Making the Day Better

“Your father intends to take away everything that matters to me, girl. Don’t blame me for trying to prevent it.”

I stop in the middle of the entrance, my hand still on the door handle, debating whether to turn around and face Mr. Odell—who supposedly wasn’t in the office—or continue on my way and leave him talking to himself, which is what he deserves right now.

He’s been playing games with me this whole time and I don’t want him to think he can keep doing it.

“If that’s what you believe,” I tell him at last without looking at him, “then you’re more blind than I thought.”

“I know how multinational corporations work, girl.” It almost sounds like an accusation, but I still can’t decide whether to stay or go.

I keep thinking it’s best to come back tomorrow, when tempers have cooled.

“They promise nothing will change, that they only want to help, but in the end they take everything, even your life. They’re only interested in one thing: money. ”

“If my father were interested in money, I assure you I wouldn’t be here today, but I didn’t come to debate his reasons for helping small businesses like yours.

” Now I turn around because I want to make sure he’s listening.

“I came to negotiate a deal where everyone wins. You’re within your rights to try to change anything you don’t like about it, just as you can also reject the proposal entirely.

You can even offer me a counter-proposal.

And I’m within mine to accept the changes or suggest others.

That’s how this works. It’s a quid pro quo. ”

“I don’t want changes.”

“In that case, in a few months you’ll have to close your doors for good.

” I don’t hesitate when I speak. “The way I see it, you can ignore me and lose everything in short order, or you can hear what I have to say now and decide afterward whether it’s worth trying to save this business that, according to you, is your life.

The reports don’t lie, Mr. Odell—you’re losing too much money.

Sleep on it, or discuss it with your son, if you prefer.

But remember that if things aren’t working, the only solution is to change whatever you’re doing wrong.

First thing tomorrow morning I’ll be here to hear your decision. ”

“Why not now?”

The bluntness in his question tells me he’s angrier than before and that he’ll likely reject me if I push any harder today. My job isn’t just to offer solutions, but also to know when to press and when not to.

“Because I’ve been waiting here all afternoon and I’ve had enough. I’ll come back tomorrow, once my urge to tell you to go to hell has worn off.” At this point I don’t even care about being rude because he hasn’t been any better to me so far. “Good night, Mr. Odell. Mandy, thanks for nothing.”

I storm out of the office so furiously I would have loved to slam the door, but the slow-close mechanism prevents it and makes me growl under my breath.

I’d scream, but I don’t want Mr. Odell to see how angry I am about our conversation.

Of course, the whole “telling him to go to hell” thing probably gave him a pretty good idea of what I think of him and his evasions right now.

“Damn it,” I grumble on the way back, realizing I’ve behaved in a completely unprofessional manner. “I shouldn’t have said that. If my father finds out, we’re going to have a long talk about professionalism.”

“Talking to yourself? I’m not sure whether to laugh or worry about it.”

I startle and press my hand to my chest to keep my heart from escaping. Just what I needed to cap off the day—running into… him again. I really need to find out his name already.

“It’s none of your business.” I shrug and keep walking; I’m almost at the inn. “So don’t do either.”

“I could always go with the third option.”

Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t play his game, Debra, I tell myself. And no matter how many times I repeat it, I fall for it like a fool.

“What third option?”

“Taking you to bed, of course,” he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Why does he have to affect me so much?

“I’ve had a terrible day.” I step away from him. “I’m not in the mood for—”

“Oh.” He laughs. “We’re already starting to sound like a couple. I thought we’d enjoy the thrill of these early encounters for a bit longer.”

“I’m not even going to respond to that.” I shoot him an unfriendly look.

It’s true I’m not in the mood, although seeing him has lifted my spirits a little—why bother pretending otherwise?

He looks absolutely stunning and he’s a feast for the eyes.

I’m sure he goes to the gym, even though I haven’t seen one in town.

Maybe he’s the type who has a room at home with his own equipment.

“Come with me.” He holds out his hand and, from the look he gives me, I’d swear he’s sure I won’t refuse.

“No, thanks.”

I continue on my way to the inn. I’m dying to get there so I can take a long bubble bath, although with how small the tub is, I’m not sure how comfortable I’ll be.

“I know what you need to make your day better.” He catches up to me. “And I’m prepared to give it to you.”

“Don’t flatter yourself…” It annoys me that I don’t know his name and he seems to notice because he smiles smugly. “What the hell is your name?”

“You really have had a bad day.” He laughs again. “Come on, I’ll cheer you up. I promise.”

This time he doesn’t give me a choice because he takes my hand and pulls me along.

Before I can protest, he’s already put a helmet on me and is helping me onto his motorcycle.

Why am I not surprised he has one? The more I learn about him, the more certain I become that he’s a player, a Don Juan who seduces women and discards them once he gets what he wants.

And I’m not willing to suffer over someone like that—I need to distance myself from him before he affects me more than he already does.

And yet I hate myself because the moment my body presses against his for support, I forget what I should do and can only think about what I want.

Right now he could ask me for anything and I’d do it gladly.

I don’t understand how he has so much power over me.

“You’re going to love this place,” he tells me as he removes my helmet. I could do it myself, but he won’t let me. “By the time I’m done with you, the day’s frustration will be gone.”

He bites his lower lip as his gaze travels the length of my body and I feel my legs weaken.

I think if he touches me right now I’ll reach an orgasm just from my body’s reaction to his scrutiny.

I’m dying to be the one biting that lip and, even though I didn’t want to come with him, now I wouldn’t leave if you paid me.

Damn these changes of heart. I’m weak when he’s near.

I pull on his shirt until our bodies collide and I kiss him, claiming the lip battered by his own teeth.

It’s my turn to drive him crazy and I know I succeed when his hands travel to my waist and he pulls me tight against him.

He lifts me without any effort and my legs wrap around his waist. My lips don’t leave his at any point, not even when he starts walking.

My rational mind seems to want to remind me that it’s dangerous for him to walk through the forest—yes, we’re here again—without watching where he steps, but his kisses silence it at once.

It’s impossible to focus on anything other than his body pressed to mine.

Or on his hands kneading my ass in that provocative way.

“I need you to let go of me, morena,” he whispers in my ear when he stops walking. “I have to do something first.”

I protest with a groan that makes him laugh, but I release his waist. My feet touch the ground, but before I can see where we are, he places a blindfold over my eyes.

“Just for a moment,” he says, his breath grazing the back of my neck and making my skin prickle.

Being left alone, unable to see, frightens me, but I know he won’t let anything bad happen.

I hear him moving around me until he comes back and asks me to take a few more steps.

Then he removes the cloth and I realize where I am.

My eyes gaze in wonder at the waterfall that tumbles into a small pool surrounded by rocks.

The water glides over the stones gently, creating a soothing sound.

It looks like a hidden paradise in the middle of nowhere.

To my surprise, I discover that beside the pool there’s a blanket spread out with a basket on top.

Everything is lit by several torches holding the darkness at bay.

It seems the Don Juan has gone to quite a bit of trouble to set it all up.

I turn toward him expecting an explanation, but he simply smiles.

When I cross my arms, his grin widens and he lets out a sigh.

“The other day you missed out on your picnic,” he explains, “and I thought I’d make it up to you.”

“It wasn’t your fault I got lost.” I raise an eyebrow.

“But it was my fault you never made it to the river.” He bites his lip again and I know exactly what he’s thinking. I think I just soaked my underwear again just remembering that encounter.

“And what if I’d refused to come?” I tease.

He steps toward me and his lips claim mine without giving me a direct answer, but making it clear I never would have said no, because the passion I’d thought was extinguished moments ago has just awakened with greater force and tears moans of pleasure from me that I don’t even bother hiding.

His hands fly over me, peeling off my clothes, and mine help him, eager.

In a matter of seconds we’re completely naked, but this time I don’t want it to be over so quickly.

Setting all this up must have taken him all afternoon, so we’re going to make it last. That’s why I push him toward the blanket and make him lie on his back.

He has a strong, chiseled chest and muscular arms that look even bigger in the position they’re in.

His hard abs confirm my theory that he takes care of himself through exercise.

And as my gaze travels down his body, I confirm that’s not the only hard part of him.

I lick my lips unconsciously. I’ve never been a woman who was interested in casual sex, or one who let her libido take over without thinking about the consequences.

At least not until now. With this man I lose control of body and mind.

One look, one gesture, one word and he already has me trembling with desire for him.

And he knows it—oh, does he know it. His smile is telling me so.

“See something you like?” He teases me now.

“Nothing at all,” I lie.

I kneel beside him and he takes the opportunity to pull me toward his body. He wraps his arms around me and won’t let me pull away, even though I try. I have other plans I still want to carry out…

“Relax,” he says in my ear. “I don’t bite.”

“Allow me to doubt that,” I counter, remembering several occasions when he did.

“For you, I’ll allow anything,” he says before kissing me and flipping our positions. “You drive me crazy,” he whispers before kissing my neck.

My head tilts back to let him. I’m completely lost in his arms. The contrast of his warm mouth against my cold nipples draws moans from me that increase his urgency.

I can tell from the way he plays with my breasts, from his hands that seem to be everywhere at once, but above all, I feel it in that part of his body pressing against my belly, telling me he’s very aroused.

My hand travels to his cock and grips it.

Hearing his gasp encourages me to move along its full length, but I prefer to slide lazily to torture him a little.

I know I succeed because he bites my nipple to force me to go faster.

But I manage to slip away, push him onto his back again—my turn to be in charge now—and my mouth takes the place of my hands.

When he’s about to explode, his hands push my shoulders to pull me away and I end up beneath him. It’s a power struggle. Before I can protest, he’s already inside me.

He’s as rough as he was putting on the condom, and yet he manages to make my entire being vibrate with his movements. The orgasm is so powerful that I drag him with me to the peak.

He gets up to remove the condom, after giving me a kiss, and I watch him shamelessly.

This time I’m in no rush to get dressed.

Though darkness has enveloped us by now, the lights surrounding us and the sound of water in the background create a romantic atmosphere I love.

Don’t let him dazzle you, Debra, I tell myself before reaching out my hand for him to join me on the blanket again.

For today, I’ll just enjoy the moment. Tomorrow I’ll worry about getting him out of my head.

I just hope he brought more condoms because it would be a shame not to make the most of all the effort he put into impressing me.