2. Chapter 2

RAPHAEL

“Stop playing with that kid, Mr. Pierce.”

My attention whips up to the woman strolling into my office. Her mother, Karla, has been on vacation for the past two days and sent me a replacement. Karla promised me that the replacement would behave but June has done anything but behave. She seems to have a general interest in my personal life and one of the executives that sits in the office one level below me. However, she has kept my schedule intact, which is all I needed for the days Karla was out.

Still, I will let Karla know that I’d rather eat dirt than have her daughter back in my building. She may be a sweetheart but here, June is anything but. “June, you’re a great fill-in for your mother. Let’s keep it at that.” The last sentence comes off clipped but I rather that than June think I’m joking. I step around the shattered trophy that bounced off the desk while I was fucking Atlas’ sweet ass, a sly grin spilling onto my lips with the memory. The obvious tension in Atlas’ shoulders when it fell apart makes me laugh.

He is so concerned about the money that I think he misses the fact that it doesn’t matter. None of this does. I’d give it up in a heartbeat. It was my father’s dream before he handed it to me. When he passed away, all he asked was that the company be taken care of. Not trusting anyone else to lead the tech company he built, I’ve stayed in this position. The moment I find someone else capable, I will hand it over and never look back.

Legacy be damned.

I grab a few documents for a meeting I’m late for, frowning when I find June still standing in my office. “Do you need something?”

“He’s nearly half your age!”

She seems really bothered by my relationship with Atlas. She can’t have met him more than once or twice in passing, although my reputation precedes me. My lovers never last long, mostly due to my chaotic schedule and my ability to close off my emotions when I realize the relationship won’t work out. I like the sex, they get a bit of the lavish lifestyle, and then we part ways. That’s how it’s been for years. Until Atlas. My aspiring animal doctor has been my obsession for the better part of three months and I only want more, not less of him.

Those three words have nearly slipped a few times but he’s not ready for that.

I ignore her outburst as I stand in front of my full-length mirror, ensuring that the look I pride myself on has returned. I’m not vain but I also don’t need this investor to know that I was fucking my lover a few moments ago. I can still feel his soft hair between my fingers, the sight of him on his knees just before he left doing all sorts of things to me. My cock thickens slightly in my pants and I bite back a groan at what I truly wanted to do to Atlas when he sauntered into my room holding my coffee.

Those luscious curls bounced around his full face, his bright aura bursting through the room. He’s only a few inches shorter than me but our personalities—at least based on the one I let the world see—couldn’t be more different. His doe eyes widen every time he steps into my office, a timid smile placed on his lips as he waits for me to direct these moments.

I’m waiting for the day he feels comfortable enough in his own skin to call me. To tell me he needs me just as much as I need him.

Satisfied with my look, I turn to face June again. “Who I spend time with is none of your business, June. I thought your mother relayed my policies to you, one of which is not to concern yourself with my private matters.” Her angry expression contorts further, her fists clenching at her sides. Why it bothers her so much, I’m not sure and I don’t really care. I will care if she messes with Atlas, however. “I would advise you to stay out of my relationship. It’s 100% consensual.”

It’s then that I realize that while I may call him to come to me, Atlas almost always starts it. His bratty mouth and snarky comments have me bending him over my desk every time. I chuckle. He edges me on until I snap.

June is about to speak again but I merely hold up my hand. She can discuss this with her mother as Karla knows far more than any woman should about my private affairs. “This investor. Still in the waiting room?” June nods and I wait for her to leave my office before closing the door behind me. My attention shifts to the investor as I wipe my thoughts of Atlas and his perfectly round and thick ass.

At least I try to.