“I need to have you, Kat.” He growled in my ear. “But I don’t want to push you. Tell me this is okay?”
I nodded, my nails scraping down his back. Cole wrapped his hands around my butt and lifted me off the copier, moving across the small room he slammed my back against the wall. I cried out from the hard wall behind me and his hard cock hitting my swollen clit.
Why the fuck did you wear stockings, Katherine?
“Mr. Rhodes?” The small tapping on the door startled us. “They’re ready for you in Conference Room A.” Melissa’s voice came from the other side of the door.
Cole’s lips left my neck and my eyes locked with his. What the hell were we doing? He kissed my lips one last time before standing me on the floor. He fixed his tie and winked at me. In seconds, he was out of the room. I leaned against the wall, my lips swollen, his taste on me, and feeling horny as hell.
“Holy crap,” I whispered as I tried to catch my breath. I fixed my skirt and finished making my copies. My face burned when I left the copy room. How long were we in there, and how loud was I when I’d moaned at his touch?
I locked myself in my office until about four o’clock when Melissa came by with a file in her hand. “Hi, may I come in?”
“Of course.” Embarrassed that she’d caught us earlier, I focused my eyes anywhere but on hers.
“I need you to sign a few documents for me. Mr. Rhodes asked me to get these to HR right away.” She flipped the folder open and slid it across my desk.
Employee: Katherine Wolf. Cole had added me on his payroll and included all the benefits: health and life insurance and a 401K. My annual salary was listed at ninety-thousand dollars. What the hell he was thinking? I slammed the file shut.
“If you need to review it further, you can give it back to me on Monday. Accounts Payable will cut you a check today, and there's a direct deposit form in there as well.”
My chair didn’t roll back fast enough. I grasped the file and marched out of my office, leaving Melissa to trail behind me. My hand slammed against Cole’s door, shoving it open; it swung back with ferocity. He sat at his desk, mulling over briefs.
“What the hell is this?” I stomped over to his desk, tossing the file to him.
He looked up at me, seemingly unsurprised by my rage. “This is your employee package.”
“I’m not your employee, Cole.”
“Of course you are. Your name is on the door.”
“I’m. Not. Your. Employee.” My hands rested on his desk. I cursed myself for wearing a push-up bra, noticing his gaze drop from mine to focus on my chest.
“I consider you an associate, Katherine—”
“But I’m not. I don’t even have my license. I use that office to study. This isn’t right. I don’t deserve this.”
“It’s easier if you don’t fight it.”
“Ugh!” I threw my hands in the air and marched out of his office. He wanted to be impossible … well, I would teach him that I could be the exact same way. I closed my office door behind me and called three different Bake Shops around Manhattan. I calculated how much my weekly pay would be, and then I ordered fifteen hundred dollars worth of cupcakes and coffee for every single CHR Esquire employee, including my jerk of a boss.
I waited impatiently in the lobby for the elevator carts to arrive. Melissa watched as I paced in front of her desk. When she saw the three carts of cups fill the main lobby she laughed, her head tossed back as she held her stomach. “Oh, I can’t wait to see his face when he sees this.”
CHR Esquire consisted of four long hallways. From a bird’s-eye view, it was a perfect X with the elevators in the center. Four hallways each lined with offices I walked up each hallway, knocking on my co-workers’ doors before I handed them a variety box of delicious cupcakes and a paper cup filled with steaming coffee.
I saved Cole’s office for last. Melissa had informed me that he was going over his schedule with his mother and would be locked away in his office for the remainder of the afternoon. I took the last box of cupcakes and the last cup of coffee and carried it over to his desk.
“What is this?” he asked as I placed the sweet sugary treats in front of him.
“Oh, a little Friday pick me up.” I opened the box and dipped my finger into the red velvet cream cheese frosting. I brought my finger to his lips, and he sucked it off my finger. “Figured it was a thoughtful way to say thank you to my coworkers for a hard work week.”
I sat on his desk and crossed my legs so the slit of my skirt rose. It took all of five seconds before he pushed off his desk and looked up and down the hallways at the commotion of his employees chatting while drinking coffee and eating cupcakes.
“You didn’t.”
“You want me on your payroll, fine. But you can’t stop me from spending my weekly check on whatever or whoever I like—including my coworkers.” I dipped my finger in the same cupcake and brought it to my mouth before I left his office. I kept my finger in my mouth, sucking a little more than needed to make my point.
25
Katherine
It had been two weeks since the copy room incident, and there was a shift in our dynamic. There were so many unanswered questions between us. He never said anything, and I never asked what we were, but he knew I wanted to be with him.
I didn’t want to dwell on Gary. I needed to move forward. Cole understood and seemed to accept that, but still, we walked a thin line between what we were and who we had become. At times, I’d catch him staring at me a little longer than appropriate. He’d catch me licking my lips, remembering the taste of his skin, but as he entered my office, it was his scent that got to me.
I held my breath as he approached my desk, maintaining my composure. “What are you doing Friday night?” he asked. His tongue grazed over his bottom lip, and I momentarily lost focus.
“Uh … either studying or studying.” I shrugged. “Lila and Caleb are in Europe looking at wedding venues, and Ben is spending the weekend in New Hampshire.”
“I have a gala to go to, and I’d like to know if you’d accompany me?” He leaned closer, stepping over the line of my personal space. His minty breath tickled the tip of my nose. “It’s a Masquerade Gala.”
“A Gala?” I crossed my arms and pushed back in my chair. I needed to step back.
“It’s a little different from the last one you attended, but I think you’ll really enjoy it.” He reached into his back pocket and slid a black mask across the width of my office table. His fingers twirled it around before he released it.
Intrigued, I took the black lace mask in hand before I lifted it up to my eyes. “Is this for your mom’s charity?” I asked, repeatedly blinking to make a point.
“Why don’t you come with me? All of your questions will be answered.”
“Am I going as your date?” I shot back at him with a dose of attitude.
“Yes, of course,” he growled. “You can’t be on anyone else’s arm but mine.”
“Do you plan on shoving me into a conference room?”
He leaned closer, his lips tickling my earlobe. “If that’s what you want,” he whispered. My heart fluttered in my chest. “I’m certain there will be a free room.” He pulled away and smirked at me. “Text me if you want me to pick you up. I’ll leave this with you.” He slid off the table.
When Cole was out of my office and heading towards his, I lifted the mask and held it in my hands, letting it slide between my fingers. I couldn’t lie, it piqued my interest, a night out with him where I could pretend to be anyone else.
Friday night Cole picked me up at eight, sharp. I’d tried to match my dress to the mask, and since I had no idea where we were going, I kept it simple. A strapless black dress with classic black pumps, my blonde hair cascading down in waves that covered my back.
He rang the doorbell once before I pulled the door open. His bright eyes were the first things I noticed. He leaned into the doorjamb, a boyish grin on his face. Like me, he wore all black—suit and s
hirt, with a matte black tie. His sex appeal trapped my breath inside my chest.
I bit my lip to contain my excitement in seeing him. “Hi.” I held the door open for him.
“Hello, gorgeous.” He stepped past the threshold and kissed my cheek. I closed my eyes, anticipating his touch. “You ready?”
I nodded and grabbed my clutch and coat from the console table and followed him out. Cole held the car door for me. “Such a gentleman,” I teased as I slid into the car. He gave me a smirk followed by a wink that had my heart racing. The air between us had shifted. This was the first time that he and I were alone together. Most days he never left my side, bringing me lunch, insisting I give him feedback on any case he was working with. But we were never completely alone.
Cole drove down the long city blocks, heading towards downtown. I tapped my foot anxiously. The silence in the car was killing me. I looked out the car window, sucking air in slowly to regulate my breathing. Cole rested his hand on my shaking leg, his touch startling me. I heard him chuckle under his breath.
“There is no need to be scared. You’ll like this party.”
And boy was he right.
Celebrities, athletes, new money and old money all walked the long red carpet. Cole kept his hand coiled with mine as we paused for pictures. “How do you do this?” I looked up at him certain the pictures were going to be horrible. “I have no idea where to stare.”
He kissed my cheek and whispered, “Just look at me.”
And so I did.
Every few steps we stopped for another round of pictures, but his eyes never left mine. My smile grew wider as he made silly faces. When we reached the entrance, my cheeks burned and the nerves about being in his arms vanished.
Pier Sixty had been transformed. White lights cascaded from the ceiling, and white leather couches were spread across the open space as professional dancers twirled around in cages.
“What kind of gala is this?” I whispered as we checked our coats.
“Expression of Arts.” He brought me in closer. “It’s to keep the art programs in low-income schools alive.” He pointed to the back wall that was filled with artwork from kids. Each project was displayed on a white floral wall with a description of the artist attached to the side.
“Put your mask on, Katherine. The show is about to begin.”
I reached into my clutch and ran my hands across the silk mask. Cole slipped his own mask over his face, and I was mesmerized. The ebony silk against his light skin brought out his golden eyes even more. I wrapped my arm around his waist, holding him as we entered the grand room.
Unlike any other gala I’d attended with Lila and Caleb, this was a party. It was cocktail and hors d’oeuvres, and the band played hit after hit. While the dancers danced in their cages, Cole wrapped his arms around mine as we swayed to the music. The night was almost perfect until Devon tapped his shoulder.
I swallowed hard trying to ignore the green-eyed monster that reared its ugly head. She looked gorgeous in a candy apple red dress.
“Hey, baby,” she teased and kissed his cheek. “Lenny and Josh are here. You should come and say hi.” Like a real bitch, she completely ignored me.
“I’m okay here,” Cole said and reached his hand out for me to grasp.
My mood was instantly soured by her presence. Needing a moment to gather my thoughts, I tiptoed so I could whisper in his ear. “Go, I have to use the bathroom.”
He nodded and kissed my head. Every part of me was telling me to stay, to wrap my hands around his and fight Devon till she was gone. But what good would that do? She was in his life, and I needed to be confident in what he and I had even if it meant holding my heart as I walked to the bathroom. My therapist would be proud, even though I truly wanted to claw the bitches eye out.
I touched up my makeup and waited a few more minutes before walking out of the bathroom. He was waiting for me outside the door. I shook my head unable to keep the smile from my face. “That chat was quick.”
“What do you say we get out of here?” He draped his arms over me.
“I feel like we just got here.”
“I know, but there isn’t a vacant conference room. I checked.” He winked and a smile grew on his face.
“What did Devon want?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “She’ll never understand that I don’t love her. My heart only belongs to you.”
I stopped and stood in front of him. My cheeks burned from the smile that greeted my face. I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought my lips to his. “Why don’t you take me back to your place and take advantage of me there?”
He growled and kissed me with hunger. Oblivious to the world around us, Cole lifted me in the air and deepened our kiss. When he pulled away, I was breathless and horny.
And desperate to have him.
26
Katherine
We left the play party and headed down Fifth Avenue heading towards his house. He drove with ferocity through the late night traffic, swerving in and out of lanes. He was in a rush to get home, and I was in a rush to have him again.
Cole switched gears adding speed to the car. I sat on my knees, my arms wrapped around his neck as my tongue swirled and licked the side of his ear. I bit his earlobe, tugging on it a bit longer to make my point. I needed him. Now.
Cole gripped the steering wheel. Shifting down, he made a sharp right turn into the underground garage of his home. When the car came to an abrupt stop, Cole wrapped his hands around my waist lifting me onto his lap. His slithering tongue trailed my neck as his hands cupped my breasts, my nipples pinched between his fingers. Grinding my hips, I pressed my hungry core against his bulging erection. My dress rose up my thighs, but I pushed down deeper, rubbing my clit over his pants. Cole moved his hands from my breasts, cupping my ass as he kicked open the car, bringing me with him.
My back slammed against the cool, hard metal of the elevator door. Cole’s hand fumbled to locate the elevator button, but his tongue never left my mouth. I reveled in his taste, minty and sweet, his scent hugging me with its masculine musk. I bit his lower lip and moaned.
The elevator door opened behind me, and Cole rushed in. My hands wrapped around his neck, my fingertips coiled around his soft hair. We made out for minutes before he moved to hit the penthouse button.
Through the groping, kissing and grinding, we managed to find ourselves on the table of the foyer. His hands lifted my dress over my head, my pebbled nipples erect through my bra. Cole lowered himself, slowing his pace as he kissed up my thighs. His fingers played with the seam of my thong driving me insane before he yanked it away from my body tearing the fragile material. My bra followed the pile on the floor.
My hands fumbled to unbutton his shirt as he dropped his pants and boxers. Standing before me was my Mr. Sexy, Mr. Come Hitter, My Mr. Toe Curler. My mouth watered looking at his chiseled chest, defined abs, and his perfect V that ended at his thick, long cock. Ready to pound into me, his pre-cum pooled at the tip, and my tongue slid across my lips. His hand trailed my body, flicking my nipples in passing as his hand lifted my chin to meet his hazel eyes.
“Lie back,” he spoke softly.
My back was flush against the foyer table. Cole adjusted himself at my entrance. Pushing inside of me, he fed my hunger for him—a hunger only he could tame.
His pace was slow at first, allowing me to feel every single inch of him. Pulling out to the tip, he repeated the process over and over again. I could never get enough of him because it was never the same. My back arched as my orgasm began to build. I moaned sweet renditions of his name, my skin igniting, goose bumps rising with each thrust. With his eyes glued on mine, he drove deeper, the pace remaining slow as if savoring the seconds that passed between us. My hands ran across my chest. Cupping my breasts, I took my nipples between my fingers.
“I’m…”
My words failed me. Cole looked deep into my eyes and knew what I was trying to say, what I needed from him.
“Me too.”
Holding my thighs, he drove deep inside of me releasing himself. The gushes of his orgasm were all I needed to push me off the brink, and we came together, the world around us unknown as we traveled to the abyss.
When I could feel my body again, I felt Cole on top of me, his rapid breath coming in and out. His head in the nook of my neck, and my hands wrapped around him, caressing the muscles on his back.
“Sex with you is never dull.”
Cole turned his face slightly, kissing my chin. “It’s not me, Kat. It’s us.” He pushed off the table, pulling out and walking over to the hallway powder room to clean himself up before returning with a washcloth for me.
Grabbing our clothes from the ground, I followed Cole into his bedroom. He pulled on his Calvin Klein pajama pants that were neatly folded at the bottom of the bed, and I roamed his closet looking for something to wear.
“Katherine?” Cole called from his bedroom.
“Coming.”
I stepped back into the master bedroom as he walked out of his bathroom. My heart ached as I remembered our last night in there. The night I allowed my walls to fall. The day I chose to be his.
He leaned against the doorframe and watched as I buttoned his large shirt on my body. “What?” I asked, mimicking his pose on the closet doorway.
“Nothing.” He shook his head as he reached out his hand for me. “Are you hungry? I can make you some dinner.”
My hands locked with his as we walked back towards the kitchen. “What are you in the mood for?” He released my hand and pulled open the refrigerator door.
“Pancakes.” I tried to keep a serious face, but I couldn’t help smirking.
Redemption (Savior Seires Book 2) Page 15
