For a split second, I remembered the words from the assholes who hurt me in the alley. ‘Have you ever been fucked over your desk, office girl? Ever given a boss a blowjob for a promotion?’

It wasn’t an unusual concept.

I was sure many people had done just that and had lots of fun doing it. But I never had. And I wouldn’t today—not with Penn or anyone else who threatened my safety and position. Especially when chilly ice replaced my blood, struggling to separate that night in the alley and today with Penn.

The way he watched me was too close to the guy in the Baseball Cap—too intense, too focused on something he couldn’t have but would happily take anyway.

“Leave, Mr. Everett.”

“I told you to call me Penn.”

I cocked my chin. “Fine. Leave, Penn.”

“Not until you agree to dinner with me.”

“Never.”

“Never is too long to wait.” He glowered. “And besides, we’ve already agreed on the ground rules. You want to fuck me. I want to fuck you. Playing hard to get is only making me want to do that sooner rather than later.”

“No.”

“No what?

“No to everything. I told you, I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

He licked his lips. “Yes, but why? Why change your mind after what happened last night? From what your father said, you work too much, you have no friends, and you severely lack fun in your life.”

My heart sank. “He said that?”

“I read between the lines.”

“Well read between my lines. N-O. Spells no. I’m too busy to play with you.”

“I said I was sorry.”

I stiffened, trying to sniff his new game. “Go on.”

He shrugged. Even that was sexy, dammit. “I shouldn’t have put words into your mouth. It’s up to you to decide if you want people to know about us.” He looked up beneath his brow. “And the only way you can decide that is if you go on a date with me.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he interrupted—another habit he seemed to have. “Don’t answer for yourself right now. Answer for yourself in five years’ time. Where do you see yourself? Here in this office doing the exact same thing with the exact same unhappiness?”

God, I hope not.

“Or do you want to see if you could have this and more? Work and play? Love and obligation?”

My eyes shot daggers. “You think I could love you?”

“I think you could have fun with me.”

“I think otherwise.”

He grinned. “That’s what this is about. To see if our opinions line up.”

“Are you going to leave if I say no again?”

“Nope.” He came closer. “I’ll just keep showing up at really inconvenient times until you say yes.” His aftershave drugged me again. “Choose the easier option, Ms. Charlston. Let me have you. It’s the only way forward.”

“What will you do to me?”

Instantly, my office thickened with sexual tension.

My breath hitched as his eyes drifted to my mouth.

His voice lowered to scorching charcoal. “Anything I damn well want.” His hand cupped my cheek, holding me tight. “I’ll strip you, taste you, devour you. I’ll eat, lick, and bite you. And only once you’re begging will I fuck you.”

My body flushed as hot as the sun, as bright as Venus, as untouched as Pluto.

I shoved him away and stalked to the exit. All I wanted to do was dare him to try it. To fight and claw and let him subdue me because, holy hell, he made it sound delicious. But the other part—the vanishing part—was afraid of losing herself.

Sex was too powerful.

Sex should be done between two people who liked each other and not a couple with nothing in common.

I cleared my throat and my mind. I clung to common sense. “I suggest you leave before I knee you in places a lady should never knee a man.”

He hunted me, bringing with him cyclones full of lust. “If you want to touch that part of me, I would prefer it was with something softer than your knee.” He chased me, once again corralling me against a hard surface.

This time the door.

“Your hand would work.” He cupped my wrist, slipping his fingers through mine. “Your hand is welcome.” His eyes turned jet black with need. “I could come from your hand alone.”

I fought my shiver but couldn’t stop the goosebumps darting up my arms. His touch was possessive but soft. Strong but coaxing.

His fingers squeezed mine as he swayed closer. “Or if you didn’t want to use that part of your anatomy, your mouth would do equally well.” He licked his bottom lip. “In fact, I want both.”

“Never.”

“Never?” He smiled. “Don’t lie.” His hand crept up my arm to my shoulder, adding pressure until my knees threatened to buckle. “Let’s see how soon never is, shall we?” He kissed me sweetly. “I fingered you until you came last night. The least you can do is blow me.”

I like the thought of you giving me a blowjob. Get her on her knees.

The rapists and alley stole the present, hurtling me back before Nameless had found me. Before he hurt them for hurting me. Before he prevented my life from tumbling into ruin.

Why did Penn cause flashbacks that I’d successfully put behind me?

Why did he awake sharp instincts?