Page 95 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

Regardless, I keep the meeting short, giving my team time and space to complete their assignments. We have to getShop-a-Lotto market at a record speed. If I’m able to bring VTI out of the abyss, then perhaps I won’t fall so far and hard if the truth about me is discovered. My friends and colleagues will say, “Sure, she lied to us, but she pulled us out of the red and into the black, so we forgive her.” But deep down, I know the truth.

After our meeting, I return to my private office and try to prepare for my meeting with Hercules. I've never been so distracted in my life. I can’t concentrate. I can’t come up with a list of new products. I’m an utter failure. But I keep trying while time zooms by.

I check my watch again and groan. I accidentally worked through lunch. It’s 1:48 p.m. I will meet with Hercules in twelve minutes. But even though my stomach growls, I can’t eat a thing. I’m too nervous.

Maybe I should leave—like, actually do what Treasure said andend this. Or maybe my nerves are getting the best of me.

I sigh as I pick up my notebook and pen and then rise to my feet.Famous personal instructor, I write in the notepad.

It’s the main idea I want to pitch—the marriage between VTI’s TRANSPORT and GIT’s compression technology. We’ll have to foster a relationship with GIT. I’m not even sure it can be done, but at the moment, it’s all I have.

I drop back down into my chair. I should collect my things and abandon this crazy mission. I tap my fingers on top of my desk.

“Here goes, everything.” I spring to my feet. I couldn't leave VTI even if I wanted to. And I don't want to. So since I'm rarely late for anything, I pick up my notebook and my pen and set out to meet with Hercules.

I can barely remember gettingto the floor with the executive suites. As soon as I exit the elevator, though, I become present again. I’m under a frosted-glass domed ceiling. In the center of the circular space stands a large bouquet of pink flowers sitting on gold pedestal. A gentle fire brews in an electric fireplace. The atmosphere is inviting and feels perfectly warm, yet it isn’t calming enough to ease my nerves.

As I walk down the hallway, I take note of the light scent of geraniums in the air. The choice of air freshener complements the off-white walls, which contrast the dark wood floors and all the diamond-encrusted chandeliers that light my path. I can only imagine how opulent the offices are behind the walls. It all looks so rich. I wonder if GIT’s executive headquarters have the same ambience.

I'm reading the numbers, getting closer to Hercules’s office. My breaths are uneven and my head dizzy. I massage one of my temples and circle my shoulders, trying to rid myself of the tightness. I can’t appear nervous. I want to show Hercules that I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m a woman who’s in control of herself, even after she screws up by banging him in all of hisexecutivenessin the elevator.

I cover my face and groan into my palms.Where was my judgement?I have to say something about last night. I know I do.But what?

I reach his door, and before I knock, his voice says, “Come in, Lark.”

I look up and see two tiny dots, one beneath the other. My chest tightens. The new Drexo microscopic camera-and-speaker unit is installed above the door. Drexo is an extremely intuitive surveillance system. The camera is able to capture 360-degree shots within the range of a mile. I wonder how long Hercules has been watching me. Now I’m worried that I looked too nervous—or even worse, not attractive enough.

I take a breath to get my bearings. I’m falling apart inside, and my worry about what Hercules thinks is sending me deeper down the rabbit hole. It’s time to behave like an adult. It’s time to be the sort of executive who can walk into her boss’s fancy office, even after banging him in the elevator, and be taken seriously.

Here goes nothing.Hand on the knob, I turn it and step inside, and something to my left catches my attention. My jaw drops.

“What in the…?”

Chapter Thirty-Three

The Grove and I

Hercules Valentine

Istand, watching her closely. I’ve been vacillating all morning.Should I ask her out, or am I truly crossing a line?

With Lilith, it was no big deal. My cock doesn’t react to her the way it does to Lark. I’m making myself vulnerable by having sex with Lark. I gulp, moistening my throat, as she continues staring at the painting. I had it delivered and hung on the wall this morning. I wanted it to be ready for viewing before she got here.

“Wow,” she finally says. “You really liked the painting.”

I study her expression, trying to figure out if she’s impressed or if she thinks I’m a creep.

“I tried to bid on it, too, but the final price was too high for my blood,” she says with a chuckle.

I would offer it to her, but I actually like the painting—it reminds me of her. I almost beat off to it twice today. That would have definitely made me a creep.

I let my eyes roam her physique. I’d rather insert myself inside the real woman.

“Um, so…” she says.

My focus snaps back to her face.What’s wrong with me?I don’t want her to think that all I want is sex. There’s a lot I appreciate about Lark Davenport despite my extreme sexual attraction to her. Not only is she smart, but her grace is unrivaled as well. When she speaks, you want to hear what she’s saying. And everything about her feels honest. I like her. I like her a lot.

She hugs her notepad closer to her chest. “Before I sit, should we deal with the elephant in the room?”