Beautifully Twisted Read online

  He looks over at his friend and colleague, and knows Brett is interested in pursuing Alexa. Scott was going to do everything in his power to make sure Brett didn’t get close to his girl. Like it or not, Alexa belongs to Scott. He just has to figure out how to convince her.

  Alexa looked down at the watch on her wrist, ten to five. She needed to ring for Oswald so she had enough time to prepare for her evening with Scott.

  Today’s little scene in her office only assures her she is far from over Scott Patrick. She shakes her head slowly. All the strength she worked so hard to achieve went straight out the window the minute he walked in the room. Five minutes in his presence reduced her to the twenty-three year old virgin she was when she met him. She remembers the day she laid eyes on him like it was yesterday.

  “Miss Drake? Mr. Patrick will see you now,” the receptionist says. My nerves are on fire. I’m interviewing with THE Scott Patrick, the 31-year old hotshot media guru currently controlling most of New York. I just hope I have what it takes to impress him. Rumor has it his last three assistants quit in less than a year, worn down from the pressure of working for such a demanding man. I walk slowly behind the frumpy woman, noticing how she doesn’t quite fit into the sleek, modern surroundings. She opens a large glass door and gestures for me to enter. I take a deep breath and step in.

  Scott Patrick is standing, looking out over the city, a phone held to his ear. He speaks softly at first, then turns to face me. He motions for me to sit and I can barely command my legs to move. Not only is he incredible looking, his office is breathtaking with huge windows and amazing views of New York. Even though I bought a brand new suit for the occasion, I suddenly feel very out of place here.

  “Wait for me in The Garden, Amanda. You know how I expect you so don’t disappoint me,” he says, his words demanding and sharp. He snaps his phone shut and smiles at me, causing something deep inside me to twitch.

  “You must be Alexa Drake,” he says and extends his hand for me to shake.

  I reach out to shake it and he holds my hand in his, just a moment too long. “Yes, I’m Alexa.”

  “So,” he says, releasing my hand and sitting back in his large leather chair, “tell me why I should hire you. And don’t feed me all the bullshit canned responses. I want to hear what you can do for me and Patrick Collins Media.”

  I jump in my skin just a little. I had read about how blunt he was, but it was something else to experience it. I knew I had to show him I was competent enough for the position.

  “Well, Mr. Patrick, you should hire me because I’m willing to be whatever you need me to be. I am completely moldable. I am thirsty for knowledge, and starving for your expertise. I am willing to work as many hours as needed to gain the experience I want and need. I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”

  He raises his eyebrows and smiles and I feel my knees literally shake. Did I say the right thing?

  “Those are exceptional qualities to have, Miss Drake. Just the sort of thing I seek in an assistant. I will pay you well, but you will work hard. I’m demanding and I expect perfection. If you do as I say, you will be rewarded beyond your expectations.”

  For a moment, I’m not sure he is only talking about the assistant position. He stands and my eyes follow him as walks behind my chair, saying nothing. The proximity of his presence is both distracting and alluring. I inhale softly to enjoy his masculine scent. I know exactly whose face I’ll be picturing tonight when I take care of myself. It might be dangerous to work for a man this fine.

  “I like you, Alexa. There’s something about you–a quality that’s been missing in the applicants that have come in here. Tell me though, are you sure you are prepared to work for me? Maybe you haven’t heard what a demanding prick I can be.”

  I decide I need to show him I can handle him. I stand and turn around so I can look him in the eyes. Even though he must be a half a foot taller than me, I stretch my neck up to meet the intense gaze of his black eyes.

  “Mr. Patrick, I’ve heard of your reputation and it doesn’t scare me. I want to work for someone who knows exactly what they want. I am 100% prepared to fill your every need. Your complete satisfaction is my only goal.”

  He smiles then and steps just a half inch closer to me, forcing me to hold my breath. I’m suddenly thankful there is a chair between us.

  “I can see that,” he says. “You’ve got the job. I look forward to your training.” For just a second he seems like he is going to kiss me, which is, of course, a ridiculous thought. What would this incredible man want with me? Abruptly, he moves away from me and back behind his desk. “You’ll receive a call from human resources with your official offer and start date.” He looks up and smiles. “It was a pleasure, Miss Drake.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Patrick,” I murmur as I show myself out of his office. Back on the sidewalk, I finally allow myself to breathe. I have a feeling I’m about to be in for quite the adventure.

  Damn. She knows she will fuck Scott tonight. Worse, she knows she will submit to him. Anything he wants, he can have.

  Alexa picks up her phone to call for her car. Oswald won’t be expecting to pick her up sooner than five-thirty.

  “Miss Drake, how can I help you?” Oswald answers.

  “I need you to pick me up in ten minutes.”

  “Oh, ten minutes?”

  “Yes.” Hanging up before he can say another word, she starts to shut down her computer but notices another email from Scott.

  “Check your phone,” it says.

  She reaches into her handbag and pulls it out and reads his text.

  SP: Don’t bother wearing panties, baby girl. You won’t need them.

  She’s all at once thrilled and pissed off at his arrogance. Oh she’s going to wear panties, alright. She’s going to make him work for it. She’s going to try anyway.

  Walking out of her office, Martina holds out Alexa’s coat and scarf. “Have fun tonight, Alexa. Just go with it. Maybe it will be fun.”

  “We’ll see. Thanks for today. You did a really good job. Brett was very impressed.”

  Martina’s face lights up. It isn’t often she gets a compliment from Alexa. “Thank you. See you tomorrow.”

  Alexa nods and heads for the elevator. Everyone looks down at their work as she walks through. It’s definitely lonely at the top.

  Arriving in the lobby, she sees her car pull up. Oswald quickly steps out to open her door for her. His hair is a disheveled mess and he seems flustered.

  “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, Miss Drake.”

  “Not at all. Did I interrupt your plans today?”

  His face turns a crimson red. “No, ma’am. I was just, um, spending time with a friend.”

  Alexa holds back a grin. “Hopefully, you can see her again soon.”

  He smiles. “Yeah, I hope so. Home?”

  “Yes, but I need you to wait for me. I need to be somewhere at six.”

  “You’re going out?” He says it with such shock, it embarrasses them both.

  “I am,” she says softly. “I’m seeing an old friend.”

  From her tone, it certainly sounds like a man she’s going to see. Oswald is quite sure he’s never seen Alexa Drake go on a date. “Where I am taking you?”

  “A place near Hyde Park.”

  Oswald nods and starts to drive to her place as she pulls out her phone to respond to Scott’s text.

  Alexa: I didn’t say I would sleep with you.

  SP: Who said anything about sleep, baby girl?

  Alexa sighs and sits back in the seat. Before she came to London, she felt like she had such a perfect existence. She loved her job, was moving up, and spent her nights with the hottest man in New York. Scott’s presence in her life was comfortable, welcome, and just what she wanted. She thought they would be together forever until the day he unceremoniously dumped her. Since then, she tried so hard to erase him from her thoughts. Still, his face haunts her dreams; his touch lingers in her fantasies. Knowing she woul
d be alone with him tonight was all at once exciting and terrifying. Would she ever be free of him?

  “We’re here,” Oswald announces, pulling Alexa back from her thoughts.

  Alexa steps out and heads up to her apartment building. The doorman opens the door, with a grin a mile wide on his face.

  “Evening, Miss Drake. You have a delivery from Mr. Patrick.”

  She looks over at the front desk to see a small box and a bouquet of lilies waiting for her. Here he goes again with the lavish gifts and romantic gestures. Too bad they don’t mean a damn thing.

  “Thank you, James.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Would you like me to bring them up for you?”

  “I can handle it, thank you anyway.” She gathers the gifts and waits for the elevator, noticing the heavy weight of the small box as she waits in the marble covered lobby. She can only wonder what is in it.

  Once inside her apartment, Alexa sets the flowers down and opens the box. The contents cause her to laugh–a shiny pair of silver handcuffs. Can’t accuse him of being subtle. Her phone rings as if on cue.

  “Hey, baby girl. Did you get my gifts?” Scott’s sexy, deep voice purrs through the phone line. The sound of it always unnerves her.

  “If that’s what you call handcuffs, then yes, I did.”

  “I sent lilies too. I’m romantic.” He laughs.

  “Indeed. Pouring it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”

  “I have to, Alexa. I can feel your resistance. I gotta do what I gotta do.”

  “Handcuffs?”

  “If that’s what it takes. See you soon. Oh, and leave the panties.”

  “I’ll do what I like.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She hangs up and walks into her bathroom to start the shower. Wrapping her hair up, she stares at her reflection. Are you ready for another round with SP? Can you handle this again?

  The answer didn’t even matter. She was going.

  Now she just needed to decide what to wear. Elegant? Demure? Sex kitten? Sex slave? Who was she kidding? She knows her clothes will be off inside of twenty minutes anyway.

  She opts for a dress she knows he likes. It’s red and strapless, completely inappropriate for the blistery weather outside but she doesn’t care.

  She pulls her sexiest strapless bra and panties out of the drawer. Jet black lace against her peachy skin. She trusses up her breasts in the bra and gazes at her reflection as she slides her feet in her favorite pair of black stilettos and slips on the dress. She adds another layer of makeup, making her eyes dark and smoky. Letting her hair fall in waves over her shoulders, she smiles, pleased with her appearance.

  Oh yes, this look will do nicely.

  She puts a delicate gold chain around her neck; a diamond studded “A” lying in the curve of her collarbone, and finishes by spraying his favorite scent, The One, across her skin. Right now, she isn’t sure which one of them is doing the seducing tonight.

  She looks out her window to make sure her car is still waiting as her phone rings again.

  “What do you want, Scotty? I’ll be there soon enough.”

  “I want you to know that I can’t wait to see you again. I mean it, Alexa.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there. I’m leaving now.” What is this show of sincerity from him? Highly unusual.

  James opens the door for her and Oswald greets her at the car. “You look very nice tonight, Miss Drake,” Oswald says.

  Alexa looks up briefly and offers the hint of a smile. “Thank you, Oswald.” She focuses on her driver for just a moment. He was always nice to her but she rarely returned the kindness. Watching his tall, skinny build climb back in the driver’s seat, she studies the pleasant looking man as he runs his fingers through his mass of blond, curly hair.

  “Hyde Park, then,” Oswald asks.

  “Yes. The Grande Royale, please.”

  “Do you have a date?” Oswald asks.

  Alexa feels her cheeks blushing and is thankful Oswald can’t see her in the dark. “Something like that,” she answers vaguely.

  Oswald glances at her in the rear view mirror but decides not to pry. He’s sure of one thing though–Alexa Drake is seeing a man tonight.

  As they drive closer to the hotel, Alexa’s nerves start to get the best of her. She doesn’t like how the tables were turned around because of Scott. She adores being in control now, and here she is, about to give it all up.

  Alexa looks out the window as the car approaches the hotel where Scott is staying. Taking a deep breath, she waits for Oswald to open the door. As she steps out, she notices Scott waiting in the lobby entrance for her. Very sweet and completely out of character.

  “Should I wait for you, Miss Drake,” Oswald asks.

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ll call you,” she says. Walking slowly to the hotel entrance, she tries to contain her excitement as Scott opens the door for her.

  “You made it,” he says, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

  “You could have chosen to back out.”

  Yes, I could have. Should have?

  He leads her through the lush lobby to the elevator. “I’m on the top floor. It’s beautiful up there.”

  Alexa nods her head, silently trying to compose her thoughts. They ride quietly to his floor, his hand wrapped around hers. These displays of tenderness from him are throwing her off. She only knows how to deal with dominant Scott.

  He walks down a hall and opens the door to his room. “Here we are,” he says. Alexa pauses in the doorway, taking it all in. He’s lit the gas fireplace and has his favorite music playing in the background. He always called it “music to fuck to.” The trap is set.

  “I took the liberty of ordering dinner for us. It should be here in a few minutes. Are you hungry?” he asks.

  Instead of being touched, Alexa is defensive. “What the hell is all of this, Scotty? What’s with the big romantic scene?”

  “Can’t a guy show a girl that he cares?”

  “Do you?”

  “Of course, baby girl. You know that.” He moves closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Take off your coat, stay with me.”

  “Okay,” she says but her tone is suspicious. She lets him help her out of her coat.

  “You’re wearing my favorite dress.” He rubs his hands over her bare shoulders. “Did you wear this for me?”

  “I wore it because I like it.”

  He grins. “Why are you so defensive, Alexa?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. Don’t you want to be here with me? Don’t you want my hands and mouth all over you?” He takes her hand and rubs it against the erection pressing against his jeans. “Don’t you miss my cock inside of you?”

  “Stop it, Scotty,” she says and pulls her hand away.

  “Is that what you want? You want me to stop?” He leans in and kisses her neck, dragging his tongue up her cheek in the process. “You have the prettiest fucking skin.”

  “I thought we were going to talk?” Alexa tries to stop this from going where it’s going.

  “We are talking.” He caresses her breasts through the material of her dress, sucking her ear lobe between his lips.

  “Please, Scotty…”

  “Please, what?”

  “Please, stop.”

  He stops kissing her and stares straight into her eyes. “Tell me you’re back and you’re mine.”

  Don’t do it, Alexa. Don’t!

  Alexa looks deep into the black eyes gazing back at her. They seem different somehow, something’s changed, but she can’t quite put her finger on it.

  “I wasn’t the one that left, Scotty. You should tell me you’re back.”

  “I never left. I’ve always been with you. I can see it in your eyes. You still want me as much as you always did. I still want you. Can’t you tell?”

  She shakes her head. “This is all very confusing.” I can’t believe I’m standing in front of Scotty again, after ho
w he treated me last time. I can’t believe how sweet he is being. What the hell is this?

  “It’s not. I came here for you. To see you. Just let me do what I do. Let me treat you the way I know you need it.”

  “I’m not like that anymore.”

  “Yes you are. Remember, your office today. You let me touch you like that because you need me to touch you like that. No one else knows how. No one else can do to you what I do.”

  “I know,” she whispers. She’s certainly tried to find someone who could. “I don’t want to be submissive anymore.”

  “Are you sure about that?” His hands slide up her back, stopping behind her neck, gripping it tightly. He pulls her head back slightly and sucks her bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling softly.

  “I’m sure,” Alexa murmurs, but her body is betraying her words. She knows it’s a matter of minutes before she completely gives in.

  “Did you leave your panties at home like a good girl?”

  “No.”

  “Oh, so you defied me intentionally. You know how that makes me feel. You must be punished.”

  Alexa sucks in her breath. She knows full well that she wants him to punish her.

  “Kiss me, Alexa.”

  “No.”

  He tightens the grip around her neck, pulling her mouth towards his. “Kiss me.” She pushes away from him, trying to prolong her descent into his world a little longer. “Stop fighting me, Lexi. You know you want to kiss me. Just once.”

  A knock at the door comes as a pleasant diversion. Room service thankfully arrives in the nick of time; enough time to give Alexa a chance to pull herself back together again. She rushes away from Scott and across the living room.

  He grins and answers the door. They watch quietly as the server sets up the meal on the small wood dining table. Alexa stands far away from Scott, her body language closed off, even though she can feel the moisture building between her legs from their interlude.

  Just give in. You know you will. You always do.

  Alexa watches as Scott pours two glasses of wine, Nero D’Avila, her favorite. He walks towards her, and she can’t be sure but he might have just licked his lips.