Chapter 23
Philip
We’ve got just ten minutes,” I whispered, pulling her in from the hallway and into the dimly lit room.
The door slammed behind us with a hollow thud, swallowing the outside noise. Shadows clung to the corners of the room, the air thick with tension and lust, humming like an electric current between our bodies.
I pushed her hard against the wall, my hand already sliding up her thighs and under her dress. The feel of her skin against my palm sent a bolt of heat straight to my core.
She moaned like the wicked little thing she was. I liked that sound–it made every second count. Her voice was thick with lust and desire, the exact fuel I needed. She knew exactly what she was doing to me–and God, did I enjoy it.
Grabbing her chin harshly, I kissed her–deep, messy, aggressive. Our mouths clashed, teeth grazing, breath hot and frantic. She tasted like trouble and sweet surrender, and I wanted every last drop of her.
Her blouse was open in seconds, tits spilling into my hands. I squeezed them hard, savoring the way she gasped. The curve of her body pressed into mine, soft and needy, and all I could think about was taking her harder.
She moaned into my mouth at the intensity of the kiss. My belt hit the floor, and her legs wrapped tightly around me. She clung to me like sin wrapped in silk.
“No panties?” I growled, my fingers already finding her soaked and ready.
“That’s how you like it,” she whispered, grinding eagerly against my hand. She knew me too well. Too fucking well.
Spinning her around, I bent her over the desk and yanked her hips back. Her ass was perfect–taunting me, begging–and I was going to give her everything.
“You know this means nothing,” I muttered, lining myself up.
“Good,” she gasped. “I don’t want sweet–I want filthy.”
And I gave it to her. Hard. Fast. No mercy.
The desk creaked beneath us, her screams echoing off the walls. She screamed my name, nails scratching deep grooves into the wood. “Don’t stop!” she moaned, her voice cracked and desperate.
She panted heavily. “What if your little girlfriend finds out about this?”
“She won’t,” I replied, my voice thick and husky.
“I bet she doesn’t fuck you like I do. Darling.”
“Shut up, you little bitch,” I snarled, slamming into her harder. She wanted dirty? She was going to choke on it.
When I was done, I pulled out, zipped up, and adjusted my cufflinks like it was just another task on my to–do list. No kiss. No glance back. She was breathless and trembling, legs barely holding her up.
“You’ll call me,” she said.
“No,” I replied coldly. “You’ll call me. Like always.”
And I walked out
–
no guilt, no shame, no hesitation. The scent of sweat and sex clung to me like a second skin, but I didn’t care. This was just celebratory pleasure. Nothing more.
I walked out of the hotel and into my car. The city buzzed around me, neon signs flickering, traffic a distant hum beneath the night sky. “Let’s go,” I ordered my driver.
I quickly arranged my messy hair and sprayed a bit of perfume. I had a big event to attend, so I might as well smell nice and not like someone who had just fucked. The scent covered the evidence, but not the satisfaction.
My phone rang beside me. I glanced at it–it was Kaylee. What did she want? I couldn’t wait for all my plans to unfold so I could discard her like the trash she was.
“Hey, baby,” I answered the call, my voice dipped in syrup.
Chapter 23
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“Where are you? Why is the meeting taking so long?”
“I’m on my way. I’m sorry I took too much time, but it was a very important meeting and I couldn’t miss it.”
Once she ended the call, I tapped the phone against my hand.
Kaylee, Kaylee, Kaylee–my, she was so stupid. A puppet with pretty strings and zero brains.
I looked over at the file next to me, and a slow smile spread across my face. I’d even forgotten about my little “perfect” girlfriend, Olivia–the dumbest of the bunch.
It was almost laughable how easy it was fooling them both. I actually thought this would be harder.
I turned my gaze to the window. The city lights shimmered as we drove past–it really was a beautiful time to be in New York. Skyscrapers stretched like claws into the inky sky, the streets pulsed with life and pretense.
The car moved smoothly through the city streets. I could hear the sounds and buzzing of New York nightlife. People bustled on sidewalks in tailored suits and glittering dresses. Their lives looked pathetic as I watched them pretending to be happy. But I knew the real housewives, and happiness comes from wealth. They all looked broke.
Unlike me, who was always ten steps ahead.
I adjusted the cuffs of my blazer, leaned back, and glanced at my reflection in the tinted window. Composed. Calculated. Dangerous.
The folder beside me contained everything I needed to finally secure the Hamilton project—one of the most feared and influential families in America. I had everything ready to upstage Sebastian. He wouldn’t believe what hit him and it would be too sudden for him to have a backup plan.
All eyes would be on me when I placed the highest bid. The fame and power will finally be mine and I’d be one more step closer to defeating Sebastian.
I was going to use my pretty little Olivia to destroy Sebastian. The real estate world would never hear about him again after I executed what I had planned… for the past 3 years.
In just a few more hours and a round of fake smiles, I would have concluded the first stage of my plan.
And maybe later, after the party, I’d reward myself with a new plaything. Who knows?
The driver pulled up to the venue- -a sleek glass building bathed in golden lights. Paparazzi flashes went off as high–profile guests stepped onto the carpet. I smirked.
“Sir, we’ve arrived,” my driver said.
I picked up the file and straightened my jacket. “Good.”
I stepped out into the night, greeted by cameras and flashing bulbs, wearing the calm, charming mask they all expected.
No one would suspect a thing.
Especially not Kaylee.
Or sweet, naïve—or should I say fucking dumb–Olivia.
Not until it was far too late.
Camera lights kept flashing at me—it was blinding, but I never complained about the spotlight. I was a star, after all.
The arena was already packed with people chit–chatting and laughing, all expensively dressed, drinking fine wine. Now this was my kind of scenery. Gold chandeliers sparkled above, soft music played from a string quartet in the corner. Opulence dripped from every inch of the room. Ladies winked at me–both young and married. Well, what could I say? It really came at a price to look this attractive.
Kaylee walked toward me from a distance. I could already see all the annoying questions she had for me written on her face, turning the gears in her head.
God, I couldn’t wait to get rid of this scheming bitch.
The sound of her heels clicking toward me felt like nails against glass.
When she was close enough, I heard her whisper, “What the hell took you so long?”
Her voice slithered into my ear, all venom and suspicion wrapped in silk. I wanted to slap that pout right off her ling
Chapter 23
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“It was the goddamn meeting–it took longer than expected!” I bit back. My tone was clipped, sharp. I didn’t care if she sensed my irritation- hell, I hoped she did.
“Do you have it?” she asked, and I nodded. Her eyes sparkled with greed, the kind of hunger that never had anything to do with love or loyalty. “If we get this, we’d be closer than ever to owning Manhattan. We can put everything that has to do with Sebastian behind us.”
She grinned like a demon–creepy and vile. That twisted little smirk made my skin crawl. She might be done, but I was just getting started. Who’d want Manhattan when I can have the whole of New York to myself?
“You look beautiful, by the way, baby” I complimented, hoping to change the topic.
And she did—she always loved being praised. Typical. I rolled my eyes internally, biting back the urge to gag. Praise her and she’d purr, even if you’d just stabbed her in the back. What a joke.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention turned in a particular direction.
The shift in energy was instant–buzzing, electric, and annoyingly focused on someone else. Probably another couple, I thought, my mind already dismissing the noise.
glanced over, and my brows furrowed, a hot flash of fury burning through me.
Ah, so it was the golden boy. Of course, everyone had to drool.
Sebastian Lancaster walked side by side with…Olivia?! Wait, why was she here?!
Olivia never came to events like this; she couldn’t bear the thought of doing anything remotely close to a public display of affection with Sebastian–so why?
My mind raced, gears grinding against each other. It didn’t make sense. This wasn’t part of her script.
Cameras followed the both of them, whispers everywhere–everyone wanted to be her, talking about how perfect and successful her husband
was.
It made my blood boil. All those idiots fawning over something that wasn’t even real. He wasn’t perfect. And she sure as hell wasn’t his. Olivia had a bright smile on her face, one hand raised in a wave while the other clung tightly to Sebastian, like he was the most precious thing in her world.
She looked effortlessly gorgeous–but that was all that could truly be said about her. Beauty without brains.
Sebastian had no idea he was being played. And as for Olivia… she would always belong to me. No matter what. No matter how badly Sebastian wished she loved him–she never would.
I kept looking at them. I couldn’t tear my eyes away if I tried. My fists clenched at my sides, knuckles aching.
There was something off–it was either Olivia was a damn good actress, or she was actually enjoying Sebastian’s company.
Her smile didn’t look forced; it looked genuinely real. And suddenly it felt like someone had stolen my favorite toy from right under my nose.
