Beautiful Mistakes: Contemporary Romance Boxset Books 1-4 Page 21

  6

  Leah

  I walked out of the elevator onto the thirtieth floor on Wednesday feeling confident and hopeful. I wondered if Sebastian had found my panties in his bathroom yesterday and what his reaction had been. I knew he was unsettled when he left on Monday, but now with a day apart, hopefully he had time to realize that I was an adult making my own choices. It had nothing to do with my father or my career aspirations. And if he was still leery, hopefully I’d have time to bring him around.

  I entered the office area for interns and saw a note from Sebastian’s secretary asking to me to check in with her. I set my bag down and then headed to her desk.

  As I approached, I saw Sebastian’s door open, but the light was off.

  “You wanted to see me?” I asked.

  “Yes. Mr. Cox asked that you spend the remainder of your six weeks in the marketing department.”

  I frowned. “I already spent time in the marketing department.”

  “Yes, well, this time he wants you on the online media side.” She handed me a note. “You’re to check in with Craig, you’ll remember him from when you were there before, but then your contact will be Niall James.”

  I looked at the paper in confusion. No not confusion. Anger. Was Sebastian Cox really so afraid of me he’d banish me two floors down? Or was he afraid of himself and his inability to resist me? That idea intrigued me.

  “I’ll grab my things and head down.” I looked at his office one more time. “Coward,” I said under my breath.

  I went back to the intern office, picked up my bag and then took the elevator down two floors to the marketing department. Whereas Sebastian’s floor was subdued and elegant, the marketing department was filled with bright colors, tons of white boards, rows and rows of computer stations and people not much older than me finding ways to promote Sensual Delight’s products.

  “Hey Hammond.” Craig Jensen met me as I entered the area. “Welcome back to the fun house. Boring at the top?”

  I laughed to cover my disappointment. “There’s no buying without selling,” I parroted the message he gave me in September when I started my internship at Sensual Delights. I’d been allowed to divide my time between the design team and marketing, which I highly valued, but now I wanted to see how a company was run from the top down, and Sebastian had just taken that away from me. Perhaps it was my fault since I’d seduced him, and I understood that it could cause problems with the board. But still.

  “You got that right. Mr. Cox thought you should work with Niall with some online and social media stuff.” Craig called over Niall.

  “Niall this is Leah Hammond. She’s a personal friend of Mr. Cox so behave.”

  “I always behave.” But he had a mischievous grin that suggested he didn’t. It wasn’t smarmy or smug though. He looked like the type of person I’d have fun hitting the clubs with.

  “Come on Hammond, we’ve got people to influence.” He nodded toward the back corner of the large room where there were several computers, a photography set up, racks of the current and next season’s lingerie line, and many of the toys.

  “Can you have pictures of the toys on social media?” I asked.

  “No, we have to get really creative. But we can run ads on search engines and Reddit. Plus Sensual Delights has a blog now.” He pulled up his phone. “For social media, we’re mostly focused on Instagram and have some promotions on others, but that’s mostly the nightwear stuff.” He looked me up and down. “Maybe you want to model? We’re currently targeting the single 20-something crowd.”

  “Do they really need sex toys?” Of course, how could I to judge? I was a 20-something who’d never been touched. Well, that wasn’t completely true anymore, but I was still technically a virgin.

  Niall laughed. “Everyone needs sex toys sometimes, but I mean for the lingerie.”

  “Don’t you have models?”

  “They do.” He nodded toward the other side of the room. “But as you probably know, social media and online marketing for these things often does best when it seems spontaneous with regular people. Maybe you could take a few selfies in some of the active wear.”

  I shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

  But first he showed me the ropes, and I fell into an easy comradery with him. He was boyishly good looking, friendly, and really seemed to know his stuff when it came to online media.

  “So, do you have a favorite?” He asked me as we looked over the data from the latest online ad campaigns.

  “Favorite what?”

  “Toy. The best way to market something is to test it.” He gave me that cocky grin again that had me laughing.

  “And you’ve tested them all out? Even the dildos and vibrators?”

  “For those I found a willing woman to review.”

  “Of course.” I smirked. “So, what’s your favorite?”

  “The vibrating blow job. Second best to the real thing.”

  I laughed. It was so strange to feel comfortable talking about sex toys with a man I’d only just met. But people at work talk about work, in this case, sex toys were a part of work.

  “Have you seen the new dildo?” he asked me.

  I shook my head. “New?”

  “Rumor is that it’s modeled after the big guy himself.”

  “God?”

  He laughed. “Wouldn’t that be something? No, Cox.” Niall went over to a closet and opened it. “Personally, I’m hoping it never goes to market. It will end the need for men.”

  He pulled out a large, thick dildo. I didn’t know enough about penises to judge it compared to men in general, but I knew enough about Sebastian’s cock to know the dildo wasn’t quite built to scale. I remembered Sebastian being even thicker. Still, it was sizable.

  “At least you have the sperm.”

  He shook his head. “Women can buy that now too. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you.” He grinned at me. “Wanna try it?”

  I took it and looked at it. “It is impressive.”

  “I’ll tell you, Leah, if I could get a picture of you with that monster on social media, you’d sell a million of them.”

  I shook my head thinking he was joking. “You think?”

  He laughed. “Your look is the perfect mix of innocent and sexy. Men dig that.”

  “Do they?”

  He snatched the dildo back. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re young and should experience more of the real thing before spoiling it.” He looked suggestive as if he might want to help me experience the real thing.

  We went back to reviewing data when he asked, “So what are you doing when you graduate?”

  “I’m not sure. I should be looking for a job, but I’m considering taking some time off. Maybe to travel.”

  “Cool. I did some traveling after school. Paid my way by freelancing. I was lucky that when I got back to the States, this job was open. I’m a lucky fuck to get a job at a company dedicated to sexual pleasure.”

  “Are you from New York?”

  “Nah. I’m from Indiana. My friends from home think I’m a rock star now since I work with sex toys. Hey, how about we try some of the new fall stuff? You game to try it on? We can test it with my homeboys. They’ll be jealous that I’m working with you.”

  “Your life is so good.”

  He grinned. “Don’t I know it.” He went to the rack of clothes and pawed through them. “How about this?”

  He held up a dark teal negligee. Compared with the rest of the line, it was fairly tame with string straps over the shoulder, and a deep v-cut between the breasts, but loose everywhere else.

  “It’s pretty. Is it my size?” I looked at it. I was one of those unfortunate women who was between sizes, which meant things were either too big or too small. This would be too small, but since it was cut loose, perhaps it wouldn’t matter that much.

  “There’s a dressing room over there,” Niall pointed toward the other side of the photography area.

  I went into the dressing area, took off my cl
othes, and slipped on the pretty negligee. It was a bit snug in the breasts, but draped over my hips and fell to my mid-calf. It hugged my hips a little bit, so I had to take my underwear off to avoid panty lines. On the hanger it had looked plain, but on my skin it felt decadent and pretty. The soft silk of the fabric caressed my skin making me feel sensual.

  I bent over and shook my head, giving my short blonde hair a shake. When I flipped back up, my hair was full of volume, looking a bit messy and wanton, perfect for nighttime wear.

  I walked out and Niall whistled. “You’ll sell a million of those for sure.”

  I smiled. “Thank you.”

  He directed me to the photography area where a white bench sat in front of a white screen. “Sit with your back to me and look over your shoulder.”

  I did as he said.

  Behind the camera he snapped pictures. “I’m serious, Leah, you could be a model.”

  “You’re very good for my ego.”

  “You’re like an ethereal entity.”

  “Are you flirting?” I tilted my head, and he took more pictures.

  “Well, yeah. There’s no rule about not hanging out with colleagues.” He walked over to me. “Get on your knees and sit back on your heels on the bench. Now put your hands on the bench by your knees.”

  I did as he instructed, and the position squeezed my breasts together. Niall’s eyes shone with appreciation that had matched the one Sebastian had yesterday, although Niall wasn’t bothered by it.

  “Do you think this would pass social filters?” I asked.

  “Nope. But it sure is pretty.” Still, he gave me ideas to adjust my arms so my breasts weren’t so prominent. “Innocent and sexy. Men eat that shit up.”

  “Why?” I didn’t want to give away my lack of experience, but I was immensely curious about what turned men on. Did Sebastian like innocent and sexy? I didn’t think so. He seemed like a man who wanted a woman who knew what she was doing in bed.

  “It’s probably something perverted.”

  “Do they like virgins?”

  He lifted his head from behind the camera and studied me. “I suppose they do. They probably think they’re tighter.”

  “Are they?”

  He seemed to consider it. “To be honest, I don’t know. All the women I’ve been with have some experience.”

  He got that mischievous smile. “Want to blow the boss’ head?”

  “Yes.” How did he know?

  He handed me the gigantic dildo. “Let’s get a few with this.”

  “You do things like this to the boss often?”

  “It’s more like a running joke. Now and then I take pictures and send them up.” Niall got behind the camera again. “Act like it’s an ice cream cone.”

  I brought the dildo up toward my lips. Niall shifted side to side as if he was uncomfortable, and I wondered if perhaps he was enjoying this photo shoot a little too much.

  “What’s going on?” Sebastian’s voice boomed from the middle of the room as he strode toward us.

  “Oh hey, boss. You spoiled the surprise.”

  Sebastian’s eyes were hot, mostly in anger, but if I wasn’t mistaken, he also liked what he saw. Perhaps Niall was right about that innocent and sexy thing.

  “She’s supposed to be helping you with online marketing, not modeling. And Jesus… is that a dildo? You know we can’t use that.”

  Niall frowned, as if he was surprised by Sebastian’s response. “That one was for you.”

  “What?” He looked at Niall and then me.

  “You know how we sometimes send you something special.”

  Sebastian looked away as if he was trying to rein in his temper. When he turned back, he looked at me. “Get dressed.”

  Normally, I’d have followed orders, but I was too intrigued by Sebastian’s behavior.

  Niall was my advisor now, so I deferred to him. “Are we done Niall?” I set the dildo down, and then lay back on the bench, with my head arching off the end which pressed my breasts up. I bent one knee and the other leg I draped off the bench with my foot on the floor. “How about this?”

  “Awesome. Like sexy Sleeping Beauty.”

  “Leah.” Sebastian’s voice was tight.

  I turned my head.

  Niall rushed toward me and started positioning me. “You’re a fucking beauty, Leah.”

  “yeah?”

  “yeah.” He smiled. “Maybe we can grab a drink later.”

  I liked Niall, and if it weren’t for my interest in Sebastian, I’d have probably taken him up on his drink. Right now, though, I was more interested in Sebastian’s response to Niall’s interaction with me. Was he jealous?

  “Niall! She’s done. Leah, get dressed.”

  Niall jumped. “The boss is grumpy.” He stepped back and reached out his hand to help me up. “I’ll be at the Wallaby later if you want to have a drink.”

  “Thanks Niall,” I said, with my eye on Sebastian.

  His jaw clenched and his eyes were dark as he stood with his hands on his hips. “Leah. When you’re dressed, come to my office.” It was a command that should have made me nervous, but instead, it made me wet. Since I had no panties on, it felt like it was dripping down my thighs.

  “She’s here to help you with online media and marketing only, Niall.”

  “Yes sir, but the camera loves her. She could sell a ton—”

  “I don’t care.”

  Niall held his hands up in surrender. “It’s your company.”

  “Yes, it is.” He turned and strode out the door.

  Niall looked at me. “He’s not happy. I heard you were close. Is he like a father figure to you?”

  “He’s not old enough to be my father.”

  “He’s old enough.” Niall took the camera to the computer to deal with the shots he just took. “I like working here, so maybe you could change and get to his office and help save my job.”

  I laughed. “I won’t let him toss you, Niall.” I started to go to the dressing room but stopped. “Can I have copies of those pictures?”

  “I guess so. It doesn’t appear he’ll want to use them.”

  I gave him my phone number to text them to me, knowing it also gave him a chance to call me. That could work in my favor if it made Sebastian jealous.

  7

  Sebastian

  I couldn’t fucking believe it. I sent her to share shit on social media and Niall had her half-naked, holding the new dildo up to her lips like a vixen. Jesus, I’d have a hardon for the rest of my life with that image seared in my brain.

  The look in Niall’s eyes as he watched her made me want to toss him down from the twenty-eight-story window. And she fucking liked it. She was flirting back at him. Since when was Leah a flirt? Had she taken my no and found another man to take her V-card? Was Niall her new recruit?

  No fucking way. Not while I was around.

  I paced my office as I waited for her to come. I didn’t know what to say, but I was going to put the kibosh on her and Niall.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  “Shut the door.” My tone was angrier than it should have been, but she simply pursed her lips at me like I was a petulant child and shut the door. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  “I was doing as my new advisor asked.”

  I saw red, and she stared at me like she was bored.

  “I didn’t send you down there to model or act like a porn star.”

  “What’s wrong with that? You peddle in sex, Sebastian. In fact, it’s your goal to make it less taboo. So what if I take a few pictures with your wares?”

  “Your father will kick my ass.”

  “Back to that.” She shook her head. “I don’t need my father’s permission or yours for that matter.”

  “The hell you don’t!” I roared at her as I moved toward her. “This is my company and I say what my employees do and don’t do.”

  “Unless your board will be unhappy.” She reminded me of the excuse I’d given h
er for not giving into my desire the day before. “They might like the pictures and agree with Niall that they’ll sell, making them lots of money.”

  I felt like my head was going to explode. “Your father is on the board, and I know for a fact, he wouldn’t like that.”

  “But if I was okay with it, he’d be okay with it. He’s supportive like that.”

  I could only stare at her. “Yesterday you told me you didn’t have any experience, and now you’re flaunting your tits in front of Niall James.”

  She shrugged. “Someone has to teach me and he seems open to it.”

  What the fuck? Was she yanking my chain or was she really going to let Niall fuck her? “So, you’re okay with anyone? Doesn’t matter as long as he has a dick? Just because I gave you an orgasm, doesn’t mean you’re ready to take on the world of men. I’m trying to protect you here, Leah.”

  I saw a small crack in her veneer of strength. “You lost your input in the situation when you walked out yesterday. I won’t deny that I enjoyed what we did, but I deserved better.”

  She was right, but I wasn’t going to give in. “And you think Niall will treat you better than me? Do you think he knows more about pleasing a woman than me?” What the fuck was I doing? It sounded like I was pleading a case for her to choose me.

  “I guess I won’t ever know, will I?” She sighed. “Now if you’re done, I told him I’d meet him for a drink.”

  “I don’t think so.” I strode to the door and locked it. I heard her breath hitch and checked to make sure she wasn’t afraid of me. I saw desire in her eyes . “You want a man to touch you?”

  She swallowed hard, but held her head high. “I want you to touch me, Sebastian.”

  Fuck, yeah. That’s what I wanted to hear. “You want a new lesson?”

  She nodded.

  “Take your clothes off.”

  She licked her lips and slowly removed her dress. She wore another Sensual Delight bra and panty set, and I could already smell the scent of arousal from her.

  “Sit on my desk.”

  My mouth watered as her heart shape ass strode to my desk. Like yesterday she sat on the edge.