Alphas of Sin Read online

  Slowly, she turned back around glaring at the black computer screen, as if by some way it could feel her wrath and bring power back on. All she’d wanted to do was finish the contract she’d been working on when the lights first flickered. She’d been relying on battery backup to complete the last few lines. Listening carefully, she could hear battery backups kicking in for other computers on the floor, but hers remained infuriatingly silent.

  “Shit,” she hissed.

  “Well, now, Ms. Moen, we frown upon that kind of language in the office. I believe it even says so in our employee manual.” Grayson Hughes’ deep voice rumbled from the doorway where he casually leaned against the frame.

  She wondered if this night could get any worse. “Let me make this easy on you. I’ll leave.” She placed her hands on the edge of her desk and angrily pushed away from it.

  All the men in the office resented her father hiring her on as Vice President, or promoting her above them. Clearly, a woman didn’t have the brains to do the job. They tested and pushed her every day. Their sexist and degrading comments were muttered under their breath to ensure her father wouldn’t hear, but she would. Grayson was always around, knowing which buttons to push to get the biggest response from her. Every time she turned around, he was there; his tall, muscular body filling even the largest of spaces. He seemed to enjoy making her feel inadequate or clumsy around him. She inwardly fumed knowing he was witness to a rare mistake and trip-ups. His mind like a steel trap, she felt like he was collecting damning evidence to use at the precise moment to prove she was unfit for her position.

  Swinging her purse over her shoulder, she prepared herself for a treacherous drive home in the flooding roads. There was a hotel not too far from work. She’d rather bunk there for the night and be safe than spend the night in the office. With him. Alone.

  He moved to block her path. “You can’t leave.”

  Shivers crept down her spine. Grayson, although infuriating, had been the star of more than one of her damsel-in-distress fantasies, but she didn’t have time for daydreams. “Watch me.” She straightened her posture and tilted her head back, so she could look down her nose at him. Since he was well over six foot, it was difficult to be intimidating. She felt so small around him.

  Grayson nodded toward the window. “This isn’t your typical storm. In fact, we shouldn’t be so close to the windows.” Casually, he cupped her elbow with his hand, leading her out into the hall.

  “I’ve driven in storms before.” She tried to pull away from his firm, warm grasp.

  “Well, now ma’am, I’m sure you have, but see, this here tropical depression wouldn’t think twice about taking a pretty little lady’s itty bitty car and floating it down the river.” His mouth was in a straight, serious line.

  “My car is not itty bitty,” she huffed.

  Grayson cocked his head to the side. “Darlin’, it has the word ‘mini’ in its name.”

  Sighing, she pointed to elevators. “Look, just let me by. I won’t drive all the way home. There’s a hotel right up the street. I’ll be fine.”

  Backing away, he gave her a small bow. “Yes, ma’am. You’re welcome to try to leave, but you won’t be able to.”

  Grinding her teeth together, she walked past him and almost went to the elevators before remembering the power outage and headed to the stairwell. Simmering at the nerves on the man. Saying she could try to leave. Of course she could. He couldn’t hold her captive.

  “I said you can’t leave.” His voice came from directly behind her.

  Whipping around, she poked her finger in his chest, her temper snapping. “Listen, buddy, I can do what I want, and I want to leave.”

  Faster than she’d given him credit for, he grabbed her hand and leaned down so close, they were nose to nose. “Do not poke at me, lady. I’m trying to save your ass.”

  Her eyes narrowed, thunder echoing around them. “Language in the building, Mr. Hughes.”

  His eyes mirrored hers. “Even if you could find a way to leave, I’m not letting you walk out into that storm.”

  “I’m leaving.” She pushed the stairwell door. It didn’t budge. “What!?” completely exasperated. She really needed to slam that door into that handsome, arrogant face as she did exactly what he told her not to.

  “I told you. We are on lockdown. When the power goes out, the building automatically goes on lockdown to protect the employees and secured data. It’s one of the building’s designs to keep everyone safe.”

  “But what if there is a fire, and we need to get out?” Panic bubbled up inside of her. She swallowed it down, determined not to let him see her fear of being engulfed in raging flames.

  “The fire alarms are tied to the backup generator. If there was a fire, the doors would unlock, and we’d exit the building. As it stands right now, we are stuck here until the power comes back on.” He folded his arms across his massive chest.

  Vanessa shook her head. “I can’t believe my father would allow this. Yes, I understand the need to protect the data here, especially our government contracts, but no. There are too many variables for keeping his employees safe. There has to be another way out of here.” She turned and started to walk down the hall to her father’s office. She could hear Grayson’s footsteps following behind her between the booms of thunder.

  “You won’t be able to get in there.” His mocking voice chased her.

  She hated that he could read her next move. She ignored him and dug her keys out of her purse. Only three people had keys to her father’s office. Her father, herself, and the head of security. No one else was allowed in. Sliding her key into the lock, her mouth dropped. It wouldn’t turn. Her heart sank, if there was one way out of the building, access to it would have been in her father’s office.

  “Told you. Mine didn’t work either.”

  Vanessa froze. He wasn’t supposed to have a key. What could it all mean? Who else might possibly have one? Her heart pounded fast in her chest. What was her father thinking, giving him a key? Turning around, she confronted him. “Why do you have a key to my father’s private office?”

  “I have been with this company from the very beginning. I started as a grunt worker in the field and worked my way up. Just like your daddy did. I know this company just as well as he does. You’d know that, too, if you’d open your eyes and realize not everyone here is out to get you.”

  “Really, I’m supposed to believe you were always there to ‘help’ me?” Lightning flashed around them. “I’ve heard what you all are saying. I’m not stupid.” She started to walk back by him and return to her office when he stopped her.

  His voice was low and strained. “What you’ve heard others say. Never me, Vanessa. You don’t know what goes on behind the scenes when you aren’t around. You have no idea what I’ve protected you from. That is what your father has seen. He knows me, where my loyalty and integrity lay. Trust me, without me around keeping these guys in line, your life would be a hell of a lot worse than it is right now.”

  Narrowing her eyes at him, she tried to read the truth there. She wasn’t sure what to believe anymore. She always thought he was one of the bad guys, just waiting for her to screw up, so he could swoop in and take her job. If what he said was true, then he’d been making sure that didn’t happen. As her mind turned over every possibility, another one emerged. What if this was part of his game? What if he was using this situation to get close to her, to get information to use against her?

  “I’m of no concern to you. Go about your business and leave me to do mine.”

  Letting go of her arm, he ran his hand through his hair. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? Can’t you see we’re on the same side here?”

  “What side is that exactly?”

  “Moen Industries.” He spread his arms wide. “The better the company does, the better we all do. Your father, you have no idea what that man has done for me. I’ll do anything to keep what he holds dear safe.” A dangerous gleam came into his eyes.
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  “Maybe you should let your good ol’ boys in on that secret, and stop fighting me every step of the way.” She lifted her chin in the air, planning to speak to her father as soon as she could. She hated being blindsided with information she should have. What had her father done for Grayson that inspired such intense loyalty? She wouldn’t acknowledge it, but she could see it there in his eyes.

  “That’s what I’ve been doing!” His voice shook. “They aren’t the ones always fighting. You are.”

  “Please.” The rain pelted harder against the windows and the wind shook the building. “Every single one of you has resented me since the moment I stepped through that door. You think my daddy handed me this position on a silver platter to placate his little girl?” She stomped her foot, frustrated completely. “I grew up in construction; I worked on crews. I know more than most men out there in the field. I wasn’t handed this job.” She took a step toward him, looking him in the eyes. The fury of all she had dealt with, all the sexist comments she had swallowed, determined to overcome, rising up into her throat. “I earned it.” Her voice dropped several octaves-soft, but deadly. “And that just burns you up. This should have been your job. You should have been the one second in command. Not some chick.”

  “Are you done?” His arms were crossed over his chest and his muscles tensed. “I’ve tried to be the proper southern gentleman my mama raised me to be, but you are surely pushing me, Vanessa.”

  “I’m pushing you?” She flattened her hands on his hard chest and pushed him back. “I’ve had it with all of you thinking you are so much better than me simply because you have a dick.”

  “Watch yourself,” his voice growled at her.

  “Why do I have to ‘watch myself’? I’ve been gossiped about, dealt with sexist comments, deflected disgusting come-ons, had to work harder and longer than any man here, and I have to ‘watch myself’?” With each obstacle she had to overcome, she shoved him back until he hit the glass wall to the conference room. “I’m done with it all.”

  In an instant she was spun around and shoved up against the glass instead of him. “I told you not to push me.”

  “Or what?” She narrowed her eyes at him, daring him.

  “I’ll do what we’ve both wanted for months.” He leaned in, nuzzled her neck with his chin whiskers, and she couldn’t stop the shudder that ran through her. She’d wanted him since she first laid eyes on him and the bastard knew it.

  Grabbing a fistful of hair, she pulled his head back.

  “One night.”

  “Darlin’, come morning you’ll be begging for forever.”

  “Prove it.”

  Viciously, be captured her lips, sliding her body up the glass as she wrapped her legs around his waist, her skit hiked up around her waist.

  He was hard against her, and she immediately was wet and ready. His strong hands went up her blouse, releasing her bra, and tossing the items aside. When he brushed his thumbs over her nipples, she began to pant and moan against his mouth.

  The need to feel him sliding into her was fierce. She reached between them, and unbuckled his belt, and opened his pants. She freed his cock and he pulled a condom out. The loud thwack of his wallet hitting the floor echoed as he tore open the package. Helping him unroll it down his shaft, she couldn’t control the tremors that over took her body, knowing what was coming. When he lifted his head and looked at her, she shifted her thong out of the way and he slid into her.

  When she had him fully inside of her, she stopped, throwing her head back enjoying that first satisfying moment of connection before she squeezed him, unleashing the beast. Wildly they both fought for domination; trying to bring each other to satisfaction.

  The cool glass tightened her naked skin before it started to warm from her touch. His hot, calloused fingers played her body like a master musician hitting the high notes she never knew she could reach.

  Looking deep into his eyes, she felt a piece of her being slip. She didn’t know if she was breaking apart or if everything was coming together. In the warm red glow and the blinding white flashes of light, she prayed this wasn’t a dream because it felt like one.

  He carried her to the conference room table where he laid her back and continued to worship her body. For once she allowed herself to relax and enjoy the moment without thinking ten steps ahead, wondering what was coming next. She simply felt and allowed her instincts to take over.

  Turning the tables, she took her time discovering every inch of his rock hard body. He might not work out in the field anymore, but his body told a different story. It told his history and the fact he was never far from it. She’d heard stories of him picking up whatever tool was handy and helping the crews get back on track. She enjoyed having the power to make him whimper and want more, making him lose control and take her, his powerful body over hers thrusting deep inside of her. Their bodies matched the thunder crashing around them, as they both came their screams were lost in the power of the storm.

  Trying to catch her breath as sweat rolled down her stomach, cooling her skin along its way, she looked at him through hooded eyes, already wondering if this was one of the biggest mistakes of her life. She could have just handed this man the ammunition he needed to get her out of the company, boss’s daughter or not. There was no way her father would stand for this highly unprofessional and potentially disastrous behavior.

  “You can stop overanalyzing everything. I want to screw you, not screw you over. You love your job.” He leaned over her and kissed her gently. “And you’re good at it.”

  Lightning lit up the room as she wondered if she could trust him. How could she have given him her body so easily if her trust was so hard to come by?

  Vanessa nodded, and with as much dignity as she could muster, climbed down off of the conference room table. “If you’ll excuse me… I need a moment.” She backed away, suddenly self-conscious, gathering her clothes which were tossed around the hall and went to the restroom to get herself back in control. Once safely in the privacy of the restroom, she quickly cleaned up and put her clothes on. Staring at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t deny the freshly fucked look she had and heat rose to her cheeks at the thought of everyone knowing what they did. How could she have forgotten about the security cameras? They were all over the place. She breathed rapidly, and she placed her hands on the vanity, head down. The security cameras were constantly watched. Twenty-four, seven a guard screened the monitors. Maybe one of the guards saw them, maybe someone had already called her father. Nervously, her eyes darted around the room wanting to hide.

  Needing control, she closed her eyes, counting as she took deep breaths in and out. Once her brain calmed, she was able to remember that if the power went out, so did the cameras. All power from the backup generators went directly to security and that meant doors were locked and certain areas completely shut down to access either in or out. Which is how they were locked on the executive floor and the security cameras were only active in the stairwells.

  This didn’t mean that people wouldn’t suspect. How could she go back into work tomorrow without everyone knowing what they did tonight? They both had poker faces to successfully negotiate contracts. She couldn’t have everything thinking she had just done exactly what they all thought she would do.

  Disgusted with herself, she shook her head and remembered the lessons her father taught her. Worrying about things never changed anything, action did.

  Squaring her shoulders, she strode out of the restroom like she owned the building, which she kind of did since she was the sole heir to her father’s legacy.

  Rounding the corner, she stopped when she saw Grayson cleaning the conference room window. “What are you doing?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  Greyson turned around and smiled at her. Her heart jumped.

  “I didn’t want anyone to wonder about what happened tonight when they saw all the smudges on the glass. I’ve already polished the conference room tab
le.”

  “Thank you.” Even to her ears her voice sounded strange. There was an ache in her chest she’d never felt before, she and wasn’t exactly sure what it was.

  All her life, she’d had people taking care of her, catering to her every whim. But that was the thing, she could ask for anything and she’d have it, but it was only because they were paid to do it. This wasn’t a job to Grayson, something he had to do in order to keep her happy. He was doing this to protect her reputation.

  “It looks like the power is going to be out awhile.” He nodded toward the windows where the lightning still lit up the sky every few seconds, illuminating the rain on the windows. “When I put the cleaning supplies away, I was going to raid the kitchen, see what we have. Do you need anything?”

  A thousand things entered her mind, and they all centered around the man standing in front of her. “Maybe some water.”

  His lopsided grin crinkled his eyes. “That I can do. Be right back.” His long strides ate up the distance as he went in hunt of food and water for them.

  She checked the time, surprised to see a couple of hours had passed since the power went out, and the storm was still raging.

  Going back to her office, she grabbed her cell phone to check her messages and was surprised when she saw there was no cell service. Deciding they were actually going to be here for a while, she took her shoes back off and wiggled her toes. Her feet had protested when she’d put them back on in the restroom, and she felt happy without the shoes on, however slightly uncomfortable walking around the office barefooted.

  As the thunder rumbled through the building, she gasped when his arms slid around her waist.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. After all these months of having you so close to me, but never being able to touch, I don’t want to waste another minute.”

  She wasn’t ready to admit out loud that she felt the same way. Letting her body language convey what she felt without having to speak the words, she relaxed back into him enjoying the feel of his solid muscles and warmth.