I followed Alexander Lucard's secretary down the corridor towards his office, trying to keep my hands from shaking. Out of all the applicants (and I knew there had been quite a few), I'd been lucky enough to be chosen to work for the wealthy industrialist for the summer. Rumor had it that he didn't particularly like interns, no matter how carefully they were screened.
As the huge glass doors into his office opened, I took a deep breath to steady myself, and stepped inside. The large black furniture was at once elegant and powerful, as if Lucard wanted to establish immediately that he was not someone to be trifled with. I noticed an exercycle in one corner, along with what looked like a small punching bag, and was starting to wonder whether Lucard always worked out in his own office, when I was drawn out of my reverie by the sound of my own name.
"... you're on time," Lucard was saying. "That's a good start."
I stepped forward to shake his outstretched hand, trying to force my heart out of my throat so I could speak. As I shook his cool, slender hand, I managed to say, "it always pays to make a good first impression," and smile. It wasn't easy. He was gorgeous. I tried not to stare at the elegant figure before me, the golden hair cut and styled with perfection, the deep blue eyes giving me an appraising look. His grip was cool and firm, but I had the feeling that he could crush my hand if he wanted to, despite his slim build. He had an aura of power which suggested he was not a man to mess with.
Lucard released my hand, and settled back into the office chair behind his immense desk.
"Um, sir? May I ask what exactly my duties will be? The job description only said that I'd have ample opportunity to observe how the company was run."
Lucard smiled briefly. "You will do whatever needs doing. My assistant, Klaus, is out of town at the moment, and will be gone for at least a week. For the time being, you will take over some of his duties. My secretary will tell you everything you need to know."
I nodded dutifully. "Okay."
The first few days were at once wonderful and terrible. Lucard was as demanding as he was handsome, and although he was very patient with my mistakes, his calm demeanor only added to my embarrassment. "That's quite all right," he would say, his voice soft, "just don't let it happen again," and I'd cringe inwardly. But by the end of the week we were getting along fairly well. Friday I actually managed to get through the entire day without a single mishap, and Lucard seemed to be in a good mood.
By the time the end of the day finally came around, I was exuberant. I walked into Lucard's office, trying not to grin, and asked if there was anything else he'd like me to do before leaving.
"No. You've done quite well today," he said quietly, and I couldn't help beaming. "Tell me, you haven't been up to my castle yet, have you?"
I concentrated on keeping my mouth shut until the impulse to gape at him passed. "Um, no, I haven't."
"Well, then, allow me to invite you to dinner. As a...reward for your hard work."
"I'd...I'd be honored!"
"Is Saturday evening all right? Say, about seven?"
"That'd be great!"
He gave me directions, and I drove home in a daze. Alexander Lucard had invited me over for dinner? ME?? A lowly intern? I spent all day Saturday going through my clothes, trying to pick the perfect outfit (Lucard was always dressed with such perfection that I knew I'd feel underdressed no matter what I wore, but I gave it my best shot). By the time I left, I was almost shaking with excitement.
In the car, I tried to calm myself. It's not like he's professed undying devotion or anything, you goof, it's just dinner, but I couldn't help wishing it was something more than that. You're an intern. He's the CEO. It's not happening. This is just business.
I parked, and found the main doors. A tuxedo-wearing butler opened them for me slowly, and conducted me to a huge room with a roaring fireplace and a table set for two. Lucard was already there, sipping what looked like brandy as he stared thoughtfully into the flames. He turned and looked at me for a long moment before inviting me to sit.
Dinner was fantastic--Lucard employed the finest chef in Europe--and I managed not to say anything profoundly stupid, or make a mess. He was a gracious host, putting me at ease with his anecdotes about dealing with the idiots who ran other businesses, and asking me a few questions about my schooling and background. By the end of the meal, I was perfectly relaxed, and wondering why everyone at school who'd worked with Lucard said he was such a monster. He's actually quite nice, when he wants to be, I realized with a start, and suddenly wished we'd met under different circumstances. If I wasn't working for him... I squelched the thought. Romancing the boss was generally frowned upon, particularly when one was only a college intern.
After dinner, he offered me a tour of the castle which I eagerly accepted. It turned out that he had an extensive art collection. I particularly admired one of his early Van Gogh paintings, which pleased him. "Not everyone appreciates Van Gogh as I do. He had such passion for life, such an intense love of beauty..." he trailed off and looked at me, one eyebrow quirked slightly. "...as do I." His blue eyes held mine for a heartbeat, and then he turned away, leading me further down the corridor.
By the time we got back to the hall where we'd eaten, my head was spinning. My eyes fell on the brandy decanter, and I tried to think of a way to ask for a drink without sounding foolish. As if reading my mind, Lucard poured both of us a little and said, "I probably should not have asked you here this evening, but I wanted to...get to know you better. You have a great deal of business potential, and I'm always looking for... new blood for the company." A smile flickered across his fine lips as he handed me the glass, and our fingers brushed. "Tell me, would you consider coming to Lucard Industries full-time after you graduate?"
"I--I'd love to!" I stammered.
"Good. You've proven to be a quick learner, and a patient and rational thinker, useful qualities in my...business." He stood, and came around the table to lean one hip against it and look down at me. "And I think we may have a position...opening up soon. When do you finish school?"
I swallowed some of the brandy in an effort to calm myself back down, and said, "All I really have left is my examinations, and they're in September. After that, I'm at your disposal."
He nodded. "I think I'd like to bring you into the company now," he said softly, and set his brandy down to cup my chin in one hand.
"Whenever you like," I said softly, gazing into his eyes. Whatever you like, for that matter, I added to myself.
When his mouth curved into a smile, I realized I'd spoken aloud, and blushed. I started to turn away, but he tightened his grip a little on my chin so I couldn't.
Then he kissed me.
When I had time, later, to consider it, I realized that he was not only the best kisser I'd run across, but probably the best I'd ever meet. Those delicate lips caressed mine, gently at first, then more demandingly as I opened my mouth to his exploring tongue. Without releasing me, he stood, drawing me out of my chair as I slid my arms around his waist to draw him closer to me. God, yes, I thought incoherently, this is perfect.
He trailed a line of kisses down to my throat, then paused, and drew back to look at me thoughtfully. "Come."
I followed him down a corridor to his chambers, where he quickly stripped us both, and drew me into the bed. He let me roll him onto his back and take the lead, trailing kisses down to the dark gold curls surrounding his erection. He sighed softly as I drew patterns on it with my tongue, licking ever so gently. When I finally took it in my mouth, he slid his fingers into my hair, exerting only the slightest bit of pressure. I blessed my last boyfriend, who'd taught me how to ignore the gag reflex, and swallowed him until my nose was buried in the hair surrounding the base before pulling back to tease the head with the very tip of my tongue. It didn't take long, repeating that pattern, to drive him nearly to distraction. His hips bucked slightly under me, and I heard him whisper something I didn't understand as he climaxed.
I crawled up the bed beside him, and gave him a grin. He brushed some of my hair out of my face with a gentle hand, and murmured, "I had no idea you were such a ...talented young man." He kissed me, and when I looked at his eyes again, they were as gold as his hair.