Page 15 of The Heir
My eyebrows raise as he ever so gently presses his mouth to my ear and kisses me, causing my nipples to harden visibly through my dress. And he sees, based on the little knowing hum he treats me to.
King steps away from me and turns his back swiftly, heading to the back of the restaurant and disappearing behind closed doors that have security in front of them. It's then I remember that Hendrix King isn't just the most powerful architect in the industry, his family is quite well known, wealthy, and notorious for their rough reputation as being shrewd, cutthroat business owners.
Snapping my mouth shut, I swing my head to face a very upset Anna who's staring back at me with wide eyes. "Whhaat thheee helllll wasss tthhaat?!" she squeaks, her skin blushing visibly darker, betraying her nervousness."Isobel! That man was all up on you!"
"I-I don't…I don't even know what the fuck just happened. I mean I know I said he's an asshole but Jesus.I'm sorry Anna,"I say, leaning forward to take her hand in mine. I squeeze softly, seeing her eyes fill with tears that she blinks away.
"It's fine…I don't see how you deal with him. My God."
"Well," I say, accepting another glass of wine from the waitress. "He's but a means to an end. Trust me, when you branch off into your own business you'll see what I mean. You'll have to deal with all kinds of people and crazy shit just in the name of networking. Just like I have to deal with King because we're working on the same project." I shake my head. "There's literally no way you could haveconvinced me that I would ever be in the same room with him, much less be working as partners with him. And let me tell you something," I lean forward, causing her to lean forward too, "he's the biggest, most arrogant dick I've ever met before. I bet he eats nails for breakfast."
And with the right joke, the tension is lessened and we enjoy our dinner. However, I can't help but notice when I look back at the double doors leading to King's private room that his security constantly have their eyes on me. It makes me feel weird.
I don't like being watched, I could never be a socialite. I'm not well behaved enough.
It's not until I'm driving home, and the rough edge of my nerves fades that his warning sinks in.
Watch your fucking friend, she's bad news.
My fingers strum the steering wheel, contemplating his words thoughtfully. Because how would he know that? He doesn't know her. And something else, why the fuck would hetellme that? He doesn't knowme.Not really. Our nine hour long meetings should not make him comfortable enough to have leaned in and said what he said in my ear tonight.
Fuck him.He's about to get sued for some sort of harassment.
Angry, I pull out my phone as I park inside the parking garage in my spot, seeing Christopher's car next to mine. He's home earlier than normal but I don't pay that any mind. Single handidly focused on my irritation with King. Cutting off the ignition, I dig through my purse for his business card, grumbling as it takes me a second longer to find it. I jam my finger into the overhead light as I hold it up.
It's black matte, with a logo of a crown and the words King Dynasty embossed in gold. I turn it over to look at the back, and see a number for a private cell. My eyes narrow further, instinctively knowing he doesn't give these particular cards out to his regular clients and business partners.
I punch in the number, however it's only after it rings a couple times that I realize I've called him from my personal cell and not my work phone. I'm pulling the phone away from my ear to hang up when he answers before I hit the end button, and his smooth as sin voice once again penetrates my brain, almost rendering me speechless.
"Ms. Brookes."
I pause, because how the hell would he know it was me?
"Well… are you going to say anything?"
"I'm so fucking….madat you," I grit out, clenching my teeth so hard that they hurt. We're silent for quite a lengthy amount of time before he breaks it.
"Are youspeechless?I didn't think that was possible."
The silence continues while I just sit here in the damn parking garage like an idiot. Not for long though, he breaks it to instruct the driver to raise the partition, and for some reason the simple command makes my blood boil.
"Are we alone now?" I snap. "Am I allowed to speak to you the way I want to?"
"Hm-hm. Go ahead, baby. The floor is all yours." His voice is gravely, with a hint of danger.
I suck in a deep breath. "If youeverembarrass me like that in front of a friend again, I will rip your mother fucking face off you arrogant, disrespectfuljerk.I don't care how much money you make!"
He chuckles. "I can see."
I keep going, ignoring he interrupted me, "I don't care who you know, who knowsyou, what kind of power youthinkyou have and what you feel like you can do with it. I don't care about any of it. So, the next time you fix your mouth to fucking try and tell me what to do, and how to talk to you in public, be prepared to have your face slapped! And best believeI wont hold back."I hang up on him and then exit my vehicle with a loud slam.
I raise my head to the concrete ceiling and take a deep breath as the tension from the day melts slightly. Feeling my phone vibrate, I answer it, already knowing who it is.
"Do you feel better now, Izzy?" King sounds amused, giving me a dark chuckle.
"Yes. Much," I grit out.
"Okay, good. Now, this is where I tellyouthat if you do hit me in public, youwillbe suffering the consequences."
