Take Me: Part 1: The Power Play Series, #1

Chapter 1

9 am. Don’t be late.

I grin at my phone when I see the text message appear.

What’s going to happen if I am? Are you going to punish me?

I just might.

Can’t you get in trouble for texting your new employee that way?

I’m the boss, no one gets me in trouble.

You better watch out, boss man, cuz there’s a new sheriff in town.

LOL. Bring it… at 9am tomorrow. The grin on my face spreads even wider.

I’ll be there.

I can feel my smile stretching from ear to ear as I set the phone on the bar. I take another sip of the Scotch sitting in front of me. Immediately I’m cringing as the amber liquid burns its way down my throat. I sputter a little, but at least this time I’m able to hold back my cough. I’m not sure what Daddy ever saw in the stuff, but it was his favorite.

My phone buzzes again.

And wear something nice. I have a surprise.

My brow furrows as I text, What kind of surprise?

It’s something you’re going to enjoy.

I enjoy a lot of things.

This is something you’ve never done before.

You’re going to be my first? I can’t help but tease him.

We both know I won’t be your first. ;)

What is it?!

You’ll see. Don’t be late.

I bite my lip as I respond, I can’t wait.

Declan Cross.

My father’s protégé and my soon-to-be new boss. He likes to think of himself as some kind of corporate hotshot Sex God who spends his days making deals in the boardroom and his nights with whatever strumpet is the flavor of the week. But really he’s more like the big brother I never had.

Though I don’t think big brothers are supposed to be that sexy and flirty.

We’d always had a very playful relationship, even if he was nearly ten years older than me. Ten years had seemed like a lifetime when I was in high school, but now that I had finished college it isn’t all that bad. He’s always been the kind of guy who put his career first, who never wanted to settle down because there was always something bigger and better on the horizon. I had lost count of the number of girls I’d seen draped on his arm a long time ago. But I never judged him for the way he acted. That’s just who he is.

He is fun to flirt with, probably because he is good at it. Really good at it. But we never let things go too far between us. Especially not after my dad got sick and passed away just before I graduated high school. His death had been unexpected, and I had been a complete wreck. Declan hadn’t hesitated to jump in and assume the role of the big brother I never had. I didn’t know it at the time, but he had been the knight in shining armor that every little girl dreams will come rescue her.

Despite the fact that I had already accepted a full ride scholarship to Harvard, I know I never would have made it to Cambridge if Declan hadn’t been there to get me through. He’d really been there for me when I needed anything, even if it was a kick in the ass to jumpstart my life again. I’d done my four years in Harvard’s business school, determined to make something of my life, determined to do something that would have made my father proud.

And now, here I am. Back home in New York City. Ready to pick up right where Daddy left off. Ready to really start my life. Ready to take on the world.

I stare at the glass tumbler sitting in front of me. It’s my own little celebration before starting my new job at the Barnes Media Group, the very same company my father started when I was just a baby.

I raise the glass and give it a long look, the melting ice shifts around inside as I do.

Here’s to you, Daddy, I say. And I drink the rest of what’s left. This time I cough a little as I set the glass back on the bar.

I don’t make a habit of going out to bars and drinking alone. But tonight is special because it’s the last night before starting my new job. Unfortunately I only know a grand total of two people in New York City, and both of them are busy tonight. Declan is stuck at work, and my roommate Tawny is pulling one of her night shifts at the hospital. I wasn’t about to let that get me down, though, so I decided to treat myself to a few drinks.

I’m still sitting there, tracing my finger around the rim of the glass and thinking about how my new life in the city is going to be when a guy slides onto the stool next to me. I let out a soft groan and force myself not to make eye contact with him. He could have sat anywhere in the whole bar, but he decided to sit right next to me. I already know there’s only one thing on his mind, and it’s not what I’m looking for.

Looks like I’m in time for the show. His voice is thick and deep, and he has a British accent that catches me completely off guard.

What show might that be? I ask, levelly. My eyes are still fixed on the empty glass in front of me, not wanting to give him any reason to stick around.

A pretty girl like you sitting here alone, of course. I bet there’s going to be a line of guys trying to get your number. He pauses for a second, then adds, I’m going to enjoy watching you turn them all down.

My brow furrows. A line of guys? I’ve never had a line of guys asking for my number. Ever. I’m just wearing a simple black dress and my makeup is half-assed. I’m here to have a pleasant little evening, not to find someone to take home with me.

But that accent… There’s no harm in having a little fun. I’ll play along.

I finally look up at him, and my breath hitches in my chest. He’s one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen. No. He is the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. I mean, he’s no Gerard Butler, but I