Beckett
She turned me down.
She fucking turned me down. My hard-on wilted in a blink. She’s the only woman to turn me down
flat like that. Have I lost my touch? A wink and a smile is enough to get women to drop their
panties. With this whole abstinence bullshit, I’m starting to question my manhood.
I lost my virginity at sixteen to my next-door neighbor. She was seventeen. That summer I learned
everything I needed to know about pleasing a woman. I hit rock star status a few months before I
turned eighteen. Since then, it’s been a never-ending supply of willing pussy.
And now, I’ve hit a wall. Since I met Arianne in the elevator, it’s been a constant push and pull.
I’ve never had someone challenge me like this. Never. She’s okay warming up to Rhys, but not me?
What the hell? After getting shot down like a schmuck who doesn’t have game, I made my way to
Rhys’s office with my tail between my legs. As I was entering, he was st epping out. With a serious
expression on his face, he informed me we had some problematic quality control issues with all the
shipments we received so far this week from a major outsourcer in Vietnam. He was rushing off to
Tekknika Audio with Leland in tow to assess the damage with his own two eyes. He assured me I’d
get a briefing later.
Divide and conquer.
I stroll to my office, still confused by the irrational need to seduce a woman who prefers a rapper to
a rocker. Instead of sitting down and knocking off things on my to-do list, I pace my office back
and forth like a trapped panther, plotting wicked ways to seduce Arianne and outwit Rhys.
My pacing comes to an abrupt stop. What the fuck am I doing? I have a company to run, for God’s
sake. I remove my jacket and fling it on the couch. I undo my cufflinks and roll up the sleeves of
my shirt. Determined to stop obsessing over Arianne, I round my desk and sit my ass down.
Two hours later and I’ve proven why I deserve the title of CEO. Thank fuck my head is screwed
back on straight. I’m about to call Valerie to ask her to st ep into my office when my phone rings. I
reach for it when a text message comes flying in.
Rhys. I’ll get back to him. I answer the call. “Easton.” “Beckett, am I catching you at a bad time?”
“I always have time for you.” A chime lets me know I’ve received another text. I ignore it. “I’m
honored,” Easton says. “Are you kidding me? You hand-delivered a secret weapon.” “Arianne?” I
spare him the details of my teenage duel with Rhys and get down to the nitty-gritty.
“She’s brainstorming ideas to take us to the next level,” I say. “Talk about dedication.”
“I told you.” My phone vibrates with another notification. “You sure did. Thanks for the
recommendation.” It’s important to ke ep things in perspective and remember why we brought
Arianne onboard. It was never to be my plaything.
“Anytime,” he says. “I’m glad to hear Arianne is knee de ep because I have something that’s about
to blow your mind.”
I sit up straight in my chair. “I’m all ears.” There’s a knock at my door.
“One second, Easton.” “All right.” “Come in,” I say. Valerie pokes her head in. “I’m sorry to
interrupt, Beckett. Rhys is on the office line. He can’t get through to you. He says he needs to talk
to you right now. It can’t wait.”
Shit. “Transfer the call.” “Okay.” She leaves, closing the door behind her. “Easton, I’m sorry—” “I
overheard. Is everything okay?” “We have a situation with the company that takes care of our
production. I’m not sure what’s going on. This is Rhys’s d epartment.”
“All right. Go play CEO and call me back later.” “I will.” I hang up with Easton, and the phone on
my desk rings. “Hey, Rhys—” “You need to get down here right the fuck now.”