Page 97 of Asher Black (The Five Syndicates)
Asher sends me a concerned glance when he hears my feet tapping anxiously against the ballroom floor.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I’m helpless to stop it. The nerves have invaded my body, and I’m no longer in control of my actions.
“It’ll be okay,” Asher whispers gently into my ear.
I nod and pull myself together, because I have to.
Asher and I are at Il Nero, one of his newest hotels in New York, where a Black Enterprises employee event is being held. According to him, Black Enterprises holds these shindigs four times a year to celebrate the end of each quarter. Normally, I’d have nerves, sure, but this isn’t normal.
My stomach is churning like it’s been hit by an F5 tornado, and I feel like I’m about to vomit. On one hand, the entire board and CEO of IllumaGen are here, and Asher is about to introduce me to them. On the other hand, this is the last day of the business quarter. That means that Asher’s vote before the Black Enterprises board is set for a week from now, and this is the last day we have to impress them.
And I just happened to stick my nose so far into Owen and Madeline’s business last time I saw them, I can still smell the stench. I hope Madeline made good on her word and talked to Owen on behalf of Asher. I guess I’ll find out soon enough, because they’re both standing with the men from IllumaGen.
Oh, and what’s up with that?
Why do all these companies only put men in positions of power?
Fuck that.
When she sees me, Madeline’s eyes light up, and I’m immediately relieved. I allow some of my stress to escape, glad that at least one of my concerns is partially eased.
“Lucy!” Madeline hobbles over to me, her heavily pregnant belly preventing her from moving any faster. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
My arms wrap around her waist in an awkward embrace given the growing thing in her. “So you don’t hate me?”
She rolls her eyes and says, “How can I hate you when we’ve been having sex, like, twice a day?! Seriously. I thank you. Owen thanks you. My vagina thanks you.”
I curtsy dramatically in my evening gown, causing the high slit to expose even more skin. Madeline shakes her head in mocking disapproval when Asher eyes the visible flesh, sending a jolt of lust soaring through my blood.
It’s only been a few days since my dinner date with Asher and
about a week and a half since I walked in on Asher showering, but I can still remember how long and thick he was in the palm of his hands, how great it felt to come undone before him. For the sake of taking things slowly, we’ve been skirting around what happened, and I’m glad for it… because if he ever brings it up, I won’t be able to hold myself back.
“You two are like a bunch of horny teenagers.” Madeline tuts at us and shakes her head, though her lips are turned up in a smile.
I hip check her. “Says the woman with a vagina that thanks me.”
We’re laughing when Owen approaches us, a relaxed smile on his face. He looks a lot friendlier than the last time we met, so maybe he actually isn’t mad at me. “You look lovely, Lucy.” He kisses my cheek then shakes Asher’s hands. “Asher.”
The four of us head toward the IllumaGen board, where I’m introduced to the C-level officers of the company and a few key shareholders. After the introductions are done, they immediately cut back to their conversation. I frown as they only work to engage Owen and Asher into the discussion, leaving Madeline and I to stand there as mere accessories.
“I propose cutting the research lab in transposable elements. It’s a drain on our resources with little to no gain,” says the CEO.
He’s met with nods from the rest of his board.
Asher turns to me. “What do you think, Lucy?”
My eyes widen, alarmed by the sudden attention on me. I feel like the kid that’s been called on in class because she’s not paying attention. But when I look at Asher, I see that he’s genuinely curious. He wants my opinion on this.
“I-I think it would be foolish to cut off TE research.”
