15
Rowan
The HR Police
Rowan looked down at Vivian sprawled across his desk and couldn’t help but growl at the delicious sight of her.
She was flushed pink from her orgasm and panting.
He’d never known he’d had a desk fetish previously, but right at the moment fucking her on his desk was the sexiest thing he could imagine.
He leaned over her, and she twined her arms around his neck.
“Ms. Kaye,” he whispered, putting a kiss on her neck.
“Yes, Mr. Valkyrie?” she asked, using the pouty little baby voice that made him sweat. He kissed higher on her neck and then licked up the crest of her ear. She shivered underneath him, and he sucked at her earlobe, which made her moan.
“You’d better clear your schedule for the rest of the night. I have some… desk work that needs your assistance.”
“I am here to help,” she said breathlessly.
He leaned in, intending to put a kiss on her luscious mouth. Then, out in the lobby, the elevator dinged.
They both froze. Vivian’s eyes were enormous.
“Did you leave the lobby door open?” he hissed.
“It was open when I got here!” she whispered back.
Then he realized he’d told Mark to leave it open for Forest, so of course, it had been open.
“Top-notch security for everyone but ourselves,” he growled, standing up and yanking Vivian to her feet.
“Shit, shit, shit,” whispered Vivian, trying to rebutton her dress.
Rowan could hear the tip-tap of high heels across the lobby floor and realized that Vivian wasn’t going to make it.
He reached out, yanked the handle of the wardrobe, and flung open the door.
He grabbed Vivian by the waist and shoved her bodily inside.
“Well, hello,” the woman from Vivian’s office purred as he closed the wardrobe door and turned around.
“Uh, hi?” said Rowan, running his hand over his face and through his hair in what he hoped was a casual manner. Belinda looked around the office, appearing to notice the tanks and cheerios.
“Brittany, was it?”
Rowan supposed she was pretty. Perfect makeup and sleek hair matched her sophisticated outfit. Rowan thought she looked boring.
“Belinda,” she said, annoyance flashing across her face.
“Sorry. Is there something I can help you or Howard with?”
“I thought I’d pop up and offer a touch more about the gala. I just wanted to say that if you don’t want to attend, I can get you out of it. I know you didn’t seem thrilled to be backed into buying a table. I can make a few calls and find someone to take the spot.”
“It’s fine,” said Rowan. “I really don’t do things I don’t want to do.”
“Oh, I’m sure. But Vivian can be… Well, for an assistant, she sometimes comes across as a bit like she thinks she’s in charge of something. I know that can be unpleasant.”
“Vivian’s been perfectly welcoming.”
So fucking welcoming.
“Well…” Belinda hesitated and then took a step closer. “Well, I also wanted to make sure that she hadn’t been too welcoming?”
“Too welcoming?” repeated Rowan, now thoroughly put off by Belinda. What had been a funny double entendre in his head sounded sleazy coming out of Belinda’s mouth. He’d wanted to get rid of her before, but now he actively disliked her.
“Well, I know it’s frustrating, as a paralegal, to be associating with a lot of high-power individuals, knowing that she’s never going to be one of us, but it’s completely against the employee guidelines to date clients.
And I’m not saying that she would try anything like that with you.
Although, of course, I understand her temptation. ”
She brushed a hand along his arm, and Rowan tried not to make his step away too obviously quick.
“But,” continued Belinda, apparently oblivious to his discomfort, “I just thought someone with your assets might appreciate a word of warning.”
Rowan paused and considered how to respond, knowing full well that Vivian was listening to every word, but his pause went on too long.
“As I was saying, Vivian and Howard are a little obsessed with the gala, but I do promise there will be quality people there.”
He was annoyed that he felt trapped into being polite to this woman.
“I wasn’t concerned, actually, but thanks, I guess. I have confidence in Howard.” He kept his tone clipped and terse, hoping she would take the hint.
Belinda laughed.
“Oh, of course. Howard is such a charming old fossil, and he dotes on Vivian because of the whole military thing, but he doesn’t quite see that times have changed. You can’t just grow someone into a position. They really ought to have a proper education to start out.”
Rowan felt his teeth grit.
“I can’t say I agree with that,” said Rowan. “Mentorship and growth through training and experience are core parts of the military ethos.”
“Oh,” said Belinda, taking a step back.
“But thanks for the tip. Anyway, do you mind heading down on the elevator without me? I’m going to lock some things up and arm the security system before heading down.”
“No, of course not,” she said. “I guess I’ll see you at the gala?”
“Uh, yeah, sure. The team will be there.”
“Great,” said Belinda. “See you then.” She smiled icily and turned on her heel.
He waited until he heard the elevator doors close and opened the wardrobe. Vivian had fully rebuttoned but still looked pink. Then he got to her face and realized she was tinted red by fury.
He held out a hand, which she took as she stumbled out into the office.
“I...” She pointed toward the now absent Belinda. “I do not...”
She vibrated in sheer anger.
“Look, this happened all the time in the military.”
She took her hand away like he was on fire and leaned back, one hand going to her hip.
“I’m sorry, but what the fuck are you talking about?”
He knew exactly where he’d gone wrong, but, damn, he loved it when she swore. Tough-talking Vivian was precious.
“No. Sorry,” Rowan said, trying not to laugh. “No. To clarify. Co-workers undermining each other happened. That part. That’s the part I was referring to—officers trying to take credit for enlisted efforts.”
The angry glare diminished by about five watts, but she still looked flushed.
“I’m not enlisted,” said Vivian. “And when it comes to the gala, I’m the fucking general. Also, I’m not a gold digger! I’m not frustrated by associating with high-powered people or whatever she said. She only thinks people are jealous of her!”
“Viv,” he said, trying to sound soothing and not condescending, “she came up here and basically spent the entire time talking about you. Someone’s jealous, but it isn’t you.”
“Yes, that was weird. What the hell was this?”
“Um…” Rowan felt awkward saying it, but he finally shrugged and made the statement. “She was hitting on me and trying to eliminate you as competition.”
“I…” She looked like he’d announced Belinda had been intending to go to the moon. “That’s insane.”
“Are you saying I’m not worth hitting on?” he asked, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her close. “I think my feelings are hurt.”
“Suck it up, Marine,” said Vivian, adjusting his collar. “I’m going home with you. I’m sure your feelings will get over it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning.
She tugged at his collar again, her lips puckering in a pout.
“She ruined my after-glow.”
“She ruined my shot at desk sex,” he said sadly.
“Yeah, you should try that,” said Vivian, smirking. “It was great. Ten out of ten. Would definitely recommend.”
He shook his head, and Vivian giggled and went up on tip-toe to kiss him.
By the time he pulled into his garage and waited for Vivian to pull in after him, Rowan had been given time to consider if this was his best idea.
But as he opened the door to her Mini-Cooper, she swung one leg out, revealing the damn garter belt, and any doubts he might have had vanished.
Good idea or bad plan, it didn’t matter. He wanted Vivian.
She took his hand, and he could see he wasn’t the only one who had been having second thoughts.
“You can change your mind,” he said and held his breath.