His expression is weary.

This is the way I can help him. The only way, maybe.

I slide my blazer off my shoulders. "Please."

His eyes go to my chest. His lips part. His pupils dilate. "You don't know what you're asking."

"Yes I do. I want you to use me to feel better. Whatever that means."

His brow furrows like he's working through something. He nods. "Lock the door."

I do.

Nick stares deep into my eyes. "Come here."

Three steps and I'm inches from Nick. His fingers skim my chin, his touch gentle.

He pulls my glasses off and places them on his desk.

His hands go to my blouse. He undoes the top button. The second. The third. My shirt spills open.

My bra is completely see-through. It's like my breasts are being presented to him. On display just for him.

Nick lets out a low sigh of pleasure. Something in his expression relaxes. This really is what he needs.

My body buzzes from the proximity. His hands are millimeters from my skin but he's not touching me. Not yet.

He undoes my fourth button, the last that isn't tucked into my skirt, and pries the sides of my shirt apart.

Heat spreads out from my core. I wish I could drink in the look in his eyes. I wish I could feel this desirable all the fucking time.

His eyes fix on me. He watches my reactions as he cups my breast and rubs his thumb over my nipple. It presses the lace of my bra against my tender bud.

The friction is fucking divine.

I stare back at him, watching him the way he's watching me. His pupils dilate. His lips part. He increases the pressure until I'm groaning. My eyes flutter closed. I can't watch him anymore. I can't do anything but feel.

His lips go to my neck. His teeth scrape against my skin.

The sting of pain tightens the knot between my legs.

Fuck yes. I melt into his movements, panting and tugging at his suit jacket so I won't make a sound.

He kisses his way to my collarbone, then down my chest. He's three inches from my nipple. Then two.

He undoes my bra and tosses it aside.

His mouth closes around my nipple.

I moan as softly as I can.

The pressure of his mouth sends pangs of lust straight to my core. My sex clenches. My knees buckle. It's impossible to stay quiet, so I press my palm against my lips and use it to muffle my groans.

When his teeth scrape against my nipple, I can't muffle it anymore. The burst of pain makes everything better. "Nick." My voice is loud. Loud enough someone might hear.

He doesn't stop me. He only bites me harder. "What do you want?"

"To make you feel good."

He slides his hands under my ass and carries me to the couch. He arranges us so I'm kneeling over him, my knees planted outside his thighs, my hands planted on his shoulders.

He rolls my stocking to my ankle. His fingertips slide over the sides of my patent black flat.

One flick of his fingers and the shoe is on the floor. The stocking joins it.

I dig my hands into the couch to contain the anticipation coursing through my veins. Nick drags his fingertips up my inner thigh, under my skirt, closer and closer. He's almost touching me when he moves to my other leg. He rolls off my stocking, flicks off my shoe.

He pushes my skirt to my waist. I'm on display for him. It does something to me. My sex clenches. Pleasure spreads all the way to my toes.

He pushes my panties to my knees.

He presses his palm against the back of my hand and he drags it up my thigh. Until I'm almost there.

Nick looks up at me. "Have you been lonely this week, without me?"

I nod.

"Because you miss this—" he brings my hand between my legs so my fingertips skim my clit "—or because you miss me?"

"Both."

He moves my hand to my thigh. "Pick one."

Huh? I stare into his eyes. "I don't understand the question."

"You miss getting off or you miss me?"

"You. I can come whenever I want. I came ten times this week from my hand."

"Did you think about me?"

"Every time. I can't stop thinking about you. Worrying about you. I fall asleep wishing you were next to me. Not to fuck me, though I certainly wouldn't turn it down, but to hold me."

"Then why are you letting me use you?"

Damn. He's blunt.

I hold his gaze. "Because you need it. And because I want to feel close to you, and I'm not sure how else I can do it."

"I don't deserve you."

My stomach clenches. "Don't say that. It hurts." I press my hand against his shoulder. "You've already done so much for me, made me realize the world isn't a total shithole. If you say things like that..." I swallow hard. "Please, Nick, I can't keep thinking about this or I'm going to lose it. I want you to use me. I want you to feel better after."

He stares deep into my eyes. Nods. "Put your hand between your legs."

I do.

"Show me how you touch yourself."

That flush in my cheeks spreads all the way to my toes. Show him how I touch myself? Somehow, it's more intimate than anything we're done. More like I'm giving some part of myself away.

He slides his hands around my hips, holding me in place.

I press my eyes closed and drag my finger over my clit. I'm already sensitive, already desperate. A few strokes and the pressure builds to a fever pitch. I'm almost there. It's too fast. I need more of him.

I blink my eyes open to stare into Nick's. He's fixed on me, watching me like I'm his favorite movie. His grip around my hips tightens.

His fingers feel good against my skin.

He drags one hand up my side and around my breast. His thumb rubs against my nipple. "Close your eyes."

I do.

His hand slides back to my hip. "Hand on your inner thigh."

With my left hand planted on his shoulder for support, I bring my right hand to my inner thigh.

"Soft. Like you can barely take any pressure."

I can barely take any pressure. I drag my fingertips up my thigh as lightly as possible.

Desire overwhelms any lingering awkwardness. It's too soft. I can't take that. I need more. I need harder. I need to come.

"Go slow. Tease yourself."

Fuck me. I'm too keyed up to stand any teasing.

I try my best to keep things soft. I drag my fingertips over my outer lips. My hand skims my clit. The pressure is so light I can barely feel it. Somehow, that makes it more intense.

My sex clenches. I tug at his jacket.

Nick takes my hand from his shoulder and brings it to my mouth. His grip tightens around my hips. "I've got you."

I slide my fingers into my mouth, sucking hard so I won't scream.

My eyes flutter open and lock with his. I don't want to touch myself the way I do when I think of him.

I want to do it for him.

I want to show him how desperately I need him.

I spread my legs wider. No more teasing. I rub myself with greedy strokes.

He stares back at me like he's transfixed. "You get this wet just thinking about me?"

I nod, sinking my teeth into my skin so I won't scream. The knot inside me tightens. I'm close. Very close. But I'm not ready yet. I slide two fingers into my sex.

A sigh escapes my lips. Not as good as him inside me, but still damn good. I tease myself until biting my fingers isn't enough to keep me from groaning.

That look in Nick's eyes is perfection. I focus on him as I bring my fingers back to my clit. No more teasing. No more waiting. I need to show him how good he makes me feel.

I rub myself until the pressure is just right. He holds onto my hips, his eyes fixed on mine, his lips parted like he's in awe.

That knot tightens until it's too much to take. I pull my hand from my mouth and dig into his hair. "Nick, I can't... I have to scream."

He pulls his hand from my side and drags it over my bottom lip. "Here." His fingers slide into my mouth.

It's so much better than sucking on my own fingers. I press my tongue against the fleshy pads of his fingertips as I stroke myself.

The pressure builds until I'm at the edge. I suck hard on his fingers as I come. All that pressure unravels in a wave of bliss. My legs and arms go slack. I only stay upright by virtue of his firm grip.

Nick brings his hands to my ass and pulls me into his lap. He presses his lips to mine, his tongue plunging into my mouth.

His hand goes to the back of my head. He finds the band keeping my bun together and pulls it out. My hair spills onto my shoulders, messy in the best possible way.

He unknots his tie and pulls it from his neck. "Back on your knees."

I adjust myself so I'm in the same position, knees planted outside his thighs, hands on his shoulders.

"Hands behind your back."

"How?"

"Trust me."

I pull one hand behind my back. My knees sink into the firm fabric of the couch, but I manage to keep my balance. The next hand is more difficult. I slip, landing in his lap, my face pressed against his chest.

"I've got you." He grabs my ass and slides me into his lap, so I'm straddling him.

I can feel his erection through his slacks. Desire rages through my body. I need that. I need him.

Nick brings his tie around my wrists, loops twice, and cinches with a knot.

I move my arms to test the binding. It's tight. My shoulders are pulled back, my chest thrust into his face. I'm on top, but I'm not in control.

His hands go to my ass. He lifts me, adjusting my legs so I'm kneeling. "You want me to get a condom?"

"No."

How does he make asking me about going bareback with my arms tied behind my back feel like the most caring thing in the history of the universe?

With one hand, Nick holds me in place. The other goes to his slacks. He unbuttons, unzips, shifts his boxers and slacks to his knees.

My gaze goes between his legs. Today, he's all mine. There's nothing to dampen the sensation of our bodies joining as one.

His hands go back to my hips. I relax into his grip as he pulls me closer. We're inches from joining.

My breath speeds up. Heat collects between my legs. I stare into his eyes, desperate for some way to contain my anticipation.

There are over twenty people on the other side of this wall. If I scream, they'll hear. They'll know what we're doing.

The risk is more thrilling than anything. I shift my hips to press against him. In response, he lifts my hips, moving our bodies farther apart. The look in his eyes says "patience."

It feels like an eternity passes. It can't be more than thirty seconds. His fingers dig into my skin as he pulls my body onto his. His cock strains against me.

Hell yes. I surrender to his movements, to his grip.

Pleasure spreads through my torso and thighs. It's torture and perfection all at once. Slowly, he brings my body onto his, shifting deeper and deeper inside me.

I can't do anything more than moan softly. My eyelids press together, something to contain my bliss. God, he feels good inside me.

With his hands on my hips, he pulls me up, until his cock is teasing me again. He drags me down, so he's deep inside me. It's damn intense, the feeling of him entering me again and again. How the hell am I supposed to keep quiet like this?

"Nick." It's a whisper. "I can't..." My sex clenches around him. "I can't stay quiet. It feels too good."

"You can." He thrusts deep into me.

I can? No. I cannot. I squeeze my thighs against him. I rub my wrists against the tie. Neither helps contain the ecstasy growing inside me. I need to groan. I need his name on my tongue.

He does it again, harder and deeper this time. I let out a much too loud gasp.

Nick digs his nails into my hips. The burst of pain is too much. I bite my tongue until it's numb.

"Nick..." I groan.

"Say it like that." He thrusts into me again. Rakes his nails against me again.

It takes every ounce of concentration I have, but I manage to keep my voice level.

"Nick," I groan.

He thrusts into me, his grip tight around my hips as he holds me in place. I relax my thighs and wrists, soaking in every ounce of sensation, in every ounce of his control.

"Nick."

He goes harder. Deeper. I lose track of everything except the pleasure coursing through me.

"Nick."

His breath gets faster. His eyes press together. He's getting there.

"Nick."

A few more thrusts and an orgasm rises up inside me. No screaming. Nothing to contain it. Nothing to do but feel.

The pressure is almost too much to take. I only manage by biting my tongue. With his next thrust, I go over the edge. My sex pulses, releasing as I come. Bliss spreads through my torso and limbs. It's better looking into his eyes, seeing the relief there.

He does need this. Need me.

I collapse into his arms. He holds me for a moment, his lips meeting mine in a desperate, needy kiss. I thrust my tongue into his mouth, exploring it like I'll never get another chance to kiss him.

He scratches me so hard I'm sure I'm bleeding. I groan into his mouth to contain the burst of pain. That's how good he feels. How desperate he is to contain himself.

I can feel his orgasm in the movements of his body. The way his tongue claims my mouth. The way his nails dig into my skin. The way he thrusts faster and harder.

Then I can feel him, pulsing inside me, filling me. It's the first time I've ever had sex without a condom, and it's fucking amazing.

When he's finished, Nick undoes the binding. He shifts so I'm next to him on the couch. He rubs my wrists. Then he drags his fingers over my hips, inspecting my deep, red scratch marks.

"Come here." He pulls me into his lap, holding me against him and stroking my hair.

God, he feels good like this too. I allow myself a few minutes with my eyes closed and my head pressed against his chest.

My breath and heartbeat return to normal.

I shift off him, onto the other side of the couch. "What are the odds that no one heard us?"

"Not as good as I'd like."

"Was it worth it?"

His gaze goes to the floor. "It won't matter soon." He shifts back into his boxers and slacks. Then he pulls a towel from his desk drawer and hands it to me. "To clean up."

"Oh, yeah. It's a lot messier without a condom."

I wipe off and put my clothes back into position. Even without a mirror, I can tell that I'm not fooling anyone.

My hair is a mess. My makeup is smeared. My neck is throbbing like I have an impending hickey.

Maybe it doesn't matter. It will be easier for us to be together, whatever this is, if the company sells. It's not the end of the world. Even if there's a deep well of pain in his eyes.

I do one last adjustment of my clothes and reach for the door.

Nick stops me. His gaze goes to the clock on the wall. "Our delivery should be at Jasmine's desk."

"Is waiting for you to finish lunchtime quickies another part of her job description?"

"Maybe I'll add it." He smiles. "I'll get it. You look like you just got fucked."

"Wonder why."

"It looks good on you." He pulls open the door.

"I'm going to do some damage control in the bathroom."

He nods. Either he's ready to take our relationship public or he really believes his company is doomed.

God, I hope it's the first.

The women's bathroom is a respite from all the questions swirling around my brain. I have one task and that's looking like I didn't just have sex on the couch in Nick's office. Only my glasses are still on his desk. I can manage okay without them.

I wash my hands, fix my hair and makeup, change back into my bra and underwear. It's about twenty percent better. Not going to fool anyone who's paying attention, but the people around here don't pay much attention.

Nick is waiting outside the bathroom holding a plastic takeout bag in one hand and my glasses in the other.

He slides my glasses on with a soft touch. It's affectionate in a way obvious to anyone looking at us. No one is looking at us, but this isn't like him. He doesn't take unnecessary risks.

He presses his hand against my lower back. "Let's eat this in the conference room."

I nod and follow him to the glass-walled conference room. Anyone who walks by this side of the building can see us.

He passes me a Diet Coke and sets up the plates. It's Thai food again, curry. It smells good.

I stir hot sauce into my green curry. "Thank you."

"Of course." His eyes meet mine. "I want to take you somewhere tomorrow."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise."

"Can I have a clue?"

He shakes his head.

"Doesn't sound like there's any reason why I should agree."

"I'll pick you up at 8 AM."

"How do you know I'll go with you?"

"I know."