Free Reckless by R.M. Martinez Page A

a smoldering look crossed his face along with a small smirk that made her squirm in her chair. She had no idea why he turned her on so much with just a simple glance, but she was ready to storm the stage and take him in front of everyone in the crowd.
    Her panties were now a puddle.
    He leaned over and whispered something to Gavin Kline and then Thomas Lomax. They were staring at Brianna, Eleanor, and Kevin. God, they were going to pick them to be specially mentored. She was going to be working very closely to Andrew Spencer and the idea both frightened and excited her.
    After a few minutes of short speeches from Lancaster, Gonzalez, and Johnson, everyone in the front of the room gathered in a small circle and started talking. Mr. Holt returned to the stage a couple of minutes later with a tablet in front of him. He started naming off names and directing people into groups for different departments.
    She was pretty much shocked when her name was called to work for one of the executives who runs the money. Accounting, billing, bookkeeping. Ugh! She wasn’t at all happy about it, but she was grateful all the same. Her heart sank when she realized that she wouldn’t be working with Andrew, but she was also relieved. She didn’t know if she could handle that kind of pressure mixed with the inevitable sexual tension.
    When the meeting was over everyone headed off to their separate departments. Brianna made plans with Eleanor and Kevin to have drinks on their way home to celebrate their first day. It was already hard enough for her to stand on her own two feet and the world around her was spinning from the moment she jumped out of Andrew’s bed earlier, but coming down from a hangover took a little more alcohol sometimes. Hopefully she would be able to function better the rest of the week.
    Her boss was a woman named Regina Houston who was a little mean and standoffish. The first thing the woman did was look her up and down and assign her to a cubicle until further notice. She knew what that meant right away. She was immediately disliked and she was going to be Regina’s punching bag for the summer.
    And if things couldn’t get worse, at the end of the day she saw Andrew and Vanessa Gonzalez walking together with her arm looped through his. He said something to her and she was laughing as they climbed into the same car together.
    “Well, there goes our bet.” She murmured as she waited for Kevin and Eleanor to meet her in the lobby.
    “Ready to go?” Kevin asked, putting an arm around her shoulder.
    “Champagne, a couple of drinks, then dinner, and bed before eleven.” Eleanor came up behind them. She looked exhausted, but still wore an almost perky grin. “My boss is a pig.” She stage whispered.
    “Let’s go before Little Miss Sunshine gets us all fired.” Kevin put his arm around both of their waists and led them through the door.
    They were halfway down the block when Brianna received two texts.
    You did good dropping that rich asshole. You owe me a conversation, Bree. We need to talk about what happened and how you’re going to make amends with me.
    “Fucking James.” She murmured, suddenly afraid. Then she read the next one.
    We need to talk. I’m coming to NY.
    “Fucking Lucian.” She murmured again.
    “Girl, you look like you need something stronger than champagne.” Eleanor observed as they walked into the restaurant.
    “Yes. Hell yes.” She said.
    Alcohol. She needed alcohol.
     
    Eighteen
     
                  She’d been in New York for three fucking weeks and she hadn’t even attempted to get in contact with him. She avoided his texts and calls and he’d been out there twice trying to talk to her, but she wouldn’t even meet him in the lobby of his hotel just to talk. He was becoming more and more frustrated with the situation.
                  He was also engaged.
                  It’s not that he didn’t love Samantha. He loved her a lot. He wanted her