This is a spin-off of my "Cross Contamination" series of stories. It stars Victor Cross, the seductive mastermind. For a longer story, showing what Victor can do when expending a little more time and effort, check out that series!
...
Grace DeWitt breathed heavily, trying to get a hold of herself.
The tall, powerful man currently holding her close rubbed her back with a soothing hand, his massive palm moving in slow circles as he murmured encouragement.
Grace was finally able to get a grip, pulling away from the handsome older man with a blush and saying "Th-thank you. Thank you so much... Um..."
"Victor," said the confident man with a gentle smile. "Should we shake? It feels a little strange after we've already hugged."
Grace gave a shaky laugh, offering a hand. "Grace," she said, trying her best to relax. "Well Victor, I'm glad that you're here, and it's not just me." The big black man's handshake was warm and firm, but not as crushing as Grace feared. His whole presence was comforting, which is luckily exactly what Grace needed right now. She was a little claustrophobic, and hated elevators, so getting stuck in one was a personal nightmare for her.
Victor sighed and sat down, leaning against one wall. "I'm happy you're here too, Grace. The last time I was stuck in one of these it was hours all by myself."
The thought chilled Grace to the bone. Hours? She began to feel faint again.
"Grace? Are you alright?" she heard Victor say from what sounded like far away. Suddenly, strong arms were holding her again and when she felt better, she was sitting close to the large older man, both sitting on the floor of the elevator.
Grace felt her blush return in full force. It was comforting and felt safe and warm sitting like this with this stranger's big arm slung over her shoulder, pulling her close to his muscled torso, but it wasn't right. Not for a young woman with a fiance. She tried to extract herself, but Victor pulled her closer. "Oh no no no, little lady," he said seriously. "The last thing we need is for you to faint. You're staying right next to me until the technicians figure this out. Let's pass the time by talking." Victor looked down at her from his considerable height and smiled. "I haven't seen you around before. What brings you to the building, Grace?"
Grace sighed and gave up, snuggling in a little closer to the handsome man. He was right that she should try not to faint if she could, and his confident commanding presence was calming. Surely her Fiance would understand why she had to get close like this. Victor smelled nice too, some sort of manly, woody cologne. She should bug Freddy about getting something like this.
"It's my first day at work actually," said Grace ruefully, "My fiance was coming to meet me for lunch to wish me well, that's why I was headed down to the lobby. Where do you work?"
"Cross Advertising," said Victor lightly.
"Wow, me too!" said Grace excitedly. "What's your job? Maybe we'll work together."
"Ceo," said Victor, his eyes amused, his mouth pulling up into a cocky grin.
Grace's mouth fell open as she stared dumbfounded up into the eyes of her boss. Fuck. She had been acting like a scared little girl for the past ten minutes since the elevator stopped. She had sold herself in interviews as a tough, no-nonsense woman who could get the job done. It was a description that she found almost always accurate. And now she had convinced the CEO himself that she was a blushing maiden who needed a big strong man to protect her.
Victor cross stared down into the pretty green eyes of his panicking employee. Grace DeWitt was cute. Very good looking in a wholesome, girl-next-door kind of way, with soft brown hair, a winning smile, and a light dusting of freckles. She had a nice body as well, Victor could feel as he pressed the young woman to his side, with soft curves in all the right places.
Cute, but not exceptional. Victor could have found a comparable woman in five minutes if he tried. But Victor was like a tiger. Once he sensed weakness, the urge to pounce was irresistible. Besides, she was the only woman he had access to, and he was a little bored. That was enough.
Victor threw Grace a lifeline, clearly seeing her sudden discomfort. "Let's discuss something else. What are your hobbies, Grace?"
"Ummmm, well, I... You see Mr. Cross..." said Grace, brain still trying to process the sudden revelation. She had to find some way to increase her stock with this important man after starting out so unimpressive.
Victor put a large finger to her lips, an oddly intimate and dominant gesture, which caused a strange spark of heat in Grace's chest. She looked up at his calm face, her eyes wide. "None of this 'Mr. Cross' stuff, Grace," he said firmly. "We're not in a meeting. I introduced myself as Victor. Let's just be people right now, ok?"
Grace let out a breath. Victor was right. Now wasn't the time to network. Besides, getting to know the CEO on a personal level might be more beneficial than impressing him in a business sense. Grace had always been an ambitious person. She should try to use this opportunity to ingratiate herself.
"I... I like to knit," said Grace slowly. Not the most impressive hobby, but it had the advantage of being genuine.