Page 32 of The Claiming Series: Collection 1
The knowledge settles over me like a comforting blanket on a chilly day. I always thought love was one emotion, but it’s not. It’s a combination of hope, trust, and finding that one true connection. It’s lust, want, and desire beyond anything I could’ve imagined. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
I smile at my reflection, feeling lighter and more carefree. “You’ve got this, Lily. Get this done, and then go claim your man.”
Straightening my spine, I stride from the bathroom… and plow face-first into a man-shaped wall.
I let out a startled squeak as a hand snakes out, grasping my upper arm in a grip bordering on bruising.Regaining my balance, I look into the cold blue eyes of the one man I didn’t want to be alone with.
“Hello, Lily,” Miller Cooper says, his mouth tipped up in a smug smile. “Thought you were never coming out of there. You should be more careful, you know, throwing yourself at me like that.”
Throwing myself athim?
My blood catches fire, and I yank my arm from his grip with a snarl, almost toppling backward onto my butt with the force of my movement. “Take your fucking hands off me!”
Miller holds his hands up, palms facing me. “Now, don’t be like that. I wanted to catch you alone before the meeting. You don’t want your new boss to miss out on a lucrative deal with Miller Corp, now, do you?”
This poor excuse for a man is unbelievable. “Are you threatening me?”
Miller’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “You damaged my reputation, Lily. You destroyed my marriage. My wife is filing for divorce because of your allegations,” he spits, his watery blue eyes full of vitriol. “Now, if you want your boss to get my business, you’re going to be a good girl and publicly retract youraccusations against me. You’re going to tell everyone what really happened between us.”
The nausea I’ve been suppressing threatens to escape all over his expensive leather shoes. “Whatreallyhappened is you forced me against a wall and shoved your hand up my skirt! Paint it any way you like,Mr. Cooper, but it doesn’t change the facts. You’re a sexual predator who uses your position to prey on women!”
“What the hell did you expect, sashaying around my office in those tight little skirts and low-cut blouses, practically rubbing my nose in it?” he accuses, his lip curling with disdain as he moves toward me. “There’s only so many times a man can turn a blind eye when it’s offered to him on a plate.”
Offered to him on a plate?Is he fucking crazy? I’d rather sell my left kidney than offer myself to this man. “Nice try, but I’m done being the victim of you and your twisted version of events. Go fuck yourself!” I go to move past him, but his hand snags my wrist. “Let. Me. Go!” I yell loudly, struggling to free myself.
“Take your fucking hands off her!” a voice growls behind me. I whip my head around, almost sagging in relief as I see Callum standing there, murder in his eyes.
“Ah, Rogen. Good to meet you,” Miller says casually, dropping my wrist and extending a hand toward Callum.
Callum ignores it, his mouth thin with fury, a muscle twitching along his jaw. “You need to get the fuck out of here before I call the police.”
“What? And miss all the fun when you learn the truth about the lovely Lily here?” Miller asks with a sneer. “Take it from me, Rogen, you need to watch your back with this one. She likes to play the innocent but don’t be fooled. Thought she could climb the career ladder by offering meadditionalservices.”
Callum holds Miller’s gaze unflinchingly. “You’re lying through your ass. You’re not the injured party here. Lily is.” He moves closer, getting up in Miller’s face. “I’ve met men like you before. You get off on intimidating women, don’t you? But we both know Lily’s not the kind of woman who takes kindly to being manhandled by assholes like you.”
Miller clucks his tongue reproachfully, angry color seeping into his flaccid cheeks. “If you believe that, you’re a bigger fucking idiot than I thought. All women use what’s between their legs to get what they want, and Lily Olsen is no exception. She was practically begging for it!” he snarls, losing his rein on his temper. “As I told her at the time, it’s herword against mine. I eat little sluts like her for breakfast!”
The crack of Callum’s fist connecting with Miller’s jaw is loud in the quiet of the corridor. My hands fly to my mouth in shock as Miller reels backward, sprawling on the floor.
“And I eat fuckers like you for dinner,” Callum rasps, standing over him.
He looks like an avenging god, all solid muscle and flashing silver eyes. This issonot an appropriate time to be this turned on, but, holy crap, my man is hot.
“Motherfucker!” Miller barks, nursing his jaw, which is already beginning to swell. He surges to his feet and takes a threatening step toward Callum.
“Do it,” Callum growls, not budging an inch as he faces off with the older man. “I’d love nothing more than to hand your ass to you.”
Miller pauses, obviously considering his options. Callum is taller, fitter, and twenty years his junior—not to mention the shitload of anger fueling him.
“You’ve made an enemy!” Miller seethes, almost frothing at the mouth. “Expect a visit from the cops for assault.”
Callum smiles coldly. “Do your fucking worst. No witnesses. No CCTV. Like you were so quick to tell Lily, it’s your word against mine. And to be crystal clear, if you ever come within a fifty-mile radius of her again, I’ll rip your fucking head off.”
Callum wraps his arm around me, and we walk away together, leaving Miller Cooper choking on his words. Something tells me this isn’t over. Men like him don’t back down without a fight, and I have no doubt his fight is about to get dirty.
Callum is obviously thinking the same because he pulls his cell phone out as we take the elevator back up to our rooms, hitting speed dial and holding it to his ear.
“Who are you calling?” I whisper.
