Room One Hundred & Twenty-One: Kiss of Fire

Chapter 12

12

SELENA

W eeks pass by in a blur and I’ve never been happier.

Once I finally let my guard down, these three men have shown me a life I never thought someone like me could have. We’re inseparable, drawn to each other like magnets and never being separated for too long. I thought it’d be more like a rotation, and I’d spend time individually with each of them. And while I do get that here and there, we all seem to be happiest when the four of us can be together.

For the last month, I haven’t spent a single night alone. We move from one of their places to the next, staying over at whoever’s penthouse is most convenient. At first, I kept making trips home to my own apartment so I could get fresh clothes or my toiletries. But now, they all have anything I might need at each of their homes, ensuring that I maximize our time together instead of wasting some of it traveling across town.

They never let me lift a finger when I’m with them either, something that is odd to me, considering I’m their personal assistant. But they remind me that my work day ends. Then I’m on personal time, which apparently is meant for being spoiled. I was content at the beginning, relaxing and letting them take care of me. But I quickly became bored and wasn’t able to just sit around. It’s just not in my nature. It does make me feel pampered, though, and maybe I can get used to that.

Navigating the office has been tricky, but more fun than I could’ve imagined. True to their word, they remain respectful of my interests, knowing how important my career and professional reputation are to me. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t been sneaking off like teenagers anytime Ms. Abernathy is out of sight or the suite is empty for a few moments. It’s exciting and a bit reckless, but I’m loving every second of it. Although I have my suspicions that my coworker is on to us, I’m grateful she hasn’t said a word. I know I couldn’t lie to her. And, honestly, I’d be crushed if she thought any less of me.

My affection for these men is growing stronger every day. It’s surprising to find that I’m falling in love with not one, but three men. Then again, I’ve never been one to conform to conventional thoughts and beliefs, and I prefer to do what’s best for me in spite of what others think. The more I learn about each of them, the more I love them. I couldn’t imagine just choosing one.

So far, I’ve learned that Chance loves chess and he’s actually quite good at it. He used to compete in tournaments when he was younger, but now only plays for fun with the guys. He’s been teaching me about the game, and I must admit it helps me think more strategically. But he never lets me win and I’m grateful for that. I don’t want a pity victory. I want to know that when I finally beat him, it’s because I earned it and he didn’t just give it to me.

I’ve also learned that Brody plays guitar, but I suppose it’s not surprising, considering how creative he is. He doesn’t play often, and when he does, it’s usually in his bedroom when he’s by himself. I remember when I first heard him play, a beautiful custom-made Taylor that sounded like the sunset.

I appreciate that’s an odd description, but it’s what I imagine it must sound like when the sun finally meets the ocean’s horizon at some tropical beach paradise. Then he sang to me and I melted into a puddle of love-struck goo. If he wasn’t a chief marketing executive, he could easily have become a rock star. I bet women would line up to throw their panties at him on stage and I wouldn’t blame them one bit. I’d be the first in line.

And who knew that Noah also possessed a hidden talent he was keeping under wraps? Turns out the man is a whiz in the kitchen, and I guarantee he could give a few professional chefs a run for their money. I didn’t think he knew how to cook, since he was always ordering out whenever he worked late. But he did that for convenience and actually prefers cooking at home, yet his schedule very seldomly allowed him to do so.

All that’s changed now, since the four of us got together. They don’t book meetings past five anymore, except when they absolutely have to. And unless one of them is out of town for work, we spend every night together and most nights Noah cooks for us. We’ve occasionally gone out on what I assume would be dates, but most people probably think it’s just a business meeting between three executives and their assistant. If they only knew what we’re up to beneath the table or hidden in the shadows of a dark hallway. I’m sure some of those patrons would’ve been scandalized if they had any idea.

I look at each of them adoringly while they chat about work. We’re enjoying dinner together at Brody’s place and the meal is almost finished. Today was a long day in the office, so I’m happy we decided to stay in for the night.

Chance and Noah are talking when Brody nudges my elbow. “You okay? Did you get enough to eat?” He dabs at the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

“I couldn’t eat another bite,” I confess.

He frowns, glancing down at my plate. “You only ate half of it.”

My eyebrows lift and I smile. “My plate was practically heaping.” I laugh.

“You hardly ate anything today.” Noah joins our conversation. “You needed to make up for it.”

“I ate plenty. You guys are constantly shoving food and water in my direction every five minutes.”

Chance grins at me. “As we should. Gotta maintain those curves and keep you hydrated.”

I’m about to say something self-deprecating about my figure, but the stern look Noah gives me from across the table tells me he’s reading my mind and I better not say a word.

“Why don’t you go take a hot shower,” Brody suggests as he kisses the side of my head. “We’ll be up in a little while.”

I smile at him while I place my napkin on the table. “Okay. But don’t make me wait too long or I may be forced to take matters into my own hands.”

Noah pins me with a stare. “Your orgasms are ours. No touching that pussy until we say so.”

I stick out my tongue at him and scurry from the table. I’m playing with fire and just might earn myself a long night of edging or even a spanking. But what fun would it be if I were a good girl all the time?

After a scorching-hot shower, I wrap a towel around my body and head toward Brody’s closet. He’s filled a few drawers for me with essentials, and I have plenty to choose from. I select a satin nightgown, simple but sexy, and decide to forgo panties because I’m tired of having them ripped off and destroyed.

When I return to the bedroom, Chance is standing by the nightstand with my phone in his hand as he stares curiously at the screen. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

He removes the charging cord from my device, then brings it over to me. “Who’s Daniel?” He shows me the incoming text that merely reads: It’s been a while.

I groan and take the phone from Chance. I’d honestly forgotten all about this guy, but I guess he still remembers me. I suppose it’s not that shocking since he all but drooled when he found out I was working for his dream employer.

“The coffee date I had several weeks ago. Remember when you saw me practically fleeing from his car after he dropped me off at work that morning?”

Chance growls. “You still talk to him?”

“Absolutely not.” I shake my head. “Even if I hadn’t agreed to be with you guys, I still wasn’t going out with him again. It was awful.”

He makes a noncommittal hum as if he’s still unsure. So I immediately block Daniel’s number, which is something I should’ve done a while ago.

“There. Now he can’t contact me anymore.” I turn the phone in Chance’s direction so he can see what I’ve done.

He tugs me into his body and cups my face with his hands. “It isn’t that I don’t trust you.”

I stare into his captivating brown eyes. “I know that,” I tell him with a smile, turning my head to kiss his warm palm.

“I don’t trust other men, except Brody and Noah.”

“Me either,” I admit, and he returns my smile. “Now, how about we forget all about Daniel and you put me to bed?”

Chance removes my towel and lets it drop to the floor in a pool at my feet. “I think you mean take you to bed, beautiful.” Then he gives me a wicked grin.

With a travel mug of coffee in hand, I exit the elevator at our office suite. But I come to a sudden halt when I see Ms. Abernathy conversing with a man I’ve never seen before. She’s smiling at him, but it appears reserved, and I have to wonder why. I make a mental note to ask her about him later.

I resume walking to my desk, observing the man as I approach. He’s of average height and build with conventional good looks. Nothing that would make heads turn, but handsome enough to garner some attention. His tailored black suit screams money, and it pairs well with his expensive haircut that showcases his thick blond hair icy-blue eyes. But his gaze is shifty and he keeps scanning the room, as if he’s looking for someone and I assume it’s the guys. Then he looks at me, suddenly aware of my presence, and his sleazy smirk unsettles my stomach.

As if stepping into a character he’s playing, his smile brightens, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. He abruptly leaves Ms. Abernathy and cuts the distance between us, stopping just short of me as he holds out his hand. “And who might we have here?” His grin is predatory when he flashes his overly whitened teeth at me.

Before I can reply, Ms. Abernathy comes to stand at my side. “This is Selena Walker. She’s new to our team.”

I shake his hand, even though I really don’t want to. “Those men must be awfully busy to need two assistants,” the guy says.

“Selena handles all their personal needs, while I fulfill the administrative ones.”

“Oh, I bet she does,” he sneers, and I struggle not to scowl at him. “Selena.” He tests my name. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Stan.”

“Nice to meet you, Stan,” I lie.

“I’m the attorney for Noah, Chance, and Brody. Been working with them for many, many years.” He’s still holding on to my hand, and when I try to pull it back, he tightens his grip before letting me go. Then I follow his gaze as it drags down my face and stops at my chest. My cleavage is completely covered, but I know he’s imagining what my breasts look like beneath the thin fabric.

What a creep.

I jerk my hand away as the elevator chimes, signaling the guys’ arrival. I turn in their direction as they file out and start walking toward us. I lock eyes with Brody first, and his smile falters when he sees my troubled expression.

“You okay?” he whispers, but I tense when I feel Stan’s glare on me.

I paste on a fake smile. “Of course, Mr. Smith. How are you this morning?”

He gives me a puzzled look until he notices Stan behind me. He glances back at me with a nod of understanding.

“We weren’t expecting you today.” Noah’s tone is curt as he addresses their attorney.

Stan extends a palm, but Noah doesn’t move to accept it. So Chance steps forward, shaking Stan’s hand instead. “What brings you by?” he asks with a diplomatic smile.

“I’m your attorney. Can’t I drop by every once in a while?”

“And as such, you should know we have very busy schedules. In the future, make an appointment if you want to get on our calendars.”

Stan falters at Noah’s reprimand but quickly recovers. “Of course. My sincerest apologies. But since I’m here, perhaps the three of you are free to discuss the proposal for Aspen Creative that I sent you. It’s been a few weeks and I haven’t heard from you.”

“We can give you twenty minutes,” Noah concedes, then walks to his office without waiting for a response. Chance steps back and gestures for Stan to follow. He’s always the peacemaker of the group.

I turn to Brody before he steps away. “Should I bring you all some coffee or water?”

He smiles warmly at me. “Don’t worry about it. This won’t take long.” He offers me a wink before joining the other men.

They enter Noah’s office, and I finally take a seat at my desk, turning on my computer. Why do I get such an off feeling from that man? Just thinking about the way he looks at me makes me uncomfortable.

Exhaling a huff, I’m processing the peculiar interaction, when Ms. Abernathy speaks up. “Ignore him, dear. He’s relatively harmless.”

“He’s… interesting.” That’s a nice way of putting it when I really want to say he’s a sleaze.

“They used to work primarily with his father until he recently retired. He’s a wonderful man and I think you would’ve liked him. Stan has always been around, but we never had to deal with him since Stanley Sr. preferred to personally handle this account.”

“I see. Well, thanks for the background. Explains why Noah didn’t seem to care for him much.”

“Noah doesn’t care for anyone except Chance and Brody,” she clarifies before muttering under her breath, “And apparently you.”

It’s faint and I barely hear her. “Pardon?” I know what she said, but I’m curious if she’ll repeat it.

“It’s nothing. I’m going to get some coffee,” Ms. Abernathy announces and strolls to the kitchen. I’m grateful for the reprieve so she doesn’t notice my embarrassment.

I open my email and prepare to get the workday started when I hear Brody call out, “Selena, would you come in, please?”

“Yes, sir.” I stand and grab my pen and notepad before shuffling over to him. When I brush past him at the threshold of the door, his fingers graze my bare arm and send a zip of electricity running through me. It’s like this whenever one of them touches me, but I push away those thoughts in an attempt to remain professional in front of our guest.

“Take these.” Noah’s authoritative tone has me crossing the room to retrieve a packet of papers from his hand. A smile teases his lips as I get closer to him, but he otherwise manages to keep his expression passive. “Look these over and get back to me.”

My forehead creases and I tilt my head.

“Let me know your initial thoughts.”

Stan scoffs from his seat in front of the desk. “With all due respect, this is a financially important matter. I don’t think the opinion of your personal assistant has any relevance.”

“I didn’t ask what you think,” Noah sneers, and Stan pinches his lips closed. I tuck my chin to my chest to hide my grin. Serves him right for being a jackass. “Your twenty minutes are up, Stan. If there’s anything else, then book a call or a meeting with my assistant .”

“Right.” Stan rises from his chair and tugs on his lapel, straightening out his designer suit. “Good day, gentleman. I’ll be in touch soon.”

I can see from his tight expression that he wants to press the matter further, but he at least has the good sense to know when he’s been dismissed.

I’m about to leave when Chance asks me, “Selena, would you mind escorting Mr. Bradley out, please?”

“Not at all.” I actually do mind because something about this man just doesn’t sit right with me. But I’d never say that to my bosses.

Stan follows me, but stops abruptly at my desk. I glance around, looking for Ms. Abernathy, who must still be in the kitchen making coffee. “I need to be on their calendars for this Friday. Make it 1:00 PM. That should be plenty?—”

“Ms. Abernathy handles all their business matters, sir.”

“You’re a secretary, aren’t you? Can’t you handle the simple task of making an appointment? Or is that above your pay grade?”

My blood begins to boil and I’m ready to slap the smarmy smirk off his face.

“Or perhaps your job is actually something else, something far more personal ?” He crowds my space while he leers at me, making my stomach churn with disgust.

But before I can get away, my coworker appears from around the corner with two steaming mugs of coffee in her hands. “I thought you could use another cup, dear.” She passes one to me, made just the way I like it, and I contemplate throwing the hot liquid in Stan’s face.

Having been interrupted, he rises to his full height and plasters on a cheesy smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Selena. I look forward to seeing you again soon.” He licks his thin, dry lips, glancing at me one last time before nodding in my coworker’s direction and heading for the elevator. It isn’t until he’s gone that I finally release my breath.

I just met him, and I already hate the guy.