Page 74 of The Grand Duel

Director

Charles Aldridge Ltd

The steak turns to lead in my mouth.

Shit.

It would be incredibly rude to leave mid meal. Surely if he knew I was sat around a table with them, food in mouth, he’d want me to continue.

What if I mess this meeting up for him?

He only now seems to be warming to me.

“You know, Lissie, Charles rarely allows anyone to handle his business,” Mason tells me. “You must be doing a fine job to be here today.”

I smile gratefully at the man, needing that reassurance more than he could ever know. “Thank you.”

All I want to do is please Charles. To make him see that I can do my job and do it well. I spent the entire week reorganising the office, and it looks great, the filing system finally making sense.

“It’s true,” Elliot adds, a little more serious now. “Charlie is a workaholic. You must be doing something right.”

I pause mid-air with my fork. “Charlie?”

“Charles,” Mason corrects.

“Right.Charles.” Elliot stuffs food in his mouth, completely unaware of the way my heart just kickstarted in my chest at the mention of the name.

“You feel so good, Charlie.”

Oh god. I remember the way he grunted and went harder at my words. My insides heat at the thought.

“Charlie boy.”

He liked that. Me calling him Charlie boy.

“Come for me. Come on my cock.”

I blink and swallow, my cheeks warming as I snap back to the now.

And as the world refocuses, I find Mason watching me with nothing but concern on his face. When I snap my eyes to Elliot, feeling caught out, I find that sly smile back in place.

I’m screwed.

“I think if you can, Lissie,” Elliot says. “Getting the man to loosen up is exactly what he needs, and as his friends, should you need our support in doing so, know that we are here to help.”

Right, Charles. My boss. “Yes, thank you. He has his dogs so they must keep him busy on the weekends.”

His dogs. God, I make him sound like a fucking loser.

The doors push open just as I nervously force three fries into my mouth. I twist in the seat, and my eyes widen.

Charles is stood at my back, his face furious. “Lissie. Enjoying my lunch, I see.”

Oh my god. I stand, grabbing my jacket and quickly talking around my food. “Sorry, Mr Aldridge, sir. I-I was already…there’s?—”

“It’s fine.” He holds his hand up to stop me. “Sit down and finish your lunch.”

I frown and twist my head, watching him as he shoots daggers at the two men at my back.