Everything He Desires by Thalia Frost Page A

”
    I couldn't force anything else out. I just stood there with my mouth hanging open like an idiot, staring at him.
    He cocked his head, lifting an eyebrow. I noticed his perfect body — lean and hard in all the right places. The tux he was wearing didn't hurt. It must have cost more than my whole year's salary had.
    “ Miss Phelps? ”
    “ I think there's been —“
    He held a hand up. “ You're the woman for the job. ” His voice was a low growl now, and he stepped closer to me.
    I moved into the shadows, my heart pounding so fast I thought my chest would explode. “ But I'm not Ms. Phelps. ” I choked the words out.
    “ Doesn't matter. You're the one I want, and I think you'll find that when I want something, I get it. ”
    “ Oh. ”
    He pulled me behind a palm tree I hadn't even noticed. We were in near darkness now. The only sound was my breathing.
    I wanted him to touch me, to do whatever he wanted to do with me. I'd never had a feeling like that about a man, especially one I didn't know. He exuded power and know how in a way I'd rarely seen from anyone.
    “ Mr. Weldon? ” A voice called from the doorway.
    “ What? ” He ground the word out, glaring. He stood just inches from me.
    “ They need you for the introduction. ”
    “ Dammit. I'm coming. I'll be there in a second. ”
    “ Alright, sir. ” The voice was meek now.
    The sound of the door shutting allowed me to breathe again.
    “ What's your line of work? ” He crossed his arms, staring me down.
    “ Bookkeeping, ” I managed to squeak out.
    “ Perfect. That's all I needed to know. That's just the beginning of your duties for me. ” As he spoke, he bit his lip, and his gaze traveled the length of my body and back up.
    I shivered in the warm night air.
    “ I have to go. Meet me here at midnight. No excuses. ” He whirled away and strode off, the door closing as he went back inside.
    “ My god. ” I leaned against the palm tree for support. What was that all about? Did he really want me to do his bookkeeping? Was I qualified?
    I knew he wanted more from me than that, and that I'd be there at midnight. Then I realized he hadn't even asked my name.
    * * * *
    “ Where were you? You missed a great speech, ” Alma chirped, spearing cheese with her little fork.
    “ I just needed some air. ” We were sitting on the couch now. The crowd had already thinned out a little. Apparently, some of the guests had only come to hear Rock Weldon give his speech.
    And was going to be working for him.
    The thought blew me away.
    “ Yoohoo. Earth to Lacey. ” Alma waved her hand in front of my face.
    “ Sorry. ”
    “ You're just not here, are you? ” She frowned.
    “ No, I am. Just a little distracted. ”
    “ Well, why don't you meet someone I think you'd like? ” Alma's voice was teasing.
    “ I really don't think —”
    “ I do. He's not interested in me, but then I'm not as gorgeous as you. He's Rock Weldon's cousin and he's pretty high up in the company. ”
    “ Oh, oh no. ” My heart leapt.
    “ What is with you? ” Alma gave me a suspicious look.
    “ Nothing. I'm just not sure I'm into dating right now. ” Definitely not the boss's cousin.
    “ What can it hurt to say hello? He's over there. Let's go. ”
    She dragged me up from the couch toward a handsome man with brown hair, not unlike Rock Weldon's. The crowd parted.
    “ Hi, John. This is my friend Lacey Pate. Lacey, John Weldon. ”
    The man took my hand, half bowed over it and kissed it. “ Wonderful to meet you, ” I said, surprised my voice sounded halfway normal.
    His brown eyes danced with mirth. “ The pleasure is all mine. ”
    Across the room, someone else caught my eye. Rock Weldon was staring at me, and he didn't look happy. I froze up.
    “ Lacey, ” Alma whispered and poked me.
    “ What? ”
    She gave me a glare. I focused on John Weldon again, but Rock's stare was burning a hole through me.
    “ And what do you do, Ms. Pate? ”
    “ I'm a bookkeeper, or I was.