Stripping For My CEO By Lexi

Chapter 9

I didn’t sleep all night, the bags under my eyes are now a dark shade of purple that not even my concealer was able to hide. I had a headache that was continuously throbbing, I still wasn’t any closer to making a decision, I knew I should tell Carter to go to hell. The idea of that money would really help, it would be a game changer for me.

If it was a one off then I would be… no stop thinking that it’s wrong,

besides with these things its never a one off, there’s always more and what price am I willing to pay for the money?

I sighed smoothing out my clothes trying as if that would. remove my exhaustion. I left my hair down today, I figured it would shield my face and if I was lucky, I could use it to create a curtain so I could sleep in the filling room for 20 minutes.

I walked to work my feet dragging as I made my way to the office, I could hear the birds singing as I went along, a few cars and a bus passed me but there wasn’t much traffic at this time of the morning. As I entered the office switching on all the lights, I entered Jake’s office and started watering the plants when I caught something move from the corner of my eye making me jump.

‘You’re late, his clipped reply came as he continued reading through documents his gaze not even lifting from the page he was on, I looked at the clock seeing that it said 6.55am I knew I wasn’t late, a small frown creased my forehead, what was wrong with him today.

‘Stephanie.’ He called making me jump once more his voice breaking the silence that formed between us, his gaze

flittered to my hand that was holding the watering can, water had poured all over the floor when I turned to look at the clock. He wore as displeased look as I muttered a quick. sorry putting the watering can down and rushing to the kitchen to grab some paper towels.

I rushed back into his office kneeling down so I could mop up the spillage as quickly as possible I heard a sharp in take of breath as I looked over my shoulder, I could see Jake was tugging at his shirt collar, his eyes fixed firmly on the page his eyes unfocused. I turned finishing the clean up as I turned to stand taking the wet paper towels with me.

I stumbled finding Jake now resting against the back of his desk no longer in his seat, I didn’t even hear him move odd. His glare was cold as he looked at me, an emotion flickered across his face as our eyes locked and before I could determine what it was it had gone. His hands gripped the desk he was leaning against, I bite my lip feeling nerves pool in my stomach. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment that frown he always wore disappearing. His face soft he looked s*y as always, but this expression was completely different.

I imagined watching him sleep, his face soft and relaxed whilst he dreamt, his chest bare with a few hairs covering the top as my finger ran through them watching him sleep, it was how I wanted to wake up every morning. I shook my head feeling my cheeks blush as the image of him naked and asleep next to me filled my mind.

His eyes snapped open, his cold expression there once again, he arched a brow looking at me as I just stood there holding the wet paper towels to my chest. I could feel the water had begun to soak my shirt, the cold causing my nipples to

harden, his gaze flickered to my breasts he licked his lips unconsciously before he cleared his throat a deep frown on his face.

‘Get out,’ he whispered, I ran my legs feeling like jelly as I headed to the bathroom, I chucked the wet towels in the bin, I pulled my shirt off quickly holding it under the hand dryer to remove the wet patch that had formed there.

The door burst open, Jake stood there a shocked expression on his face and I used my arms to shield myself from his penetrating gaze, I was in a pink lace balcony bra with silk straps that pushed my breasts up my blue knee length skirt and heels, I moved my hair to shield my naked waist and breasts, after his eyes raked my body he coughed closing the door behind him.

‘Bring me a coffee when your down,’ he called out as the door closed, his voice was deeper than normal, more husky and it sent a delightful shiver down my spine. I finished drying my shirt off before I put it back on, tucking it into my shirt once more.

I headed to the kitchen to make the coffee. My cheeks were a dark red and even after splashing some cold water on them to cool down. I took a sip of my coffee whilst I waited for Jakes to be made, needing dome courage to be able to face him after my boss has seen me in my bra. Should I mention it? Clear the air make it a joke. I picked it up still deciding how I should play this. When I entered his office, he was back to reading, I placed his cup down and he didn’t even turn to look at me.

I raised a brow, okay are we really just going to ignore the

fact that he barged into the lady’s bathroom and see me half naked, in this day and age.

‘Mr. Summers, can we talk about what happened?’ I out on my best professional voice despite feeling mortified with the idea of disusing my boss seeing my bra.

‘Not now Stephanie, I’m busy,’ his jaw clicked, and he was working really hard at concentrating on that piece of paper. I took a sigh and walked out his office slumping into my seat. I rested my head on the desk, it was too early to be dealing with this nonsense.

I could feel my eyes fluttering shut when my phone starts ringing. Great what now.

I look seeing that it’s the rehab center, I still haven’t paid that bill. Jess managed to text me back letting me know she was doing better, so I wasn’t too worried there had been another episode or anything else happening to her for that matter. Jess had mentioned Gabe again I worried that she was getting a little too attached to someone who she may never see again.

My phone stopped and I saw they had left a voicemail. I pressed play holding it to my ear.

‘Miss Bridges, just checking you received you latest invoice, payment will need to be made in 48hours or we may need to look for other arrangements regarding Jessica’s treatments here with us, please give us call to make payment, thank you.’ I recognized Chelsea’s voice that sweet tone that just felt sickly.

There was no way I was going to have the money in that

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time, I hadn’t even asked for an advance on my salary, I would have to say why and that would just lead to more questions. Questions I knew I wouldn’t be able to answer.

A text came in from Karen my landlady asking for an update on payment, telling me she had been more than fair. It was her legal right to kick me out as I was so behind. That headache came back, bit my nails racking my brain trying to think of something. It may not be much, but it was home.

Even if I crashed with one of my friends, I don’t know how long it would take me to get on my feet. I couldn’t ask them to put me up for 6 months or more, it was too much, London was expensive they each had small places, or they shared with roommates already. It’s not like they had space for one more person to be their full time. They didn’t know the extent of my problems and maybe that was my fault, but I didn’t want them to see me as a victim of

circumstance. I just wanted one part of my life to feel normal.

I took out Carter Dic kson’s business card and the sand timer placing it on the desk. I watched the sand trickle through from one side to the other, picking it up and flipping over watching it again.

My chest hurt, but I had made my decision. I didn’t have any options, I was an orphan, alone, on the brink of bankruptcy, homelessness and a sister who was still severely ill.

Picking up my phone I headed to the filling room, no one but me came in here and everyone else would start arriving at the office, I thumbed the business card biting my lip as I entered in the numbers. My heart hammering out of my

chest. It would be fine I could decide what.

The phone began ringing and all I could hear is my racing heart, my palms were sweating. No, I can’t it’s not right, there has to be another option. I was just about to hang up when the ringing stopped, his voice echoing through the phone.

‘I knew you’d call,’ Carters voice cold as ever, my breathing hitches my throat feels like it’s closing, and I can’t speak.

‘What have you decided?’ I wait the weight of my decision coursing through me.

‘I’ll do it,’ I muster out quickly already regretting my decision I hear a dark chuckle.

‘I thought as much, will you spread those legs for me?’ his voice dark and menacing, this is definitely a man I don’t

want to cross.

‘No, the other thing,’ I state sounding much calmer than I feel. I hear a click sensing his displeasure.

‘No matter, that’s just a matter of time, get me what I want by Friday, I’ll transfer half the money now and the other half upon receipt of the goods,’ I breath a sigh of relief knowing I will have some money now.

‘Stephanie, I always get what I want,’ he hangs up before I can respond. I hear my phone ping alerting me a transaction has gone into my account. I open my banking app, seeing £12,000 now sits in there, it’s enough to cover my rent and Jess’s medical bills.

82.05%

Chapter 9

1288 Vouchers

If this is only half the money what exactly is he going to

want.

Another ding on my phone comes through from an unknown number, I open the text.

I want the testimony and details of your key witness by Friday I’ll send you the details of the meeting point.

I feel sick once more what have I done. Another beep with a text from Carter.

One more thing, I look forward to working closely with you Stephanie.