Blackmail: Boardroom To Bedroom

By John Charles

When Karl makes a blatant pass at Damien, at a trade show, in Las Vegas, Damien's defenses go into overdrive. It's not that he isn't interested - he is! Karl was hot and sexy, with a killer smile. Moreover he could carry an intelligent conversation. Karl was everything Damien wanted in a partner. But there is more to Karl than meets the eye - a lot more!

Damien made a promise to himself, years ago, never to let another hot, sexy guy get to him. That resolution is put to the test when he and his co-workers decide to party on the last night of the trade show. Can Damien stay the course or will he succumb to the pressures of the Vegas night?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Manifest Vision Publishing
• Release date: Oct 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781882598052

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Blackmail: Boardroom To Bedroom

(Book 1: Extortion, Lust, Love)

Copyright © 2013 John Charles

Smashwords Edition

Copyright and Legal Notice:

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 John Charles. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Table of Contents

Copyright and Legal Notice

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

A Personal Message From The Author

Chapter 1

How could she be running late? The damn hotel is right next door to the conference center, shouted Damien as he looked at the text again. Damn women drive me crazy. It takes them three times as long to get ready and then they still fuss over something.

Suddenly aware that he was shouting in the middle of the conference center, Damien stopped walking and looked around to see if anyone had witnessed his tantrum. Everywhere he looked, people were busy creating trade show booths, trying to outdo the other. This was the industry’s major event of the year. Everyone who was anyone would be here and this year it was Damien who would receive the award for excellence. It scared the shit out of him.

Map in hand, he navigated his way through boxes, equipment, and people to find the Valentech booth. I hope that the people hired to build the booth did their jobs, he thought. In past years, Damien managed to escape the show. He always found an excuse to stay behind, in his lab. This year he had no choice. Ferris Valente, CEO of Valentech made certain he was there.

No excuses this year, Damien. You should be proud of your accomplishments. And Damien was proud. He was more than proud. What got Damien angry was the manner in which people showed off their accomplishments. He hated the showy, loud, obnoxious people who filled these conferences.

I know you hate the public side of this business, but you must understand that your work is important to the industry, said Ferris. And it’s very important to Valentech, too. So no arguments Damien. Ferris was a showman. He knew how to work a room, but he was not obnoxious or showy. He had a charisma that people loved.

Working his way through the maze, Damien stopped in front of a huge booth. The map said it was Valentech, but Damien had never seen the expansive booth before. His eyes wandered over the displays, signage, podiums and conference room all neatly arranged on an island in the middle of the conference floor. It was the largest and most impressive display he’d ever seen.

Amazing, isn’t it? said a worker finishing the carpet installation. We get to build some impressive booths in this center, but this one’s by far the best I’ve worked on.

This is my first time at one of these conferences, so it is awesome to see this, said Damien.

I’m Ted. I just finished the carpet. Two layers of padding so your feet won’t get tired. Not going to help your back much though. Don’t envy you standing here all day trying to smile as people gawk at you like a fish in a bowl, said the man as he stretched his hand toward Damien.

Damien, he said as he shook Ted’s hand. I have no intention of standing in this or any other booth all day. I hope to get my award and make my exit soon after.

Don’t count on that, pretty boy, said a person behind the two men. If I’m stuck here this year, so are you, she said as she walked around the two men and gently pushed a finger to Damien’s chest. Turning to face Ted, she said, I’m Andrea, the person who has been signing all those checks and work orders. Looking good from where I stand. Her hand was outstretched.

Taking her hand Ted said, I think we’re all done here. If you need anything just let us know at the service desk. He said and walked away.

No way am I going to spend any additional time here, Andrea. I didn’t sign up for booth duty and there’s nothing you can say that will make me do it, said Damien as he walked into the booth area, leaving Andrea in the aisle. This is huge. I’ve seen some impressive booths at conferences before, but never anything like this.

Get that research project finished and you’ll see a lot more than impressive booths at a trade show. Ferris is looking forward to next year when you receive the award for the cure for leukemia.

Damien stopped in his tracks and looked at his manager. I’m close, but I’m not sure I can get it done in less than a year, Andrea. This stuff takes time and a good amount of luck, too

The co-workers continued their conversation about research as they explored the booth. Other Valentech employees arrived to put the handouts in place and begin their day of booth duty. Shortly before 9:30, Ferris joined them. We should be getting to the auditorium. The opening ceremony starts soon followed by the awards and speeches, he said looking at Damien. You remembered your speech, didn’t you? said a smiling Ferris.

You love this too much, said Andrea as she and Ferris walked away. Damien followed like a puppy as Ferris guided them to the auditorium. Sitting in the front row made Damien feel very uncomfortable. You need to get used to this. You will be in front of huge crowds as your research gets more recognition, said Andrea. Just relax, it will be over soon. By the way, I took the liberty of tweaking your speech again and placed it on my tablet. She handed Damien her tablet and showed him the changes she made. Just relax and read it, you’ll do fine. You’re so cute when you get all nervous. I wish I were a guy right now. I’d kiss you to try and make you feel better, she said with a giggle.

Damien looked at her shaking his head. Has anyone ever told you, you’re nuts?

The opening ceremony was as boring as Damien thought it would be. The award ceremony that followed made him even more nervous. He barely remembered receiving the award and reading his thank you speech. It must have been good since he got a resounding cheer and applause when he left the podium.

Damien, Andrea, and Ferris spent countless hours working and reworking Damien’s speech. It needed to have the right amount of information and yet had to leave out enough to create intrigue and interest. Valentech was known for creating life saving pharmaceuticals, not simple moneymaking drugs. The testimonials from thousands of doctors and patients alike added to the merits of the company.

Damien’s work in gene re-sequencing was breathtaking to those in the know and exciting to everyone else. If his theories proved correct, he could develop cures for just about every disease known to man. He was walking a tightrope and everyone knew it.

Ferris received the award for outstanding contribution to research as a company and for his influence in helping the industry. Damien was impressed by Ferris’ composure and his ability to work the crowd with his words and gestures.

He’s good, isn’t he? said Andrea as she shoulder butted her companion. That’s why he always gets picked for these conferences. His ability to make our geekdom look spectacular to the press is outstanding. I don’t think anyone else in this industry can do it as well as he does.

The ceremony finished with a loud applause. You’ll be, with me, at our booth for the next couple of hours Damien, said Ferris. There are people who want to meet you and hear all about your research."

The afternoon was a whirlwind of exhibitors, press, and show attendees, all wanting to meet the bell of the ball, Damien. He hated most of it, but maintained his composure as one after the next asked questions about his research. How did you get the idea? Did others have any input? Was he working on some new project right now? If so, what was it, and how far along was he? The questions never stopped.

Andrea took pity on her handsome geek friend and stole him away for a well-deserved break and lunch. You did that like you loved being the center of attention, she teased as they walked out of the conference center. I’m taking you away from the crowd. You need a break.

The cab took them to the Mirage where they enjoyed a quiet lunch away from the noise and stress of the conference. I know this is important, but it’s not my favorite thing to do, he said as they enjoyed dessert and coffee. I guess I’m the door prize for all the people who didn’t win anything this year.

Andrea laughed, Not the door prize but close, she said. We need to get back. Ferris said not to keep you away from your admirers too long.

With a deep moan, Damien followed. This is going to be a long week, he said as they hailed a cab for their return drive.

The afternoon proved to be as stressful as he expected. A never-ending line of people wanted to meet him and hear something about his work. After a while, his answers became a string of words rather than a genuine response. He was bored, tired, and frustrated.

Ferris seems to love this, he said to Andrea. The questions are almost word for word, just the person asking them changes. How does he do it?

She smiled at his discomfort and remembered back when he joined the company. Standing in front of her was a shy, quiet young man who received his PhD for his theories on genetics. More specifically his ideas on the manner in which genetics could be used to create cures for everything from the simple cold to cancer. His thesis was so complex that the thesis committee said it would take years to understand. More than a genius, he was handsome, had a killer smile, and deep blue eyes that found their way into a person’s soul. He worked out regularly and it showed by the way that he fit the suit he wore to the interview.

Ferris hired him on the spot, gave him his own lab, and vowed to give him everything he needed and wanted to make his dreams, and those of Valentech, come true. Only a few short years later, Damien had proved his theories were correct, earning him the recognition he earned.

He does love it Damien. To him, this is the way life should be, said Andrea. "There are only a few more people waiting to talk with you and we can get out of here