Chapter 17 #2
“Keep going,” she breathes, desperate. “Please. I’m so close.”
I want to drop to my knees, to taste her, to show her exactly how good I could make her feel if we had more time and privacy. But she’s already teetering on the edge, and we’re one sound away from getting caught.
So, I keep my focus, quickening my pace.
She gasps, grabbing my shoulders like she needs something to hold onto, then pulls me flush against her like even an inch between us would be too much. I nip at her throat, her collarbone, anything I can reach. Anything to keep her with me as she falls apart.
She clings to me, trembling, her body pressed so tight it feels like she’s trying to fuse herself to my skin. The sound she makes—my name, broken and breathless in my ear—nearly finishes me off.
She melts into me, boneless and warm. Then lifts her head just enough to smirk, her breath still uneven. “I think you lied.”
“Lied about what?” I ask, confused.
“There’s no way that hasn’t been done in over five years. Because my god, Theo. Wow.”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud as hell. In fact, I can’t stop grinning like an idiot.
Her hand slides between us, pressing against the solid line of my erection through my suit pants. I’m so hard it’s almost unbearable, straining against the fabric like my body’s seconds from exploding from the sight of her alone.
She starts to undo my belt, but I stop her, my fingers circling her wrist, holding her in place.
“You don’t have to do this,” I whisper.
“I want to.”
Her bottom lip juts out in a pout she doesn’t even realize she’s making. And then—fuck.
“Please, put your dick in my mouth, Theo.”
My brain short-circuits. There’s no recovery from that. No going back.
Somehow, I manage enough self-control to shake my head, even though I’ve never wanted anything more. I’ve wanted to know what it’d feel like to have her get me off. Not here, though, not now. Not when someone could walk in at any moment.
Gently, I pull her hand away from where I’m already painfully hard, then tilt her chin up so she has no choice but to look at me.
“I’ve thought about it. Constantly,” I admit. “And even though there’s nothing I want more than your pretty little mouth wrapped around my cock, we need to stop here.”
Her brows knit, frustration flashing across her face. “That’s what you keep saying. That we shouldn’t do this. But your actions? They say something else entirely. First, with the kissing. Now this.”
She’s frustrated, and it makes me want to kiss her.
So, I do.
I press my lips to hers, slow and deliberate.
“Not here, okay?” I murmur against her mouth. “I don’t want to risk more than we already have. Soon, though, love. I promise.”
She groans, pushing herself upright as she smooths down her skirt. “Sometimes I hate that you’re so responsible.”
I stand too, wrap an arm around her waist, and pull her in close. “You make it pretty damn hard.”
She smirks, tilting her head up and pressing her hips against my very obvious problem. “I know I do.”
This woman is going to be the death of me.
Before I can figure out what to do next, a sharp knock rings out, followed by the unmistakable sound of Lisa stepping into my already open office.
Her eyes narrow as she tries to make sense of what she’s seeing. Marley in my arms, cheeks flushed, pressed snug against my chest. Her confusion progresses into something closer to pissed.
We step apart in unison, straightening up in defense like a couple of teenagers caught making out behind the gym.
The only silver lining? That she didn’t walk in three minutes ago, when my fingers were inside Marley.
Lisa’s gaze flicks between us. “What’s going on here?”
Marley jumps in without hesitation. “I was upset. Theo was being nice and consoling me.” She sniffs and swipes at her nose for good measure, selling the hell out of the act.
I stay silent, mostly because if I open my mouth, whatever comes out is going to sound strained as hell. I’m barely holding it together over here.
Lisa’s eyes narrow, not buying it. She points between us. “I need to speak to both of you. Separately.”
Her tone is clipped, no-nonsense. I’m now officially scared shitless. Even though I’m the CEO, we all know Lisa’s the one who really runs this place. Most of the time, she’s sweet as can be. The second she senses something is off, though, you better brace yourself. She doesn’t let anything slide.
Which is exactly why I’ve promoted her more times than I can count. Being on the receiving end now is a whole different story. Right now, I feel like a kid getting hauled into the principal’s office. And for once, I probably deserve it.
“Theo, I’ll speak with you first. Marley, please return to your desk. I’ll be out shortly.”
Marley glides past Lisa with that effortless grace of hers, flashing a carefree smile like she doesn’t have a single worry in the world. She even throws in a near-curtsy as she slips through the door.
Just before disappearing completely, she catches my eye over Lisa’s shoulder and mouths, oh shit.
That about sums it up.
Oh shit.
This is exactly why I shouldn’t be hooking up with my assistant. It’s a bad look for me, for her, for my company.
But do I regret it? Not even a little.
I should, but I don’t. Not in the least.
I can’t imagine going through life never knowing what it felt like to kiss Marley. To watch her come undone—mouth open, fingers curled in my shirt, completely lost in me.
No fallout could ever make me regret that kind of closeness. Not with her.
Lisa steps forward, her eyes flicking to the chair that’s still angled too close to mine. She doesn’t take it. Instead, she lowers herself into the one directly across from my desk, expression unreadable.
“Care to explain what’s going on here?” she asks, folding her hands in her lap. “Because right now, I’m jumping to a whole lot of conclusions that would be devastating to you and this company.”
I exhale slowly, lowering myself into my chair and leaning forward, hands clasped. “I know it looks bad, but it’s not what you think. She was upset and crying. I gave her a hug. That’s all.”
It was a hell of a lot more than that, but there’s no way I’m admitting it. Not until I figure out how to handle this without putting both of our jobs at risk.
She adjusts her thick-rimmed glasses. “And what exactly made her so upset? Because if it’s enough to warrant a personal meeting with the CEO, I assume it’s affecting her performance.”
“It’s not,” I rush out. “She’s been great. And no offense, but it’s not my place to share what was upsetting her.”
Lisa’s brows lift. “I’ve never heard you say an employee has been great.”
“Well, it’s true.” I shrug, leaning back. “No one’s bugging me with useless shit, thanks to her. She delegates like a pro, takes detailed notes during meetings. Honestly, she’s made my life a hell of a lot easier. No complaints.”
I’m the noisiest complainer in this office, everyone knows that. So, for me to suddenly have nothing to nitpick? It’s a first.
Sighing and clearly annoyed she has to deal with me, she asks, “Are you sure you both aren’t getting too close? It’s not exactly normal for an assistant to be crying on her boss’s shoulder.”
“We’re civil,” I say, keeping it as neutral as possible, hoping that’ll put an end to the interrogation. Meanwhile, I can feel sweat dripping down my back, for chrissakes. I’m used to telling the truth, no matter how blunt or harsh. I don’t lie. Until now.
Lisa studies me for a beat before finally nodding.
“I’ll take your word for it. For now.” She stands, adjusting the arms of her blazer.
“Anyway, I actually came in here to let you know the ex-employee dropped their wrongful termination case. Probably realized they didn’t have a leg to stand on, seeing that they recently got terminated, again, from another company. ”
“That’s great,” I reply, relieved, but not caring as much as I should at the moment.
“It is.” She nods, reaching for the doorknob.
Before leaving, she pauses, pinning me down with a knowing look.
“Theo, please be careful. You got lucky this time since the case obviously had no merit. You don’t want a harassment complaint knocking at your door next. You’re a smart man. Stay that way.”
I don’t even have a response in me. Not that it matters since Lisa is already gone, the door clicking shut behind her before I can even think of what to say.
I lean forward, dragging my hands down my face with a groan.
Fuck.
This is exactly why I don’t do this. I’ve never once come close to crossing that line with an employee. Never even been tempted.
But Marley? She’s different. She makes the risk feel worth it.
Could it all go bad?
Easily.
Would I regret it?
Even after today, I’m starting to think, no.
The one thing that’s clear is that I need to either put a stop to whatever the hell this is or figure out a way to make it work. Because right now, we’re walking a fine line. One that could blow up in both of our faces.
Yet, none of that stops me from slipping into the single-stall restroom, bracing a hand against the wall, and getting myself off to the thought of Marley coming for me.
I’ve officially lost control.