Power Games

by Roxy Martin

Genres: Erotic & Steamy Romance

Synopsis

An Xcite Books collection of five erotic stories with mixed themes including m/f, m/m and BDSM. Power Games by Roxy Martin Sexy Vincent Carlton calls Kirsten's boyfriend into the office with free tickets to the theatre, Chris is oblivious to the price he will have to pay for them. Kirsten though, isn't so dumb; with Chris away, she asks Vincent what he thinks he's doing. Vincent confesses he is planting the seeds for his desires, but he doesn't just want to have sex with her, he wants it all. Kirsten realises it's a power game, and with a boyfriend with whom satisfaction is never guaranteed, she decides that she is going to be the one in charge. Box by Elise Hepner It probably wasn't prudent for a corporate executive who works in the upper floors of a skyscraper to be afraid of elevators. But Lanie Fox did have kick-ass legs. When Charlie Wright, a sarcastic, sinfully sexy coworker, corners her after an awful meeting she's determined to prove him wrong about her crippling fear inside the death trap. His promise to distract her involves more than his annoying commentary. In fact, his tongue isn't doing a whole lot of talking. But they manage to find many uses for it - and Lanie's fear melts away in lieu of his less than conversational convincing. The Ties of Friendship by L.A. Fields Julio and Chris share a perfect balance in sex, work and home life - but Julio's sure Chris is sleeping with someone else in the office. When that someone engages Chris in a kinky bondage game that involves a tie Julio bought him, business and pleasure will never be the same again. Striking a Balance by Marlene Yong Amy has a problem. A successful executive, she is conscious of something lacking in her existence. When another member of the staff loses some vital information, she sees a way to fill the gap. But what are the risks? And into what unknown, possibly dangerous, territory would she be embarking? Sassafraz is Burning by Giselle Renarde When celebrity hot spot Sassafraz catches fire, the entire office watches it burn from their lofty glass tower. The event silences everyone, and reminds Isobel that anything can happen at any time. If Sassafraz can burn, so can she. In all her life, she's only slept with one man. If the end came tomorrow, she'd regret not making a move on Ahmed, her co-worker crush. The fire says, 'Do it now!' and Isobel listens. These stories have also been published in Corporate Affairs

Release date: January 3, 2013

Publisher: Accent Press

Print pages: 53

Sample

Power Gamesby Roxy Martin

Many romances start at the workplace, don’t they? And that’s exactly what happened with me and Chris. One day we found ourselves standing by the vending machine; I dropped a coin, and he picked it up. His fingers brushed mine and he asked if I would like to go out for lunch with him.

So, we went out for lunch, and the following night we went out for dinner. Two months later, he moved into my apartment. It seemed silly not to; he came home with me nearly every evening and stayed every weekend.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I don’t enjoy going to bed with Chris, but let’s just say it has become a little predictable. We’ve done all the usual couple-stuff, a little bit of role-play and sex toys, but, well, it’s kind of boring now, and probably why I am sitting at my desk, doodling on a memo pad.

‘Kirsten?’

I look up to see that Chris is talking to me. He looks, I notice, a little flustered. ‘Are you OK?’

‘I’ve just been in to see Vincent. He wants to see you now.’

Vincent Carlton came to our office from one in Manchester. I know his arrival ruffled a few feathers, but he has settled down and been accepted by all, though he has a reputation of being a man of few words. Vincent is a man of action.

‘In his office?’

Chris nods.

‘Have I done something wrong?’ I question as I get up from my chair and glance toward the private office.

‘You’ll be fine.’ Chris touches my hand.

I wonder why Vincent wants to see me. A few heads look up; eyes follow me discreetly as I head for his office door. I knock. He tells me to come in.

‘Sit down, please.’

My palms are a little sweaty; I feel stupidly nervous. I glance back toward the door. I can’t think of anything I could have done wrong, of any reason why I could have been summoned. Has he found fault with my work?

‘I couldn’t help but notice you seem a little distracted this afternoon.’

Colour flushes my face. I’ve been caught out. I really shouldn’t sit doodling, thinking about my lacklustre love life when I should be working! ‘Err, well, I suppose –’

‘It’s OK, Kirsten.’ He cuts me short. He stares at me rather intently from the other side of his desk. His eyes are very blue. Dark blue. His fingers are steepled under his chin. ‘I just wanted to talk to you. You’re happy in your work, yes?’

I nod. ‘Yes, yes, I am very happy.’

‘And your home life?’

I frown, I feel my brow furrow, and I bite back the question of what business it is of his to ask such a thing.

‘Please, don’t look so concerned. You and Chris? You’re together?’

I nod.

‘Been together long?’

‘A year,’ I reply.

‘I see.’

‘Can I ask what has this got to do with my job?’

He sits back, holds his hands out. He looks at me coyly. ‘Sorry, did I give the impression that it did?’

‘Well, we’re at work in your office and you’re asking me rather personal questions.’

He continues to stare, then shakes his head. ‘Kirsten, when I see members of my staff looking as – well, can I say as sad as you have this afternoon? I like to see if I can help them, that’s all. Not very good for morale, having someone looking so down in the mouth.’

I move my chair back a bit, make to get out of it. ‘Well, everything is fine, thank you. I’ll try to be a lot more smiley. Can I go now?’

He nods toward the door. ‘Sure. Chris is out there waiting for you. Why don’t the two of you head off now?’

‘There’s another hour to go until we knock off.’

‘He needs to take you now.’ Vincent looks down at some papers on his desk, dismissing me without eye contact. ‘Off you go, you have my permission.’

I leave his office, frowning again, having no idea what is going on, but as I close the door behind me, I see that Chris is still by my desk, his jacket over his arm.

‘What’s happening?’ I question in a quiet voice.

‘A gift horse, and all that. Come on, grab your coat, we’ve pulled.’

‘I –’ I glance down at my computer.

‘All shut down, I’ve seen to it.’

‘Oh right,’ I reply, as Chris drops a hand to the small of my back and encourages me out into the corridor. ‘Where are we going?’

‘We’re going to see a show!’

I stop walking. ‘Sorry?’

‘You’ve always wanted to go, haven’t you? Well, Vincent said he has tickets but his wife couldn’t make it, so he offered them to me. Short notice, but hey!’

‘Chris, we can’t afford a treat like this, we’re meant to be saving for our holiday.’

‘He didn’t want anything for them!’

‘He just gave them to you? For nothing?’

Chris nods.

I stand, hesitant. Torn. ‘Oh Chris, don’t you see there has to be a catch.’

‘No catch. Come on, dinner is thrown in too.’

‘Dinner?’

‘Well, you know, one of those pre-show supper things. We just have time to get home and change and then we need to get the Tube.’

‘What? No limo booked?’ I cross my arms. ‘Not sure that I want to go if there isn’t a limo involved.’

‘You’re funny!’ Chris gives my hand a quick kiss, then pulls me toward the bus stop.

The next morning my gaze is drawn toward Vincent’s office, even though he isn’t. . .