Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year's Eve Anthology Read online

  Maybe I was just trying to avoid the whole awkward subject, but Margaret and I only spoke for a few more minutes before we went our separate ways. I liked her a lot, though, and hoped to run into her again. Besides, knowing I’d made an enemy as intimidating as Brick, I could use all the allies I could get.

  Not that he had anything to be upset over. He was the one who’d wronged me, not the other way around. So if anything, he’d made an enemy out of me. Though that probably didn’t have the same terrifying effect on him as he had on me.

  As a waitress passed by, I lifted a glass of champagne from her tray and thanked her. Then I squeezed through the crowd to check out the rest of my surroundings. And, of course, to put some distance between Brick and I.

  An inlaid oak dance floor sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a large number of tables fitted with neatly pressed white tablecloths decorated with greenery and small white floral centerpieces. My eyes lifted to the huge wall of glass that sat at the opposite end of the ballroom. Cascading gold drapes hung from the enormous windows, which framed the starry night sky like a vivid oil painting. The fireworks at midnight would be amazing from this vantage point.

  I stood off to the side and sipped on my champagne, liking the way the bubbles fizzed on my tongue. But when the hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle, I knew Brick was somewhere in my vicinity and watching me. I could almost feel his laser gaze burning a hole in the back of my head.

  Glancing around, I found him standing about twenty feet away. His business colleague had apparently moved on and he was once again staring in my direction. At six feet, two inches, Brick’s masculine frame had always held a commanding presence that intimidated lesser men and forced women to pay attention.

  I didn’t want to pay attention to him, though. If anything, I wanted to do the exact opposite. We’d always known there was a chance it wouldn’t work out between us, and that if it didn’t, we’d run into one another at different business events. We lived in the same town and worked in the same industry, for goodness’ sake. It wasn’t possible to avoid each other forever.

  Anxiety churned in my stomach, and I released a sigh. Maybe I should go over and say hello as a friendly gesture. Not that I wanted to be friendly to him in the least. But it might make the whole situation a little more tolerable. And honestly, I rather liked the idea of using that tactic as a power play against him. By being the first one to speak, I would be essentially taking the power he held over me away. Win-win, if you asked me.

  So I trained my eyes on him and headed off to face the only man who’d ever truly broken my heart. My plan was to go say hello, be cordial and professional, and make some small talk about the weather, the beautiful ballroom, and how business was going. Then I would get the hell out of there.

  But the moment I stopped directly in front of him, a smirk crossed his stupidly handsome face and my plans went up in flames. “What the hell are you doing here, you jerk?”

  That only made him grin more. “Hello, Addison.”

  Brick only called me by my real name when he was upset with me and wanted to make me mad. But I had news for him. I was already pissed before I walked over here. “Addy,” I corrected him, knowing that it wouldn’t matter.

  His gaze travelled over the emerald mermaid dress I wore, the one that he had bought me, and he hummed appreciatively in the back of his throat. “I see you’re wearing my dress.”

  I lifted my chin and crossed my arms. “While I’m sure the color looked lovely on you, I’m certain it looks even better on me.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Damn it. That was a Brick move if I’d ever seen one. Leave it to him to pay me a compliment while I was flinging sarcasm at him. It always disarmed me. The dick. “I hate when you do that.”

  “Do what, sweetheart?”

  My eyes narrowed. “Don’t call me that.”

  “Would you prefer I call you Addison, then?”

  “No.” I lifted my glass and downed the contents. Damn, I was going to need another one if I had to deal with Brick for much longer. I glanced around for a waiter.

  “Ms. Campbell?”

  “Yes, that one is better. Call me that,” I said absently, before realizing that it wasn’t Brick’s voice that I’d heard.

  My head snapped up to see Robert Fulton, the executive director of the Largo Corporation standing to my left. Crap. I smiled warmly at him. “Good evening, Mr. Fulton.”

  Mr. Fulton took my hand in his. “Please, call me Robert.”

  “Only if you call me Addy.”

  He nodded. “It’s a deal.”

  I couldn’t help but glance at Brick, whose heated eyes focused directly on Robert’s hand covering mine. “Robert, have you met my…um, Brick Davenport?”

  Robert nodded. “Yes, Davenport Investments is actually your competition for our account. I had a business meeting with him just last week. Nice to see you again.”

  Brick grinned. “Same to you, Robert.”

  Damn. Even though I knew I didn’t stand a chance against Brick, that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to give it my best shot. Turning my attention back to my potential client, I said, “Good. Now hopefully I can convince you into signing with Shrum Financial tonight. I think you’ll find that we’ll be a perfect match.”

  “I have no doubt about that, which is exactly why I invited you here.”

  A passing waitress stopped with another tray of champagne and Robert passed each of us a glass. Thank God. With the tension in the air around us and the way Brick’s electric blue eyes were zeroing in on me, I was getting a little unnerved.

  Robert clinked his glass against mine. “Let’s enjoy the evening together, and then we’ll conclude our business later.”

  My heart pounded in my chest. “So does that mean you’ll be signing on with us?” Landing this account for my boss would not only give me a hand up among my peers, but a hefty raise to boot. And I’d get to stick it to Brick, which was a pleasant bonus.

  Robert’s gaze trailed down the length of my strapless dress before landing squarely on the sparkling crystal embellishments that trimmed my breasts. “I think it’s a good possibility,” he said with a wink. “Let’s just see where the night takes us, shall we?”

  Oh God. Was he actually flirting with me? This was a business meeting as far as I was concerned, not a damn date. “Um, actually…”

  “There you are, Brick,” a feminine voice rang out. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  Brick’s assistant, Courtney, walked over, wearing a silver designer gown that cost fifteen hundred dollars. A dress I knew she hadn’t bought herself. Don’t ask me how I knew. I just did. And my teeth clamped together as I fought the urge to rip her bottled blond hair out, one strand at a time. The sleek little hussy.

  Were they a couple now? Or was it possible they were just sleeping together?

  Out of pride, I wouldn’t ask. The woman had been prowling around Brick the entire time I’d dated him, waiting for her moment of glory. And apparently she’d finally gotten it.

  It aggravated the hell out of me that I’d even bothered to come over to break the ice with Brick. Because now the only ice I wanted to break was an entire block of it over his head. “You know, I thought it would be best to come over and say something to keep things from being awkward between us. But now I can see that it was a huge mistake.”

  “Addison.”

  I shook my head. “Robert, maybe we should excuse ourselves and leave these two lovebirds alone.”

  But Robert didn’t hear me because he’d turned to greet someone he knew.

  “Lovebirds?” Brick repeated, raising an eyebrow.

  Well, that answered that question. So they’re just sleeping together then. Big surprise there.

  Then he whispered something in Courtney’s ear and sent her on her way. Good riddance.

  Brick smiled at me, which only pissed me off more. “Addison, is this your way of trying to knock me out of the compe
tition?”

  Up until this point, I’d sipped my champagne slowly. Now I was guzzling it faster than the wait staff could supply it and was starting to feel the effects. “Oh, Brick. I believe you were the one who taught me that the first rule in business is to always protect my assets.” I lifted the crystal flute back to my lips.

  Brick gave me a smoldering glare. “You know this isn’t business between us, darling. It’s pleasure.” He leaned toward me, and his voice took on a lower, sexier tone. “Or it would be if you would let me slip that dress off of you.”

  I choked on my drink and bubbles fizzed up into my nose. But my body responded to him as it always had, and my panties dampened instantly. The thought of him touching me intimately made me tremble, and I was helpless to do anything about it.

  Brick stole the glass of champagne from my hand. “Careful, sweetheart. Don’t drink too much,” he said, tipping my glass to his mouth and swallowing down the last of it in one gulp. “You know what champagne does to you.”

  Damn him. I knew exactly what he was referring to, and my thighs squeezed together to slow the burning ache his words created. Last month he’d loaded me up on champagne, then made love to me in the shower for hours until I had sobered up.

  The smug bastard.

  Robert finally returned to us and offered his arm. “Would you like to dance, Addy?”

  Warning flashed in Brick’s eyes, but I paid no attention and laced my arm through Robert’s. “Absolutely. That sounds wonderful.” But as the two of us strolled toward the dance floor, I’d forgotten something important.

  Brick wasn’t a man who liked to be ignored.

  Chapter 2

  I don’t know why I felt guilty for dancing with another man after what Brick had done to me. But I did. Perhaps a close encounter with the only man I’d ever given my heart to wasn’t such a good idea after our recent breakup. It only brought up all those raw emotions that I’d spent the last two weeks stuffing into the junk drawer in my brain.

  The loss still hurt as sharply as it had the day I left, and emotions this fresh were impossible to control. Still, it was time to get over it and move on. I wasn’t interested in dating anyone right now, but I couldn’t help but notice that the ballroom was overflowing with an abundance of devastatingly handsome men. Yet, burdened by my past relationship, I was determined not to let my guard down and give anyone a chance. Especially another bad-boy billionaire like Brick. I knew firsthand how much damage one of them could inflict on a woman’s heart.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Robert asked, spinning me on the dance floor.

  I gave him my best smile. “Sure. But only if you tell me where you would like me to invest it. I’m sure I could have both of our futures secured in no time with a return on that amount.” I winked at him to show I was teasing.

  He laughed heartily. “Oh, I’m sure you could.”

  The Largo Corporation was based out of Vegas, and from my understanding, the man didn’t like to travel. My boss had been trying to get this man to sign on the dotted line for weeks, but hadn’t been able to land the account.

  When Fulton requested that I meet with him, I knew I would have to go above and beyond to impress him in order to win him over. I just wasn’t quite sure what that would entail. But when his hand began to move lower on my back, it wasn’t hard to figure out.

  My body stiffened in his arms. “Um, Robert.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” he said, his hand roving even lower.

  “I think you’re a very good-looking man, but I’m going to be up front with you and tell you that I don’t mix business with pleasure. I hope you understand.”

  Robert smiled at me. “Oh, come on. We both know that isn’t true, honey. It’s a well known fact that you were sleeping with Davenport up until recently.”

  My feet stopped moving on the dance floor. “I wasn’t sleeping with Brick. I was engaged to him. There’s a difference. Also, he was one of my business colleagues, not one of my clients.”

  “Well, I’m not technically one of your clients either. At least not yet.” Robert winked at me, as if that little fact was supposed to entice me to rip his clothes off.

  “It doesn’t matter,” I told him, shaking my head firmly. “I’m not the least bit interested.”

  His brow arched. “Well, I think if you want this account, you better get interested. And quick. We don’t have all night. My wife will be joining me later.”

  I blinked, shocked by his arrogance as well as his confession that he was a married man who was demanding for me to sleep with him. People danced around us, oblivious to what was going on right under their noses. “You’re a sleaze,” I said and pulled away from him.

  But he grabbed my wrist to stop me from walking away. “Don’t be stupid. We both know I can break your career just as quickly as I can make it.”

  I clenched my teeth together. “Let go of my arm.”

  “No,” he said, cocking his head. “I think you need a few more minutes to reconsider my offer. It’s the last chance you’re going to get with me.”

  I didn’t want to draw attention to us so I was trying to stay calm, but this guy was about to get my knee in his balls right here in the middle of the ballroom. Just as I felt my composure slipping, a polite but disturbingly deep voice interrupted and asked, “May I cut in?”

  We both glanced over to see Brick standing next to us.

  Robert tightened his grip on my wrist. “Sorry, Davenport. You already had your chance with her. Now it’s my turn.”

  “Okay, maybe I should say this another way, then.” The barely restrained male aggression prevalent in Brick’s voice signaled a warning to Robert. “Are you going to remove your hands from her, or are we going to have a problem?”

  My throat tightened, and I winced inside. Apparently, Robert’s asshole behavior had triggered a nasty possessive streak in Brick. Where was the usual restraint he normally maintained? Because he sure as hell hadn’t brought it with him tonight.

  Robert released me almost immediately. “Too bad. It could’ve been good for both of us.” Then he made a hasty retreat to the opposite corner of the ballroom.

  Relief flooded my system that it hadn’t gone any further than that. “Thanks,” I whispered to Brick.

  He extended his arm to me, a silent gesture for me to dance with him. I didn’t really think it was a good idea, but I guess it was the least I could do since he’d helped me get rid of Robert with a minimal threat of violence.

  I folded my hand into his and stepped toward him.

  There was probably something sadistic about seeking refuge in your own ex’s arms, but it seemed like a good compromise at the time. Not only had I rid myself of an asshole but I’d also found myself a suitable dance partner. Whether we were dancing or having sex, Brick and I had always moved well together.

  But as his hand slid around my waist, my shoulders instantly drew up, bracing myself against the onslaught of invading memories and unresolved emotions Brick’s nearness caused. “Addy, relax,” he said easily, his warm breath whispering across my bare shoulder. “Unlike Robert, I promise I’ll be a gentleman.”

  I wasn’t the least bit worried about that. Brick had always been a gentleman…except for in the bedroom. This man had two versions of himself that not everyone got to see. I’d been one of the lucky few who he’d shared himself with. He’d always been so calm, cool, and controlled on the surface, but beneath all of it was a raging inferno that he unleashed in the bedroom. There, he was demanding, controlling, and insistent. And not to mention satisfying.

  As we began to dance together, his chest brushed lightly against my breasts. My nipples betrayed me by hardening instantly, and the way he licked his lips told me that he knew exactly what had happened. He knew me all too well, damn it.

  His hand moved up my back, pulling me closer, and my palms grew damp. I shivered beneath his touch, loving the feel of his large hands skimming my body. I bit my bottom lip nervously as a sick longing twisted painfull
y in my stomach. Then I did something stupid. I nuzzled my face into the warm, fragrant skin at his neck and took a deep breath, letting the familiarity of his cologne comfort me.

  God, I missed this. Missed him.

  The tender brush of his lips against my cheek sent my heart into spasms. The heat from his body and the cool silk of my gown caressed my skin in an erotic combination. I pulled back and licked my dry lips, staring directly into his eyes. The fire burning between us grew hotter and became almost unbearable until he finally pulled my mouth to his.

  The kiss threw me off balance. My mind protested his touch, but my aching body welcomed it. Yearned for it, even. A gentle warmth surrounded me, and I took a ragged breath and braced my body against his. His cock strained against the front of his pants, and the unmistakable bulge throbbed against me, forcing me to pull back once again.

  “Brick,” I breathed out, my pulse racing with his.

  The sound of his name on my lips must’ve deepened his desire because he bent his head and groaned in my ear. “Let’s go to my hotel room, baby. I need to be inside of you right now.” There was a controlled edge to his strained voice.

  He kissed me again, as if doing so would punctuate his words. Or maybe he was just doing so for good measure. But images of him lying in bed with his secretary plagued me, and I wrenched away from him, unable to stand his lips on me any longer.

  Apparently, he was baffled by my pulling away because he stared at me as if I’d gone insane. And I had. Because I couldn’t believe I let him kiss me like that again. It was disgraceful that I had so little self-control when it came to this man. God, I was such an idiot.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching for me again.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, then tell me what’s going on.”

  My eyes watered, but I blinked back the tears. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let him see me cry ever again. Not over him. “I don’t have to tell you anything,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm to keep the tears at bay.