~ Can't Buy My Love ~
by Katia N. Ruiz
passionatetyger@aol.com
Copyright 2004
Disclaimers: see part one.
***Two chapters this week, just because everyone's been so patient. PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think of them. I beg of you!
***Hello, this is the reason I finally decided to shorten the disclaimer, I want to try a hand at putting lyrics of a song in the beginning, which probably won't work out ::laughs::, but I'll guess I'll give it a try. PLEASE LEMME KNOW IF THE LYRICS GO WITH SONG… J THANKS!
"Yours for the taking
Take me as I am"
By Amy Correia ("Carnival Love")
THIS IS A LITTLE OF WHAT WENT ON LAST WEEK…
Oksana ran a hand through her hair. "Thanks," she said nervously, risking a glance at Kat's breasts. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the erect nipples, and she had to fight against the impulse to reach out and grab a breast, as she would have done months ago. That move wouldn't be appreciated. Kat was a woman to treat with respect or she'd clobber anyone who didn't know that; Oksana had witnessed that first hand. I have to get away from her. "Um, I- I have to go inside."
Kat nodded, turning her eyes away. Get a hold of yourself! She mentally yelled at herself. Don't you dare be attracted to this woman! But it was too late; Kat had been attracted to Oksana, despite her atrocious attitude, since before she had even left for University. She fought the urge to watch Oksana all the way into the house, quickly walking away towards the back of the house.
And this week…
Chapter Seventeen
Rhina's eyes widened as Oksana walked into her shop, and she couldn't stop staring. God, can she get any sexier? She thought, almost forgetting that she was supposed to be angry with the other woman. Shit. She composed herself and frowned.
"Hey," Oksana said, ignoring Rhina's glare. She knew she'd have to put up with a lot of frowns and glares for a long time to come, until people realized that she was turning a new leaf. She had brought this onto herself, and she had to face the consequences of her actions. "I'm here to-"
"I know what you're here for!" Rhina snapped, forcing herself not to look at Oksana as she walked to a set of garment bags and fingering them before picking them up. If it was possible, Oksana looked even better with the new haircut. "I need you to try them out, so I can make sure that their fit is perfect."
Oksana nodded. Just remember you deserve her anger, Oksana. She told herself, following the tailor into the change room.
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She smells so good. Rhina thought dreamily, staring hungrily at the back of Oksana's neck. Her hands were frozen at Oksana's lower back, fingers pulling slightly at the back of the suit jacket. This particular jacket needed a small adjustment at the lower back, and Rhina had to stand very close to the Oksana to study the error. Rhina was a little taken aback by Oksana's knew attitude. She had known Oksana as a very talkative seductress, and she found that new quiet attitude was even sexier on the blonde.
Rhina had to shake herself out of her aroused stupor; she took a deep breath, trying to get herself together. "I can have this one ready tomorrow morning." Rhina said hoarsely, clearing her throat as she pulled the suit off Oksana's shoulders. "You can pick it up or I could have it sent to you."
Oksana was completely aware of the change in the tailor's voice, and felt a shiver in her spine at the sound. Her sex was already clenching at the other woman's closeness and her hands were clenched at her side as she fought for control. All she had to do was turn around and pull Rhina close, aware that she could get away with it now that Rhina's attraction had overridden her anger. It would be over in minutes. She watched the other woman hang the jacket on the hanger, her hands shaking. "You can have it sent to the house." Oksana said, looking away. She moved towards the changing booth, undoing the buttons of her slacks.
Against her better judgment, Rhina followed Oksana into the booth. Ignoring the blonde's surprised expression, Rhina hurled herself at her, latching her lips onto hers and spearing her tongue into her hot mouth. Rhina moaned deep in her throat when she felt Oksana's tongue take control of the kiss, her strong arms squeezing Rhina's waist against hers. Oksana's labored breath against her cheek was turning her even more, and she leaned back, pulling the other woman against her as she rested against the wall.
Oksana clenched her eyes closed, inhaling deeply as she slipped her leg between the other woman's legs and felt her heat through their clothes. She smells like Kat, Oksana thought, inhaling deeply again and kissing Rhina harder and drawing a long moan her. There's something different about her smell, though.
Pulling her mouth away, Rhina looked up at Oksana's face, feeling her excitement grow at the expression on the other woman's face. Oksana looked like she was about to attack her, and Rhina shivered in anticipation. "I want you to fuck me…" She whispered, rubbing her crotch against Oksana's thigh.
Oksana groaned with more urgency, thrusting her crotch against Rhina's hip, on the verge of release.
Rhina pushed back against Oksana's crotch, riding the muscled thigh as she felt her own orgasm approaching. She brought a hand between their bodies and slipped it under Oksana's slacks and underwear, not stopping until she reached wetness.
Shit, what am I doing? Oksana groaned as she yanked herself away from Rhina, trembling as she stumbled over to her discarded jeans. She discarded her slacks and quickly donned her jeans.
Rhina scowled as she watched the shaking woman's jerky movements, bewildered. Oksana had never pulled away from sex; Rhina knew this from experience. "What the hell is going on?"
Oksana slipped into her boots, keeping her eyes downcast. "I have to go." She said, continuing to fix her clothes. She couldn't get her breath under control, and her crotch was throbbing for release.
"Is it your grandfather?" Rhina demanded, pissed off. It felt very strange to be turned down by Oksana. She could tell the blonde wanted it; her shaking hands and harsh breathing were evidence of the fact. "He doesn't have to know, Oksana. I know you want it."
Oksana left the room, Rhina hot on her heels, and headed for the garment bags hanging outside the door of the room. She unhooked them and threw them over her arm, heading for the front door.
"You can't just leave me like this!" Rhina whined. Oksana froze for a long moment, giving Rhina hope that she would turn back and kick her celibacy to the curb.
Oksana swallowed hard, clenching her jaw against the temptation to turn around and give in. She looked down at her hand, which had a white-knuckled grip on the doorknob and made her decision. Her hand relaxed as she said: "Please have the suit delivered to my grandfather's house." With that, she was gone, leaving a nearly irate Rhina to curse her existence.
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"You don't know how happy I am that you're home!"
"Stop it, dad! You know how much I hate it when you're all over my ass like that!"
"You've been living in the city for too long, Dena. You're beginning to sound like one of those thugs."
"Just stop fawning!" Dena snapped, throwing herself down onto the couch. She yawned.
"I'm just very happy to have you back home." Her father smiled despite her attitude. She was his little girl and could do no wrong.
"Yeah, yeah." Dena rolled her eyes.
"So you're moving back?" At her nod, Mark Perez-Sosa beamed even more. "That's great! What happened to your old job?"
"I got tired of it." Dena wasn't about to admit that the drama Kat had gotten her into got her fired. Kat was going to suffer when Dena got her revenge into motion.
"Well, there's no problem. We all get bored from time to time." Mark said indulgently. "And I could use some new blood in the company, if you want."
Dena shrugged, not caring to go back to work for the time being. "We'll see." She said around another yawn. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted."
"Okay, I'll have Luca bring your stuff up to your room before you go to bed."
"Fine, make him hurry." Dena said, leaving her father smiling after her.
Chapter Eighteen
Since she still had a half-hour to kill, Kat decided to head into the cafeteria. Cold orange juice seemed like a very good idea. She smiled at Domingo when he waved at her and joined him after picking up her juice. She noticed his extremely worried expression and frowned. "What's going on?"
"Today is my meeting with Mr. Ivanov and his granddaughter." Domingo said, wringing his hands.
"Oh, you have nothing to worry about, I'm sure." She replied.
"I know, but I'm still scared." Domingo said, looking to his friend for reassurance. If anyone could know anything, it would probably be Kat. "You don't know anything?"
Kat shook her head. "Nothing at all," She said, shaking her head. "I've been so busy with work and the house that I really haven't spoken with Mr. Ivanov."
Domingo sighed disappointedly, leaning back on his chair. It creaked threateningly until he settled his big frame. He could feel the sweat beading on his forehead.
Kat watched the sweat beads form. "Hey, Domingo, what ever it is, I'm sure you'll be fine. Stop worrying before you give yourself a heart attack, okay?" She reached over and patted his massive hand.
"That's what Millie says too." The large man said.
"Your wife is a smart woman," Kat grinned at him. "Everyone here knows you're good at what you do, and more. I'm sure Mr. Ivanov does too."
"I guess I'll find out soon enough. Domingo said after a long moment, a tentative smile softening his features.
"And you'll call me as soon as you know the deal, okay?" Kat said, only half joking.
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Oskar watched, as once again, Oksana ran both hands over her head, sending her hair all over the place. She was pacing her new office, barely taking in its plush interior, as they waited for the nine o'clock hour, when Larry Torres, their first appointment of the day, would arrive. She had been so nervous when they arrived, that she'd never noticed the new gold nameplate at the door. But even as nervous as Oksana was, Oskar was proud.
She looked every bit the businesswoman she was to become. There was one reason Oskar still hired Rhina Rojas, even when he knew she hated Oksana's guts, and it was because Rhina was an incredibly talented tailor and seamstress. Oksana's suit fit her beautifully. The blue jacket tapered from her shoulders to her waist in a perfect V and her slacks hung just right from her waist, the right length so that they didn't hang too baggy over complimenting brown shoes. Oskar knew that when they went on their tour of the offices later this morning, many of the women would be staring at her.
"Nervous?" Oskar asked.
Oksana shrugged. "I don't like having to fire someone on my first day." She said, stopping in front of him.
"You must remember that he has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from our company." Oskar said.
"I know," Oksana said, sighing. "But he could have needed the money for his family or something important like that."
Oskar smiled. They'd been having this conversation on and off for weeks. "It does not excuse his actions. In addition, the money has been in his account from the first withdrawal, gaining interest. It was not for his family. Alright?"
Oksana was about to reply when there was a knock on her office door. Oskar's old secretary, who was now Oksana's, poked her head in. "Mr. Ivanov, Ms. Ivanov," She glared at Oksana. "Mr. Torres is here."
Oskar looked pointedly at Oksana, who had a wide-eyed startled look on her face.
"Um," She said, running her hand through her hair. "Give us exactly five minutes, Ms. Irving, and then send him in."
"Sure," Jayne Irving said tersely, closing the door.
Oksana turned back to her grandfather. "She's going to be my secretary?" At her grandfather's smirk and nod, she pointed at the door. "Papa! You know she hates me!"
Oskar could not hold back a chuckle. "She has witnessed plenty of your indiscretions in the office, including those with her own daughter. You cannot blame her." He said, chuckling once again. "You will have to earn her respect."
"I'm her boss!" Oksana protested.
"Who until just a few months ago, ran about town as if women were candy to be tasted at any chance." There was a knock on the door once again. "Let us get this over with."
Oksana took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Buck up, you wimp, She told herself. "Come in."
Larry Torres, a very handsome forty-something man, stepped into Oksana's office like he owned it, a smug smile on his face and coldness in his hazel eyes. "Mr. Ivanov, good to have you back." He said in a booming voice, completely ignoring Oksana. He extended his hand towards Oskar for a handshake, his smile fading when Oskar ignored his attempt at ass kissing.
Oskar resisted the urge to berate the snake of a man standing before him, but this was Oksana's show. If he wanted her to gain her employees' respect, he would have to take the back seat when it came to Ivanov Enterprises. He looked over at Oksana, lifting bushy white eyebrows.
Oksana was still bristling at Torres' pointed snub. "Have a seat, Mr. Torres." She said, her voice even. Any guilt she had felt at firing someone was swept way by her anger.
Larry straightened up, adjusting his very expensive jacket as he walked over to the chair in front of the desk, sitting down, careful to not wrinkle his clothes. "How can I help you, Mr. Ivanov?" He asked, sparing the barest of glances for Oksana. I'm not going to take orders from this little girl.
Oskar had had enough. "Did you read the nameplate outside, Mr. Torres?" He asked coldly, his tone bringing the arrogant man down a notch.
Larry shifted slightly, clearing his throat, suddenly uncomfortable. "I did, sir." He admitted, looking over at Oksana, who was now behind the large desk, flipping through a folder.
Oskar smiled. "My granddaughter now owns fifty percent of my estate, which includes this company," He said threateningly. "Show her the appropriate respect."
"Yes, sir." Larry sputtered, his eyes wide with surprise. Fifty percent?
Oksana put the file down, closing it softly. She looked at him for a long time, her eyes unreadable. She watched him fidget. "You've been with Ivanov for about seven years?" She asked after a long time.
Larry frowned; obviously the folder had been his personnel file. "I have."
"You were initially in charge of accounting for Office Administration? Part of your job as Assistant Head of Office Administration included keeping the books in order and making sure that materials are ordered?" She continued, growing more confident as the arrogant man began to show signs of confusion.
"It's all in my file." He said, on the verge of sounding snide.
Oksana chuckled. "It is." She acknowledged. "I just wanted to make sure I was getting it right."
Oskar stifled a chuckle as he watched Larry bristle at her teasing tone, increasingly impressed with Oksana.
"So, when you were promoted, you continued doing the same job?"
Larry began shifting again, fixing his tie with jerky movements. "Domingo Quinonez does the day to day things."
"Isn't he a certified accountant, just like you?" Oksana asked, her eyes fixed on Larry's face. At Larry's nod, she said: "Which means he could have taken over the accounting of OA without a problem."
She should have been a lawyer. Oskar thought proudly, his eyes intently watching the man's face grow increasingly pale.
It finally occurred to Larry that maybe he'd been found out. "I have my way of doing things, he would have only gotten confused."
"I'm going to get to the point," She said evenly. She didn't need to look at any notes as she recited numbers from memory. "In 'fifteen, you stole only a small amount of cash; pennies really, to the company, but it did amount to several thousand dollars. As the years went by, and no one noticed, -this is a very large company after all, - the cash amounts became larger, and more frequent."
"I can't believe you would accuse me-" Larry began, standing up and fixing his jacket once again.
"You know, Larry," Oksana interrupted him, her voice hard. "We would probably never have found out about your little withdrawals, but Papa is very thorough and he wanted to show me every little detail about the company. It just so happens that math is my strongest subject, and I can pick up the minutest inconsistencies."
Larry dropped his head, clenching his eyes closed. "You don't know what you're talking about, little girl." He growled, his fists clenching too.
"Oh?" Oksana straightened up, her tone mocking. It was obvious to Oskar that she was enjoying herself. "We had all the departments audited, just to make sure that there weren't any more mistakes. Yours was the only department with such a problem. The money was tracked to your account, so there is no use in denying it."
Larry didn't reply; he was too busy feeling like his world was crumbling. They'll bury me in jail.
Oksana sat down on her chair and relaxed, enjoying the upper hand. "I'm not going to pursue prosecution," She finally said, smirking slightly when his head shot up, his eyes wide in surprise. "You have fifteen minutes to pack your stuff and leave this building."
"What- but-" Larry sputtered, shocked.
"I'll have security escort you. Have a good day, Mr. Torres." Oksana dialed the security desk number, ignoring him.
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Domingo offered his hand to both Oskar and Oksana; they both shook his hand, smiles on their faces. Judging by Larry's angry departure, Domingo figured that they had fired Larry, and he wondered if he was next in line to go. Maybe she's making some changes. He thought, his heart pounding.
"The position of Head of Office Administration is now open," Oksana began. "And I know you've been doing that job for the past five years, so you know what it entails. From what we can tell, you do the job very well." She paused, studying the incredibly large man with a smile. "Do you want the job? Of course, you get a raise and all that stuff."
A shocked Domingo could do nothing but nod.
Oksana stood up and extended her hand to him. "Sorry to be so abrupt about this," She said with a grin. "Congratulations." She resisted the urge to laugh at his socked expression.
Domingo jumped to his feet and engulfed her hand with his, shaking Oskar's hand too. "I- Thank you," He stuttered, his large eyes moving back and forth between Oskar and Oksana. She's not so bad!
I like him. Oksana tried not to think about the fact that she had a sexual history with Domingo's wife. "I trust that you'll take charge of hiring someone for your old position? Of course, I'll have to approve." She said.
"Of course!" Domingo said. He still couldn't believe his good fortune.
Oskar stood up too, smiling. "Domingo, accompany us on a tour of the office. You can introduce everyone to their new boss. It will let them get used to the idea." He said, chuckling.
CONTINUED…
(NOTE: Remember, this is a first draft, and I'm posting as I go, so if something doesn't jive or it seems a little awkward, bear with me. I'm going back to fix things. Now, if you see something, point it out to me anyway.)
Don't forget to send your comments…