Slipperless #3: A Billionaire Love Story Read online

  Slipperless Series

  (Book #3)

  By Sloan Storm

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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  FIONA

  I ran my fingers through my hair, shaking them free with a vigorous motion.

  Afterward, I reached for my third cup of coffee and tilted it up to my mouth, finishing it with a thick swallow. The silky texture of cream combined with the sweet hint of sugar across my tongue were subtle reminders of the effect the caffeine had on my nervous system.

  As I finished it off, I placed my empty mug down on my workstation and went to grab my pen, when I noticed it for the first time. My hand shook as it hovered just above the desk’s surface. Undaunted, I balled my fingers into a fist, straightened myself up in my chair and snatched it. Pinching the hard plastic between my fingertips, I pressed the pen’s tip against the page with focus.

  I licked my lips and began to scribble my notes once more, determined this time to not allow distractions to creep in and disrupt me. I still had a bit of time before the staff arrived, and so while I had the chance to catch up, I needed to make the most of it. I’d been trying to keep focused on the long list of tasks in my planner. However, I found I couldn’t manage more than about ten minutes or so of dedicated concentration before my mind wandered to my troubles.

  The irony was, of course, that my job at Hawkins Biotech was supposed to solve my problems, not create a half dozen more.

  I spent an entire weekend obsessing over my last encounter with Gabe and the potential damage it was doing to my career, as well as my life. I hadn’t been eating much and sleeping even less. My grandmother took notice even as I did my best to conceal it from her. When she asked, I lied and told her I was under stress from finishing the lab work and the upcoming presentation I was scheduled to make. She’d been so out of it over the weekend, it seemed as if she believed me.

  That was a good thing, because time was running out on my charade.

  I glanced up around the still-empty lab. At this point, I had to take silver linings where I could get them and when it came to the staff, I’d managed a small one. Since my meeting with the team, things had improved for the better.

  Although productivity was down a little, morale was up and it looked as if, for the moment anyway, Amanda and Melissa’s attempt at a coup was put to rest. A big part of the reason for that was, so far, I’d managed to keep my involvement with Gabe to little more than petty gossip between the two women. While I was sure they’d done their part to try and spread it as best they could, it hadn’t had the desired effect.

  At least, not yet.

  With respect to the presentation, I’d gone to a couple of local Toastmasters meetings to learn how to be an effective communicator. The simple fact was that I knew the material about the Link Protocol as well as could be expected. Now it was just a matter of overcoming my fears.

  Unfortunately, my first couple of speeches at Toastmasters hadn’t gone well. I was ten—no—a hundred times more nervous than I anticipated. And although I didn’t yet know exactly when I was to give the presentation, based on where we were in the project, I figured it wouldn’t be long.

  So even though things with work were going all right, the same couldn’t be said about what was going on with Gabe. I began to feel less and less able to turn him away when it came to sex. This was partially due to the fact that I wasn’t altogether sure he wouldn’t fire me if I didn’t sleep with him. Also, well, because I began to feel like I couldn’t.

  Nothing could have prepared me for what happened to me in his office the last time we were together. On the one hand, the way he’d treated me left me feeling something close to humiliated. On the other, what he’d done stimulated and excited me in a way I can’t explain.

  I racked my brain, trying to sort through the confusing thoughts and emotions in the silence of my bedroom at home. But after two long days and much longer nights, I wasn’t any closer to understanding the changes taking place inside me, brought about by him. They were frightening and liberating at the same time. I found myself in unfamiliar territory with no clear path forward. All my life, I’d relied on my rationality and reason to guide me, teach me, tell me…

  What I ought to do.

  What I should study.

  What I need to say.

  Yet, in his office, under his control, I felt free in a way I hadn’t before. My intellect failed me. There was nothing, not a single thing, about what he did that would appeal to reason. In fact, it should have been the exact opposite. I should have been appalled at what he’d done—outraged. After all, look at how he’d treated me…

  He commanded me.

  He ordered me.

  He owned me.

  But ironically, far from being repulsed by it, the simple truth was I’d never felt more feminine in my entire life. For once, for just a few moments, I wasn’t the one responsible. I didn’t have to care for anyone, answer to anyone or tell anyone what to do. Of all places, it was on his desk, being taken by him in the most primitive way imaginable, that I realized true bliss. And I’m not just talking about my orgasm. I began to feel as though there was something liberating about giving away my power to have to choose, to make a decision.

  Unfortunately, as much as it thrilled me, the consequences of being found out would have the exact opposite effect. With each day that passed, I grew more certain my co-workers would find out about what was happening between us. For his part, Gabe seemed unconcerned about such an outcome. He’d put me in an impossible situation and the worst part of it was, some twisted part of me enjoyed it.

  I took a break from my writing, and as I did, I felt my hand shake once again, far worse than it had before. Around the same time, a feeling of lightheadedness overcame me. Whether it was too much sugar, lack of sleep, or both, I had the sensation I might faint. I felt my skin go moist as clammy perspiration coated my forehead and the back of my neck.

  “Oh please, no,” I whispered, as I laid my head down on my desk.

  I had to get out of the office. I couldn’t risk anyone seeing me like this.

  Not now.

  GABE

  After lunch the following Tuesday, I’d just wrapped a conference call with a group of investors. It had been a long few days since the last time I’d slept with Fiona. I’d thoroughly enjoyed the last encounter. As a result, I had every reason to suspect she’d come around to my way of thinking.

  And speaking of that, I’d made arrangements for her to come to my office and give me a report on the progress in the lab, as well as the presentation. As much as I would like to for her visit to be more than business, there wasn’t any time for it today. In fact, there was scarcely time for her update. Yet, it had to get done, and done as soon as possible, since there was precious little time to waste. After hanging up from the call, I pressed the intercom button.

  “Holly, is Fiona out there?”

  After a brief pause, she replied. “No, Gabe,
she isn’t.”

  I scowled as I leaned forward in my chair. Glaring in the direction of the phone I continued, “She’s not? Where in the hell is she? I told you to get her up here.”

  Holly didn’t hesitate as she responded. “Oh, I tried. Believe me. I called down to the lab, but she’s gone.”

  “Gone? Where did she go?”

  “Apparently she wasn’t feeling well and went home.”

  I reached up and wiped my palm down the length of my face. “Are you serious?”

  “Mmm, hmm. I confirmed it with Colin,” Holly murmured. “I was waiting until you got off your conference call, and I was going to let you know. Um, would you like me to try and reach her?”

  I couldn’t believe it. “Yes, right away.”

  “O-Okay,” Holly began. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Good. Thanks Holly… If you get a hold of Fiona, put her through to me.”

  “All right. Anything else or…”

  As Holly spoke, I couldn’t help but think about how bizarre this behavior was for Fiona. She wasn’t the type to leave work. When she had her fainting episode before, she hadn’t left then, so what the hell was the difference this time?

  I couldn’t explain it, but I had this gnawing feeling she still wasn’t fucking getting how critical the situation was with the Link Protocol. Apparently, I hadn’t made my displeasure with her clear enough in my office Friday night. I stood from my chair and raked my fingers through my hair.

  “You know what, Holly?”

  “Yes?”

  “Forget the call. Get my limo ready. I’m going over there myself.”

  Holly hesitated for a moment. “Oh… Well okay. Are you sure? I don’t mind calling. It’s not a…”

  “Yes,” I replied, cutting her off. “I’m one hundred percent sure. I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes. Give Tomas the address to Fiona’s place.”

  “Okay, Gabe. I will. Right away.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart.”

  Fifteen minutes later, I was nearly halfway to Fiona’s when I decided to call her. Sliding my hand inside my jacket, I ran my fingers along the smooth silk interior. I reached inside the pocket, wrapped my fingers around the hard plastic and pulled it out. Seconds later, the line connected and rang a couple of times before going straight to her voice mail. Glancing out the window at the blurred landscape as it passed by, I disconnected the call without leaving a message and dropped my hand to my lap in disgust.

  Not a lot of things get me upset. Over the years, I’d developed a pretty thick skin when it came to dealing with people and their flaky behavior, especially women. Collecting myself, I leaned back into the seat, straightened my tie and my jacket. Until I could get her face-to-face and understand just what the hell was going on, gritting my teeth over this wasn’t going to help me.

  Yet, I also understood the precariousness of the situation I’d gotten myself into by relying on her to do the presentation. Fiona was going to have to find a way to put all the distractions aside and focus. If she did what I asked of her, all of her financial problems would vanish in an instant.

  As for our involvement, well, if she couldn’t find a way to keep business and pleasure separate, I’d put a stop to it if need be. That’s not what I wanted to do. She was a helluva piece of ass. A great fucking lay. Just the thought of being inside her threatened to get my cock hard as stone—but one way or another, she’d have to understand the urgency of this situation.

  Soon my attention returned to the city scene beyond the tinted glass in the back seat of the limo. I didn’t recognize anything about the surroundings, but from the looks of it, we’d driven to one of the shittier parts of town, if not the shittiest. Just then, Tomas slowed the limo and pulled into the parking lot of a dilapidated apartment complex. I jostled about in the backseat as the vehicle dipped into potholes and rolled over speed bumps that looked as if they’d been jackhammered into huge chunks.

  As we meandered through the parking lot, everything I laid my eyes on appeared to have suffered from years of neglect. The entire place was in a state of total disrepair. The city could come through and condemn the whole damn place and I doubted anyone would raise an eyebrow.

  Driving deeper into the complex, things got worse… an empty swimming pool, now filled with trash and weeds. Turning a corner, a large, run down playground with broken swings and a basketball court with no hoops came into view. I reached for the divider window control. The thick glass whined as it descended. When it reached the halfway position, I stopped it.

  “Tomas,” I began, as I looked at him in the rear view mirror. “Are you sure this is the right place?”

  His eyes locked on mine in the reflection “Yes, sir, Mr. Hawkins. It’s the address Miss Holly gave me. Miss Matthews’ building, sir. Straight ahead.”

  “All right, pull up and park. I won’t be long.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  With that, I rolled the window back up once more and readied myself for the scene I was likely to encounter. It’d been a long time since I was broke, but I remembered what it was like.

  It fucking sucked.

  But at least in my case the poverty stemmed from trying to build my business. As soon as I did, my money problems disappeared in an instant. Fiona had it way worse since the reason she was broke had nothing to do with entrepreneurial zeal, but rather her goodwill.

  The simple fact was that when you’re more than a half a million in debt, it severely limits your housing options. Difficult though she was, I respected the hell out of her tenacity. It’s not every early twenty-something you meet who had the guts to take on debt like that.

  It said something remarkable about her character.

  It was a helluva situation, with two distinct parts to it. First, what the situation required with her was a stern hand. I had no problem with that aspect of it. The other half though—it was a bit more difficult. In the midst of everything going on with billion dollar deals, it’s easy to lose sight of your employees’ real life struggles.

  And leaving aside whatever had happened between Fiona and me so far, the fact was that she was still my employee.

  Just then, the limo came a stop.

  Tomas got out and opened the door. As it cracked open, the back seat filled with bright white from the afternoon sun. I reached for the limo door, hooking my fingers around it, and as I exited, I glanced up towards Tomas.

  “What apartment number is it?”

  “4B, sir.”

  Within a few minutes, I stood in front of the door to Fiona’s home. I had to block out the squalor as best I could. She and I still had some major issues to deal with. Shocking though her living situation was, I couldn’t afford the distraction. After balling up my fist, I rapped against the door with my knuckles.

  After ten seconds or so, and no response, I knocked a second time, only harder.

  As before, nothing.

  Biting my lip, I hardened my fist and with a series of rapid strikes, I pounded against the door with the fleshy pad of my hand. I hit it so hard, the door shook inside the frame. As I finished, I leaned in towards the door, listening for any hint of someone approaching.

  Just then, it cracked open.

  I leaned away as a chain stretched across the partially opened door caught my attention. Just above it, a pair of blue eyes, half-concealed in shadow stared back at me.

  “Gabe,” Fiona whispered. “What are you doing here?”

  I frowned in disbelief. “What am I doing here? Why aren’t you at work?”

  Fiona turned her cheek, glancing away from me for a moment. She paused before looking back at me again. “You shouldn’t have come here, Gabe.”

  “Open the door, Fiona.”

  She shook her head, shielding her eyes behind her hair. “No.”

  Without warning, Fiona made a sudden motion to close the door. As she did, I thrust my hand inside at the last instant, hooking it around the edge and stopping it in place. Fiona grunted as I forced her backward. T
he chain rattled as it flexed to its maximum.

  “Gabe, stop it. Please.”

  “No,” I replied. I shoved the door once more, stretching the links to their breaking point. “Let me in right now or you’re fired, Fiona.”

  Fiona looked up at me through a curious gaze. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say her eyes held the reflection of shame in them.

  “Gabe, please don’t. Look, I-I’ll come outside to talk to you. Okay?”

  Still holding the door with a forceful grasp, I felt the tension ease from her body through the door as she stopped resisting me. I studied her for a moment or so before I answered at last.

  “All right,” I said, nodding. “Come on out.”

  Fiona’s gaze remained fixed on me as I accepted her bargain. I peeled my fingers away from the door, and as I did, she lowered her head and disappeared from view while she closed the door. I heard the distinctive sound of the chain as it rattled free. A moment later, Fiona cracked the door open, pulling it inward towards her. As she did, I wasted no time and pushed against it. In less than a second, I’d crossed the threshold into her apartment.

  “You bastard!” she said with a loud whisper. Fiona pressed her small palms into my chest, slapping me and shoving me as I walked inside. “You promised!”

  I grunted as her harmless blows glanced off my torso. Just then, Fiona turned away from me and grabbed hold of the doorknob once again. She gestured towards the yellow daylight beyond the entrance.

  “Get out Gabe, get out, get out!”

  I glared at her in silence. “I’m not leaving, Fiona. I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on with you.”

  After I issued my warning, I took a quick look around. Man, she lived in borderline poverty. And the apartment itself was barely big enough for one person, let alone two. I’d assumed her grandmother lived with her but I didn’t see or hear anything to indicate where she might be.

  “Gabe!” Fiona said, stomping her foot. “Leave! Now!”

  Ignoring her, I continued to study the surroundings in complete disbelief. Even at my poorest, I never lived anywhere this run down. As I gazed in slack-jawed wonder, Fiona reached her boiling point and slammed the front door. She marched over towards me, and grabbed hold of my arm at the bicep. As she did, I heard something down the hallway. Without thinking, I nearly asked about her grandmother but at the last second, I caught myself.