The Laws of Love Read online

  The Laws of Love

  By

  Belle Winters

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

  Copyright © 2016 Shannon Jackson. All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author.

  Version 2016.10.11

  Table of Contents

  Chapter .5

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Chapter .5

  Cassie

  Another boring event. I'm supposed to be here and schmooze all of these rich client assholes where there are a million other things I would rather be doing with my life. You know like watching Dancing with the Stars with a tub of strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Now that's what I call a good time. I lifted my wine glass up to my lips and took a healthy gulp as I nodded to the older geezer bag who was talking while trying not to vomit at the way he was ogling my boobs. I drained my glass and excused myself to the ladies’ room. Did I really have to go? Not even a little bit. Do I feel bad for lying because I was absolutely done with this whole ordeal? Fuck no.

  I walked towards the bathroom and bee lined it to the bar. I sighed in anticipation, I would need at least a few more glasses if I was going to make it through the next couple of hours. I saw a spot at the bar open up and I nearly salivated. I picked up my step and just when I was able to taste my next drink someone cut in front of me. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. I've only been with this job for two weeks and I could tell when the man entered the building. I looked up totally exasperated and locked eyes with the star of my dreams for the last two weeks. Now, let me tell you... the wet dreams of all his holy sexiness are enough to make you yearn for more, but those aren’t the ones that I loved. Oh no. the ones that I live for are the ones when I finally wrap both hands around his neck and strangle the wholly fuck out of him until he turns blue and passes out. Oh yes, I would give anything to kill my egomaniac, rich, annoying, sexy, womanizing, pain in my ass of a boss. Who might you ask could invoke such strong feelings? Drayden Marks.

  I'm a small town gal from this little town in Texas. I was a small girl with big dreams of leaving our little rinky dink town where everyone knew each other and woman were expected to be married and popping out kids at the ripe age of 20 all the while our husbands were either in the higher class - which really is like a lower middle class in the real world - and be an overly high class snob, or he was making ends meet working at a local store or small company. Well that life was never for me. I was a social butterfly which back home made people think I was weird or a fool. I didn’t exactly fit the mold and I damn sure wasn’t planning on being a housewife, which to me when used back home meant slave. You were there to take care of the kids and please your husband. I was smart and I knew it, and that was my only saving grace back home. I just knew I could make something of my life. I would watch TV and scour the internet reading about all of these successful woman around the world. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with family but I didn’t believe my sole purpose was to be there for the pleasure of a man.

  So when I was done with my college degree I packed up my bags and fled to the big city - New York City that is and knew I was going to hop right into one of these big law firms and move my way up. I would show off all of my skills that I learned both independently and from my law degree and I was going to be where I wanted to be in 10 years. Sounds easy enough right? Wrong.

  Looking at the present I am single, living in a studio apartment in a not so good neighborhood. The most action I get is from myself or through my very vivid imagination. Did I mention that with all my thoughts of not wanting to end up being a housewife I steered clear of men back home and the men here steered clear of me. So here I was a 28-year-old virgin working in a third law firm as a damn assistant. At least this time I’m an executive assistant, that should count for something right? Again, wrong! I quit my last job and came here, hopeful yet again only to find that while the pay is better it would only help me catch up on some of my debt and I am still not even close to finding a better place and my new boss is an absolute and complete asshole.

  Yet I digress. I arched an eyebrow in question and he just continued to give me his signature blank stare. He was bossy, broody, and just had such a way with words.

  "What the hell are you doing Cassie?" he hissed. See what I mean? Such a sweetheart.

  "I was walking to the bar until you so rudely injected yourself in my path." Fine, I know that's no way to talk to your boss but the man gets under my skin. I know I’m treading on thin ice but it should mean something that I was ready to jump out of a window on my first damn day. I've seen him fire people for less, but then again I’m only an assistant. I wouldn’t mind taking my old job back anyway.

  "You were rude. Go back and apologize." he demanded. Right, another thing... he doesn’t ask for nothing.

  I threw my hands on my hips and glared at him. "Sorry buddy, but it is not in my job description to have to endure dirty old men drooling on my breast."

  He pinched the bridge of his nose which is one of his tells that he's frustrated. "I should fucking fire you I swear." he muttered.

  I scoffed and began to walk around him but not before I said, "you say that every day and every day you won’t because you don’t have a HR leg to stand on."

  I had my back to him now but I knew he was shaking his head in exasperation. "Pain in my ass." I almost missed him say.

  I chuckled and spun on my heels. "Ditto pal." I said rather loudly. He met my eyes and I pretended to scratch my chin using my middle finger when we both knew I was really flipping him off.

  His eyes narrowed to slits and he stormed off. I laughed at my small victory knowing I was going to pay for it Monday but it was totally worth it.

  I was just picking up my drink when I felt a presence beside me. It was a younger guy with messy brown hair and surprise, surprise… he was talking to my breast. I swear when guys have money they think that makes up for their lack of manners. It’s like why would you even bother giving them so much attention when there isn’t a snowballs chance in hell that you would get any more than that. Put us both out of our misery! You won’t be teased, and I would feel disgusted.

  Unfortunately, I recognized him from the previous social gathering I had to attend and he practically did the same thing. Found me when I was alone and sauntered over to strike up a meaningless conversation. Of course he had to tell me he was Gerald Mavorik’s son and would be taking over the reins of his father’s company someday. Whoop-dee-doo, if I had doggy treats on hand I would’ve threw one at him… of course I would be hoping for him to do a trick like roll over. Anyway his dad was one of our hugest clients at the moment. He owned a worldwide company worth billions and they were currently facing some legal issues. They kept the details of his case under lock and key so even I didn’t know what it was all about, not that I truly cared. They
were both big headed pricks and I hoped they lose. Cruel? Maybe, but come on you would wish it too. However, no matter how I feel about Beavis and Butt head I had to play nice.

  I pulled on my big girl drawers and gave him an award winning smile. No, no it wasn’t that spectacular… trust me. It was just an Oscar worthy performance. I’d pat myself on the back right now – if it wouldn’t be look awkward – for being able to do something besides grimace. “Mr. Mavorik’s, nice seeing you again.”

  “The pleasure is mine… Cassie, right?” he asked. I sighed, see what I mean? Moron. He’s going to pretend he didn’t remember my name when I know he was eavesdropping on a couple of my earlier discussions when it was said more than once. I’ve noticed him hovering around but never approached when I was in a group. Is this supposed to be charming?

  “That’s right. Enjoying yourself?” I asked while I covertly gulped down my drink. He was busy focused elsewhere that he didn’t even notice. Go figure.

  “I am now. I can’t believe this is the first time I saw you all night. You look stunning, I couldn’t help but come over and speak to you. This dress looks amazing on you.” He said.

  Cue the gag reflex. Lies, lies, lies. And I know what he actually meant from that sentence and it wasn’t the dress. A waiter was passing by and I used that as my cue to finish off my drink and turn to place it on the tray. I let my face muscles relax for a couple of seconds. Let me tell you, forcing a smile takes a lot of damn muscle strength.

  “Why thank you. I would love to chat, but I really must use the ladies room. I’ll catch up with you?” I asked giving him a sincere smile this time. Listen, I was about to make my break that shit made me ecstatic. I didn’t give him a chance to respond before I removed myself and began walking across the floor. This time I decided to actually go to the bathroom just in case he waited around. He seemed like the type and that was one of the best hideout spots. As I was walking to the bathroom I saw Drayden across the room with his back turned to me. Check out that ass. Too bad they wasted it by putting it on that brute.

  Drayden

  How in the living hell did I get stuck with that damn girl? To make matters worse I can’t fucking fire her. I can’t lie to myself ever when it comes to my employees, that's one important thing I learned in business. Not just your employees but everyone around you. Learn them, study them, understand them, and never underestimate them. And I know the girl is fucking smart. That's why I can’t pull no bullshit over her eyes to get her out the door. Not to mention since Helen left me everything has been a total nightmare. Helen has been with the company forever. She used to work for my dad and when he retired she stayed along with me. She was the best and she was the only woman in my life besides my mother and sister that can get away with scolding me. She knew the business like the back of her hand and she was like a mother figure to me and kept me from jumping the line. She fucking retired, can you believe that? She decides now her and her husband want to up and start traveling the world leaving me high and dry. It's been three fucking months and I’ve been through 14 assistants, she's the 15th and my dad pretty much put his foot down. He threatened to come out of retirement if I didn’t get my shit together. It's not my fault entirely, I fucked about 7 of them and they all came on to me. They actually had rather had one night with me than work for me. Fine by me, if that was their values I didn’t want them anyway.

  Anyways, I ended up going about 4 weeks with no assistant and some things fell through the cracks and I had to call Helen a few times for help. Word got back to dad and he blew a gasket. Dad decided to take matters into his own hands and with the help of Sheila - my extremely bratty younger sister who was the CFO of the company - picked out a new assistant for me. With his threat looming in the air I knew telling him simply she was satin with an amazing ass and rack it wouldn’t go over well. So for the past couple of weeks I refrained from tossing her out on her ass.

  When I caught sight of that yellow dress hugging her in all the right places I frowned. I realized then I had been scanning the crowd for her and once I had her in my sight my eyes refused to move. There was a younger guy who seemed somewhat familiar, but I couldn’t catch a full glimpse of his face, talking to her and when she turned to give her empty glass to a waiter I saw him check out her ass and practically salivate. I couldn’t blame the guy, not one bit. I laughed inside at the irony, if only he knew what the hell he was getting himself into he would run fast and far. The girl was looney, out of her fucking mind. I've never had an assistant, hell an employee that talks to me the way she does. It was then my resolve was cemented. I'd show her the real me, the CEO. What she's seen so far is child's play. I wouldn’t have to fire her, she's going to quit and I knew for sure I could do it in a week. I've seen far more menacing people cower away when I was done. She was no exception. Besides, my father couldn’t really blame me if she left of her own free will now could he? The thought brightened me and I turned back to the gentlemen talking in front me. For the first time in weeks I let out a genuine smile.

  Chapter 1

  Cassie

  Monday mornings sucked ass. I was up all damn night on Friday because of that party and then I spent the rest of the weekend with Amy and Laura, my two best friends. My friend Amy was a kind and gentle thing, and she was crying her eyes out about yet another guy that fucked her over. It sucked because she was a gorgeous girl and out of all of us she truly deserved happiness. She was the girl that in her free time went to shelters and helped with abandoned animals, she was like a modern day mother Theresa. While I just had no luck whatsoever in the men department, my friend Laura was like a rocker chick. She dressed and did whatever she wanted and she had a never ending streamline of guys. She never actually dated, she took what she wanted from them and dropped them like a bad habit. She was no nonsense and had little to no tolerance for idiocy or bullshit, unless of course it came from us. Listen, once in a while a girl needs to just let it out.

  I hauled ass to work knowing that Monday's Mr. Bossy was extra grumpy. This was the worst day to be late because he'd be a huge pain in my ass for the next ten hours. I dropped my stuff down on my desk and plopped into my seat as I booted up the computer. I checked the time and it was 6:25 and I smiled. I was five minutes early, take that sucker! I was just getting to his emails and calendar when I heard a throat clear and I looked up.

  Drayden loomed over my desk in his dark grey suit that I’m sure was tailored like the rest. He had on grey shirt and a burgundy tie... yummy. "Yes?" I asked.

  "Nice to see you on time for once." he started for his office and threw over his shoulder, "and bring me my coffee in five." with that he slammed the door shut behind him.

  We were the only two on the floor although up here, there was only two other offices and it was usually mostly vacant. I flipped his door off and got back to what I was doing. I had already stopped at Starbucks on my way in and grabbed me a large vanilla latte. I smirked as I picked it up and began drinking it as I continued with my work. I forgot all about him as I got absorbed in reorganizing his calendar as well as returning and filing emails with clients.

  My phone rang and I picked up without looking, "Mark's Law and Attorney, Drayden’s office."

  A deep voice rumbled on the other end of the phone. "Where's my coffee Cassie? I said five minutes not thirty."

  I removed the phone from my ear and looked at it. When I was sure I wasn’t hallucinating I put the phone back to my ear. "I can tell time quite well actually."

  "Coffee." he demanded.

  I smiled. "No." and hung up just as I heard his voice again.

  I sighed I knew it wouldn’t be long before he - never mind here he comes. "What do you mean no?" he asked walking up to my desk.

  "I'm sure it's pretty self-explanatory, but I can go into detail about the definition of the word if that's what you need. However, as a CEO, and from working here for the past couple of weeks I’m sure you're more than familiar with the word."

  "Do you like your job?
" he asked and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  "Yes" I admitted but finished the sentence in my head, "but not you."

  "What was that?" he asked, eyes narrowing. My eyes went wide, shit I think I said that out loud.

  "What do you need? I'm busy here." I said gesturing to the computer.

  "You work for me, are you aware of that?" he asked.

  I nodded slowly. "Yes, I’m quite clear on where I work and whom I work for."

  He placed both hands flat on my desk and leaned down. "Then that means that I am the boss here, not you. I asked you to grab my coffee and did you?" he asked.

  I felt my anger rising. This obnoxious asshole. I put down my coffee and leaned forward meeting him halfway. "No, you didn’t. You told me to ‘get your coffee' and last time I checked that was not on my list of things to do. Maybe if you would’ve asked nicely then I would’ve considered it..." His eyebrow arched in challenge and I shrugged before leaning back to recline in my seat. "Maybe not." I said as I crossed my arms.

  He smiled and stood. "You already did." he snatched my coffee and bee lined back to his office.

  I fumbled out of my seat to try to get it back but he made it in office right before I got there. Just as I went to turn the handle I heard the lock click in place. He had transitioning glass walls to his office but right now they were clear. He only darkened them for meetings, and what I could only assume as rendezvous when his sluts visited. Did I mention he was the utmost professional? I watched as he sat in his seat and raised my cup to take a long sip. I knocked on the window and he took his time looking up. When I had his attention, I flipped him off with both fingers and stomped back to my desk. I could’ve sworn I heard him chuckle, but the man didn’t have a death wish.

  Drayden

  Fine, I know it was childish but she's pushing my buttons. The girl needs to put over a knee and spanked until her ass turns beet red and I wouldn’t mind being the one to discipline her. Not that I had any personal interest in the matters. Her coffee was gross, all sweet and shit and I preferred mine black. It's not coffee when you need to add in a bunch of sugar and crap to it to make it taste like something else. Did I want to drink this shit? Absolutely not. Did I? Fuck yea. And the reason was looking me right in the face with both middle fingers sticking up at me. I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at her to further the taunt. Her watching me drink her coffee was entertainment enough. I swear I could see the steam coming out of her ears. I laughed as she stomped off, this was going to be almost too easy.