by Kaylee Quinn
Oh God, I was rambling. What was wrong with me? I needed to stop talking, but I was so nervous, so embarrassed, that it was difficult to gain control of my speech.
“I suppose it doesn’t matter right now,” I sighed, trying for levity. “What’s done is done. If you don’t mind, I’m just hoping you’ll accept my apology and then we can just…move on.”
He furrowed his brow, but said nothing. The expression was unnerving and uncomfortable. It was also damn sexy. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel as if he was considering more than my fate at the company. There was this intensity there, this . . . hunger.
“I’m sure you’re mad about what’s on the voicemail,” I said. “I’d be mad too, if it happened to me. I just wanted to let you know that I’m truly sorry for my inappropriate behavior. If you could find it in your heart to let me keep this job, I’ll do anything to make it up to you and become the type of model employee you’d be proud to have at Barrett World Class.”
He didn’t move, didn’t speak. As the silence stretched out once more, my heartbeat quickened, and liquid heat slid down between my thighs. The air in the room became thick and heavy, and I found it difficult to breathe. Tingles of awareness danced over my skin, and a dull ache formed between my thighs. Sitting there, under his stern gaze, my panties became damp and my nipples, hard. I imagined him getting up from his seat and closing the distance between us. Pulling me to my feet, he’d kiss me with those firm, commanding lips until all of the air left my lungs. I’d tear at his clothes, desperate to feel his skin under my fingertips. He’d growl like an animal and grab my ass, dragging me closer so I could feel his large cock…
“Anything,” he murmured.
I blinked back the images in my head and struggled to keep my rising desire at bay. “Excuse me?”
He uncrossed his arms. “You used that word again, ‘anything.’ You said that you would do ‘anything’ to make it up to me.’”
“That’s right. I’ll do anything. Anything you want.”
His nostrils flared, and his gaze darkened. “I will take that under consideration.” His voice was soft, but firm, and his tone caused my entire body to heat.
He steepled his fingers and pressed his lips against them as he stared at me, considering. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat. I had never felt so uncomfortable, or so turned on, in my entire life.
“Anything,” he murmured. Finally, he lowered his hands and straightened. “I will need time to consider what punishment is appropriate. For now, I want you to go make those phone calls. Remember, I don’t want you to lose one account. Not one.”
I couldn’t hide the surprise from my features. “Y-Yes, sir.”
“Call me as soon as you finish, no matter the hour.” He reopened the folder on his desk and began to read.
“Of course, sir.” I didn’t mention that it was already three o’clock, or that it was a Friday and most of the clients would be heading out to enjoy the weekend. I knew mentioning such things would only put him in a worse mood, so instead I scrambled out of my seat and tried to get out of there as quickly and quietly as possible. I had almost made it to the office door when he spoke once more.
“One more thing.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to face him.
“Yes?”
“Your panties. Leave them.”
I blinked, stunned. “I’m sorry, I must have misunderstood you.”
He looked up from the folder and stared at me with a level gaze. “Your panties. Leave them here with me.”
I was too shocked to speak.
My thoughts had completely stopped, maybe for the first time in my life. There was nothing but ringing in my ears, my breath hissing, heart pounding, nipples tight and hard and pussy suddenly drenched.
I had no choice.
I didn’t want to have a choice.
With shaking hands, I put my cardigan on the chair and did my best to reach up under my long skirt and wiggle out of my underwear.
They weren’t anything fancy, just light blue panties--not the lacy black thong I would’ve preferred them to be. Now, looking at them in my hand, I realized how utterly ordinary they were. It was embarrassing enough that I had to take them off in front of this man.
“Where—where would you like me to put them?” The scent of my arousal rose up from the damp cotton in my hand, betraying how much his presence turned me on.
“On my desk, Ms. Chambers.” He kept his gaze focused on his folder as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
Moistening my lips, I crumpled up the underwear to hide the evidence of my desire and placed it on the edge of his desk, away from his computer. Stepping back, I grabbed my cardigan and cleared my throat.
“Will that be all?”
My voice trembled as my eyes watered.
“For now.” He dropped the folder next to my panties and turned toward his computer screen. “I will let you know my decision in due time.” He started typing, making it clear to me that our conversation was over.
Heat burned my cheeks as I hurried out of the room and back to the safety of my office. As I shut the door and leaned against it, I imagined him sitting there, typing some corporate memo while my panties sat at his side. My scent would drift up and distract him, and he’d look at it from time to time as he considered my punishment.
My punishment.
I don’t know why, but the thought of Drake Barrett punishing me sent tendrils of heat through my body. What happened back there was so improper, yet so fucking sexy. I wondered if he had been as turned on by our encounter as I had, and what other knots his devious mind would make me tie myself in for his enjoyment.
I realized in that moment that I hoped there would be much more to come, and that scared me almost as much as the man himself.
Chapter 4
“I’ll send over the paperwork early next week. Thank you.” I hung up with the last corporate client and placed my head in my hands. God, what an exhausting day.
It had been a grueling seven hours since I had returned to my office from my dreamlike encounter with Drake Barrett. After briefly reflecting on our meeting, I had shoved all of my feelings aside and gotten to work. Fantasizing about him wasn’t going to help me keep my job. If I stood any chance of staying, I needed to call these clients before the end of the business day and inform them of the new policy changes.
The fact that I was now doing my job sans panties was distinctly sexy. I’d never really felt sensual before, but since taking off my underwear for Drake, I suddenly did.
How utterly strange.
Since it was already four o’clock in Boston, I started with the east coast corporations. As expected, everyone balked at the rate increase. I argued that the hotel was under new management now, and the new prices were based on the luxury and status of the Barrett Hotel brand. It pushed me out of my comfort zone to be so insistent and forceful, and yet, people seemed to respond to my change in tone. One by one, the clients grudgingly accepted the new terms. I worked my way west of Boston, calling the corporations one by one, until this last client in California finally agreed to stay.
In the end, I had managed to pull off the impossible and keep all of the business accounts. It was difficult work, but gratifying as well. With each call, my pitch had become more and more rehearsed. With each agreement, my confidence grew. Now, upon reflection, I had to admit that I did a pretty good job at retaining all of the accounts. I knew that Mr. Barrett would be pleased.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I had not only missed lunch, but dinner. I couldn’t think of having food right now, however. Mr. Barrett had wanted me to call him as soon as I had gone through the list. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I noticed that it was already ten in the evening, well past quitting time. I wondered if he was still in his office, or if he had gone home for the day. I wasn’t sure if I should bother him off-hours, but he did seem rather insistent that I notify him onc
e the work was complete. In the end, I decided to give him a quick call. I’d leave a message and then hurry to the department store nearby so I’d have something to wear to work in the morning.
As soon as I pulled out my cell, it beeped with an incoming message. The text was brief and to the point. Mr. Barrett wanted me to come to his office right away. The timing was eerie, as if he knew I had just finished for the day. I considered the possibility of him monitoring my calls, then dismissed it. That would be ridiculous. He had no reason to listen in on my work conversations. Drake Barrett was in charge of Barrett World Class and a very busy man. I was sure he had better things to do with his time than sit around and listen to me make dull calls to clients—especially clients that weren’t even worth the ink it would take to become a line item in his budget.
His lunch expenses were probably worth more than all of my clients put together.
Instead of texting him back, I pulled my cardigan closer around my body and hurried down the empty hall toward his office. On the way, I stopped and the bathroom and quickly tidied my appearance. After taking out my ponytail and running my fingers through my hair, I adjusted my bra so that my boobs stood up straighter and fidgeted with my skirt. Satisfied that I didn’t look like a disheveled mess, I made my way back to his office to inform him of my good news.
Like the hall, the reception area was dimly lit and empty. I sighed with relief knowing that the cranky receptionist had gone home for the day. The door to his office had been opened a crack, and bright light spilled through the opening, slicing through the dreariness of the room. Fear and anticipation rippled through me as I walked toward the light.
He was probably still angry about the voicemail. While I had been calling clients, he had been deciding what to do with me.
I knocked on his door and waited.
“Come in, Ms. Chambers. I have been expecting you.”
Clearing my throat, I pushed open the door with a shaking hand. I’m not sure what I expected to see, but it sure wasn’t the scene that met me once I stepped into the room.
Drake Barrett had not been idle during the time we had been apart. File folders littered his desk, covering every inch of available space. He had abandoned his suit coat and tie, placing them on a brass coatrack set up in the corner. His sleeves had been rolled up to his elbows, and his hair appeared slightly mussed, as if he had been running his fingers through it.
He had looked handsome before, but now, seeing him slightly disheveled, I felt as if I was getting a glimpse at something entirely different. In all of his photos on the internet, he had looked very polished and refined. This was a new Drake Barrett, one I suspected he didn’t let many people see. I felt as if he had granted me a gift, a peek into his more private life. Knowing this, it made me all the more attracted to him. He looked sexy as hell.
He put down the stack of papers he was holding and looked up at me with the same, steely gaze he had used the last time I was in his office.
I had no idea why he called me into his office, or what kind of mood he was in. As a result, I hovered by the door in case I needed to make a quick escape.
“I called the corporate accounts, just like you wanted,” I said. “It took a lot of convincing, especially after the rate hike this past summer.” I flashed him a nervous grin. “But they all agreed to stay on. I just got off the phone with the last client just now.”
He steepled his fingers and continued to watch me. As the silence stretched, I shuffled my feet and cleared my throat.
“So.” He lowered his hands. “You did your job…do you want a medal?”
I shook my head. “No, I just thought—”
He stood and tapped his desk, drawing my attention to where his phone and my panties were located. I swallowed and folded my hands in front of me.
“I listened to your little voicemail. And I made notes of every insult.” He clasped his hands behind his back and strode purposefully out from behind his desk.
“I’m sorry.”
He stopped in front of me and dragged his gaze down the length of my body. As he did, my skin tingled and I became hyper-aware of his close proximity. “Of course you are.” He flicked his gaze up to meet mine and lingered there, holding me captive with his dark and unreadable stare. “But that doesn’t change the facts.” He stepped around me, and as he did my hands began to tremble.
This is it, I thought. He’s going to fire me. The prospect of losing this job bothered me on multiple levels. I needed the money, yes, but there was another reason why I wanted to keep working at the hotel. Whenever I was in a room with this man, the air seemed to heat with electricity. I was both drawn to him and repelled. He fascinated me with his seductive voice and the way he stared at me with such intensity. He infuriated me with the way he treated other people and how he made such impossible demands. Whenever we were close, I was equal parts frightened and infatuated. At this moment, I didn’t think I could walk away from him if I tried.
And I knew that I would beg, scrape, do anything he asked to keep my position and continue to be near him.
As he disappeared from view, I glanced up at the ceiling and tried to calm my frazzled nerves. Part of me wanted to turn around and see what he was doing behind my back, but my feet seemed to be rooted to the floor.
He stepped closer, and I felt his body heat caress my shoulders and back. He was so much larger than my five-foot-three frame, and standing this close to him made me realize just how big and intimidating he could be. Thanks to the late hour, we were the only two people left in the office area of the hotel. There was no one around to come to my rescue if I needed help. He was in complete control of the situation. Drake Barrett could do what he wanted with me and I was helpless to stop him.
This realization should have left me frightened. Instead, it made me wet and needy.
He bent down until his lips were inches away from my ear. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper, but his words shook me to the core.
“Now that I have your voicemail, I could send it to every one of my industry contacts and you would never work at another hotel, another restaurant—never get a job in the hospitality field ever again. Not anywhere in the world.”
I chewed my lower lip and closed my eyes as his warm breath brushed over my neck. Oh God please, no. I had spent so much time learning this industry and preparing for this job. If I wasn’t able to find a job in the hospitality business, where could I go? I wasn’t trained or educated to work anywhere else.
He moved away once more, and as he did, tears stung my eyes. I did my best to blink them back. I didn’t want him to see how upset he had made me with his words, or how fearful I was about my future.
“I have a good mind to do just that, but I won’t,” he finished.
I opened my eyes and turned my head, almost bumping into him. “You won’t?”
Not more than a sliver of air separated us, and as he dipped his gaze to my mouth, heat rushed through my veins. My breathing hitched, and my nipples tightened as I parted my lips slightly in surprise. I’m not sure what he saw there, but whatever it was seemed to firm his decision in his mind.
“No, not yet anyway.” He cleared his throat and straightened away from me. “Instead, I have thought of another way you can make up for your moment of . . . impulsivity and irresponsibility.” He moved to the side of his desk and turned to face me. “You did say that you would do anything to make it up to me, did you not?”
“Yes, of course. I’d do anything.”
“Good.” He clasped his hands behind his back once more. “I have decided on your punishment, then.”
I reached out and grabbed the edge of the black leather chair to steady myself. “You have?”
He gave a brief nod. “I will give you a series of ten punishments—ten acts that you must complete. That is one act for each insult you gave me during your little tirade in the ladies room.” He considered me a moment before continuing. “After that, your debt will be fulfilled and I wi
ll erase the only copy of the voicemail.”
Well, that didn’t sound too bad. Hope blossomed in my chest. “And my job, sir?”
“That too.” He turned away from me and strode behind the desk. “You will be able to keep your job, as well. Do you agree?”
I considered his words and weighed them against the alternative. Ten punishments seemed like a lot, and I had no idea what form they would take. His demand that I make it up to him in this way was both outrageous and out of line.
It also continued to arouse me.
What was wrong with me? It wasn’t right to have these feelings about something so sick and twisted. If I was smart, I’d walk out of his office right now while I still had my dignity and never look back.
Maybe file a sexual harassment lawsuit. Then I could make all the money I’d ever need and certainly teach Drake Barrett a lesson about how he treated people.
And yet. . . I couldn’t bring myself to do it. While his offer was improper, it was also exciting in a way that nothing in my life had been up until now.
Everything had been so ordinary, so average. Family.
School. Responsibilities.
A typical job working typical hours.
So dull.
I hadn’t known just how dull until Drake came along and turned everything upside down, made my adrenaline pump, made my body feel things it had never felt before. I didn’t want to go back to boring and ordinary so soon.
There was also some twisted part of me that was curious about what form his punishments would take. He seemed so strong, so much larger than life. Agreeing to his proposal would force me to submit to his powerful presence, something that sent a bolt of electricity through my core.
