Love Meets You (part 1)

2.

                                                                                        * Clover *

Clover once again relaxed in the park, scowling over the fact Mr. Bright hadn't messaged her back. He was the only guy she contacted regularly on the app since she joined. She had decided not to upload her picture on the profile, settling on a random image of an actual four-leaf clover. If the silent treatment stemmed because she didn’t put her t**s on display, screw him.

"Hello again."

She nearly groaned aloud as Bentley sat on the bench. Instead, she plastered a smile on her face. "Hi, Mr. Jarvis."

"Call me Bentley, Clover. You don't work for me." he scanned her, and she flushed under his inspection, "How are you? Still poking away at that phone?"

She sighed, "Where's your lunch?"

He spread his hands, "Can't I be here for the view?"

She wasn't falling for it. There was no way Bentley kept flirting with her for kicks. Did he want to sleep with her? Clover eyed his lips and licked her own. Damn, he was wearing his dark jeans and fitted shirt as if he was doing it a favor.

He caught her checking him out, but she figured if he did it so could she, "Got plans tonight?”

She glanced at the grassy area of the grounds, dodging his curious gaze, "Maybe."

"I saw you last night. It looked like you were avoiding me. You should have come over and said hi."

"I’m sure Mr. Thistle didn’t want the interruption."

"Ah, we were just having a drink. We could have one later."

She gave him a hard stare, "What do you need Bentley?"

He smirked, "Right now? Pizza."

She stood, smoothing her skirt, "I recommend Gino's, a few blocks south. Goodbye."

He jumped to his feet, easily matching her strides, asking, "Mind if I join you? I’m on my way to bug Mason."

"Free country," Clover suddenly realized she was being snappy and rude. If he told Mason it might hurt her job, "I mean, of course."

He chuckled at her sweetened tone, "How do you enjoy working for Mason, Clover?"

"Mr. Thistle is very nice," she truthfully answered.

"Nice, huh? Does he ever keep you late?"

She frowned at his line of questioning, "Not really. Are you here to work with him?"

"Not really," he echoed, "So how about having a beer tonight, Clover? Unless that man you sat with was your boyfriend, which I doubt."

"What do you mean?"

"He’s not your type. Not a guy you should consider."

"How can you tell what type of guy he is or who I should be with?" she indignantly asked.

Bentley ran his warm hand from the top of her arm down to her fingertips, making her jump. "Years of observation. You should be with someone who can't keep his hands off of you."

Clover had never been so happy to see her work building, "I’m busy tonight."

They rode in the elevator, sharing awkward smiles. The Plastic at her station eyes nearly popped out of her head at the sight of Bentley, making Clover hide a laugh. If the hateful woman didn’t pick on her daily, she’d inform her one of her fake eyelashes was falling off but kept her mouth shut.

"Hello, Mr. Jarvis!" Adley voiced f****d him as she rounded Clover's desk, "Please ask if you need anything. Oh, and Clover, Mr. Thistle is expecting an important phone call."

“That’s a nice offer, but I’m sure Clover will tend to my needs. Right, Clover?”

Clover maintained her silence as Bentley winked at her then went down the hall to Mason's office. He was so handsome it annoyed her. She wished she was braver.

Bentley looked like a man who could make her scream in bed.

She sat behind her desk, finding The Plastic had once more left a mess and wanted to slap her. Ten minutes later Mason asked for two coffees. Seemed Bentley was hanging out. Did he know his friend kept hitting on her? Oh s**t, what if he thought she had a habit of picking up men at bars?

As she fiddled with the expensive espresso machine, Clover told herself she was a grown-ass woman and outside of work didn't have to answer to her boss. Maybe it bothered her how dressed down and handsome Mason appeared sitting at the bar and how his eyes had suggested... what? What had been that look he'd given her?

"Here you go Mr. Thistle, Mr. Jarvis," she smiled, delivering the hot as f**k drinks, feeling a slight burn.

Clover brought her fingers to her mouth to cool them, but Bentley discarded his mug, grabbing both her hands to blow on her reddened skin. She flushed, glancing at Mason. He leaned forward behind his desk, his usual full lips set in a tight line. She gazed into Bentley's ocean blue eyes before yanking her arms back at the clear amusement shining in them.

"Are you okay?" The jerk c****d his head.

"Y-Yes," she cleared her throat, "Anything else Mr. Thistle?"

"No, that’s all, Miss McBride."

“Thank you for servicing me, Clover.”

Clover ignored Bentley and closed the door. If he kept it up, she might not keep refusing his advances. He was everything women found hard to resist. She inwardly groaned, rubbing her forehead as arousal coated her panties.

She didn’t know how long Bentley planned on being in the city, but if he continued to flirt, skeptical her resolve to avoid him would last. The guy was gorgeous and a fling wouldn't hurt anyone, right?

                                                                                        * Mason *

"I want her," Bentley groaned, walking to the ceiling-high window to peer down at the city, “Clover could make a grown man beg but she’s utterly clueless. f**k, her ass in those skirts alone might be worth a few boring evenings over dinner.”

He scowled, "Leave her alone, Bentley."

Mason learned of his friends' dark seeded need to break women in college. He helped once or twice until one girl nearly killed herself. They both shared deviant mindsets, but it had been years since he’d indulged in his darker desires.

He didn't understand why Bentley hated women, or rather, why he picked ones who rejected him. The women were typically strong-willed and independent until he burrowed into their minds and bodies, twisting their psyche until they alienated family and friends. When they could no longer function in society, that’s when he’d disappear and the women would either take all the blame or continue to seek him out for guidance. He pitied the few who thought he cared an iota for their well-being.

He liked and even respected Clover. She always had a smile for him. It wasn't fake or forced, as others pretended because of his business or wealth. They had an easy, genuine work relationship. She was kind, funny and so beautiful he’d jerked off to her more than once. With red hair, jade green eyes, and huge t**s, he found himself hard at the worst times, having to hide behind his desk when she was around.

Bentley needed to stay the hell away from Clover. Mason had watched some asshole pawing her at the bar and felt jealousy. He wanted to touch her, taste those lush pink-tinted lips.

He shook his head, "I mean it, man. She's off-limits."

“Then do something!” Bentley shot him a wicked grin, "She uses my app. Is it fate?"

"Don't talk about that s**t, and leave my employees alone," Mason hissed, "She doesn't want me. I'm her boss."

"Make her want you. She's looking for d**k if last night is anything to go by. Why not you?"

Could he simply f**k Clover and move on? Get the forbidden red-haired woman out of his system once and for all? He sat back with a frustrated sigh.

Would one time be enough with Clover McBride?