Chapter 26
It thankfully only took three weeks for Adam and I to hire and train my replacement at Wright and Co. And though it probably qualified as discriminatory hiring practices, I made sure to break the cycle of petite brunette secretaries.
I still don’t know what Adam’s intentions were with me, if he even had any, but I wasn’t about to risk yet another secretary falling prey to him like the previous two apparently had.
Really, the timing worked out perfectly. Emmett had been so mad at me when I insisted on staying to help with the transition, but it gave him and Jax the time they needed to get their new office set up downtown.
They’d both been working from home or out of Emmett’s brokerage, often just meeting clients at restaurants or renting space for larger meetings, so they were overdue for a dedicated office space for their venture capital firm and to manage their properties from.
And what an office it was. Lundquist Ventures” new space was gorgeous. An old, whitewashed, brick building downtown that had been turned into what I could only describe as a classy, yet moody office.
The walls were painted a matte black, but all the offices and rooms were spacious with tall ceilings, so it never felt overwhelming or small. Wood and gold accents were everywhere, and the original wood floors had been sanded down and refinished in their natural color. That, along with the gorgeous gold chandeliers and wall sconces throughout, brightened the place considerably.
But my favorite part? My office.
When I met Emmett here this morning, I had assumed I would be working the front desk, same as I had for Adam. But he informed me that he wanted me to be more hands-on with the day-to-day operations of their numerous endeavors, so I got a private office on the second floor.
It didn’t have any furniture in it yet, as Emmett said I could pick out what I wanted and decorate to fit my tastes, but it did have the most gorgeous wood-burning fireplace situated between two tall windows. The fireplace brick was painted black to match the walls, and it had a large, knotted wood mantle that’s absolutely stunning. The ceiling in my office had also been covered in wood to match the mantle, and the entire space felt cozy and welcoming.
We all decided I’d split my days between Jax and Emmett’s offices until I had mine set up, which worked out perfectly for training.
I’d spent my morning with Jax as he walked me through some of the basics of what I’d be doing to help him manage their investment portfolio. I honestly felt a little overwhelmed as he explained terms I didn’t know, but he was patient and a good teacher, and by the time lunch rolled around, I was feeling more confident about what I’d be doing.
I’m sitting in the breakroom on the first floor now, taking advantage of the quiet time to soak in everything I’ve learned so far. Running my fingers through my hair, I pull at the little knots at the ends.
I almost feel silly for how much I resisted coming to work for them. Half a day in and I already know I’m going to enjoy this more than my previous job. Not just because I get to work with Emmett and Jax, which is a huge benefit, but because it seems like I’ll actually be doing something important–like they’re trusting me with a part of the business they’ve worked so hard to build.
Finishing the last of the salad I brought with me, I slide my Tupperware container back into my lunch box, then make my way upstairs to Emmett’s office. It certainly isn’t a coincidence that the only two offices on this floor are his and mine, with Jax’s down on the first floor.
Emmett’s office door is open when I approach, but he isn’t at his desk. Stepping inside, I’m surprised at how large this office is, and I wonder how Emmett convinced Jax to let him have it, especially since he has an office at his real estate brokerage, too.
The layout of Emmett’s office is similar to mine, just much larger. It also has two large windows overlooking the street below, but lacks a fireplace. Instead, he has his desk situated in the space between the windows, with two chairs on the opposite side of it. To the right of his desk is a mini bar with a small couch, two armchairs and a television mounted above the bar, and to the left is a huge bookcase spanning most of the wall. There’s a door in the middle of the case, and I walk over to it, curious as to what’s behind it.
The handle is unlocked when I try it. Pushing the door open, I’m surprised to find a huge on-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and a jacuzzi tub. The shower is huge, with more shower heads than I’d know what to do with. It makes me wonder if this building was a house at some point, because why else would there be a giant bathroom off of his office?
I turn around, walking back out to Emmett’s office to find him leaning against the doorway, hands in his pockets. He has no business looking as good as he does in his all black suit.
My hands involuntarily go to my skirt, my palms running over the material as though to smooth it out. Thankfully, I’d decided to overdress for my first day, because he and Jax are both in suits. Emmett just lacks a tie.
I’d splurged on a new black pencil skirt, white blouse and red blazer specifically for today. I’d also indulged in some new lingerie which I wore underneath. A little surprise for Emmett later, since I’d told him I would stay over tonight.
Emmett pushes off the doorframe and strolls over to me. Reaching out, he runs his fingers along my jaw before pushing my hair behind my ear. “Ready for more training?”
“Yes,” I say, though it comes out a bit breathless. The way he’s looking at me right now, like he wants to consume me, has me squirming, wondering what exactly he means by training.
A small chuckle rumbles from his chest, but to my surprise, he just heads to his desk, removes his suit jacket to drape over the back of his chair, then drags another chair up beside his before sitting down, opening up his laptop, and grabbing a file from the corner of his desk.
“What?” he asks, smirking at me as he leans back in his chair. Something about the casualness of it makes him that much more intimidating.
I close my mouth, realizing I’ve been standing here with it agape and probably a stupid expression on my face. “Nothing,” I mumble, heading over to the empty chair beside him.
His eyes rove over me as I move. “Were you expecting something else, Miss Miles?”
Was I?
Who am I kidding? Yes. Yes, I was. I thought–no, hoped–that Emmett’s idea of training involved a little more skin to skin contact and a little less laptops and files.
Jesus, Riley, what’s wrong with you?
It only took a few weeks to go from fighting tooth and nail not to work for Emmett, to fantasizing about him bending me over his desk. I shiver, forcing the unwanted–okay, very wanted–thoughts from my mind.
“I just didn’t know what to expect today,” I tell him. But the tilt of his lips and the dark look in his eyes tell me he doesn’t believe me one bit.
He pats the chair beside him, and I join him. He gives me a pile of documents to sign, hands me my new work laptop, and then we’re spending the next few hours discussing the renovation of the apartments he’s acquiring from Adam.
Emmett wants me to lead the renovation, basically acting as the project manager, and I’m honestly excited about it. I like that he trusts me to handle something so big, because it makes me feel like he trusts me–as a person. As a partner.
Before I even realize it, it’s dark outside, and I grab my phone to see it’s already 8 p.m. Tossing my phone back on Emmett’s desk, I sit up in my chair, stretching my arms.
I’d long since lost my heels and blazer when he kicked me back over to this side of his desk. He wanted me to start getting design ideas together to make the apartments more high-end.
Much to my dismay, Emmett has stayed on his side of the desk all afternoon, staring intently at his laptop and occasionally picking up his phone to text someone or take a call. I hadn’t realized just how busy he and Jax were until today. They’ve been fielding phone calls, texts, and working on other projects non-stop since I arrived, all while training me.
Emmett looks up from his laptop to see me stretching. “Shit,” he says, glancing at his watch, then running a hand through his hair. The way it makes the ends stand up gives him such a sexy, disheveled look. He also unbuttoned the top few buttons on his shirt at some point and rolled up his sleeves, his arm and chest tattoos on display now. “Sorry, baby, I don’t expect you to work overtime. I just lost track of time.”
“That’s okay,” I say, setting my laptop down and standing up to round his desk. I step between his legs, my hands going to his head so I can run my fingers through his hair. “I don’t mind. There was a lot to learn today.”
His hands come to my hips as he closes his eyes, leaning into my touch. “Hmm. Still,” he says, his voice lazy as I continue running my fingernails over his scalp. “I don’t want you staying at work late. Especially by yourself.”
“Good thing you’re here with me, then.” My hands drop to his shoulders and he finally opens his eyes again.
I toy with the outline of the tattoo visible at the opening of his shirt before running my hands down his chest and kneeling in front of him. He’s been sitting here looking so damn good today that I can’t seem to stop myself as my hands come to rest at his belt.
He’s already getting hard, the bulge evident in his pants, and I run my hand over it, cupping him. I work him through the fabric of his slacks and his breath catches. When I look up, he’s got his head tilted back, hands in fists on the armrests.
My hands come back to his belt, and I work the buckle open before freeing him from the confines of his pants. I lick my lips at the sight of him, fully erect with precum running down the tip of his cock.
Seeing him like this, hard and ready for me, makes me feel confident. Sexy. Powerful. And I’m determined to drive this man mad.
Riley grasps the base of my dick, and I look down to see her bringing her lips to the tip, licking away the clear fluid. She keeps her eyes on me the entire time, a small smirk playing at the corner of her lips before taking the tip into her mouth.
A shudder runs through my body and straight to my balls at the sight.
The way she got on her knees for me was so damn sexy. This newfound confidence she has with me makes me want to explode before this has even started. I grip the arms of my chair, my teeth grinding as I try not to blow my fucking load, like some kid getting head for the first time.
She does this thing with her tongue, swirling it over and around my tip, making me throb in her hand as she tightens her grip. I can’t look away as she takes me deeper into her mouth, sucking and running her tongue along the length of me before setting a rhythm and fucking me with her mouth. I sink deeper and deeper with each of her movements, Riley sucking on me like it’s her life’s mission to get me off. And she’s going to succeed much quicker than I’d like her to at this rate.
It doesn’t help that she’s been sitting across from me all afternoon in that tight little skirt, her red bra just barely visible beneath her white blouse. When she would lean forward in her seat, or twist to the side at just the right angle, her shirt would part just enough that I’d catch a glimpse of the red lace covering her tits.
It got to the point that I had to step out of my office for my phone calls because she was so damn distracting. She’s been driving me absolutely crazy and I’ve been battling a boner most of the goddamn day.
“Fuck,” I grit out as she takes me into her mouth almost to the hilt, sucking hard. When she tries to pull back, I grasp the back of her head to push her down further onto my cock. She gags when I hit the back of her throat, and I ease her back up again, only to push her back down. “You take me so well, Riley. Fucking made for me.”
She whimpers around me at the praise, the vibration against my dick driving me wild. I hold her head there as my hips start moving, bucking up into her wet, hot mouth, hitting the back of her throat over and over again. Saliva runs past her lips down the length of me, creating a wet spot in my lap, and it’s so fucking erotic.
Soak me, baby.
I continue thrusting up into her, drawing out the pleasure of her mouth on me, until I start feeling close to coming.
Pulling her head back, she peers up at me with tears in her eyes and smudged makeup. She’s so gorgeous like this. A sexy, ruined little mess. Her soft, pink lips stretched around my cock.
It takes everything in me not to keep driving into her mouth, but I need her to come first. I need to feel her lose herself around me. I need her screaming my name.
Pulling her to her feet, I grab her ass and lift her onto my desk. My hands are everywhere, desperate to touch her, to feel her, to know she’s here, and she’s mine. I trail them up her thighs, over her breasts and cup her face, kissing her hard and urgently. Trailing my lips to her neck, I start on the buttons on her blouse.
“Dammit,” I hiss as my fingers fumble with the tiny buttons. Why are they so fucking small? Losing my patience, I rip her blouse open, buttons flying in the process.
“Hey,” she protests. But I ignore her, my hands finding her breasts, my thumbs working her nipples through the red lacy fabric of her bra. “That was new.”
I give her nipples a hard pinch and she whimpers again, arching her back and pressing her breasts into my hands.
“I’ll buy you another one,” I say, trailing kisses down her neck and toward her chest.
Pulling down the fabric of her bra, I pull her nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the hardened peak before nibbling on it and gently tugging the tip between my teeth as I pull back.
Her head falls back as she moans, and I can’t help the smile that plays on my lips as I move to her other nipple and repeat the nibbling and tugging. Her hands find my shirt, pulling me into her as she grinds up against me.
My girl is needy.
But I’m just as needy right now, and don’t think I have the patience to drag this out like I normally would. My hands find her thighs and I push her skirt up her legs. Riley grabs onto my shoulders for leverage and lifts her hips so I can finish pushing her skirt up and out of the way.
The flash of red between her legs catches my attention, and I step back, looking at her as she leans back on her hands, her hips rolling like she needs me back between her legs.
“Emmett, please,” she pleads.
“You’re so goddamn beautiful writhing on my desk like that.”
Reaching out to push her hair behind her shoulder, she shudders as I run my hand down her chest, between her breasts, and over her stomach before stopping at her pussy. She’s soaking wet when I run my fingers over her lacy underwear.
“These new, too?” I hook a finger underneath the fabric of her thong to run along the slick length of her.
“Uh huh.” She grinds her pussy against me.
“Mmmm,” I hum, dipping a finger into her as my thumb finds her clit. “I like them on you, but I think I’ll love taking them off you more.”
When I pull my fingers away, she groans, and I can’t help but chuckle at how needy she is for me. She’s never been good at hiding her desire from me, her body like an open book. But she doesn’t even attempt to hide it now, unabashed at showing me how much she wants me.
Grabbing the thin straps of her thong, I work them down her thighs before stuffing the lacy little thing into my pocket. I think I’ll be keeping these.
When I take her mouth again, her tongue tangles with mine. Moving my hand back to her center, I sink two fingers inside, thrusting them into her as she starts to roll her hips again, grinding into my hand.
Our kiss is sloppy, wet, and when I add another finger into her and she starts to tighten around me, I want nothing more than to make her come so hard she sees stars. I continue pumping my fingers into her slick heat, my thumb working her clit until I’ve got her right on the edge.
Her pulse beats wildly under my fingers when I bring my other hand to her throat. I gently start to squeeze, applying some pressure, just enough to—
“No!” she screams, pushing at my chest, her eyes wild and full of fear. I stop moving immediately, confused by her sudden outburst.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, my fingers still buried deep inside her.
Her breaths come fast and she starts hyperventilating, frantically pushing at me. It’s like a switch flipped, and suddenly she’s scared and panicking.
“Get off of me!” She claws at my chest, pushing against me uselessly. “No, no, no,” she cries.
She jumps off the desk as I pull my hand from between her legs, but she wobbles. I reach out to catch her just as she collapses. She’s dead weight against me and I slide to the floor with her, pulling her into my lap and cradling her in my chest as she starts sobbing uncontrollably.
“Hey, hey. You’re okay. I’ve got you.” I hold her tight against me, stroking her hair.
What the fuck?
My muscles tense as I hold her, every part of my being desperate to take away whatever is hurting her right now. A feeling of despair settles over me as my heart thunders away in my chest.
What the fuck happened to her to get that kind of reaction?
Riley shakes as sobs wrack her body. As much as I want to know what’s going on, I simply hold her, knowing it’s useless to try talking when she doesn’t have control of her emotions.
She doesn’t stop me as I pull her in even tighter against me, my arms folded around her tiny body as she turns her face into my chest. Her tears wet my skin through my shirt, and I run my hand up and down her arm, as though I can somehow soothe away whatever pain she’s feeling right now.
My blood runs hot. And it’s not from lust this time, but pure anger. Anger for whatever happened to her to cause such a reaction. Anger toward whoever hurt her. Anger that they’re still hurting her.
Whatever it was, whoever it was, I’ll find out, and I’ll fix it.