Welcome, readers :-)
CPOV
One of the downsides that comes along with being a billion-dollar CEO – having to have meetings with million-dollar CEO's that think they are big shots or try to impress me. It's nauseating and embarrassing to witness. What makes it even worse is that these meetings either take place in the busiest restaurant in the city and I can barely hear their proposal, or places like this – a fucking strip club. When someone suggests a meeting at a place like this, the decision is pretty much immediate that I will no way in hell ever do business with them. But I show up to the meeting anyway, just to experience the pleasure of watching these douche bags get their hopes up and seeing the look of absolute devastation on their face as I tell them to fuck off. It's one of my many guilty pleasures.
I will give these guys credit though; at least they picked the classiest strip club in Seattle. So classy, in fact, that these girls don't even get naked. It's basically just a giant dick tease room. It doesn't bother me, though. I mastered the art of controlling myself and my sexual desires years ago. I'm not walking around this place with a pathetic and desperate hard on like every other man in here.
My eyes scan the room as I take a sip of my whiskey.
The girls are definitely pretty. Too many blondes and too many fake tits for my liking, but like I said, this is the best strip club in the city, so they're all easy on the eyes.
I scan the table and see two of the guys talking a mile a minute at me, thinking that I'm actually listening or give a shit. I look at the other one who is practically drooling while watching the girls on stage. I don't even try to hide the amused look on my face and the sarcastic scoff that comes from me. Fucking amateur.
"Are you following where I'm going with this, Mr. Grey?" The younger guy asks. My eyes scan back over to him. That was his polite way of asking if I'm even listening.
I decide that I'm having fun people watching at this place so I fake interest in order to keep them talking and buy me more time and entertainment.
"Yes, of course," I say, faking a friendly tone as best I can.
"Great," he says with a smile as he starts to babble again.
I down the rest of my glass and signal to the nearby waitress that I'd like another. The staff have been waiting on me hand and foot since I stepped in here; One of the upsides of being a billion-dollar CEO.
I wait anxiously for my refill as I slightly tune into what this fucker is saying. He's boasting about their business and the money they've made. The cars and the yachts and all that other stupid bullshit. I raise an eye brow at him, genuinely surprised that he's not even trying to hide his massive ego – which most likely hides his tiny dick.
I chuckle to myself as the waitress comes back with my drink. I thank her and dismiss her as she lingers a bit too long. Desperation isn't my thing.
My ears perk up when I notice that the ego maniac has stopped talking and seems to be in awe of something. I immediately bring myself fully back to reality, as I'm genuinely interested in whatever has finally stopped this guy from talking about himself.
"Now that one," he says as he uses his cigar to point, "that one I'd pay good money for."
He's talking about one of the girls. Typical. I'm instantly bored again and take another swig of my drink.
"What do you think of her, Grey?" One of the others asks.
I exhale dramatically, unable to hide my annoyance.
"Where?" My tone is flat and unamused.
"Right over there," he's still using his cigar to point. Didn't his mother ever tell him how rude that is? "The one just getting off the stage. God damnit I can't believe we missed her up there!"
I see her. There's no doubt in my mind that's who he is referring to. I stifle a groan and unconsciously loosen my tie as my eyes stay transfixed on her. I feel my pants get tighter as well. So much for that control I was talking about earlier.
My frustration grows stronger at the reaction I'm having to this girl. I've trained for fucking years to be able to control myself around women and to have them be controlled by me. I grab my drink and down the rest.
"Ah, you like her, don't ya Grey?" One of them asks.
"Fuck off," I mutter.
My eyes are glued to her. I watch as she throws a small silk black robe around her half naked body as she walks off the stage. Her hair is a deep chestnut color that sways past her shoulders. She has bangs that sit lazily in her eyes and I watch as she adorably blows air upwards in order to get them out of the way. It's hard to make out the specific details of her facial features from over here, and its dark, but I can tell she's beautiful – stunning even. I notice immediately that every man's attention is on her.
She walks across the room with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. For a girl who was just dancing half naked on a stage she seems uncharacteristically shy.
My eyes scan down her body as she walks. She has long, lean legs and the heels that she's wearing are the highest I've ever seen. They don't seem to faze her, though, as she's walking in them as if she's floating.
Her head goes down as she passes by our table, but I am still able to make out the little details of her face. Her lips are what catches my attention – they are full, pink, and look soft and velvety. She has the cutest little button nose and full cheek bones that are making her look much younger than I'm hoping she is. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a good look at the color of her eyes.
I watch her back side as she walks further away from us. Damn she would look fucking amazing in my playroom.
"I wonder how much she costs for a dance," I hear one of them say.
"She's probably the most expensive," another responds.
I don't care to acknowledge what they are saying as I'm still absolutely spell bound by this beautiful and mysterious creature.
I watch as she walks straight over to the man that I know to be the owner of this place, but I'm sure she refers to as "boss".
They begin talking and whatever conversation that they are having becomes heated immediately. She is stomping her feet like a child while he wags his finger in her face authoritatively.
What the hell? What could they possibly be fighting about? There's no way that he is displeased with her as an employee; every guy in here is practically jacking off at the sight of her.
Suddenly she turns on her 6inch heel and stomps away from him while he continues to scold her retreating back. Her beautiful face is scrunched up in frustration and I can see the unmistakable glisten of tears in her eyes.
Without knowing it my body jumps up from my chair with the intention of running after her, but I notice that she is heading straight for what I presume to be the changing rooms for the dancers. I instantly notice how awkward I must look just standing here like this.
"Grey?" One asks with amusement in his voice. "You planning on asking how much she's worth?"
I sit back down and ignore his smug expression. Besides the fact that I have way more money than this fucker will ever even dream of having, I could also beat his ass so easily he would want to off himself just from sheer embarrassment.
But I don't say any of that. Instead, I place my elbows on the table in front of me and make strong and unfaltering eye contact with him. His smile immediately dissipates and he leans back in his chair a little. The others are dead silent.
"Your proposal is pathetic," I say coolly. "Good luck finding anybody that will partner with you for that."
His mouth hangs open and mine turns up in a very subtle smile.
Quickly and awkwardly, the three of them get up. I do not. I have no intention of bidding these assholes farewell.
"Fucking punk," one of them whispers as he shrugs his jacket on. I chuckle and lean back in my chair, my amused eyes catching his timid ones.
"You must not be aware of what I'm capable of," I say with a smirk. "Look up my past records. The internet is a free resource. And just know that everything you find – I'm still very capable of."
I see the stunned looks on their faces when they realize what I'm talking about. It's absolutely no secret to the public that I've got a pretty dark past. I have been arrested countless times for assault from getting in drunken, and sober, fights. I can't even tell you how much time I did in jail from the ages of 15 to about 23 for fighting and beating the shit out of cocky douche bags like them. Luckily for me my dad is a lawyer, so I always did the minimum sentences, which for some charges were only a number of months. Now I simply take out my anger in weekly boxing lessons.
"Don't let the suit fool you," I say with finality, conviction, and a smirk as the three of them huff and walk away defeated.
More than happy to get rid of them, I bring my attention back to the door that I'm sure that gorgeous girl is going to come out of. I look down at my watch and see that it's just after midnight. There's no way she's done with work already as this is when the money really starts to get good.
After a painstaking couple of minutes, I see her walk out of the back room. She has on a pair of tight but torn up jeans, a loose-fitting band t-shirt, black combat books with the laces untied and trailing on the floor as she walks, and a small backpack that is slung over her shoulder. I can also see that she has taken some of her make up off. Her eyes also look very red and puffy. There's no doubt in my mind that she was crying back there. I notice that she looks much younger than she did when she was out here working.
Seeing her like this, in her normal clothes, bare faced, and messy hair that she has put up in a ponytail, my insides clench. Suddenly the fact that she dances every night half naked for men makes my blood boil. I start to panic as I feel myself losing control again. She's making me feel out of control and I haven't even talked to her. Shit.
I watch as she wipes another fallen tear away from her face and turns to walk out of the front door.
My feet move before my brain does and before I know it I'm standing in front of her, blocking her exit.
She stops in her tracks and looks taken aback by my intrusion and sudden appearance. Her eyes scan my face and her mouth slightly parts. I can tell that she's trying to look away from me but can't for some reason. I watch in fascination as she takes a deep and shaky breath. Her eyes close monetarily before she lets the breath out and straightens her shoulders and holds her head up high. Whatever effect I'm having on her right now, she's trying to hide it…badly.
"Can I help you?" Her voices cracks with nervousness and she quickly clears her throat and looks down awkwardly before taking another deep breath and making strong eye contact with me again. My lips twitch but I choose to hide my smile and keep it inward.
"You seem distressed," I say in a deep and smooth tone. Her breathing quickens at the sound of my voice and she clears her throat again.
"And?"
God damnit she's cute. Absolutely fucking adorable. She's trying too hard to seem intimidating and like she doesn't care, but I can tell when I look into her eyes…holy shit, her eyes. I don't think I've ever seen such a pure color of blue before. My confidence falters slightly as I'm completely taken aback by those fucking eyes.
"Just making sure you're alright," I say with an easy shrug as I'm back to my effortless and nonchalant CEO persona. "I also wanted to see if you wanted to grab some coffee, or a bite to eat."
Her eye brows furrow in confusion and she looks down at herself momentarily before looking back up at me. Her perfect eyes peer at me innocently through her wispy bangs and my skin feels hot at the sight.
"I'm sorry, no." She says flatly.
"No?" I say, matching her emotionless tone. I've mastered the art of hiding my feelings, but I'm kind of dying inside right now. I honestly don't think a woman has never said no to me. And to make it worse it's the single most beautiful and alluring woman I've ever laid my eyes on.
My eyes are locked on hers, trying desperately to read her, as I see a large figure come and stand next to her out of my peripheral.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Grey," I hear the low and raspy voice of the owner of the club and I finally tear my eyes away from her to look at him. I watch as he grabs her by the arm, gives me a small smile, and leads her out of the club. I am stunned, absolutely stunned as I watch her get into his car which a valet had pulled up to the front.
My mouth hangs open. My eyes are narrowed in disgust.
No way. No fucking way she's with that prick. He's easily twice her age! She is so much fucking better than this!
I take a deep breath and gather myself together as best as I can, but I am tense as fuck with frustration, confusion, envy, and determination.
Before I call Taylor to bring the car around, I make a quick phone call to my current sub and tell her to meet me in the playroom.
I might not have what I truly want tonight, but this isn't over. Not even in the slightest.
A/N:
Hopefully some of you are intrigued and are ready to take this journey with me.
Laters, baby
