Control Read Free

same, no matter what you do."
    He rolled his eyes and pressed the button for the elevator. "Funny. Very funny Cole."
    "You're smiling. I'd say that's a win." I got into the elevator and several women gasped.
    "Cole Alexander? Holy shit!"
    I glanced over at Sam to see him roll his eyes. I laughed and turned around to talk to the girls for a few minutes as we made our way down to the bottom floor. Fans were everywhere, but friends were few, and the guy beside me was one of the only ones in my life. Why he stuck by me, I'd never know, but I was grateful as hell for him.
    "This way, rock star." He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the conference room as the sound of chanting filled my ears.
    "Keep an eye out for Alexis. That's your only job today. Find her and let’s get her number. Got it?" I turned to him and pinned him with a hard stare.
    "Right. Who the fuck is Alexis?"
    "The dark-haired vixen with the big tits from last night." I patted his arm. "I pay you a lot. Don't let me down."
    "Fuck you too, Cole."
    I laughed and jogged up on the stage as someone handed me a mic. The crowd went nuts, which was great, but not at all why I did what I did. My life had once been shit and after working through how to get it back on track, I honestly just wanted to offer my method to others. Their false adoration was just part of the package.
    "Good morning! Who's ready to move a few mountains today?" I smiled and glanced down in the front row as my heart skipped a beat.
    There you are, pretty girl. Mine.

Chapter 3
    Alexis
     
     
    "No fucking way," Heather whispered beside me as Cole Alexander bounded up on stage and the crowd behind us went wild.
    My idea to sit in the front row suddenly seemed to be, by far, the worst idea I'd had in years. I was hoping to avoid seeing him or anyone else as I sunk down in my chair a few minutes before. Shame sat heavy on me at the ignorant decision to let “drunk Heather” talk me into one last night of insanity.
    How I didn't realize that the man from the night before was one of the speakers was beyond me. I'd been looking forward to the motivation event that was dubbing as a charity event for weeks. I'd just been too damn busy to stop and see which speakers were coming to pump us up and then pimp themselves out. I knew names... but not faces.
    "I'm going to die," I mumbled and glanced over at Heather. "I hate you. It's official."
    "I sucked his cock last night, Alexis. Don't hate me. I'm in a private hell of my own."
    "No, you tried to suck his cock. You ended up barfing in the bathroom instead." I turned back toward the stage and forced my facade into place. I'd play the part and run like hell the minute he wasn't looking.
    "It was huge. Did you see it?" she leaned over and whispered roughly into my ear as Cole lifted his hand and let out a warm laugh.
    "Get to your feet. Stand up." He glanced down at me. "Let's get your blood pumping, shall we?"
    The crowd went wild as my nipples budded and every cell in my body sparked to life. He was going to fuck with me for not staying last night. I deserved it. I deserved every minute of torture the next hour was going to prove to be.
    "Lift your hands to the ceiling and close your eyes. I want you to stretch as high as you can." His voice was smooth, deep, sexy.
    I opened my eyes and glanced up to find him watching me intently. I closed my eyes and lifted my chin as if to prove a point. I wanted to tuck tail and crawl under the fucking chair behind me, but he wasn't getting the better of me. Heather might cower in the corner over fucking up, but I would own it. Sort of. I was planning on running to my room and owning it from under the covers of my bed, but still. I was owning it, dammit.
    "Wrap your arms around yourself, like a hug. Tight. Really tight."
    I couldn't help but glanced up at him.
    "Think about the one thing you want most." He tilted his head as his eyes moved down the length of my body. "The thing that keeps you up at night, that makes your