He's So Bad (10 page)

“Here at eight?” I say.

She musters up a smile and nods.

“See you then,” I say.

We smile at each other one last time, and I leave her alone, which I don’t feel good about at all.

I get into my car and head back to the hotel, but I can’t help worrying about Carter. Something’s going on with her, and she’s hiding it from me. I remember that she and Allie used to be pretty close. I want to call Allie and ask if there’s anything going on with Carter. I haven’t paid much attention to Carter in the last two months. Ignoring her was easy to do while working fifteen- to twenty-hour days. It was only during my hour-long workouts at the gym or when I beat off that thoughts of her creeped into my head.

As I drive along, I try to figure out why I like
her
out of all the women I’ve encountered in the last three months. April and Celia have been sending me emails, inviting me to different events and asking how my day is going. I’ve ignored most of their messages. Ignoring them became easier once their project was completed and their invoices paid. The next time they want to use Kennedy Creative, their fee will be twice the usual amount. They got a deal for all the headaches they caused Carter. But that’s the nature of cronyism. Those two women are Grace’s friends. Grace is another woman I would’ve gladly fucked three months ago. She’s hot and powerfully sexy. I used to love chasing the difficult ones and making the easy ones wait. What a tool I was. I don’t want to play those damn games with myself or with Carter. One look at her face, and I feel as if I’ve known her all my life.

That look on her face… the exhaustion in her eyes… where was her helmet?

A
s soon as Robert left
, Carter dropped her head back on the desk. She was so sleepy that she could hardly keep her eyes open. Not only that, but she couldn’t believe she’d said yes to spending the weekend with him. How many times had she hoped he would walk up to her desk and ask her out? The answer was every day since their lunch at Yao Fun.
One look at Robert, and she wanted to tell him everything. It probably was presumptuous of her, but Carter felt as if Robert could fix the turmoil she was going through. All she had to do was tell him the truth. Why hadn’t she said anything? Maybe because she didn’t believe in fairy tales. “Prince Charming” was the reason she was in this situation in the first place. Only her Prince Charming had turned into the ugly frog.

Carter yawned and slid off her chair. She headed to Robert’s office. This would be the third night in a row that she’d slept on the sofa in his office. It was actually more comfortable than her bed, yet she still missed her lumpy bed. Carter also missed taking a steaming hot shower. For the last three days, she had taken a birdbath in the ladies’ room. She could’ve stayed in a hotel, but that would have felt too much like admitting defeat.

Tonight she was too exhausted to try to figure out how she had landed in such a bad situation and what was the best way out of it. One big decision she had to make was if she was ready to leave San Francisco for good. Perhaps she’d let her thoughts torture her when she woke up at six in the morning. She woke up at that time every morning, like clockwork. Carter closed her eyes, and before long, she had drifted off to sleep.

“
H
ey
…” she heard.

Carter remained stuck between conscious and unconsciousness.

“Carter?”

She took some deep breaths and rubbed her eyes until they opened. The light in Robert’s office was on, and he was standing over her.

C
arter sits up
. “Robert?” She’s still rubbing her eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

She stands, and her legs are wobbly. I catch her and hold her steady.

“I’m sorry, I’ll leave.”

Suddenly I realize that she’s embarrassed. Tears are rolling from her eyes.

“You don’t have to leave.” I keep my tone earnest. “But I would like to know what’s going on with you.” I wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

Her lips part, and her warm breath tickles my chin. I want to kiss her so badly. My dick stiffens. I swallow, take deep breaths, and get control of my lust.

She closes her eyes. “It just…”

“Just what?”

She sits on the sofa and pats the space beside her. I sit.

“Have you heard about Tyler and me?”

I wish I could say no. “I’ve heard some things.”

She looks as if she didn’t want me to say that. “Oh…”

I rub her hand. “It’s okay. What does Tyler have to do with you sleeping in my office?” I feel the tension in my lips. I don’t know how he put her in this situation, but I want to rip his head off for it.

“We used to live together. He moved out, but his name was on the lease. On Monday, he made the landlord kick me out. I asked if I could take over the lease, and she said no.” She shakes her head. “It’s him. He just wants to stick it to me.”

“Okay then, tomorrow morning we’ll go and get your place back.”

“No, that’s okay. The memories… I just need time.”

I study her with a frown. I can see how confused she is. “Time for what?”

She heaves a long sigh. “To figure it all out.”

I can see in her eyes that she’s hiding something else from me. “Well, where are your things?”

“In my car.”

“Your car? I thought you drove a motorcycle?”

“Only in the summer.”

I smile and pat her thigh. “Well, let’s get up and go.”

She looks panicked again. “Go where?”

“I would say to my hotel room, but I know how that would look. Let’s just drive out to Napa tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Tonight. It’s not that far.”

Her eyebrows ruffle. “Are you sure?”

I stand and offer her my hand. She takes it, and I help her to her feet.

“Let’s go get your things out of your car.”

We stare deeply into each other’s eyes. Damn, I want that kiss, but instead I get a grip and control myself.

“I have to get my coat,” she says.

We go to her desk, and she takes a black winter coat out of her storage cabinet. Once she’s ready, she stands next to me. I put my arm around her waist, and she rests her head on my shoulder as we walk out of the building. The night is cold and it’s raining, but neither of us increases our pace to stay warm and dry. The smell of her skin drives me crazy. I wonder if she’s comfortable with me holding her this close. She hasn’t tried to pull away, so I guess she’s fine with it. We make it to the parking structure and take the elevator to the second level where I’m parked.

I walk her to the passenger side of my car, open the door, and she gets in. I already miss her soft, warm body against mine. We smile at each other before I close the door. Her eyes are so tired. I can’t wait to make it to Napa and tuck her into one of the beds. I’ve spent weekends at the house for the last two and a half months, so I know it’s guest-friendly and the refrigerator is stocked.

Carter forces her eyes to stay open as she directs me to a midsized sedan, which is parked on the third level of the employees’ lot. I stop behind her car. She sighs and opens her door.

I put my hand on her shoulder. “Stay in.”

She watches me with a quizzical expression.

“I’ll get your things. Are they in the trunk?”

Carter blinks her heavy eyelids. “Yes, they are.” She sounds beat.

She takes her keys out of her coat pocket and hands them to me. I keep the heater running as I get out. I take three large suitcases out her trunk. There are three plastic bags back there as well. I turn to Carter and point at the bags, but she’s good and asleep. I take the bags, put all of her things in my trunk, get in, and drive off.

She only wakes up when I reach the entrance of the hotel. I roll her window down to tell the valet that he doesn’t need to get up because I’m checking out. I ask Carter to stay in the car as I go inside to get my luggage and pay my bill. She nods and goes right back to sleep.

About twenty minutes later, I’m back with my suitcase and slightly annoyed after paying the final bill. I could’ve bought a nice house with the cash I wasted staying at that hotel. But I’m too happy Carter is in my car to sulk about the bill for too long.

Once I get past the construction, the road to Napa is clear. I zoom up the Bay Bridge Interstate 80. I keep the stereo off in order to hear Carter gently snoring. Every now and then, I glance at her heart-shaped face and pouty lips. She’s just so pretty. How could I have not noticed her looks when I was fifteen? Maybe it was because she was too young and I always had a thing for the ungettable girls. Back then, that was college girls.

I’m tired and buzzed from excitement. I roll into Napa and up the road toward my house, which is nestled against the top of the mountain. I’ve become fond of the Spanish-style villa that I bought on a fluke. I’ve hired landscapers to dress the lawns and keep the trees and shrubs pruned. A few weeks ago, the entire property got a fresh coat of paint. I had the shutters changed and added decorative tiles around the arched entryways. I installed warm lighting inside and outside. Now when I drive up the path to my house and take in the ambiance, it feels more like home.

I drive up the red brick driveway, stop in front of the door, and touch Carter on the shoulder. “Hey.”

She squirms, moans, and slowly opens her eyes. She perks up when she sees my house. “Oh my God.”

“We’re here,” I say.

“Have I been asleep this whole time?”

“You have had a tough night. Come on, let’s get you inside.”

She rubs her eyes as she studies my house. “You live here?”

“So far only on the weekends.”

“It’s breathtaking.”

“How about I give you a tour in the morning?”

She musters a smile. “I’d love that.”

I’m captivated by her smile. “Me too.”

My heart is beating a mile a minute. In order to make it stop, I remind myself that she’s my employee and Vince’s younger cousin and I’m a changed man. All I want to do is open her door, pick her up, run into the house, throw her on my bed, pull her jeans off, and taste her wet pussy. I want to make Carter scream and clutch the sheets like she never has before.

I take one deep breath and get out of the car. I walk around the back of the car, which is kind of hard to do with a stiff dick. I open her door. I notice her staring at my swollen cock.

“I’ll get you settled in a guest room then bring your things into the house,” I say.

Carter is still distracted by my cock. “Right.”

I wonder what she’s thinking.

R
obert took
Carter by the hand and helped her to her feet. She had never felt so horny. What a big dick he had. Carter could only imagine how it would feel filling her up. They would certainly have sex—if not tonight, then soon. She was determined to make it happen. As he closed the car door, she purposely bumped her ass against his bulge. It was rock hard.

Robert stepped back as if the contact frightened him. His reaction caught her off guard. She concluded that he probably was being nice to her because she was Vince’s cousin and he considered her family. After they’d had lunch that afternoon, nothing had changed between them. At times she thought she caught him staring at her, but then once she was in the break room when Rachael had told Laura that she had caught him looking at her ass. She sounded pretty excited about it.

Laura primped in the mirror. “Don’t think you’re special. He looks at my ass too.”

When Carter walked out of the stall, both women looked at her and rolled their eyes. Carter had never seen Robert look at anyone’s ass, but it hurt to hear that Robert Tango was interested in other women. As good-looking as he was, he wouldn’t be single for long, and she would be fooling herself if she believed he was celibate.

Carter couldn’t think of much to say as Robert helped her up the steps. His arm was around her waist again. If only he knew the mixed messages he was sending by holding her that way. They entered the house. The lighting in the hallways was warm and inviting. She’d always known Robert Tango was an impeccable man. He was rich, smart, classy, and so good-looking that the heavens sang when all of his gorgeousness entered the room.

Earlier she had rested her head on his shoulder, but that was because she was too tired to walk without his help. Carter’s head was still light with exhaustion, but if Robert wanted to make love to her, she would gladly be on full alert for that. He walked her down a set of steps and into a massive bedroom. The bed, chest of drawers, nightstands, and the rest of the furnishings were all proof of his impeccable contemporary taste.

Robert walked her to the foot of the bed. “Welcome to your digs.”

Carter noticed the view of downtown. The scent of Robert’s skin lingered in the air. She could tell he’d spent a lot of time in that bedroom. “Is this the master bedroom?” She couldn’t believe he would let her sleep in his best room.

Robert winked. “All of the rooms in this house are masters.” He took a remote control off the nightstand. “Use this to lower the blackout shades.”

When he handed Carter the remote, their fingers touched. She thought she would faint from desire.

Robert pointed toward the right. “The bathroom’s that way. There are fresh towels hanging up. Soap, shampoo, everything you might need is in there, but let me know if anything’s missing.”

Carter took note of the suggestive look in his eyes. Yes, something was missing. He was missing!

“I will,” she said as calmly as she could.

He smirked and walked out of the bedroom. Carter had to flop down on the foot of the bed to gather her bearings.

I
bring
two of Carter’s suitcases into my bedroom. I couldn’t put Carter into one of the ordinary guestrooms; she’s too special for that. All four of the bedrooms in this house are masters, but this one has the best view. I set her suitcases against the wall. The water is running in the shower, and steam trickles out of the bathroom. She left the door open. I’m tempted to see if I can get a sneak peek of her naked body.

“Fuck, what’s wrong with me?” I mumble.

I rush back upstairs to get the rest of her things. I hate seeing all of her shit up against the wall. I’ll email the maid service and ask them to send Sylvia in the morning to help Carter go through her things and pick out what she needs for the long weekend, then I’ll store the rest.

I’ve made my third run, and Carter is still in the shower. It would’ve been nice to see her before I head to my home office. I close the door to the bedroom and leave her in peace. Exhaustion washes over me as I walk down the hallway. I go to my office and send that email to my maid service. Then I see an email from Jack Lord. His wife is opening a bakery, and he wants to know if I can drive down to Santa Barbara next weekend to assess the space. My answer is short.
“Absolutely. Reply with address and time?”

I print the expansion report from my business development department. Without a presence in New York, we’re just peons. With a presence in New York, we put ourselves in the position to become giants. I’m tempted to read the report tonight, but I’m just too tired. I save it for the morning. However, I open another email—it’s from Grace. She wants to have lunch on Monday and talk to me about returning to Kennedy Creative.

I close the email. I’m in the process of changing the name of the company, not to RT Creative but to RT Modern Design. However, I’m not releasing the name Kennedy Creative. I’ve read Grace’s employee profile. She’s an interior designer, but somewhere along the way, she fell into trying to keep her father’s business afloat. When she can prove that she’s done being a brat, then I have a proposition for her.

She’s contacting me a lot sooner than I expected, but I decide to respond to her email anyway.
“Call Zoe and schedule a one-hour meeting for next week.”
I cc Zoe on the email. Maybe my proposition can be incentive for her to see a shrink.

I power off my computer and head downstairs to the bedroom next door to Carter’s. I pass Carter’s door on the way, and strangely, the shower is still running. I stop a few feet away, worried that maybe she slipped and fell. I step back to knock on the door. Of course she wouldn’t be able to hear me. I open the door.

“Carter?” I call.

The water turns off, but she doesn’t say anything.

“Sorry, I was just checking to make sure you’re okay,” I say.

“Um…”

I hear the shower door open. I’m not sure if I should leave or not.

“I’m fine.” She steps out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. Her hair is wet, and the sight of her slippery skin turns me the fuck on.

There’s only one reason a woman lets me see her looking that way—she wants me to seduce her. I struggle to keep the former Robert Tango contained. If I fuck her, then what? She becomes my girlfriend? My lover? How will it look to the other employees? I don’t know why, but I suspect they’re all waiting for me to slip and fall into one of my underlings’ pussy. I’ve seen more cleavage, nipples, and panty-less asses in the past three months than I have in my whole life, and that’s saying a hell of a lot. I salivate at her milky, smooth cleavage. I could really show Carter the time of her life if I let it happen—but I won’t.

“Good,” I say and get the hell out of there.

Once again, I’m walking with a stiff cock. I go inside my room, shut the door, lean against it, and close my eyes to steady myself. That was close.

I hope to hell she’s not persistent enough to knock on my door. If she is, then I’ll open it and fuck her brains out. I wait, feeling equal amounts of hope and dread. At least a minute goes by, and I step away from the door. I strip off my trousers, unbutton my shirt, keep on my underwear and T-shirt, and climb under the covers of my bed. I stare at the remote control that lowers the blackout shades. My brain wants me to take it and lower the shades so that the glare from the city light flowing into the sky won’t disturb my sleep. However, I close my eyes, and I’m out like a lamp.