12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
M addie
Julia isn’t at her desk the next morning. Just when I need her the most.
I make my way to my conference room slash shared office with three other co-workers. They’re in and we exchange quick greetings before I take my seat and start work.
But I’m unable to keep my head on work. Last night is still heavy on my mind. And I thought to find Julia early today so she catches me up on the missing pieces of the Easton puzzle.
It can’t be a coincidence the way Chance shut down last night. Something must have happened—something that could switch his moods so suddenly. Something involving his mom.
I sift through my memories. I was too nervous to study the photos on the mantle the day Baxter took me on the tour of their dad’s home. There must have been a woman—their mom—and I missed it.
Ugh.
Unable to sit still, I shut my laptop and go in search of Julia again. She’s not at her desk so I walk up and down the floor.
Luckily, I catch her on her way out of the CFO’s office. She’s grumbling under her breath about bosses and their stressful demands.
“Hey.”
“Oh, hey, Maddie.” She turns to me with a small smile. “What’s up?”
I hurry to keep up with her long strides. “I have some questions but it looks like you don’t have the time.”
She smiles tightly and waves the stack of papers in her hands. “Not really.”
“Well, then. I think my questions about Chance just have to wait.”
She halts and spins to face me. “Personal questions?”
I bite back my smile, knowing I’ve caught her attention. “Yep.”
“Come on.” She pulls me into an office and shuts the door behind us.
“Whose office is this?” I stagger to a stop.
“The head of sales.”
My eyes widen. I’ve had a run-in with the woman and she’s stern. I don’t want to be caught dead in her office. “Julia, not here! She’ll—”
“Don’t worry.” She waves her hand carelessly. “She always has ten minutes of gossiping time with the CFO every morning. I left her in his office. She won’t be here anytime soon.”
“If you say so.” I glance at the door. “I just think, what if she shows up?”
“Maddie, spill your questions. If you don’t we’ll be caught for real.”
“Fine.” I draw closer to Julia and lean in. “I don’t want to be nosy but—”
“You’re about to be, got it!” Julia nods with an encouraging smile.
“Okay. So last night I was talking with Chance…”
“Was this after everyone left the building and it was just the two of you?”
“Julia.” I slap her arm. “Focus.”
“What?” She shrugs with a big grin. “I’ve had my suspicions. So it’s a simple yes or no.”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
“Come on.” She wiggles her brows. “After work, quiet building, you’re all alone, inhibitions are low…”
“Nothing happened,” I say firmly, because last night, it didn’t.
Her mischievous smile wanes. “You’re so boring.”
“Thank you. My question is this: what happened to Chance’s mom? I’ve met his brothers and his dad but not her.” I want to tell her about Chance’s reaction last night but that feels too private.
“You’ve met the whole family? When?”
Oh, shit. I didn’t tell her about the girlfriend thing. That was Nat. Before I can think of a plausible reason that’s not the truth, she raises a hand.
“Hold that thought, though.” She glances at the wall clock. “Madam Sales will be back soon.”
I refuse to let my nerves about that get in the way. “Mm-hm,” I prompt.
“Chance’s mom is dead.”
My heart drops into my stomach. “What?”
Nat nods. “Everyone knows it. She’s been gone for many years. Close to fifteen, if I have my facts correct.”
“Oh. That’s… sad.”
“Yep.”
But it’s also been so long. I have no idea what it means to lose a parent, but Nat does since her dad passed on when she was in high school. Yet, she speaks about him without growing sad.
Why did Chance react that way?
“Do you know what happened to her?”
“I heard she was diabetic and that’s what killed her.”
“That’s all?”
Julia frowns. “Yes. Is something wrong?”
I shake my head quickly. “No, I’m just curious.”
“Oops.” Julia catches my arm and pulls me toward the door. “Time’s up.”
We’re rounding the corner when I see the head of sales coming from the other direction.
Her eyes meet mine and I tear my gaze away and hurry to keep up with Julia. “There’s no way she’d know we’ve been in her office, right?” I whisper.
“Of course not.” She leans into me and sniffs.
“What are you doing?”
“Just smelling you.”
“And?” I eye her profile.
“I’m just saying the only way you’ll get into trouble is if she smells you in her office.”
“What?”
“Your perfume stands out.”
“No.” I lift the curve of my inner elbow to my nose. “It does not.”
“That’s how I know you and”—she sends a gaze around us as if to make sure we’re out of earshot—“the boss are getting cozy.”
“We’re not.” Can she tell?
She turns with a smile. “Well, that was worth a shot.”
“Julia!” I play-punch her arm. “You made that up.”
“Ow.” She laughs and rubs the spot. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t be. Nothing is happening.” Anymore .
We stop at her desk and she takes a seat. “Oh, he’s here.” She picks up the file he must have kept and flips through it. “Look here. He’s asking for his very special PA. He can’t start his day without seeing her.” She wiggles her brows.
“That’s a lie.” I turn away before she can see my flushed face.
Her laughter trails me as I head back to the conference room.
I sit and round up with my work. Then I have to see him.
It takes forever to get to his office door because I’m walking so slowly. I sigh and push the door open.
He’s behind his desk, looking sharp in a tan shirt. His gaze lifts as the door clicks shut behind me.
I look away, guilt pinching at my conscience. If he wanted me to know about his mom’s death, he’d have mentioned it, right? But I just had to go digging. Now I can’t look him in the eye.
Julia said it’s no secret, nothing to feel guilty about.
“Maddie?”
“Yes.” I look up and paste a smile on my face.
His eyes narrow. “Can you come a little closer and tell me what I have on my calendar today?”
‘As you always do’ hangs in the air.
I do draw closer and read from the file in my hand even though I have it all in my head.
“That’s your schedule for the day,” I say and close the file.
“Maddie, look at me.” His warm voice sears through my belly.
I look up through my lashes and he’s watching me with a frown.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” I press out a fake smile.
He knows it because he only looks more worried. “Did you get home safely? Is someone bothering you?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then, what?” His eyebrow rises. “Am I working you too much? Are you stressed?” He stands and I have the urge to take a step back, but I hold my ground.
“I’m serious. I’m fine.”
He circles the desk and my stomach curls.
He’s a head and shoulder taller than I am, and broader too. When a man like him advances, I should be scared.
But the only thing I feel is need, heating me from the inside out.
I clutch my file tightly and remind myself. The last time was the last.
I tilt my head to look up into his face as he stops before me.
“I’m overworking you, yes?”
I open my mouth to say no, but then he cups my cheek and runs his thumb over my lower lip. A lump forms in my throat and no words can escape.
“You stayed late last night and now you’re at work early.” His throat bobs, his eyes glued to where his thumb dips into my mouth.
I close my eyes and taste the pad of it. Just a little. This is not sex, it’s… reminiscing.
He groans a low sound and my core clenches in response.
“I can make it better,” he whispers.
I run my tongue across the thumb again.
“Can make you feel better.” His voice is raspier. “What do you say, Maddie?”
My eyes split open and I take in his features. His finger slips from my mouth as he lets me speak. “How do you plan to achieve that?”
He glances at the desk. “Just sit on it for me, legs apart.”
My core clenches. “Isn’t that sex?” I sound breathless. “We agreed not to do that.”
“It’s not sex.” In one smooth move, he spins me around, and backs me up to the desk.
I brace myself on his shoulders as he helps me up.
It’s the opposite of what I should be doing. I should be leaving, saying no, sticking to my guns.
But his hands rub up and down my thighs and I find my legs parting, my skirt rolling up to give him access.
My head falls back as he leans in and leaves a hot kiss on my neck. “Should I?”
“We agreed not to.” So why am I arching my back and pushing into his kiss?
“It’s not sex, Maddie.” He kisses down the center of my chest and licks my skin. “Just gonna eat you out. Give you relief.”
I moan softly. I want it. But I shouldn’t. Blurred lines and all that. Julia already suspects. Sure many are already gossiping about it. It’s not okay.
But I want him.
“Yes,” I whisper.
That one word unleashes the beast.
He yanks my skirt up and pulls down my panties. His mouth devours the swells of my breasts with wet kisses and sweet nips.
“Chance…” I whimper, pushing down on his shoulder.
He obliges and lets my breasts go.
His shoulders edge my thighs apart as he presses his lips to my center.
A long moan slips from my throat and I lift my pelvis for better access.
Chance takes it with a growl. His hands clutch my hips tight and he spreads my pussy lips open with hard licks.
I gasp, shocked by his ferocity and the need pumping through me, making me jerk up into his forceful kisses.
Pleasure slices through me as his tongue licks up and down my slit, then spears inside me. I grip his hair, holding him steady as I rock into his face.
“Yes,” he says raggedly. His hands drift to my ass and he holds me open, eating me like he’s a caveman with his first cut of meat in weeks.
My back hits the desk and my moans skyrocket.
Chance thumbs apart my pussy lips and then the flat of his tongue sweeps over my clit.
My lower back arches and a gasp leaves me. He goes over it, again and again, until I’m a panting, pleading mess.
“Please, Chance.”
I’m not certain what I’m asking for, but I know it’s only him that can give it to me.
His mouth leaves my center and alarm shoots through me.
Is he stopping?
I try to sit up but he pushes me back down and then my legs are coming up.
“What?” I say, breathless.
Chance holds my legs and dives back in.
This position, where I have no say, as he eats me, sends my body shaking.
Anyone can walk through the door and see us, see my boss treating me like a snack.
I start to tremble. “Chance, I think… I’m…”
He finds my clit and circles it, again and again. Then he spears two fingers into my pussy, stretching me out.
My orgasm hits me like a freight train. I explode into a million pleasured pieces as he rides out my orgasm with long licks and his spearing fingers.
Only when I sink back onto the desk does he let up. He kisses my inner thighs, then pulls my panties back up.
Then he leans over me. There’s a smile in his eyes. “Have lunch with me.”
“Is lunch code for something?” I’m still breathing heavily.
He smirks. “Yes, code for eating real food.” Then his tongue sweeps over his still-wet lower lip and I think I’ll take whatever lunch is, food or not.