Two - Levy

I fiddled my thumbs as I stood behind Lisanna and Droy. We all were discussing the upcoming meeting.

"Do you have anything you think can work?" Droy asked me.

"I think Mr. Redfox should consider going more green." I mumbled. I had seen a considerable amount of paper wasted in the trash. With my mom marrying a man whose passion was a cleaner world, some things irked me.

"Something we could bring up. Oh, make sure we discuss the newest account. And save recycling for last. It's a new and good idea." Droy said while tapping his foot. Lisanna nodded before glancing back at me. She had come to escort us up and guide me.

"Don't worry about this meeting, Levy. It'll be over faster than you know. Just be sure to write down any questions for afterwards. We want you to be aware in the bigger meetings so Mr. Redfox might throw out some term you aren't familiar with." She encouraged me. I nodded and thanked her. The doors opened and I was taken aback. The entire floor was boxed in with glass. There were a few private places that were blinded or blocked off. I was mesmerized by the foggy clouds that ran across the windows, almost like cotton. I followed my group past the lady who buzzed us in and into an empty conference room. We entered and Droy pressed a button that closed the blinds.

"Sorry for running late. I had a few things to do—" The rumbling voice stopped as I turned quickly. My hands tightened on the arm rests. We met eyes. The mask stayed on, but it was clear he recognized me.

"No worries, Mr. Redfox. I would like to introduce you to—"

"Levy McGarden." He said my name with deep rumbles. His voice was so demanding and authoritative. Just the thought of a man like him groaning my name... I stopped myself from shaking. Contain yourself.

"Mr. Redfox." I greeted with a small smile. A ghost of a smirk decorated his rough face as he took a seat across from me. Droy stood up and fixed his tie. Redfox slid his gaze to Droy's Secretary.

"Lisanna." He shot her a side glance and she waved in a friendly manner. A dark skinned man entered a second later with a notepad and a tablet. He took a seat next to Mr. Redfox.

"Hi. I'm PantherLily. Just call me Lily." The new man said. After we greeted, Redfox began talking.

"Well, carry on. I believe you had a variety of things you were interested in that both of our companies would benefit from." The way the words flowed from his lips made me shiver there was no denying the authority and demand in his voice as he spoke. The world would stop twirling at his demand.

I was grateful when the lights dimmed down some as Droy began casting his PowerPoint off of the projector. I couldn't focus like I wished because I felt his burning gaze on me. The presentation was short, only introducing the ideas we wanted to discuss. I did my best to ignore the heated gaze as I continued writing notes. When the lights flickered back on, I glanced up. He was still staring.

"Droy. When you guys say to target certain groups for unbought products, what do you mean?" Lily said carefully.

"Well, many things are bought by needs over wants. If we can…." His words trailed off in a buzzing in my ear as I maintained eye contact with Redfox. His wine eyes were unrelenting. I tried to focus on what was being said around me, but it wasn't happening. My eyes trailed down his face, following the paths of his piercings. He had sharp features that were mesmerizing. His gray vest was unbuttoned, so I could somewhat see the contours of his stone chest through his white silky shirt. I looked back up to his blood red eyes. His gaze was dominant. Hell, he was dominant.

The thought of a man like Redfox actually existing was stunning, but he was a real person. It made the thought mouthwatering.

"Ms. McGarden?"

"Yes?" I snapped out of it.

"You had an idea for the CEO about the building?" Lisanna reminded me. I nodded.

"I was thinking of going more green, or at least enforcing it on other levels of your building. My… friend works with a recycling company that would definitely help the entire corporation in primarily staying clean while also projecting a good image." I said. We eyed each other the entire time. The ever present frown on his lips twitched before he leaned forward from his slouching posture.

"What company?" He grumbled.

"M&W Recycling Co." I gulped. It was my step dad's company. Redfox glanced to Lily.

"I have much to consider. We will have a follow up next Thursday." He dismissed us. I scrambled to grab my notes before he spoke again.

"Ms. McGarden. A word alone please?" He raised a pierced brow. I nodded, wanting to say no because I had no will power to defy him of what he might ask in the conversation.

"She will be down in a moment, Droy. Tell Jet to continue on with the Golf project without her." He said, guiding us past the group of three to a smaller conference room near the elevators. I took a moment to take in my surroundings.

Everything was shockingly bright here. There was an empty receptionist area where I could see Pantherlily's tag. Beyond it was a vast view of downtown Chicago, some of which was hidden below the clouds. I could see multiple offices filling in around us, adding that same clearness and brightness, seeing that mostly everything was visible by natural light, but there was only one office that belonged to Gajeel Redfox. It was a straight shot to the elevator and it was the largest and only closed off area seen.

"Of course." Lisanna, Droy, and Lily left talking amongst each other as Redfox closed the door for privacy. He pressed a button on the wall and the glass walls frosted over.

"What did you need Mr. Redfox?"

"When we are alone, I'd rather you call me Gajeel." He said while sitting down. I could see myself groaning his name rather than saying it…

"I don't think there will be many more instances like this one." I shot back calmly. His eyes snapped to mine. I tried to remember Lucy's advice. Don't let him get what he wants. Don't be a statistic of his.

"Are you in a current relationship?" He asked right off the bat. I almost blanched.

"Excuse me?" I said surprised.

"I want to know if you are in a committed relationship." He repeated. His tone was demanding and it sent shivers down my spine. His very posture was acute and aware, almost sending a vibrant buzz around the room. I wiped my hands on my thighs.

"I don't believe that is any of your business. Why would you want to know?" I snapped. He crossed his fingers together.

"Because ever since the elevator I can't stop thinking about fucking you. It is only achievable if no one is in my way. So, do you?" I was grateful I was sitting because my legs gave out completely. I fought my blush and grumbled, going on the offensive.

"I'm not interested in crude, obnoxious men who talk to women like it's a game." He raised an eyebrow.

"Would you like me to court you then?" He asked while leaning forward. His hard gaze brought a desirable heat to my body. I wanted those rough hands on my skin, pulling me.

"I would like you to leave me alone." I stood up. He stood with me. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips.

"As if I could Levy. Until we meet again." He held the door for me. I sucked in a tight breath as he brushed his large hand against my lower back, creating an electric buzz through my spine. I was glad he didn't join me.

When I made it to my floor, I was met by Droy. "How do you think we did?"

"You did great, Droy. Mr. Redfox had many colorful comments. I think next Monday we should prepare for the big questions. Maybe mind mapping through your proposals?" I offered. He stroked his chin before nodding.

"Magnificent. I'll leave that up to you and Jet while I help sort out this Golfing Campaign with Redfox. Callaway is one of the biggest accounts Redfox and I have worked on together. It's been more Jet though, but still. It's still one of the biggest benefits I will have ever accomplished here, and it's something that will especially ranked me up as well as Jet. He'd go up to Junior Manager."

I smiled warmly at his excitement. "We got the Golfing Campaign in the bag. Now doubt about it."

"That's what I like to hear. Are you free for lunch tomorrow? Jet, myself, and a few others are going out to a nearby Japanese restaurant. Best damn sushi in the city."

"Consider me booked. I'll check in with Jet before I head down to lunch. See you around one?" I asked. He nodded and we parted. By 11:45, I was waiting for the elevator while texting Lucy. She was waiting in the lobby. I looked up when the elevator dinged and stepped in. Five minutes after that, Lucy and I were headed across the street to the coffee cafe.

"He said what?" Lucy gaped after I recited my most recent conversation.

"I know. It was so straightforward. The man is a walking wet dream. When I tried shutting him down, he looked almost excited."

"Holy hell. What did you do?"

"Try not to orgasm in front of him. I was high off his pheromones." I deflated into my seat.

"Well damn. You just caught the attention of one of the richest men in Chicago."

I groaned. "What do I do? I don't want to sleep with him then get dropped. I got too much going on. I can fuck up on my own." I breathed. Lucy smirked. Oh no.

"So you are attracted to the rougher type. I knew you were a little freak."

"Lu!"

"What? I like being right. I'm guessing this is more than I'm thinking." She gave me a grin.

"Just the thought of sex with him is maddening. Being in his presence is addictive. And when he touched me I swear everything felt right. Just for that second. What the hell do you do about that?"

"You tell me. He is only almost 29. Imagine the sex drive to maintain a body like that." I did all day.

"I'll look like a college whore." I shot her a look. She sipped her coffee.

"Remember Dr. Makarov telling you about taking risks. I'd say this is fair game. You seem to be giving Redfox a run for his money."

"Lu, given what you told me, he isn't the one to date. Just take a look at him—"

"He looks like he'd be a monster in the bed." I rolled my eyes.

"He is a man that hits then quits. After what happened, I need a man above a quick dirty fuck."

"If he really wants you, make him fight for it. Otherwise, drop him altogether. You need a man that won't hurt you." She said with a shrug. I nodded and grabbed my phone as it rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Levy, its Macao." My step dad answered.

"Oh, hey." I said kindly.

"There is a dinner coming up I would like for you to attend. It's in the city." He said.

"Of course. When and where?" I asked.

"Next Friday. It's a black tie event, so I will shoot some money your way for you and Lucy to go shopping. Your mother and I will be back from Paris tomorrow."

"How is she?"

"Resting now."

"How was she?"

"Worried over you. It took a lot of convincing Marie to get her to leave."

That was an understatement. Marie Emma McGarden Conbolt had always been afraid something would happen. When she married Macao, she settled down some, yet I felt like she always knew everything about me, especially in these last few years. Even then, I loved her. She was my only living parent, and the closest thing I had to my father was my uncle. "I know. I'll call her later today. I kinda wanted her to relax."

He chuckled. "We relaxed plenty."

"TMI."

"Anyways, My colleague's son will be at the event. I think it might be nice to meet him, only if ya want. He is a good kid. He is excited to meet you." Macao replied with a hint of a smirk in his tone. I rolled my eyes.

"Last chance, Macao. I'm only doing a lunch date with him for a date to the event."

"You won't regret it."

"Oh, I referenced your company today in a meeting. I might have details to shoot your way later." I informed. He wished me well before texting me the details of my new blind date.

"I find it loving how Macao cares for you like that." Lucy said softly. I grinned.

"He's been good to my mom and I. To be honest, He has always been like my dad in my heart. Anyways, I got a blind date Saturday. I was thinking casual, but not too casual."

"Oh, maybe try that new French restaurant just opened apparently. Try it." She said with a ghostly smile. I nodded and shot an intro text the man, whose name was Bora. Lucy and I wrapped up lunch before we got back to our jobs. Lucy worked as a modeling assistant, possibly soon to be model, up the street. Her hours were much more flexible than mine.

Work went by with a breeze. I had no problems as I relaxed and finished the day with a bang. I left the building feeling productive as I took a taxi home instead of the train. I knew my stepdad preferred I take one of his drivers, but I wanted to start living on my own. Lucy and I decided not to drive for the sake of crazy traffic. Lucy, of course, beat me home by a few minutes. We spent the night chatting about my upcoming schedule and her new sexy boss, Natsu Dragneel.

"He sounds like a big kid."

"He acts like one. I swear anytime someone suggests me to model, he is literally the first one there. I don't know why I am attracted to such a fool. It's like he doesn't even know it. We have a lunch date Sunday." She said dreamily.

"Look at you." I nudged her. She blushed and stood up. Lucy being committed to anything past a Netflix show was legit. I hoped this Natsu guy was worth it.

"I'm going to sleep. Have fun tomorrow. Ooh, I was thinking about maybe some late night clubbing."

"Sure thing. Sleep in Saturday before my date?" I agreed. Lucy nodded and we went our separate ways.

A/N: Whelp, Here goes Chapter 2! I got some grief about the abrupt ending of my previous story. I was personally just ready to get it finished. I'll work on a few ideas for that one to add, so please review what ya'll want in IWLYG. Expect the next chapter for this story prolly next weekend. This will be a longer story and I'm excited to be publishing this! Peace!