Chapter 14
KATE
“It is absolute torture—you have no idea. This guy is the most confusing human being I’ve ever met.
One minute, he looks at me like I’m his reason for living, and the next, it’s like I don’t exist. He used my name—my first name.
All this time, he’s been calling me Miss Dawson, like I’m his freaking substitute teacher, and then out of the blue, he called me Kate.
A few hours later, he was back to the formality. ”
Mel is cuddling on the sofa with Nikolai, eating a bowl of popcorn for dinner, while I pace the living room floor.
“I mean, honestly, if he does remember that night and he’s only pretending not to, I don’t get why. Even if he doesn’t want to have a relationship with me because we work together now, wouldn’t it be easier to confront the issue head-on?”
She sips on a glass of wine thoughtfully before finally responding.
“I think he does remember. Unless he was trashed that night, which you said he wasn’t, then there’s no way he didn’t recognize you only two days later in his office.
So, yeah, he probably doesn’t want the complication of acknowledging that it happened. ”
Nikolai is rubbing the inside of her foot with his thumb as he begins to speak. “What happened that night? Anything that he might be embarrassed about?”
Mel thinks his accent is sexy, and I don’t disagree.
I collapse into a dining table chair, which is basically a part of the living room.
“It was . . . perfect. Nothing went wrong. I’ve literally never experienced a night so hot.
His place is . . .” I cut off as my mind travels back to my boss’s luxurious penthouse.
“But he was so sexy, and he was definitely into it. It wasn’t just a drunk hook-up to me.
I really thought we, like . . . connected, you know? ”
Have you learned your lesson yet? Hook-ups aren’t it.
I start to remove the heels I wore to work as Mel responds, “Maybe he’s a commitment-phobe. You’re so damn cute and fun. He could be some kind of chronic playboy, and if he brings up that night, he might expect you to want more, which scares him shitless.”
Nikolai is playing with her hair now, and she closes her eyes.
He looks up at me as he speaks. “I disagree. I think he wants you to make the move because he’s the boss and it would be crossing the line for him to do it.
Sexual harassment in the workplace and all.
If you came on to him, he’d be right back to that night, wanting you. I bet the name thing was on purpose.”
He smiles at me, and Mel sits up.
“Oh my gosh, babe, you are so right! He doesn’t want to risk you suing him! You should go buy some hot lingerie to seduce him. Don’t you have a key to his place?”
I stare at them both, the wheels in my head turning at a million miles an hour.
Break into his home in lingerie? And what, a trench coat?
Mel laughs. “I can see your thoughts from here. Yes, it’s a little wild, but if your first night together was that good, why wouldn’t he want a repeat?
Nik hit it right on the head. Mr. Bradshaw doesn’t want you to sue him.
Look at it this way—he can’t sue you for harassment.
” She gestures around the tiny apartment we share. “You have nothing.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Okay . . . okay, but what if he rejects me?”
“He will not reject you! You are hot, and he already said yes once. Guys like to think they will play the field until they cross someone that they can’t forget. Isn’t that right, boo?”
Nikolai nods his agreement. She snuggles up to him, and he wraps his arm around her as they smooch.
I guess this means I need to go shopping.
Why do I have a friend who’s such a bad influence?
I’m wearing the crimson lace bodysuit at work under my work clothes because Mel talked me into it.
“What if you get an opportunity to show it to him?” she said.
Like that would ever happen. It’s Tuesday, and I’ve had a wedgie from the thong since I got into my car this morning. I shift in my chair, trying to find a comfortable place to sit. As soon as I have to pee, I know I’ll regret this choice even more.
I stand up to tell Mr. Bradshaw that his next appointment had to cancel, only to see him standing in the doorway.
“Miss Dawson, is my ten a.m. here yet?” His eyes travel over me as he speaks.
My cheeks have been pink all day with the embarrassment of what I’m planning to do. I can’t go through with it. There’s no way.
I shake my head as I clear my throat. “No, sir. He actually just called Cheryl to say he’s stuck behind a pileup on the interstate. He has to go straight to his next appointment, so he rescheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”
His gaze has zeroed in on my fitted white button-down shirt, tucked into a simple pink pencil skirt. He looks back up to my face before swallowing as he glances down at his watch.
“That’s great. Do you have the itinerary for the weekend?”
I nod, turning around to reach for the document I printed out earlier. I walk over to him in my stiletto heels, chosen by my roommate, who basically wants me to get fired again.
He looks at me briefly before his eyes drop to the paper.
“This isn’t exactly what I had in mind. Come in here since we have time to go over it now.”
He turns to lead me into the office. I shut the door behind me, and in a moment of madness, I lock it.
I release a slow breath, following his footsteps to the desk.
It’s now or never. Do you want him or not?
My hand moves of its own accord to the buttons at the front of my shirt. I get two undone before he takes his seat.
“All right, we can take off the—” He looks up at me as he speaks, and I freeze in place, my hand still on the front of my blouse.
Intense green eyes take in the state of my shirt halfway open to reveal the scarlet lace underneath.
He is motionless.
Abort, abort, abort . . .
Then, he leans back, head resting against the chair, hands clasped in front of him.
His gaze blazes over me as he sets his jaw.
I get the distinct feeling he doesn’t want me to stop there.
My fingers work on the next button, even as my legs begin to shake from the nerves on edge inside of me.
This is incredibly unlike me, but after our one night together and the last miserable week of thinking he was engaged, I’m feeling panicked that if I don’t just go for it, I’ll miss my chance.
He’s my boss, so he can’t make the first move without a sexual harassment case on his desk.
It’s either my move or it’s game over.
I hold my breath as I boldly slip the shirt from my shoulders, tossing it onto the chair in front of me.
My breasts are barely concealed by the sheer lace with tiny woven roses strategically placed across the front.
My fingers reach for the waistband of my skirt, and I can see his chest rising from here.
Other than that life-giving movement, he’s a statue.
The skirt slips down my hips, pooling around my feet. He releases a breath as his burning gaze takes in my form in the scandalous one-piece scrap of fabric crafted to enhance my curves.
It covers everything important—at least in the front.
The back is a different story.
I’m terrified to move.
He leans forward before slowly standing up from the executive chair. As he rounds the desk with deliberate steps, he begins to loosen the black tie around his neck. I swallow over the lump suddenly forming in my throat at how much I like that action.
He doesn’t stop in front of me, instead continuing to make a circle around me, inches from my body.
My lungs shut down as he pauses halfway, and I can feel his presence right at my back.
The fabric barely covers anything back there, basically just meeting so that the thing doesn’t fall off.
I gasp as his knuckles graze over the exposed skin of my lower back.
“Miss Dawson, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you about what is proper work attire for employees of Bradshaw Enterprises.” His voice is a growl in my ear as he continues to move around me. “Some of your choices . . . aren’t appropriate.”
He’s no longer touching me with anything but his eyes, but I can feel him.
“I, uh . . . I’m sorry . . .” My voice is a hoarse whisper as he finally stands in front of me.
“You should be. I might have to take disciplinary action.” His voice lowers again, fingers finally reaching toward me.
My breath is caught in my lungs as I anticipate his touch. He simply brushes my hair behind my shoulder, fingers trailing to grip the back of my neck. He squeezes the base as his other hand reaches for my waist, pinching tenderly.
I close my eyes as my lips part.
Kiss me. Kiss me now.
His warm breath is heating the space between my neck and shoulders before a gentle kiss is pressed to my hungry skin.
I suck in at the contact, goose bumps forming all the way down to my toes. He pulls me closer, strong hands bringing our bodies flush together as he trails kisses down my collarbone, heading toward my breast.
His hand leaves my neck to tug on the strap holding the top up. He slips it off easily, exposing me to the cool office air.
“You know, if you can’t obey the rules here . . .”
His thumb and forefinger pinch the tip of my nipple, sending shock waves down to my core.
My breath hitches, and I blurt out, “What are you going to do about it?”
He smirks as his mouth captures the pink bud between his teeth, gently biting down, just to the point of pain.
My knees weaken, but he’s supporting my weight with his other arm as his mouth makes me see stars, right here in front of his desk.
He suddenly pivots, placing my ass on the surface he usually signs billion-dollar contracts on.
If someone were to walk in . . .
His gaze darkens for a brief moment as he inspects my position on his desk. I’m trying to wait patiently, but I need him to touch me. I pull slightly on his shirt, beginning to loosen several of his buttons.
I get halfway down before he loses patience with it.
His mouth finds my other nipple over the lace, cutting off my train of thought as I moan out his name.
“Luke . . .”
It’s the first time I’ve used his first name, and that fact doesn’t escape his notice. He bites harder.
One of my hands grips the edge of the desk while the other latches on to his hair, the ideal length for a moment like this.
He lifts up, eyes meeting mine as he pants for breath. His gaze is searching mine, almost like he wants to say something but is holding himself back. He’s unbelievably sexy with his tie loosened and his muscular golden chest exposed.
His gaze dips down to my lips as he licks his own.
Please, please.
“Bend over the desk.”
He steps back, his eyes darkening. I stand up, knees shaking as I slowly turn around and bend over the desk. I watch his reflection in the window as he steps closer. His hand cups my ass, palming and squeezing each cheek.
“I’m going to have to discipline you now, Miss Dawson. Hold completely still.”
I bite my lip, the anticipation driving me wild. His hand pulls back, goose bumps forming on my thighs.
I inhale sharply when a slap comes down on my ass cheeks. I bite my lip harder to keep from crying out. He does it again, spanking me hard. Slick arousal starts pooling between my thighs. My ass cheeks are stinging when he does it again. Tears prick the corners of my eyes.
I nearly jolt when he softly palms my cheeks, rubbing them in soothing circles. His fingers start exploring closer to my pussy lips. I tilt my hips further back, craving his touch.
His forefinger slips through my slick lips. I moan, pressing my forearms into the surface of his deck. I need more contact, more friction, more everything.
“Do you have any idea how delicious you look right now?” He leans over me, biting my shoulder.
His fingers are still exploring me, weaving a tight bunch of arousal through my core. I shut my eyes, feeling the hum of his bite on my skin as it turns into a kiss. He inserts one finger inside me, pumping in and out while his other one keeps hitting my clit.
My orgasm hits suddenly, nearly knocking me off my feet with its intensity.
My legs shake as I cry out. He claps his free hand over my mouth to muffle the sound of my cries.
He doesn’t let up, knowing I need him to keep going to drag it out as long as possible.
The waves of ecstasy wash over me, making my skin feel flushed.
After a few glorious moments of relishing in the aftershocks, he withdraws his hand from me and guides me to a standing position. He backs away.
I turn to face him, hoping he’s not expecting us to be finished. I reach for his waistband.
Before I make contact, a change comes over him, his demeanor altering completely. He stands up straighter, shifting the bulge in his pants with right hand. He looks longingly at my chest for a brief moment before righting the strap of my bodysuit to cover me.
He grabs my shirt from the chair, holding it out to me.
I stare at him in shock.
“I . . . don’t understand.”
He clears his throat as he begins to button back up and tighten his tie around his neck, eyes focused on the wall.
“I have a lunch meeting to get to, Miss Dawson. I might not be back in today,” he says, like it’s just another casual Monday and I’m not sitting on his desk after his tongue just sucked on my nipple.
My mouth is agape as I stand up and slowly begin to pull my shirt on, buttoning it up as he grabs his phone from the desk.
He types a message out before placing it in his suit pocket.
My thoughts are a whirlwind as I try to determine the source of what could have caused him to stop. What did I do wrong? He seemed one hundred percent into it, and then, bam . . . back to calling me Miss Dawson again.
“Did I do something . . .”
He levels me with a cool gaze, eyes trained on mine.
“I can’t be late for this.”
Did he forget that I have his schedule, so I know he’s lying?
Unless he has some secret date I don’t know about . . .
I think of the two elevator girls as I pull the skirt up over the bodysuit. He watches the action like he wishes we could start up where we left off.
It’s my turn to put on a mask of indifference.
Go ahead and try. You think I’ll just strip down again after that rejection?
He suddenly snaps back to reality, turning to exit the office without a word.
What the actual hell just happened?