Six

Ellie thought seriously about screwing the accounting problem and heading home. She could pick up a bottle of wine along the way and drown her sorrows while taking a hot bath and reading a romance novel, since that was the only action she would see for the rest of her damn life.

You’re forgetting who the boss is here.

What the hell had she been thinking? She might as well have slapped him and kicked his ass to the curb.

She stopped as she turned down the hall that led to her office.

She’d simply redefined their proper places. Sure, they’d become very friendly over the last week, but that didn’t mean she owed him anything.

And he didn’t owe her. All he owed her was his very best work. She would have to be satisfied with that.

Everything was blissfully quiet at this time of night. Oh, downstairs they were still working. Something had gone wrong with the calibrations on the new tests and they were being forced to do them all over again, but up here it was peaceful and quiet. Even the janitorial staff had come and gone. The lights were dim.

And his office was dark. He’d left for the day. He hadn’t hung around to see how she was doing or to try to needle the truth out of her. He’d done what he should have done. He’d packed up and headed out to have some kind of a private life.

It was for the best. Tomorrow she would ask him about the contracts and they could get on the professional level they should have stayed on in the first place.

She was so tired. Tired of being professional. Tired of having to play referee for a bunch of engineers who couldn’t agree on how to proceed. Tired of everyone she cared about letting her down.

She felt something wet on her cheek and brushed it away. Now she was crying at the office. Way to go.

The light had been left on in her office, but someone had closed the blinds. Lily, likely. She sniffled and grabbed a tissue off Lily’s desk. She was glad Lily had her nightly happy hours to go to. She’d texted earlier and asked if she was needed.

It would have been nice to have someone to go through the accounting reports with her, but she would rather be alone. It was her burden to bear. She’d told Lily to have fun.

When was the last time she went to a happy hour? Not since she’d started working in management. When she’d been an intern, she’d gone out plenty of times with the engineers. Even before she could drink, she would sit with them and play trivia and talk about movies. She would listen to them tell weird science jokes and laugh.

Then she’d gotten married and moved into management but she hadn’t really fit there. And her dad had been sick, and then she’d been in the middle of a divorce.

It had been a shitty couple of years when she thought about it.

She opened the door and her eyes widened.

Riley was on the couch in the sitting area of her office. He’d brought in a table and it was covered with food. It smelled like heaven and there was a bottle of wine and two coffee mugs from the break room.

“Before you protest, no one saw me, and you need this. You are a very overstimulated executive. I would have put the wine in a sippy cup and gotten you a napping blanket if I could.”

He was giving her a stern look and then completely ruined it by smiling. She’d been awful to him and he’d gotten her dinner and wine and stayed behind to keep her company.

He stood, his smile fading. “Say something, Ellie. I don’t know what happened between you and Castalano earlier and you don’t have to tell me, but I know it upset you. Let me try to help.”

He hadn’t left. He should have. He should have walked out.

Maybe it was time to stop being worried the man was too good to be true and simply accept what she was being given.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s all right. Do you want to talk about it?”

She didn’t want to think about it. Not any of it. The strain of the past few months felt so heavy. She’d worn that worry like a coat, dragging her down. She wanted a few hours where she wasn’t the boss, wasn’t the executive. Where she was just a woman. “I don’t want to talk, Riley. I want you to kiss me. I want you to still want me. Tell me you haven’t changed your mind.”

If he turned her away, she wasn’t sure what she would do.

He didn’t even hesitate. He crossed the space between them in two long strides, and then he was in her space, crowding her. “I want you so fucking bad, Ellie. Don’t question that for a second.”

His hands cupped her face as those sensual lips of his descended, and Ellie made her choice.

It might be wrong. It might be completely unprofessional, but she was going to have him. She was going to sink herself into an affair with him and not worry about the consequences. For once in her life, she was going to do something wild, something for herself.

She gave herself over, letting go of everything but the feel of those lips on hers.

The kiss went wild the minute she parted her lips for him. He wasn’t cool and controlled the way he’d been that first day. She’d felt his control that day. Now a wild thrill went through her as his tongue plunged and one hand slid to the nape of her neck. He dragged her against his body, allowing her to feel how much he wanted her.

Ellie’s whole body lit up. She felt like a live wire, and she wasn’t about to give it up. Sex had been good before. It had been an enjoyable way to spend some time, but it had never been a ticking bomb waiting to go off. It was going to be different with Riley. There wouldn’t be any awkwardness.

His mouth pulled back slightly, but his hands ran down to her hips, holding her to his body and letting her feel the hard erection at his core. He was breathing hard, as though his body had gone from resting to a sprint in seconds. As though the idea of being with her had sent him reeling. “Are we just kissing, Ellie? I can handle that. I can. I can keep this wherever you want me to, but I need to set expectations right now.”

It would be smart, but she was so far past that. “I want you inside me.”

His hands tightened. “Fuck. Don’t say that unless you mean it. Once I start, I won’t be able to stop. I’m talking about right this second, baby. Anytime you say no, I stop, but if we fuck right now, I’m going to want more. I’m going to need you.”

She pressed her cheek to his, a sweet intimacy. She hadn’t realized how much she’d longed to be close to this man, to have any part of her skin against his. She let her hands roam. If she said yes to him, she could touch him like this. She would have the right to caress his skin and kiss him with affection, to show him how much he meant.

“I need you, too. I didn’t want to. It’s not a good time, but I can’t hold it back. I’m crazy about you. I need you in my life.”

“I’m going to be in your life, Ellie,” he replied, passion plain in his voice. “Let me come to your bed. I’m not going to be able to go back to being friends. I’ll want you every second of the day.”

Then they would be on the same page. “Yes, Riley. Yes.”

His mouth came down on hers again. She could feel his hunger, and his hands roamed over the curves of her hips and backside, rubbing himself against her. It fed her own. She’d never felt more wanted, needed by a man. He didn’t seem to simply want sex with someone. He seemed to need her—only her.

She wrapped her arms around him and held on, letting him lead.

His mouth moved down, kissing her jaw and ear. “Do you have any idea what I want to do to you?”

A little bit. She’d always been quiet during sex, preferring to concentrate on the sensations, but she wanted to hear him. She wanted to know he was with her. “What do you want to do?”

She shivered with heat as his tongue ran along the shell of her ear, and he nipped the lobe, a thrill shooting through her.

His voice was a low, sexy growl in her ear. “I think about stripping you down all the time.”

He turned her suddenly and her back was pressed to his front. She could feel the hard ridge of his erection against her backside. His arms wound around her, keeping her close.

“You want me naked?” She didn’t want to stop talking. She could see now that her other sexual encounters had been defined by the walls she’d put up. Though she’d had a partner, she’d been essentially alone in whatever pleasure she’d found. With her ex-husband she would turn off the lights, enjoy the ride, and then sleep in silence, their physicality the only true intimacy between them.

She didn’t want that with Riley.

His hands moved up, cupping her breasts through the thin materials of her blouse and bra. The warmth of his mouth and lips moved on her neck. “I’ll have you naked. I’ll get rid of every single thing that comes between us. I’ll strip you and then touch every inch of your body. You might be the boss in the boardroom, but I intend to lead here. I intend to have you every way I can have a woman, Ellie. Once I’m inside you, I won’t want to leave.”

He was still giving her a way out. She wasn’t going to take it. “Yes, Riley. I won’t change my mind.”

His thumbs rasped over her nipples. “I’ll fucking hold you to that. I will.”

She had no idea why he sounded so resolute, but his hands were working the buttons of her blouse, dragging it out of the waistband of her skirt and peeling it back.

Cool air hit her skin. Her brain was foggy with lust. Her whole system had softened in a way it never had before. She felt hot, her muscles tight with need, but she let Riley take over. He slipped off her bra and then sighed against her skin as he cupped her breasts again.

“Fuck, that feels so good. These are beautiful, baby. Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to get my hands on these?”

She leaned back against him, her head cradled by the strength of his chest. He was solid all over. His callused hands rubbed against her skin, the feeling of masculinity making her feel more feminine than she’d ever felt before.

His fingers rolled her nipples and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

“You’re going to give me everything I want, aren’t you, Ellie? You’re going to let me play with this body. You’re going to wrap yourself around me and let me have you like I’ve dreamed of. Without reservations, no thoughts of anything but how we can make each other feel.”

Forgetting everything else seemed like the best idea ever. She needed this. Needed to let go of everything and simply be. She hadn’t done it in years, maybe never.

But it felt right with Riley. It felt good and true.

“Yes. I don’t want to be anywhere but with you. Only you.”

His hand fumbled with the button on the back of her skirt and he cursed, finally managing to undo it. “Damn it. I’m not going to last once I get inside you. I’m going to be good for you, Ellie. I promise. I’ll make it so fucking good for you.”

She loved the growl he got in his voice when he was really aroused. And the way his hands shook. She wasn’t in this alone. He was with her, right beside her in his need. She helped him, shoving the skirt down and kicking off her shoes. When she was down to nothing but her undies, she turned in his arms.

She was a little too big, her breasts real. Unlike many women her age, she’d never lifted them or enlarged them. They sagged slightly and she was well aware that her hips were curvier than fashionable. Would he turn her away? Would he see she wasn’t as pretty as he’d thought?

He stared, his eyes going right to her breasts. “You’re so gorgeous, Ellie. Do you have any idea what I’ve gone through since that first day? I’ve never masturbated as much as I have in the last week.”

Yep, the man knew what to say to her. She was pretty sure she was glowing. “I’ve thought about you, too.”

“I want you to tell me all about that, but later, baby. Right now, I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met you.” He leaned over and picked her up like she weighed nothing. He strode across the room to her desk.

Luckily, she kept a neat desk because she was fairly certain if she hadn’t, Riley would have run an arm across it, shoving everything to the floor in his haste. He sat her in the middle of the desk.

“Lean back. I’m getting rid of these.” His fingers found the sides of her bikini panties.

She did as he’d asked, feeling the smooth leather of her desk protector under her skin. He dragged the panties slowly from her hips and down her thighs. A breath hissed from his mouth as he looked down at her. He loomed over her, and she was well aware that he was still fully clothed. She was laid out like an offering on her desk, her every inch of skin exposed and waiting for him.

Why did that make her so hot? Why did it send her heart rate through the roof, her blood pounding through her system in anticipation of the moment when he would thrust inside her? Her pussy was pulsing with need, softer and wetter than she’d ever been before.

He ran his hands along her thighs, spreading them wide. She stared at him. At his eyes as his fingers skimmed her body. His green eyes heated, warming up as his skin flushed with his own arousal. When she thought he would get to work on his clothes, he pulled her down until her backside was right on the edge of the desk. He dropped to his knees.

She shuddered at the thought of what he was about to do. “Please, Riley.”

He looked up her body, their eyes locking as he spread her wide. “This is what I wanted to do about five minutes after I met you. I wanted to taste you. I wanted to put my mouth on you and see if you were every bit as sweet as you looked.”

He lowered his head and she felt the heat of his breath on her flesh for a single second before sweet fire seemed to singe her as he put his mouth right on her pussy.

No teasing. No taunting. He wasn’t playing around. He meant to make her come and quick. Her body went taut as a bow as his tongue tortured her. Wet heat slid over and around, dipping inside her most sensitive place and making her fight to stay still. She wanted to ride his tongue, but this was his place. She was in control everywhere but here. This was where he ruled, and she loved the power in his hands as he held her down. It only worked because she trusted him, because he wouldn’t hurt her. It was all right to let go with him, to give over and let him take the reins.

Pleasure swamped her senses. He groaned against her tender flesh, the sensation sliding over her skin.

“You taste so fucking sweet, Ellie. Nothing ever tasted as good as you do. I’ll never get enough.” His right hand moved up, and she felt his fingers moving into her channel. “You’re going to be so tight. You’re going to grip my cock like a vise.”

“It’s been a long time for me.” Even the two fingers he began to work inside her felt big.

He fucked her gently as he stared up from below. “No one since the divorce?”

She shook her head. It felt so good. It was hard to talk, but he needed to know. “I dated some, but no one who moved me. And there wasn’t a lot of sex for about a year before.”

Two years and all she’d had was her vibrator, and even that had fallen into disuse. She’d put everything she had into cleaning up her father’s messes and getting ready to take the company to a completely different place. She’d forgotten about her own needs until this one man made them come roaring back on line.

His fingers caressed as his tongue found her clitoris. He sucked her, gently working as he curled his fingers inside.

Ellie fought to stay still, finally making her hands into fists as she tried so hard not to scream out.

He hit some magic place inside and she couldn’t hold back a second more. It didn’t matter that they were at the office. It didn’t mean a damn thing that someone could still be here. All that mattered was the sensation of his fingers and his lips and tongue. She soared over the edge and before she could come down, he stood and began to fight his belt.

Ellie lay back. Exhaustion made her weak but she loved how her blood thrummed through her system, reminding her of what she’d been missing for so long. Passion. Connection. Intimacy. All of it was wrapped up in Riley Lang.

She looked up as he shoved his slacks and boxers down, freeing his cock. He had a foil packet in his hand. It looked like her new man was a Boy Scout—very prepared. His hands shook as he tore it open. She got a better glimpse of his cock. Thick and long, with a pretty purple head. He sheathed it and then he was back at her core.

“I want to see you.”

He was still dressed, with the singular exception of his slacks, which had hit the floor. He pressed his erection in. “I can’t wait. I told you what would happen if you said yes.”

He was stretching her deliciously, and she couldn’t help but smile. Her system was still sparking in a pleasurable way. His hair was mussed, his face a tight mask as he started to press his way inside.

She’d done this to him. He was always so smooth and polished, and now the man looked desperate. Desperate for her. How was it possible? He was a Greek god of a man, but he was pressing inside her, holding her hips and forcing his way in.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

She shook her head. “No, baby. You’re not. I was just . . . I don’t know why you’re here with me, but I’m so happy.”

He hissed a little and thrust in hard, as though trying to teach her something. “Look at me. I’m here because I fucking can’t stand the thought of not having you. You tempt me like no other woman ever has. I don’t understand you and I might never, but I’m going to know you, Ellie Stratton. I’m going to know what makes you smile and what makes you scream out my name.”

He gritted his teeth and started to fuck her in long passes. So full. He filled her in a way she’d never been before. Though she’d been tired from the orgasm, her body heated all over again. She wrapped her legs around his lean waist and angled herself up. She wanted more of him. She wanted all of him.

He stopped talking, his head dropping forward as he settled in. His hips thrust and she moved to meet him.

“You feel too good, baby.” He moved his hand and found her clitoris, rubbing in time to the hard thrust of his body.

She shoved up and went off all over again. It was almost too much, too much pleasure, too much feeling. Tears pricked her eyes and she cried out again as his body lost its rhythm and he pounded into her, holding her tight when he came.

He fell forward, letting his head find her breast.

She held him and wondered if she wasn’t in trouble. She wrapped her arms around him because her first thought was that she never wanted to let go.

Her second thought was a bit more practical.

What the hell had she done?

—

Riley looked at Ellie’s curvy form through the opaque glass of the shower and wondered if this woman wasn’t his version of freaking Viagra. He’d had her not an hour before and he’d been hard ten minutes later. He could feel the beast straining as he watched her. “Is there room in there for two, baby?”

He’d bundled her up after the mind-blowing episode on the desk. She’d looked up at him, her eyes wide and whole expression so soft, he’d damn near told her everything.

It had been right there on the tip of his tongue to give her every bit of information he had. He thought about holding her and telling her what he was doing and begging her to forgive him. Hell, with Ellie’s soft heart, she might understand it all and become his partner.

The fact that he remembered in that moment that his freaking brothers had probably listened in on their sex had shocked the sense back into him.

He’d gotten them both dressed and packed up the food.

Ellie had been quiet during the cab ride to her place, her brain likely going a thousand miles a minute. When the cab had stopped in front of her building, she’d turned to him, but before she could tell him good night or that she needed time to think or other bullshit, he’d kissed her.

That seemed to delay the inevitable recriminations for a few moments.

She’d allowed him in and they’d watched the news while eating the reheated orange chicken, broccoli beef, and dumplings he’d brought them. He’d pressed a glass of wine in her hand and she’d drunk about half of it.

He needed to store a bottle of Scotch over here.

When he’d told her to go take a shower and get ready for bed, she’d shockingly complied.

He should have known that that brain of hers would start working again once the orgasm had worn off. He needed her to concentrate on the fact that it was done. They were in a relationship. Oh, they might not be changing social media statuses, but the deed was done. He wasn’t going to sneak away and pretend it hadn’t happened.

He finally had her where he wanted her, and he intended to keep her there.

“Um, I’ll be out in a second,” came the obviously anxious reply. “If you could grab a towel for me, I’ll let you have the shower.”

Yes, he needed to shut that shit down or she would be waiting for him with his clothes, all buttoned up in some Victorian nightmare gown and showing him the door.

He wasn’t about to let that happen. He’d just gotten her naked. He intended to keep her that way for a while. She was simply the loveliest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Or hands. Or dick.

He was so hard again.

If he didn’t want to lose the ground he’d gained, he was going to have to invade. For a few seconds he’d forgotten this was war. He was overdressed for this particular battle.

He shucked his clothes in quick order. He didn’t have time to tease her. The fact that she hadn’t seen him naked might throw her off long enough for him to get her in his arms again.

If she told him no, he would leave, but he didn’t think for a second that was what was best for either of them.

Ellie needed a place where she could go wild. He intended to be that for her.

He would protect her from the fallout. He would keep her safe. She might lose some face, the stock might fall momentarily, but he was being optimistic.

He could do this. He could come out of this with revenge and the girl.

Because he’d decided he really wanted the girl. Fuck, he wanted her so bad.

He opened the shower door and stepped in.

Ellie turned and her mouth opened, likely to order him to leave. She didn’t get that command out. Her eyes widened and she was staring at him. “You’re naked.”

He gave her what he hoped was a high-wattage smile. “I am. So are you, gorgeous. Come here and let me clean you up. After all, I’m the one who got you so dirty.”

She seemed to force her eyes away from his dick. He’d closed them into the cozy shower, but she managed to put some distance between them. “I think we might have made a mistake.”

He put his hands on his hips and didn’t need to affect his emotions. No acting there. He really was sick of this. “I told you to be sure.”

Her eyes slid away. “I thought I was. God, Riley, look at you. I’m not an idiot. You’re . . . all that muscley stuff and I’m average.”

He stared at her, not quite understanding. “You’re not average. I think you’re beautiful.”

“I’m trying to figure out why you’re here.” She wouldn’t look at him. She kept staring at some place over his shoulder. “What do you want from me? You’re practically a damn male model. It doesn’t make sense.”

His blood was starting to boil. He knew it was irrational. He really was here for another reason, but all he wanted from her tonight was sex. And affection. And . . . damn, just her. He just wanted her. “What do I want? I think I’ve made that plain. I made it plain when I ripped your clothes off and fucked you on top of your damn desk.”

She nodded. “Yes, I want to know why you would do that. You could have any woman you wanted. There are many more beautiful women at the office than me. So I have to assume you’re with me because I can give you something else.”

What was it with women? He could feel his blood pressure ticking up. How could she question the physical charge between them? He’d never had it with anyone else. Did she not feel it, too? His hands were fists at his side. “Ellie? Do you see my dick? Does it think you’re average? Is my dick worried about moving up in the business or whether it’s fucking the alpha female? Or was it hard again a few minutes after we had sex? Are you really so insecure you’re going to force out a man who wants you? I’ll walk away right now if you tell me you don’t want me, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let some idiotic insecurity come between us.”

For a second, he thought he’d been too harsh. He hadn’t thought it through, hadn’t planned that speech. Those words had been straight Riley Lawless, as though they were really just two people trying to muddle their way through.

Then she walked to him, her arms going around his torso and those sweet breasts pressing against him. “I’m sorry.”

He breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around her. “I think you’re gorgeous, Ellie. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Haven’t I been after you since the day we met?”

It might have started as something else, but the attraction was real. The need had turned into something he wasn’t sure he could go without.

“I don’t understand it. It’s never happened to me before.”

He forced her head up gently. “Do you think I do this every day? Ellie, I’ve never pursued a woman the way I have you. I told you before. My relationships have been casual and often random. I have never in my life run after a woman the way I have you. I’m crazy about you.”

No lie there. He couldn’t remember everything he’d said while he’d been taking her on the desk, but he had to hope his brothers believed he was acting because otherwise he would get some serious lectures about not falling for the mark.

Shit. He might have already fallen for the mark.

He shoved that thought aside. He’d hoped once he’d actually gotten inside her, he would realize that it was simply sex. Yeah, it fucking wasn’t, but now wasn’t the time to deal with it.

Now was the time to cement the bond. If he had any chance of keeping her after the bomb went off, he needed a strong bond in place.

“I’m crazy about you, Riley.” She bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him. “What does it mean?”

Finally she was asking him the right question. He couldn’t help himself. He dropped a kiss on those soft lips. When had kissing become something he wanted to sink himself into? Kissing was something he did to get to the sex, but he found himself indulging with Ellie. It meant something more with this one woman. “It means we’re together now. I told you I didn’t want a one-night stand.”

Her hands ran up his back and she moved against him as though trying to get closer. “What about the office?”

He couldn’t stop kissing her. He moved to her forehead and that little spot between her eyes. His blood was starting to get hotter than the water. “What about it? There are no rules against dating at StratCast.”

“It would look bad.”

“Baby, they’re already talking about us. It doesn’t matter. It simply means that they know we’re a team and they have to deal with us. If you look at it in that light, we’re actually being aboveboard and honest.”

“You think that’s the right thing to do?”

“I think I don’t want to pretend we’re nothing but coworkers. Maybe it would stop Ron from HR and that bastard Greg from sniffing around you constantly.”

“You’re insane.” But this time she settled back against him, obviously letting go of her insecurity.

He might have a fight again in the morning, but tonight it looked like he’d won the battle. “You don’t see how men look at you. I suppose I should be grateful because otherwise you might have gotten scooped up. I would bet they looked at you differently when you started wearing those filmy dresses instead of the dowdy suits. And if they saw you naked, they would never leave you alone.”

He kissed her, letting his mouth play on hers. He could take his time now that he’d fed the beast. Oh, it was hungry again, but he could handle it now. He could take his time and indulge his senses in her.

In her sweet smell. Citrus and sex. It was a heady combination.

In the touch of her skin. She was so fucking soft and warm. He would regret leaving her at the end of the night.

In the sight of her. He would never forget how gorgeous she’d been spread out for him on her desk. It had been the single most erotic moment of his life, looking down on her and seeing how much she’d wanted him.

And the taste. When he’d put his mouth on her, he’d never wanted to stop. Sweet and sultry. He would never forget what it felt like to put his mouth on her.

He would dream about her for the rest of his damn life.

Without thinking about it, his arms tightened.

“I think I’ll pass on the nudity. I would look really funny at meetings if I walked around naked,” she murmured.

“You would look gorgeous and no one would get anything done.” He wasn’t going to think about the fact that she would likely hate him at the end of this endeavor. He was going to concentrate on the time he had. No woman had ever held his attention like Ellie did.

He liked her. He’d liked women before. He wanted her. He’d certainly done that before, too. The problem was he was starting to like who he was when he was around her, and that was a completely new state of being.

He liked being Ellie’s protector, advisor, and all-around go-to guy. That was why he’d bristled in a way that had nothing to do with his real purpose. He’d been pissed off that Castalano thought he could get her alone. That fucker thought he could take advantage of her, bully her, scare her.

Kill her?

That was ridiculous, but he’d done it before.

“We should get cleaned up or we’ll lose all the hot water.” She sighed and cuddled again, either ignoring his possessive hold or not minding it.

Sexually satisfied, Ellie was sweet and affectionate.

“Turn around.” He gently moved her so she was back to front with him. He grabbed her soap and worked up a nice lather.

This was an intimacy he’d never performed before. He let his hands work over her shoulders and the back of her neck. She’d already washed her hair, the scent of orange blossoms permeating the room.

Now oranges would likely make him hard because he would think of her.

“I had a shitty day, Riley.” She let her head fall back as he moved down, soaping her chest and cupping her breasts.

“I know, baby. If you want to talk about it, I’m willing to listen.” He stood there with her, washing down her skin, but more importantly trying to infuse her with his calm.

He didn’t want her to worry. It caused him actual physical distress. His stomach knotted at the thought of her being tense and anxious.

“Steven is blackmailing me for two million dollars.”

He let the soap drop from his hand. Somehow hearing it from her lips made the righteous indignation he’d felt come roaring back. He turned her around again. “He’s doing what?”

She frowned. “Well, if I’d known my bath would stop, I wouldn’t have told you.”

She knelt down and picked up the soap.

“Ellie, this is serious. What the hell are you talking about?” He wasn’t about to allow her to figure out he’d already known. She was talking to him. He was in.

She went to work on his chest, diligently soaping his skin. “He has his endorsement of me as CEO to hold over my head. With my dipshit sister selling her stock and thereby her voting shares, I’m in a precarious position. I have you now, but I had to use my own stock to fund your seat, so that’s not really a gain.”

It was as though telling him had calmed her. The tension had left her shoulders and she was simply talking it out.

He’d given her that. She trusted him to work through it with her. He brought his hands up, cupping her face and forcing her to look at him. “I promise I will make sure you get that job, Ellie.”

Maybe not exactly as quickly as she wanted it, but he would ensure it.

Her lips curled up slightly. “Nothing is for sure. I have to decide if I trust Steven enough to write him that check. It’s like a prebuyout loan. Not loan. It’s a small advance.”

“Then I’ll make him sign a contract.” He wasn’t about to let her sign that check, but he couldn’t overplay his hand. He would make sure that Castalano never saw that money. And he might add a little extra pain because the fucker was messing with Ellie. No one got to mess with Ellie.

Well, no one except him.

She shook her head. “He made it plain that he won’t do that. He’s in some kind of trouble. I think it might be the illegal-gambling kind of trouble.”

He went still under her hands. It was time to herd her toward some inevitable truths. Maybe if she figured some things out on her own, the inevitable blow wouldn’t be as rough. “Ellie, do you think he would ever do something really illegal? You said there was an accounting issue. Could he embezzle from the company?”

“I would have said one hundred percent no yesterday. Today, I don’t know. I’ll look through it tomorrow and talk to accounting.”

“I could have a forensic accountant take a look.” McKay-Taggart had one.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We have reporters looking at us right now. If word gets out, the stock gets devalued.”

“And you owe Castalano less.” He didn’t see how that was a bad idea. In fact, they were kind of counting on it.

“I’m not going to willingly devalue my company. It’s not right. Between the accounting issue and what’s going on in R&D, the stock could go into free fall. I’m not going to do that. Not even if Steven’s acting like an ass.”

Her hands felt so good on his body. She was making it hard to think straight. “Ellie, you can’t give him that money without a sound and solid contract. He’s trying to steal from you. Let me take the accounting issue. I’ll deal with it very quietly.”

She worked her way down his arms. “All right. But I only have a few days.” She looked up at him, grinning suddenly. “How do you manage to think with that thing? Is there any blood left in your brain?”

He groaned because likely she was right. His dick was throbbing and desperate for attention. “It’s not easy. I’m used to being in control. Unfortunately, he is a little in control right now.”

The grin turned distinctly sensual. “Really? I kind of thought I was the one in control right now, Counselor.”

Her low tone went straight to his cock. He could feel it in his damn balls. That sensation warred with the knot he got in his gut when she mentioned R&D. She couldn’t possibly know about his late-night escapades in R&D. He’d done what he’d needed to do two nights before, but he’d been certain he’d gotten away clean. “Ellie, baby, we should talk about this. Tell me what’s happening in R&D. You were down there all day. I thought you were avoiding me.”

She rubbed the soap along his belly, getting dangerously close to that part of him she really was in control of. He was almost ready to beg her to touch him. “I was, but R&D is having trouble. There was an issue with the calibrations on a couple of the machines. It sent out false data. I fixed it. It took me a while. Someone’s a dipshit.”

Her hand brushed over the head of his cock. She was trying to make him insane. He should stop her. They needed to talk, but something about that saucy smile gave him pause. She was happy now. He found he couldn’t deny her that. He also couldn’t not ask a few questions.

“So someone screwed up the machines?” He needed to know if she suspected anyone. Prayed she didn’t since he’d been the one to do it. It was part of the plan, a part he was certain they wouldn’t have to use. It was their nuclear option.

“That about sums it up. Oooo, I think this part is seriously dirty.” She dropped to her knees and caressed his cock, taking it in her hand.

Was she really going to do that? Fuck. He needed to concentrate. He needed to make sure she’d fixed what he’d fucked up so the issues didn’t become more than he wanted them to. All he wanted was a couple of reports that showed problems with the coolant system. It would be easy for her to fix, but might cause a little chaos that would slow down the buyout.

“Who calibrates the machines?” Getting the words out was a struggle.

She leaned over and licked the head of his cock, and then that was absolutely the only thing that mattered in the entire world.

“They used interns. It’s a simple job. I used to do it. Apparently, this intern isn’t very good at reading a manual.” Her words hummed along his flesh, making his cock tighten. “I fixed it. It was kind of nice. I liked working down there again. It’s quiet and I can focus. I like to focus, Riley. I like to do a job properly. I’ve found that every job requires the proper attention, no matter how small . . . or large the job may be.”

He’d known deep down that if he could get her into bed, she would be a sensual thing. He hadn’t expected this playful side. Riley relaxed again. She’d done what he’d known she would do. He had his reports on file and she’d fixed the problem. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to use them. It didn’t matter now. All that mattered was how good it felt to be with her. “You’re known for your attention to detail, Ms. Stratton. It’s why you are such an amazing executive.”

Her eyes came up, mirth sparking there. “If I didn’t have such high self-esteem, I would have a problem with that. As it is, you’re right. I’m quite good.”

“I make it a point to never argue with the boss.” He let the issues with the research and development team float away as she licked the head of his cock.

Fire sizzled along his spine. He looked down and watched that pink tongue begin to work its magic.

“Who the hell are you, Ellie? I don’t know if I believe this. Not ten minutes ago you were ready to kick me out because you couldn’t accept the fact that I wanted you.”

She took his cock in hand and began to stroke him. “You got pissed at me. You’re always smooth and easy, like you’re managing me. You got mad and let me see it. You were real for a moment. So I have to think the rest of it is real, too. It’s just how you are. I’m always thinking about you, but there are moments when I know I’ll never stop, when I’m absolutely certain you’re important to me for way more than business or pleasure. When you told me about your childhood. When we talked about your brothers and sister. And when you got mad at me for not believing in myself. This is the me I want to be, Riley. If we’re going to be lovers, I want to have fun with it. I want you to get the me no one ever sees. I think that’s what you gave me in those moments.”

He put a hand on her hair and tried really hard to quell the emotion he felt at her words. Too much. He couldn’t feel this much about her. He needed to bring it back to where he was comfortable. “I’ll give you more than that, Madam Executive. I think we were having fun. I get to be in charge in the shower.”

Her eyes lit again and the moment had passed. “I agree to do absolutely anything you require of me in the shower, Counselor. Consider me your girl Friday.”

If he hadn’t been crazy about her before, playful Ellie would have done it. Her honest, open sexuality made his blood pound. “I’m going to need you to suck me, baby.”

“I think I can handle that task. Have I told you how pretty you are naked, Riley?” She leaned forward and took him in her mouth.

No one had ever called him pretty before. Hot. Sexy. Not pretty. He wasn’t sure he loved the word, but he damn straight loved hearing it from her.

Her tongue worked over and around his head like a playful butterfly on his skin. Everywhere she touched he felt the connection.

Yes, this was what he needed. He needed to forget about anything but the sex. Need poured through him. He wanted to get a fistful of that soft hair of hers and force her to take him deep, but he was willing to let her play.

He didn’t want it to end. When it did, he would have to head home. He couldn’t risk sleeping with her. He never slept with a woman. Never rested near anyone.

She rolled her tongue over his cock and then sucked him lightly.

His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head. He forced himself to focus. Her mouth felt far too good. If he didn’t retain control, he would come in her mouth in seconds, and he needed this to last.

“That’s what I want. Take more.” He let his hips move as she started to devour him.

He watched as his cock disappeared between her lips.

Her hands came up, cupping his balls and rolling them gently.

Over and over, she used her tongue and lips to send him higher. Her hands came up, running over his thighs and around to his ass. Her nails lightly scored him, but all that did was make him hiss and want more.

He was going to come, but he wanted inside more than her mouth.

He twisted a hand in her hair, lightly pulling her. “Stop. I don’t want to come unless you’re with me. Get up here.”

The words came out more harshly than he’d intended, but he was running on pure instinct. She’d given herself to him tonight and he was going to take her any way he wanted, any way that she needed. She didn’t want the smooth lover. She wanted the other part of him, the part he didn’t share, the part he hadn’t really known existed until he’d found her.

The possessive, obsessive lover.

She kissed his cock one last time and then rose to her feet. She moved close to him, her breasts rubbing against his chest. “Riley, I’m on the pill. I didn’t stop after the divorce. I suppose I was thinking positive. I haven’t had a lover since. And I happen to know you passed the physical you recently took.”

He’d thought he couldn’t get any harder. The idea of getting inside her with absolutely nothing between them made him pull her close. She was right. He’d passed the physical the company had required before the stock transfer. “I did, but you should know I’ve never had sex without a condom. Not once in my life.”

“Oh.” Her mouth formed a little O and she started to nod. “Okay. Do you have another? I don’t actually have any here. I wasn’t that optimistic.”

She’d totally misunderstood him, but he wasn’t about to waste time correcting her. She’d given him permission, and he was taking it. He picked her up, shoved her against the wall of the shower, and thrust inside. So tight. She was tight, but wet. She responded so readily to him. “You feel so good. So fucking good.”

He wrapped his arms around her and let gravity do its work. She groaned as she sank onto his dick. He gripped the silky cheeks of her ass and moved her up and down.

“You know, I once said I wasn’t all that into muscley guys.” She gasped as he lifted her up and down. “I would like to totally take that back now.”

As long as he was the muscley guy, he was fine with that. “Hold on to me.”

Her legs circled his waist and he could feel her nails lightly digging into his back.

He fucked her hard, all thoughts of making it last gone now. He only needed to make it last until she was satisfied. He moved back, pressing her against the shower wall again so he could angle up and hit her clit with his pelvis. He ground against it as his mouth found hers. He needed to be inside her. Mouth to mouth. Arms wound tight. Cock deep inside. He was surrounded by Ellie, and for those brief moments, he blocked out the rest of the world. She was his world.

Her fingernails dug in, her legs squeezing him as he felt her pussy pulse.

“Riley,” she breathed. “Oh, how do you do this to me?”

She held on as she came, her orgasm sparking his own.

It raced along his spine, flaring through his system like a wildfire. He utterly lost his cool, slamming into her again and again, drawing out the pleasure.

As he emptied himself deep inside, he wondered how he would ever leave her.

Her legs slowly unwound but she still clung to him. Her eyes were sleepy as she smiled up at him. “I think I’m dirty again, Riley.”

He pressed his mouth to hers. Yeah, she was dirty, and he wouldn’t have her any other way.

—

An hour later, he tucked her into bed. She turned toward him, laying her head on his chest.

“So you won’t be here in the morning, huh?”

It didn’t sound like an accusation to his ears. There was something resigned and a bit sad about the way she said the words. She cuddled against him. He would get up and get dressed after she went to sleep. He didn’t want her to show him the door. He wanted her to have the illusion of a man who could be with her all the time. Who could sleep beside her.

“I will. I’ll be back here as soon as I wake up. I also think maybe I should look for a place closer by.” He sighed and let his fingers play along her skin. He liked the way her hair felt against his chest. So often she put it up in a bun or pulled it back. He loved the way it looked spread out and wild. “I’ll pick us up some coffee and donuts.”

She shook her head against him. “Don’t. I’ll make us breakfast. Take my keys and lock up behind you.”

“It isn’t that I don’t want to stay.” Despite the fact that she’d accepted his explanation that he didn’t sleep well with others, he felt guilty. If she’d fought him on it, it would have been easier. She’d simply kissed him and asked him to hold her until she went to sleep. Why couldn’t she be more difficult? Then he wouldn’t feel this desperate need to make her understand. “I learned to sleep with one eye open in the group home.”

Her head came up, eyes meeting his. “It’s all right. I understand.”

But she didn’t. She couldn’t, and suddenly he really wanted her to. He wanted someone to understand him. He smoothed back her hair. He’d never talked about this. He avoided it at all costs, but somehow it was bubbling up tonight. As though his fear and hurt had found a safe haven. “After my brother aged out, I was alone. I asked him if I could run away and be with him, but I had my last year of high school to finish. They don’t let homeless kids in. That’s pretty shitty of them, I think. So I stayed.”

She didn’t say anything. She simply put a hand over his and threaded their fingers together.

“My brother had made some enemies there. He’s really good at that. Two nights after he left, they decided to take out their anger on me instead. At the time I wasn’t as strong as I am now. Like I told you before, I was all about school. I studied. I never worked out. After that night, I worked out. A lot. And I didn’t sleep much.”

He had nightmares. Nothing like Bran’s, from what he could tell, but enough to scare Ellie very likely.

“I want you to rest, Riley,” she said quietly. “Whatever you need, that’s what you’ll get from me. So you go home and sleep and come back to me in the morning.”

“I want to be normal.” It kind of shocked the hell out of him. He meant that. He’d always tried to look at what had happened to him as a good thing in the long run. It toughened him up for the fight.

He wanted to be able to sleep with his girlfriend.

“There’s no such thing, babe,” she whispered. “We all want to think there’s some magical normal out there that we could achieve if we only did this or believed in that. It’s not true. Normal for humans means struggle. We’re all out there trying to make it through. We’ll find what works for us.”

She kissed him again and then he felt her breathing turn normal.

It was a long time before he let her go.