She nodded, her composure steady and unwavering, but it didn’t matter how poised she appeared sitting there staring only at me, I knew what was beneath her designer dress and fuck-me heels.
Is she even wearing a bra?
As if reading my mind, she casually leaned forward emphasizing her chest to show me she was indeed not wearing a damn thing underneath her dress, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She’d always been a beautiful girl, but now—as a woman—there was this alluring confidence and sexy demeanor that wasn’t there when I’d left her.
She’d grown up and come into her own skin, only triggering the memory of her body naked beneath mine and making my cock twitch at the thought.
“Julian, Miss Troy is—”
“I know who Autumn is, Claire.”
“Oh… I wasn’t aware you knew who she was. Then you’ve heard of her?”
“You could say that.”
Autumn didn’t show any emotion over my presence or response. She was too busy portraying a woman I no longer recognized.
Coldly replying, “I would prefer you address me as Miss. Troy, Mr. Locke. You have to earn the right to call me by my first name.”
I leaned back in my chair, narrowing my captivated stare at her. “Is that right?”
The sudden tension in the boardroom was so fucking thick you could choke on it.
“I’m not your friend, Mr. Locke, and if this relationship is going to work between us, then you’re going to have to treat me like the professional I am.”
She was right.
We weren’t friends.
We were so much more than that.
She could pretend all she wanted, but I knew what she felt like riding me. The way she screamed my name when she wanted more, and the tiny purrs she’d make right before she’d come on my cock.
“Relationships aren’t really my thing,” I reminded her. Watching and gauging her reaction, I added, “But you already knew that.”
Her eyes lit with anger.
Good. Two could play this game, sweetheart.
“Our working relationship, Mr. Locke.”
“I wasn’t aware we were in any type of relationship, Miss Troy, but by all means do enlighten me.”
“Julian, she’s here because you need her.”
Claire brought my attention to her statement.
“We’re going public.”
“I’m fully aware, Claire.”
“Of course you are. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Time is money, so stop wasting mine and get down to business. Why is she here?”
“Your team is concerned about your image, Mr. Locke.”
My gaze shifted back to Autumn. “My image?”
“Yes. Your personality doesn’t exactly speak highly for itself. Especially in the media’s eyes.”
“And why is this my problem? I’ve made everyone in this room a very rich individual, and that speaks for itself.”
“It does for their bank accounts but not for the general public, which is who you are catering toward to invest in your company.”
“My profits are public knowledge, Miss Troy. It’s a Google search away. Knowing my favorite color isn’t going to decipher if or how much money someone should invest in our shares.”
“You’d be surprised how influential knowing someone’s favorite color can be when it comes down to giving you their money.”
“I have no interest in performing for the public like I’m some teenage boy who needs to have his dick stroked, Miss Troy.”
Her cheeks slightly flushed, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t thoroughly please me that I still affected her, despite the game she was trying to play in front of everyone.
“I’m a businessman, Miss Troy. I make money, and that’s all anyone needs to know.”
“I’m not asking you to perform for anyone. It’s actually quite the opposite, so check your ego at the door, Mr. Locke. I believe your best approach in this situation is to show the public how far you’ve come. Let them into your world. Show them there’s more to you than just cars, business, and money. You came from nothing and made something of yourself. You’re the American dream, and we need to capitalize on that.”
“Julian, it’s a necessary evil,” Carl intervened. “It’s what’s best for the company.”
“Carl, we both know how Wall Street works. I know people. The right people. I don’t need to change my image any more than you need to kiss my ass.”
“Julian—”
I interrupted him, “We need to clear the room, Claire. I’d like to talk to Miss Troy alone.”
“I don’t think that’s the best idea.”
I cocked my head to the side, stating the truth, “Whose name is on the building, Claire?”
She cleared her throat, nodding for everyone to leave.
After they were gone, I crossed my arms over my chest and focused solely on the woman who thought she could change me.
Again.
“Now that they’re gone, let’s cut the bullshit, Autumn.”
“Mr. Locke, I won’t remind you again to address me as Miss Troy.”
“How long do you plan on playing this little game?”
“I don’t know what you’re referring to, but let me inform you that your team reached out to me. Not the other way around. I’m just here to do my job.”
“Your job? Which is what? Wear a tight dress with no bra so your tits get you employed.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not—”
I put my finger up in the air, silencing her. “That wasn’t a question.”
She glared at me. “I could report you to HR for that, Mr. Locke. Do you always sexually harass women in your office who are dressed professionally?
“I’m simply stating facts, and I never mix business with pleasure.”
“I find that hard to believe considering you are referred to as Alpha CEO and the world’s most eligible bachelor. What is it now? Three years in a row?”
I grinned. “Kept tabs on me, have you?”
“I researched you. It’s what makes me damn good at my job.”
“And what did this research inform you of, kid?”
She glared at me again, clenching out, “I won’t be disrespected by you, Mr. Locke. You need to address me as Miss Troy—end of conversation.”
“Sweetheart, we’re just getting started.”
“I’m not one of your employees you can treat like shit. Am I making myself clear?”
“You’re on my payroll, are you not?”
“You’re paying me to change your image—that makes me your boss.”
I let out a throaty laugh, unable to remember the last time I’d done so. “The only thing you’re the boss of, kid, is being a royal pain in my ass.”
She abruptly stood, sliding documents across the table before strutting her way to the door. “Get used to it, Mr. Locke. Take a look at your itinerary for the next week because beginning tomorrow morning, I control you.”
I resisted the urge to argue, realizing all too quickly that my sweet, innocent girl had changed, and in her place stood a confident and sophisticated woman dressed to impress. Her tight cream dress stopped just below her knees, accentuating every curve of her body.