I’m still confused when I walk into the hotel on Monday morning. Vanessa, the receptionist, stops me before I hit the elevator.
“Excuse me, but Mr. Karlsson wanted me to tell all the interns that you’ll be at the corporate office across the street from here on out.”
Hearing his name makes my heart pound, but I push all thoughts away as I nod. “Thank you.” I turn and leave the hotel to head across the street.
When I walk in, I’m directed to a board room where I find everyone already sitting together around a long table.
“How nice of you to join us, Ms. Ryder,” Griffin says with a teasing grin.
I hold back my smile. “I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t get the memo about the new location.”
He nods. “It’s quite all right. But in the future, make sure you check your email so you’re on the same page as the rest of us.”
Everyone softly giggles and my face heats up with embarrassment.
I daze off as he talks and gives everyone a job, wondering why he’s being so cold to me this morning. Did he take his Sunday to talk himself out of being with me? Did he decide the odds weren’t in his favor? I’m completely lost in thought.
“El?” Griffin asks, pulling me back to the present.
I blink and look up, finding that everyone else in the room has left.
“Hmm?”
He smiles and motions toward the door. “We’re in my office today.”
“Oh, right,” I mumble, grabbing my things and following him to his office. We’re both quiet on the elevator ride up to the top floor. My mind is occupied by the awkward conversation I’m sure awaits me.
Walking into his office, I place my things on the couch and sit down to look over the papers we left on Saturday.
“Would you like some coffee?” he asks with a lift of his brow and a smirk. I’m sure he’s thinking about the mess I made with his coffee the last time we were here.
“Yes, please. I didn’t get much sleep last night, so I could use a jolt.”
He brings both cups to the sofa and sits beside me, handing me a cup.
“Thank you,” I say, lifting the cup and taking a sip. I place the cup on the glass coffee table and pick up a layout I think would pair perfectly with the image I picked. “I like this one. Do you have any editing software to make our own layout to sample?”
His blue eyes are locked on mine, but when he runs his tongue across his bottom lip, my eyes fall down to his mouth, thinking about the magic that tongue of his can do.
My body betrays me by breaking out in goosebumps from thinking about the things we did on Saturday, and my breathing picks up as I imagine how much further I would’ve liked it to go.
“El?” he asks with a grin.
“Huh?” I ask, snapping my attention back.
He lets out a deep chuckle. “Is everything okay?”
I let out a deep breath and stand in front of him, pacing back and forth. “You’re so hot and cold. I never know which version of you I’m going to encounter.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, standing up, but keeping the coffee table between us.
“When I started working here last week, you were warm and inviting. Then you saw me with Chase, and you went cold. This past weekend, you were warm again—hot even. And now, you’re back to being cold and embarrassing me. Now do you understand why I’m so confused?” I stop pacing, and turn to face him.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you, El. I just thought that maybe if I didn’t treat you differently than the rest, then they’d have no reason to think there’s anything going on between us.”
“Oh.” My back straightens.
“But since you brought it up,” he walks around the coffee table and stands directly in front of me, “have you given any thought to our current situation?” He slides his hands into his pockets.
Chapter Twelve
Griffin
She bites her bottom lip as she thinks, and it causes my dick to come alive. All of a sudden, all I can think about is the way she bit that lip when I was making her come on my face. I’ve already had to put my hands in my pockets just to ensure I don’t touch her—until I get my answer, that is.
“I’ve thought about it,” she says quietly, staring at the floor instead of at me.
I place my finger under her chin and direct her eyes up to me. “And?”
“And while I don’t want to be known as the girl who carries on an affair with her boss, I don’t see the harm in trying. It may not work between us,” she shrugs, “but as long as we’re both adults about it, and keep it a secret, I don’t see how it could hurt.”
“So…” I start, but she cuts me off.
“I want you, Griffin.”
Without having to ask more questions, I close the distance between us, pressing my lips against hers as I pull her flush against me. Her body molds to mine as a soft whimper leaves her lips. Now that I’m tasting her again, I can’t get enough. All it does is fuel my desires—desires that Saturday night only intensified.
As her lips move with mine and her tongue demands more, her hands begin pushing my suit jacket from my shoulders. And while I didn’t want this to happen so quickly before, I’m now unable to resist.
When my jacket hits the floor, my hands find her ass and I pick her up against me, moving us to my desk. I place her gently on top and begin unbuttoning her top as fast as my fingers will let me. I trail my lips down her jaw and neck, biting, sucking, and kissing as I go.
The moment her top half is bare, I lean down and suck her hard nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around it. She lets out soft cries and whimpers, and her hand that’s fisting my hair tightens, pulling against the roots. It’s painful, but it’s a turn-on that urges me on.
I glide my hand up her skirt until I find her wet center. Already, her panties are soaked, and I can’t help myself when I tug them and hear a ripping sound.
I can no longer hold myself back. I’m lost in my desire. I’m lost to the fire raging on inside of me. I’m lost in her. I release her long enough to free myself from my pants as she scrambles to work her skirt up her thighs. The moment we’re both situated, her ass is right back on the edge of my desk and our mouths are locked together once again.
Using one hand to grab ahold of her hips, I pull her toward me as my other hand guides my throbbing cock to her entrance. I slide inside her tight pussy, and we both let out a sigh of relief. She fits me perfectly. It’s like she was made specifically for me. I fill her up completely, and she hugs me tightly.
With both hands on her hips now, I ease myself out before pushing back in while pulling her toward me. She lets out a delicious moan, and the glass desk rattles beneath us.
“This is too loud,” I whisper as I pick her up against me and press her back to the wall where I can pump into her endlessly without sounds to draw attention. Her thighs, wrapped around my hips tightly, hold her in place while I move in and out of her.
Her nails dig into my back and her teeth nip my bottom lip, and it’s all deliciously painful—just enough pain and just enough relief that I don’t ever want to stop. I roll my hips and she tightens around me, digging her nails in deeper as she moans into my mouth.
“I’m coming, Griffin,” she whispers, tightening her hold on me.
“Look at me, El,” I demand, needing to watch as the expressions on her face change with my every move.
Her eyes pop open and lock on mine. Her normally bright green eyes darken and her thick red lips part. Her brows pull together, and finally, she explodes around me, causing her muscles to milk my cock until I’m falling right along with her.
We both freeze to come down from our high. My heart is pounding and our breathing is erratic, but finally, everything begins to regulate. I remove myself from her and place her on her feet. She gets to work on pushing her skirt back into place as we gather our clothes.
She bends down and picks up her panties. She turns to me with them dangling off the end of her
index finger. “Well, I guess these are shot,” she says with a smile that lights up her eyes.
I reach over and snag them off her finger and slide them into my pocket. “I think I’ll keep these.”
Her mouth drops open and a gasp escapes. “What am I supposed to do all day?”
I shoot her a grin. “Know you’ll be teasing me with your every step?”
She presses her lips together with a lift of her brow. “That could be fun.”
I laugh. “You may want to start bringing extra panties with you,” I say, pulling my jacket back on.
Someone knocks on the door and without being told to enter, they do.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Karlsson,” Chase says, pausing in the doorway.
“What can I do for you?” I ask, silently thanking God that he didn’t walk in five minutes earlier.
“We’re needing the magazine cover mockup.”
“Right.” I bend down and grab the mockup I made yesterday with all of El’s suggestions, and pass it over.
“Thank you,” he says, taking the picture and turning for the door. Before he walks out, he gives us both a sidelong glance, though he doesn’t say a word as he steps out.
“You did the mockup?” El says, not catching the look Chase gave us. “Let me see.” She reaches over and picks up the copy left on my desk. “This looks amazing!”
I smile. “It was all you: the picture you chose, the logo. All you. You’re amazing.”
She grins as she looks up at me from beneath her lashes. “No need to butter me up, Griffin. You’ve already fucked me.”
I snatch the paper out of her hands and pull her against my chest. “The first of many, I hope.” I press a quick kiss to her plump lips.
“If you think I could only have that once, you’re crazy,” she says around a smile as she kisses me again, but deeper and softer.
“So, tonight? My place?” I ask against her lips.
She nods. “Tonight.”
The rest of the day goes by slowly, and I’m constantly tempted knowing that El is running around without any panties on. The groups have been put back together again, and I can’t come up with an excuse for us to go off on our own. Every time I catch myself fantasizing as I watch those long legs of hers, I slip my hand into my pocket and rub her panties between my fingers. Really, it only makes things worse for me, but I have no self-control when it comes to her.
I make arrangements for my driver to pick her up this evening. I call my chef and have him prepare a special meal and dessert. I even ask my maid to set up the dining room table with flowers and candles. The moment I walk into the house, I rush upstairs for a shower.
I walk into my bedroom and find that black silk sheets have been put on my bed. There are also candles on both end tables. I make a mental note to give Ester a raise. She may be an older lady, but she knows exactly what I’m in for. I laugh when I realize she’s basically my wingwoman.
I quickly remove my jacket and toss it into the closet. Reaching into my pockets, I pull out my cell phone and wallet…and El’s panties. I stare at them a moment before dropping them onto my dresser—next to the pair she stripped off Saturday night—before I move into the bathroom to shower.
I’m just stepping out of my room when I hear the doorbell ring. Ester beats me to the door and lets her in as my foot hits the bottom step.
“Welcome. You must be Janelle,” Ester says, holding out her hand to shake.
“Please, call me El.”
“How was the drive over?” I ask, stepping up to her side and leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek.
“A little lonely. I had hoped that you’d pick me up.” She flashes me a smile as she shrugs out of her coat and hands it off to Ester.
I take her hand and lead her to the dining room. “I was trying to get things ready.” I pull out her chair. “I want tonight to be perfect.”
She takes her seat and I push her chair in.
“You don’t have to try so hard, you know.” She picks up the glass of wine in front of her and takes a sip.
My eyebrows pull together. “Who’s trying hard?”
She finishes the glass in one big gulp, stands, and slowly walks over to me. She sits down in my lap, straddling me. “You’ve already hooked me. Are you going to reel me in or not?”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Are you telling me you have no interest in dinner?”
“Mm-hmm.” She smiles and shrugs. “I only want your body.”
I laugh and stand abruptly, holding her against me. The fast movement makes her squeal and giggle.
I set her on the edge of the table and lean forward until she’s on her back. “Maybe I’ll just have you for dinner instead.” I nip the inside of her thigh.
She lets out a soft moan. “Please,” she whispers.
I pull away and look over her body, laid out and ready for me to take. “We already had a quick fuck today, El. I think I’d rather take my time with you tonight.” I offer her my hand and pull her up. The moment her feet hit the floor, Ester walks into the room.
“Dinner is served, sir.”
I smile and nod. “Thank you, Ester.” I look at El, who’s now trying to straighten her shimmery black dress. “Please, join me.” I motion back toward her chair.
She doesn’t look pleased, but she sits down and scoots her chair back up to the table.
Ester serves both our plates, then refills our wine glasses before leaving us alone.
“I don’t like your table,” she states flatly.
I laugh. “Why not?”
“You’re so far away. I feel like I have to yell just to talk to you.”
I stand, pick up my plate and glass of wine, and move down the table to sit beside her. “Better?”
She smiles, clearly happy she got her way. “Much,” she says with a nod of her head.
We both resume eating, and I can’t help but watch her. She’s different than the women I’ve been with in the past. Those women, Candice included, were prim and proper. They wanted everyone to think they had it all. They flaunted their money and nice things. They looked down on people who had less than them. But El, she’s different, and not because she doesn’t come from money. She’s kind and thoughtful. She’s young and still excited about her future. She hasn’t yet been jaded by the world. The saying “youth is wasted on the young” does not apply to her. I’ve only been around her a couple weeks, but already I can tell she makes the most out of every moment. She’s not worried about what others think, and she doesn’t try to look like she’s something she’s not.
Being with her will make me a better man—a man who learns to let go, have fun, and realize he can’t control everything. She’ll bring out all of my best qualities—even ones I don’t know I have. I can see it already. Question is, am I ready to let go of the man I am now? I don’t even have to think about it. Yes, I’m ready to let go of the things that have burned and scarred me in the past. I’m ready to be free—to experience everything as if it’s the first time—through her eyes.
“Tell me something about you that nobody else knows,” I request as I pick up my glass and take a sip.
She wipes her mouth with her cloth napkin. “Like what?”
I shrug. “Something deep. Something you think about when you’re alone. What your dreams and aspirations are. Where you see yourself ten, twenty, hell, even thirty years from now.”
She smiles and sets down her fork as she turns her whole body to face me. “I hope to get into grad school and then get a job in a big publishing house. I want to surround myself with stories and get lost in other worlds. I want to fix errors and make things better.”
I nod. “Those are your career goals, but what about your life goals? Marriage? Kids? Where you’ll live? What kind of man will be by your side?”
Her smiles widens as her eyes glaze over. “I never put any serious thought into it, but I’ve always dreamed of having a big two-story white house with blue shutters, a white picket fence, and a big
yard. I can see myself, my husband, our three kids, and our dog rolling around in the grass, playing tag. In the backyard, there’s a treehouse where we camp out, a fire pit where we can roast marshmallows, and a pool for the summer months.” Her eyes drift closed as she goes deeper into the dream.
“My husband will be sweet and kind, but not a pushover—someone who knows when to be patient, but also knows when it’s time to take the gloves off. He’ll spend every weekend at home, going to the farmer’s market with me, barbecuing in the backyard, and tucking in his children every night. Then, when the house is quiet, he’ll sneak into the kitchen where I’m cleaning up dinner, and fuck me senseless on the white tiled island.” Her eyes open and her cheeks glow red.
She giggles. “But that’s just a silly dream.”
It’s only now that I realize I’m completely lost in her fantasy. I pull myself from her dream. “Who says it can’t be real?” I ask, leaning in.
She snorts. “Would you really give up this big, fancy house to go live in the suburbs with me? Are you going to give up your chef to eat the burnt dinners I cook, or trade in your fancy cars for a minivan?” Her eyebrow arches.
I nod. “I’d give up everything for love—true love—the kind that won’t allow you to walk away.”
Something on her face changes. Her eyes, which were already filled with passion, now burn with desire. Her arched eyebrow drops out of surprise, and her lips part.
She stands. “You’d give up all of this for me?” she asks, sitting on my lap.
“I’d give up everything for true love, El. Not a hookup or a week-long whirlwind romance, but real love.”
She leans forward, closing the distance between our mouths. Her lips part and her tongue demands entrance. I lean forward, deepening the kiss as I place my hands on her hips and stand, holding her against me as I walk us up the back stairwell to the second level. Her arms are wrapped around my neck, and her thighs hug my hips. She’s clinging to me for dear life—all the while, giving me every ounce of love and passion she holds within her.
Baby Mistake: An Accidental Pregnancy Romance Page 8
