Chapter 6: Control

Adrian Wolfe – First Person

The buyout attempt wasn’t any concern of mine. Not yet.

People tried  to buy Wolfe Capital every year. Most of them fail before they ever learn what they’re up against.

The room emptied out gradually as the news was disseminated. 

Executives were arguing about their defensive strategies, lawyers were arguing about emergency filings, and financial analysts were rushing to track the purchases of Wolfe Capital stocks.

I waited five minutes. And then I got up from my seat. “That’s enough for today.”

Several people looked up at me. One of the board members spoke quickly. “We still  need to act immediately.”

I was tired and didn't need any more drama. “We will tomorrow.”

“But the buyers?”

I answered firmly. “They will still exist tomorrow.”

The room was silent once more.

I looked at Evan. He had been studying the market data while everyone else was arguing. He was so intent on the data that it was almost distracting him from everything else around him.

“You’re done for the day.”

He blinked once. “Done?”

“Yes.”

Did this man enjoy making me repeat my words or was he plain out deaf?

“It’s barely evening,” he argued. 

“You’ve had a long first day.”

He looked at me uncertainly. “So have you.”

“That’s my problem.”

The entire board was watching the exchange between Evan and me. 

I ignored them. “Go home, Carter.”

Evan took one look at everyone around and  gathered up his files slowly. “Yes, sir.”

And he left, with the rest following behind. I stayed behind to finish several phone calls and left. 

~

The penthouse suite was at the top of my private tower that overlooked the entire city.

It was silent, exactly as I wanted it.

I loosened my tie as I strolled through the room and put my phone on the counter in the kitchen.

My memory flashed to Evan landing on top of my desk. His knee touching me, and my body reacting to it.

I went towards the sauna room and turned the temperature dial higher than usual.

The temperature shot up quickly, and I sat down and leaned against the wooden wall.

Maybe, he noticed. Did he? But he moved away too quickly for me to decide. 

A smile crept up on my face before I could stop it.

My phone rang. And it was the one person I didn't want to talk to. My father. 

I breathed in deeply and answered it anyway. “Hello, Dad.”

I wished with all my heart that the phone call would end as soon as it began.

His words came at me quickly. “What are you doing, Adrian?”

What kind of a question was that?

“Running my company.”

“You’re embarrassing the Harrington family.”

Of course, he was calling on behalf of his minions friends. 

“They embarrassed themselves.”

“They’re our long-time partners.”

I snapped at him. “They tried to commit fraud.”

His words stung. “You should settle this quietly and restore the engagement.”

“Like hell I will.”

His pause stayed only three seconds, and he continued. “You’re ruining the Wolfe reputation.”

My teeth gritted in anger responding to him. “I’m protecting it.”

“You’re letting your pride get in the way.”

“Dad. I’m letting evidence get in the way. Would you like me to ignore it?”

My father sighed. “Maybe, you should. Adrian, listen to me. The Harringtons have been our allies for thirty years.”

“They haven’t been allies since they attacked my employee.”

“An employee is replaceable.”

“Not this one. I’m not risking a good hand for your friendship.”

“For the love of God, son. He’s been in the company less than a week and you’re taking his side. Is he some bloody millionaire?”

The word slipped out colder than I meant it to. “He isn’t.”

The silence continued between us. Finally, “This isn’t about the lawsuit, is it?”

I didn’t answer him.

My father sighed again, this time more louder than the first. “You’ve already made your decision.”

“Yes, I have.”

“You always do.”

“Goodnight, father.”

I hung up the phone before my father could continue arguing with me.

The sauna room was silent again.

The heat filled the room, and my mind continued to wander. Back to Evan.

I closed my eyes for a moment. And it was even worse. Flashes of his body in his tailored suit crept to my mind. 

My eyes fluttered open at once. 

This was going to be a problem. Because for all my adult life. I had always been bisexual. 

I had hidden it perfectly from everyone, except my rare flings. 

“Ah, hell,” I grained and stood up, walking out of the sauna.

After I had my shower, put on my dark robe and entered my bedroom.

The light from the bed lamp illuminated the room softly. The lights from the city filled the window.

I lay down on my bed and turned off my lamp, letting the darkness enveloped me right away.

~

The office was around me.

The morning sunlight illuminated through the glass walls of my office. The lights from the city filled my window.

I sat down on my desk and looked at my financial reports.

Evan was standing near my filing cabinet. He organized some documents and read something under his breath.

This lasted only ten seconds or so until my eyes were on him again.

I looked at Evan as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

This was a simple act. But his shirt was slightly pulled across his shoulders.

I had to take a hard swallow and concentrate on trying to get my eyes to refocus on my computer screen.

Concentrate Adrian. You have work to do.

The filing cabinet door opened behind me.

Evan knelt down to reach a document from my lower drawer in my filing cabinet.

His pants were slightly pulled across his hips.

Not now, no temptations, please. 

My eyes trailed the smooth line of his trousers from his legs going upward, my hand on my mouse tightened.

This was fucking ridiculous.

Just ask him to get something. Do not make it obvious.

“Carter,” I said.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Bring me the Harrington contract,” I said.

“Right away, sir.” He stood and walked toward the desk.

I loosened my tie slightly.

The room was warmer than usual.

Evan leaned forward to put the document beside my keyboard. His sleeve accidentally touched my arm.

My body reacted immediately. I breathed in slowly and tried not to move.

“Anything else?” he asked?

“No. You can go.”

He turned away again, and I felt disappointed, but…

He dropped another file. “Oops. Sorry. I'll get it,” he murmured and bent to pick it up.

My jaw tightened. Dear God, save me. His ass was facing me.