Primal Instincts_ Volume 2(8)
Author: Nicole Edwards

 

“I thought you might be able to help me with that. Something creative since I’m here to stay for a few days.”

 

She considered that for a moment. “You’re here to assess the team because it’s new.”

 

“Good idea.”

 

“It’ll give you a chance to speak to each of them individually. Maybe even smooth a few ruffled feathers while you’re at it.”

 

“I can do that.” I met Cheryl’s gaze. “You know she won’t get preferential treatment.”

 

Cheryl chuckled softly. “Oh, yes, she will. It just won’t be the preferential treatment anyone here’s thinking of.”

 

She was referring to Creed’s darker side. While he was exceptional at keeping the two worlds separate, domination came naturally to him. I always assumed that he would stop straddling the line once he found a woman who crossed into both worlds. At that point, the mask would disappear completely. As it was, I’d seen something in him these past few days that I hadn’t seen in the nearly twenty years we’d been friends.

 

“If I’m not mistaken,” Cheryl said, “he might have some competition.”

 

“You mean Hawk?”

 

“The one and only.”

 

“Yeah. I haven’t got the slightest what’s goin’ on with that boy, but it’s somethin’ all right.”

 

“You haven’t spent much time around her, have you?”

 

I shook my head.

 

“I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something about her.”

 

I wasn’t usually one to gossip, but I couldn’t help asking, “You know who her parents are, right?”

 

Cheryl stared at me, and I saw the moment the lightbulb blinked on.

 

“Oh, my…”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Holy shit,” she muttered. “That explains why she looks so familiar. She’s the spitting image of her mother.”

 

“She is,” I agreed.

 

“It surprises me he’s interested.”

 

It had surprised me, too, considering Roman and Ryder Zeplyn were good friends with Creed. Hell, they were good friends with all of us.

 

“He likes to break the rules.”

 

Cheryl chuckled. “He does, yes. And he doesn’t mind obstacles.”

 

I laughed because she was right.

 

“They’ll figure it out. I have faith.” She nodded toward her office. “I should look like I’m doing something productive when they get here. Once all four of them arrive, I’ll announce why you’re here.”

 

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

 

I got back to work, skimming my emails. I didn’t look up again until I heard voices roughly ten minutes later. I glanced over to see who it was, attempting to be casual. That failed ridiculously well. I did a harsh double-take when my addled brain processed what Journey was wearing.

 

For the sake of propriety, I’d say the black blazer and short black skirt were business-appropriate. I doubted a single employee here would claim she wasn’t the epitome of professionalism, albeit with an edge.

 

There was only one problem: the amount of skin she revealed was more than a little distracting. The accessory she’d paired with it wasn’t helping, either.

 

Journey had taken an outfit that usually looked boxy and, for lack of a better word, masculine on most people and turned it into a fantasy in the making. The blazer was long sleeve and formed to her arms and her torso like she’d been poured into it. The bottom hem was ruffled rather than boxy, but it was the short stand-up collar and the deep-V neckline that stopped about an inch below her cleavage that made it a distraction. More specifically, the way the fabric hugged her breasts and the lack of anything beneath that would mar the perfection of her curves, plus the red jeweled bar that connected the two sides across her breasts. It glittered in the light, drawing the eyes, but without it, the jacket would’ve probably gaped wide, increasing the risk of a wardrobe malfunction. There was no way she was wearing a bra. No fucking way.

 

On her feet were a pair of red patent leather stilettos that would make a seasoned stripper proud. Journey didn’t miss a beat, walking in them as though she was familiar with balancing on five-inch heels.

 

She didn’t notice me at first, her attention on Delaney, the woman my team would be working with on the CBD rollout.

 

“Good morning, Garrison,” Delaney chirped when she looked up.

 

“Mornin’.” I managed a nod, my eyes still cataloging every fucking inch of Journey so I could use it for later. For what, I had no clue, but I couldn’t for the life of me take my eyes off the woman.

 

Journey’s head swiveled around, and those rich blue eyes that reminded me of peacock feathers landed on me. A slow smile formed on her glossy red lips.

 

I swear to God, I felt a spark ignite somewhere inside me. I’d be hard-pressed to tell you where it started, but I damn sure knew what its target was because my dick thickened without the slightest provocation. I knew one thing, though, I would no longer question Hawk’s irrational and insistent attraction to this woman. I thought he was fucking insane for getting hung up on her after Creed’s declaration. Now I got it.

 

Jesus fuck.

 

Whatever virus it was, I had just fucking caught it.

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Journey

 

 

I was surprised to see Garrison seated in our area, his laptop in front of him. Granted, he was a very attractive addition to the furniture, but his presence did raise a few questions. None of which I managed to voice because of the way he was looking at me.

 

At least now I knew why Creed said to talk to Garrison if I needed anything while he was gone.

 

“Talk to you later,” I told Delaney, attempting to be casual as I headed for my office, ignoring Garrison’s heated stare boring into my back.

 

I was placing my bag in the bottom drawer of my desk when I glanced up to see him strolling in. As usual, he was wearing a suit that fit his masculine body so well, I found myself envious of his tailor. The suit was khaki, and he’d paired it with a navy blue shirt unbuttoned at the throat. The lack of tie made it casual yet absurdly sexy.