Guarding His Heart (5 page)

“You eat dessert?” I looked at her in surprise. I didn’t know many women in Los Angeles- asides from Lucky- that ate desert.

“Of course I eat dessert.” She laughed. “I’m not a wannabe actress or model. I don’t need to watch my figure.”

“No, you sure don’t.” I surveyed her curves and licked my lips.

“Leo, that’s so inappropriate.” She shifted and gazed at me.

“What is?” I replied innocently and licked my lips again. “I’m thinking about dinner and dessert. I got hungry and so I licked my lips. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head at me as we exited the elevator. “Nothing at all.” We walked down the corridor in silence and reached her room first. I waited for her to walk into the room and then continued onto my room. “I can’t help it if I’m hoping you’re the desert.” I whispered to myself as I opened my door and chuckled.

***

“Hey,” I opened the door to let in a freshly showered Hannah. “You look refreshed.” I stared at her still wet hair and makeup free face. She was wearing a baggy grey t-shirt and a pair of black sweats.

“Sorry, I had a quick nap and didn’t have time to dry my hair.” She shook her head and sprinkles of water fell onto my skin.

“No worries.” I stepped back into the room and guided her to the desk and two chairs. “I’m glad you were able to take a nap, it might be a late night.”

“I figured.” She nodded and sat down. “What do you want to do first?”

“Let’s go over the financials from this year.” I opened a file and handed her some paperwork. “I want to make sure that we’re able to articulate why this is the best offer for them in the current market.”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Hopefully they can see that and don’t try to play hardball.”

“It looks like Rob Martin has a gambling problem.” I sighed. “I’m not sure he’s going to be levelheaded. If he’s losing millions in Vegas, I’ve a feeling he’s willing to gamble with billions.” I shook my head. “He’s going to hope for a higher offer.”

“And that’s off the table right?”

“Yeah, that’s off the table.” I sighed. “Though I think I can convince him the money’s good because it is. The problem I foresee is agreeing for him to leave the company.”

“It’s his family's company, he’s not going to want to leave.”

“Yeah, but we don’t want to buy a company with a CEO that has a penchant for using company funds to take trips to Vegas and Dubai.”

“Yeah.” She bit her lower lip. “We have to make the offer so attractive that he thinks leaving is his idea.”

“Exactly.” I nodded. “But he has no family so we can’t tell him that spending more time with them is the answer.”

“Yeah, he seems like a ladies man.” Hannah agreed. “I guess much like most men who inherit companies from their fathers.”

“Are you talking about me?” I stood up and grinned down at her as someone knocked on the door.

“Well, you’re a ladies man, aren’t you?” She called out softly as I opened the door.

“You can bring the food inside.” I nodded at the room service guy. “Come Hannah, the food is here.”

“I’m coming.” She stood up and walked over to the tray. “What did you get?”

“Sushi, steak, salad, soup.” I laughed. “I couldn’t decide so I got a couple of different dishes.”

“Well they all smell amazing.” She sniffed and smiled. “I’m so hungry.”

“Mr. Maxwell, would you like me to pour the wine for you?”

“That would be great, thanks.” I nodded and I could feel Hannah’s eyes on me as I turned to face her. “I thought some red wine could help us relax. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” She nodded slowly as she chewed on a piece of bread. “One glass won’t hurt.”

“Exactly.” Though I was planning on drinking a lot more than one glass. “Here you go, thanks.” I signed the receipt and handed the guy another twenty as he left the room. “Let’s eat and then we can go back to working.”

“I thought you wanted to work and eat at the same time?”

“I think we can relax for a few minutes before that.” I handed her a glass. “We’ve prepared pretty well for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I won’t say no to that.” She took the glass of wine and drank it slowly, her face already looking more relaxed. “So how are we going to split this food?”

“Take what you want and I’ll eat the rest.” I laughed as I watched her pulling some fries off of the plate. “And if you need more food, we’ll order it.”

“I think this will be fine.” She laughed. “I mean, I’m hungry, but not that hungry.”

“Not hungry enough to eat a horse?” I raised an eyebrow at her and watched as she blushed at my innuendo. I knew that I was playing with fire, but I didn’t care.

“I’d never be hungry enough to eat a horse.”

“Never?” I stilled and looked at her face. W
as she seriously saying what I thought she was saying?

“I only eat stallions.” She stared me in the eyes unblinking. I felt a flip of excitement in my stomach at her words. If only she knew just how much of a stallion I really was.

“I’m glad to hear you have standards.” I grabbed a bowl of soup. “I’d hate to hear you were open to eat any old pony and donkey.”

“I wouldn’t even think twice about a pony or a donkey. I have very high standards.” She drank some more of her wine and grabbed some sushi.

“Glad to hear it.” I grinned and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I like my riders to be selective.”

“I like my horses to be selective.” She put a whole piece of sushi in her mouth and chewed slowly. “This is so delicious.” She moaned as she swallowed. “Normally I only get Philadelphia Rolls, but that was scrumptious.”

“It’s a Spider Roll.”

“Well, I guess I have a new roll to order when I next get sushi.”

“See how I’m already opening your world up.” I grinned and she rolled her eyes at me again. “I wouldn’t keep doing that. They might stay that way.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She grabbed another piece of sushi, drank some more wine and then yawned. “I don’t know if this was such a good idea. I’m feeling tired again.”

“You’ve got a couple of hours in you yet, I’m sure.”
“To do what?” She leaned back and her t-shirt pressed against her chest, molding itself to her breasts.

“What would you like to do?” I stood up and put my soup bowl on the table and then turned towards her. “I hope you don’t mind me changing. I was going through the papers up until now.”

“That’s fine.” She nodded and I saw her looking away from me as I started to undo my tie. “I was wondering why you were still dressed up.”

“Yes, now it’s time for me to get comfortable.”

“How much more comfortable do you need to get?”

“Hmm, let me think.” I undid my shirt and then pulled it off, throwing it onto the bed. I saw her staring at my chest and smiled to myself as I flexed my muscles casually. I undid my pants and I saw her face going red.

“What are you doing?” She called out, shocked.

“I’m changing. I just told you that.”

“You can’t change here, in front of me.” She gasped. “That’s craziness. I thought you would go into the bathroom.”

“Why?” I frowned and pulled my pants down and kicked off my shoes before pulling the pants off completely.

“Because I didn’t expect you to be standing in front of me almost naked.” Her voice was soft as she stared at me, standing there in my briefs.

“But the fact is I’m not naked.” I grinned and put my hands on the top of my briefs. “Unless you’d like me to be.”

“Leo Maxwell, stop playing games with me.” She jumped up and walked towards the door. “I’m going to go to my room now.”

“What? Why?” I frowned and stared at her. This was not how I’d foreseen the night going down.

“You’re obviously ready for tomorrow.” She took one last sip of wine and placed the glass on the floor. “I’m not going to spend the rest of the night in the room with you while you try and scandalize me with your body and comments.”

“What comments?” I said innocently as I walked towards her.

“Your horse comments.” She blushed as her eyes fell to my briefs.

“As you can see I’m very much a stallion.” I grinned as I nodded down. I was feeling slightly hard and I know my package was showing her everything I had to offer.

“Good night, Leo.” She quickly opened the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She said hurriedly as she left the room.

“I’ll see you in twenty minutes in my mind.” I laughed behind her.

Chapter Six

Hannah

I sank into my bed and stretched out in the luxurious sheets. I wished I had a bed like this at home. This bed wouldn’t even fit into my room. I buried my face in the pillow and breathed in the smell of downy. An image of an almost naked Leo springs to my mind and I groaned and rolled over. Why did he have to be so sexy? I thought I was going to faint when he’d reached down to take his briefs off. A part of me had been disappointed that he hadn’t. I was curious to see what he was working with. Though, I could believe he was a stallion. I bit down on my lip as I imagined making out with him.

“Hannah! Stop it.” I groaned as I fantasized about him kissing me. “You’re not fifteen.” I lectured myself as I thought about his chiseled chest. He had a six-pack that looked like it had been sculpted by Michelangelo himself.

Beep Beep. I frowned as I reached for my phone. Who was texting me?

“
What you doing
?” It was Leo.

“
I’m going to bed
.” I typed back immediately.

“Oh wow. Enjoy yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“Enjoy yourself in bed with thoughts of me.”

“What are you talking about
?” I bit down on my lower lip as I got under the sheets.

“
You know. :)”

“No, I don’t.”

“I think you do
.”

“
Whatever. Good night, Leo
.” I shook my head and turned the TV on. Beep Beep. Another message came through and I reluctantly reached for my phone to check it. It was a photo of something white.

“
What’s this
?” I typed confused.

“
The stallion. :)
”

I gasped and looked at the photo again. He’d taken a photo of the front of his boxer shorts. Pervert.

“
You’re a pervert. You shouldn’t be sexting me
.”

“
This is not sexting. I’ll show you what sexting is
.” He typed back immediately and sent another photo. I closed my eyes as I waited for the image to download. I left out a sigh of relief as I saw it was just a photo of his naked chest. “
Your turn now
.”

“
You wish
.” I shook my head at the phone.

“I do. Bra or panties is fine.”

“You’re so inappropriate.”

“You’re the one that told me you only eat stallions.”

“That’s because you made the comment about horses.”

“That’s because you told me you enjoy riding.”

“I never said that. You brought up riding.”

“So you prefer being on the bottom?”

“I never said that.”

“What position do you prefer?”

“I’m not talking about this with you!”

“Sex helps to relieve stress.”

“Then you better go and find someone then. This is New York, I’m sure there are prostitutes in the bar downstairs.”

“I’m hurt that you think I need a prostitute to get laid. :(.”

“Whatever.”

“Want to cuddle?”

“No.”

“Make out?”

“No.”

“Spoon?”

“No?”

“Want me to have a mutually delicious snack??”

“NO.”

“Darn.”

“Good night, Leo.”

“I don’t want to go to sleep yet.”

“I didn’t give you my number for you to try and get me into bed via text.
” I sent the text and waited for his response, but nothing came through. I put the phone down, a little sad that our exchange had ended already, though I knew I was playing with fire by flirting with him, even if it was just a little bit. I reached for the remote control and turned the channel. Then my phone beeped again. Only it wasn’t a new text. I had a new email. I opened my email and pulled up my new email.

To: Hannah Will

From: Leonardo Maxwell

Re: Does this work better than texts?

Dear Hannah,

I received your text and decided that maybe I’d have better luck with an email. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to get a booty-call. Please know that I respect you. Please know that I want nothing more than to prove to you that I am a stallion rather than a horse. And maybe we can keep each other warm tonight?

Yours Sincerely,

Leo

I read his email twice and rolled my eyes before responding.

To: Leonardo Maxwell

From: Hannah Will

Re: Emails are not better than texts!!

Leo,

Emails are not better than texts. Both can be used when requesting a booty-call. I don’t care if you’re a stallion or horse. Good Night.

Hannah

Your Assistant

I pressed send and waited for his response a bit more eagerly than I wanted to admit to myself.

To: Hannah Will

From: Leonardo Maxwell

Re: Emails are slightly better than texts, yes?

Hannah,

Thanks for letting me know you were my assistant. For a second there, I thought you were my boss, but then I remembered I got your job. Does it matter that I’m not requesting a booty-call? Just a mutually beneficial snuggling session.

Leo

Your Boss

I read his email and snarled at the phone. “Asshole.” I hissed as I typed furiously.

To: Leonardo Maxwell

From: Hannah Will

Re: No, they will never be better

Leo,

There is nothing mutually beneficial to me from a snuggling session with you. I don’t want to catch anything from you. You don’t need to remind me that you stole my job. I remember every time I see my pitiful paycheck. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have things to do.

Hannah

Poorly paid assistant

“Take that, Leo.” I smiled to myself as I hit send.

To: Hannah Will

From: Leonardo Maxwell

Re: Stop thi
nking about me when you touch yourself

Hannah,

The title to the email says it all.

Your Stallion, Leo

I gasped at his response. “You wish.” I hissed and sighed as I realized that it wasn’t far from the realm of possibility. Maybe not tonight, but I was sure that I’d think about him the next time I masturbated. Not that I would ever let him know that.

To: Leonardo Maxwell

From: Hannah Will

Re: You are....

GROSS!!

I turned my phone off and then lay back and looked for something to watch on the TV. I was not going to engage with him in this game. I found a Sex in the City movie on HBO and lay back and watched Carrie and Big talking. Of course, I didn’t have the willpower to not think about the email, so I grabbed my phone after a few minutes and turned it back on. Of course, there was an email waiting for me. I opened it eagerly.

To: Hannah Will

From: Leonardo Maxwell

Re: Taking me back to elementary school

Hannah,

I haven’t been called gross since second grade. Thanks for taking me back to the good old days. I guess I’ll call it a night as well.

Have sweet dreams.

Leo

A man that can only hope his dreams will come true one day.

I put the phone back down on the bed and smiled. I knew our conversations were totally inappropriate, but I rather liked it. It felt good to know he was attracted to me. It made me feel warm inside, even though it also made me feel uneasy. How long could this continue? Would I eventually succumb to him? And if I did, what next? He wasn’t asking to be in a relationship with me. From everything I knew about him, he didn’t do relationships. Which was fine. I didn’t have to date him. I just didn’t know if I could sleep with him and not want more. I’d never had sex with anyone that wasn’t a boyfriend. Against my better judgment, I was starting to like Leo. He was more than just handsome. He was more than just the boss’s son. He was funny and smart and he didn’t take himself too seriously. He was different than I’d imagined he’d be. Though, I was still mad that he’d taken my job. It just seemed so unfair. And then a thought struck me. Wasn’t there a no-dating policy at work? Maybe sleeping with him would benefit me in more ways than one. I’d get to be with him; something my body was craving. And I’d also have a chance to get him fired for abuse of power. If he was fired, I might get the position after all.

I felt uneasy at the thought of sleeping with him for nefarious reasons, but that would teach him a lesson. It’s not as if he hadn’t already crossed several lines. His texts and emails were just plain inappropriate. And so were his innuendos. No HR department would think it was funny that he was asking me if I wanted to give him a blowjob or ride him. The fact that I wanted to do both had nothing to do with anything. I sighed. The fact that my body was craving his touch right now wasn’t helping me at all. I closed my eyes and thought about him in bed with me, pulling my panties off, spreading my legs and burying his face between them. I groaned as I writhed on the bed.

“Stop it, Hannah.” I sighed as I felt myself growing wet. I couldn’t lie to myself any longer. Every part of me wanted to be with Leo. There was something so dynamic about him. Something that screamed power and sex and hot and danger. I forwarded the email chain to my work email and then deleted the emails off of my phone. I’d have to think about what I wanted to do. I just couldn’t let myself get sidetracked. No matter how attracted I was to him. I turned the TV off and closed my eyes. I needed to sleep off my fuzzy brain. Everything would feel better in the morning after a good nights sleep.