Chapter 2 - Miss Scarlett Archer

Lucian regarded the vixen in his bed with amused eyes, the tie which he tried to fix forgotten around his neck. Her chocolate brown hair covered part of her eyes, she ran her fingers through it and flipped it to the side.

She looked like a fucking treat right now.

Her body covered by the shirt he wore last night. She left it unbuttoned showing off her tits and that colorful tattoo of a tree and what looked like a cat hanging out beneath it. He wasn't sure. He didn't focus on the tattoo last night. He did focus on pleasuring her until all she could do was scream her love for God.

Apparently.

A chuckle left his lips when she grabbed his tie and took it off him, tossing it aside carelessly. She had other plans this morning and he would have given in. His fingers brushed over her sides, watching her bite her lip in anticipation. The tension between them was palpable. It was a matter of seconds before one of them caved. He was ready to lean in and kiss the vixen but his phone interrupted their little moment.

"Sorry, sweetheart." He whispered to her, giving her a kiss after her little cute whine, "I do have to answer that. How about you get ready and we leave together? Grab a coffee or something?"

She perked up at that, "Really?" She asked.

It was like she expected him to kick her out and never look back. That wasn't him though. He didn't want to feel like he only used her for his own pleasure and then move on to the next one. It felt icky. He couldn't give her much of his time, but a coffee he could do. Who knows maybe they could meet again soon.

He nodded, grabbed his phone from his nightstand and answered it, "Noah, good morning to you."

He smiled when he heard a loud squeal in the background. His nieces were giving his brother a hard time, "I'm struggling a bit today, the girls are being difficult this morning. I might not make the meeting. You'll have to kick it off yourself."

Lucian glanced at the bathroom. He didn't want to disappoint his sweetheart but work came first. He'd take charge, it was expected of him anyway. It sounded like Noah was having an awful morning so there were no complaints from him.

"I got it, say hi to the girls for me."

"I'd prefer it if you came here and did it yourself," Noah muttered.

Lucian grinned, "I'll come over soon."

"You made a promise you can't go back on it now," Noah warned him.

"You can't, uncle Lucian."

His heart melted hearing Liv's voice, "Hello Olivia, I won't break my promise. If I do you and your sisters will get to pick whatever you want to do for one day. We'll go see a movie or something. Whatever you guys want."

"Obviously we'll go to an amusement park," Oliva told him in that high-pitched voice.

She could barely say it, he did hear Noah whisper things to his daughter. His brother was already teaching his daughters to never settle for less. He sat down on the bed and watched as the beautiful vixen got dressed. She looked excited which made it worse. Now he had to ask her if he could see her again. That would make things less awkward.

"Okay, honey. I'll take you girls to an amusement park soon."

"Promise?" Olivia asked.

Lucian couldn't feel weird this morning, couldn't let it settle in his stomach when his niece was being so cute.

"I promise. I have to go now, I have to get to work. Make sure you girls are nice to dad, okay? I need him to help me at the office."

"Okay." He laughed knowing Olivia just said okay without really listening to him, "Bye uncle Lucy."

He ended the call, shaking his head. He could understand Noah having a difficult morning when three girls were chatty and claiming his attention. It was still cute though. He wished he could be there and laugh at his brother trying to be a stern, responsible parent.

"You're actually a nice guy, aren't you?"

Lucian got to his feet and walked up to the sweetheart who now looked more put together, she was still wearing his shirt but she looked lovely, "I try not to be the world's greatest jerk." He placed his hand on her lower back and leaned in, kissing her like he intended to before his brother called, "But you might regret calling me that because I have to cancel the coffee plans we made earlier."

She dropped the towel she used on the messy bed, placed her hands on his chest and gently ran them up. She was definitely feeling him up, he didn't mind though. Pulling away she grabbed the tie she stole from him and moved in close. He was at a loss of words as he watched her fix his tie for him. She put it around him like a pro, she did it even faster than he did. He was impressed.

"How about dinner tonight?" He asked.

The question just left him because she amazed him not by doing some questionable things with him last night but by doing his tie for him in a record of time. He would ask her to marry him if she told him she baked a mean apple pie. He needed to get away from this vixen before mistakes were going to be made.

"Thanks for the tie." He patted the light blue material, "You have mad skills."

She giggled, "I'd love to." She told him referring to his question, "Should I give you my number so you can let me know if you can't make it?"

"Yeah, that would be a good idea." Lucian unlocked his phone, pulled up a new contact and handed his phone to her, "I really do want to have dinner with you but sometimes work gets really crazy."

She focused on tapping away at his phone, "I get it. You're Lucian Starr, I assume a CEO has to do more than just sit at his desk and stare at his computer all day." She handed his phone back, "You are different than I imagined, actually a good guy."

He let his phone drop on the bed and walked up to his walk-in closet, "You thought I was some arrogant guy who picked up young women from bars, used them and then kicked them out the next morning without treating them like actual human beings?"

Lucian grabbed the matching jacket to his black slacks and shrugged it on. He turned around and walked up to the bed, taking the phone she held out to him. She was just so lovely this morning. Not that she wasn't great last night. But he never expected to actually enjoy her company like this. Dawn was a risk he took when he went out for drinks with his too outgoing cousin. It was a Sunday night when he met her, he usually didn't like doing drinks, fuck a woman he just met and then kick her out of his house so he could head to work the next day. He took that risk and he honestly didn't regret it. His cousin would have a field day if he admitted this to him.

"I'll give you some privacy so you can get ready."

"Thank you."

He left Dawn to it, decided to make her a coffee in his kitchen he barely used and just pour the hot liquid in a travel mug so she could take it with her. That was the least he could do for her.

***

"Good morning, Mister Starr."

The sultry look the temptress gave him didn't match her cheerful greeting. She was a complex being and he didn't like having her around. He loved it when people were straightforward, not hiding who they were by playing stupid mind games. One look at the temptress and he knew she was all about hiding who she was by being too sexual. He could tell she would never actually give you what you wanted. She'd lure you in and leave you hanging. That was her game.

"Good morning." He muttered back, not stopping in his tracks once.

"I prepped the conference room, everything is set." She let him know as she followed after him.

Her heels clicked away, letting him know she was right behind him. He pushed the door to his office open and moved to his desk to fire up his laptop.

"Is there anything you need, Mister Starr? Coffee, tea?" She asked.

He glanced at her, "I'm good, thank you, Miss Archer."

She smiled, "Okay. If you need me I'm in the conference room."

He slumped down in his chair once she closed the door behind her. He didn't know what it was about her but she sucked away at his energy. It could be because he was trying hard not to stare at her. Scarlett Archer was a beautiful woman who flaunted what she had. He made sure to only look her in the eyes and never let his eyes wander. That was tiring. He frowned when his phone rang again, he answered it thinking it was Noah.

"So do you regret it?"

He rolled his eyes hearing the teasing tone of his cousin, "You do know I have a company to run, right?"

The deep chuckle which followed made him shake his head. It's not like his cousin could see him anyway.

"It's a yes or no question, Lucy. Doesn't take up much of your precious time."

He hated it when his cousin was right.

"Fine." Lucian muttered, "I don't regret it. I'm hanging up now."

He ended the call and glared at his phone when he received tons of messages of his damn cousin who loved being right. Well, the man just loved making fun of him. He didn't even bother to read his dear cousin's messages. He pocketed his phone and quickly went through his inbox. There were no emergencies at the moment so he could go into that meeting with a clear head. He got to his feet, straightened his jacket and walked out of his office. With quick steps he made his way to the conference room, taking in the sight of Miss Archer being the perfect host.

Someone definitely did her homework over the weekend.

Now he felt like an asshole. He made fun of her, judged her due to her behavior but she was apparently good at her job. He should have known Lara wouldn't hire just anyone. That wasn't the assistant he came to respect and adore. Lara had been amazing. So he should give Miss Archer a chance and not judge her too harshly.

"Mister Starr."

But God, did she have to make his name sound so sinful coming from her lips?

"Miss Archer, I'm impressed."

She flashed him a subtle smile, "I'm aiming for employee of the month, just to let you know." She turned her back to him, swayed her hips from side to side as she made her way to the refreshment table to grab the coffee pot so she could serve the stressed people more caffeine.

He failed miserably, he let his eyes wander.

He made his way to the head of the table and sat down. The others settled down as well. Once everyone was settled with their coffee or tea and they all focused on him he started the meeting. Scarlett quietly left the room and closed the door behind her. After an hour of back and forth discussions which were not settled yet he left the conference room while Scarlett made sure to be the perfect host again and see everyone off.

"Lucian!"

He looked up, raising an eyebrow at his brother who looked out of sorts.

"Noah?" He walked around his desk and leaned against it while he regarded his brother in concern, "What's wrong? Something happen to the girls?"

Noah closed the distance between them and grabbed onto his arms, "Mom is organizing a weekend away at the beach house."

He frowned. Noah made it sound like a trip to hell but he actually liked the weekend away trips to the beach house. It was all about hanging out with the family, cut off from the outside world and just having a quiet, good time. He loved the beach house.

"Okay?"

Noah sighed, pulling away from him, "You don't get it." He murmured.

He really didn't get it.

"So explain yourself, please."

Noah took a deep breath, glancing over his shoulder when a soft knock echoed through the office. Lucian was about to tell Scarlett to give them a minute but when she opened the door and walked in with a cup of tea in hand he knew Noah asked that of her.

"Thanks, Scarlett."

She smiled at him, warmly while she gazed at him with soft eyes. Her whole demeanor around Noah changed. It was like he was looking at a different person. Who was Scarlett Archer really? She was about to walk away but Noah stopped her.

"Scarlett, could you stay for a minute?" He asked.

Scarlett looked conflicted. She probably knew he didn't want her around when they were discussing personal matters but Noah asked and she didn't want to tell his brother no. Scarlett flashed him a subtle smile and walked to the door to close it. She lingered by the door and regarded them with cautious eyes.

"Do you have plans this weekend, Scarlett?" Noah asked.

She shook her head hesitantly, "No, sir."

"I've told you, just call me Noah." His brother smiled at her, "Would you mind if we ask of you to tag along on our trip to our family beach house? There are a few matters we need to settle but we can't say no to family obligations. So it would be like killing two birds with one stone."

"I don't want to offend Mrs. Starr by making it a business trip." She muttered.

"Noah." Lucian finally spoke up, making sure to use his stern 'shut the hell up' voice to make his brother behave, "Miss Archer." He made sure to stress her name like that because she was his employee and nothing more. He disliked how friendly Noah was being with her, "Is right. We don't want to offend mother. We promised her when we go to the beach house we do not discuss work matters there."

Noah ignored him, his focus entirely on Scarlett, "I'll mail you the details later, you can head back to your desk." He held up his cup of tea, "Thank you for this, Scarlett. I really needed it."

Scarlett left his office quietly. Once the door was closed behind her Lucian glared at his brother.

"What the fuck was that?" He demanded to know quietly.

"Mom is inviting the lovely Ellen Pratt and Jenna Pratt over as well. It's a weekend away to play matchmaker and if you want to avoid ending up marrying a woman who mom forced on you, you'll need the lovely Scarlett. She'll be your human shield."

"Fuck!"

Noah nodded, "Yeah, pretty much. You can imagine how I felt when she called me a few minutes ago to ask me to play along."

"I can't do that to Miss Archer. I can't drag her into our family affairs."

Noah who was known as the nice guy of their family could always make cold decisions like that. Despite everyone always thinking that his brother was the sweetheart, his brother could actually be a cold-hearted bastard. He cared only about their family. He was loyal to the bone and most of the time Lucian didn't care that his brother could throw others in front of a bus with a smile on his face but if they did it to Miss Archer they'd be in trouble. She could make their lives a living hell.

"You don't have to lie about the purpose of that trip. You have a lot of things you need to review. I heard the meeting just now resolved nothing. That means you have the final say and need to make the decisions now."

Lucian pointed at him, "How is it possible that you are a father of three?"

Noah pretended to be offended, "Excuse you, I happen to be a very charming man."

"Only to get what you want." He muttered. He then moved back to his desk and sat in his chair, "I can understand now why you and dear Scarlett Archer are besties already. I believe you two have a lot in common."

"Jealous?" Noah asked as he took a seat in the chair before him, "I did notice that dear Scarlett Archer is quite the beauty. The confidence she radiates is very attractive."

"I'm telling Kim." Lucian smiled.

"Whatever, Kimmi gave me permission to look."

Lucian snorted, "Right, that doesn't mean you can turn on the charm and be all up in her space."

Noah leaned back in his chair and casually sipped his tea as if they were talking about the weather, "That was for you. As the older brother, I need to protect you from mom and her attempts to marry you off to her friends' daughters."

Lucian caved because he knew whatever Noah was plotting would be the best defense they had against his mother and the Pratt women. His brother's charming ways and cold-hearted decisions would save him from a weekend trip to hell.