Control by Ali Parker Page A

glanced down at her before taking the seat to her right.
    "I could do it." The blond frat boy raised his hand. "I mean, if Alexis is busy. I know she's been working on a few new projects and just didn't want her to overdo it."
    "I'm right here." She raised her hand and waved it around, looking far too fucking cute for her own good. No wonder frat boy was tripping over his dick to get her attention.
    "It's your call, of course." Jackson turned his attention to her, and I did as well.
    "Yeah, no worries if you're too busy." I leaned back in my seat and picked up my coffee. "I can traverse the city myself too. I love Seattle."
    "I'll watch over you, Mr. Alexander, and make sure you don't get yourself into trouble." Alexis gave me a cheeky grin, which started the process of my erection rising back up and forcing me to scoot farther under the table.
    She might not let me get myself into trouble, but she sure as fuck was going to do it for me if nothing else.
    Not that I was complaining.

Chapter 11
    Alexis
     
     
    What the fuck was the matter with me? Teasing him in the kitchen and now agreeing to show him around the city for two days? The plan had been to not fall for his tricks again. I wanted to growl out loud, but instead turned my attention to the front of the conference room as a group of executives filled in behind me. I was lucky for the invite at all, and I had the young leadership program to thank for that, or maybe I didn't. Thanks to graduating at the top of my class, I was given a chance to experience a few things at Vandrake that most people would wait twenty years to see. Heather and Tucker were part of the program too, though I had no clue how Tucker had gotten in. I'd accidentally seen his resume and transcript and no fucking way were his grades good enough to have him at the top of his graduating class.
    He was sleeping with someone, or his father had paid off the executive team. Either way, we were stuck with him.
    "All right, Cole. You want to come up here and introduce yourself and explain what we'll be doing for the next few days together?” Jackson clapped his hands and moved back as Cole stood up.
    My eyes moved down the long length of his body, and I was glad to see his erection had calmed down enough not to draw massive amounts of attention. The thick bulge at the front of his slacks did that all on its own. It didn't need much help.
    "You bet." Cole walked to the front of the room, and I couldn't help but notice the way some of the other women around the table watched him. He was beyond gorgeous, but it still irked me that he was more of an object than a person. As if I'd treated him any differently.
    "Welcome! We've heard a lot about you, and I've read all of your books, but seeing you in person is just... wow." One of the board members gave him a warm smile as everyone chuckled and agreed with her comments.
    "Thanks. I'm glad to be here." He rubbed his hands together and glanced around the room as his expression turned from calm to warm and exciting. I couldn't help but be drawn into whatever he was up to. Maybe I did need to read his story. "So tell me this. What do you love most about working here at Vandrake? Be open and honest. It's something I need to understand as we move into the next two days together. Just yell out your response."
    "I feel like a valued contributor," someone commented from the back of the room.
    "I'm given great opportunities." Heather lifted her hand and smiled as I glanced over at her.
    "I enjoy the people."
    "I like the management team. They care about what we have to say."
    "I love the food in the cafeteria and the gym membership." Tucker shrugged as everyone chuckled at him being cheeky.
    "Anyone else?" Cole looked around the room, but didn't seem to be willing to call anyone else out.
    I stayed quiet, not wanting any more attention than I deserved from him. Something inside me was wilting... melting as he continued on with his opening spiel about finding the center of