you as a threat and realize you’re making amends. Once that happens, there’s no telling what a desperate person might do,” noted Mya.

Paris felt the knot forming in her stomach again. She was prepared to fight for her place within the company, but if people fought dirty, many secrets or rumors might come out, and the press had not been too kind to her over the past six months.

Chapter eleven

Monday morning, Vic stood patiently in the entryway to their apartment, waiting for Paris. He watched as she filled her coffee mug and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. She walked over to the sink, gave the shiny red fruit a rinse, and took a small dainty bite out of one side. Juice squirted from the apple as her teeth and lips made contact. He watched as she licked the sweet droplets from her upper lip. How could such a harmless action cause such a huge stir within him?

The weekend had been full of fun and relaxation for the foursome, but Vic was a bit surprised that he and Paris hadn’t spoken a word to one another about their late-night activities. Normally he wasn’t one to dwell, but something about her had hooked him. He could now see the more sensual side of Paris. The hungry carnal energy she brought to the bedroom. Sure, he had taken many one-night lovers, but this was no ordinary feeling following it up. Not even Janel had elicited such a response from him. Their relationship had been casual, or so hebelieved. Janel had other thoughts on the matter. While they’d never agreed to be monogamous, she apparently thought they were of the same mind. When he realized they, in fact, were not, he ended the relationship.

“Are we ready?” asked Paris, breaking into Vic’s thoughts.

“Yeah. Ready when you are,” he replied.

“Let’s get this over with. Hopefully, there won’t be any negative surprises,” she said.

Vic could hear the anxiety in her voice. He wished he could put her at ease, but he knew anxiety didn’t always listen to reason. He reached for her hand, but she turned away smoothly as if she hadn’t noticed. He watched her hips sway lightly as she marched off toward the elevator. He couldn’t help but stare at her tight, round butt. He felt his groin begin to swell and quickly changed his thoughts to Tom Mariano, the lucky bastard who held Paris’s interest. The thought instantly deflated him.

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