Chapter Twenty-One
Pepper
It’s after six when we walk Dr. Bowry out, and Clay is gone. I try not to let my disappointment show and focus on how well the meeting went. Dr. Bowry mentioned my company to MS Enterprises, a group of investors who fund healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical research and development, and they’re open to reviewing a proposal for funding.
“That couldn’t have gone any better,” I say to Ravi. “I want to get on that new proposal opportunity with MS Enterprises right away. I’ll review the reports again tonight and go over the budgets and documentation one last time this weekend, so we can reach out early next week to schedule a meeting.”
“Don’t you want to spend time with Clay?”
“Of course I do, but this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss out on by coming in too late. I’ll find a way to fit it in. I’m sure he has other things to do while he’s here. He knows I have a business to run and employees who count on me not to drop the ball.”
“We count on you, but not if it’s at the expense of your happiness.”
“You know me better than that. My happiness has never been dependent upon a man.”
“Maybe not, but I don’t think you’ve known happiness like you do when you’re with him.”
“What are you, a mind reader?”
“Do you think I didn’t notice how disappointed you were that he wasn’t here when we walked Dr. Bowry out? Disappointment wafted around you like dirt around Pigpen from Peanuts.”
“Ew.”
“Hey, you guys,” Chris says as he and Min walk into the lobby with their coats on, ready to leave. “Check out what Clay gave us.” They each hold up an autographed football.
“We’re going to get display cases for them,” Min says proudly.
“That’s wild,” Ravi says. “He got me a bobblehead to go with my collection.”
“Are you BFFs now?” I joke. “How did he know about your collection?” Ravi’s collection of bobbleheads consists of everything from Star Wars to sports figures.
“I mentioned it over dinner, remember?”
No, but I was a little sidetracked.
But Clay is never too sidetracked to pick up on the little things. I swear he blew into my life like he belongs here, and in two days he’s made everyone happier. Is he really this thoughtful? Or is he just playing Mr. Perfect for his fans?
I look at Ravi checking out Min’s autographed football. The three of them are all smiles. At that moment, I realized it doesn’t matter if Clay is playing a role for fans or not. Either way, he was thoughtful enough to think of my friends, and that says a lot about him.
But I do have to nip him answering our phones in the bud. “While we’re on the subject of Clay,” I say, drawing their attention, “Chris, you can’t let just anyone answer the phones.”
“Clay’s not exactly just anyone , and it’s not like I put him up to it,” Chris insists. “I tried to dissuade him, but he really wanted to help.”
“I was there,” Min says. “Clay was very persuasive.”
I know just how persuasive he can be.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Ravi says. “It’s no different from when Chris’s sister was visiting and helped out. Besides, Dr. Bowry was thrilled to meet him. He talked about Clay for ten minutes when we got into my office.”
“I would’ve run it by you,” Chris says. “But I didn’t think it was worth interrupting your training session.”
“It’s okay. Ravi’s right. It’s not so different from when your sister helped.” Except that Clay is famous and can buy a hundred companies like mine if he wants to, and I’m sleeping with him, and trying to figure out why he’s doing so much for me. “It just threw me off. Hopefully we’ll find a receptionist soon.”
“It threw me off, too,” Chris says. “But then I realized he’s a great guy. I had fun showing him around. He actually understood a lot of what we’re doing.”
“That’s great. Thank you for showing him around.”
“Are we cool?” Chris asks.
“Yeah. Go get your display cases.” As Chris and Min walk out, I exhale a long breath. “I overreacted, didn’t I?”
Ravi holds up his finger and thumb an inch apart and mouths, A little .
“Why would Clay want to answer our phones?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Ravi nods in the direction of the door.
Through the glass, I see Clay coming down the hall carrying two large bags. Our eyes connect, and that there you are smile appears. Suddenly the questions don’t seem worth worrying about anymore. I open the door for him. “Hi. I thought you were gone.”
“I knew you and Ravi might be burning the midnight oil, so I brought dinner for all of us.”
My heart swells. If he is only playing a role, he could win an Academy Award.
“Thanks, Clay, but I just remembered that I have a basketball game tonight,” Ravi says. “I’m going to grab my coat and take off.”
“You don’t play on Friday nights,” I say.
“It’s a pickup game.”
“Wait. Take this for later.” Clay hands him a to-go container.
“Thanks, man.” Ravi takes it and tosses me an approving glance before heading down the hall.
“I guess it’s just us, sweetheart. Where should I set this up?”
“Let’s eat in my office.”
We set up dinner on the table in my office with the roses in the center. “This chicken marsala smells delicious,” I say as Clay pulls a bottle of Pinot Noir, a candle, and a lighter out of the bag. “Oh my. Aren’t you fancy.”
“Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you don’t deserve romance.” He lights the candle, turns off the overhead lights, and takes my hand, drawing me into a kiss. “How is it possible that I missed you so much today?”
He reclaims my lips, kissing me deeper, more thoroughly, holding me tight against him. I don’t know what it is about us that makes us go from zero to a hundred in ten seconds flat, but we do, moaning and devouring. When he draws back on a series of feathery kisses, I stifle a whimper.
“God, baby, I’ve got no control with you. We need to stop, or I’ll be having you for dinner.”
A giggle slips out as he pulls out my chair. “Are you trying to take over the king of romance title from Dash?” I ask as I sit down. “Because you’re doing a pretty good job of it.”
He sits beside me. “Pretty good is not nearly good enough for you. I need to up my game.”
Doesn’t he know he’s already sweeping me off my feet? I struggle to stay grounded every time we’re together. “You are competitive.”
“Even more so when it comes to you.” He pours the wine and hands me a glass. “Here’s to having more than Paris.”
So much for staying grounded. We toast and kiss. It’s just a sweet touch of our lips, nothing more, and it’s absolutely perfect.
“This is delicious,” I say as we eat. “Thank you for thinking of me and of Ravi, and thanks for answering the phones and bringing everyone gifts.”
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
“It’s a very big deal. Why did you answer my phones?”
“Because I wanted to help. The real question is, why don’t you use an automated system to direct your calls like most companies do?”
“I don’t like them.” I sip my wine. “I think it’s important to have a personal touch. Especially for a young company. It’s frustrating when you can’t reach a person or at least be told how long you’ll have to wait to get a callback. It’s just taking a while to find the right person.”
“Why is that?”
I spear a piece of chicken with my fork. “I don’t know. My ad is very specific, but everyone who applies is either over- or underqualified.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Someone smart, with experience in an environment similar to ours. Someone who’s capable of doing more than phones, but happy to answer them along with their other duties. A team player who can…You know what? Let me just show you the ad.” I pull out my phone and scroll to the ad on the employment site. “This is what we need.”
As he reads it, his expression turns serious. “I think I know what the problem is.”
“You do? What is it?”
“You need a master’s degree just to decipher this ad. It’s too technical. Try to see this from an applicant’s standpoint.” He reads the ad aloud. “Seamless orchestration of front-office functionalities within a dynamic environment focused on innovative technological solutions and data-driven methodologies.”
“Okay, I guess that is a little technical,” I admit.
He glances at the ad again. “You talk about industry-specific vernacular and project initiatives. Come on, Pep. Does anyone even use the word vernacular ?”
“Obviously I do.”
“It sounds like you don’t want a receptionist. You want a scientist that’ll answer your phone,” he teases. “I’m going to do you a favor and rewrite this ad. We’ll find you someone smart and qualified.”
“You’ve done enough already.” I take my phone from him. “Don’t you have anything better to do than hang around my work?”
“Stop worrying about me, and tell me about the meeting with Doc Bowry. How’d it go?”
Persuasive indeed. “It went great. He recommended our company to a group of investors. Which reminds me, I’m sorry, but I need to go over a few reports tonight, so I can work on proposals over the weekend for the migraine device and a hands-free alternative to a mouse that’s controlled by head movements and facial gestures for people with physical disabilities.”
“Don’t apologize. I think it’s great, and I think you are nothing short of amazing. Do you usually work weekends?”
I push my food around on my plate. “If I say yes, does that make me a loser?”
“No. It makes you dedicated to a very important job. I usually work weekends, too.”
“That’s right, Sunday football. But not during your off season.” I take a bite.
“I still work out in the off season, and I’ve got other commitments, and some of them fall on weekends. I’ve got a charity football game in March on a weekend, and I hope you’ll go to it with me.”
That surprises me. He’s thinking about us being together in March? “Where is the game?”
“In Vegas.”
“As in Elvis impersonators, slot machines, loud bars, and flashy lights? That’s not really my thing.”
“No, it’s not. But it might be Reckless’s thing.” He covers my hand with his. “Don’t make your decision now. Let’s wait until you realize you can’t live without me.”
I laugh, but I don’t think he’s kidding, and I kind of love that confidence aimed at us.
“So, tell me, Pep, what do you do when you’re not working?” he asks. “Do you have hobbies?”
“Not really. I like to read, but it usually leads to me thinking up a new project and doing research. I do like to watch Jeopardy! ”
“No way. Me too. I told you we had things in common.” He takes a bite. “What else? You seem crafty.”
“I’m technically crafty, but not artistically. Are you crafty?”
“I’m not bad. We grew up making presents for each other instead of buying them, and that took a fair amount of craftiness. Although, my siblings would say they got too many turkey drawings.”
“Turkey drawings?” I take another bite.
“Yeah, you know the ones where you trace your hand and make the fingers into feathers. Every holiday, that’s what they got.”
“Your Christmas present to your siblings was a hand turkey?” I laugh.
“The hand turkey was my gift of choice for many years, but we don’t celebrate Christmas. My parents adopted celebrations of family and friends instead of religious holidays because we lived among so many different cultures when we were growing up.”
“I love that idea. It’s like the Wall of Love. Holidays that are inclusive, without divisions or boundaries. I think I’d like your parents.”
He cocks his head, his eyes narrowing. “Now you’re just trying to get to my heart, aren’t you?”
I have a feeling my cheeks are going to hurt a lot from this man making me smile. “You are crafty. You spin everything into what you want to hear.”
“When your parents make elaborate treasure maps that you have to decipher with your brothers and sister in order to find your holiday gifts, you learn many different types of craftiness.”
“Seriously? What a great way to teach your kids to work together. Did they really do that?”
He sips his wine. “They did, and they still do. I look forward to it every year.”
“That’s amazing, although I’m sure it takes a lot of work to coordinate all those maps.”
“Play your cards right, and I’ll let you go on the treasure hunt with me this year.”
Is he for real? “How about we make it through a weekend before thinking about holiday plans?”
He leans in and kisses me. “We’re going to make it through much more than this weekend.” He sits back. “But I have to warn you, deciphering the maps is complicated, since my brothers and sister and I don’t all live in the same place. And if one of us or my grandparents or parents are traveling, then that’s usually where we’re going to end up. So you’ll have to clear your schedule ahead of time.”
“I’ll make note of that.” I drink my wine.
“I’m serious. Last year we surprised Flynn on Silver Island where his fiancée, Sutton, is from. You’d love Silver Island.” He tells me about the small towns there, and then he tells me about Flynn and Sutton and how they work together at Discovery Hour , producing documentaries.
“I guess boss-subordinate romance is a family trend. Do Flynn and Sutton still work together? I can’t imagine working with a romantic partner.”
“They still work together, and they make a great team. Their newest series is called Heart Stories , and it’s launching in February. We’re all going to surprise them at my parents’ house.”
“Your family sounds very connected. I love that. Are any of your other siblings engaged?”
“No. Vic was married to a great guy, Harvey Bauer. He was her boss, and sixteen years older than her.”
“Wow, that’s a big age gap.”
“It was. She fell hard and fast for Harvey and went after him relentlessly. It worked out well. They had a shared love for the business, and they were really happy. Unfortunately, we lost him several years ago to a heart attack.”
“That’s awful. Your poor sister.” My heart hurts for her. “The grief must have been unimaginable for her.”
“I think it still is. After he died, she took over Blank Space Entertainment and threw herself into work with that same relentless determination she’d had when she was trying to get his attention, and she’s never slowed down.”
“Burying yourself in work is an easy way to hide from what you’re missing.”
“Is that what you do?” He holds my gaze.
There’s something about Clay that makes me want to tell him all my secrets. I take a drink, considering my response, and decide not to go that deep. “Don’t we all?” I hope it sounds off the cuff and go for a quick change in subject. “It sounds like relentlessness runs in your family.”
“You have no idea how right you are.” Clay tells me about his other relentless siblings, Seth, a business mogul with a serious side who was named Forbes ’s Most Eligible Bachelor twice, and Noah, a marine biologist with a love of all things female who runs an exploratory park for kids. “Needless to say, you’re not going anywhere near Noah.”
“So…Seth is fair game?” I tease.
He scowls and pokes my ribs, making me laugh.
“Don’t worry. One relentless Braden in my life is more than enough.”
“Damn right.” He kisses me. “How did we go from hobbies and holidays to you and my brothers?”
“I don’t know. But I like hearing about your family.”
“I’m glad. But before you try to get me to marry you, you should know that my family likes to make up stories around bonfires, and you’ll be expected to take part in them. There’s singing and playing music and lots of homegrown fun.”
“I’ll keep that in mind while I’m trying to rope you in,” I joke. “I love bonfires. Do you play an instrument?”
“Not well. My dad taught us all to play the guitar, but Seth and Vic are the only ones who are any good at it. What about you?”
I shake my head. “I’m sure it would be worse than my singing. What other hobbies do you have?”
“I don’t have many beyond seeing family and friends, running, and working out.”
“Running and working out are for your job. They don’t count. What else?”
“I tried fishing out at Flynn’s place. He lives on a lake in Port Hudson, New York. But I don’t have the patience for it. I love snowboarding and skiing, but I don’t go often because I can’t risk an injury. Have you ever been?”
“No. I’m not very sporty.”
“You’d look hot in ski pants.” He leans in and kisses me. “But you’d look hotter naked by a roaring fire with the snow falling outside.”
“You definitely deserve that king of romance crown.”
As we eat and finish off the wine, we talk about family, hobbies we don’t have, and things we’ve done or would like to do. We kiss between conversations, laughing and teasing each other. Every kiss makes me want more, and every laugh draws me deeper into him.
“That settles it,” he says as we clean up. “Tomorrow we’re going to knock around town and see if we can figure out hobbies for both of us.”
“Okay.” I have no idea what he thinks we’ll find, but we had so much fun in Paris, I know we’ll have a good time.
“Come to think of it, there is one more thing I like to do,” he says as we clean up. “I mean, besides you .”
A thrill skates through me. “What’s that?”
He puts the last of the trash in the bag and sets it aside. “I was never into video games until they made me a character in one. Every once in a while I’ll play that to get out of my own head, but it’s not a go-to hobby.”
“It must be cool to see yourself in a video game.”
“It’s a little weird, but it is cool. I’ll show you one day.”
“I know nothing about football, and I’ve never even played a video game.” I finish my wine and set down my glass, leaning my hip against the table.
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know. It’ll be fun.”
“Okay, but don’t blame me if I suck.”
He wraps his arms around me. “I love the way you suck .”
His dirty talk is a match to my torch. I go up on my toes as he lowers his lips to mine, and our tongues start a sensual dance. He pushes his hands into my hair, his tongue probing and delving, reminding me of what he did to me this morning, and I’m here for it, arching and grinding into him. He tastes like sweet wine and white-hot passion. He’s rock hard, and I’m vibrating with desire, but he slows his efforts from intoxicating ravishment to sweet tenderness. Just as I catch up, he draws away, whispering, “ Damn , sweetheart,” and touches his forehead to mine. “You need to get that report done.”
My stomach twists. I don’t want to stop, but I know if I don’t get my work done, I’ll think about it all night, and that won’t be fun for either of us. “I do , but I won’t be long.”
“It’s okay. Take your time. That’s why I’m here, so you can get your work done and fit us in where you can. Can I use the computer in the lobby? I’ll get a jump on that ad, and we can hang out when you finish.”
“Yes, but you don’t have to rewrite the ad.”
He cocks a brow, amused. “I do if you want to find a receptionist.” He steps back, his gaze dragging slowly down my body, leaving a trail of blazing heat. When his eyes meet mine again, they’re fiery blue. “I need to get out of here before I bend you over that desk.” He gives me a quick kiss and heads out of my office.
I stand frozen in place, my body whirling like a hurricane. How does he get me revved up so fast? Never in my life have I wanted the way he makes me want. I know all about chemical reactions and hormones, but as I stand here on shaky legs, this feels too big to be just that. I take a deep breath and huff it out, forcing myself to get to work so I’m not here too late.
I sit down behind my desk and pull up the reports for the products we want to pitch. But I’m not just swamped with lust. I feel guilty about working when he came all this way to see me. He’s being so supportive.
And those kisses…
I squeeze my thighs together to quell the ache he stirs.
I can’t just push work aside because a guy makes me hot. I have responsibilities.
But Clay’s not just some guy. He’s everything I never knew I wanted.
And he’ll still be here when I’m done working.
His deep voice whispers through my mind, I need to get out of here before I bend you over that desk .
And now I’m picturing him doing just that.
Clay
I pace the lobby, trying to get my cock to calm the fuck down. I’m not here for that.
Then maybe you shouldn’t have her panties stashed at your place.
My dick jerks with the thought, and I grit my teeth, looking down at the offending bulge in my pants. Get control of yourself. You’re like a fucking teenage horndog.
I close my eyes, thinking about my contract extension, my aching shoulder, and the other quarterback gunning for my job. That takes the edge off.
Relieved, I rake a hand through my hair and go to the computer, needing a distraction to keep my mind off my gorgeous pantyless girl down the hall. I pull up a Word document and realize I have no fucking experience writing employment ads.
Time to call in the big guns. I pull out my phone and call Seth. He answers on the second ring.
“Hi, Clay. What’s up?”
My fucking cock. “I need some help writing an ad for a receptionist job.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m helping Pepper find a receptionist.”
Seth laughs. “You’re with Pepper, and this is what you’re doing on a Friday night? Bro, you have definitely lost your touch. Maybe you do need a wingman.”
“Shut the fuck up and help me.”
“I’m a little concerned,” Seth says with amusement. “She’s a smart woman. Why is she trusting this to you?”
“Because I offered. Are you going to help me or—” I swallow my words as Pepper slinks down the hall like a seductive cat on the prowl. Her hazel eyes are locked on me as she comes around the desk and spins the chair I’m sitting in so I’m facing her.
“Clay?” Seth says as she grabs the button on my jeans and yanks them open.
“Yeah. Never mind. I’ve got to go.” I end the call, and she unzips my jeans as I put my phone on the desk. “Done working already?”
She shakes her head. “I’ll catch up with work in the morning. I was too distracted by thoughts of you bending me over the desk.” She says it so innocently, my cock jerks again. “Commando,” she purrs. “I see you’re a man of your word.”
“Don’t ever doubt it.”
“Seems like you should be rewarded for your honesty.” She sinks to her knees and licks her lips.
“Such a fucking temptress.” I push my jeans down, and she fists my cock. Then she uses that sinful mouth on it, licking and sucking, stroking and taking me deep. “That’s my girl,” I grit out through clenched teeth as she works me tighter. “That’s it. Suck harder.” She does, and it tears a primal growl from someplace deep inside me. “So fucking good.” Her eyes are locked on mine, brimming with pleasure. “Scoot back, baby. I need to fuck your mouth.”
She gives me space to stand, and I rise to my feet, caressing her jaw. She rolls her lower lip between her teeth, looking innocent and sexy at once. “You’re so damn beautiful, on your knees for me. Tell me if I go too hard.”
“You won’t.” She guides my cock into her mouth.
I tangle my hands in her hair, thrusting into her hot, willing mouth again and again. She moves with me, her eyes locked on me like a fucking fantasy. I drive into her harder, faster, until I’m ready to blow. “Your mouth is too fucking perfect.” I grab the base of my cock and pull out. “I want to make you come, and I want to finish inside you.”
Her wicked smile has my dick aching as I lift her to her feet and crush my mouth to hers, kissing the ever-loving hell out of her. Then I spin her around. “Hands on the desk, baby.” When she does what I say, I yank her dress up, baring her beautiful ass, and sink down, needing to taste her. I lick her pussy. “ Christ , you’re so fucking sweet.”
She looks over her shoulder, her eyes blazing. “ Fuck me ,” she demands, breathless and needy.
Hearing those words from that sweet mouth nearly does me in. I grab a condom from my wallet and make quick work of sheathing my cock and aligning our bodies. Clutching her hips, I drive into her. “ Yes ,” she cries out, her pleasure-drenched voice sending me into a frenzy of desire. I pound into her, reaching around to work her clit, earning moans and pleas. “ Harder…Ohmygod…Faster…Yes—” Her pussy grips my cock like a vise, and my name flies from her lips as she rides out her pleasure. Her moans rise around us, and I grit my teeth against the need to come, staying with her until she shudders around me.
“I need your mouth.” I pull out and turn her around, taking her in a ruthless kiss as I lift her onto the desk. I guide her legs around my waist and bury myself to the hilt in one hard thrust. I curse at the excruciating pleasure consuming me, and she cries out, “ Again! ”
My restraint snaps, and we fuck like we’ll never get another chance. We’re rough and animalistic. I reclaim her mouth in a merciless kiss as she shatters, her pussy pulsing around my cock, her hips bucking. I’m enraptured in her, lost in a hailstorm of sensations, but the greedy bastard in me needs to see her face. I grab her hair, tugging her mouth away from mine. Her eyes are wild, and as her body clamps around my cock, a sinful sound flies from her lungs, shooting through me like lightning, catapulting me into sheer, mind-blowing ecstasy.
We thrust and grind, clinging to each other, our bodies jerking with aftershocks, both of us breathing hard. When we finally still, I lift my face from the tangle of her hair. Our eyes connect with a thrum of heat, and I swear I feel something deep and moving weaving between us. But in the next breath, we’re laughing, and she’s burying her face in my shoulder. I’m falling so hard for this incredible woman, and I’m so caught up in us, I love you nearly tumbles out, but my gaze catches on the security camera near the door, and reality comes rushing in. “Reckless?”
“Hm?”
“Does your building have security cameras in here, or are they yours? Because I think we just made a sex tape.”
She gasps and whips her head around, looking up at the camera. “Shit. It’s ours , but Ravi has access to it.”
“Hey, Ravi,” I call out, waving to the camera.
“ Clay! ” She smacks my chest. “We have to delete it!”
“No way. I’m taking that footage home with me.”
She laughs. “You are not .”
“Hell yeah, I am. Bet I can sell it for a pretty penny.” I absolutely love making her squirm. “Just one more place to your ever-growing Never Have I Ever list.”
“Ohmygod. Who have I become?” She presses her face to my shoulder.
I give her hair a gentle tug, bringing those shimmering eyes to mine. “Who you were always meant to be. My sexy scientist.”