23. Oliver
Oliver
Ifeel a spring in my step as I get off the elevator on Wednesday morning.
I had no idea how much I’d miss Lissa until I arrived on Monday and she wasn’t there.
I had told myself that it didn’t matter, that she is just a woman I’d hired, and that her absence wouldn’t change my day. But that lie only made me feel worse as the day progressed.
My skin was crawling with tension. I snapped at several of my staff, broke the nib off one of my favorite fountain pens, and missed a meeting in the afternoon because I was imagining all the things I couldn’t do to Lissa at five o’clock.
Her absence didn’t just affect me either. Adelaide seemed more on edge, more stressed than she had been since Lissa began working with us. The only positive was that Noah was noticeably quieter.
As Wednesday got closer, I was on one hand eager to hear how Henry was doing, and on the other shamefully eager to get my hands on Lissa’s body again.
Running my palm over my tie and straightening my shirt sleeve, I remind myself that Lissa has been in the hospital with her son for several days. Adelaide told me what Henry was having done, and my heart aches at the thought of any mother going through that. Especially alone.
Or at least I hope she was alone—and not, instead, having to deal with her husband.
It never occurred to me that Lissa was married. The thought of it makes my stomach clench up in knots. But then, as she pointed out, they are actually separated, and for good reason it appeared. He’s not a good person. That was apparent the second I laid eyes on him.
I considered visiting and bringing Henry a gift, but decided it would overstep the boundaries I’d enforced.
I wanted to, though. More than anything.
I check my hair in the glass of the conference room on my way down the hall, then scowl at my reflection as I drop my hand to my side.
There’s a really good chance that the last thing she wants to do is be with me right now. And if that’s the case, I certainly won’t push the issue.
But damn, it won’t be easy.
Walking down the hallway, I nod to a few of the junior lawyers on my team, stopping to chat with Ruth, the senior associate on the Clarendon case, to see how Lewis is doing. Against all odds, things appear to be running smoothly, but she still looks overwhelmed and tired.
Rounding the corner at the end of the hall, my eyes land immediately on Lissa, and I can’t help but stare. Adelaide has her back to me, talking to Noah about something as she clutches a folder in her hand, but I’m only interested in Lissa.
She’s wearing a nicer suit than I’m used to seeing her in. I think it might be the same one she wore for her interview. Her hair is loose in waves, and she’s wearing more makeup than usual, making her gorgeous eyes stand out.
I walk by, clearing my throat, worried that if I speak, my voice will betray all the lust I’m feeling just from being in her presence.
I’m not sure what’s come over me, but it’s unusual and unwelcome. There haven’t been a lot of women in my past, but those there have been, I have fucked and parted ways with, without looking back. I’ve never experienced this all-consuming need for them before.
I want to lock her in my office, shove my cock inside her, and never pull out.
“Good morning, Mr. Heath,” Adelaide says, and I nod to her with a tight smile. “How was the second meeting with Mrs. Reynolds?”
“Tedious and way too long,” I murmur, fighting the urge to turn around, throw Lissa over my shoulder, and carry her into my office like a caveman. “Any calls?”
“Just from Larry Fleet, he’s the man who called last week about your order.”
Ah, yes, my toy supplier. If he were here right now, I would order everything he had in stock.
“Thanks, Adelaide,” I say, turning slowly, knowing it would be inappropriate for me not to ask Lissa how she’s doing, but the strange fluttering in my stomach isn’t helping me keep my voice steady.
“How’s your son doing, Lissa?” I ask stiffly, and her eyebrows raise as she gives me a beautiful, soft smile.
“He’s doing really well. Everything went smoothly.”
A tiny knot between my shoulder blades loosens at her words. “That’s good.” Her eyes hold mine for a fraction too long before she looks away.
Get a grip, man.
“It’s good to have you back.”
Cursing inwardly at myself, I go into my office, not looking at Adelaide, but I can feel her eyes on me as I close the door.
It’s good to have you back? What the fuck is wrong with me?
Palming my traitorous dick, I go and sit down at my desk, giving myself a stern, internal talking to as I attempt to pull my wayward emotions back under control.
By the time 5 o’clock rolls around, I’ve mostly regained my composure. Adelaide has come in a few times to hand me things to sign and update me on Noah’s progress with the Reynolds files, but otherwise it’s been an uneventful afternoon.
I stare at the button on my desk, wondering whether to push it. It’s absurd to think like this, that I should be worrying over Lissa not being ‘in the mood’, but that’s exactly what’s going through my head.
She’s probably had a hellish few days, her son unhappy, in pain, and in a hospital bed. Not only that, but it would have been compounded by her having to come back to work.
I talked with Adelaide about that on Monday, asking whether we could give Lissa a week off, but apparently, she requested to return today and refused to take any more days. I don’t know what to do with that.
Should I insist she go be with her son? Fuck…
I glare at my hard cock. It feels as if I’ve been hard since I got back, maybe I have. I want her, that much is irrefutable, but I don’t want to push her. I don’t care what her job is; this is a mutual partnership.
My finger presses the button before I can overthink it anymore, and Lissa is through the door and inside before I’ve even removed my finger from it.
Was she waiting by the door or something?
She looks beautiful, as always, as she stands waiting for my instructions.
To my amazement, I don’t get a word out before she speaks first.
“I’m sorry about last time.”
I blink at her, dumbfounded by the statement. “What?”
“I forgot about your rule, and I’m sorry. I didn’t think, and it won’t happen again.”
A throb of heat pulses through my groin as I watch her fidget. If we were really together, I would tell her she deserved to be punished for it, lay her over my lap, and spank her behind. But that’s not somewhere we can go.
Not yet. Maybe not ever.
“It’s fine,” I bite out, stopping myself from reaching across the desk and dragging her into my lap.
“Either way, I’m sorry,” she insists. “Is everything okay?”
I frown at her. “What?” I ask stupidly again.
“I just wondered if you’re alright. You were at the hospital and…” she trails off as I glare at her.
I should be furious at her for breaking the boundaries of this room and asking me personal questions about my life. But then, we did run into each other outside of work. That’s hardly her fault.
In fact, it’s mine. I should never have approached her and her ex like that.
I clench my fists beneath my desk, thinking about that asshole. I hate the thought of him ever touching her.
“Henry asked about you when he woke up,” she says suddenly with a rueful smile. “I think he mainly wants to meet your dog, but he kept asking whether the ‘big man’ was coming back.”
My nails dig into my palm so hard I have to hold back a wince.
I don’t want to get to know you, Lissa. I don’t want your son to meet my fucking dog and I don’t want to get any more attached than I already am.
But the thought of that adorable little boy waking up and thinking of me stirs something deep in my chest, and even as I glare at her angrily, I’m touched by the sentiment.
“Are you going to take off your clothes, or do you need a break?” I ask, the tension clear in my voice as I fight to not blow my load before I’ve even touched her.
Whatever this thing is, it’s getting worse, and I’m beginning to think I’m no longer in control. I can’t have that. I need to get a handle on this.
Her cheeks flush beautifully, but I can tell my tone has shocked her. Her hands flutter in front of her as she searches for words, and despite knowing that this is all too soon, that I’m pushing things, and I should hold back and make sure she’s comfortable, I can’t do it.
Her pupils are blown wide now, her breath coming faster, and as I rise from my desk and walk toward her, she looks uncertain but not afraid.
“Are you firing me?” she whispers, and I stop, my hands coming up to pull the jacket from her shoulders as she gasps, letting me throw the thing to the floor.
“Not a fucking chance,” I growl as I lower my head to hers and crush my lips against her mouth, pulling her roughly against me as I lift her up to my hips. She has no choice but to wrap her legs around me as her mouth opens on a stifled gasp.
I push my tongue into her mouth, caressing her as she moans with a startled cry as her back hits the wall.
My fingers push beneath her skirt, taking hold of her underwear and wrenching them down. She hums into my mouth as I drag them to her ankles and then unzip my fly with practiced ease, keeping her balanced against the wall with my other hand.
“I think that’s enough small talk for one day,” I mutter, as she jolts in my arms, my cock already pressing at her entrance.
My fingers slide between her legs, awkward with the angle, but I smile as I feel how wet she is for me already.
“Have you been waiting for me, Lissa?” I murmur as she shudders, her head thrown back against the wall.
“Fuck,” she chokes out.
I push my thumb inside her. She lowers her hips, thrusting against me, moaning low in her throat.
“Have you been deprived of my cock for too long? Maybe I should give you what you want…”
“Yes,” she says, through gritted teeth.
Gripping her thighs again, she makes a high, joyful sound as I push my cock into her inch by inch as she braces her hands against the wall behind her.
“Do you want me to fuck you?” I ask, licking up her neck as she pants above me.
“Yes.”
“Hm. Well, who am I to deprive you?” I say as I slam my hips forward and smother her scream of pleasure with my mouth.