Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
GAbrIEL
If there’s one thing I do better than anyone, it’s fixating on a goal. And right now, my entire existence is orbiting Alice Stone.
Every morning, I wake up five minutes before my alarm, already thinking about her—what she’ll be wearing, how her hair will look, whether she’ll smell like roses again, or if she’ll change it up.
I time my shower to a science. I dress in my usual suit while anticipating the moment I see her again.
I have Armand text me the second her door opens so I can step into the elevator at precisely the right moment.
Some people might call it stalking. Those people can go fuck themselves.
She’s gotten used to finding me already in the elevator, but she still pretends it’s a coincidence each time the elevator door opens with me standing inside. My girl adapts quickly. I like that about her.
She’s always busy multitasking, distracted by something on her phone or juggling three things in her hands like a pro. The second she steps into the elevator next to me, every muscle in her body locks up, and I can practically hear her heart slamming against her ribs.
I stand just a little too close. Not enough to be inappropriate, but enough to let her know I’m there, that I see her, that I want her.
Every day, she flushes a little deeper. Every day, she holds my gaze a second longer.
Usually, the elevator stops at several floors on the way down to the lobby, and I actually appreciate having a little more time with Alice.
Today, she’s wearing a navy suit, the kind that would look severe on most women but just makes her look more beautiful. Her blonde hair is up in a high bun, but one piece always escapes and curls around her cheekbone, and I barely resist the urge brush it back behind her ear.
“Morning, Mr. Mercer,” she says, eyes glued to the glowing numbers above the door. Fuck. I want to hear her call me “Mr. Mercer” as I pound into her tight pussy from behind.
I button my jacket closed to hide my rock-hard cock and smile. “Morning, Ms. Stone.”
We ride in silence for three floors. I imagine pinning her to the wall, devouring her mouth until she begs me for more, but I settle for watching her try not to fidget.
She finally glances up and catches me staring.
I don’t bother to look away. Her cheeks flare pink, but her mouth curves into the tiniest smile before she remembers herself and clamps it down.
Mrs. Winters steps onto the elevator and gives us each a smile.
“Good morning, Alice.” The building gossip turns to me. “And Gabe.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Winters,” I return.
Mrs. Winters beams, and for a second, her perfume nearly drowns out Alice’s.
I grit my teeth and force a polite smile, but all I can think about is the way Alice sucks in a breath when my arm brushes her shoulder.
Jesus. She’s so fucking cute, every twitch and flush another bullet to my self-control.
The elevator finally stops at the lobby, and the doors slide open. Alice bolts, and I follow, eating up the distance, then cut ahead and stop her at the main door. She halts, face tilted up at me, a mix of panic and curiosity sparking in her blue eyes.
“How do you get to work?” I ask, voice low, crowding her into the space between the marble wall and the glass entry door. I step closer, forcing her to tilt her chin up to meet my eyes. Damn, she’s cute when she’s flustered. I’m so fucking far gone for her it isn’t even funny.
She nibbles on her bottom lip. “Um, I walk,” she mumbles, voice pitching high. “It’s only, like, four blocks. I usually get there in less than fifteen minutes.”
“Not anymore.” I let it hang in the air, loving the way her breath hitches. “From now on, you’re riding with me.”
She blinks so fast for a moment, then shakes her head.
“That really isn’t necessary,” she blurts, glancing around.
“I’m fine with walking, honestly. It gives me time to mentally prepare myself for the day ahead.
” She swallows. I fucking love the way she tries to decide if this is a good idea or not.
“Mentally prepare all you want, but you’re riding with me.” I lock her in with my stare, watching her pupils flare, and that pretty pink tongue dart out to wet her lips. “I’m going to the same place as you. It doesn’t make any sense for you to walk when you can ride with me. End of story.”
She huffs a laugh like she’s trying to play it cool, but her hands clutch her phone so tightly her knuckles go white. “Do you give all your employees who live here rides to work?”
I lean in, dropping my voice so only she can hear. “Only the special ones. And before you ask, there’s only one special one. You.” No use beating around the bush. It’s time my little coffee girl knows where things stand.
Her cheeks go fucking scarlet. God, she’s adorable. I want to take her right here against the marble wall, make her forget where she is, who she is, everything except my name.
She clears her throat, muttering, “Right.” Then she throws her hands up in the air, clutching her coffee cup in one hand and her phone in the other. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“You can try to figure it out on the ride over to The Mercer Building.” I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her to the black limo idling on the corner. My cock grows even harder, which I didn’t think was possible. Damn. I’m going to be fucking bowlegged soon.
I open the limo door and motion for Alice to get in first. She hesitates for a second before carefully sliding in.
Her skirt just barely brushes the backs of her thighs as she settles onto the buttery leather seat.
I follow her in and stretch out, making damn sure she can’t escape unless she crawls right over me.
Armand hops into the front passenger seat before the driver pulls away from the curb. I ignore everything except her. I don’t take my eyes off Alice the whole time.
She fidgets with her phone. Her legs bounce. So damn cute. Every now and then, she darts a glance at me, then away. “I’ve never been in a limousine before.” She glances out the window.
I fucking love that she admits it. So honest, so damn cute, my chest aches. I lean in, letting my thigh brush hers. “Get used to it, Coffee Girl. You’re going to be riding with me every morning from now on.”
She gives me this what-the-hell look and lets out a half-laugh, half-snort. “Why?”
“Because I want you.” I don’t bother pretending. “When I want something, I make it happen.”
She starts to mumble something, looking down at her coffee cup, but her hands are shaking just the tiniest bit, and I catch it.
She’s nervous, but not scared. She’s curious.
Excited. I can smell it on her, like the floral perfume she wears.
Goddamnit, I want to drown in that scent.
“Wow. Like I’m going to make it that easy for you.
” Fuck she’s adorable. She turns to me. “Look, Mr. Mercer.”
“Call me Gabe.” I need to hear my name coming from her lips.
She shakes her head. “I can’t call you Gabe.”
“Why not?”
She grumbles something about obtuse men under her breath before glaring at me and huffing out, “Because you’re my boss. Actually, you’re my boss’s boss’s boss. Duh. And I’m not falling for your caveman ‘I want you so that automatically makes you mine’ act.”
Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I haven’t felt this alive in… years. If ever. “It isn’t an act, coffee girl.” I lift her hand to my lips for a light kiss. “I’m one hundred percent dead serious. You’re mine, and I’m going to keep you.”
“Uh-huh.” She drags her hand back against her chest. “If you,” she makes quote marks with her fingers, “want me,” oh, I want her alright, so badly I have to order my cock to behave as I listen to her, “you’ll have to work for it, and don’t expect me to make it easy for you.”
I watch the vein pounding at the base of her throat and realize I haven’t looked forward to anything more.
“Let the games begin,” I mutter as a plan begins to form in my mind.