Two

Nick

I fucking hated these things. It was my damn company; why do I need to host a holiday party for the employees? Don’t they get paid enough? Not that I’m some fucking Scrooge, because I’m not. Worldwide Steele paid above average and provided a benefits package that was unrivaled. I didn’t even mind hosting or paying for the party. Showing up and saying a few words is where I drew the line. “What the hell is this?”

My assistant, Deborah, rolled her eyes and gave me that no nonsense tsk that gave her a very motherly air. “It’s called a Santa hat, and this is an elf tie. Wear them to distract people away from that ugly scowl on your face.”

I grunted my disapproval but I removed my own plain blue tie in favor of the one covered in dancing elves. Reluctantly, I accepted the hat and slid it on my head, ignoring Deborah’s pleased smile. “Better?”

“Much. Now just say a few words and mingle for a bit.”

“I don’t mingle,” I bit out, but in true Deborah fashion, she ignored my harshly spoken words. I didn’t dislike my employees, but I wasn’t just the boss. I was the owner, which meant they didn’t relax around me. And that wasn’t relaxing for me either.

“Okay, fine. Say a few words and then come hide up here for all I care. But it wouldn’t kill you to have a little fun,” she said, smoothing and straightening my tie. “Here are your remarks, Mr. Steele.”

Seven years Deborah has worked for me and still refuses to call me Nick. “Thank you, Deborah Murphy.”

She grinned. “Save that charm for someone your own age.”

I laughed but it was quickly smothered when she opened the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

“That’s the attitude,” she said and patted my shoulder as I stepped out and headed to the elevator.

I stood in front of the growing crowd and admired the tall Douglas fir that decorated the lobby. It was decorated with ornaments, garland, glitter and lights. In short, it looked like a Christmas store had thrown up everywhere. Everyone was dressed in party clothes with a hint of Christmas cheer.

Some went too far in either direction but they all wore relaxed smiles, happy they wouldn’t see the inside of this place until after the New Year. I said a few words of gratitude, gave hints of bonuses and pronounced the party officially started. “Enjoy the food and the drink and take advantage of the cabs we’re offering if you have too much of either.”

I turned and made my way back to the elevator without even glancing around but several executives stopped to chat when there was nothing to chat about. I knew the game; they had to be seen shooting the shit with the boss.

I indulged for as long as I could, about two minutes was all I could stand before I made my way past construction paper snowflakes and snowmen that hung too low and sidestepping mistletoe that seemed to be set up every five feet. I’d finally made it to the elevator. I could hear my mom’s voice in my head telling me I didn’t have any personal relationships because I worked too much. It was true, but business was easier than people. Especially people who were women. Halfway down the hall I stopped, hearing voices in one of the secretary offices. I was ready to unleash on someone and whoever was on the other side of that door would be the perfect target. Then I heard a sliver of conversation.

“Is it too much to ask for someone who actually gets turned on by turning me on? I don’t want some asshole just looking to get off, I have a vibrator for that.” The soft, husky voice groaned. “Is that asking too much?”

I didn’t recognize the voice but I had thousands of employees so she could be anyone. Or she could be someone’s plus one. Another voice spoke, one I recognized as one of the analysts. “That’s your fucking problem, girl. You shouldn’t be asking. Tell those fuckers what you want. Better yet, take what you want. Nothing gets a cock harder than a woman telling a man how she likes it. Why do you think porn girls always talk like that?”

“How in the hell should I know? I assumed daddy issues.” She was funny, the woman with the honeyed voice.

“And that right there, is why you still have that damn ‘V’ card. What you ought to do is march right up to Mr. Sexy Face McFuck Me Pants and ask him to do you hard, fast and all night long.” She made some grunting noises that I assume were accompanied by lewd gestures.

I smirked at her creative nickname and wondered who the lucky guy was.

“Yeah right, Shan. Mr. Steele dates models and actresses; I heard he even dated some Spanish princess. Taking the virginity of a frumpy employee he doesn’t know probably ranks on his priority list somewhere between a gay sex orgy and a cactus needle bath.”

I laughed to myself. She really had a sharp tongue. The voices grew closer and I slipped inside my office, closing the door nearly all the way. I had to see who that honeyed voice belonged to. The door opened and they walked out of the office; the chubby blonde passed first.

“Fuck that! He’d be lucky to have you, bitch, and you’re not frumpy. If I had curves like that I’d be throwing this pussy at every fine piece of ass in this city. I wouldn’t have to lower my standards. Can you believe I actually banged a seven last week?”

She laughed and it was a low, husky sound that shot straight to my dick. “That redhead looks promising and he’s an eight with the glasses.”

“Yeah, he’s hot as fuck. Skinny, but hot as fuck. Also a stickler for the rules, which means I’ll enjoy breaking him down!” She let out an evil laugh that would make even a Disney villain proud.

Then I saw her, the self-described frumpy woman was anything but. Long raven waves curled around her shoulders, drawing attention to a magnificent set of breasts. She wore a soft green dress that fit like a second skin, hugged a narrow waist and hips my hands suddenly itched to touch. I followed her, taking in the round ass of a real woman who was all soft, feminine curves. She stopped, turned and my breath caught. Her gaze—I couldn’t tell if her eyes were brown or hazel—swept the empty hall and she rubbed the back of her neck, almost as though she could feel my gaze on her. I caught one last glimpse of her high cheekbones and thick pouty lips. She was equal parts girl next door and sex kitten. She was fucking gorgeous and I don’t remember seeing her around the office.

I sat in my office and looked out the window, thinking about that woman with the killer curves. She was the highlight of my evening so far and I didn’t anticipate that changing. I poured two fingers of whiskey and got lost in my thoughts. I didn’t know how much time had passed when I finally got sick of my own company and went in search of. . .something.

I opened the door at the same time the dark haired woman from earlier raised her fist to knock. “You finally made a decision?”

“What?” She blinked, those big almond-shaped eyes made her look otherworldly and she flashed a brilliant smile. “I, uh, brought you some of the holiday cookies. These are my favorites, but the pie bites are pretty incredible. I don’t want to bother you but I figured it was your party so you should get some.” She blew out a nervous breath and shoved the plate in my hand. “Sorry, I’m rambling and I don’t know why. I’m Harley, by the way. Okay, bye.”

I stood there, holding the plate and smiling. She was amusing. Nervous, but amusing. Which was a strange seduction method but that didn’t seem to be her goal, which only intrigued me more. “That’s it, cookies? That’s your big move?”

Emotion flared in her eyes. They were big and hazel, doe-eyed and deep as hell. My cock sprang to life at the fire I saw in them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about but thanks for making me regret trying to be nice.”

She turned on her heels but I reached out and grasped her arm.

“Let me go.”

“No,” I teased and pulled her closer, feeling the flare of emotion light a fire in me I hadn’t felt in a very long time. “You came up here to seduce me, didn’t you?” No point beating around the bush.

She gasped and stepped back but I still held on to her. My body drew closer to hers, pressing her against the door decorated with a life-size Santa. “I don’t know where you got that idea, but you’re wrong.”

I hated coy. It was fucking boring. “I heard you.” I was an asshole for taking any kind of pleasure in the way her skin flushed an enticing shade of pink, and there was so much skin on display. Shoulders, collarbone, cleavage. Legs.

She looked up at me, brave and defiant. “Then you also heard what I said after that.”

“And yet here you are.”

She looked outraged. Annoyed. “I brought you cookies! Not my, you know. . .cookie.”

I tossed my head back and laughed. My shoulders shook as I howled, trying to recall the last time anyone made me laugh like that—let alone a woman. No. . .women were never that interesting. “Good to know.”

I pressed my body into hers again, noting the way she responded to me. At the base of her throat, her pulse raced. Her gold-and green-flecked eyes dilated with desire and she sucked in a soft breath. And suddenly I felt like playing. I tossed the plate of cookies on a nearby table and slid my hand up her inner thigh; her skin was soft and smooth. I stopped just a breath away from her heat, but it was slowly pulling me in. “Do you want me to show you, Harley?”

She gasped when my breath hit her skin. “Show me. . .what?”

That breathless whisper made my cock twitch. “What it feels like when a man gets off on getting you off?”

She licked her lips and my gaze tracked the motion. Her lips were plump. Luscious and perfect for sucking cock. Eyes wide, breathing shallow, she nodded. “I do, but I shouldn’t.”

She wasn’t being coy and I knew I could change her mind if I wanted to. “Probably not,” I told her but I had already decided. I’d change her mind.

“Good,” she whispered but she tilted her head up as I cupped her chin and brought my lips to hers. Claiming her mouth in a slow, simmering kiss, growing more intense by the second. Flames licked higher and higher and when her hands when to my ass, all was lost.

I pulled Harley into my chest and kicked the door shut, flipping the lock so I could get back to tasting her sweet fucking mouth.