Office Rivals (closed for asetikish)

[kizkiz]

"You've got to be god damn kidding me."

"Xander, don't be so melodramatic." Jessica shook her head, raising her tiny cappuccino to her lips, taking one small sip, then set it back down on its saucer. "The board members were just fucking with you."

Xander crossed his arms, loading over Jessica, who gave no notice of the aura of menace radiating off of Xander. "The hotel is full."

"Oh." Jessica chortled, leaning over, picking up her cappuccino, and sipped again. "That's rich." Her lips twitched. "Maybe you'll finally burry the hatchet." She moved her shoulders up a fraction of an inch in a subtle shrug. "Or not. Frankly though, we've found your animosity towards each other a mounting liability."

"Don't you god damn threaten me, I squeezed millions out the Almond Brother's contract. Got you the biggest god damn bonus you've ever seen."

Jessica sighed like a bored cat no longer amused by the dangling feather in front of its nose. She took another sip of her cappuccino before setting it back down in its saucer. She picked up the Financial Times and unfurled the newspaper to its full size. "Tee time for your group is in..." She glanced at the small gold watch on her slim wrist, "Ninety-three minutes. If we lose to Ben's team, I'll be pissed."

"I'll make three-under, that's not the problem here."

"You better hope so, because if your roommate-" Her lips smirked for a moment. "Gets four-under like she's been bragging about, well, you'll look like the bitch then won't you?"

Xander's teeth clenched and he had to hold himself back from breaking something. "No god damn way she beats me."

"She's played the course before."

Xander shrugged. "She'll crack. I just need to push her buttons."

"See that you do. Ben's been lobbying the board."

"I got this." Xander gave a curt nod and stalked off. His heels clicked on the marble floors of the lobby. Porters and guests alike skirted around him. He looked like a raging storm, but instead of running back up to the Honeymoon Suite were she was waiting, he stopped at the concierge, slipped the man a few hundred dollars, and made three requests.

 

[asetikish]

Upon learning that she would be rooming with Xander, Leena wasted no time marking her territory and putting all her stuff on the bed with a small note in the couch saying: This is your bed. Enjoy. She even marked her glass in the bathroom and made a post-it note that said: Always put the toilet seat back down. Finally, she secured her belongings to make sure Xander just can't get his hands on them.

Leena knew Xander would be breaking every rule she gave since he did have a penchant for pissing her off, but she had to let him know that she was not happy with the arrangement.

Honestly, Xander was handsome, charming and what she could consider a real man. If he weren't such an ass, she might have tried flirting with him. But no. They were both just too focused on their careers to care about other things--and sometimes, that meant trying to pull down a rival. Their conduct sometimes bordered on actions that require disciplinary actions, but when people who cause trouble raked in millions of dollars worth of deals almost every other month and clients being more than happy working with them and no one else, there was no way the company could do more than slap them on the wrist.

She removed the ponytail holding her rich auburn hair together and looked at her watch. She had time to relax. Her father always taught her that to win at golf, one always had to be relaxed. That was why she wasn't bothered playing against Xander's team. Not only did she know this course, she had also been playing golf since she was a child.

Changing into her button-down blouse and skirt, she headed out to the lobby just in time to see her boss. Ben walked over to her with a smirk. "I see you're ready."

"When am I never?" Leena shrugged. "I'm going to kick some ass today."

"Make sure you do, 'coz I'm going to tell you something you're not supposed to know: board's looking at you for a partnership offer. They say you've been doing great, especially with those last three wins," he chuckled. "Just remember to not outshine me when you get there, huh?"

Promotion? Wow! She did have to impress! She knew that the board wasn't going to look at the games scores but at her character in the game, especially up against her rival. "It's going to be challenging. Not beating him, of course, but being civil around him," she sighed.

"That's why they put you together. You do realize that, don't you?"

"Which is why I'm gritting my teeth and bearing it," she said. "This is going to be a week of hell and I can't wait to go up the ladder and make him my bitch."

"You do realize he still works under Jessica."

"I know. But he still can't just be an asshole to me anymore," Leena grinned.

Ben rolled his eyes. "What is it with you two anyway?"

"I don't know...I find him...annoying? Frustrating?"

"Sexual frustration?" Ben's brows wiggled.

"What? No!" Leena said a little louder than she intended and dropped her voice down again. "I mean, sure, I haven't had any in...what five years? But that doesn't mean I'm sexually frustrated."

"What? You have toys with you?" He chuckled.

Leena only rolled her eyes. So what if she did? What if she brought along a little vibrating egg in her purse? A girl had needs. But she wasn't about to tell him that. "Ben, can you let me focus on the game? I have an asshole to beat."

"Fine. Just remember: best behavior." He pat her on the shoulder and walked away.

Leena was really thankful for her boss. In a way, he was like a father: strict, but caring of his subordinates, and she wanted to be like that too. And when she did get that promotion, she had to make sure to thank him for bringin out the best in her despite Xander...

And speak of the devil...

She walked up to him as he finished talking to the receptionist. "Ready to get your ass handed to you?" She raised an eyebrow.

 

[kizkiz]

"Thanks Charlie," Xander said with a quick half-smile.

Charlie nodded. His left hand caressed the five, crisp hundred dollar bills in his pocket. "You sure you don't need anything else, sir?"

Xander chuckled, watching Leena approach. Her hips could be distracting if he let his attention stray. He'd caught himself watching her too closely coming or going. Then he reminded himself of the Andreesen account, and cold anger cut away any trace of lust. Well not all trace. There was a darker hunger that he rarely let out.

She walked up to him as he finished talking to the receptionist. "Ready to get your ass handed to you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You know El Niño..." He smirked. The one time she'd been caught crying at work, and three years later she couldn't live it down. "I bet you'll not only lose, but you'll be crying by the 18th hole." He paused, like any good lawyer would, just long enough to tempt her to say something, before ramming on ahead. "You know why?" He arched an eyebrow in mimicry of her own expression. He leaned in close so his nose threatened to brush hers. His lips dangerously close to hers. His breath hot and minty. "Because you care about the wrong things."

He maintained the uncomfortable violation of her personal space. "Do you think post-it notes are going to stop me from taking what I want?" He tilted back his head and laughed. "My god, this is going to be too easy."

Charlie returned, standing calmly a few feet to the side.

"Yes?"

"Here you go sir."

Xander took the envelop. The first task done. He snapped it open and scanned the contents. It was only a few sentences. Vague and almost incompressible if you didn't know the context. He tucked it back into his suit jacket. He turned, "Thanks Charlie." He flashed his winning smile and slapped the man on the back.

Charlie's feet snapped together. He gave a small bow and departed.

Xander shook out his Rolex Submariner and glanced at the blue jade clock face. Gold and diamond minute and hour hands gleamed back at him. "Let's up the stakes." He looked back at her. "If you can handle the added pressure. I wouldn't want you to crack so publicly again." He cringed like he was worried. "That'd be bad for Papa Ben, wouldn't it?"

Ben wasn't her real father. Xander had just learned why Leena looked up to Ben, followed him like a puppy dog. Put up with all the shit. Why she worked so hard. A small smile touched his lips when he thought about the envelop in his breast pocket. This was going to be too easy.

 

[asetikish]

El Nino...the corner of her mouth twitched. He really wouldn't let it go! That was one time when her grandmother died. Not that she would say that especially when it sounded like an excuse. When she did crack under pressure, it was not in the sight of anyone. Least of all him. That crying incident was the one time she let herself mourn for her grandmother and he wouldn't let her live it down.

He came close to her. His hot breath caressed her skin and his manly musk scent assaulted her nose. The man was maddening! She didn't know how he made her want him and hate him at the same time. Part of her wanted to kiss him, and the other to kill him.

"Oh yeah?" She said, her voice steady, not letting him know that he was getting to her. Her voice was a soft purr as she spoke next to his face. "At least I care about something, not like some cold-hearted bastard I know."

And so what if she was a stickler for labeling things? She let him know and that was important to her.

"Take what you want? As long as I'm around you just can't take what you want. You know that, right Confetti Boy?" If he had a nickname for her, then she had one for him too from the time when he was looking for a case he mistakenly thought he sent to the shredder and spent a whole day rummaging through the bins--only to find out he had it on his desk all along.

He challenged her and she grinned, knowing there was no way he was going to beat her. Golf was a very transparent game after all. Cheating was nearly impossible. "Oh? Alright. Higher stakes then. I win and you be my office bitch for the next month." Help on her cases would be welcome, of course, and who better than one of the best in the firm?

What did worry her was the envelope he received. If she knew him, he had something up his sleeve and her brain told her to back out, but her pride wouldn't let her. No. She was going to beat him like she did many times before.

 

[kizkiz]

The deal is struck.

"I cared about someone once," He said, switching tracks, trying to throw her off balance. He remained within her personal space. "Before Andreesen." He frowned. There was no emotion in his voice. No hint of vulnerability. He was stating facts now. Cold dead things that were better forgotten like a cockroach crushed beneath his heel. "Before you exposed how much of a backstabbing bitch you can be."

A portion of him admired her bone white teeth and plump glossy lips. Lips that he genuinely enjoyed watching move. The poetry of her expressions had, when they'd first meant, sent him to distraction. Her gorgeous, fuckable face had made his heart ache. She didn't have high cheek bones or that semi-emaciated look that his last fashion model girlfriend sported. That trendy hunger stricken look with bone thin arms and exposed rib cages. Instead, she was deliciously portioned, saturated in fertility with ripe succulent curves. Curves that no sterile business suit could ever fully hide. Andreseen had changed all that. Taught him he'd been an idiot for wearing his heart on his sleeve, so it could be plucked and manipulated.

It wasn't like he was blind to how manipulative and conniving women could be. His mother had fucked over his father every way possible before the man died. For some reason, Xander had been fooled into thinking she was different. She'd re-taught him the lesson of steel. This world they lived in at the apex of the food chain was cut throat. There was no room for partners, only the hierarchy. Aggression was opportunistic. Like wolves they played nice with each other for the unity of the pack until a rival showed the tiniest hint of weakness. She'd just realized that before he had.

"You never have played the long game." He threw it out their like the non-sequitur it was meant to be. He let it hang there and the silence drag longer than was comfortable. He'd learned so much since Andreseen. He shrugged. "As much as I've enjoyed this god damn tête-à-tête with you." He purposefully chose the French phrase for how it could sound so much like a crass American expression. He glanced at his Rolex again. "You'll be my bitch for a month if you lose. If you win, I'll be your bitch. Nothing permanent will be done to whomever ends up as the bitch. No hacked off body parts or anything that'd get the bitch fired, that sort of thing. Otherwise its fair game."

He raised his hand like he was going to caress her cheek or tilt her chin up to kiss her. Instead, he kept reaching down until his massive hand found her delicate one. He took it in his. "It's a deal then." No question. He knew she'd except. Her pride was a weakness of hers.

Not her greatest weakness. That he'd exploit to devastating effect, but only if his timing was perfect. Too soon and she'd recover in time to kick his ass. Too late, and well he might not be able to recover in time. He doubted anything could lay her low for long now, but unlike him, there was still at least one glaring hole in her defenses. And he'd do whatever it took to make her his bitch.

 

[asetikish]

Leena's eyebrows rose. The Anderseen account? That was what it was about? That's why he became such an asshole? All this time, he thought he purposely left him to rot in the negotiating table. Well, that was not her fault. Sure he was the lead and she was the support, but she already filed for a vacation weeks back. A vacation she did not want to postpone after not having been on one in four years. She did leave the document about her findings with the paralegal, Kate, but she lost it. That loss would have cost her her job since it lost the case, and likely made Xander a bit of a fool in the negotiating table, so she covered for her so she can still support her kid. In return both she and Xander took the heat--especially Xander since he was the lead. Of course, she tried to tell her, but all hell broke loose right after.

They could have made a great team both in and out of the courtroom, but he wouldn't even let her explain. So she let it go.

And the rest was history.

"Fair enough." She shrugged at his proposal. "Just ready yourself for a lot of work and late nights. I have a ton of cases that need looking after." She liked the idea of working with him again. And maybe even fucking him a night or two. But she was more focused on her work right now. That was what was important.

Her breath caught as he reached for her. Teasingly slow the expectation heightening everything, until he settled for holding her hand. No. Not holding. Shaking. The damn tease!

She shook it in turn and walked off putting her gloves on without so much as a backward glance. She realized her heart was racing. She was probably just nervous. Yes, that was probably it. Nervous because she wasn't sure what she was up to...

Okay, so she was still attracted to him. His major selling point: his confidence and competence. He knew what he was doing and he was unapologetic about it. That and the well-built frame inside that suit. She knew underneath, he was lean neither skinny nor flabby nor overly muscular like those gym models. Firm and stalwart. And very, very suave. There were some days she still fantasized about hooking up with him. And if their relationship hadn't gone to hell, she might still have been flirting with him, and who knows where that might have led to?

Instead, she settled with the prospect of bringing down her biggest rival and boosting her chances at getting a senior partnership sooner than she wrote down in her list of goals.

Out in the field, she met her caddie and waved at him. The man had always been her favorite caddie, knowing the course very well like the back of his hand. And she was one of his favorites owing to the big tips she gave him.

Sitting in the foldable chairs were the partners and the board. They had just finished their round and were there just to see the game between Leena and Xander.

Putting on her visor, Leena took out her club and began some little stretching exercises to loosen her back as she waited for her competition.

 

[kizkiz]

Tee Time

Xander lingered and watched Leena leave. He didn't see any value in chasing after her, forcing a power struggle over who changed in the main room and who took the bathroom. Her hips swayed in the most intoxicating way. She had an ass that wouldn't quit, and he was glad she hadn't tried to run the thing flat. He had long imagined she practiced some hot and sweaty form of yoga, where she contorted her body into all sorts of erotically suggestive poses. He could have sent his private investigator to confirm, but that was going too far. Instead he enjoyed the view as she departed down through the lobby before the throng of guests swallowed her in their activity.

Andreseen, he reminded himself, god damn Andreseen. He was better for it, even if he'd lost a girlfriend or two over the years for calling out her name as he climaxed into their bodies. Not that it mattered. He hadn't ever found a girl worth keeping longer than a few months, six tops. One month with Leena as his bitch should be enough time to scratch that itch and kill the last vestiges of youthful romance.

He gave her thirty minutes while he went back over to the atrium where the open air cafe was. It had quaint tables big enough for two people max. He settled into one of the seats and got a tiny espresso. Instead of reading, he scoped out the guests walking here and there. Of course this was a "corporate retreat" but it was also the most expensive spa in the tri-state area. And that meant new clients to bag. Of course the stakes were infinitely higher. Misstep while someone was on vacation and burning a bridge for life would be the least of his problems.

He stood when the old lady swung her gaze around with a toxic look of displeasure. "Pardon me, your grace." He said to the dowager dutchess of the Winthrop Holdings.

He pulled out the seat opposite him so she wouldn't have the displeasure of sitting in a seat already warmed up. "Please take my table. I was just wrapping up."

A hint of a smile touched her weathered face. "Thanks my dear boy."

The waiter, who'd looked frantic at the lack of a place to accommodate her, sighed in relief.

"Xander."

"Dutchess Winthrop as you no doubt are aware."

"No doubt," Xander said, flashing her a genuine smile. He so enjoyed the hunt. "If you'll excuse me, your grace." Instead of fawning over or begging for more of her attention, he departed when she favored him with another small smile and a nod.

Before he could make it to his elevator, Charlie reappeared. Xander walked into an alcove with Charlie and chatted.

"She's requested Jimmy, sir. Great caddie. Good eye. He's her usual."

Xander nodded. "She detests bottled water." Such another odd quirk of hers. "Jimmy though?"

"Yeah, all the boys bring some of their own. It can get hot on the back half."

Xander pursed his lips. He'd rather not go there. Doubted it'd be necessary. Still, he needed options. "And?"
"Yeah there's a girl Jimmy's been chasing. Everybody really. I got her for you, but I had to promise her four hundred. Also she was scheduled with Mr. Jennings. You'll owe him one."

Xander nodded. "That's fine. Here give it to her now before Leena takes the field." Xander took his money clip out of his pocket and peeled off four bills. "And did my package arrive?"

"Yes sir, I've kept it in the baggage claim."

"Good man." Xander grinned, laying a hand on Charlie's shoulder and squeezed. "Make sure-"

"Chelsea, sir."

"Right, have Chelsea put that in with the others."

"Will do sir." Charlie gave a nod and left.

Xander glanced at his Rolex and went upstairs. Leena was already gone. He wasn't surprised that she'd added more post-it notes. There was one in the bathroom about washing your hands after using the toilet.

He took Leena's cellphone out of his jacket pocket. She didn't spend much time on her phone, and this trip zoning out on a phone would go over about as well as peeing in the face of one of the Partners. Well, some of the Partners might go for that. He knew of at least one, but that wasn't the point. They both had identical, pristine white iPhones. He'd never figured out why she went for white. Neither of them deserved the color. Swapping phones with her when she was distracted with their handshake was classic pickpocket misdirection. He hadn't had to use it since college, but his hands remembered their old tricks.

He changed into his chinos and golf shirt.

He didn't skulk out to the gold course, but when he saw her stretching he couldn't help but leverage the situation by showing up without calling attention to himself.

"Leena?" Xander said, smirking as Leena's ass jutted out in his direction during her warmup stretches. "Are you going to do the Down Dog next?" That'd be fun to watch, but he enjoyed even more the snickering from the partners and board.

"Mr. Xander?"

Xander turned around to see a leggy blonde in a mini-skirt and tight-tight fitting golf shirt. All the buttons were undone, showing off cantaloupe sized tits. "Chelsea." Xander said, smiling and giving her handshake. All the men present including Jimmy and Jessica were watching Chelsea. Not only was she the USA Girls Collegiate golf champion, but well, she sizzled. She could have made a fortune modeling. Xander had no idea why, except perhaps that she loved golf too much to sell out. That was something he could respect.

Every guy there couldn't take their eyes off Chelsea, every guy but one. Xander turned to watch Leena with a strange expression on his face. Raw hatred warred with something north of lust. God damn himself for holding any sort of flame still for the bitch. She'd tear his throat out at the first sign of weakness. God damn her.

 

[asetikish]

It was almost time for the game and Leena was in the last few reps of the stretch when Xander came up with a quip. The side of her mouth twitched, but instead of a barbed comment that could have made the board frown, she said instead, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Sorry, I'd rather make use of my time prepping to beat you."

Before Xander could say anything, a busty bombshell came up to him. Chelsea. What was the whore doing there? She knew of the woman's activities beyond the course. Sure she was a great player, but behind that was a very flirtatious, ambitious bitch who would sleep with anyone important. Seeing her with Xander made her balk inside. So, that was what he came to. Going for nubile active children.

No! She wasn't jealous. She. Was. Not!

She was only concerned because she might coach him and would give him an advantage. That was all, as she kept telling herself.

For a moment, she glared at the woman as if she could burn her on the spot with a look, but out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Xander looking at her. It was a strange look. As if he wanted to kill her and...was she just reading too much in the look to see desire in it? Strange. The more probable explanation was that she was the object of his hatred and Ms. Cleavage was the object of his desire. It was just that he chanced to look at her that both combined.

"Ms. Skye?" Jimmy stepped up beside her, "We're ready to begin."

Leena nodded absently before turning away from the pair and proceeded to the beginning of the course. There was no bisque between them, of course. Besides, Xander would never use a handicap to beat her in something that could put him in the limelight. Especially before the board.

She waited as everyone gathered for the game and she pointedly ignored Chelsea's presence. As they gathered, she heard whispers from the board. Little snippets of silent conversation too low for her to hear clearly.

"...perfect to be junior partner..."

"And with...case!"

"...created a good...must be considered."

Leena had no idea about the context and she didn't want to excite herself about the possibility of a promotion as Ben suggested. What would happen would happen and all she knew was that she was going to kick ass both in golf and at work. She'd get the credit she deserved.

And if Xander lost, that goal would be that much closer.

Ben gave her an encouraging look and she nodded steeling herself to focus. To relax. To forget about the bastard and his whore.

As soon as everyone settled, Jimmy gave her the wood. Leena didn't check if he gave her the right club. She knew he did. She tested the club in one hand as her caddie placed the tee and the ball. She took a few deep breaths then hit the ball, landing on the green, only a hair's breadth from the hole.

She clicked her tongue as the audience clapped. No. She needed to be perfect for this course. She didn't want longer nights in the office working on another person's case. At least, that was what she assumed he wanted to enslave her for. Of course, it would make perfect sense for their careers to put each other under their thumb. There was no one better unless they turn to the partners. And even then, she knew that both of them were better than a handful of the partners.

She walked away from the tee as an employee marked the place where her ball landed. She turned and watched as Xander took his place. Without the suit, she could better see the well-toned arms that belied what he looked under the shirt. In her mind, she liked how it continued...

No! Focus!

 

[kizkiz]

She made it to the green from the men's tee area. Granted this was a par-3, but he had no illusions that Leena was better than him at golf. In terms of raw athletic talent, she had a clean form and strong stroke. It helped that she could have gone pro, if she hadn't opted to go corporate. In tennis she could destroy him. Xander preferred bloodier sports, but through necessity he still kept his golf skills sharp. But what made winning possible was that golf had a people element. There was the walking and talking between shots. Opportunities for picking the wrong club or getting spooked by something that was said or that happened between shots.

"Mr. Cage?" Chelsea asked, sidling up to him. She laid a hand upon his elbow. It was soft and tender. "The third is a par-5, so your driver?"
"That'll do." He held his hand out, and Chelsea rushed to put his driver into it. He took a few practice swings at a stray piece of grass that stood higher than the right. The head of his club cut through the blade of grass each time. He nodded to Chelsea, and she put his ball down upon a tee.

Xander was about to swing, when Chelsea came closer. "Wind shifted three knots and is coming south-southeast." She squinted sticking her pretty little tongue out. "That's 45 degrees now at 10 knots." She whispered to herself, her eyes looked up to the right as she calculated. "That's an extra 5 yards but you'll need to aim 30 degrees off center towards the southeast." She nodded to herself. "Putting uphill if you land leeward like Ms. Skye did is harder than if you land on the south side. Your average drive is what 350? So, if you push you could use the wind to land there," She pointed just where the rough joined the green about 10 yards south of where Leena's ball had landed.

Xander nodded, retook his position and turned as Chelsea had suggested. He took a moment, taking a deep breath and holding it while his arms raised the club. His torso wound around like a spring. Then he burst through the swing, hitting the ball hard. It sailed through the air and landed once on the green before running a foot into the rough. Not idle but still possible to make par for the course.

 

[asetikish]

Leena clicked her tongue. She knew it. The whore was going to coach him throughout the game. She held her breath as she gave him advice, then, after a few moments, swung hard. It was all she could do not to breathe a loud sigh of relief as he missed the green. Chelsea gave the right directions, but the most important thing was the player's skills. Obviously, she was still better than him, but she couldn't allow herself to be overly confident.

She glared at the woman as she touched him. A suggestive touch. No, she was not jealous. She was only concerned that he might take her to their room just for a romp. No! That was not going to happen. The woman will not be in their room.

It was only common sense.

They all then moved to where the balls were. They were near enough so people formed a circle around them. Jimmy gave him the putter and the ball smoothly plunked into the hole. She turned to Xander with a smug grin. She walked up to him and whispered in his ear quickly, "Ready to be my bitch?"

Leena didn't give him a chance to react as she went up to Ben.

"You are good at this," he noted. "Looks like you might win."

Leena shrugged. "It's my game. I should be good at this." She turned her attention back to Xander, again, glaring at Chelsea...

Alright, fine. So she hated that the woman was moving flirtatiously around Xander. That was only because she hated those kinds of women. That was it. Really. Uncannily though, she didn't care much from the mistress of one of the partners who were there.

 

[kizkiz]

The end of the first hole.

"Well sir," Chelsea said, all demure and shy, "Off by a hair." She handed him the putting wedge. "Short clip will put you in position for par."

Xander nodded. Some men might panic at how easy Leena made the first hole. Especially now that he was still in the rough and only likely to get par. Xander felt no panic. He moved with sure confidence. He took the putting wedge and clipped the ball to within five feet of the hole. Then Xander tapped in the ball to par. He handed the putter to Chelsea.

Leena approached with a throaty whisper into his ear. "Ready to be my bitch," then she darted away to chat it up with Ben. She moved like a gazelle. Xander watched her go, allowing himself to enjoy how her hips swayed and her ass jiggled. If he lacked a mile deep core of self control, he'd bend her over the golf cart and fuck her brains out right then and there. However he did possess an inhuman amount of will power, so he didn't.

Xander motioned Chelsea over and rested a large hand on her petite shoulder. She leaned even closer as Xander spoke to her. She bit her lip and nodded, looking down at the putting green instead of meeting his eyes. Xander patted her head twice, handed her the putter, and walked over towards Leena and Ben.

Jessica was still deep in some semi-heated discussion with two of the board members, both were billionaire old white men who seemed to paying more attention to how Chelsea's skirt flirted at showing the firm globes of her ass every time the wind blew than to whatever Jessica was saying. Jessica was too political to show anything but mild amusement, even if she was supremely pissed off, which Xander suspected she was.

"Might win?" Xander snorted, cutting into Leena and Ben's conversation. "Great pep talk, but she has no god damn chance of winning." He glanced back at his bag and the behemoth club-shaped thing hidden beneath a leather sheath. Not just any leather either, it was young fawn skin land crafted by one of the finest Japanese artisans in the world. It was one of the few concessions he'd had to make to get it.

His confidence was supreme. Xander could have his arms cut off surrounded by starved jackals and he'd still have the same fierce confidence radiating out of his body. Sometimes, Xander felt like he was born to be like George Washington leading a small colony of rebels against an empire and prevailing.

He didn't like Ben, because he'd always felt like the man had risen on the shoulders of Leena's brilliant mind. Leena's problem and why Xander felt so confident was that she didn't know what she was. She was Arthur's Excalibur, a brilliant sword to be wielded by someone. She was gorgeous, intelligent, social, focused, and athletic. All indispensable features to warm up prospects, reel in clients, and win over juries. He was sure Ben realized this. Jessica had hinted as much on a handful of occasions. He didn't like how Ben got to use Leena. Some would say the same about Jessica and him, but at least they were both brutally honest about their roles and what they brought to each other. Ben lacked the courage to be honest with Leena. To look her in the face and say, 'You are mine, I will treat you well, but I will use you to take over the world.'

"Not a god damn chance, and you realize that, don't you Ben? Otherwise, you'd have taken Jessica up on her bet." Xander cracked a half smile. He almost never felt enough joy to warrant a real smile. Instead he favored expressions that were mockeries of good natured humor laced with sarcasm.

Xander watched Ben's eyes slip to the leather covered behemoth club-thing lying in the center of his golf bag. He wondered if Leena realized what this golf game was really about. Why the partners still lingered. Why Jessica was talking two of the partners while Ben was talking with Leena. He doubted it. She was supreme, even peerless at straightforward challenges. What she struggled with was solutions outside the box. She wasn't good at finding cracks and loop holes, exploiting and leveraging the shit out of them, until your victory was guaranteed and your opponent had no god damn clue until it was way too late.

They had one of the most technical holes ahead. The second hole was studded with sand trips and a serpentine layout that favored Leena. It also favored making her over confident, which would set her up for the great fall.

 

[asetikish]

Leena saw Xander put a hand on Chelsea and spoke into her ear. Her reaction sent a raging fire through her. How dare they flirt when something this important was happening. How dare the woman entice Xander and everyone else! If she really had any sense of decency, she should have dressed more appropriately. It was a lawyers' event. Not a cheap gentleman's club.

As soon as he headed their way, she looked away taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. She couldn't be rattled. Not now.

"Might win? Great pep talk, but she has no god damn chance of winning."

Leena turned her head slowly at him, traces of exasperation still evident on her face. "What? Because you have a coach who could've gone pro?" she snorted. "Your skills are still subpar, Xander. You know that."

Xander looked unperturbed--very confident even. And that made her think. What was going on? Something was amiss and she wasn't getting it. It was bothering her that all this was directed toward the board's decision and she wasn't in on it. And with the way Ben and Xander looked at each other, she felt entirely out of the loop.

"Not a god damn chance, and you realize that, don't you Ben? Otherwise, you'd have taken Jessica up on her bet."

Leena blinked hiding her surprise. Bet? What bet? She had to take a step back and try and see what was going on. She didn't understand a freaking thing and Ben wasn't telling her anything that could help her understand. She looked at her mentor, but he only smiled at her and shook his head. He put his arms across his chest and sneered at Xander.

"Oh. So you think you know everything, boy?" Ben smiled in his grandfatherly smile that made Xander look like a child with a tantrum. "You know how it goes in this business. At the end of the day, the one with the best tools win." He turned to Leena. "And the tools are there for the winners, isn't that right?"

Leena felt they were being cryptic, but she nodded anyway. Of course, in reference to golf, he was right, but this wasn't about golf. She just couldn't put her finger on what the hell was going on!

Still searching for clues on what could be going on, she walked with everyone to the next hole. The game was only for three holes and she knew she could do this one easily. But as she stepped up to tee, her eyes caught Chelsea and the board who was ogling at her.

What the hell was that something she was missing?

At the corner of her eye, she saw Xander, standing by his bombshell of a caddie and again, she was royally pissed off! She tried to calm herself for the swing, but it was almost impossible. The club hit the ball and it arced dropping on a sand trap. Outwardly, she sighed, but in her head, she was screaming obscenities at herself that would make a sailor blush. She was having a hard time concentrating with the whore and Xander flirting, and the cryptic exchange she wasn't getting battling against her focus to play well.

 

[kizkiz]

"Oh. So you think you know everything, boy?" Ben smiled in his grandfatherly smile that made Xander look like a child with a tantrum. "You know how it goes in this business. At the end of the day, the one with the best tools win." He turned to Leena. "And the tools are there for the winners, isn't that right?"

Ben played the "fatherly mentor" so well his patronizing almost sounded sincere like he was just trying to teach and advise. It was all bullshit of course.

Xander's lips compressed. Ben was goading him, because Ben didn't know everything. The obvious intent was to get him to lash out. Xander just shook his head. Just because he was a boxer, didn't mean he'd lash out a moments notice. It was obvious when Jessica had managed to arrange the mini-match between Xander and Leena. Ben could have stopped it. There were plenty of other match-ups. No, Ben was willing to throw Leena under the bus to figure out what Jessica's end game was, hoping that the sacrifice would yield enough to turn things at the last moment.

The only thing troubling him was the implication that maybe Leena hadn't been solely behind Andreesen. Ben had nabbed a protege or at least a really useful tool after the rift between him and Leena. No, Xander refused to let Leena off the hook. That was too wishful. It was the path of weakness.

"In most games, it comes down to who makes the last god damn mistake."

The conversation went on for a few exchanges afterward, but eventually they all departed to their separate golf carts. Chelsea road with him. She tried to rub her naked calf against his chino pant leg, but he pushed her away. No one else saw the rebuff, because they were still in the car. Xander gave her a hard look, but his rejection didn't spark shame or anger. No, Xander suspected that very few people spurred her advances. With such women, he'd found that rejection was often an aphrodisiac. Instead his oft hand came to rest on the back of her head.

"Mister..." Chelsea's voice was breathless. "I, uh."

"I need you to make Jimmy cream him pants, not have you leak all over my seat."

"Bu...well..."

"Just nod your head if you understand."

Chelsea blushed and bobbed her head.

"Good girl," Xander said, patting her on the back of her head. "Now tell me about the next hole. What's our strategy?"

They chatted about how to handle the second hole. How to handle what could happen if he hit a sand trap on the first or second swing. Whether or not he should pound the ball as hard as possible or concede that it'd take two swings. A great deal of which was predicated on how Leena's tee went.

He huddled with Chelsea while Jimmy set Leena's tee down and put a ball upon it. Leena's form looked flawless until right as her club reached the top of the backward arc, her head turned just enough that she could see Xander. Xander looked into those lovely eyes, the her pupils danced and her club sent her ball into one of the worst sand traps of the hole. A lesser golfer could burn through strokes trying to get out of that beast. Xander patted Chelsea and grinned like a wolf.

Instead of the driver he'd used on the first hole, Chelsea gave him the three wood. His drive would only be 250 yards, but it'd put him square in the middle of the course with an easy drive to the green. The putting green was bumpy and so this course was a par 4.

Xander hit the club like it didn't matter. He was calm. His stroke was smooth and pure. The ball sailed 240 yards, landed with a thump and rolled another five yards. It came to a stop before the monstrous sand trap that Leena was stuck in. He gave up the information advantage as he'd have to go again before she did. But that was fine.

Chelsea handed him a long iron to make the second swing. Xander's right lip pulled up into a half-grin, and he nodded to Leena. "See you on the green." It was an asshole thing to do, calling his shot like that before swinging, but he wanted to prove to everyone that the pressure wasn't touching him. More than that, he needed to keep all eyes on him, because winning was never about the game.

"Adjust ten degrees left and ease off of your maximum stroke," Chelsea murmured, less cocksure from the first hole after the chat in the golf car.

"Noted." Xander took his swing and the ball again landed in the rough. It was ten yards short of the green.

"You look a little short, son," Ben said, turning from addressing a few of the board members.
Jessica arched an eyebrow and sighed, but made no comment.

"Only if Leena hits the green from the pit, otherwise that is me taking pity on her." Xander kept looking at Ben. "Think your girl can handle that kind of pressure."

"She's a pro." Ben nodded at Leena. "She'll-"

Xander cut him off, "A dollar says she can't." Xander almost never carried anything less than a roll full of hundreds and twenties. However, today he had brought a wrinkled, shitty looking dollar bill in case the opportunity presented itself. And that opportunity had.

Ben's face darkened. The board members eyes were on him. Everyone was looking at either him or Ben.

Jessica had her trademark poker face in place. "If you need the money, I can lend it to you." She moved to reach into her clutch.

"No. Thank. You." Ben enunciated each word.

"Oh, don't trust Ms. Skye?" Jessica asked.

"I do. What I meant was I don't need your money."

"Oh really? Ever or just now? I seem to recall..." She trailed off, her unlined brows furrowing as if in deep thought.

Ben took a deep breath, reaching into his pocket, hefting a roll of cash. "I'm good for it."

Xander walked forward, closing on Ben. "Sure you are." He shook Ben's hand. "I'm sure you are."

With all the commotion, Chelsea was free to rub up against Jimmy, whisper in his ear, and promise him things for after the game was over. All without being noticed. The both rested off to the side, bags of clubs hiding most of their bodies from view. Two caddies just chatting about the weather wasn't that uncommon. The fact that one was smoking hot and the other had a giant crush on the first, well that might raise some eye brows if everyone hadn't been distracted.

 

[asetikish]

Just before Xander made his second swing, one of the board members called Leena over. She walked up to them with a half-forced smile on her face. She was having a horrid day, but she couldn't let the board know.

"Yes, Mr. Radgast?"

"I know you to be a fine player, young lady, but that last one was horrible," the man chuckled.

"Well, we all have out bad days, sir," Leena said doing pretty well in hiding what she truly was feeling inside and bit of rage and disappointment with confusion thrown into the mix.

"You know--" Radgast cut off as a commotion started on one side of the field.

Leena was inclined to look as Ben and Xander faced off. Xander was wagging a dollar bill in front of Ben. Yet another thing she was getting confused about. She listened in trying to get the context but all she knew was that it was something about her hearing her family name thrown into the conversation.

No. She couldn't think about that when she already had a dozen tumbling around in her brain. Besides, it was her turn. She needed to--wait, where was Jimmy. Her eyes scanned the course and saw him chatting it up with Chelsea.

"Jimmmy," she called him a little too loudly than normal. He looked at her and she cleared her throat purposely. Surprised, he jerked almost jumping as he handed her a club. Finding her focus again, she swung and hit a freaking tree bouncing off and landing just a pace from the bunker! It was supposed to sail above the canopy. She looked at the club in her hand and fury set in.

Looking at her caddie, he was still mesmerized by Chelsea and...if she looked closely, they we more than just chatting. The whore! She strode to him. "Jimmy!" Her caddie jumped this time in response. "5 iron? Really? In the middle of a sand trap?"

Jimmy's eyes widened. "Oh! I'm so, so sorry about that! It's just--"

"Save it," Leena grit her teeth. "Make sure you don't screw up, next time." She glared at him then at Chelsea. "And you keep away from my caddie or I swear I'll find a disgruntled wife from one of your...men and I will have her press charges on you."

Chelsea played it cool raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'm not doing a thing, Ms. Skye. Just two caddies chatting up."

"Y-yes, Ms. Skye," Jimmy said defending her, "We're just having a chat."

Leena gave Chelsea one more glare before turning to where Xander was.

"Well, well, Ben," Jessica grinned. "Looks like your trust was a little misplaced." She noticed Leena walk up to them and she gave the younger woman an amused smile. "A little far off the green are we?"

"Sometimes, you can't trust anyone," she muttered and glared at Xander pegging the the mistake at him by bringing Chelsea along to distract her caddie. Jimmy had never once made a mistake. Never. This was the first and only, and while speaking with the whore. If they were alone, she would have strangled him.

As cool as ever, especially in front of his subordinate, he handed Xander the dollar bill. "Sometimes, even when they let you down, it's too little compared to what they will do for you after."

 

[kizkiz]

"Sometimes, you can't trust anyone," she muttered and glared at Xander pegging the the mistake at him by bringing Chelsea along to distract her caddie. Jimmy had never once made a mistake. Never. This was the first and only, and while speaking with the whore. If they were alone, she would have strangled him.

When Leena glared hatred at him, Xander felt a wash of pleasure he hadn't expected. He met and refused to look away from her accusatory stare. They'd had their back and fourths since Andreesen, sure, but this game was reaching to the bedrock of their relationship and it was only three holes of golf. He really, really wanted to gloat at this low point, but he respected Leena too much to shove her face in the mud. He wanted to be beat, maybe even break her, but he didn't want to ruin her. Well, he didn't want to ruin her if he could avoid it.

Xander glanced to Jessica and he knew why she had that secretive smile on her face. She was obsessed with Sun Tsu and the Art of War. She was prolific in her quotes from such greats as Machiavelli and Mushashi, but Sun Tsu had a special place in her heart. He knew her well enough to know that if they were alone, Jessica wold have said 'All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.' and then saluted him with raised glass of whiskey. But both of them were too reserved to reveal their strategy while they were busy deploying their tactics.

As cool as ever, especially in front of his subordinate, he handed Xander the dollar bill. "Sometimes, even when they let you down, it's too little compared to what they will do for you after."

"Later Ben," Xander said, his face dead pan and cold. "The word you are looking for is later." His head turned to Leena, "Sometimes your subordinates disappoint you, but that can be little compared to what they will do for you later. But if they are really god damn good, it's also what you will do to them later."

Because Leena had been his subordinate when she was helping him out on the Andreesen case, and she'd been phenomenal until her betrayal. Later took much longer than he had liked, but to quote Jessica quoting Sun Tsu, 'Good fighters put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then wait for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.'

"Chelsea," Xander called, "Come." Almost like he might call a dog. Or commanded a subservient slave to finally release pent up sexual frustration in a mind blowing orgy of orgasms. His voice was hard and didn't betray the weakness her lusty body was used to eliciting in men and women.

Chelsea jolted from her proximity to Jimmy, but faithfully bounded over like Bambi through a Disney drawn, sun dappled clearing. "Yes, Mr. Cage?" She looked up at him with wide blue eyes all innocence and reverence. No doubt this was the look she used when someone was shoving their cock into her mouth over and over again. Despite himself, Xander found the act almost as appealing as all the other men and Jessica did. Almost, except despite the proximity of the young sexpot, his mind turned to another's wide eyed gaze he wanted to look down upon as he fucked her face.

Xander took the dollar bill from Ben and stuffed it into his pocket. He gave a curt nod to the assembled host. Then placed a hand low on Chelsea's back, but still above her ass and the crescent of exposed flesh below her tight fitting golf shirt. He guided her away from the group and towards a private council as they hopped onto the golf cart and road toward's the green.

It took Leena a bit of work, but she made it onto the green. Now it was Xander's turn. Chelsea handed him the putting wedge. Unlike Leena, Xander did check the club and give it a few practice swings.

Chelsea whispered a few final tips for the shot. Where to angle his feet, how to move his hips, how high to raise the club, how to counter the prevailing wind, etc. When she was done she stepped back, clasping her hands behind her back just above her ass. It had the effect of thrusting her chest out a little. She did it within Xander's view, almost as if she wanted her physical charms to fluster Xander as much as Leena had recently become flustered.

Even though Xander's head turned as required by the swing, his eyes never got distracted. Others watching did. Xander put the ball onto the green and then because the ball was so close to the hole, he finished with a small backwards tap of his putter.

"Awesome job, Mr. Cage!" Chelsea grinned, rose up onto her tiptoes, and clapped like she was his own personal cheerleader. The assembled crowd enjoyed the act.

Xander just gave her a curt nod and turned to watch Leena's performance. So far he was par for both courses. Even and steady in the face of a superior foe who was now stumbling. It was a good image for the partners to see.

Xander huddled with Chelsea to review a few final details of the third hole. He ignored Leena's performance on the putting green. It was like she didn't exist. Instead, he turned his attention to make sure he'd be ready for 500 yard drive to the green on the third hole. It was a par 5 course due to its size. It was widely believed to be impossible to make it anywhere near the green on the first shot because of several copse of trees and two small ponds. In league play it'd be the eighteen hole. For this little exhibition slash death match between the two rising stars of the firm that had been setup before lunch as amusement to the partners, it was the third and final hole.

 

[asetikish]

Ben didn't take the bait of his correction. All he knew was he was going to get what he wanted and there was nothing anyone was going to do about it. Leena was going to be his damn pet until he got that senior partnership. It was almost in his grasp. Just a little more. And then? Well, she could continue to be his pet and he could continue to be one of the best lawyers in the state. "Maybe later for you, child, but believe me, it's after. Right after."

Leena was almost sure she wasn't in on the conversation so she turned away instead looking at the board and how they looked at Chelsea. Was Chelsea then bait for them? Bait for what...

"...I'm going to tell you something you're not supposed to know: board's looking at you for a partnership offer."

Leena played the words over and over in her head. Shit. This game was a bid for the partnership and Chelsea was there for the board! Again, curses from A-Z ran through her mind. There had to be some way to put one over Xander in such short amount of time.

As they moved on through the entire course, Leena's head went back to Xander's words. Later. Shit. She might just lose this if she didn't get her head back in the game. Yet another thing she had to be worried about. If she let this continue, she wasn't just going to lose the partnership, she was also going to be his bitch. For all her talents, she was no pro and she struggled a bit before getting the ball in the hole. She had a birdie and two over par. Which put her one behind Xander going into the last hole. She had to stop thinking about the cryptic messages and that damn whore hanging herself all over Xander.

No! She was not jealous...

Shit! Fine, she was. Acknowledging it finally, she expected to be able to focus.

Leena could not lose this! Focusing her mind on the task, she looked at the course and nodded to herself as she figured out what to do. For a moment her eyes darted at her opponent and saw him holding her again. Instantly, she knew she shouldn't have admitted to herself she was jealous because it rattled her all over again. In using the whore against her, he probably didn't realize that she wasn't just pissed off at the woman because of who she was--especially since it was a well-known fact in the office that she detested those kinds of women. She was pissed off because she was enticing him and it seemed to be working. She followed him like a freaking sex slave and he seemed to be enjoying it. Damn it! If he wanted to cool his jets, she'll give him a fucking he'll never forget. And she knew she was definitely much tighter than the whore.

Shaking her head, she tried to calm down but the feeling niggled at her. Her first shot was just okay. It wasn't stellar and Xander could easily match it if he tried. At least Jimmy stopped being distracted enough to make a mistake, even if he still was.

 

[kizkiz]

The game changer

"Gentleman," Xander said, ignoring Leena's 215 yard drive. "And Lady," he nodded his head to Jessica. "This course was chosen because by PGA standards, it's a par 5 for a professionals like Tiger. For someone like me, I'd be lucky to birdie even with the help of a skilled caddie."

Chelsea blushed, where she fidgeted by Neal's golf bag. "Golf has struggled for relevancy in a world plagued by digital entertainment. It risks slipping into obscurity along besides opera as businessmen distract themselves with Tinder and catching Pokemon." Xander frowned.

"Mushashi Industries Limited would like to present the Divine Wind, Japanese' response to the Big Bertha and the controversy such super clubs have introduced into the world."

Chelsea removed the behemoth club-like thing in the center over Xander's golf bag, and with a flourish putting Vanna White to shame unveiled the stealth prototype code named 'Divine Wind.'

"This club represents a new approach to the game of golf. It's technology levels the playing field, transferring a fixed about of muscle power into a fixed amount of distance. Unlike the so-called super rackets of tennis that exponentially enhance the speed of the ball until the game is unrecognizable and unattainable. This club re-introduces strategy and brains into the game in a way that makes it accessible to the novice, such as myself."

A few of the board members chuckled.

"Allow me to demonstrate." Xander took the club from Chelsea and with a brief consultation drove the golf ball 300 yards, a little beyond what a professional could do with standard clubs. "As you can see," he said, handing the club back to Chelsea, "Average drive is around 300 yards. It's technological advancement is in consistent drive distance and ball precision, reducing the athletic component that has been a barrier to our aging and overweight population."

 

[asetikish]

Leena was surprised that Xander was making a speech in the middle of the game. It was unusual, but she listened along with the others. When he revealed the club, only one word crossed her mind.

Shit.

She had heard of the club before, but she didn't know it was already in production. And when he came up to tee, he hit it further and with a lot more accuracy than he had 2 holes back. She had to really get her head in the game. After all, it would be unsporting of her to blame her loss on a handicapped club. Especially since the game was already to her advantage to begin with.

"Nice surprise," she told Xander as they walked over to their next shot. She had on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I still won't let you win, though." Even with her bravado, she knew that if Xander didn't make a mistake, even a perfect game for her would, at best, give her an eagle, which would, if Xander's new club continues to do what it promised, only put her on equal scoring with him.

The next few shots had her focused, but it wasn't a perfect game and the best she could do was a birdie. At Xander's turn at the green, she closed her eyes wishing that he had would sink the ball in two more shots. That would make their scoring even. She could feel her heart pound in her chest and she couldn't help but bite her finger feeling the pressure. If Xander didn't mess up the shot, he only needed one to sink the ball in. And she'd lose.

She watched in anticipation, while behind her, Ben was just chatting with the board about the club as if nothing was on the line.

 

[kizkiz]

Game Over!

Xander watched Ben's conversation with the board as much as he did Leena's dwindling performance. There could be nothing casual about the way Ben's eye kept slipping to the club that Xander had in his hands. Jessica was shrewd as usual, but Xander was confident she'd nudge the board towards the question that must be on everyone's mind. 'If the club wasn't already in production (which it wasn't), why the hell did Xander have a prototype?' And the answer to that question, the reason why Xander had used the club in front of the board was, for them and Ben to wonder if Xander had closed a new account with Mushashi Industries Limited.

The answer, which Xander wanted to firm up more was, kinda. If pressed, he'd stick his head out and declare they were in the bag before they were in the bag. But he'd applied enough leverage and bravado to convince their COO to let Xander try out the club, under a strict NDA of course. Another weak point was if the club got stolen, per the NDA Xander would be held liable for considerable damages well beyond Xander's ability to pay. He had some contingencies in place or they would be in place soon, but Xander's facade was not without its openings. He doubted Ben would stoop to stealing the club, and this was one of the most expensive 'corporate retreat centers' in the world, so it was unlikely to see armed robbers. But corporate espionage was legion when the stakes were this high.

Xander didn't let these thoughts bother him. Nothing bothered him when he set his mind to a task. Chelsea leaned in, whispering instructions as to where to position his feet and how hard to drive the ball. He rested his hand on her back but nothing suggestive or overt. The Divine Wind could be controlled, if you knew the maximum power needed then it was possible to work backwards to get it to go a precise distance. It was more digital than analog in that respect. That was the technical brilliance of what had been done. Through purely mechanical means without use of computers but instead with just brilliant design and material sciences, MIL had made something that worked as predictably as a computer.

The Divine Wind gripped the ball and hurled the ball 205 yards, beyond the hole but the green on this course was immense. Xander lifted and handed the club to Chelsea. "That'll do. Guard this with your life until Luther shows up. Show it off to the board if they ask, but don't let it leave your sight."

"Right, boss!" She grinned up at him, nodding her head like a small child might when told by their parent to brush their teeth before bed. And indeed, some of the board members were coming over to inspect the club further, but Xander didn't want to get mired down in questions at this point, so he took his putter and left Chelsea to the wolves. She was not as helpless of a fawn as she liked to make herself out to be, but the board members were more terrible predators than usually frequented this place. Indeed, Jessica and Ben had both had to work dark magic and call in plenty of favors to get them to show up even for a few days. Like great titans of old, they lived in as different a world from Xander than Xander did from a homeless bum on the street. He knew Chelsea came from money like Leena did, but he didn't think her parents commanded the privilege that billions brought. And not new money, but the old money that was keen on keeping its hoard and passing one even more to the next generation. Radgast's total family holdings, if the rumors were true but they were hard to verify even for Xander, might eclipse all the other assembled board members combined. He came from a very, very old family. One old enough to let Bill Gates and Warren Buffet think they were the richest men in the world.

So Xander left Chelsea and took the walk to the green by himself. There wasn't much left to defeating Leena. Leena was like a deer that had been run aground, laying bloody on the ground just waiting for the Hunter to put her out of her misery.

He'd felt her phone vibrate in his pocket a few times, first starting on the second hole and then through the third. If he'd picked it up, as it had been his spade in the hole, he'd have seen how much Leena felt for her father. Even though their relationship was strained, he suspected she very much sought the man's approval. So news of him having a heart attack delivered by the front desk to her cellphone, Xander was sure, would have rattled her, maybe even made her cry in front of the board. She wouldn't have picked it up, which was why he'd switched phones with her in the first place. Any good magician, and his father had only been good at one thing and taught that to his son, knew to always be confident and never show the marks how the trick was performed.

But Xander liked this outcome better. He'd win without needing to break her in front of the board, so she'd be more useful to him later. Instead he held Leena's gaze as hers sought his. He gave her a tight smile that didn't touch his eyes.

The ball had a straight shot on the green to the hole. There was no wind or obstacle. Even the board's attention had been redirected by Chelsea and the Divine Wind. Jessica fought with Ben in a shadow war that could never be allowed to rise the overt attention of the board. So the weapons they used were veiled threats, leverage over each other, successes or failures of their protégés, and what prospects were on the horizon or had been lost. All of that was happening away from Xander and Leena.

So despite the setting and the audience as the battle between Xander and Leena came to a close, Xander found himself along with Leena. It was more intimate than Xander would have thought possible. He felt it, and he could see that Leena had as well. In the lee of the all the politics and crap that had arisen between them, Xander said, "It's no longer a question of us becoming closer, just who will be on top."

He kept his cool, calm eyes on Leena as he drove the ball home. The path was so sure and absolute that he wanted to watch the nervous if hopeful optimism in her eyes die and be replaced with certain dread that he had won and she was now his. He didn't even look down to confirm the ball had went into the hole, he just waited for her face to go crestfallen. When it did, he said in a low, calm voice mention only for her, "Grab my ball bitch."

He watched as she complied with a cruel smile on his face. "And my club." He let her take it like she was his caddie or perhaps servant was a better any to think of it. The definition for 'bitch' had such wide and ambiguous connotations, but Xander was a lawyer and that's how lawyer's loved it.

 

[asetikish]

Leena tried to look as calm as she could through the nerves wracking her body. And then, she paused seeing him hold her and her blood went from cold to boiling hot. The woman was whore supreme. It would do her a lot of good to have her face scratched. She looked away and turned her attention back to the game freezing her blood once again as Xander took the shot. The ball flew into the green and suddenly, Leena found herself praying to all sorts of gods to make him miss the shot. It was a flat, clear shot. Not even a bit uphill. Still, she kept her signature condescending composure.

"It's no longer a question of us becoming closer, just who will be on top."

Leena crossed her arms under her breasts. "You think I don't know that? Remember Xander, this isn't just about the game."

Everything was on the line with that one shot and when it sank into the hole, there was no hiding the anxiety in her face. She was going to be Xander's whipping dog for a whole month! She had three cases and two of them are about mergers worth several billion dollars. She couldn't be distracted with being someone else's bitch! Besides, she also had to help Ben with several other cases he had lined up. The month was going to be pure hell for her.

Speaking of a month of hell, there was going to be a family get together in about ten days, which meant spending time with her father and mother and her brothers. All of whom were in the family business. Going back, she would have to endure another round of criticisms about how she was working herself to death to make others rich. How she wasn't progressing at all. How she was such a black sheep. All in the hearing of every friend and extended family they invite every year. And this year, like every year, she would just grin and bear it. Especially since it was true. Her family could take all the vacations they wanted while she was stuck running after clients and spit-shining their portfolios.

Worst of all, if they found out that she was a co-worker's bitch for losing, she would never hear the end of it!

Leena's eyes glanced off Chelsea as she worked the board with the club--to note, they were more interested in the set of Big Berthas at her chest. Men! Well, there goes her promotion as well, most like. She sighed and was surprised to find Xander right beside her. She looked at him. So sure. So smug. She wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off his gorgeous face by mopping the greenery with his face. Especially when he told her to get his ball.

Grumbling, she came up to the hole and fished the ball out of the hole. Before she could go away, he also told her to get his club. She glared at her but complied. She was a woman of her word, but the bet never included meek compliance. She grabbed the club from his hands and headed to his bad and chucked both in. With the board still fawning over Chelsea and the club, Ben walked over to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be fine, Leena," he said with that trademark grandfatherly way of his. "You're still the best damn lawyer I know. Your work speaks for you."

Lenna shrugged a still crestfallen that she lost. "If you don't mind, Ben. I need to take a walk."

The man nodded and let her walk over to her caddie. "Jimmy, take my stuff back. Don't wait for me. I just need to walk back." She didn't wait for Jimmy's reply or saw him look longingly at Chelsea, as she walked away stomping through the greenery getting away from Xander before he could give her any more orders, especially since she didn't want to board and Ben to see the shame Xander was going to put her through. She was already lucky enough that no one paid any mind when he ordered her around with his ball and club.

 

[kizkiz]

The next part begins

Xander enjoyed her resistance to becoming ??. She'd made the beat assuming she'd win, but at least she kept to her word. He didn't wait around. Once she had his ball and club, he walked over to Chelsea, Jessica, and the Board. He ignored whatever Ben said to Leena.

Jessica turned when he joined the group and said, "Hail Champion." Her voice was dry, no doubt mocking him even as she congratulated him.
Radgast came over as well. "Jess, you know how to pick them, don't you?" He grinned and shook Xander's hand. "So does this mean what I think it means?"

Xander nodded. Being noncommittal wouldn't save his ass if he failed, but at least it didn't tip Ben off to what was going on.

Jessica cut in before Radgast could press for more details. "Investing in the right talent pays your dividends."

Radgast eyed Jessica. His eyes slipped down to her large breasts contained within her tennis skirt and white polo. The skirt fell mid-thigh but was a reminder that Jessica was maturing more like a fine wine than a sack of potatoes. "It sure has."

Jessica reached out and took Radgast's elbow. "I had something I wanted to talk to you about, but was waiting for the right time."

Radgast grinned. "Now is a good time. We got a few hours before the luncheon. Why don't you drive me to the club house. I got a few minutes before I have to talk to McKinsey." He let himself be pulled away to Jessica's golf cart. The pair rode off. The rest of the board went their own ways. Ben departed with a few of them.

Chelsea rushed over like a beam of sunshine. "I did good, didn't I?"

They were alone now on the golf course. The next group of golfer's were still working on the hole behind them. Jimmy had departed, but only after Xander had seen Chelsea lean in and stick her hand down his pants.

"I don't make a habit of sleeping with the help." Xander reached into his pocket and forked off the rest of the money he owed her.

Chelsea's radiant smile never faltered. If anything, he might have poured gasoline on the situation. "Habits can be broken." She sauntered closer with the Divine Wind clutched to her breast. "You just need the proper motivation."

Xander managed to take the club without accepting her invitation for a casual breast grab. "I do the breaking." Despite himself he was enjoying the game with her. She was a decent enough appetizer for what he had planned for Leena.

"I'm sure you do, Mister Cage." She batted her eyelashes, pouting her pretty lips.

Xander was sure those weren't the only lips pouting right now. The temptation was there to haul her ass over to the copse of trees in the rough and pound away at that ass for awhile, but Xander didn't let emotions cloud his iron will.

"Your too useful to throw away," Xander said, reaching out and taking her chin in one of his large hands. He turned her head from side to side like he was inspecting a horse. "Pretty on the outside, but broken on the inside, aren't you?"

Chelsea whimpered.
He lifted her up until she was on her tiptoes. "Say it."

"Yes, Mister Cage, I'm all fucked up inside."

"Good. I'll get your number from Jimmy. I'll call you when I need you."

He released her chin and she fell backwards. Her skirt flying up and exposing panties soaked through. Chelsea was slow to push it back into place, leaving Xander sure she fell on purpose. He turned and left, taking the golf cart and went back to his room. He had some briefs to work through and some contracts to wrap up before the luncheon.

 

[asetikish]

Storm clouds were just above Leena's head still unable to believe that she lost. Even with the help of a handicapped club, he still shouldn't have breezed through a win, and as much as it grated her, it was her faultbfor being distracted by that hussy. No doubt, Xander would be using their room right at that moment making the whore scream his name. The thought darkened her even more and she screamed with her mouth closed kicking a tree that was unfortunate enough to just be beside her as she seethed, not even feeling how much vulnerable she was against the tough tree trunk.

She didn't realize how long the walk back was, but she was suddenly reminded when the first drops of rain pattered on her head. Cursing, she let it pour on her. It was still a long walk away from the clubhouse anyway. It was just like her luck to have clear skies suddenly turn to rain. Or maybe it was just the weather matching her mood as the rain got a little heavier soaking her.

"Miss?"

Leena looked up as a man drove up beside her in a golf cart.

"Are you okay? You look like you could use a lift."

Leena noticed that the man was wearing a Blancpain 1735 Grande Complication--one of the most expensive watches in the world and he was not afraid to expose it to the elements. "I doubt you want to get wet."

"Nothing a good dry cleaning can't fix," he smiled. "Come on. If you're in such a bad mood to be walking around in the rain like this, you can unload on me. I have nothing better to do anyway."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." She said climbing up beside him. It was still a long walk and her foot was beginning to hurt form kicking the tree and the drenched shoe was becoming annoying.

He touched her arm and took a towel from the back of his cart handing it to her. "Here, your skin's cold. Name's Jerry, by the way."

"Leena," she said wrapping the towel around her. "I was just a little pissed I lost. You know, lawyers don't take losing kindly. That kind of thing," she let out a bitter laugh. "All my fault, really. I lost my cool."

Beside her, he listened and grinned, constantly dividing his attention between her and the path. "Same with us investors, but thankfully, that's tempered by my hobby in trading."

"You're an investor?" Leena's senses suddenly smelled a client. "You own na investment firm?"

He nodded. "In Switzerland. My dad actually started it, so it's his name. I'm just taking over, that's all. You've heard of Strutkard Investment?"

Leena's eyes lighted up. The fund was huge, investing at least a few hundred million to promising enterprises--and a client so out of reach. Their last billion-dollar investment just went up 40% despite the economic slowdown. "Of course! But you don't sound Swiss. Or your name."

"First name is Aleksis. James is a nickname I got in Harvard. I don't know why. You rather I speak like this?" James said in a very thick Swiss accent that made Leena laugh. "There's that smile," he said reverting back to an American accent. "You look beautiful smiling like that. You don't mind if I get your number Miss Lawyer Leena?" He asked whipping out his phone. "You know, business might arise. And probably other things, too, if you're not too busy."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I don't have a phone, but I do have a number."

"That's alright," he handed her his phone. "I'll give you a message. Just put your number there."

They chatted a bit more before all too soon, they arrived at the entrance. "You should go get a nice warm bath. I'll see you soon?"

"Of course, James. It was great meeting you. Thank you for everything." Smiling, Leena was almost skipping to the elevators to get to her room. Not only did she have a new potential client, the guy was interested in her! A man much nicer than Xander.

As she walked back to her room, her phone that was still with Xander lit up with a message from James. The unknown number said,

James here. This is my number. If you have time maybe I can interest you in dinner tonight? No business just dinner, you and me.

Oblivious of the message in her phone, she opened the door feeling her spirits soaring until she saw Xander on the desk working. Her heart dropped and at the same time she was relieved that Chelsea wasn't in the room with him. She covered the mixed emotions with a neutral mask unable to get the previous joy back knowing that she was going to be this man's slave for the next month. She had to make sure he wouldn't get his hands on a new prospective client.

She tried to look as regal as she could despite being wet from head to toe. Droplets of water dripped from her head to her white golf shirt that clung to her body making a show of her bra-covered breasts down to her flat stomach. Water dripped from her skirt sliding down her long legs before finally forming a puddle on the floor.

With a huff she removed her squelching shoes and socks and tossed them aside heading straight to the shower without acknowledging his presence. She had half a mind to dress nicely, go down and look for James just for a quick chat before a lunch meeting with everyone else.

 

[kizkiz]

A brief work to be done

"If he sees you as a cum dumpster," Xander said without looking up, "he'll never respect you. If he doesn't respect you, he'll never send work your way."

Leena's phone sat on the desk near a stack of briefs. It was still alight with the incoming text message, clearly visible without needing to snoop. The entire desk was arrayed like a general might his army. Each brief was collated with highlights and sticky notes placed at precise, ninety degree angles. There was a small cleared rectangle amongst the pile where the phone rested. Xander had put it there to see how childish Leena might be while retrieving it.

"You must have lost your phone, as someone found it shortly before the match. I retrieved it from them and brought it up here for you. No need to thank me for your carelessness." He shook his head a little, frowning.

He printed something in the margin of a brief with his montblanc pen. The pen had the year of the dragon commemorated along its tip in gold and platinum. The cap had a sleek, gold dragon instead of a traditional clip. It was otherwise black as night. Even the eyes of the dragon on the cap were made of Carbonado -- black diamonds -- whose origin was unknown. Xander's favorite origin story put the exceedingly rare Carbonado as having been created 3.8 billion years ago after the explosion of a supernova, the chunk flying through space until it split in two arriving at the only two deposits ever found on the earth in Brazil and Africa. It was a present from a sticky legal with the State Department that a Chinese expiate turned Brazilian billionaire had needed extraction from. It was one of Xander's signature cases. One of those handfuls of times when he'd been called upon to turn an impossible situation into his client's favor.

"None of which is my problem." He did look up now and caught Leena in his dark eyes like a spider in a web. Although her rain drenched clothes clung to her body with lover's caresses, Xander didn't get distracted by her many charms. "My problem is that I need my feet washed and rubbed. A problem which you are going to fix. Now."

 

[asetikish]

"If he sees you as a cum dumpster," Xander said without looking up, "he'll never respect you. If he doesn't respect you, he'll never send work your way."

Leena stopped in her tacks "Excuse me?" She spun around and saw her phone with him as he continued his little speech before turning back to his case. "You think I sell myself short like that? You're such an ass!" She snatched the phone, knowing that James had sent her a message and Xander read it, not minding the little drops of water that went on top of his papers. Actually, if she could, she would shake like a dog and get all his neat stacks wet, but she didn't. She read the message and almost replied when he gave her another order. Her eyebrow rose.

"Seriously?" Her eyes locked with his and she knew he was serious. She sighed and texted James back, See you later then. before putting her phone down. "Fine, but you have to come to the bathroom. There isn't a basin in here. Sit on the tub." She entered the bathroom and gathered the scrubs and soap, turning on the tap to the right temperature. While, she liked to do things right, she didn't need to be so willing and happy to do them. She may be his bitch for the time being, but she was a bitch with claws and she was more than happy to let him know that she wasn't going to let him walk all over her.

---

In the bar Ben walked over to Jessica with a twinkle in his eye just after they were finished talking to the board. "Your boy did as well as I expected him to. Well, a little too well, I guess. I didn't expect Leena to lose that badly, but well played. Looks like the board has their eyes on promoting your boy and you're going to lose the biggest ace in your case, while I get to keep mine." It was all he could do to keep himself from laughing. As soon as he found out Leena was up for promotion, he knew he needed to find a way to keep that from happening, and Jessica and her little pet boy seemed like the perfect pair to stop just that. And when they do succeed, Leena would be livid at the pair and he would be there to comfort her, like a dear, doting father she never had.

And for the moment, his ploy seemed to be working. Instead of eyeing one candidate, now they were eyeing two to fill one spot. And to make sure it wouldn't be Leena, he had to play a few more cards to make sure he still had the best doing his dirty work for him while he took all the credit.

It had been so easy to fool Jessica into thinking that he did want Leena to make Junior. Sure he talked to the board about her, but only when Jessica was snooping around. Otherwise, it was all drinking with the big boys, which he was sure with his stellar record, thanks to his protege, he was going to make Senior in a year when MacLeland retired. The board had been joking about his replacement of the old lawyer for weeks, and usually, jokes like those carried a weight. Like a prophecy destined to come true. And 'when' he gets Senior, he'd pull up Leena to junior and make her even more beholden to him.

 

[kizkiz]

Learning to Heel.

Xander ignored her antics. She was reverting in someways, which Xander was surprised. Usually when he broke the stuck-up brats, rich girls, and exotic models, it took longer before they were hurling childish retorts. She'd be throwing a tantrum, kicking and screaming if he wasn't careful. But as much as he wanted to be gentle with her, he'd found the first interactions set the tone. He didn't like her tone. Sit on the tub? Did she think she could command him around like he was her bitch?

Xander's eyes watched Leena as she busied herself about the bathroom preparing the tub for him. He was still in his golf shorts and polo, as he had no plans to wear the same outfit twice during the retreat. It just wasn't done amongst these[i/] people. Growing up he'd be lucky if his mother remembered to do the laundry once a month. He'd had to learn early how to take care of his own clothes. Although he'd never admit it to these people, he could hem and fix tears as well as any tailor.

"Leena," Xander said, his voice dropping low. "Come."

After her expected hesitation and waffling, when she did start to walk to him, he stopped her again. "No, Leena. You are my bitch defined by Merriam-Webster as 'a female dog.' You are my female dog for the next 30 days. Now on your hands and knees. You better hope you can make up for the smudges on my papers and failing to comply with one of my commands before the luncheon. Otherwise, I'm going to leash you to the couch."

He waited for that to settle in. "Now, are you going to be a good bitch or a bad bitch?"

---

Jessica sipped at her Cheval Blanc 1947. It was one of the few wines here that enjoyed a Class A status in the Classification of Saint-Emilion wines. She let Ben boast and prattle on. After his brief rant, Jessica took another dainty sip of the merlot. It had an incredible, velvety finish that she found it worth the thirty thousand dollars that the bottle was worth. She rolled the blood red liquid around the glass, impressed by the wine's legs. When the silence had stretched out from polite into awkward she gave Ben the tiniest of smiles and raised her glass. "Cheers to your profound foresight. Now that I lost my associate, I'll have to find another one, won't I?" She nodded her head, and left Ben.

Sure carousing with the Board like a frat boy was one way to bond with the elite of the world. But Jessica had always offered the Board a different value proposition. Demographics were shifting. Less males graduated from college than females. Just as important, women lived longer than males did.

She wound her way through the small tables in the cafe atrium of the glorious terrarium-like ecosystem arrayed around them. The hotel was so large and exclusive as to sport several different biomes. This one was a rolling prairie.

She kept the British austerity that ladies like Duchess Winthrop appreciated. Someone like the duchess was too rich and powerful to appreciate a fawning sycophant. "Your Grace," Jessica said, giving a curtesy. "Thank you for sharing the Cheval with me, it was simply too good to enjoy alone."

The sommelier appeared behind Jessica with the just opened bottle of wine.

The Duchess's crinkled face didn't smile, but she didn't frown either. She gestured to the empty chair. The old lady hadn't moved since Xander had given her the seat hours ago.

Ben played chess. He looked at the world like most westerners in terms of pawns and kings. In his world there was a rigid hierarchy. When a piece was taken off the board, especially the more senior pieces, they never came back. Jessica played wéiqí. Unlike chess, all pieces started equal and gained their power by connections, position, and timing. Pieces were often sacrificed but could come back. Chess fought one war on a common battle field, whereas wéiqí was at least five different battles happening simultaneously.