Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 13

A group of men piled out of the conference room.

I waited patiently until all was clear before meeting with Ethan.

I sat across from him, the chess board separating us, then made a joke about the high volume of male dominance in one room.

"I wouldn't mind a female dominated environment," he said. "For more reasons than just one."

I wondered about those reasons and if any of them had to do with power and sex.

He moved a chess piece across the board and I joined him in the beautiful game.

"Women are capable of running a lucrative business," I commented. "Possibly even better than men can."

"I don't compare," he said as I took one of his pieces, dominating him in chess at the start. "You're pretty good, Ms. Hastings."

"At business or chess?"

"Both," he replied.

This time it was his turn to make a smart move.

"Decent," I said, taking another one of his pieces. "But you're no match for me."

I made a quick and unexpected move across the board, taking another one of his pieces in the process.

He leaned back, defeated but amazed. "Damn," he said quietly to himself. "You're too good."

"Chess is like business," I told him. "Everyone wants to be at the top of their game."

"Nice analogy," he responded. "I'm guessing you want to be at the top of your own game?"

"That's right."

"What game are you playing here?" he asked. "Enlighten me, Ms. Hastings."

"The game of vengeance," I replied with a half smile.

"Great game," he said, giving up somewhere in the middle of the game. "But chess isn't the reason why I called you up here."

It was the first time we had seen each other since the night at the resort. We had a mutual understanding of what we were engaged in. There was no other explanation needed. We had one night together and that was the end of it. Ethan was good at pretending like nothing happened while I felt embarrassed for even thinking about his naked body during work hours. It was engraved in my mind. I blamed his overconfidence and the lack of boundaries the Bradley's never exhibited. I also blamed my own temptations that brought us into the predicament in the first place.

"Why'd you call me up here?" I asked, hoping it wasn't to recreate our night together in his office. Anything was possible with the Bradley's and I wouldn't be surprised if Ethan had another round of sex on his mind.

My imagination ran wild with the thrilling thought. I quickly reminded myself that there would be no more nights with him. I was back on my mission.

"I need you to meet Ezra at the Strawberry Chateau Villa next week," he said. "You're going to meet Marjorie, the event planner."

"Event?" I asked, slightly disappointed that we weren't going to have a quick rendezvous on his desk. "What event are we talking about?"

"The Black Tie Gala," he explained. "It's an annual event hosted by my mother, Donna Bradley."

I penciled in his notes into my scheduling book. "Sounds like a good time."

"Saffron," he said. "We're still learning about each other, but I trust your judgment. This event has to be one to remember for a lifetime. Do you understand?"

"You want my input?"

"You seem to have good taste," he said. "I'm sure your input on the event will be much appreciated by my mother."

I closed the scheduling book and tucked it under my arm.

"I understand."

"Thank you for your time," he said. "You can get back to work now."

I waited once more.

"Do you need anything else from me?" I asked. "Anything at all?"

He shuffled through his papers, shaking his head no. "I'll let you know if I do."

I sighed and stood behind his chair, leaning into his ear and playing with his mind.

He stopped what he was doing.

"What're you doing, Ms. Hastings?" he asked. "We have work to do."

"That's exactly right," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

He kissed me back, only for a second, before bringing me around to his lap.

I unbuttoned the top of my blouse with the red lace peeking from underneath.

Ethan bit his bottom lip, trying hard to keep his cool as he touched me there.

"How much time do we have?" he asked.

I buttoned up my top and left his side.

"Get back to work," I said, brushing my fingers through my hair. "We have a lot to get done and we don't need the distraction."

He scoffed. "You're a tease," he called out. "But I like that."

I could still feel his eyes on me at a standstill as he held back the burning fire inside of him.

In the hall, I ran into Ezra standing by the elevators as if he had nothing better to do.

In his hand was another glass only this time, the liquid was something brown and strong.

"I won't tell," he said as he offered the drink to me.

"A devil in disguise," I commented as a grin crossed his face.

I caved without a single thought of the potential consequence and took a long sip of the bitter tasting concoction.

"Welcome to the club," he said, impressed.

I gave him back the half empty glass. "You better keep your word."

His usual goofy smile was replaced with tense admiration.

"You have my word," he said. "And my respect."