Rock Hard Love Read Online Free

cared about his clients and they all loved him back. So did his employees. He spoiled his kids too, especially his eldest daughter. Unfortunately, Victoria took it all for granted. He called her princess and I’m pretty sure she took that literally. She thinks she’s the center of the universe and she is more concerned about being in control than she is about her clients and what they want,” Peter explained.
    “That’s too bad. So why does she hate me?” I asked.
    “Who knows? You’re pretty, young and smart. Maybe she sees you as some kind of threat,” Peter offered. I didn’t know how I could be a threat, but Victoria didn’t really need a reason. I think she got off on messing with people.
    “So why did James ask for me? To get at Victoria? Am I some pawn?” I inquired since Peter seemed to have some secret knowledge.
    “I don’ t think James would do that. I think he’s got a crush on you,” Peter replied. I blushed and looked away. Even with Peter, I couldn’t get away from James and the way he made me feel.
    I’m glad you’re not angry. I know you can’t help me in representing Battery. I’m doomed,” I said, changing the subject.
    “Simone, you’ll do fine. This job is as much about taking care of our clients and their egos as it is about negotiating and representing them. You’ve got the right mix of talent to pull it off. You proved yesterday that you’ve got a mean streak when you shut down Victoria. It took all I had not to stand up and applaud. I wish I had more of that in me,” Peter said. I got up, went to Peter and hugged him.
    “Thanks, but I’m not sure why I did that,” I told him. I wasn’t about to tell Peter about James and the way he made me feel, but I wasn’t even sure if that’s why I called out Victoria.
    “It was the right thing to do. And if you need help, you can call me at home. Fuck Victoria,” Peter said and I laughed. He didn’t cuss often. He wasn’t a Quaker or anything, but he had a wife and kids and I think he was just out of the habit or maybe he was just getting more comfortable around me.
    “Thanks. You’re the greatest,” I said and Peter seemed to puff up a little. As we ate, he gave me some general advice and told me a little about James so I’d know what to expect. Apparently, James wasn’t the partier he used to be, but he still was a little wild. He’d been married and divorced but he didn’t have any kids. He liked to get his way and usually did. I should have been wary, but Peter’s assessment did nothing to quench my confusing desire for him. In fact, it might have made it worse.
    The afternoon went by far too quickly and as five o’clock approached, I found myself dreading my dinner meeting with James even as my body seemed to anticipate seeing him again. Nerves and sexual tension left me feeling unbalanced and shaky. I’m sure the gallon of coffee I’d consumed during the day in the hopes of taking comfort in the heavenly drink and the routine didn’t help. Probably not the best idea, I know. Then I got a call at four-fifty-seven.
    “Miss Navarro? You have a client waiting in reception,” came the ominous announcement. I thanked the receptionist and took a deep, cleansing breath as I hung up the phone. I stood and unconsciously checked my clothing. A gray tweed pencil skirt, a white blouse and black pumps that were more comfortable than they appeared. Then I looked in the little mirror on the wall next to the door. My hair looked fine after a little mussing but I wasn’t satisfied with my lip-gloss, so I applied some more. Was I meeting a client or going on a date I wondered as I primped. I didn’t want to answer that question.
    I found James in the lobby standing and chatting up the receptionist. I hadn’t seen his butt yesterday but now as he leaned over the reception counter, his black jeans showed his tight, defined ass in all its glory. I fought the urge to let my mind wander and instead caught his attention,