Page 7 of Power
“You think so too?”
“I know so. She will be ours in more ways than one, I can assure you of that. She is innocent, so, so innocent, and I want to corrupt her until there is nothing but her darkest desires left.”
“Yes,” he says. “But how do we introduce her to the world that lies underneath the city?”
“All in good time, my Knave. All in good time.”
ChapterFive
Bailey
I escapeinto my own world of thoughts, reflecting on my lunch with Archer. I trudge wearily back to my small one-bedroom apartment, shivering from the cool autumn night. I’ve just finished my first day of work, and I’m exhausted, but despite this fatigue, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. Archer has caught my attention, and despite the warnings still ringing in my head about the three men who confronted me in the office this morning, I’m drawn to him. I can’t help it. He is gorgeous and sophisticated. He is rich and powerful. He has what I want, and he says he can help me get it. I’m not naïve enough to think it will be handed to me on a plate. No. I will have to work for it, maybe do things that will push my boundaries, but that’s good, right? Broaden my horizons and take the opportunity to learn from him. He is definitely someone to be wary of. They all are.
The way Archer flirted with me at lunch…well, it wasn’t even flirting. It wasseduction. I know the difference, and it shocked me. But in a good way. I think Trish is just jealous because they showed an interest in me and not her. Or maybe her a while ago, but definitely not today, and if I have anything to say about it, not tomorrow either. I promised myself years ago that I would never end up like my mother. I vowed to do whatever it takes to succeed. I worked fucking hard, won a scholarship to one of the best universities in England and continued to work my backside off to get excellent grades that I could be proud of, and that any future employer would be impressed with.
I do remember Owen. He wasn’t a TA for very long. One semester when we took our exams at the end of year two. Small world that he remembersme. I didn’t do anything to draw attention to myself, wanting to keep my head down and distractions to a minimum. I didn’t even date anyone. My last boyfriend was in high school. How lame is that? I wouldn’t say I’m a virgin, but the chimney hasn’t been swept in a while, if you get my drift.
I open the door of my apartment, relieved to feel the warmth that greets me. The room is small and sparsely furnished, but it is home. I make my way to the bedroom, shedding my work clothes as I go. I hang them up neatly, ready for tomorrow, and make my way towards the red-painted stove in the kitchen and flick a switch, watching as the blue flame of my gas stove ignites. I take out a pot and fill it with cold water, then add a pinch of salt and set it to boil before I add the pasta. Opening the cupboard near the fridge, I pull out a bottle of red wine and a jar of pasta sauce, which I open and tip into a pot. Turning that ring on as well, I let my mind drift away for a moment.
Archer's face flashes before my eyes. A shiver runs down my spine. I smile and bite my lip as I can still feel the electricity that coursed through my veins when he ran his foot up my leg.
Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, I pour myself a generous helping of red wine. I take a sip and savor the flavor as it warms my insides. Waiting for my dinner, I find myself obsessing over him, the heat of his presence. I wonder what he is doing right at this moment. I wonder if he is thinking about me. He has completely turned my head. It was not what I expected on my first day to be bowled over by the boss's son. But if it was his intention to scatter my brain cells in all directions, he definitely accomplished that. I want to feel his strong hands skate over my skin. I want those full lips pressed against mine as we kiss. I want his hand to slide lower and cup my pussy before he dips a finger inside me.
My heart beats faster, my breath becomes ragged.
I take a gulp of wine and shake my head to clear it. I shouldn’t be thinking about him at all, never mind in such a sexual way, but heexudessex. All through the rest of the afternoon, I wanted to tell the others what happened, but I daren’t in case Archer doesn’t want anyone to know. He probably doesn’t. Let’s face it, I’m the noob, easy prey and all that. He figured he’d shoot his shot as long as no one finds out about it.
It doesn’t make me feel great, but the irrational part of my brain that is craving some male attention from starving myself of it for so long to focus on my studies, likes the secrecy. It adds to the heat.
If there is heat. He definitely sounded hot in my head, all that talk about consent.
“Fuck,” I breathe out and take the boiling pot off the heat, flicking both rings off. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I just want to go to bed and have tomorrow come, so I can see Archer again and see if he did what he said he was going to do about moving me across to his department.
Filled with excitement, I strip off my underwear and lie in bed naked, imagining his hands all over me.
ChapterSix
Owen
“Well?”Finn asks me as I enter Archer’s dark office, the only light streaming in from the city lights outside. “Do I get to kill her?”
I snicker. “No. Not today. Archer is being lenient. I think.”
“Think?” He tilts his head in question. His bloodthirsty need to create chaos and violence simmering under the surface.
“Gryphon is involved. It’s complicated.”
“Hmm.”
“You can check with him later.”
“Where is he?”
“He had something to deal with.”
“Did he sort this mess out?”
“Yes. Bailey will be with him tomorrow.”
