by Sienna Snow
Jacob Brady. Jackass extraordinaire.
The morning had started off great; I even had the time to grab a cup of coffee from my favorite coffee shop. But, no, Jacob Brady had to ruin it all.
From the moment I met him six years ago, he’d been a thorn in my side. He believed old New England money should never mix with the lower class—that is, me, a half-breed Indian who earned her money instead of inheriting it. He took every opportunity to remind me of my place with my above my station friends, especially when it came to my relationship with Max. According to Milla and Carmen, Jacob was a prick from birth, and neither understood how Max could stand being friends with him, let alone allow him to work at MCD.
On top of his attitude toward me, there was something about him that never settled well with me. He gave me the chills, like the creepy guy parents warn their kids away from.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but if it’s either of my bosses, than you better watch your step. The people of this company are completely loyal to them. Don’t think they won’t see through your pencil-pusher, elitist attitude.”
I loved Kerry. Even if things frazzled her on occasion, no one pushed her around.
“Oh, I see. This company only hires other cold bitches.”
That fucker. I wasn’t going to stand for him harassing my people. I moved toward my office when a hand settled on my waist.
Max.
I glared at him over my shoulder. He placed a finger to his lips, signaling me to stay quiet.
I scowled but waited.
“Listen up, buster. I don’t know who you are and I don’t personally care.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I was testing the waters to see if everyone here is as dedicated to Arya and Milla as all the columnists say.”
“Why don’t you stop wasting my time, and tell me what you want.”
“You seem a little tense. Do your bosses overwork you?”
“Hardly. Now back to my previous question. Do you have an answer?”
“You seem like a smart girl. Direct me to Arya’s office and I’ll wait there. We have a few things to discuss that you may not understand.”
That jackass’s arrogance never ceased. Why was I waiting here with Max instead of feeding Jacob his own balls?
“Not so fast, buddy. No one enters her office if she’s not there. Why don’t you wait in the reception area until Arya comes in? If she wants to speak with you, she’ll invite you in herself.”
I had better rescue Kerry before she killed Jacob.
“Max if you don’t let me go right now, you’re going to turn into collateral damage after I get done with your friend over there.” I motioned around Max, but he blocked my way.
“I know he’s a jerk half the time, but he isn’t bad once you get to know him. Let me handle this and come in after five minutes.”
“Do you think I’ll allow you to fight my battles?” I planned to make toast out of that self-righteous ass.
“Please Arya. Let me see if I can defuse the situation.”
Please? Max never asked for permission.
“Fine, you’ve got five minutes, but if Kerry gets any more upset, we may have a homicide on our hands, and I will support Kerry when she claims it was self-defense.”
Max grinned and ran his thumb across my lips, and immediately fireworks coursed through my body. “Duly noted.”
I attempted to bite his thumb, but expecting my reaction, he pulled back and walked around the corner with a laugh.
What was wrong with me? I was behaving like a lovestruck high schooler. I was not letting Max handle this, but going in guns blazing wasn’t a good idea, either. After a few minutes to calm my temper, I walked to my office and found him charming Kerry, and Jacob nowhere in sight.
“Arya.” Kerry blushed as her eyes glowed with adoration. “Mr. Dane, I mean Max, was telling me about his weekend. Did you know he sails?”
Wow, five minutes with him and Kerry was ready to bear his children.
“Yes, I did. Lex and Mr. Dane were on a sailing team together while in school.”
“Ari is an avid sailor as well.”
Kerry jumped up with a smile. “I didn’t know you sailed! Why haven’t you come out with us on our yearly girls’ trips?”
Oh great, Max and his big mouth.
“Kerry, don’t believe him,” I said. “Mr. Dane exaggerates. I learned to sail years ago but never kept up with it. Don’t you remember Lex said he didn’t trust me to take his yacht anywhere unless he was there to supervise? I’m not very good.”
“Now who’s exaggerating? Ari, if I recall correctly, you took to sailing like a fish in water. Remember how Milla and Carmen made such a big deal about popping your sailing cherry?”
Really? Did he just say that in front of Kerry?
My cheeks warmed.
“I knew you two had met before the merger.” Kerry clapped with excitement, as if she had discovered the mysteries of the universe.
Max quirked his eyebrows and smiled at me. “I was around for a lot of firsts. Wouldn’t you agree, Arya? I mean, Ms. Rey.”
“This is great. We’ve all wondered about your history with the Danes.”
Who are ‘we’?
“Kerry, we have work to do. Plus we’re occupying Mr. Dane’s valuable time.” I glared at Max. “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Businesses to conquer?”
“I’m not busy right now. I can chat with Kerry if she likes. My next appointment isn’t for another thirty minutes or so.”
“Fine, you two chat while I do some actual work.” I huffed and moved through my office door. Max laughed in the background.
I proceeded to my desk and found my newspaper waiting for me on top of it.
For the past ten years, my guilty pleasure had been the gossip section. A little celebrity news would get me in the mood to work all day. I sat and opened the paper, but as I scanned the headlines, my excitement went out the window. A grainy picture of me at the club in San Francisco was on the front page of the section. My head was arched back and a dark head nuzzled my neck. The caption read: “Formidable Arya Rey thaws for unknown suitor.”
“I hate paparazzi,” I grumbled out loud. “Can’t anything make this morning better?”
“What’s wrong, Arya?” Kerry asked from the door.
“Nothing.” I leaned down and banged my head against the desk. “This day is shot to hell.”
“Oh, come on, Arya. It can’t be that bad,” Max said as he strolled into my office.
Great, he was still here. I cringed and covered the article with my hands.
“Do you still read the gossip section?”
“Yep. Every Monday since I’ve known her,” Kerry informed Max.
I must invest in a muzzle. On second thought, I’d need a dozen. She came down with a bout of verbal diarrhea around him.
“Stop hiding the article and let us see why you’re so irritated.” Max tugged on the paper, but I refused to move my arms.
“No, it’s nothing. Both of you go away and leave me in peace.”
Max snatched the newspaper out of my grasp and laughed as he read the headline. He lifted his gaze from the image and gave me the wicked grin with which I was very familiar. I bit my lip and waited for some comment.
Kerry peered over Max’s shoulder. “Arya, who’s the guy that’s got you all hot and bothered?”
I ignored Kerry’s question and continued watching Max.
“Even with the bad image quality, the reporter managed to capture how into him you are. You look hot.”
“I completely agree, Kerry. The guy appears captivated by her as well.”
I inhaled sharply at his words. Why wouldn’t he leave me alone?
In the front office, the phone rang. Thank goodness.
“Kerry, I think the phone’s ringing. Why don’t you go see who it is?”
“Sure thing, boss lady.” Kerry rushed out of my office, leaving Max behind.
I stood a
nd moved toward my windows, trying to ignore Max’s presence.
Please get the hint. Please get the hint.
He slowly approached me and ran his finger along my spine. I stiffened. Damn, no luck.
“You know I am.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
He cupped the side of my face, and my heart sped up.
“I am captivated by you. All that you were then. All that you are now. I think you feel the same about me.”
I stepped out of his hold. “There’s no going back. All I can offer you is a professional relationship, Mr. Dane.”
He remained silent for a few moments, as he stared into my weary eyes. His own were dark with desire and intent. In a flash, he had me caged against the glass with my hands pinned above my head and his lips a hairbreadth away from mine.
“Keep telling yourself that, Ms. Rey. Remember what I told you the other night. I don’t play fair. We’ll both get what we want in the end.”
Max released me as fast as he had captured me and left my office.
I remained pinned to the window, unable to calm my body or breathe.
Could this day get any worse?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Thank you everyone. I am happy with the progress we made today.” I glanced at Max, who sat relaxed and unfazed by my glare. “Each of you has homework to complete before we begin training next week. If you have any confusion, or questions, don’t hesitate to contact your ArMil counterparts. We will reconvene in the lab next week.”
I pushed back from the conference table, determined to get the hell out of the room before I said something I regretted. For the past three weeks, Max had questioned every decision I’d made. I’d endured the frustration for the sake of the company, but I was at my limit. For a Harvard-educated lawyer and businessman, he acted like an idiot who didn’t have the first clue about security encryption.
As fast as possible, I gathered my papers and moved toward the door. If I acted casual, no one would notice my sense of urgency.
“Ms. Rey, may I speak with you for a moment?” Max said from behind me.
Of course, he’d notice.
I paused, shifting slowly. Max’s eyes bored into mine, causing me to take a deep breath. Damn that man. No escape now. I waited in silence for him to relay what he needed. But he continued to stare at me, not saying a word. His authority washed over the room; everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up. He was pushing my buttons today.
First, he acted like a complete moron every time I mentioned anything remotely technical, even things I knew he was well versed in, and then he invaded my personal space any time we were near each other. Sure, to an outsider, it appeared innocent enough, but every brush of his hand sent a surge of lust through my blood. And now this.
Why is he staring at me?
Was he waiting for me to say his favorite words? Hell would freeze over before I gave them to him.
Did he believe I was the same girl who got wet because he gave me a particular expression? Who was I kidding? My nipples ached and my clit throbbed. Damn those eyes. I yearned to squeeze my thighs together.
He peered at me as the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. He knew exactly what he was doing.
I licked my lips, and then bit them in the desperate hope he wouldn’t notice my reaction. Too late. His eyebrow arched in response.
He was aware of his appeal and wasn’t afraid to use it to his advantage. It was more than his appearance. It was his attitude and mannerisms; both screamed self-confident badass, nicely packaged in a tailored suit.
Milla nudged me, breaking the standoff. “Answer him,” she whispered. “The others are beginning to stare.”
Before I could respond, Max spoke. “Ms. Rey, I would like to meet with you in my office. I want to make sure I thoroughly understand the more complicated nuances of the next phase of implementation.”
Really? Had he just said that? Clarification was for those who actually read the report. Being alone with him was a bad idea. My body was on fire, and I needed to get away from him.
Max waited for me to join him in the doorway of the conference room. I peeked at Milla for some support or at least a way to get out of this, but the traitor shrugged and smiled.
Reluctantly, I followed Max to his office. He kept his hands by his side and made no attempt to touch me. Thank goodness for small favors. But the walk to the office was torture. Neither of us spoke a word.
“Hold my calls, Marie. Ms. Rey and I have a few things to discuss, and I don’t want to be disturbed.” Max’s personal assistant cringed and gave me the so glad it’s you and not me face. Max must maintain a reputation for eating little computer nerds for breakfast.
He opened the door, gesturing for me to enter. Max’s office housed glass on two sides with astonishing views of the Charles River. Even from the forty-fourth floor, I saw joggers running up and down the walkways while street vendors battled the blistering cold to sell their mouthwatering fare.
The door snapped closed and locked, bringing me out of my thoughts. I whirled around and found Max leaning against the door. He had taken off his jacket and thrown it over the closest chair. My pulse throbbed out of control; his aura affected me in a way no other man’s ever could.
I must get out of here as quickly as possible.
“Mr. Dane, I would appreciate getting our discussion over with.” I glanced at my watch. “I’m due back in my office to finish the logistics of the next phase. I’m sure reading the report will clarify any confusion.”
Max casually walked up behind me. He leaned down, his lips a fraction away from my ear. I closed my eyes, trying not to let his scent overwhelm my senses.
“Arya, don’t you think we’re way past formalities, especially when we’re alone?”
He trailed his hand along my waist as he moved to lean against the desk in front of me. The desire to sink down to my knees and wait for his instruction surged through me.
Stop it Arya, those days are over.
“There is no ‘we.’ You made sure of that years ago. I agreed to the partnership for the benefit of my company, nothing more. I am no longer your sub—yours,” I stated, trying hard not to let my voice crack.
Don’t let him see you cry.
Max leaned close to my body, but without touching me. “You may not be my…what was the word you were trying to say?” He tapped a finger to his lips. “Ah, yes, submissive, but your body will answer only to me.” His hand crept around my waist, drawing me against him, while the other slid into my hair.
My skin flushed from the heat growing in my body, and the pulsing in my clit intensified. My hardened nipples rubbed against his firm chest, making me want to cry out. Max lowered his head as he gathered me toward him. His lips brushed mine, softly at first, then seizing them, and he claimed me as his once again.
I reacted immediately, returning his kiss with all the pent-up need from years before. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, trying to draw him closer. He broke the kiss to run his lips along my neck as a sigh escaped my mouth. He lifted me up, positioning me on the edge of his desk, not caring if his papers fell to the floor.
He nudged my skirt up around my thighs, stepping between them to rub his straining erection against my soaked underwear.
I cried out, “Please.” And clutched his shoulders. I wrapped my legs around him so he rubbed harder against my oversensitive core. Max kissed me again, grasping my hands from around his shoulders and placing them on the edge of the desk.
“Don’t move your hands, or I will stop.” He shifted from between my legs, skimming his fingers up my arms. He slid off my suit jacket and unbuttoned my shirt to reveal my lace and satin bra. He hummed, cupped the heavy weight of one breast in his hands, and took the engorged nipple peak into his mouth.
I let out a low, deep moan and arched my chest closer.
“I love how you wear something sexy under your clothes,” he murmured against my lace-covered nipple.
His mouth glided lower, down between my breast and toward the top of my skirt. I arched further and sucked in air when his tongue touched my skin. I gripped the edge of the table harder as his breath grazed the insides of my thighs. He tugged the silk barrier covering my throbbing slit to the side and blew slightly as he spread my lips with his fingers.
“Always smooth and bare. I still remember the first time I found your little secret. Something I’m glad Milla introduced you to.”
I peered down and caught him watching me. My pussy clenched in anticipation.
I shouldn’t be doing this. What if he sees the scars?
If I allowed this to go further, he’d trap me in his web again. This time I wouldn’t survive when it ended.
“Stop thinking, Arya. Enjoy.” His lips closed over my nub, drawing it gently into his mouth.
All coherent thought left my mind.
“God, I’ve missed the taste of you. Your flavor has haunted me for five years.”
Unhurried, he sucked, licked, and tasted, driving me to the complete edge of my control and holding me there. I wanted to fist my hands into his hair, but I knew he would stop the moment they moved.
“Max, please.” I was on the verge of total insanity; just a little more and I’d go over.
A desperate sensual sound escaped his mouth as he feasted on me. Then he shifted, rising back to stand in front of me. For a split second, he gazed down at me, as if I was all that mattered in the world. In the next second, the emotion was replaced by dark, hungry desire. My palms twitched, ready to run my hands over his firm, defined body. I arched my hips, wanting him deep inside me.
“Don’t shift a muscle, or I won’t let you come.”
He unbuttoned his shirt and opened his pants, letting them fall to the floor, then pushed down his boxer briefs. His cock sprang free.
Oh God. I’d forgotten how large he was. A moment of doubt crept in, warring with the need for him to surge into me.
“We’ve done this before. Many times, in fact. We’ll fit perfectly,” he reminded me.
Pulling me toward him, he discarded the small piece of silk separating us. Anticipating my loss of balance, Max took my arms from the edge of the table, pushed my jacket and shirt completely off, and placed my palms against his shoulders.
