Against the Glass (Office Liaisons #1) - Jessica Ingro

AGAINST THE GLASS Office Liaisons Book One

JESSICA INGRO

CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Also by Jessica Ingro

Copyright © 2017 by Jessica Ingro All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is no authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

For my Mom.

CHAPTER ONE

I HAVE A NAUGHTY SECRET. One that brings a smirk to my face whenever I think about it. Especially today. See, I have an obsession with erotic novels. I can’t seem to put them down, even at work. My Kindle is attached to me at the hip every minute of the day. So, what’s this secret, you ask? Well… my books tend to get me all hot and bothered while I’m sitting at my desk or in the breakroom. When that happens, I’ll squirm in my chair with visions of all the dirty things I read about playing in my head. More often than not the hero in the story morphs into Parker Stone, my boss. With midnight black hair and deep blue eyes, he’s all powerful, lean muscle. Oh and he towers over my five-foot four-inch petite frame. Just the thought of how much larger his body is compared to mine makes me wet. Knowing how easily he could dominate me is a turn on of epic proportions. So, when I get so turned on I can barely function, I usually sneak into the executive washroom that Parker gave me card access to and I masturbate. I come hard as I imagine he’s eating my pussy or finger-fucking me or hell, even shoving his cock in my ass. It really all depends on what I’ve been reading that day. When I’m finished, I always feel so naughty. Like such a bad little girl. Especially since I have no one to share my secret with which makes it that much more delicious. I’ve gotten myself off at work more times than I can count. So what makes today so special? Well today, I didn’t wash my hands afterward. Instead, I went straight back to Parker’s office and handed him the folders he needed for his three o’clock meeting. It was a strategic move really. He recently broke things off with his woman after nearly a year together. The same one he began seeing not long after he learned of his now ex-wife’s infidelity. I haven’t set up any “meetings” for him afterhours, so I know his balls are probably a little blue. And well, I was just reading a story about a boss and his secretary where he bound and gagged her, fucking her on his desk while he ran a conference call with his board of directors. You can see my dilemma, right?

After handing him the files, I leaned over where he sat at his desk, making sure my cleavage was quite visible, and adjusted his tie. My fingers lingered near his jaw line. The same jaw line that tensed as he took in a deep breath. His eyes fixated on my breasts as he leaned into my touch. At that moment, our eyes locked and I knew I had him. I couldn’t believe it. My imagination started running wild. Would he force me to my knees and make me blow him under his desk? Would he bend me over his desk and fuck me senseless? Would he mark me when it was his turn to come? In my mind, the sky was the limit, so you can imagine my disappointment when none of those things happened. Hell, nothing sexy happened at all. He simply pulled back and stormed from the room with his folders in hand. So now, here I am, sitting at my desk, typing away and trying to come up with my next move. You see, when Parker left for that three o’clock meeting, I started reading a new book. One that was even hotter than the last.

CHAPTER TWO

WHAT IS a girl to do when the man she so very badly wants to fuck ignores her advances at every turn? That is the question bouncing around my head as I ride the train into Manhattan this Monday morning. Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer. Parker has successfully deflected every carefully placed sexual advance I’ve lobbed his way. He’s even started having his late night “meetings” again, so I know the escorts are servicing him. That means he doesn’t need my services. The thought makes me frown. I stop myself just shy of stomping my foot. I really shouldn’t give in to this sick obsession festering inside me. After all, Parker is my boss and, in the six years I’ve worked for Stone, Lundwig and Stone, LLC, I have never dipped my foot in the corporate pool. I mean, I’ve always found him attractive, but it was only after this crazy dream I had about him that I began to wonder what it would be like to actually be with him. That dream was six months ago and ever since, I’ve found my antics getting crazier and crazier. Like touching him with my masturbation hand last week. Even I don’t know what I was thinking there. Exiting the subway, I jog up the concrete steps and emerge into the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly and smile up into the sun. Working in the city had been a dream of mine since I was a little girl growing up on Long Island, and I’ve never taken one second of it for granted. I enjoy the hustle and bustle, the crowded sidewalks, the sounds of midtown traffic. Without fail, it always leaves a big smile on my face. Foot traffic is a bear as I make my way up Lexington Avenue to the glass façade building that houses the architectural firm I work for. I may be an executive assistant now, but with only a year left to go until I have my degree, I’m hoping to transition into a more hands on role within the company and the coveted internship spot next semester. Not only will that position provide me with a great learning experience, it will also give me more time working under Parker. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally find myself working under him in an entirely different capacity. “Good morning, Carlos,” I greet the burly security guard on my way through the

turnstile to the bank of elevators. “Morning, Miss Lancaster,” he returns with a smile before the customary scowl returns to his face as people make their way into the building. My foot taps lightly on the elevator floor as it rises, continually stopping to let people off. When it arrives at the twenty-eighth floor, I bound out with a little pep in my step. Some people hate Mondays. I happen to love them. There is something refreshing about starting each week with a new slate. You never know what the next seven days will hold, so why not make the most of them? After stopping to drop my purse at my desk, I grab two cups of coffee from the kitchen before starting the day. My computer is booted and my email loading when Parker arrives. I greet him with a smile and proceed to follow him into his office, reading the messages left on voicemail as I go. Setting the cup of coffee I brought him down on his desk blotter, I look up when I realize he isn’t paying attention to me. He’s lost in thought, his gaze aimed at the New York skyline out the window. “Is something wrong?” I ask when clearing my throat still doesn’t garner his attention. “What?” He responds absently. “I asked if something’s wrong.” I refrain from putting my hand on his muscular bicep and squeezing. It’s a compulsion I constantly work to keep in check whenever he runs his hand through his hair. His beautiful, wavy and, what I imagine as being soft hair. “My psychopath ex-wife won’t let me see Gracie on Friday.” He lowers his hand from his hair to rub the sexy-as-sin scruff along his jaw. It’s unlike Parker to not shave on a Monday. Fridays when he has nothing scheduled? Sure. But never on a Monday. His ex’s latest stint of withholding their daughter from him is taking its toll. It’s despicable the way she uses that sweet girl as a pawn. “What’s her angle this time?” I straighten the stack of papers on his desk in an effort to keep myself from physically consoling him. Parker moves away from the floor-to-ceiling windows and settles in his chair. A heavy sigh leaves him as his ass settles into the buttery soft leather. Leather I’ve fantasized about having my bare ass on, with my feet propped on the desk and Parker’s broad shoulders spreading my legs wide. His mouth latched firmly on my pussy. Is it suddenly hot in here? I discreetly fan myself with the paper in my hand. “She wants the house in the Hamptons this summer.” His voice sounds weary and my hand rests on his shoulder of its own accord. He’s warm under my palm and as if it has a mind of its own my hand starts moving down his arm. It’s not until Parker’s eyes track the movement that I’m aware of what I’m doing. I abruptly pull back as if I’ve been burned. Bad Paige. “But you got the house in the settlement,” I remind him while taking a few steps back. I begin fixing my pencil skirt and tucking some stray hair back into the messy bun on the back of my head. Anything to keep my hands busy and off the

boss. “It doesn’t matter. She’s a succubus. She takes and takes and takes. One day she’ll completely suck me dry.” “So compromise. Tell her she can use the house for part of the summer if you can see Gracie.” I shrug. It seems logical to me. “I tried. She’s saying that since I’ll be at a benefit Friday night, I don’t need her this weekend.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and leans back in his chair, closing his eyes in thought. “That’s ludicrous. It isn’t like you’ll be out all night. She’s never had an issue bring Gracie over on Saturday morning before.” “Like I said, she’s a succubus.” After several moments of me staring at him lost in thought while his eyes remain closed, he says, “I know… I have an idea.” “What’s that?” “How about you come to my house Friday after work? You can stay with Gracie until I get home.” “Oh, I don’t know.” I shake my head and begin backing towards the door. His daughter is the cutest little six-year old I’ve ever known, but the thought of being in charge of her for any given amount of time is suddenly giving me hives. “Gracie loves you.” “I know she does, but can’t you find another babysitter? Someone a little more qualified?” I’m practically to the door now. I glance behind me and plot my escape. “There’s no one I trust more. Please,” Parker asks. His big blue eyes blink at me and they’re filled with so much hope, I don’t think it’s even physically possible for me to say no to him. “But—” I try, but then he smiles that beautiful smile and… Aw hell, I’m going to do it. “Okay.” “I knew I could count on you.” Parker rounds his desk and walks towards me. I’m momentarily stunned when his hands grip my arms affectionately as he plants a kiss on my lips before walking out the door. My fingers press against the warmth where his mouth touched mine. Tingles radiate throughout my body; I can barely keep myself upright on my shaky legs. Did that really just happen? Shit, I really hope there’s no one in the washroom right now.

CHAPTER THREE

GRACIE’S SLEEPING and I’m pacing like a mad woman. This is bad. So very bad. It all started when Miranda Stone dropped her daughter off earlier this evening. Her condescending tone and the way she looked down her nose at me, made me want to bitch slap her. Especially when she alluded to the fact that she shouldn’t be leaving Gracie in someone like mine’s company. Thankfully, my sharp retort was silenced when, at that moment, Gracie asked me to play dolls with her. Then there is the fact that Gracie is the spitting image of her father. Staring at her sweet little face and hugging her tiny little body, made my ovaries go boom. I might be nervous about being in charge of her wellbeing, but that doesn’t mean I’m not fond of her. She is so well-behaved and loving, she makes you want to reproduce with Parker just to get more like her. And we all know how that process goes… And lastly, I’m pacing like a mad woman because one, the whole damn apartment smells like Parker’s cologne. Two, because when I first laid eyes on his bed, I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the super soft Egyptian cotton sheets and imagine what they would feel like against my naked body. Three, because his nightstand is filled with magnum sized condoms. And four, because maybe, just maybe, a pair of his boxer briefs somehow found their way into my purse. Do not judge me. You’d do the same if you were in my situation. Pent up lust and free reign over your obsession’s belongings make for a very nosy and very horny babysitter. Sitting on the edge of the couch, I pick up my Kindle and attempt to read the erotic novel I started at work earlier today. I need something to occupy my mind, although I’m not sure the choice in reading material is wise at this moment. My clit throbs as the woman in the story takes her lover’s cock in her ass at the same time she fucks herself with a dildo. I drop my Kindle on the sofa next to me and cup my crotch through my pants. God, it would be so easy to get myself off right now. That train of thought makes me feel guilty for thinking it while Parker’s sweet little daughter is sleeping down the hall. Surely it would be morally repugnant and bad judgment to masturbate while babysitting. I check the clock and breathe a sigh of relief that Parker will be home soon. The

town car that will be taking me back to Long Island should be here any minute. Soon enough, I’ll be home and orgasming in no time. Fingers crossed. I’ve barely finished that thought when the front door opens. I quickly pull my hand from between my legs. I’m not sure, but I think Parker might have seen what I was doing, although he certainly doesn’t acknowledge it. Choosing to believe his silence means he’s oblivious, I tuck my embarrassment away for another day. “How was she?” He asks while tugging on his bow tie. I watch with drool practically hanging from my mouth as he strips off his coat and drapes it over the chair. And, oh dear lord, why is it so erotic watching him unbutton the top few buttons on his dress shirt? Do you think if I produce a stack of dollar bills, he’ll finish undressing for me? “Paige?” Parker asks when I don’t immediately answer. “Sorry, what?” I shake my head and focus on his words and not his killer body. “How was Gracie?” “Oh! Perfect. She went to bed right at eight o’clock. Do you need anything else?” I babble as I stand up quickly, like a rocket being launched. Grabbing my purse, I sprint towards the door. I need to get home now, and I need to work this horniness out of my system before I do something I’ll regret. “No, I guess not.” His tone is bemused as he eyes me speculatively. “Okay, then. See you Monday.” I practically bolt out the door and opt to take the stairs in an effort to avoid Parker questioning me while I wait for the elevator. It isn’t until I’m in the car on the Long Island Expressway that I realize I left my Kindle on Parker’s couch. Fuck.

CHAPTER FOUR

IT’S seven o’clock on a Saturday night and I’m lurking. It’s not my proudest moment, of that I’m sure. Last night, with my hand between my legs and Parker’s name on my lips, I received a text from him telling me he hoped I was feeling well and that he would leave my Kindle on my desk at work. Knowing he’s a workaholic who can always be found at his desk on a Saturday morning, I knew I wouldn’t need to wait until Monday for it. But like a coward, I did wait all day to go get it so I wouldn’t have to see him. The less time I spend with him, the better. As last night proved, my restraint is wearing thin where he is concerned. So now it’s the early evening hours and I am hoping to avoid Parker. Normally, I wouldn’t need to worry about it, but instead of only staying at the office for a few hours with Gracie this morning, the bastard is still sitting at his desk. With a direct line of sight to my own desk where my Kindle sits, waiting for me. On my hands and knees, I crawl across the floor, hoping I’m going unnoticed. When I reach my desk, I breathe a sigh of relief and slowly reach my hand up to grab the Kindle. When it isn’t in the spot I thought it was, I start patting my hand along the wooden surface looking for it. When I still don’t find it, I risk a chance and poke my head up to locate the device. That’s when I come face to face with the man I’m trying to avoid. Parker clears his throat and arches an eyebrow. Amusement and perhaps concern blanket his features. “Are you looking for this?” He holds up my Kindle and I give an embarrassed smile. “I thought I dropped a contact,” I lie smoothly. His eyebrow arches again, this time in disbelief. “You don’t wear contacts.” My mouth drops open. How does he know that? “We’ve talked about it,” he answers, and it’s only then that I realize I spoke aloud. Crap on a cracker. “Excuse me?” He chuckles at my choice of expletive. His voice is smooth and flows over me like melted chocolate. I want to bathe in it.

I really need to stop thinking out loud. “Okay,” Parker says slowly, like he’s dealing with a child. “Let’s try this instead. Why were you crawling across the floor just now?” “Exercise?” Surely my face must be beet red at this point. This is humiliating. Parker, trying not to laugh, just shakes his head like he doesn’t believe me. Try again shall we? “I dropped an earring?” It comes out more as a question than a statement at this point. Even I’m aware of how lame it sounds. “How about we try the truth?” This time he crosses his arms on his chest and hunkers in, waiting for me to come to terms with the fact that I am not going to get out of this. “I was avoiding you,” I murmur petulantly. I know when I’m between a proverbial rock and a hard place. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. “I’m assuming this has something to do with your rather strange behavior last night?” “I don’t know what you me—,” I start to say, but he promptly cuts me off. “You know exactly what I mean. I swear you’re worse than Gracie right now. Spill it.” “Fine,” I shout, over being questioned and annoyed that he compared me to a child. “I was horny, damn it.” What the hell just came over me? Mortification begins to set in as I realize what I just said. To my boss. Parker’s eyes widen as he coughs, most likely to hide his shock at my statement, while I desperately look for a way out of this. I start to run past him—because running away instead of facing him makes the most sense—but he grabs my arm and stops my momentum. “Horny?” His voice sounds strangled when he speaks. His eyes are darker than usual as he appraises me from beneath his sinfully long eyelashes. I nod and hang my head. Short of the ground opening up and swallowing me whole, there really is no way around this conversation. “And why does that mean you need to avoid me?” His voice is still strained and I can feel my face burning with shame. “Please don’t make me do this,” I implore of him. He releases my arm and runs his hand through his hair. Looking at him now, I see it isn’t just his voice that’s different. Tension is rolling off him in waves as he stares at me. Finally dropping his arm to his side, it appears he’s going to give in to my begging and let me go with my tail between my legs. Boy, am I wrong with that thought… “You know what? I think it’s high time we do this.” Wrapping his strong fingers around my own, he drags me into his office and slams the door behind us. Next thing I know, my back is to the door, his hands are in my hair, his mouth is on mine, and… Holy shit…

A small moan works its way up my throat and into his mouth as his tongue tangles with mine. His answering groan sends shocks throughout my entire system. I cannot get close enough after that. My body presses into his as my hands pull his shirt from his waistband. Running my fingertips up his warm, muscular back, I’m completely lost to everything but this man. This perfect man who puts his knee between my legs and presses against my girly parts and— My mouth breaks from his on a silent moan as I grind against his leg. Parker looks down at me with hooded eyes like I’m his next meal. His lips are swollen from our kisses. With too much pent up lust, I come apart at the seams—embarrassingly quick—and ride his leg for all I’m worth. “Fuck,” he bites out. His hands grab the back of my legs. As he lifts me up, I wrap my legs around his waist and seek out his mouth with my own. This kiss is just as fiery as the last. We can’t get enough of each other as he crosses the room in just a few long strides. He swipes his arm across his desk, sending his phone and stacks of papers flying haphazardly onto the floor. God, that’s hot. If I hadn’t just come a moment ago, I would be seeing stars right now. Parker gently lays me down on his desk. His left hand is braced next to my head, while his right one delves into my yoga pants and immediately hits its target. I’m drenched as he looks straight into my eyes, hunger and need taking over every line of his face. “God,” I breathe when he rolls his finger just right over my clit. “Pretty sure that’s all me,” he says with a cocky grin on his face. The last thing I want to do right now is joke. Instead, my hands go to his jeans and work the button. Parker leans back to assist me. With his pants unzipped, I reach inside and grasp his delectably long, wide and hard as steel erection. “You need to get inside me now.” The longer I work his length, the needier I become. He’s huge and I want nothing more than to feel him buried deep. I’m catapulted to the edge of my next release just thinking about it. I whimper at the loss of his hand when Parker digs a condom out of his wallet. I wriggle free of my pants as he pushes his jeans down his legs and rolls the condom down his cock. Licking my lips at the sight of him in all his glory, I pull my shirt over my head and push my bra cups down. Pinching and tugging my nipples makes Parker bite his plump, lower lip. I spread my legs wide, an invitation he clearly accepts. He positions himself and slams home, his sheer force moving me across the desk. “Yes!” I cry out, wanting more even with the bite of pain that accompanies taking something of his size without a buildup. Parker moves in and out of me with precision. Each circle of his hips hits places inside me I never knew existed. We’re both panting from the exertion of a quick, hard fuck. I’m still tweaking my nipples when he leans down and takes over. Sucking one and then the other into his mouth. I imagine what we look like—me spread out on his desk and him powering into

me—and I cry out with my second orgasm of the night. If this were an erotic novel, it would be a bestseller. Parker finds his release not long after mine. He buries himself to the hilt and his body shudders with the strength of it. It takes several minutes for him to catch his breath and pull out of my body. I stare at the ceiling, unable to move as he deals with the condom. He comes back and helps me off the desk. Both of us working to right our clothes. I’m pulling up my pants when a noise outside his office suddenly brings me back to reality. I just had sex. With my boss. In his office. On his desk! “This was…” I struggle for what to say. I want to say it was a dream come true. Heaven. Anything. But I’m not sure how Parker feels about it, and I’m afraid to give too much away. “Whatever you do, don’t finish that sentence with ‘a mistake’.” His words are fierce and I suddenly find myself with my head in his hands as he looks directly into my eyes. “This has been a long time coming. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to fuck you on my desk like that. So whatever you do, do not tell me you think that was a mistake.” “You’ll never hear me say that,” I assure him. “Good.” He places a gentle kiss on my lips that has me melting in his arms. “Now tell me we can do that again.” I give him a shaky laugh. “We can do that again, but how is this going to work? You’re my boss.” He seems to think about that for a moment before responding. “What happens between two consenting adults can stay between two consenting adults. We’ll figure it out as we go.” If it means more of Parker, I can do that. No problem.

CHAPTER FIVE

IT’S LATE SUNDAY MORNING, and I’m sitting at a table outside a quaint bistro in SoHo, waiting for my best friend, Amira. The sun is shining and a light breeze floats through the air. I close my eyes and sigh contentedly. Every time I shift in my seat, I can feel the effects of my romp with Parker. Before last night, it seemed like forever since I’d had sex. It’s a delicious soreness that I welcome with open arms. My serenity is broken when Amira slumps into her seat, her giant purse slamming onto the table. Her red hair is a riot of curls framing her face and her blue eyes are hidden behind oversized sunglasses. Amira is drama with a capital D. “Some jackass groped me on the subway,” she bitches with a frown on her face. Her arm flies up and signals the waitress tending to a couple a few tables down. “I’ll take a coffee… black. And a blueberry scone.” “I’ll just have a water with lemon and a broccoli quiche, please,” I follow her order up with mine. The waitress nods and walks away. “Did you get the jackass’s number?” I ask Amira once we’re alone. “Of course.” Her laugh makes me smile and shake my head at her antics. For some unknown reason she loves collecting the numbers of men who inappropriately hit on her. The worse their behavior, the more into them she is. It’s like she’s drawn to the sleazebags. “So what’s new with you?” “Nothing really,” I respond evasively. I’m still on the fence about sharing my night with Parker with anyone. It isn’t as if we made plans for the future. If it ends up being a onetime affair, I don’t want to make too much out of it. The last thing I need is to be known as the slut who spreads her legs for her boss. No matter how fine of a boss he is. Amira pushes her sunglasses down her nose and studies my face for a moment. “Oh my God,” she practically shouts. “You got laid. Spill, sister.” “Will you keep it down? I think the guy across the street heard you,” I hiss. “Oh stop acting so prudish. We both know you aren’t. So who was the guy? Please tell me it wasn’t Scott the douche.” I cringe just hearing my ex-boyfriend’s name. Douche is giving him too much credit. “As if I’d let that married slime anywhere near me ever again.”

“So who was it?” “No one,” I hedge. “Bullshit. Your face is practically the color of a tomato. Tell me now, bitch,” she demands in a tone I know better than to ignore. “Fine,” I sigh. “It was Parker.” Amira sits back in her chair, a look of astonishment on her face. As my best friend, she is well aware of my fascination with Parker. His hotness knows no bounds. Upon meeting him for the first time, she told me if I didn’t sleep with him, she would. “I know,” I reply when she remains speechless. “Okay.” She shakes herself from her stupor and leans forward in full-on gossip mode. “I need details. I need to know how and when and how. Oh, and don’t forget how.” I laugh, more as a method of stalling than anything. Talking about this out loud makes it real. Real is scary. Right now it all feels like a dream. “It was last night.” Amira makes a fist pumping motion of excitement. I proceed to explain how I watched Gracie on Friday and continue straight through to Parker fucking me senseless on his desk. When I finish, I grab a napkin and wipe the drool from her chin with it. “Holy shit, I am beyond jealous,” she breathes. “So wait, where was his daughter when you two were banging?” “I guess his maniac ex found some bullshit excuse for why Gracie needed to go home. That’s why he was still at work.” “Well thank God for that. You wouldn’t have gotten plowed last night if she hadn’t.” I scrunch up my face at her choice of terminology, along with the fact that I will never, ever thank the former Mrs. Parker Stone for anything. “I need details, Paige. Size, girth, skills… I need them all.” The waitress chooses that moment to bring us our meals. Amira picks up her coffee and takes a sip at the same time I hold my index fingers up to show the exact length of Parker’s cock, followed by circling two fingers to show how wide he is. Amira spits her coffee all over the table, narrowly missing the waitress’s retreating back. “Please tell me he knew what to do with it,” she begs, folding her hands in a prayer position in front of her chest. “Oh he knew all right.” I allow a smug smirk to grace my face. He was that good. “Damn, girl. You won’t need your books anymore. Not when you have a hot memory like that in your spank bank.” Amira fans herself, and I find myself pretty damn proud that I do, in fact, have a sinfully salacious memory tucked away for whenever I find myself in need of one. “So are you guys going to do it again?” She asks a little while later. Our meals are finished and the conversation has died down. It’s just about time for us to part ways and get on with our afternoon activities.

“Do what?” I feign ignorance. “Do what? You know damn well what I’m talking about.” I stick my tongue out at her rather than answer her question. Just then my phone rings. I look down at where it sits on the table and just about have a panic attack. “Who is it?” Amira cranes her neck to see the screen. “It’s Parker,” I say while staring at my phone like it might combust at any moment. Six years working for the man and I can count on one hand how many times he’s called me directly on my cell. “Answer it, damn it.” Amira swipes her finger across the screen to answer it and thrusts the phone at me. When I don’t immediately take it, she shakes it at me while mouthing threats of bodily harm or death. “Parker,” I finally greet him, sounding far more confident than I feel. “Paige.” His answering reply makes my stomach flip-flop. “I’m calling to request your company this evening. Say you’ll have dinner with me.” “Just dinner?” “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping you’d be on the dessert menu. I’ve been dying to find out how you taste for some time now.” I’d really love to know how he makes his voice so smooth and utterly irresistible. “Oh yeah? For how long?” I ask cheekily, finally recovering from the initial shock of his call. “Since the first day you walked into my office all those years ago. You were wearing a red polka dot dress that showcased your spectacular tits. You dropped your pen and bent over to pick it up. I’ve been hard ever since.” “You were married then,” I exclaim. I’m really not at all offended by this. As a matter of fact, my imagination is running wild with how many times he fucked that cold fish of a wife while thinking of me. “I’m well aware,” he says gloomily, but recovers quickly. “But I’m not now, so have dinner with me. I’ll send a car by to pick you up at seven and bring you back to my house.” I pretend to think on it for a moment even though there is no question in my mind what my answer is. “Okay. I’ll see you then.” Amira and I both squeal when I hang up the phone and I tell her about our plans. “That settles it.” She grabs her purse and stands up. “I’m coming home with you. We need to find you a sexy outfit that is sure to wow him.”

CHAPTER SIX

I TIGHTEN the belt of my trench coat before knocking on the door of Parker’s apartment. My choice of outerwear would seem like an obvious cover-up to any observers if not for the lingering rain in the air. Even with the extra layer though, the slight breeze when I got out of the car made my nipples harden. And it’s the thought of Parker’s tongue wrapping around those nipples that has kept them that way. Parker opens his door and grins before his eyes do a lazy perusal of my body— from my wavy brown hair down to the tips of my fuck-me heels. Ushering me inside, his lips are on mine before I’ve barely even cleared the threshold. His tongue seeks entry into my mouth, which I gladly give him. His hand runs up my leg, hooking it around his hip as his groin thrusts lightly into mine. Good lord the man is ready to go already. I break my mouth from his and say, “You’re ruining my surprise.” “What surprise is that?” He murmurs against the skin of my neck as his lips begin their descent. “Garters and… Oh God…” I don’t get any further when he inserts a finger inside my pussy, slowly pumping it in and out. “You don’t waste any time.” “Already wasted too much of it when it comes to you.” There is no more talking. Parker’s mouth is devouring mine. He pulls frantically on the belt of my coat. When he finally spreads it open, I shrug my shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Parker pulls back when his hands meet skin and he looks down at me with a hooded gaze. “Holy fuck,” he groans and I tremble in his arms. The hunger in his eyes is almost too much to bear. It’s like the Big Bad Wolf staring down Little Red Riding Hood. My pussy throbs as I wait for him to take a bite. “You drove all the way over here like this?” His words are practically a growl. “Any man could have easily seen you… touched you.” I nod my head and shudder at his possessiveness. “I would have killed anyone who had.” I shudder again. “Do you not like it?” There is no way he doesn’t like it. I just want to hear him

say it. Any red blooded man would have to be blind or gay not to get a woody thanks to my red lace—see through, mind you—bra and the matching boy shorts with garter. The black nylon stockings and stilettos are just the cherry on top of this naughty sundae. “I fucking love it.” I have just enough time to smile in response before he bends down, grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. I have a fine view of his delicious ass as he carries me through his apartment to his bedroom. He lays me down on the bed and I practically purr with how incredible the soft sheets and duvet feel against my heated skin. Parker lowers himself over me, his hips settling in between my legs as his mouth takes mine once again. I love the rough texture of his jeans as they graze my inner thighs. I love the growls emanating from his chest whenever my heels dig into his ass. I love how his lips are soft yet firm. I love how his tongue feels magical as it paints pictures all over my exposed skin. And I love the way his eyes darken as he removes my bra and takes in the sight of my breasts. “Parker, I need you.” He bites the corner of his lower lip and shakes his head. “I’ve waited too long to have you beneath me like this. Let me enjoy the moment.” I try to let him soak me in with his eyes. I really do. He removes my panties, and my clit throbs as he brings them to his nose and inhales deeply. He removes my stiletto, letting it drop to the floor then does the same with the other. They land in a pile along with my lingerie. His hands rub and kneed the arch of my foot, while his lips skim along the nylon of my thigh-highs. “Jesus, you’re beautiful,” he whispers against my skin. His eyes lock with mine and I can’t take it any longer. He’s being such a tease. “I feel so empty.” My hands, which were cupping and squeezing my breasts, travel down my body and spread my lips wide. My finger circles my clit before dipping inside. God, I’m so wet, it’s almost embarrassing. “Fuck, you’re going to be the death of me.” Next thing I know, Parker’s lips are replacing my finger and my clit is being sucked and tugged and bitten. He pumps first two and then three fingers in and out of my pussy. All the while showing me what masterful oral skills he has. Stars dance behind my eyelids. Angels begin to sing. Or maybe that’s just me as I sing Parker’s praises. His growls intensify, sending vibrations dancing along my clit. The motion of his fingers deepens, causing my whole body to tremble. And when his pinky breaches my ass, I completely come undone. My back arches off the bed, my legs locking around his head. The whole lower half of my body is levitating off the mattress in sheer bliss. Parker’s hands grip my ass hard enough to leave marks as he follows my shaking body across the bed.

“I can’t take anymore,” I finally pant out. This was the orgasm to end all orgasms. My voice is hoarse and my body is spent. I have never in my life had such a powerful release. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do much more tonight, my body is so thoroughly sated. Parker lowers me back down to the bed. He nuzzles my pussy and inner thigh before kissing a path up my body. Each brush of his lips stokes the blaze that just seconds ago I thought was doused. By the time he reaches my lips, I’m fumbling with his jeans, once again desperate to have him inside me. “Wait.” He stills my hand and I frown. “Why are you stopping?” I’m fairly certain I’m pouting, like a child who’s been denied her favorite toy. “I don’t want to fuck you again with my clothes on. This time I want to feel my skin on yours.” He starts undoing the buttons on his shirt. “Oh. Well, why didn’t you say so?” I get up on my knees and take over the motions. Sliding my hands into his shirt, I push it down over his shoulders as he slips his arms from the sleeves. The shirt joins my belongings on the floor. My lips leisurely explore his toned body. When I run my tongue over the flat discs of his nipples, he hisses and grips the back of my head. Taking note for what I hope will be future reference, I continue my exploration. The indent of his bellybutton. The neatly trimmed trail of hair leading down into his pants. When I get to his waistband, he gets up to stand at the side of the bed. I hold his gaze as I undo his pants. He helps me push them over his hips, down his legs and off his body. “Commando?” I breathe out. His cock is jutting towards me and I’m suddenly a needy, wanton mess. “Only for you,” he says with a wink. “All for me,” I concur. My hand wraps around his cock, my thumb spreading the drop of pre-cum leaking from the tip. Slowly pumping his silky shaft, I allow him to capture my lips. His hands on either side of my head, he holds me in place as he makes love to my mouth. “I wanted this to last longer, but I need…” His last thought is lost as I take him in my mouth. “Never mind.” I want to laugh, but God he tastes so good. Pretty soon all I can think about is how big he is and how much I want him to come in my mouth. Parker has other ideas. Before I know it, I’m on my back and he’s hovering over me again. This time, I take him in my hand and guide him to my opening. “Condom,” he tells me, as his hips pull back. “No. I want to feel you.” I tug again and this time there’s no resistance. He runs the tip of his cock through my wetness, a final tease right before he slams home. God, I love a man who likes it rough. He rears back and slams home again, making me yelp. The pain is just cursory

though. Pleasure radiates through every part of my body with each one of his thrusts. My fingers dig into his back. My toes curl. I bite his shoulder as I hold myself to him while he rides me hard. “I’m not going to last much longer,” Parker says through clenched teeth. “Come for me.” “Oh God,” I groan when he angles his hips so his groin is rubbing against my clit with each thrust. “Say my name, damn it.” “Parker,” I scream at the top of my lungs as I’m overwhelmed with sensation. My climax hits me like a freight train barreling down the tracks. All I can do is hold on for dear life as Parker wrecks me for any other man. Within seconds of my cunt squeezing him like a vice, he follows suit, pouring himself into me. It’s the most intimate encounter I’ve ever had. It leaves me raw. Parker rouses me from the haze that’s enveloped me with a sweet kiss on each eyelid. I open my eyes to find him smiling down at me. Setting aside my panic from being stripped so bare by another person, I smile back. He rearranges us so he’s on his back and I’m curled into his side with my arm draped over his stomach. His finger idly draws patterns along the skin of my hip. It’s nice, us being together like this. When his stomach growls, he chuckles. I smile against his chest and lift my head. “I hope you don’t teach Gracie to eat her dessert before her dinner?” “I blame you for it. No man could open the door to find you looking the way you do and not hunger for a taste.” He grips my ass and pulls me on top of his body. I feel him stirring between my legs and I’m amazed there is any life left in his dick after its stellar performance. “It would seem another body part’s hunger is going to win out over your stomach’s.” I shift my weight back so he’s at my entrance. “Fuck, the heat of your pussy could drive a man insane.” He slowly lifts his hips and slides into me. I sit up to straddle him. My hands rest on his chest as I begin bouncing on his cock. Eventually we get dinner.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“THE ENTRYWAY for the Hancock property needs to be redesigned to include a fountain.” I listen as Mark Stone, Parker’s uncle, drones on about the different projects in progress. My mind is on other things, like the memory of Parker eating my pussy last night, along with the feel of his foot as it rubs along mine right now. Parker shifts in his seat across the table and I feel his foot creeping up my leg while his eyes bore into mine. I match his stare, wondering which of us will back down first. Feeling saucy, I pick up my pen and place the tip between my lips. I suck gently on it and am awarded with his hard swallow. As Mark continues on his quest to put everyone to sleep, I continue my own—to make Parker squirm. I slowly move the pen in and out of my mouth, mimicking the very movements I know from experience drive Parker absolutely insane. Just last night, he told me I gave the best head he’s ever had. I smile proudly at the memory. Parker shifts in his seat again, his hand going under the table as he slumps down in his chair. I imagine him gripping his cock through his pants and my tongue darts out to swipe across the tip of the pen cap. His groan is loud enough to silence his uncle. The man blinks over at Parker, which has him squirming for a completely different reason now. “Is there something you’d like to share with us, Parker?” Mark turns his full attention to Parker, which means everyone else in the room does too. “No, sir,” is Parker’s contrite response. “Something has to be important enough that you would interrupt the meeting and take up everyone’s time.” I roll my eyes and bite back a sarcastic retort. It’s not Parker taking up everyone’s time. His uncle is the one who is a complete windbag, using every opportunity he can find to cause a scene. Parker shoots me a glare and I almost feel bad for putting him in this predicament. Almost. “It was nothing. Just a cough,” Parker tells his uncle. He then picks up his own pen and clicks it, signaling he’s ready for whatever else needs attention. Appeased,

Mark leaves him with one last warning before continuing his diatribe. Crossing my arms on the table, I lean forward and smirk at Parker. I know it’s probably going to earn me some form of punishment later, but I really don’t care. I enjoy seeing him in the hot seat. It almost makes up for the fact that he kept me on edge last night for so long I was clawing at him like a wild animal. Granted, the orgasm I was finally rewarded with was well worth the wait, but turnabout was still fair play. Parker ignores me for the rest of the meeting. On our way out the door, he grabs my arm and leads me down the hall towards his office. Once we are out of earshot, he hisses in my ear, “You are going to pay for that little stunt.” “It was an innocent little thing gone bad,” I explain. “That gives me an excellent idea. You’re about to be very bad.” His whispered words against my neck send shivers up my spine, but I force myself not to lean into his touch. We’ve managed to keep things professional between us at work for the past week. Behind closed doors at night, though, we are anything but. It’s amazing. Like a dream come true. I’m still waiting for someone to pinch me. “Paige, I really need you to do some dictation for me,” Parker says loud enough for any passersby to hear. “I’m ready for whatever you’ve got.” A smile tugs at my lips when I hold up my notepad and give him my own double entendre. The sound of the latch clicking when he shuts the door to his office starts a slow throb deep in my core. We have yet to do anything sinful in the workplace. Well, other than our first fuck, that is. Knowing we could be caught at any point in time is turning me on hardcore. My breathing is shallow when Parker steps up behind me. I can feel the heat radiating from his body. When he doesn’t touch me, I feel myself growing antsy. “You have some dictation you need taken care of?” I ask in a breathless voice. I shouldn’t be this turned on, yet I am. It’s amazing what a little anticipation can do for you. “Yes, your oral skills are going to be put to the test today.” “As you know, I excel at all things oral.” “Hmmm,” he hums. “I do believe you’re correct. However, I need to make sure you are thoroughly versed in all things dictation.” His emphasis on the first syllable makes me smile. “And how do you presume we make that happen?” “How well can you take direction, Miss Lancaster?” Parker walks around me and sits in the chair behind his desk. I stand still waiting for his command. He loosens his tie as he studies me, his smirk proving to me he knows that he’s got me very much on edge. “Why don’t you come here?” He crooks his finger and my pussy spasms from that one move. When I round the desk, he pushes his chair out so I can stand in front of him. “Come closer, Paige.”

I lean down and he kisses me. It’s a short one, however, broken when his hands on my shoulders push me to the floor. On my knees, I scoot back so I’m under his desk with a perfect view of Parker rubbing his cock through his pants. I lick my lips when I see it snakes down his right leg. “Dressed right today?” My index finger trails down the length of him. He slowly unzips his pants and pulls his thick cock out, telling me without words what he wants me to do. I wrap my hand around his erection and bring him to my mouth. His hands fist in his lap when I run the thick tip back and forth across my lips, wetting them with his pre-cum. “Enough teasing.” Parker’s order has my eyes locking with his, as I take him fully into my mouth. I swallow around his length once before releasing him so that only his tip rests on my tongue. His eyes are dark with desire as he looks down at me. His hands now white knuckling the arms of the chair. Knowing how much he wants this—how much I want this—I let go and feast on him. My head bobs as much as the space allows. My fingers roll his balls between them. Combined, it’s enough to have him lifting his hips and thrusting into my mouth. I’m so wet, I can feel it dampening my panties. I wish I could slip a finger inside my pussy and take the edge off, but there’s just not enough room under the desk. A knock on the door has me stilling—his cock deep in my throat. Imagine my surprise when instead of telling the offender to buzz off, he barks at them to come in. When the door opens, I hear the unmistakably husky voice of Margot from legal. Her phone sex voice is the talk of the office. Doesn’t hurt any that she vaguely resembles Jessica Rabbit. I let him slip from my lips when she nears his desk. Parker interjects here and there as she explains about some contractual matter that needs his oversight. I’m growing annoyed with the turn this interlude has taken. Parker is clearly messing with me and it’s making me feisty. With an evil smirk, I wrap my lips around the tip of his still rock hard cock and suck on him. Parker’s words falter for a brief second before he recovers. Challenge accepted. I take him into the back of my throat, silently gagging on him. Parker’s hand grips the arm of the chair as he strains to keep himself in check. Taking his balls in my hand, I find them hard. Oh, he’s close. How does it feel to lose control yet again, Parker? I silently ask as I apply more suction, bobbing just a little faster and curling my tongue around the head with each pass. Parker’s legs tense right before he swells even more in my mouth and shoots his load down my throat. When he comes, he does it silently but a strangled cough escapes him. I smile triumphantly while licking him clean as if he were an ice cream cone. “Are you okay?” Margot asks him and she sounds closer now. I release his cock

and silently scramble further back under the desk, grateful that she can’t see underneath it. “I’m fine,” Parker answers and he clears his throat. It’s his uncomfortable tell. He doesn’t do it often, but when he does it means he’s about to panic. She must be right up on him. A brief flare of jealousy comes over me when I see Margot’s shoes come around the side of his chair. She is way too close for comfort, especially since he’s free balling under the desk the right now. Parker scoots his chair closer to the desk, further hiding his now softening dick. I duck my head down to get a better view and when I do I see Margot rubbing his arm. “You know, Parker, I can take care of whatever is ailing you.” She keeps up that damn rubbing. How dare she come on to him when I’m under here, his cum still stuck to the side of my mouth. What a slut. “I don’t think this is appropriate.” He clears his throat again, his chair scooting in a little further. It’s starting to get rather cramped under this desk. “That isn’t what you were saying at the Christmas party last year,” she practically purrs. Parker grabs her hand when it starts to venture south. I have to physically restrain myself from pushing out from here and ripping her hair out. “Nothing happened at the party last year. You were drunk. You kissed me once and then you ran off to the bathroom.” His tone is placating and I imagine her face burning with embarrassment. It’s Margot’s turn to clear her throat. “I see. Well, I guess I better be going then.” Her high-heels disappear from my line of vision before I hear the door open and then shut. Parker pulls back and reaches his hand down to help me up off the floor. I stand up and straighten my clothes while he tucks himself away. When he reaches for me, I pull back. He frowns and tries again. When I step back a second time, his brows furrow. “You suck. You know that?” “It isn’t that big of a deal. It’s like I told Margot, nothing happened between us.” “That isn’t why I’m upset, Parker,” I seethe. “I don’t understand what the issue is here.” Typical clueless male. “The issue is, your dick was in my mouth and you allowed someone to come into your office. We could have been caught.” I wipe his cum from the side of my mouth to emphasize my point. “It was meant to be funny. Maybe even a little naughty. Besides, we’re more apt to get caught now with the way you’re carrying on.” “Carrying on?” I say in a heated whisper. I straighten and take a step towards him, drilling my finger into his chest. “Just so you know, girls don’t think something like that is funny. If Margot saw us, I’d be the office slut and you’d still

just be Parker—the amazing stud who got his slutty assistant to blow him under his desk.” “I’m sorry.” He sobers and reaches for me when he realizes this wasn’t fun and games after all. When I give him a scathing look, he holds his hands up in surrender. “What can I do?” “Nothing.” I take a deep steadying breath and square my shoulders. “I’m taking a break in the washroom. I’ll be back in fifteen.” Without another word, I leave Parker alone in his office and go take care of myself. Hey, every girl needs a stress reliever.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE SOUND of the doorbell to my parent’s house—well my house, since last winter they retired down to Florida and gave it to me—has my head turning in that direction. A glass of wine in one hand and the remote in the other, I loathe to get up off the couch. It isn’t as if I’m expecting anyone at this hour. Deciding to ignore whoever it is, I turn the television on and take a fortifying sip of wine. Thanks to my argument with Parker earlier in the day, I need it. After I attempted to take care of business in the washroom—and subsequently failed to find my happy ending—I chose to ignore him the rest of the day. It wasn’t too hard to do since he had back to back meetings. I opted to leave the office at a quarter to five so that I didn’t have to risk seeing him at the end of his busy afternoon. The doorbell rings again, followed by an incessant knocking. What the hell? Setting my glass down, I stand up and shuffle quietly towards the door. You never know what kind of crazy person might be on the other side. Peeking out the dining room window, I see a dark head trying to peer through the curtains of the front door. For a brief second, my heart stops until the head pulls back and I’m met with the unmistakable profile of Parker Stone. For a few seconds I stand there, contemplating whether or not I should open the door. Part of me knows I’m being unreasonable, while the other part of me wants to stew on it for a while longer. “I know you’re in there,” he bellows, his fist banging on the door. “Give me a break,” I grumble under my breath as I make my way into the foyer. “I guess if I don’t want the neighbors calling the cops, I better put him out of his misery.” I pull open the door and it startles him. I smirk at catching him off guard. It’s not every day that happens. “What do you want?” Parker frowns at my short tone and produces a bouquet of flowers from behind his back—dahlias, my favorite. I take them from his hand and sniff them. “Thank you.” It sure is hard to stay mad at a man who remembers your favorite flower. Especially since I don’t remember ever telling him that.

“Can I come in?” “Sure.” I step back and let him pass him. His arm brushes my braless nipples and I suck in a breath when they tighten into taut points. Traitorous boobs. “Look, I…” he trails off and swallows. His hand nervously rubs along the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about what I was doing past the fact that it was so incredibly hot to have you under the desk with my dick in your mouth. It was a turn on having to act like nothing out of the ordinary was happening, when in fact, being with you is pretty fucking extraordinary.” “Go on,” I say, my lips forming a small smile. “You’re all I want. All I can think of day in and day out.” He closes the distance between us and takes my head in his hands. “You are my obsession, Paige Lancaster. I’ll do anything to make this up to you. Do you forgive me for being so insensitive?” “I forgave you about an hour ago,” I tell him. “I was just hanging onto my anger as a way to hide my guilt for being so hard on you.” “The last thing I want is for you to do something you aren’t comfortable with. I want to make sure you fully understand that you didn’t need to finish blowing me when Margot came in just because you thought that was what I wanted.” I love the fact that he worries about me feeling pressured. Most men whip out their dicks and expect you to fall on it, regardless of what you might actually want. “It’s not that I didn’t want to, because believe me I did. It’s just that I think I might have been a wee bit jealous of Margot. I didn’t like not being able to claim you. Call me a cave woman.” I shrug and pull out of his arms, not wanting to face him after that admission. Heading into the kitchen, I dig a vase out and put the flowers in water. Parker follows and leans his hip against the counter. “I think it’s sexy that you’re a cave woman,” Parker says as I arrange the flowers, studiously avoiding his gaze. “I am pretty sexy,” I agree. Parker comes up behind me and fits himself to my body. His arms circle my waist and his lips run along my neck. It feels so good… so right. “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known. I don’t know how I’ve stayed away from you this long.” “I don’t know how either,” I half-joke. “I was an idiot,” he says in between feathery kisses. “Mmmm, I’ll attest to that.” I tilt my neck to give him a better advantage. It’s amazing I can even think at this point. “You going to show me the rest of your house?” His hands leave my waist, traveling north so they can cup my breasts. My head hits his shoulder. “Is that your way of getting in my pants?” He slides his hand into my waistband and hits the exact spot I want him to. “I’ll never beat around the bush about getting inside this pussy, Paige.” His finger slips inside me, punctuating that statement. “Pun intended.” “Okay,” I say with a shaky voice as he works his magic. It’s never been this good

and easy with anyone before. It amazes me how effortlessly he can work me into a frenzy. Parker pulls his hand from my pants and I make a sound of protest. “Don’t worry, Paige. You’ll come, but on my dick, not my hand.” His hands maneuver mine so that I’m gripping the edge of the counter. He puts pressure on my back, forcing me to lean over the cool stone. My nipples are hard points under my tank top. My pussy is soaked and I’m panting with desire. Next thing I know, my pants are around my ankles and Parker is stroking my bare ass before slipping a finger down between my lips and deep into my pussy. The angle is a delicious one allowing him to reach more of me. My knees threaten to buckle when his thumb joins in pressing on my clit. “Good girl,” he praises. I glance over my shoulder to find his eyes honed in on his movements between my legs. It’s sexy seeing how hungry this is making him. His hand that’s not busy doing dirty things to me quickly opens his pants and his cock springs free. His fingers between my legs are quickly replaced with his head as he runs it up and down my slit, coating himself in my wetness. “Tip your ass up,” he instructs me. When I do, he slips inside my waiting pussy. Thank God we chose to do away with condoms. It means quick access anywhere, anytime. Within seconds of him setting up a punishing rhythm, I’m coming hard. His name is a loud cry leaving my lips and echoing throughout the room. “That’s it, baby. I’m almost there.” “Parker, come in me with your huge cock,” I urge him as I push back into him. My dirty words never fail to send him over the edge and I want him to explode inside me so badly. “Such a filthy mouth. Such a perfect cunt,” he practically shouts as he buries himself to the hilt and lets go. As Parker pulls out of my body and grabs a towel to clean me up, I feel spent. Completely and utterly wiped. Everything about being with him makes me feel more. I only hope he feels the same way. Several hours later, after a tour of the house and a pretty heavy make out session that started on the couch and ended in my room, we’re lying in my bed. Parker is running his fingertips lightly up and down my arm. My head is resting on his chest. Our post coital bliss is so natural, it’s downright terrifying. We can’t seem to get enough of one another and I can totally see myself getting used to this feeling. It’s dangerous. Especially since there are so many caveats to a relationship with him. The first being the fact that he is my boss. The second being we haven’t actually talked about the future or this being anything other than really great sex. Parker’s hand suddenly stills and he looks down at me. My eyes lift towards him. “Can I ask you a question?” “You just did,” I joke. He rolls his eyes at me and pinches my side, making me giggle.

“Why did you take a break in the washroom today? You know you can use the Executive Lounge whenever you need.” Did I really want to go into this with him? Yeah, I guess it would serve him right for the stunt he pulled today. Plus, I’ve always wondered what his reaction would be if he knew. I often imagine that he gets hot and bothered at his desk knowing I’m using the washroom and not knowing for sure what I’m doing in there. “I sometimes get myself off in the washroom.” I use my hand over my mouth to muffle the admission. “You what?” His hand comes down to grip mine, pulling it away from my face. “I might diddle the old clit every now and again, during my workday.” My secret is no longer. I can feel my face burning from shame. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s one thing to think it, but it’s another to say it out loud. “Shit.” Parker starts choking on his own tongue. He coughs so hard, I sit up. “Are you okay?” “Are you serious?” He chokes out, ignoring my question. His voice raises an octave, right along with his eyebrows that are now in his hairline. “Maybe?” “Son of a bitch,” he bites out, his hand now pinching the bridge of his nose. “All those times you went off on break and I was fantasizing about fucking you, you were masturbating? At work?” “I suppose…” “And that day I wanted you so bad I could have sworn I smelled your arousal? I could barely contain myself. I was ready to throw you down on my desk and rip your clothes off.” “You mean the day I decided not to wash my hands so that you could smell me?” His face drains of all color as he stares at me blankly. Uh oh… I think I might be in trouble. But he doesn’t say or do anything. He just keeps looking at me with that weird expression. Did I break Parker? Next thing I know, I’m being tackled to the bed and Parker’s face is looming over my own. He has both my hands in his, braced over my head. He maneuvers himself so that he’s between my legs, his cock hard and ready to go. Guess I didn’t break him after all. I was just winding him up. “Tell me why I shouldn’t deny you this?” He asks when I squirm beneath him. “Because you want it as much as I do?” I tip my hips up and he slips inside an inch. I want all the inches, damn it. All nine of them to be exact. “Probably more,” he says thoughtfully. “Parker,” I whine. “Please.” “Why did you tease me that day?” He starts to pull out again when I bite his lip. “Why does it matter?” “It matters to me,” he says earnestly and my heart melts a little. I hate showing vulnerability, but I guess I can make an exception for him. Especially if it gets him inside me faster.

“Because I wanted you. So damn bad, Parker. Most of the time, it would be your name on my lips whenever I came.” My honesty is rewarded when he slams his cock into me so hard, I gasp for breath. “Fuck, I love being in your cunt.” His words are harsh pants as he rides me harder than I’ve ever been ridden before. My orgasm rushes up out of nowhere and engulfs me in wave after wave of the sweetest pleasure. My pussy squeezes him like a vice, taking him with me. He stills himself, his forehead resting on mine as he releases deep inside me. After we’ve cleaned up and we’ve resumed our earlier positions, Parker kisses the palm of my hand and rests it on his heart. His larger one holds mine in place. I’m just starting to doze when he asks, “Earlier, you said you were jealous that you couldn’t stake your claim on me?” “Yeah.” My heart beats loudly waiting to see where he’s going with this. “I want you to claim me. The same way I want to brand you so every single asshole who thinks they have a chance with you knows you’re mine.” I raise my head and look at him, completely floored by his admission. “Really?” He nods his head. “I want that too.” He smiles warmly and plants a kiss on my lips. His hand pushes my head back down and we continue to lay together in silence. “Good. Then let’s see where this goes.” I love knowing we’re going somewhere, but at the same time, I have another concern I need addressed before I can bask in the knowledge he’s actually mine. “Parker, what do we do at the office? What will we tell people?” “We’ll act professional like we always do, but if anyone asks, we won’t hide it,” he says after mulling it over in his head. “I like that idea. It’s perfect.” And it is.

CHAPTER NINE

PARKER WASTES no time publicly declaring we’re together. The next day at work, an overflowing vase of dahlia’s shows up on my desk first thing. I’m not even sure when he had time to order them. Maybe when I was in the shower? It doesn’t matter. His intent is what matters and the fact that it’s crystal clear. “Morning, Paige. You must have quite an admirer,” Sarah from down the hall muses as she stops in front of my desk and takes in the flower arrangement. I smile broadly, both because she’s right and because she is Margot’s best friend. I couldn’t have planned this any better if I tried. “Oh, I do,” I respond coyly. “Tell me about him.” She leans her hip on my desk, waiting for the gossip, and I barely resist the urge to laugh victoriously. “Well, he’s sexy and smart…” “I like sexy. Do tell,” she interjects. “He’s tall and muscular, but not crazy muscular, more on the lean side. He has dark hair and beautiful blue eyes. Oh and he’s packing some serious heat, if you know what I mean.” I wink and hold up my fingers because really what else can I do? Sarah swallows hard and color rises in her cheeks. I’m guessing she’s imagining having something of that size in her. She finally clears her throat and says, “Wow. Where’d you meet him and does he have a brother?” Just then Parker strolls into the office every bit the sexy man I just described him to be. His eyes lock with mine, and he wears the smile of a man who knows how good he got it last night. “No brother,” I tell Sarah without taking my eyes off him. “Cousin?” She asks, and then realizes I’m not really paying attention to her. How could I when Parker walks right up to me and plants a kiss on my lips. It’s chaste, sure, but the heated expression on his face when he pulls back is anything but. “Do you have a cousin, Parker?” I ask and Sarah makes a strangled sound from next to us. “Sure, why?”

“Oh, Sarah was just wondering.” My response has Parker turning his attention to our company. “Yeah?” “Oh, it was nothing. Look at the time. I have a ton of work to do,” she quickly says and pushes away from the desk. Scurrying down the hall she calls out, “See you guys later.” “What was that all about?” Parker inquires as I follow him into his office, being sure to leave the door open behind me. I don’t need tongues wagging so soon. They’ll be plenty curious about our relationship. I’d like to keep their speculation of what happens in the office a little more PG. “Just me staking my claim on my man.” I smile broadly at him. His eyes darken and his head starts to descend. I step back leaving him kissing air. “Cold, Lancaster.” “Necessary, Stone.” Parker thankfully leaves it alone. He settles at his desk and we go through our normal routine, only with one slight deviation. As I stand next to his desk going over his messages, he tries running his hands up my skirt. I smack them away only to have him repeat the offending behavior. “You’re being bad, Mr. Stone,” I tell him in a haughty voice. “I’m just remembering how fabulous you looked this morning with your lips wrapped around my…” “Good morning, Parker,” his uncle interrupts, his eyes on his nephew before turning his attention to me. “Paige, could you give me a moment with my nephew?” “Sure thing, Mr. Stone.” I give Parker a worried look over my shoulder as I leave the room. I’m sure my face is as red as a tomato, considering I’m not sure how much his uncle heard before he made his presence known. Mark and Parker stay behind closed doors for what feels like an eternity. I chew anxiously on the inside of my mouth as I attempt to focus on my emails. I don’t know who I’m fooling though. My eyes never stray from the door. I jump slightly when Mark leaves, shutting Parker’s door behind him. He doesn’t say a word to me until he is standing in the doorway to the hall across from my desk. “Miss Lancaster, won’t you take a walk with me?” Mark holds his arm out, telling me to join him. My heart is galloping in my chest like a dozen wild horses as we walk side by side towards the atrium. The whole time, I’m ready to throw up my breakfast not knowing what he is going to say to me. Especially since it’s evident he’s not going to utter a word until we arrive at our destination. Are we in trouble? Is it wrong for Parker and me to be together? Wouldn’t he have told me if we were breaking some sort of rule? I swallow hard as Mark holds the glass door to the atrium open for me to precede him. This is it.

I’m either going to get my hand slapped or I’m going to get fired. Either way, I’m going to puke on Mark’s expensive leather shoes. No question about it. “I received your application for the internship position, Paige. I must admit I was rather pleased you wanted to finish out your course credit here, rather than spread your horizons at a competitor. As you know, we have some of the finest architects working here at Stone, Lundwig & Stone,” Mark immediately jumps into the conversation when the door shuts behind us. I relax marginally now that I know his chosen topic. I could talk about my passion all day every day if that’s what he wants. “Thank you, Mr. Stone. I’m very excited for the opportunity to learn from the best.” “You and Parker make a good team.” His statement is leading. I’m not going to fall for it, however. “We do. I’ve worked for him a long time now.” He clears his throat and gestures towards the wooden teak benches that face one another. All around us are the greenest plants and most beautiful, luscious flowers pointing their faces up towards the sun streaming in through the glass ceiling. It’s just one of the benefits of being on the top floor of the building. I try to focus on the calming feeling being in here always evokes rather than the knot that has formed in the pit of my stomach. Sitting across from the man, I don’t see any malicious intent on his face, which makes me feel a little better. I am, however, taken aback by his next statement. “Given the change in your relationship with Parker, I cannot assign you to work alongside him for this assignment.” How the hell does he already know about our relationship? We haven’t been out of the closet for more than an hour or two, tops. “I mentioned to Parker that we were choosing you for the exclusive internship position and he felt I should be aware that you two are romantically involved,” he answers my unspoken question. “While it doesn’t break any rules here at the firm, it could be misconstrued as biased if you do well, which I have a feeling you will.” I take my time in responding, still floored over the fact that we decided to not hide our relationship just last night, yet one of the founding partners already knows about us and it’s already affecting my job at the firm. “Thank you for having faith in me, Mr. Stone. I understand your reasoning, but Parker usually works with the interns. He’s one of the best architects you have, if not the best.” “There is no point in arguing my decision, Paige. If you wish to continue sleeping with my nephew, then I have to assign you to another architect for your last semester. In the meantime, we’ll hire a new assistant for Parker. It will give you time to train them.” Mark stands, marking the end of our conversation. “I want you to know I’m very grateful to be chosen for the position. I’ll be sure to work hard at impressing the firm.” “I know you will, Paige. Have a good day.”

I sit for a few minutes regaining my composure before heading back to my desk. I know what Mark decided is only fair. Parker’s will greatly affect my final grade and whether or not I graduate. If we are sleeping together, it could be considered a conflict of interest. Still, it doesn’t mean I don’t feel like I’ve been bitched slapped. The other architects are good, but Parker’s visions are the closest to my own on almost every project he takes on. I’m often amazed at how his drawings are so similar to the ones I doodle at night after we’ve met with a client. I’ve always imagined working side by side with him, impressing him with my skills (and not just those in the bedroom). And afterwards, once I’d secured a position as a juniorarchitect with the firm, he’d see me in a whole new light and then of course, we’d begin a torrid love affair. A small grin graces my lips as I leave the atrium. I suppose that part is already true. If it means I can still do my internship here at my first choice firm, then I can live with the dream changing a little bit. Stopping myself from running straight into Parker’s office after my meeting with Mark, I return to my desk. A brief glance at the office instant messaging software shows me his ten o’clock call already started. Getting to work on my daily assignments, I completely lose track of time. It isn’t until my computer pings with a new message for me that I finally look up from my desk. I’m surprised to see a whole hour has passed. Can you come in here? I want to talk to you about Mark. I bite my lip and consider my options. I don’t want Mark to think we are talking about him. And with the strange looks I’ve gotten since Sarah’s eyeful this morning, the gossip mill is churning. Better to be safe than sorry. I put my fingers to the keyboard and reply. I think it’s best we talk about it later over dinner. How does Chinese sound? Sounds delicious, is his reply. I resume my work when another ping sounds. I need you to go to the washroom and count to twenty. I squirm in my seat at the mention of my naughty place. I should have known he would bring this up after my confession last night. I think you’re a bad influence. I’m going to have to say no. His answer is exactly what I’d expect from a bad influence. You know you want to. Just imagine watching me watch you… The image of me in a lounge chair with my finger in my pussy while Parker pumps his cock in front of me is almost too much. Or maybe he could stand behind me in the mirror and we can watch one another that way. A surge of lust runs through my veins and I can’t seem to type back fast enough. You have until the count of ten or I start without you. As soon as I hit send, I’m out of my chair and down the hall faster than the speed of light. For the record, it is amazingly hot to watch your boss come all over your tits while you quietly cry his name out in orgasm. Even if the cleanup is a bitch.

CHAPTER TEN

“OH, God,” I moan. Parker nips my ass with his teeth and demands, “Say my name when we’re in bed.” “Parker,” I moan louder when he does this particularly great thing with his thumb where he methodically puts pressure on the puckered hole of my ass while his fingers pump in and out of my cunt. “That’s more like it.” I feel his grin against the small of my back followed by his lips trailing lightly up my spine. I thought we were sated for the night, but that was before Parker decided to recant his latest fantasy in which he’s fucking me against the glass wall of his office while people in the building across from ours watch. My hands are braced against the glass, my tits bouncing while the voyeurs have a delicious view of his cock tunneling in and out of my slick heat. And of my face twisted in pleasure as I come. You can see why it didn’t take long after hearing about this for me to end up on my stomach in his plush bed while he drives me to madness. “Spread your legs a little wider,” he whispers in my ear, sending shivers all over my body. I do as I’m told and am rewarded with the head of his cock pressing against my swollen lips. His hand shifts over my hip and under so it can still stroke my clit. “Now tilt your pussy up, baby. That’s it.” When I lift up, he slips inside and I sigh appreciatively at the feel of him stretching me. Filling me. At this angle he is so deep and a twinge of pain accompanies each thrust. I don’t mind though. This position has quickly moved up my list of favorites. It always has me coming in record time. “Who does this cunt belong to, Paige,” Parker whispers. I feel him driving into me. I love the feel of his sweaty skin on mine. There is no place I would rather be then right here, right now with this man. “You, Parker. I’m all yours.” There is conviction in my voice. Words want to follow like only ever yours and I love you, but I’m afraid to speak them. Even if Parker has given me no reason in our month together to think he feels otherwise.

“Mine,” he affirms. His pace picks up speed and his hand underneath me twirls faster on my clit. Just the way I need it. In such a short time, he’s learned how to play my body skillfully. “Fuck!” I shout as I come apart at the seams. My body bucks beneath his, setting off his own release. Parker collapses on my back momentarily before rolling us on our sides, his cock still embedded in my pussy. I clench my muscles when he moves to disconnect us. Getting the hint, he presses in a little deeper. “We’re going to kill each other if we keep fucking like this.” My voice sounds far away and dreamy. A really great orgasm will do that to you. Especially after you’ve already had three others. Jealous? What can I say? My man knows how to sa-tis-fy. “Mmmm,” he mumbles. His lips press behind my ear and he snuggles a little closer. “I don’t care, if it means dying with you in my arms like this.” My heart melts a little. The words I love you once again form on my lips. Before I have a chance to say them, Parker presses his hips into me again and speaks first. “I want to take you on a date with Gracie and me tomorrow.” My body stills and I think I quit breathing. This is big. Huge, in fact. Parker didn’t introduce his last woman to Gracie until they were together for almost seven months. I know. I’m the one who bought the tickets to the movie they went to. “Too soon?” He asks in response to my reaction. Or rather lack thereof. I clear my throat and stall, not sure how I want to answer. I know Gracie likes me and obviously I adore her. Who wouldn’t? The problem is I’m scared. Scared to hope that this could mean something. If I let myself get wrapped up in the fantasy of being with Parker and having a role in Gracie’s life, only to have it disappear, I’m not sure I’ll be able to take it. Our time together has shown me that my attraction to him had never been just physical. In my six years of knowing him, I have grown to care deeply for this man. Even if I’ve never realized it until now. Parker rolls me to my back, his cock slipping out and making me feel empty. He cups my cheek and leans in close. Our noses brush together as he rests his forehead on mine, and some of that emptiness fades. “In case you haven’t noticed, I like having you here with me. We’re good together. I want you to be a part of Gracie’s life, but I won’t rush you. I’m in this for the long haul and I’ll wait as long as I need to for you to be ready.” “Really?” I can’t believe this perfect man is here and saying these wonderful things to me. In all my daydreams, I never thought we would ever come this far. Certainly not this quickly. Parker gives a small laugh of disbelief and plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Of course, Paige. I love you. This isn’t just about me getting my rocks off.” My breath leaves me in a whoosh and tears prick my eyes. “I love you too,” I whisper, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. “Good.” He smiles brightly and continues, “now tell me you’ll spend the day with me and Gracie.”

“Okay.” I wrap my arms tightly around him, feeling unbelievably happy with this turn of events. “If I’m going to have any energy tomorrow, we should get some sleep. However, I did just tell my woman I love her for the first time and since she loves me too, I think a little sixty-nine before bed would be a good way to celebrate.” I laugh when he hauls me over his body, twisting me around so my head is facing his cock. It’s twitching and lengthening before my eyes. I lick my lips and prepare to take him deep into my throat. Two seconds later when Parker pulls my hips down over his mouth, taking my clit between his teeth, the last thing on my mind is laughing. No, it’s moaning and begging, while he groans and praises. And then we’re blissfully coming… together. Definitely a great way to celebrate.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I FOLLOW the little girl giggles through the throng of tables at Serendipity 3 in Manhattan. Having just taken Gracie to the bathroom, we’re racing to see who can get back to Parker the fastest. Obviously, Gracie is winning. What kind of special friend of Daddy’s would I be if I beat her? Probably not one that stuck around very long, that’s for sure. “There’s my girl,” Parker exclaims when Gracie does a running leap into his arms, settling herself into his lap. Immediately, my heart warms and a smile tugs at my lips. All day long, I’ve heard my biological clock ticking—loudly. The way Parker loves his daughter is the stuff of magic. I can’t even begin to describe how incredibly sexy it is to watch him with her. I stop my train of thought as it begins to veer down the path of imagining a whole gaggle of kids with me as mom and Parker as dad. I’m getting way ahead of myself. We have a lot of time to see where this thing goes. There is still so much we don’t know about each other. “This frozen hot chocolate is so good.” I take another sip of the sinfully decadent treat and moan around the straw. Parker makes a strangled sound from across the table. My eyes lift to his and my breath catches at the amount of fire blazing in his. I woodenly release the straw from my pursed lips and swallow hard. “Yeah,” is all he manages to say. That one word is more than enough, though. It speaks to the volume of want we have for one another. Even with a surefire cockblocker in tow with us today, Parker has still managed to find ways to let me know how much he loves me—whether it be a small touch, a lingering glance or a stolen kiss. His attention is undeniably making our first outing with Gracie easier on me. Between being afraid that she would resent me horning in on her time with her father and my need for her to like me, I was a ball of nerves by the time I arrived at Parker’s condo this morning. I didn’t need to be worried though. Parker is a natural at putting me at ease and the day has flown by seamlessly. Now that it’s almost done, I’m wondering what there was to worry about in the first place.

“Paige!” I hear my name being called and I turn my head to see the source. I frown when I see Amira pushing her way through a small crowd of people exiting the restaurant. What is she doing here? “I can’t believe I’m running into you here!” She squeals before giving me a hug. She turns her attention toward the rest of the table and smiles broadly. “Hi, Parker. Good to see you again. And who might you be?” Gracie smiles back at her and waves. “I’m Gracie.” “Aren’t you just a pile of sunshine,” Amira responds. “So what are you guys up to?” “Just hanging out,” I answer her with a shake of my head. She knew damn well our plans for the day included a picnic in the park followed by dessert at this very restaurant. Such a nosey thing she is. Not that I can blame her. And I suppose if push came to shove, I would admit that I’m grateful for her checking in and making sure I didn’t need saving. “Would you like to join us?” Parker politely asks my best friend even though our drinks are now gone. I’m not the only one looking to impress someone of significance today. “Actually, my date just arrived.” She wiggles her fingers in the direction of the door. It takes a moment for me to realize she’s signaling someone who looks more giant than man. My goodness, is he on steroids? He’s huge! “If you don’t mind, Max and I have some catching up to do. Good to see you again, Parker. It was nice meeting you Miss Gracie. I’ll call you later, Paige.” She gives me a knowing look and saunters off to where Max waits for her. He crushes her in a kiss that is far too pornographic for a shop that mainly caters to kids, before guiding her out the door. She is certainly going to have some explaining to do later. “Checking up on me?” Parker’s question has me turning back in my seat. “Of course.” I laugh at the face he makes, but know with certainty he has nothing to worry about. Amira was sold on him from the first time she met him. I highly doubt she’ll have anything negative to say when she calls me later. “Time to go home,” Parker announces and digs out his wallet to leave a tip on the table. “Do we have to?” Gracie whines. “You need a bath.” He flicks the tip of her nose with his index finger, causing her to scrunch it up in annoyance. “But I want to play with Paige.” Her mouth twists into a pout and she crosses her arms over her chest, throwing herself against the back of her chair in a huff. Her black curls bounce with the movement and the blue eyes that mirror her father’s shoot daggers at him. It seems Parker isn’t the only Stone who likes to have playtime with Paige. I hide my smirk behind my hand when he gives me a warning look. Did I mention how much I love this child? “No pouting,” he tells her firmly. “You can play with Paige next time you stay at

my house.” “But—,” she starts. “No buts.” Knowing her dad isn’t going to give in, Gracie smartly stops arguing. I bite my lip, though, when she stomps her foot as she stands up and takes Parker’s proffered hand. It’s all I can do to not laugh. Parker gives me an exasperated look and takes his daughter’s hand. I have a feeling there will be some sexual retribution handed out the next time we’re alone. “What a lovely family you have.” I glance up from putting my purse on my shoulder in time to see an older woman gripping Parker’s arm and smiling up at him. My heart stutters to a stop at her choice of words. I wait with baited breath for Parker’s response. His answering grin is sexy as can be, but it’s his words I’m hanging on. “Thank you, ma’am. I’m rather proud of them myself.” Them. He said them. Them includes me, right? “As you should be. Such a beautiful wife and daughter,” she returns before walking around him. “God bless you.” Parker turns and winks at me. I’m a mess of goo after he doesn’t correct the woman. He’s told me time and again that this is more than casual for him. Just how much more, I wasn’t sure. Maybe, just maybe, this is it for him. I know I want this to be it for me. With a huge smile and some pep in my step, I follow Parker and Gracie out into the afternoon sunshine. This day couldn’t get any better.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Parker’s sleep roughened voice sends shivers across my skin. I immediately startle, so lost in my work that I hadn’t realized he’d gotten out of bed. A glance at the clock shows it’s three in the morning. I sit back in the stool and rub my tired eyes. Now that I’m not focused, I’m realizing how exhausted I am. Parker’s body is warm as he fits himself against my back. It’s a welcome distraction from the mess of papers littered across the island in his kitchen. I set up shop there after he fell asleep, and I finally accepted that my brain wasn’t going to turn itself off. This tends to happen whenever I’m obsessed with tweaking a design. “Working on an assignment Gavin gave me.” I tilt my head when his lips connect with the sensitive spot on my neck, wanting him to have more access. When my words filter through Parker’s brain, he growls deep in his throat. To say he hates Gavin would be an understatement, especially now that I’m reporting to him for my internship. Just last week, Gavin was sitting on the edge of my desk discussing an upcoming project with me when Parker walked by. He almost brought the house down with his temper. It was hot in a caveman sort of way, while at the same time slightly embarrassing. I just hope he gets over it soon. I have a feeling the hot portion of that temper will become more annoying than anything. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.” His words are followed by a nip on my earlobe. “How many times do I have to tell you there is absolutely nothing Gavin could do that would make me want him?” I suck in a shallow breath when his hand trails inside the opening of his shirt that I confiscated when I got out of bed, and down my chest so he can cup my bare breast beneath it. “I still don’t like it. You should be working under me for your damn internship,” he grumbles. “I’d much rather be under you in a completely different way.” “Oh yeah?” He nips my earlobe again and my insides slowly start heating under his attention. “Definitely.” A scrape of a thumbnail across my sensitive nipple has me moaning his name.

“I love when you say my name like that,” he whispers in my ear. There isn’t much room for talking after that. Parker pulls my chair out and lifts me up so my bare bottom is resting on the cool marble of the island. His hands grip my shirt, ripping it apart, buttons pinging on the floor as the material gapes open. I shrug it off my shoulders. Blissfully naked in front of him, I eat up the way his eyes devour me. My back arches and my head falls back. I feel beautiful and wanton whenever we come together. “I’m such a lucky bastard. You’re so perfect.” He sets about to worship my body. His lips trail along my chest as his hands begin to explore every inch of me, purposefully avoiding the parts where I need him most. I cry out when his lips wrap around a nipple and tug. The rhythmic pull from his mouth echoes deep in my core—my pussy already drenched and throbbing. Taking his hand in mine, I press it between my legs. I know that once he feels how ready I am for him, he won’t be able to take it slow. Just as I suspected, the moment his fingers encounter my wetness, he lets out a desperate groan. “Parker,” I moan when his fingers delve inside me. It’s amazing how quickly I feel myself nearing the edge. Something about being with this man trips my trigger. I come apart so easily. “Come for me so I can bury myself so deep inside your cunt, you’ll think of me tomorrow. Not Gavin.” I barely quell the urge to roll my eyes. Silly man. There is no comparison between him and Gavin. The things Parker does to me make it practically impossible to think at all, let alone of being with another man. “Do that thing,” I beg, the words barely audible when mixed with all my moaning and panting. I lie back on the marble countertop unable to hold myself up under the onslaught of pleasure he’s giving me. “This thing?” He asks with a wicked gleam in his eye. I expect him to put pressure on the puckered ring of my ass, but he takes it one step further by sliding his finger in to the hilt. The invasion is foreign and I’m about to tell him to stop, when he pulls the finger out and then slides it back in again. I feel the fullness of having him in each hole and a dark thrill runs through me. “God,” I shout. “Don’t stop!” He chuckles and shakes his head. That’s the last thing I see as my eyes slam shut and a vicious orgasm washes over me, seizing up my muscles and forcing my back off the island. I scream and moan in the most porn star-worthy moment of my life. When I finally float back to earth, I open my eyes to find Parker’s face hovering over mine. He has a look of pure male satisfaction on his face. I barely have time to take in the beauty of it before he yanks me towards him and thrusts into me. “Such a wet cunt,” he grunts in between each drive of his cock inside me. “Your cunt,” I tell him, knowing he loves to hear it and more than happy to

please. “Damn straight.” He picks up his rhythm until he’s fucking me at an almost brutal pace. Parker has nothing to worry about when it comes to Gavin, but I secretly love how wild he gets when he thinks he has something to prove. I’ve never had a lover care so much, or take the time to show me that I’m his. It’s such a heady feeling. “Shit, I’m not going to last.” His words send a jolt through me. I absolutely love feeling him come inside me. There’s something so intimate about having a part of him fill me like that. “Come in me, baby.” My fingers pinch and pull my nipples, sending me over the edge. That’s all it takes for him to let go, as each jerk of his cock inside me makes me groan with pleasure. Parker slumps over my prone body, his head burrowing in between my breasts as he struggles to level his breathing. I run my fingers through the damp strands of his hair. I wonder if it will always be this way between us. Is this fire is meant to consume us and then burn out? Or is it meant to burn brightly for years to come? All my sexual fantasies pale in comparison to how incredible it is to actually be with Parker. I never once dreamed that we would be here, together. “I love you,” I whisper into the silence. Parker lifts his head and levels me with the amount of emotion in his eyes. I could live to be a hundred and never forget that look. The one that says I’m everything to him. That he loves me more than words could express or than anyone might think possible. “I love you, too” he responds and brands me with a kiss.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“PARKER, I—” The words die in my throat when my eyes take in the sight before me. Holy shit. “Lock the door behind you, Miss Lancaster.” His voice is deep and husky. It floats around me and settles deep inside me. My blood instantly heats and my legs tremble as I make my way across the carpet to where he’s seated at his desk. Beyond the sound of my blood pumping in my ears, I hear voices floating up from the speaker of the phone on his desk. A trill of both excitement and fear works its way up my spine. “Care to join me?” He tips his head back, his eyes locked with mine as his hand works up and down his very erect penis. Pre-cum leaks from the tip and I wonder how long he’s been doing this while waiting for me. It’s been nearly fifteen minutes since I received his instant message asking me to come see him. “Where’s your new assistant?” My eyes never stray from between his legs even as I shimmy my skirt up my thighs. It’s such a beautiful sight to see him this way. Parker is pretty much sex on legs at any given time. But when he’s turned on and lost in pleasure, there is no end to his eroticism. “Lunch,” is his low reply. His hand works faster now as his eyes are transfixed on my white lacy underwear and garter. It’s a set he bought me just last week. It has a slit in the crotch for easy access. I can tell by the way his eyes widened ever so briefly that he never thought I would actually wear this to the office. I thank my lucky stars I did. “And them?” I tip my head towards the phone while closing the distance between us. Parker’s large hands grip my hips and pull me even closer. His nose nudges at the slit in my underwear and I nearly orgasm on the spot with how hot it looks to have his face so close to my pussy. “Yes,” I whisper. I’m so unbelievably turned on right now. Just then Parker’s hand leaves my hip and his head comes up. I’m about to complain, but he hits a button on his phone and speaks. “I think that location is stellar, gentlemen.” “Glad you agree,” a disembodied voice replies before addressing another person

on the call. Parker mutes the phone again. “Impressive,” I tell him as he smirks up at me. The promise of what’s to come is palpable between us. Pun intended. “I’ll show you impressive.” I’m pretty sure I know where this is going. I’m just about to lift my knee so I can straddle him and impale myself, when he pushes me back slightly and rises from his chair. I can’t help but circle my hand around his cock and tease him as he crushes me to him. His mouth takes mine in a searing kiss. The whole time our tongues tangle, he herds me towards the glass wall behind his desk. Breaking the kiss, he spins me around. The sky is dark thanks to the rain clouds blanketing the city and the impending storm. The lights of the office building across the street twinkle as I swallow hard. It’s one thing to fantasize about being watched. It’s an entirely different thing when it’s very possible that multiple people might see me getting fucked right at this moment. “Unbutton your blouse.” Parker’s words are a harsh demand. My hands leisurely release each pearl button while my eyes take in his reflection behind me. I bite my lip watching him struggle to keep his composure—this is his fantasy after all. His hands clench and unclench into tight fists to keep from touching me. His cock is long and proud as it aims at me. At where it wants to be. “Free your tits.” His next command comes when my blouse is gaping. My chest is heaving underneath the material as I picture what we must look like to a voyeur. A quick flick of my wrist has the front clasp of my bra opened. The lace clings to my erect nipples and I smile at the tease it’s presenting to Parker. “Naughty girl,” he tsks behind me. He suddenly leans back towards the desk and disconnects his call. My core clenches at the heat in his gaze through the glass reflection. “Your call?” My voice is breathless and I think I might die from anticipation. “Not important.” Finally coming up behind me, he positions my hands on the glass. His fingers trail ever so lightly along my ribs until he’s gripping my hips, angling them so I’m bent at the middle. When his hands run back up my torso, I sigh as his fingers move the lacy material covering my breasts before pinching and tugging them repeatedly. “What do you want?” He asks, his breath caressing my ear now that he’s bent over my back. His fingers are still tormenting my breasts. “You,” I barely whisper. My voice is gone as his fingers pinch and knead even harder. “Be more specific,” he demands, his teeth grazing my earlobe. “Your cock,” I finally find the will to respond. “Where do you want my cock?” “In my pussy,” I cry out when he bites down on my neck, his fingers twisting my nipples painfully yet exquisitely. “Rub your clit, Paige.” He nuzzles my neck before his tongue tastes the skin

there. Reaching down with my right hand, I do as he instructs. I’m wet and swollen. He releases my breasts to grip his cock and rub it against the skin on my ass and between my legs. Every now and again, the head bumps my finger as it toys with my clit. I pause in my motion only to earn me a swat on my ass. “I didn’t tell you to stop,” he admonishes me before continuing his ministrations. “Parker, please,” I beg. He’s been torturing me for what feels like forever. I’m ready to come and I want to do it with him inside me. “Is this what you want?” He slides his cock through my folds and positions the head, only letting the first inch inside me. “God, yes. Fuck me, Parker.” I moan when he slips another inch inside. “See that guy across the way?” I’ve been so busy watching my hand as it works to get me off, I can barely focus on anything, let alone someone in an office building hundreds of feet away. Parker yanks my hair, positioning my head where he wants it. I look straight across and see a man standing in his office window. I don’t know if he sees us but the thought that he does sends pleasure rushing from my core. Just then Parker slams into me and my body jolts forward from the momentum. My hand moves from between my legs so I can fully brace myself against the glass. I bite my lip to keep from crying out, knowing other people in the office will be able to hear. It’s hot as hell having my skirt around my waist and my shirt wide open, knowing anyone can see me. Just as in Parker’s fantasy, I feel my tits moving with each thrust. What a picture we must present. I wonder if the man can see the peaked points of my nipples and the way each globe sways under Parker’s punishing rhythm. Or the flush of my face as my pleasure mounts and the raw look of hunger on Parker’s face as he takes me from behind. “Fuck me, Parker.” My words are breathless pants as I encourage him to take me even harder. Using my leverage on the glass, I push myself back against him to aid in the endeavor. I wasn’t sure it was possible to go any faster or harder, but he proves me wrong. A grunt is all he gives me as he picks up his pace. He fills me over and over again, his cock hitting all my sensitive nerve endings and catapulting me even closer to the edge of climax. “Do you like knowing he’s watching me fucking you? Knowing his hand is down his pants right now?” He asks several minutes later. The question filters into my ears over the slap of skin against skin. At his words, I force myself to focus on the man across the street. His one hand is braced on the window, much like mine, while his other one is out of view. Oh God. I come then without warning. The pleasure that had been steadily building in my core, radiates throughout my entire body in such force. My pussy convulses and I

moan with how exquisite it feels. It sets off a chain reaction, as Parker nearly roars behind me with his release. His body bucks and his cock jerks inside me as he bathes my insides with his cum. We stay locked together for several minutes. Parker’s grip on my hips is hard enough to leave bruises, but I don’t dare speak, opting instead to stay inside our little cocoon of rapture. When he finally pulls out, I feel our combined release run down my leg. Parker quickly cleans it up and helps me right my clothes before pulling me into his arms and taking my mouth in a warm and tender kiss. “Thank you,” he murmurs against my lips. “What for?” My mind is still a little hazy from having really hot sex against the glass and all. “For a lot of things—being you, allowing me to try things like we just did, loving me.” My eyes mist over at the sweetly sincere words. I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but I will never take this man for granted.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“PAIGE, I want you to look at something.” Gavin comes up behind me at the conference room table. He sets blueprints down in front of me and leans in close, his hand resting on the edge of the paper. I’ve learned over the last few weeks of working with the man that he is very tactile. At first it made me a little uncomfortable until I realized he did it with everyone, not just me. Still, I can see why me working with Gavin might make Parker a little territorial. I’m sure many women find Gavin irresistible. I’ve always found his blonde hair and brown eyes rather breathtaking, but they’ve never done the things to me that Parker’s dark looks do. “What’s this?” My eyes roam over the blue ink—taking in the layout, the position of the walls, the measurements of windows and doorways. Little minor details that most people wouldn’t see unless they were trained to read blueprints. I get the lines though. Something about them speaks to me. It’s the reason I want to be an architect. Reading the title block, I see the plans are for the Wagner property downtown. My mind flashes to a conversation with Parker earlier in the week where he mentioned working on the project. His signature on the approval line confirms my memory. What I’m not sure about is why Gavin is having me review them. “What do you see wrong here?” “Nothing.” I sit back in my chair a little unnerved with this conversation. This feels like a trick question and I don’t like talking about Parker or any other colleague without them being there to defend themselves or their designs. Gavin taps his finger on the paper in front of me and says in a stern voice, “Look harder.” Ignoring the insubordinate quip on the tip of my tongue for him to bite me, I lean forward again and take in each detail of the design. When I spot it, I gasp. “What do you see?” Gavin asks again. “These beams aren’t nearly strong enough to withstand the weight of the penthouse.” My finger traces the offending line on the blueprint. “Good. What else?” There’s more? Isn’t that enough? I say to myself, but go back to studying the

drawing. “I’m not sure. This doesn’t look like Parker’s typical vision. It’s… sloppier.” I shrug and say a silent prayer that this conversation is going to be over soon. Not only do I not like talking about him when he isn’t present, but I don’t like being forced to pick apart his design and find its flaws. And there are quite a few of them. Nothing thankfully as major as the fact that the weight of the penthouse will most likely twist those beams, eventually making the ceiling collapse on whomever is occupying the building. “Do you know why I asked you to review this?” Gavin pulls out the chair next to me and waits expectantly for my answer. “Another set of eyes?” I try for a generic answer, knowing it isn’t what he wants. He shakes his head and leans in, taking my hands in his. I presume it’s meant to both soothe me and gentle his next words. “It’s because in this business, mistakes can mean the difference between life and death. It’s because if you see an architect being negligent in their design it’s your duty to say something, regardless of your relationship with him or her. I think it’s important you learn this lesson now, which is why you will present these findings to Mark Stone when he joins us momentarily. You will explain all the discrepancies that you found in the course of your review and how you would correct them.” “I can’t do that.” My words are clipped and defensive. “I’m sure there’s some sort of explanation. This has to be an earlier version of the design. Parker wouldn’t leave his drawings like this.” “Paige,” Gavin sighs and leans back in chair while pinching the bridge of his nose, “this was his final revision submitted for approval by the client this morning.” “But—,” I sputter out when no words will come to me. I’m taken aback by the fact that Parker screwed up so monumentally. He put his reputation and that of the firm at stake. It isn’t like him to be so careless. “Take a few minutes and jot down your notes for Mark.” Gavin stands and walks towards the door. With his hand on the knob, he turns back to me. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you have to learn this the hard way.” With that he’s gone, and I’m left to wonder what the hell I’m going to do. MY MIND IS SPINNING by the time I leave Mark and Gavin in the conference room. I’m ready to puke at the thought that I just tore apart Parker’s design and made Mark question his abilities. A small part of me knows I’m being a bit overdramatic, but it feels like the world may be ending. Instead of feeling pride at how impressed Mark was with my thought process and visions for how to correct the design, all I can think about is the fact that I hope Parker can forgive me. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m compelled to warn him of the shit storm that is

coming his way. Parker isn’t in his office when I peek my head in at the end of the day, though, so I leave the building and head to catch my train with a heavy sense of dread weighing on me. I barely pay attention to the other passengers or the scenery on my ride home. It’s all a blur as I exit the train and get in my car at the station. I barely even remember the drive from there to my house. It isn’t until the sun has long since set that I realize it’s ten o’clock at night and I haven’t even eaten dinner. I’ve been too busy pacing with each minute that ticked on where I still hadn’t heard from Parker. A loud banging on the front door has me jumping out of my skin. I rush into the foyer, my heart in my throat and my palms sweaty. Parker’s on the other side of the glass. He’s beautiful as always but I can’t miss the angry expression on his face— lips pressed together in a grim line and jaw tight. As I open the door, I steel myself for the well-deserved lashing I’m most likely going to get. I open my mouth to greet him, but it slams shut when he shoulders past me into the house, where we stand off against one another in the foyer. I swallow hard and battle the overwhelming urge to apologize profusely. While I expected his anger, I didn’t expect it to this degree. “You couldn’t wait to sabotage me with Gavin could you?” He practically spits Gavin’s name out like it tastes foul on his tongue. The accusation is harsh and like a slap across the face. “Parker, I never—,” I start to defend myself but he cuts me off with a swipe of his hand through the air. “You never my ass,” he fumes. Talking to me like this is so out of character for him and while I do deserve his anger, I’m not about to be trampled by it either. “Hey! I get that you’re upset, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a dick.” I leave him standing in the foyer and walk into the kitchen where I set about pouring myself a healthy glass of wine. I’m going to need it. Men can be so stupid. They have no idea how to properly approach a situation. I went from feeling guilty to being ready to lob my shoe at his head in under a minute. Parker storms into the room. I can hear his heavy breathing and picture him seething behind me. I turn and lean against the counter, lifting the glass to my lips and wait. On the breeze, I catch the faint smell of bourbon and wonder how much he’s had to drink. “I’m not saying anything that isn’t true. You deliberately threw me under the bus to my uncle today. I just spent the last three hours defending myself and why I shouldn’t be forced to resign from the company.” I wince at that fact. It seems a bit extreme of Mark given the situation. “I have to admit I was fooled by what a good fuck you are. That mouth of yours would convince any man you were worth the trouble. What I want to know, though, is why you used your body to get to me to trust you just so you could take advantage of me and ruin my career.” I’m at a loss for words. How could I have been so wrong about Parker? It’s like I don’t even know the man standing before me. The very idea that I would ever sleep with my boss to get a leg up at work is ludicrous and highly offensive. The man I

loved would never say such hurtful things to me. “Go fuck yourself,” I shout at him. My arm reflexively pulls back and then forward, releasing my wine glass with it. The glass sails past Parker’s head by mere inches and shatters against the wall, spraying the kitchen with its contents. Later, once I’m not so angry and hurt, I’ll be glad that I was drinking white and not red. “Why fuck myself when I can fuck you?” His hands make to work at his belt buckle. “Might as well get something out of this fucked up situation. I’ll come all over you like the dirty whore you are. Just don’t think I’m going to buy anything that comes out of your mouth ever again.” I stagger back with the weight of his words. Their foulness has bile rising up in my throat. Instead of finding something to throw at his head, I throw a punch at his face. Even with alcohol in his system, the bastard catches my fist in his hand, stopping me from connecting with his nose. “You were the one without your head in the game,” I shout. “You were the one who put together that bullshit design. None of this is my fault. If it hadn’t been me who said something to Mark, it would have been someone else. At least with me, I wasn’t trying to shove a damn knife in your back and take over your project.” “Oh but that knife is definitely lodged in my back, Paige. The only thing you didn’t do was twist it.” “That is such bullshit.” My voice is raw with emotion and I feel tears prick the backs of my eyes, but I will not allow myself to crack. Not now with him standing in front of me. After he leaves, that is when I’ll allow the tears to fall and take stock in the damage to my heart. “You are the very reason why my head hasn’t been in the game lately. You and that fucking cunt of yours. I guess it’s only fitting you’re the one that….” Thoroughly over this conversation, I square my shoulders and compose myself. With a quiet and lethal voice, I say, “Get out of my house. I never want to see you again.” Thankfully, he spares me any further commentary on his way out the door. Only after the click of the door shutting, do I crumple to the floor and cry like a baby. It isn’t until my back is sore and my eyes are bloodshot and puffy that I stop. And when I do, I vow to not give Parker Stone anymore of my tears.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

IT’S BEEN a month since the Parker explosion, as Amira so affectionately calls it, and I have yet to see the man since he’s on a sabbatical. He hasn’t tried to contact me either, which does nothing to help my healing process along. Especially since he owes me an apology. My heart hurts any time his name is mentioned—or hell, whenever I think of him, which is far too often—but I refuse to cry. Whenever I feel the impending tears, I call Amira and she always finds a way to cheer me up. At first she thought tales of her sexual exploits would help. All they did was leave me lonelier than I already was. You don’t realize how much you come to rely on someone for comfort until they are suddenly cut out of your life. “Your flight leaves tomorrow at what time?” Amira asks from her perch on the edge of her bed. She’s flipping through a magazine and sipping on wine, waiting for me to finish getting dressed. A girl’s night out on the town is just what the doctor ordered before I fly down to Florida to visit my parents. I hadn’t planned on taking a vacation, but I panicked when I overheard Parker’s new assistant say he was back to work on Monday. For all my blustering about being over what happened, I’m still not ready to share a space with him. Gavin was understanding when I asked for a week off with such short notice. Since I’ve been doing so well with my internship and given the length of time I’ve been with the company, he was more than willing to grant my request. “A car is picking me up for the airport at seven. I figure I’ll just crash on your couch tonight.” I walk out of her closet and strike a pose. Amira looks up from her magazine and whistles appreciatively. “Yowser,” she says while taking me in. My black dress is low cut, tight and stops several inches shy of my knees. My hair is messy and wild, and my makeup is set to drama. I’m ready to step outside of my comfort zone tonight. I might wither away and die pining over Parker if I don’t make myself see what else is out there. “You think?” I smooth my hands down the front of my dress and do a little spin. “I know. Maybe we’ll even get you laid tonight.” She winks and before I can object she says, “Let’s go, sister.” There’s a flutter of excitement in my belly as we walk out onto the sidewalk and

towards the club. THE CLUB IS PACKED and the music’s beat is reverberating through my body as my hips dip and sway with the rhythm. I feel free of all the tension that’s been surrounding me since the incident with Parker. I miss being carefree. I relish in the sensation, not wanting it to go away again. Todd’s strong hands grip my hips, assisting my ass in grinding against him. He introduced himself earlier after buying me a drink at the bar, then asked me to dance. I was hesitant at first. Even Amira didn’t seem overly keen about me dancing with him, but I finally said yes to him after much cajoling on his part. I’m not going to move on from Parker if I don’t put myself out there. Even if it is just to dance. As I move to the sounds of Drake, I feel no oomph when Todd touches me. No zing when we make eye contact. No dip in my belly whenever his lips are a hairsbreadth away from mine. I resign myself to enjoy these few moments in time with him, though. It isn’t as if I expected to find someone to replace Parker anyway. Just someone to help me heal my broken heart a little. Now face to face with Todd, I’m dancing a little dirtier than I normally would courtesy of all the alcohol I’ve consumed. Luckily, I’m still at the happy drunk stage where I feel good but I haven’t gone too far yet. I make a mental note to switch to beer when Todd grips my ass with one hand and using his other hand on my back, he dips me. A burst of laugh bubbles out of me and I let my arms dangle towards the floor before he pulls me back up. No sooner does the room right itself, then I’m being pulled from his arms. It’s all happening so fast, I’m not sure what is going on. All I know is I blink and Todd is laid out on the floor with a fuming Parker standing over him, his hand balled into a fist. What is he doing here? “What are you doing?” I shriek and kneel down to help poor Todd. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Amira worrying her hands and biting her lip. It’s what she does when she’s feeling guilty. I shake my head and focus on the scene in front of me. I can worry about Amira later. “He was touching you,” Parker answers through clenched teeth. “So?” I look over at Todd, who is rubbing his jaw and throwing daggers at Parker with his eyes. “Are you okay?” He turns and looks at me, nodding his head. “Maybe you should get the fuck away from her,” Parker shouts over the music. “You are impossible,” I yell at him before Todd can say something that is sure to wind Parker up even more. Standing up, I storm past him and a worried looking Amira. Outside the club it’s quieter and the night air is a bit chilly against my heated

skin. The scene in the club coupled with the dip in temperature wakes me up, sobering me almost instantly. Hearing my name shouted, I stop pacing on the sidewalk and turn towards Amira. She’s standing next to Parker, looking guilty as fuck. “Was this your doing?” I ask her. “I thought you should hear him out,” is her only reply. “You know the hideous things he said to me, yet you want me to get back together with him?” I ask incredulously. Betrayal hits me like a rock. Amira steps forward and grips my hand in hers. “No. I think you both owe it to one another to talk. You’ve been fixtures in each other’s lives for a while and you were so good together. I think you need to hash this out with calmer heads regardless of what the outcome ends up being.” “It’s my fault,” Parker adds. “I called her, not knowing how to approach you. I fucked things up with us so badly and I was afraid you’d turn me down if I called you.” “I would have.” I wrap my arms around my middle and shake my head. “You didn’t just fuck things up, Parker. You broke my heart. No, that’s too tame for what you did. You took it from my chest and ripped it to shreds before stomping on it.” I can’t do this. Not now. Maybe not ever. I feel myself breaking down now that he’s in front of me. I’ll be damned if I allow that to happen on a street in New York City. A taxi coming up the street proves to be my salvation. I hail it and jump inside as quickly as possible, leaving Amira and Parker behind. THE NEXT MORNING, I board my flight to Florida a little hungover and a lot saddened by my encounter with Parker the night before. If he was there to apologize and beg for my forgiveness, he had a funny way of going about it. His possessive show might have made me wet not that long ago, maybe even ended in a quick fuck in the bathroom or a dark corner of the club. Now all it did was anger me. After everything that’s happened, he had no right to react the way he did. And Amira. Please don’t get me going on how far over the line she stepped by plotting with him behind my back. It might have been with good intentions, but it felt more like betrayal to me. I haven’t talked to her since I left the club. I had grabbed my suitcase from her apartment and stayed in a hotel instead of waiting to see what she had to say for herself. Eventually we would talk. Just not now. The flight attendant goes through the customary instructions for passengers. I’ve flown enough to know what is expected of me, so I close my eyes and rest my head against the back of my seat. Someone flops down into the seat next to me, but I’m just too tired to open my eyes and find out who my seat neighbor will be. I just don’t really care. Instead I start to doze. My inability to fall asleep last night surely has something to do with my exhaustion.

I jerk awake as the plane begins taxiing down the runway. I blink away the fogginess and curse myself for falling asleep like that. Turning my head to see who’s sitting next to me, I’m overcome with shock and surprise, my jaw practically hitting the floor. “Paige.” His dark voice wraps around me like the softest silk. It used to make me feel warm and safe. Now it makes me angry that he can still affect me. “What are you doing here?” I hiss and look around in a panic, wondering if it’s possible to get off the plane. “We need to talk.” He angles his body so he is all I see. “This was the only way.” “Are you nuts?” His answer is lost when the plane accelerates, lifting up into the air. Well I guess I’m stuck now aren’t I? Unless… No… Threatening to kill someone would not be an effective way to get them to land. Unless I want to end up in jail. “You have no choice but to listen now,” he says to me once we level out in the sky. “Funny, but I beg to differ.” I pull out my earbuds and put them in my ears before turning on the music from my phone. I’m smiling smugly when he pops an earbud out and whispers, “I’ll wait then.” Bastard. For almost an hour I effectively ignore him. Well, that’s how it seems anyway. Inside I’m annoyed as hell at how calmly he sits there, sipping his water and tapping on his iPad. Each tap of his fingers makes me want to stab him with the pen inside my purse. Each stretch of his leg makes me want to kick him. Each time he swallows his soda and the thick column of his throat moves, making me want to suck on it, I want to scream. Each breath he takes has me gritting my teeth. I’m practically grinding them by the time I snap and shout, “God, I hate you!” His head turns before his body angles itself towards mine again. His mouth turns up in a self-satisfied grin. “At least you’re talking to me now.” “I don’t believe you had the nerve to follow me to Florida after what happened last night. Or better yet, after you called me a dirty whore who sucks her boss’s dick in order to steal his job. That is what you said isn’t it?” A couple of people sitting around us clear their throat and peer over their shoulders. I restrain myself from flipping them off and telling them to mind their own business. Parker, on the other hand, has the graciousness to wince at the memory of the accusations he hurled at me that day. “I’m sorry.” He swallows hard and looks out the window for several seconds before his eyes meet mine. In them I see remorse and love and maybe even fear. “If

I could go back and undo every single word that came out of my mouth, I would. I love you and I’m miserable without you. I’ve spent the last month trying to work out how the hell I was going to get you back. But every time I thought I figured out a way, I knew it wouldn’t be enough.” “It still isn’t,” I tell him. His face falls and he gives me a sad smile then. “Maybe not.” “I don’t know what you expect from me, Parker. I can’t forget all the things you said just because you ask me to.” “I don’t want you to forget them. I only want you to listen to me and hopefully forgive me for them.” I sit back in my chair with a huff. There really is no reason why I can’t at least hear him out. It isn’t as though I don’t have the time. By my calculations, I have the next seventy-four minutes to fill. At this point, it’s my pride keeping me from letting him do this. Besides, even if I let him speak, it isn’t as if I have to forgive him. “Fine,” I say with a sigh of resignation. “I have no excuse for what I said to you. I love everything about being with you. How easily I can lose myself in you. How good you make me feel. How perfect we are together. I’ve wanted you since your very first day at work. Every quip you made, every smile you gave, only made me want you more. Shit, I was half in love with you before we ever slept together. The second I was inside you, though…” He shakes his head and gives me his trademark grin. His eyes are filled with heat and I can practically smell the pheromones coming off him. My traitorous body responds in kind, softening towards him and making me recall how good it feels to be in his arms. “I knew you were the one. You are my nirvana. A complete addiction. This last month without you has been utter hell, Paige.” “That doesn’t change what happened.” “No, I suppose it doesn’t. After Mark tore me a new one over that design, I was so mad at myself for being careless. I’ve never made a mistake like that. Ever. I never once thought you were sleeping with me to further yourself in the company, but I didn’t want to take blame for what happened. Instead, I pointed the finger at you. You may be on the forefront of my mind every single day, but it’s my fault I let that affect my work, not yours.” I let his words sink in. I have to admit they sound nice, even to my ears. Damn, now those are traitorous too. Gah, what am I going to do? I love Parker with every fiber of my being. Imagining my future with anyone but him is simply depressing. But what’s to say something like this won’t happen again? That he won’t screw up somehow and take his frustrations out on me? I say as much to him. “There’s no guarantee, Paige. All I can do is tell you that I would rather die than hurt you like that again. The look on your face when I accused you of being a whore

is something I will never forget.” He takes my hand in his, running his thumb along my palm soothingly, familiarly. “I love you more than life itself. If you can honestly tell me you don’t feel the same way, I’ll be on the first flight back to New York once we land. But if there is even a small part of you that still loves me, I won’t walk away until that small amount becomes all of you. Your heart, your mind, your soul—I want them all.” “I just don’t know,” I tell him honestly. Underneath all the hurt and betrayal, I’m sure there is still undying love for him. I’m just not convinced I have the strength to dig deep enough to find it. His face falls and he lets go of my hand, retreating back into his own space. I instantly miss him. The warmth of him. The surety of how he makes me feel. I hadn’t been paying attention until it wasn’t there any longer. It’s why these last few weeks have been so difficult. When he left, it was like losing a piece of myself too. You learn to cope without it, but you always have the phantom pain and a reminder that something is missing. “I understand,” he says. “Just promise me something. Promise me you’ll at least think about it.” “I don’t need to think about it.” “Okay then. I’ll take the first flight home. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Defeat laces each and every word from his mouth. It colors his face, making each masculine line seem less lively. It weighs on his shoulders, making him slump into himself a little. “Parker, I don’t need to think about it because there’s nothing to think about. You’re right. I do love you. I forgive you, but it will take some time for me to trust you again.” Joy spreads across his face, wiping out the defeat that was there just seconds ago. He takes my face in his hands and smiles the smile of a man who was just given the world. “Give me time, Paige. You’ll see I have no intentions of ever hurting you again.” His mouth fuses to mine, his tongue sweeping inside and tangling with mine. I’m completely lost in him as several people around us begin to cheer. Like I said, if this were a novel, it would definitely be a bestseller.

EPILOGUE

MARGARET LAMICA. I take a deep breath as the last name before mine is called. My fingers flex with nervous energy as I take the final step up onto the stage. Paige Lancaster. The audience cheers, and a smile spreads across my face as I walk across the stage. Taking my diploma in hand, I shake the hand of the school dean and pose for a quick picture. Walking down the stairs on the other side of the stage, a great sense of pride fills me. I’m a college graduate. Man, that sounds amazing. My eyes search the crowded stands for my family as I make my way back to my seat. Behind me I hear excited whispering, but I pay it no mind because I still can’t find my parents. During the speeches, I swear I saw them towards the back sitting next to Amira, Parker and Gracie. Now, none of them are noticeable. A tap on my shoulder and an urgent heed to stop, has me paying attention again. I stop short of plowing into a man on his knees in front of me. Not just any man. Parker. Several students make annoyed noises as they move around us to get to their seats, but I don’t care because Parker is on his knees in the middle of a stadium. I always thought the best reason for him to be in this position before me was so he could eat me out. I was so, so wrong. “Paige, every day I’m in awe of you. Of your spirit, your talent, your dedication and your heart. You’ve become my best friend and my partner in everything, except one last thing. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” “And being my second mom?” Gracie shouts from behind him. I laugh at her as I notice that my family is huddled around us. My mom and dad are embracing as my mom dabs at her wet eyes. Amira is holding Gracie’s hand, both of them grinning brightly. I look back to Parker. Tears fill my eyes before cascading down my cheeks. My throat is closed with emotion. It’s as if my tongue is suddenly too big for my mouth.

The words won’t come out. So instead, I nod my head and jump into his arms. Our kiss is far too heated for this public place but my theory is you only live once. We finally come up for air when Gracie joins us. Her little arms wrap around my middle, before Parker picks her up and she plants a big kiss on my face. The reality that this is now my family—Parker, Gracie and me—is one that has pure undiluted happiness filling every single part of me. Just like any good heroine, I’m getting my own happy ending and it couldn’t be any sweeter than this.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my husband and daughter who are the center of my world. I love you both more than I thought possible. To Jennie and Miranda for always being there for me and for keeping me moving. To Bianca and Kelli for your amazing feedback. And to everyone else who supports me, lots of thanks and love! None of this would be possible if it weren’t for you. XO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jessica is the author of the Love Square & Concierge series. She grew up in Central New York, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Her days are spent as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world.

Connect with Jessica Online: Web - www.jessicaingro.com Email - [email protected] Facebook - www.facebook.com/jessicaingrobooks Twitter - www.twitter.com/jessicaingro Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/jessicaingro Instagram – www.instagram.com/jessicaingro

ALSO BY JESSICA INGRO LOVE SQUARE SERIES Love Square His Ever After Their Merry Little Christmas Bound in Blue

CONCIERGE SERIES Love, Your Concierge Forever Your Concierge

STANDALONE TITLES Urban Love Prophecy The Taste of Mr. Davenport Man Candy Take Me There Aurora James His Esclava