Blood Read online

  Holly pretended to look at her calendar. “I can’t today. I have plans.”

  Grant gave her a kind smile. “OK. I’ll try again for dinner.”

  Holly had no doubt he would. He’d been pushing for them to get back together for a few weeks now. After her night at the club though, Holly knew that would never happen.

  “I should really get back to work, Grant.”

  He nodded and held up his hands as he backed out. “I’m going. Sorry I startled you. Talk later.”

  When he was gone, Holly pulled up an old resume she’d made while still in college. Not that she’d ever needed it. Her father had offered her the spot at the Sutton Foundation the moment she graduated.

  As she added successful fundraisers and other accolades to the resume, her pulse began to race. Could Patrick really help her find a new job? Was she really ready to leave the nest?

  Since their mother had passed away, Patrick had pulled further and further away from the family, while Holly clung closer than ever to their father. He was her only parent and she didn’t want to lose him. There were no aunts or uncles to speak of and her grandparents had been dead for years. Patrick and Nicholas were all Holly had left.

  Maybe Eli hadn’t called her like he’d promised, but her experience had given her a newfound desire for freedom. The thought of spreading her wings a bit made her smile as she hit send on her newly polished resume, and for the first time in a long time, Holly was excited about the future.

  Chapter Three

  Elijah stood at the back of the dungeon and watched as members played. It was the weekly open play party at Solitaire and things were in full swing.

  “Can I get you anything, Master Eli?” It was one of the house submissives. Bethany? He honestly couldn’t remember. The only reason that was OK was because she wasn’t his trainee. Elijah hadn’t taken on a trainee since the first round of members joined eight months ago. A quick glance at the bracelet on her wrist told him she was Hunter’s trainee based on the pink diamonds that blinked in the dim light of the dungeon.

  “No, thank you. Where is Master Hunter tonight?” The girl beamed as if Eli had actually remembered who she was, and who she was attached to.

  “I’m not sure. He said we were going to do a demo later though so I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

  Elijah gave a curt nod. “Carry on. I’m just watching tonight, thank you sub.”

  “You forgot her name again, didn’t you?” a voice from behind him drawled as he watched the submissive walk away.

  Elijah turned around and scowled down at Dakota Hylander. “Mind your business, Dakota. I have a lot on my mind tonight.”

  “You’ve had a lot on your mind for the past three months. Find a subbie to play with. You look surly over here and it’s bringing the room down.”

  He sighed and scooped a hand through his hair. She was right. “Sorry. I’m just not in the mood to play tonight. It’s been three months since my lab burned down and nobody can prove who it was. And now, Nicholas Sutton has found a new way to irritate me and I haven’t figured out what I’m going to do about it yet.”

  Dakota patted his shoulder. “You’ll figure it out, Eli. You always do. And when you do, you’ll make that son of a bitch pay.”

  “I can always count on you to back me up,” Elijah said as he leaned to kiss his friend and fellow board member on the cheek.

  “Hey, we have new club members to approve at the next meeting,” she said clearly trying to change the subject. “There’s at least one or two applying for house submissive scholarships. Maybe you can actually pick a trainee this time?”

  Elijah shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  “People need to know you respect the bylaws and rules of the club. What better way to demonstrate that then by taking on a trainee? It’s three months of your time. Not like you’re agreeing to marry, or collar, or even fuck any of them.”

  Elijah grinned down at her. “Always get straight to the point, don’t you?”

  “Don’t see any reason not to. Seriously, you should find somebody to fuck. You’re too damn uptight these days.”

  Instantly his mind flashed to Holly, the girl from the night club. Things had been so busy trying to rebuild the lab that he hadn’t taken the time to call her.

  “I fuck plenty, Dakota.”

  “I know for a fact it’s been at least three months since you’ve used your suite.”

  Well that pissed him off. His encounter with Holly was three months ago and Dakota was right.

  “Why the hell are we analyzing my love life? You want to talk about yours? I haven’t seen you play with anyone in months. Not since we first opened.”

  Dakota’s mouth opened and closed multiple times before she let out a humph and stalked off. Yeah, that’s what he thought.

  Turning, Elijah left the dungeon and made his way to his office at the front of the large club. On his way, he found Lance, another board member, sitting at the entry.

  “I thought we had other staff to work security, Lance.”

  Lance shrugged. “I needed some quiet and they had an opportunity to play. I figured I would hang out here since I need to upgrade the software on the laptop anyway.”

  Elijah waved at him to carry on and continued to his office where he pulled up his work calendar along with several documents pertaining to the reopening of the lab.

  Data and graphs indicating relaunch projections and loss reports that told him how much the venture lost while they were closed. The numbers weren’t pretty.

  As he was wincing at the amount of money, Patrick appeared in his doorway.

  “You’re going over the numbers again, aren’t you?”

  Elijah looked up. “Yes. It’s important to know this stuff. Have you even looked at them?”

  Patrick scoffed. “You know I have. Why aren’t you out there making some girl scream? You haven’t been laid in months.”

  What was with everyone’s interest in his sex life tonight?

  Elijah waved his hand at the papers spread across his desk. “I’ve been a little busy in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Take a break man. You need it. You’ve been super uptight and it’s making people uncomfortable.”

  Elijah ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I’m sorry. The arson investigation just has me pissed off. Why can’t they find anything? Nobody’s that good. And then there’s that little ad campaign your father started running. It was a deliberate jab at lab produced diamonds and it worked. On top of being behind on production, our sales numbers have suffered.”

  “Just file the damn FTC petition, Elijah. I know you hate dealing with the government but I’m telling you, getting the Federal Trade Commission to rule that lab produced diamonds don’t have to be labeled differently from mined diamonds and can be called real diamonds will kick that ad off everyone’s radar. You’re better at this marketing game than he is, and you always have been. That’s why David wanted to work with you in the first place.”

  Elijah sighed. “How many times are you going to harp on that? I’ve heard you, I’m taking it under advisement. I’ve got Jeremy Stockton looking into the details now.”

  Patrick shrugged. “OK. I’ll drop it. But the lab is going to be up and running again any day now, and I want to be ready to hit the market hard. The FTC petition would do that.”

  The two men spent a few minutes going back over final details for the newly rebuilt lab before Patrick said, “Listen, you might not want to get laid, but I do. Should I have Lydia call your assistant and schedule a walkthrough of the new building next week?”

  Elijah grimaced.

  “You fired another one? When are you going to replace her?”

  “Stop giving me grief. I’m interviewing people next week. I thought you said you had someone three months ago.”

  Patrick laughed. “You didn’t tell me you fired that one. I’ve still got someone in mind though.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “You assume
it’s a woman?”

  Elijah barked out a laugh. “Of course. I assume it’s someone you’re sleeping with and can’t hire for yourself.”

  Patrick’s face wrinkled in disgust. “That’s definitely not the case. But I’m not going to tell you her name. I don’t want to bring any undue influence on the process. She wouldn’t like that.”

  Elijah shrugged. “Suit yourself. Get outta here. Find me a misbehaving house sub to punish. I’ll be back in the dungeon in twenty.”

  Patrick gave him a thumbs-up as he backed out of the office.

  Elijah didn’t really want to go back into the dungeon, he wanted to keep working. But Patrick was right, people were starting to talk about his lack of participation at parties. Playing wasn’t required, but it was odd because Elijah always had a woman to tie up and pleasure or punish on open weekends at the club. It made sense that members were talking about it. With a sigh Elijah pulled himself up and made his way back to the dungeon. Maybe a naughty sub would be the medicine to wipe Holly from his mind. His lack of focus lately was inexcusable.

  • • •

  Holly stared at her smart phone as she let the words sink in. Elijah Barrett?

  “You still there, Holls?” Patrick asked, cutting through the fog.

  “Sorry, yes. Are you sure Elijah Barrett wants to interview me?

  Patrick laughed. “Yes. He’s interviewing several people to fill a position as his personal assistant.”

  “I love the work he does in Africa. Gosh, working for his company would be a dream.”

  “OK. Then hang up the phone and call the number I sent you. The HR department is expecting your call.”

  Holly let out a squeal. “Thank you so much, Patrick! You’re my hero.”

  Her brother let out a mirthless laugh. “You haven’t met him yet. He can be a pain in the ass.”

  “He’s a gazillionaire. It kind of comes with the territory doesn’t it?”

  “Let’s just say he’s fired at least four assistants in the last year.”

  Holly winced. That didn’t bode well. “I gotta go, sis. Make the phone call.”

  When Patrick disconnected, Holly paced her bedroom floor. It was almost four in the afternoon and she was supposed to be getting ready for another fundraiser. Should she make the call? What would Daddy think? So many thoughts were whirling in her head, but she was feeling brave, so she tapped the number Patrick had sent her and hit call.

  An efficient sounding woman answered. “Barrett Enterprises, Human Resources. How can I help you?”

  With a shaky voice she told the woman who she was.

  “Ah, Miss Sutton, I was expecting your call. How does Wednesday at two in the afternoon sound?”

  “That sounds perfect. I’ll be there.” She blew out a breath and hoped it didn’t sound too loud on the other end of the call.

  “Great. Your name will be on the list at reception and they’ll have a temporary security pass waiting for you when you arrive. That will get you to the top floor where someone will direct you to Mr. Barrett’s office.”

  Holly’s eyebrows rose. “Mr. Barrett is conducting the first round of interviews himself?”

  The woman chuckled. “He is. There may be a member of HR present but he’s a very hands on CEO and likes to hand pick those who work closest with him.”

  That was refreshing. Usually for assistant type positions the bigwigs just let HR handle everything but the final interview.

  Holly thanked the woman again and ended the call. Dropping the phone, she scowled as she watched it land next to the dress laying on the bed. Getting dressed up used to be fun but now that she did it multiple times a week, it had grown old.

  But Grant was picking her up in two hours and she still needed to go over her speech. The Sutton Foundation was being honored for their exceptional charitable contributions in Africa. There were still some rewarding things about this job and knowing they were making a difference was one of them.

  When her hair and makeup were done and the dress was on, Holly still had some time to spare. Picking up her phone, she scrolled through her notifications and text messages. Soon she reached the text she’d sent herself from Eli’s phone. Her finger hovered over the delete button. It had been three months and he never called the way he promised he would. It was time to stop thinking about him. But those eyes piercing into her as the orgasm coursed through her body was hard to forget. Now her pulse was racing, and she tossed the phone in disgust. Hoping to put him out of her mind, she picked up the book she’d been reading before she fell asleep last night.

  But it was a steamy romance novel, and in every sex scene she replaced the characters with her and Eli.

  Damn it. This wasn’t helping. She loved these stories but lately they just irritated her and fueled her fantasies in a way that was frustrating.

  When Grant arrived, Holly was still feeling a bit flushed from the steamy love scenes and her own imagination, but she hoped it would just look like blush. As they settled into the limo waiting for them, Grant picked up Holly’s hand.

  “You look gorgeous tonight.”

  “Thank you, Grant. You make a tux look pretty good yourself.” And it was true. Grant was conventionally handsome and generally had women flocking to him at these events.

  “Let’s get back together. I miss you. We made a great couple.”

  Holly closed her eyes. She needed to get laid, but Grant was not the one she wanted. He was kind, had money, and was attracted to her for reasons she didn’t understand. But he was also stiff and constantly focused on making her father look good. Holly needed something more exciting and that definitely wasn’t Grant Sterling.

  “I think we make better friends and colleagues, Grant. I just don’t want to waste your time.”

  Grant gave her a kind smile though she could see the hurt in his eyes. “You could never waste my time, Holly. I love being with you.”

  Holly sighed. “Can we not talk about this? I’m just not in a place for a relationship right now. I have some good news though. I have a job interview on Wednesday.” She tried to keep the tremble out of her voice as she said it out loud. Telling Grant was practice for when she told her father.

  “What? Where? I know you’re not happy with your role at the foundation, but a new job? You told me three months ago the resume thing was just to help Patrick.” Was that panic she heard in his voice? He was gripping her hand a bit too hard now, so she tugged it free from his grasp.

  “I don’t want to say where just yet. But it’s kind of a dream job so I’m excited. Just be happy for me please? And don’t tell Daddy? I’ll tell him when the time is right.”

  Grant scowled. “I don’t feel right keeping things from him, Holly. He’s my only client for a reason and I’m not going to mess that up.”

  Holly sighed. He was definitely a loyal puppy when it came to her father. “Please? Just let me get through the interview. If I don’t get the job, there’s no need for him to know. If I do get it, then I have to tell him, so you know he’ll hear the truth.”

  Grant closed his eyes and breathed in and out a few times. “OK. Fine. I can’t say no to you.”

  Holly grinned and gave his arm a little squeeze as they pulled up to the charity ball venue.

  Inside, things went well, but Holly spent most of the evening ready to leave. She prayed that Mr. Elijah Barrett liked her enough to give her a job. Tomorrow was Tuesday. Holly vowed to spend the day researching everything she could about the Barrett Corporation. Knowledge was the best weapon at an interview. Holly had no trouble talking people into writing big checks. Hopefully that would translate to convincing someone to give her a job.

  • • •

  Holly stared at her computer screen in horror. Elijah Barrett was Eli. That’s why she felt like she recognized him. Damn it. How was she supposed to make it through an interview? Would he think she was stalking him? This was a nightmare. The interview was in less than twenty-four hours. It was rude to cancel. Wasn’t it?

/>   Holly took a shaky breath and closed the browser to get away from his piercing eyes. The research she’d done told her that now more than ever she wanted to work for the Barrett Corporation. At least until she pulled up pictures of the CEO. As soon as his face had popped up on her screen, her pulse went into overdrive.

  “Hey, Holly, is everything OK? You look a little pale.” Grant was standing in her office with flowers in his hand.

  “Grant, hi. Sorry. I was doing research for a new fundraising angle. I’m fine.” He didn’t seem convinced, but he held the bouquet out to her.

  “For you.”

  Holly forced a smile and accepted the pretty flowers. “Thank you, they’re gorgeous. What’s the occasion?”

  Grant smiled. “Do I have to have a reason to bring flowers to the girl I like?”

  “I suppose not. Thank you,” she said again. “They brighten up the office.”

  Grant shoved his hands into his pockets. “Are you sure you have to go to that interview tomorrow?”

  Five minutes ago, she wasn’t sure. But now, with Grant pursuing her once again, she wanted the job more than ever. How did she let him down gently? Being mean wasn’t in her nature.

  “I’m sure, Grant. I’m never going to grow here. I think you know that. It’s not like I’m moving. The job is here in L.A.”

  Grant laughed. “Los Angeles is huge, Holly. I like being able to see you every day.”

  Yep, she was definitely going to that interview.

  “You practically live at my house. We’ll see each other plenty. Now get out of here. I need to get back to work.”

  Grant frowned. “I guess I’ll see you later then. Good luck tomorrow.”

  By the time Holly got home that night, she was less nervous about going for a job interview with a man who had given her the best orgasm of her life, but the nerves weren’t completely gone. After spending an hour picking out an outfit and going over talking points about the company and her experience, she forced herself into bed where she had a fitful night of dreams about Elijah Barrett fucking her in his office.

  Chapter Four