by M. S. Parker
“You want me to be, what, bait?”
I could tell by the look on her face exactly what she thought of that, but she at least looked like she was going to let me explain.
“No. Not bait. I’m not setting him up or trying to catch him. I couldn’t legally do that.” My smile was small and tight. “But he’s going to act how he’s going to act. I’d prefer him to do it in a place where nobody will make allowances for him and cover for him. And where I could take swift and immediate action.”
Aleena considered this for a moment and then gave a curt nod. “All right. But if he touches me one more time, I might just break his hand.”
That wouldn’t be an issue. If Mitchell Pence touched her one more time, he might not have any hands left to break. I hated men like him to begin with, ones who thought their position and power meant they could touch anyone they wanted, do whatever they wanted, no matter whom they hurt. I would’ve fired him no matter who’d been on the receiving end. That it had been Aleena just made it more personal.
Before she could move away, I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She’d started wearing it down when she worked and, while I loved how it looked, I found it terribly distracting, remembering what it looked like spread on my pillow. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “For understanding.”
When she looked back up at me, she was smiling. It wasn’t her usual bright, wide smile, but it was genuine.
I started to move closer, but suddenly realized that Amber was still in the room. I looked up, but she was already heading for the door.
“Smoke break,” she called over her shoulder.
I was pretty sure she was grinning, but I didn’t really care at the moment. I closed the distance between Aleena and I until we were closer than was workplace appropriate—but I didn’t touch her. I knew if I did, I couldn’t guarantee I’d be able to control myself. And with Mitchell Pence overdue, being caught kissing Aleena wouldn’t be good. I could, however, say one of the things that had been on my mind all morning.
“You were already up and in the shower when I woke up. I’d thought about joining you in your bed.”
A shiver ran through her.
With the exception of occasionally passing out for an hour or two after sex, we still didn’t sleep together. Either she went to her bed or we both went our separate ways, depending on where we’d had sex. She never asked to stay and I never told her I wanted her to. I wasn’t sure if I did, or even if she wanted to sleep in the same bed. And I had absolutely no clue how to broach the subject, even if I decided I wanted to.
But I did know that there was nothing quite so pleasurable as crawling into bed with Aleena in the morning and waking her up degree by slow degree—or perhaps I should say, inch by slow inch—when I came inside her and watched her wake up as she took me in. Or when I took advantage of her not being in her submissive role and woke her by bringing her to orgasm with my mouth and fingers before sliding into that tight, wet heat...
Her lips parted as if she was going to say something, but the elevator made a faint chime, interrupting.
We both stepped away. I took a shuddering breath as I moved into my office. Just before I closed the door, she slid me a look.
It was heated and full of promise.
Fuck. How was I supposed to concentrate when she was looking at me like that?
Closing the door, I strode to my desk, forcing myself to focus on the asshole I had to talk to. I pushed a button as I sat down and looked at the security feed going into my computer, including the monitor in the outer office, where Mitchell Pence was moving toward Aleena with a predatory look in his eyes.
I’d intended to stay quiet and let Aleena bring him in rather than me going out to get him, but I was flexible. Depressing the intercom, I kept my eyes on his face as I barked, “Aleena, has my ten-thirty shown up yet? This tardiness is unacceptable.”
Pence jerked to a stop and he spun away from Aleena. He made a slashing motion at her, drawing a hand across his throat. I knew what he meant, but there was still an air of menace to it that made my hands curl into fists. I wanted nothing more than the opportunity to hear his sniveling nose crunching under my knuckles.
“One moment, sir,” Aleena’s voice said through the intercom. She sounded calm and cool, but I could see the tension on the monitor.
Take your time. I hit the control that allowed me to hear the conversations out in the office. We didn’t have sound everywhere, but in my waiting room, I did. Amber had made sure of it since she was usually the one out there. Aleena only filled in when Amber wasn’t available. Like now.
Pence hissed, “Tell him my driver was late. A wreck in front of my hotel. Unavoidable. I called and left a message.”
“I don’t have a message, Mr. Pence.”
His eyes narrowed. “You will tell him I left a message. I don’t give a fuck if you have it or not.”
I couldn’t see Aleena’s face, but I didn’t need to. I heard the reproach in her voice. “Perhaps you should give him the message, Mr. Pence. I’ll let him know you’re here.” Before he could say anything else, Aleena hit the button. “Mr. Snow? Your appointment is here. He wanted me to tell you about a wreck. In front of his hotel.”
I grunted. “Bring him back, please. Thank you.” Instead of shutting down the security feed, I split the screen and brought up the news. He’d asked for a room at the Waldorf. A wreck there may or may not make the news, depending on how big of a wreck it was, but hey, I could at least pretend to look.
Aleena opened the door. Pence stood a little too close behind her. Aleena quickly stepped out of his way, but he still managed to brush into her as he came inside. “Thanks, sugar,” he said, his voice jovial.
“Ms. Davison.”
She arched a brow. “Yes, Mr. Snow?”
I shook my head at her and then glared at Mitchell Pence.
He came striding toward me, hand outstretched. Roughly five feet away, he realized something was wrong and he slowed. “Good morning, Dominic.”
It took all my control to keep my tone even half-way civil. “Her name, Mitchell, is Ms. Davison. Not sugar. Not sweetheart. Not honey. Not even Aleena. You will call her Ms. Davison. Period.”
Slowly, the smile faded from his face and he lowered his hand to his side. He glanced over at Aleena and then back at me. He tried for the kind of smile that I’d seen men like him give when they were caught. “Look, Dominic. I think I know where this is coming from. I know I had a few too many last week and I’d be happy to apologize—”
“Good.” I sat down behind my desk and gestured toward Aleena, letting her know she could go. “I’ll have her work email address forwarded on to you. A formal letter of apology for your sexist, racist remarks would go a long way in convincing me that you understand my obvious concerns. Please be sure to copy the email to me so I can make sure it gets into your file.” I gave him a thin smile. “It will smooth things over on your transfer here.”
Pence gaped at me.
“Now, let’s discuss your job des—”
The shock subsided and he leaned forwarded, hands braced on my desk. “Wait a minute.”
Head cocked, I asked, “I’m sorry. Was I unclear? I can have Amber come in to dictate and send the notes to your email, if you wish.”
“I don’t want anybody dictating something to me.” He bit off each word, his eyes narrow. He had the sort of tan that came from a tanning bed, artificial and almost painstakingly perfect. There were faint, pale lines around his eyes from where the protective lenses sat when he lay on the bed. I wondered if he’d had a hair transplant too. I seemed to remember him having a slight bald spot in one of the company’s pictures.
Hands braced on the desk, he leaned in. “Are you really expecting me to write that girl a fucking letter? Because I responded when she flirted with me?”
So that’s how you’re going to play it. Pushing back from the desk, I folded my hands on my lap and said, “That is how a formal apology usually goes. You wr
ite a letter. The one you offended reads it. It’s done.”
“Look, Snow—”
“Mr. Snow.” I snapped back and pointed at a seat. When he went to snarl, I held up a hand. He sat down. “Before we get off track, I assume you received the information I sent you last night?”
He made a dismissive gesture. “Yeah. What of it?”
“You read it?”
Pence crossed his arms, looking more like a petulant child than a grown man. “Sure.”
“Good. Then you’ll know sexism, racism, anything that demeans any human being because of their race, sex, class, sexual preference…none of that is tolerated here, and is grounds for immediate termination, regardless of any deals or contracts.” I gave him a moment for that to sink in. “Since you and Aleena started off on the wrong foot, it will be best to smooth things out so your transfer here goes smoothly.” I paused and then smiled at him. “You do want it to go smoothly, I assume. Unless you want to return and work under Miriam Beckham?”
A vein pulsed in his temple. “I want to be where the action is, Mr. Snow.”
“Then let’s get to work.”
I gave him a week.
***
He didn’t make it two hours.
Aleena had one hand on my arm, as if to hold me back, although it wasn’t necessary. I was done.
Mitchell Pence was on the floor, gagging, curled up in the fetal position and cradling his balls.
You must suck cock really well. You’ve got Snow twisted—
I’d heard that much come out of his mouth before Aleena had shoved him back and told him to get away from her. If she’d looked at me the way she’d been looking at him, I’d have been running for the door.
Not him. He’d grabbed her arm and I’d seen red.
My brain had somehow managed to function even when some primal part of me had been processing along the basest level, because while I was imagining ripping his dick off and choking him with it, I’d heard myself calmly telling him to gather his things. Security would escort him out.
He’d pushed me. Not physically, but with a few remarks I’d assumed he’d thought were sly and clever.
I’d just smiled at him and pushed back, mentioned a few things I’d heard here and there regarding his sexual prowess...or lack thereof.
He’d hit me and I’d laughed, saying that must’ve meant the rumors were true.
He’d hit me again and that was when I’d let myself drive my fist into his mouth. Blood spurted and I was pretty sure I felt a few teeth crack. Even as he reeled back, I’d caught his tie and stopped him, jerked him close and did my best to shove my knee into his chest cavity via his groin. I didn’t usually hit below the belt. Most men wouldn’t. After what Aleena had told me about her conversation with Miriam Beckman’s husband regarding Mitchell, I figured Pence deserved it.
He was still twitching and shuddering, making odd little noises.
“Come on,” I said. “Get up.”
His eyes wheeled toward me and he scrabbled at the floor. I wanted to kick him until he begged me to stop. Make him apologize to Aleena and every other woman he’d ever put his slimy little hands on. I wanted to beat the shit out of him for ever thinking he could force his attentions on someone who didn’t want them...
“Dominic, love,” Aleena said softly. “It’s enough.”
Her voice pulled me back and when I looked down at her, I realized my hands were shaking. She squeezed my arm as the doors to the elevators slid open and security stepped out. I watched Amber and Aleena share a look as Aleena dropped her hand. She didn’t move away from me though. Amber stepped towards the security guards as Aleena spoke.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, Mr. Snow.”
Her words didn’t make any sense until I felt her guiding me back towards my office. I went with her, trying to tie down the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. Once inside, she shut the door and went to my private bathroom. A few moments later, she came out with a wet paper towel and reached for my hand. She began to wipe the blood from my bruised knuckles, the touch of her skin burning my already overheated flesh.
I needed.
I reached for her and she made no move to stop me as I picked her up. Her legs went around my waist as I leaned her back against the door. I pushed up her skirt as she fumbled with the front of my pants. I was so hard it hurt.
I needed.
I pushed aside the crotch of her panties and had just enough presence of mind to meet her eyes. She nodded and I drove into her.
She made a low noise, her body shaking with the effort to stay quiet.
Staring into her eyes, I covered her mouth with my hand and watched, waited for her response. All she did was twist against me, her eyes closing with a slow flutter of her lashes.
I needed.
I slammed into her again.
I hadn’t had a chance to pull even a third of the way out before she was rising to meet me, her mouth moving against my palm, tongue teasing, teeth scraping.
Mine.
I couldn’t speak. Through the door, I could hear the voices of my security team talking with Amber. If I spoke, they’d hear. So I thrust into her harder and faster, telling her with every stroke what I couldn’t say out loud.
I needed.
Mine.
Over the barrier of my hand, her eyes opened, pleading in their pale green depths. I twisted my hips and angled my body until I slid directly across her clitoris. She shuddered around me.
Mine.
I needed. She needed.
That…just…like…
She came around me, wet and sweet and shaking, and I followed, emptying myself inside her, my anger draining away as I rested my forehead against hers for the few sweet seconds of oblivion our pleasure granted us.
It had only lasted a few minutes, the drama outside still playing through. A discreet knock at the door reminded me that I still had something I needed to deal with.
“Yes?” I grimaced as I pulled out. Fortunately, the paper towel Aleena had brought out for my hand was enough to clean me. She headed for the bathroom to take care of herself.
It was Amber and I had no doubt she knew we hadn’t merely been taking care of my hand. Still, she kept her voice professional. “Um. Mr. Murphy would like to know how you want him to deal with Mr. Pence?”
I considered asking if killing him and dumping the body in an alley somewhere would be an option.
Sighing, I glanced at Aleena as she came out of the bathroom. Her face was flushed, but she looked otherwise collected.
She nodded at me that she was ready and I opened the door. She followed me out, keeping a professional distance between us.
Coolly, I stared at the man who now stood cuffed between two uniformed guards, then turned my gaze to my head of security. “What are my options?”
Chapter 4
Aleena
“So it was that easy.” I stared at the wall. I rubbed my temples and murmured, “It almost feels like cheating.” I’d had a headache since Mitchell had been led out of the office, and it hadn’t let up even after we’d gotten home. I’d thought eating would help, but it hadn’t.
“It’s not cheating.” Dominic sat behind me his arms wrapped around my waist. We’d settled on the couch after a simple dinner of last night’s leftovers, my body automatically leaning into his. He made a low noise in his throat as he skimmed his lips up my neck. Then in a wry voice, he added, “And I wouldn’t call it easy.”
The bruise blooming on his cheek was still faint, but it would be live and in full color come morning. I’d given him ice at the office, but he’d taken the first blow on his cheekbone, the second on his jaw and the entire side of his face had been swollen. “I still can’t believe he hit you,” I said, shaking my head.
“Twice,” he reminded. “I let him hit me twice.”
“He still hit you and you still let him. Twice.” I sighed, confused. “Why?”
“It made sense.”
Slowly, I rub
bed the base of my neck. This so wasn’t helping my headache. “Okay. Just how do you figure it made sense to let him hit you?”
He took my hand and dropped it on my lap. A moment later, his fingers were massaging my neck, then working up, under my hair, to my skull. That did help my headache.
“Because I know guys like him.” He sounded smug, but kept up the massage. “I couldn’t just outright fire him, not the way things were. He might’ve tried to sue, claiming I’d never intended to really hire him, that I just did it to seal the deal and intended to fire him for some made-up reason. He thought he had me over a barrel. But once he’d been made aware of the company policy and signed the contract agreeing to it, I had a legitimate reason once he fucked up. I knew he wouldn’t go quietly though, so I had to apply a bit more pressure. He attacked me. He got two punches in and then I defended myself. I have him on assault. That’s going to look really bad on his record. He can either let this go and I’ll be quiet about it.” He shrugged. “Or I can get ugly about it. Which one do you think is going to work out better for him in the long run?”
Good grief. I shook my head. “You know, this corporate America world? It’s a lot more cutthroat than I would have thought. And I never thought it was all cuddly bunnies.”
“I can give you cuddling if that’s what you want.” He ran a hand down my shoulders and across my stomach, then up to palm my breast. His fingers sought out my nipple and began working it to a stiff, throbbing peak.
“That…” My voice hitched. “That’s not cuddling, Dominic.”
“No.” He tugged again, sending jolts of pleasure straight through me. “But it can lead to it.”
He continued to toy with me, teasing my nipple through the thin cotton of my shirt and bra. Staring hard at the flickering television screen, I tried to focus on whatever it was we’d started watching. I couldn’t even remember. He liked to play these games, stroke me and work me to a fever pitch while we talked about work or some mundane things.
