Chapter 9
POV: Kiera?
As soon as I shut the door behind me, I let out a heavy breath, slid my back down the door and curled myself into a ball.
That was….draining? Intense? Confusing?
I couldn’t find the right word.
And I didn’t understand what was happening to my body.
Every time I was around him—my boss—electricty surged, dragging me towards him—towards his touch—towards everything about him.
And the worst part was that I hung on every word he said and I did everything he asked. Like a puppet.
I covered my hands over my face and tried to steady my breathing but it didn’t work, because all I could think about was him, almost touching my face, almost saying something he probably shouldn’t have, and that I wanted it. I wanted him to do it.
What was happening to me?
I tried to calm myself by making tea, lathering myself up with calming lotion and applying a face mask but nothing worked.
Because all I could feel was the linger of his touch along my arm, the echo of his growl—yes an actual growl—and the way his eyes held their gaze on me with possessive fierceness.
Sleep would help, I told myself.
But I knew it wouldn’t.
I was only putting a bandaid over my emotions, hoping they would go away, knowing damn well they would start again like clockwork tomorrow morning.
I shoved my sleep mask on, cuddled my pillow and forced myself to sleep.
When morning came around and I pressed the snooze button far more than I should have, I eventually hauled myself out of bed, hoisted on a black pencil skirt and white satin button up shirt and a pair of uncomfortable black heels, slung my purse over my shoulder, started my car and yelled. Literally yelled into oblivion—into the small space of my prius.
It should’ve felt cathartic but it only served as a reminder. A reminder of him.
I drove to the nearest coffee shop.
Within a few days, I memorized his order. It wasn’t hard. A blonde roast with a splash of whole milk and 1 sugar. In contrast, I ordered the exact opposite. A honey lavender latte.
As I made my way into the building and into the office, his office was slightly ajar, signaling his early arrival. I scurried towards the door, purse, coffee, and lack of dignity in hand and quietly knocked, but as I peeked around the corner, I realized he was already staring at me, like a lion stares at his prey.
I gulped, stepping forward, feeling my legs weaken and set the coffee on his desk.
“Thank you, Kiera.”
There he goes again, saying my name.
And if he was trying to make me into a blubbering mess, he was doing a damn good job at it.
“Mhm,” I mentioned, forcing a weak smile.
Damn him.
“I have a few private calls to make before our 1 o’clock.”
I nodded, staring at him, sizing him up—sizing every inch of him up.
Bright blue eyes. Trimmed beard. A full head of hair. An impossibly perfect physique. It was absurd not to be attracted to a man like him. And here I was.
His eyes clouded, almost to—-gold?
Was I seeing things?
Then within a flash, they turned back to blue.
I shook my head slightly, trying to regain apparent consciousness before I turned on my heels and walked out of his office.
I was officially losing it. Falling for my boss, yet again and on the route to getting fired, wasn’t I? I needed to stop.
The rest of the day drowned on and not once did Cain come out of his office. I brought him his lunch at noon then ate mine alone at my desk.
When 12:50 rolled around, I carefully knocked on his door.
“Your 1 o’clock’s here.”
He responded with a mumble, “Send them in.”
After that, I sat at my desk until 5:00 pm rolled around and he still hadn’t left his office.
My feet were killing me from my heels, my eyes were burning from staring at a phone and computer screen all day, and I wanted to get home and take a nice long bath.
I picked up my notepad and headed towards his office.
As soon as I went to knock, the door flung open and Cain was standing in the doorway, towering over me. His collar was open, his tie discarded and he wore only black dress pants and a crisp white button up shirt.
My mouth fell open and I struggled to find words but before I could do or say anything, Cain’s arm wrapped around mine and he dragged me into his office and shut the door behind him.
For a second, I thought he’d release me, grumble something out, tell me to sit, bark off more orders but he just pushed me against the back of the door, his grip still on me and stared at me.
“Cain—” I said without thinking, quickly recovering, “Mr. Naugh—-”
But before I could finish, his lips were on mine.
And not just his lips, his hands too—sending me into a spiral.
He bucked his hips into my body, pinning me against the door and used his left hand to cradle my jaw as he deepened his kiss.
Sparks. Energy. Inferno.
It was the most incredible kiss I’ve ever had in my life.
I fell into him—obeying his lips—-and wanting as much as he gave.
But just as soon as it started, it came to an abrupt end.
His lips removed from mine and he stared at me with golden eyes.
I blinked once but they were still gold.
“Your eyes—”
He cut me off, “Go home. Now.”
“But—-”
“Get out, Kiera!” He shouted.
And I felt myself scattering to leave, almost running to get away from him.
Everything inside me was begging me to turn back, but my body knew to obey his command.