Five Seconds to Ruin

NINA'S POV

Like a dog with a bone, my mother blew my phone up by 5am.

Like a spineless bitch, I'm dressed in loose fitting grey pants and suit over tight corset by 9am on a windy Tuesday.

I tilt my head to the clouds, marveling at the architecture of the building.

He's not only cocky, he also has really good taste. I hustle up the short flight of stairs, wincing as the corset digs deeper into my ribs.

I need this tightness. This pain to distract me from the butterflies sloshing around in my gut.

I push the double doors open. Wind billows in, drawing a few curious glances my way.

I keep my head down and walk over to the reception. A woman in a slick bun and rosy lips offers a smile.

“Welcome to CrossPoint Capital. How can I help you today?”

“I have an appointment with Mr Cassian.” My stepbrother. My wet dream.

She glances at the computer, then turns with a patronizing smile.

“If you can just sit right there, Mr Cassian will call for you soon.”

“How soon? I'm kind of in a hurry.” I need to get these damn clothes off.

She raises a brow.

“He will see you soon, ma'am.”

How nice. I bite my lip, already feeling the first wave of anxiety creep up on me.

I don't want to do this. I want to go home. But this is my mother's wish. It'll make her happy. It'll make her love me.

I settle into the surprisingly plush sofa, and kick off my heels, groaning at the pulsing in my toes.

This is the part where I'd text my best friend and tell her that I'm about to be the employee of my hot stepbrother.

If only she didn't harpoon me in the back. She hasn't even called. No explanation. No begging. She's just gone, like we never met.

I shut my eyes, willing the ache in my chest to wait a little longer. A professor at college once said that trauma cannot be controlled, but I'm doing a damn fine job at it.

And with Cassian in sight, I doubt I'll be thinking of any other man.

God…that's so dirty. Maybe I'm not any worse than Harper, or Jason, or any other sicko out there.

I shove some breath mints in my mouth and just wait.

Time whizzes by, people come and go, and I'm almost paralyzed from the waist down, but still no sign of Cassian.

I glance at my watch. I've been sitting here for 4 damn hours.

He's making me wait. Drawing out my torture. Well I'm not just going to sit here and take it.

I rise from my seat and stalk over to the reception.

She looks up wearily.

“Ma'am, I'm sorry for the delay, but you have to wait.”

“Screw that. I'm done waiting. Tell him his sister is on her way up.”

“He's in a meeting—”

I clutch my purse and head for the elevator. I don't know what floor he is on, but I will scour every damn cubicle until I find him.

Or I can just ask.

“What floor is he on?” I turn to the receptionist.

“I can't tell you that. I could lose my job.”

“You won't. What fucking floor is he on?”

She shakes her head.

“You're crazy. 5th floor, end of the hallway.”

I slam the elevator button and step in, heart racing.

This is not the plan. I can just leave and never come back. But I want a reason to feel that cocky glare.

I really am crazy.

************

I burst through the door, expecting to find him all alone so I can call him a shit faced liar and throw a tantrum.

What meets me is the sight of men and women with slick back hair and attentive silence.

My body goes rigid as all eyes turn to me, brows raised.

“Oh…” I mutter. My heart sinks to my stomach. I take a step back, smack into the chest of an incoming staff.

My body sways but I catch myself. There I am, standing there in a sea of eyes, and Cassian stands at his table, watching me with a hooded gaze.

“I'm sorry…I could come back—”

“Clear the room. We'll regroup in 20.” Cassian's voice snakes down my spine.

Right on command, they shuffle out, brushing past me as I stand rooted to the ground.

The door clicks shut and it's just me and him…and my racing pulse.

He rises slowly from his seat, like the big bad wolf, and I squirm like a helpless sheep.

“Nina…” he draws out my name like a faint memory.

“Look, I'm sorry. I thought you were…nevermind. I can come back, seriously…” My voice trails off.

He circles the table, fingertips grazing the polished wood.

“Need I remind you that this is a workplace. Not your fancy house back in Manhattan. You will not barge into my office unless summoned, do you understand?” His voice is thicker. He towers over me now, a loose strand of hair falling into his face.

My gaze dips. I can't look up at him without looking like a needy slut. That's what Jason always said about my eyes.

Cassian reaches out and hooks a thumb under my chin, forcing my gaze to meet him.

His touch sends tingles from my chin to my belly, but I stifle my sigh.

“I ask again, do you understand?” He leans in, breath hot against my face.

With a deep breath, I pull away from his grip and fold my arms across my chest.

“I get it. I'll follow protocol next time. That is, if we get to why I'm here. I'll appreciate a formal interview and not an opportunity for you to prey on me, sir.” My voice hardens but I don't meet his eyes.

He pauses, regarding me with shock and slight amusement. Like I'm some entertainer trying to land a gig.

“You know, Nina, you've got some mouth on that pretty face of yours. Forgive me for trying to fuck it every chance I get. But I don't need to remind you what I said yesterday, or do I?”

My mouth goes cotton dry.

“Aside from being a potential fuck you, I have a brain. And I'd love to put that to good use, but if you keep hounding me, I will walk out of here.”

A deep throaty sound escapes him. A chuckle.

“You won't walk out of here. You're enjoying this.” his gaze drops and my eyes follow his to my chest. My damn nipples are hard. How can I possibly be turned on by this?

Before I can speak, he's standing in front of me and prying my purse from my hands.

“What are you—”

“Put your hands on the table.”

I blink.

“What? Why?”

He steps even closer now, my breasts brush against his abdomen.

“You know why. And you can't tell me you don't want it too. This is why you barged in here, because you can't stop thinking about me.”

“I came in here because I need a job.” My voice trembles under his stare.

“That's not entirely true. If it is, you would have stormed out of here the moment I touched you.”

His words slither into my ear, and I find myself drawn to him. I let him hook an arm around my waist and pull me closer.

I should mention Sloane. I push him away and storm out like he said, but when I open my mouth, he presses a finger to my lips, sealing my protest.

“I'm going to count to five. If you want me to leave you alone, you walk out that door right now and I'll never touch you again. But if you stay, I will never let you go.”

Breath ragged, I meet his heated gaze, rife with sincerity.

This is my chance to walk away from this mess. To rebuild my life from scratch far away from Cassian's control. Yet I find myself conflicted.

“One…” he steps back and shoves his hands in his pocket.

He's right. I didn't just come up here for a job.

“Two…”

If I leave, I will never see him again.

“Three…”

If I leave, I'll have to face the ruin that is my life. I won't find a job that pays half as much.

“Four…”

If I stay, I'll have him and my job. But for how long?

A long second passes by.

“Five.”

Fuck it. I've already crossed the line once.

“Nina,” He steps closer, eyes dark, voice low as a whisper.

My heart thumps furiously in my chest. I know without saying that I have sold my body to the devil. And I'll burn in hell for a chance to feel his touch again.

His fingers snake around my throat, clamping shut as he pulls me in. Heat swells in my belly as his lips brush my ear, and I hear the hunger in his voice when he says

“Hands on the table.”