Overworked: An Office Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  Knock. Knock.

  “Come in.”

  I know that knock. It’s Spencer. He always does the same tone when knocking: one hard, one soft.

  “Xane, I have Julia with me.” He enters the room with a woman in tow. “She came to see us on the recommendation of Nicole.”

  Nicole, eh? It’s not often he says something that catches my interest.

  Spencer drops into a seat, thumping hard enough to cause an echo in the room.

  “Man, you need some bean bag chairs or something comfortable.”

  Spencer has made the same comment about the chairs forty-eight times now. He will never understand that my office is for me to work in, not lounge.

  I ignore him, taking in the woman left standing.

  She’s stunning. Dark hair, hazel eyes, and a body that makes my cock twitch involuntarily. I don’t know what it is yet, but there’s something about this woman that piques my interest.

  I stand, waiting for her to sit. Unlike Spencer, I was not born without manners.

  Plus, I want to judge her height compared to mine. It will help me later when I bend her over my desk and fuck her ass.

  Am I being too presumptuous?

  “Nicole sent you here for what, exactly?” I ask as I gesture to an open chair in front of me.

  Julia takes a seat, doing that little move where she smoothes out her ass before sitting down. My cock does another little twitch, thinking about touching it the same way.

  She seems to gather her thoughts before speaking. “I own a travel agency here in the city. I’m interested in your business and the resort you own. It’s a Japanese spa and resort?”

  Pretty basic question. She acts like she didn’t do her homework on me. First impression, and she’s already failing.

  “Yes, it’s a very exclusive, high-end spa and resort. I’m sure that you found that all on our website, along with anything else you needed to know. Is there a reason you’re in my office then?”

  I have no idea why Spencer would bring this woman to see me. Even if she is a friend of Nicole’s, I don’t have time to go over things she can find via online search or brochure.

  “Whoa, bro, chill. Nicole sent her. You remember Nicole, right?” Spencer asks.

  Does he think I’m stupid? Of course I remember Nicole. I watched her getting fucked on the yacht. She’s a hot piece of ass, sure, but I still don’t have time for this.

  Julia doesn’t seem deterred by my standoffish approach, though.

  “I would like to ask you a few more detailed questions about your resort—things that you wouldn’t normally see on a website. What’s the age range of most clients you cater to?”

  She’s lucky she’s easy on the eyes, because what the fuck? Why the hell would I give a shit that she needs information about my company? Spencer could have handled all of this, but she probably interrupted his nap time.

  “Early thirties. Are we done now?” I ask.

  Julia’s eyes darken as she pulls out her phone, taking notes on our conversation.

  The longer she sits there, the more agitated I grow. I should have my dick in my assistant’s mouth right now, but this woman is forcing me to put that on hold. Something I do for no one.

  Julia arches a brow. “Can I see an approval rating for the past six months? And do you have an online tour of the resort on your website?”

  I don’t like sharing this information with others, and I know she can see that on my face. Plus, there’s no need for me to sit here and have a conversation with someone who hasn’t researched anything. Would you want to help someone who isn’t helping themselves?

  Julia scoots to the edge of her seat, smiling, her eyes like those of a slighted but still curious child.

  I tap my pen on the desk, waiting a moment before speaking. If Julia thinks she can get information from to build her business, then she’s wrong.

  I don’t have time for this today. Even my mother must schedule appointments to see me.

  Plus, I need that blowjob even more now. The longer she stares, the harder I get. Those eyes could get dangerous.

  Julia ignores the fact that I keep dismissing her. Her eyes never leave mine, and I’m having a difficult time not using her for what that little body was made for.

  “I have many clients that would like to stay at a resort like yours. Is there anything special that would make it stand out from the rest?” Julia asks.

  What the hell is wrong with this woman? Of course it’s unique!

  I only own the fucking best. I settle for nothing less than perfection. She should know that by looking around my office alone—it’s immaculate!

  This girl has me shaken. That never happens.

  “Special? Of course it is.”

  Julia inches herself up in the chair. She’s waiting to find out what this gem holds that would intrigue her clients. But my instincts also tell me that beyond all this questioning and business shit, this girl is sitting in a puddle over me.

  I know, I know, who could blame her?

  But I don’t have the patience to play these little high school games.

  “Look. I have a meeting with my assistant right about now. If you would like to make an appointment to see me, I am sure she can get you in. Spencer, please show Julia to the front and introduce her to Rachel before sending her to me.”

  Before she can throw me off my game any more than she has, I stand, brush my hands down over my five-thousand-dollar suit, and exit out the side door to my personal washroom.

  This woman has my dick throbbing. I could have fucked her right there, and Spencer would probably even join, but I didn’t.

  I would say I showed a lot of self-control. More than most, don’t you think?

  Chapter 7

  Derek

  “New York City is nothing like home. London is the place that will always hold my heart—though I must say, the birds are quite attractive here in America,” I say with a wink. “Of course, I don’t mean your local fowl.”

  I laugh, and the woman across the desk smiles as she finishes taking down the information I’ve provided. The comely lass here is a journalist doing a piece on entrepreneurs or something. I couldn’t resist the chance to sit down with her lovely smile.

  “You look quite lovely yourself. Would you care to join me for drinks later?” My English accent thickens as I speak—on purpose. I’ve noticed the girls in America just melt over it.

  Of course I see the ring on her finger, but really, when has that stopped me? I love the birds; can’t help myself when there’s a pretty one in my presence.

  She turns me down with a slight blush, and I’m more than gentlemanly enough to let it lie. She leaves promptly after she gets the story about my lodge in Colorado and a few pictures of the office. It seems I am going to be named one of the United Kingdom’s hottest bachelors of the year.

  Again.

  I’m moving towards the door, slipping on the trench coat, when there’s another knock. I assume it’s the reporter again, coming back with a changed mind, but instead, Spencer peeks his head in the door.

  “Hey, dude, I have a friend of Nicole’s here to see you. She already met with Xane, and now it’s your turn.”

  The mention of the name Nicole makes my dick hard instantly. She was getting a serious shagging last I saw her. Quite the little minx, if I do say so myself.

  “Well, bring the lass in. I was just on my way for a bite out, but it can wait for a friend of Nicole’s.”

  One look at this woman, and I know that she is all class. Not like the little tramps that I usually have in for a quick throw—not my favorite, but a hard cock needs taken care of the right way, and American girls like that usually have an idea what they’re doing.

  “Come in then, love. Have a seat. Can I get you a drink?”

  I don’t wait for her to respond before grabbing a pair of glasses, tossing some ice cubes in the bottom of each.

  “Scotch?” I ask, still not waiting for a response. It’s my dri
nk of choice. “I guess I should let you choose, but then again, one could wait all day for a woman to pick.”

  We all laugh at that line. I mean no harm, of course. I planned on going for a rub down during my outing, but my dick’s too hard for that now.

  Spencer amuses himself with the pendulum balls on my desk. He has never been able to come in here without playing with them. I’d buy him one for his office, but that place is in such a state of disarray that they would only get lost in the clutter.

  “Oh, yeah, this is Julia. The friend of Nicole’s.” Spencer never looks up from the small silver balls that are now bouncing from side to side. “She owns some travel agency here in the city. Wants to find out about our resorts and the business.”

  I hand her the drink, still taking in her beauty. I wonder if she notices that I have already undressed her with a single glance.

  “Lass, has anyone told you today how lovely you are?”

  I flirt too much. I’m told that more times than not, but I suppose I’m a geezer who likes the ladies.

  Julia’s cheeks redden when she receives the compliment. “I appreciate it, but I’m here for business, not pleasure.”

  Her voice holds a hint of amusement when she speaks, though. And I think there’s a hint of more than just artificial blush there.

  I sit on the small ledge that frames the window. My view of the city is second to none. I have the best office in the building—but then again, we’ve all claimed that at one time or another.

  The view of Central Park reminds me of home, at least.

  “Spencer, we have a lady here for business, not pleasure. That’s a first, isn’t it?”

  The longer she looks at me, the more I lay on the English charm. American women can’t refuse an accent.

  Julia arches a brow. Her hands are tightening around the handbag in her lap, and between the two of us she’s met so far, I wonder how much longer she can last without a visit to the ladies’ room for more than just a quick powdering of her nose.

  “I’ve visited with Spencer, Xane, and now you. Can you give me some insight as to your resort in Colorado? Tell me something I won’t read online.”

  I’m paying attention to what she says, but who has time for all this business talk when I have a stiff one?

  “Is that what really brings you here, love?” I ask.

  “I’m sorry?” she says.

  “How about I take you out for a bite this evening? Or if it’s your fancy, Spencer could tag along, and we could make it a very interesting evening?”

  She blinks a few times to process my question before shaking her head. “I—”

  “Oops, see what I did there, Spence? Pleasure before work again. My mistake. Do go on, love.”

  Julia sighs, shaking her head.

  “I would like to discuss the baseline age of your clientele.”

  Her voice more assertive. Julia is getting the runaround, and she knows it.

  “Worry lines, they call those,” I say with a smirk. Seeing her face filled with confusion is rather amusing. I’ve always been a bit cheeky.

  I laugh as Julia furrows her brows together, creating a path of worry—and maybe even a little anger.

  “I’m not worried, but it would be nice if you could focus on what I’m here to discuss instead of trying to be Austin Powers!”

  Her voice cracks at the end.

  “Oh, this lass has jokes, does she? Watch out, Derek. She might take your lines,” I say to myself, but I make sure they both hear me. It’s part of the fun.

  I glance over at Spencer to find him clicking away at a game on his phone. Or that’s the image he wants to give off. I know all too well there’s more to him than meets the eye; he’s quite intently sizing this Julia girl up to see what the best course of action is to get her in his bed, screaming and grabbing the sheets like no tomorr—

  “Hahaha!”

  Spencer’s laughter rips through the room, giving both Julia and I a jolt.

  “You guys gotta see this dog!”

  Well, I’ve been wrong before, too.

  “According to my demographics, the average age of the consumer is thirty-two, married, and with children. We have many activities for the younger, as well as the advanced ages. Plus, there is childcare exclusive to our hotel. All bonded, of course.”

  I finally throw her a bone before I take my glass back to the bar and give it the old top off.

  “Good job, Derek ole boy,” I say, clinking my glass with the air in front of me.

  I don’t need to turn to know that both Julia and Spencer are wondering who I’m speaking to. Of course, it’s a habit of mine to praise myself for a job well done.

  Julie takes a sip of the scotch, then stops with a harsh, sputtering cough.

  “Sorry, t-that’s strong. I’m not one to drink, much less in the middle of the afternoon. Er, how often do you visit your own resort again?”

  I bring the bottle over, topping off her glass as well.

  Julia tries to put her hand over the crystal snifter, but she isn’t quick enough. I fill it to the brim with a two-thousand-dollar bottle of aged liquor.

  “What kind of host would I be if I let my guest get parched?” I grin.

  I don’t offer a drink to Spencer. It’s not because I’m rude, but he’s more of a beer drinker, and I wouldn’t want the spirit to go unappreciated. We’ve had this talk more than a few times.

  Julie widens her eyes, looking at the teetering glass at the edge of the desk. I know there’s no way she can drink it all and still carry on a level-headed conversation.

  “So, about that question. How often do you travel to Colorado?”

  Tsk, tsk, much too high-strung. Too many questions leave one much too uptight. A good thrashing in the sheets would surely leave her sitting right.

  At least mentally.

  “Hmm, I bet you could use a trip to Colorado. How about we take my private jet and leave right now? I can only imagine how a ski suit would grip that bum of yours.”

  I smile, my drink held up in a toast to the thought.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. That was quite presumptuous of me, wasn’t it? I just feel like a plane would be a much more suitable place to finish our little meeting.”

  Julia shakes her head, her face telling me no before her words. “No! I’m here for business, and my ‘bum’, well, I don’t know, Derek, can we stay on the right track here? I didn’t come here to be eye candy for a lecher!”

  I shrug my shoulders. This is all a game, and she’s a more than worthy challenger.

  “Derek, you need to work on your end game. Total fail, dude!” Spencer chuckles.

  “Oh, have I? No, I don’t think so. Not in the long run I haven’t.”

  I reach for my coat, flashing the both of them an award-winning smile. I now have just under thirty minutes before my next meeting, and even though it’s a brief one, I need a little relief.

  “Well, if you both excuse me, it’s tea time. You can’t be a proper English bloke without tea, right?”

  Chapter 8

  Julia

  Is this how a thriving business should run?

  I’ve met three of the four men now—and, yes, I will admit they intrigue me—but I’m more in a state of shock than anything. My travel agency would never survive if I did half the things these men do daily.

  Business aside, though…these men are incredibly overwhelming. Things here are so relaxed and yet so fast-paced. It’s almost too much to handle.

  “Spencer,” I say. “If you’ll excuse me a moment, I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  He nods and points me in the direction of the women’s restroom.

  Oh, thank god. A few more minutes and I would have embarrassed myself. I had absolutely no clue what I was going to do, and knowing these guys, they would have just run with it.

  The bathroom is so pristine and so white that it’s almost blinding. There are stalls to the back and a large mirror to the side. I head over there and grip the sink to st
eady my nerves.

  I check the stalls before I start my rant. I need to vocalize how I’m feeling right now. Standing in front of the mirror, I shake my head, feeling like I could cry—but why?

  This isn’t my business. I know I’m doing everything I can to turn my company into the best travel agency in the city, but…

  “What the hell is wrong with these men?” I ask aloud. “This place could be a goldmine, but there’s no organization. Why can’t they focus enough on business and get their minds off their dicks? Is this how people do things these days?”

  I look at the mirror, hands flailing around as I talk to myself.

  I need to get this out of my system before rejoining Spencer.

  That guy especially, oh god. He’s the most out of touch with reality. Who the hell naps while at work?

  And yet…it all seems to work. Every person I’ve seen working here seems to know what they’re doing. They haven’t had a single question asked of them the entire time I’ve been here.

  That alone seems nearly miraculous to me. They’re obviously doing something right, I guess. So why am I so…angry?

  I splash cold water on my face.

  Get a hold of yourself! I scream in my head.

  They’re just guys. Businessmen. Really fucking hot bus—

  STOP IT, JULIA.

  “What am I even doing here?” I ask my reflection. Water drips from my face. Ahhhh, fuck. I have makeup on.

  I stop talking to myself just as one of the office assistants comes in to fix her own makeup.

  She stands next to me, smiling, but doesn’t say a word. That alone makes me uncomfortable. Does she know something I don’t?

  I take her cue and quickly fix my face. Luckily, it wasn’t terrible; waterproof eyeliner is, after all, magical. I gather my things and leave quickly, not wanting to know why she looked at me with a knowing smirk.

  Spencer is waiting for me by the door. He’s going to tour me around the office before I meet the last of the four men.

  “Are you ready?” he asks.

  “As I’ll ever be,” I reply, laughing a little.

  The building is enormous. The spaces are all laid out in a perfect floor plan.

  Derek has a view of Central Park; Spencer has an overlooking view of the city; and Xane…well, I’m not sure about his view. The blinds were closed when I visited him.