Brash

by Sophie Stern

She doesn’t say anything and I wonder what she’s thinking. For the millionth time, I wish I could read her mind. Usually, her thoughts are all over her face. Usually, she’s very easy to read, but tonight, Rose is a closed book.

  “It was a long day, Parker King. I just thought it would be nice to unwind a little bit.”

  She motions for the bartender, who comes over. Rose pulls out her wallet and hands him a couple of bills, but he shakes his head.

  “Already taken care of,” the man says, and jerks his head toward me. Rose looks surprised. Is she shocked I can be a gentleman? Or is she just annoyed I didn’t trust her to take care of herself?

  “Come on, little flower,” I say, taking her hand. “Let’s get you home.”

  We get into my car and Rose looks around.

  “What about my car?” She asks.

  “What about it?”

  “What if someone breaks in?”

  “No one is going to steal a Saturn, Rose.”

  “I like that car,” she insists.

  “I’ll have someone come get it,” I tell her. “Give me your keys.” She hands them to me and I get out of the car. I call up one of my security guys who works nights. He promises to come get the car and I promise to give him a bonus. I leave the keys with the bartender, along with another twenty, and go back to my car.

  Rose is curled up in the passenger side of the car and she’s fast asleep, like a little kitten. For a second, I just look at her. She’s so damn sweet. So much of me wishes that we could be together in every way. Something tells me I wouldn’t be satisfied with just one night. Not with Rose.

  I should take her back to her apartment, but instead, I find myself driving to my house. It’s really more of a mansion, but there are plenty of guest rooms. I park and glance over at her, but she doesn’t wake up. She doesn’t even stir. I gather Rose up in my arms like a princess, and I carry her into the house.

  It’s after midnight when we get inside and most of my staff has either gone home or to bed. The house is silent as I make my way up to the second floor and down the hall. Rose stirs in her sleep and I hold her closer to myself, not wanting the moment to end, not wanting the night to come to a close.

  Tomorrow, everything will return to normal.

  Tomorrow, everything will go back to how it usually is.

  Tomorrow, the princess returns to the castle and I’ll go back to my dungeon of isolation and loneliness.

  But that’s not until tomorrow.

  I make my way to a guest room and set her down on the bed. I grab a purple quilt from the foot of the bed and spread it over her. She stretches, yawns, and rolls over, then continues sleeping. For just a second, I watch her and wonder how my life would be different if she was the one I fell in love with instead of Janine.

  I don’t think Rose ever would have hurt me the way Janine did, but now it’s too late. Now I’m too broken, untrusting. Now I’m too jaded to truly love someone like Rose.

  Now I’m too dark.

  I leave the room and shut the door quietly, wondering how I’m going to face the world tomorrow knowing she’ll never be mine.

  6

  Rose

  I’m not in my bed.

  I wake up and I’m not in my bed.

  Fuck.

  The last thing I remember is peeling out of the parking lot and heading to The Grizzly Bear, which is my favorite country bar. I was upset with Parker for turning down something as simple as post-work drinks. I only invited him for drinks. That’s it. Drinks.

  I don’t remember anything after getting to the bar.

  How much did I drink?

  And whose bed am I in?

  It’s a weird thought, that I’m in someone’s home and I have no recollection of getting there. I sit up, slowly. I still have all of my clothes on. Good. I didn’t get raped or murdered last night. As strange as it is, this is reassuring to me.

  The room I’m in is bright and big. The back wall of the room, across from the bedroom door, is entirely windows and the curtains are all open, so the sun is shining in. The bed is huge and sits against the right side of the room. It’s a four-poster bed and it’s got curtains attached. I feel like a medieval princess. The opposite side of the room has a little sitting area with chairs and a fireplace.

  I get up out of bed and immediately groan and sit back down. Hangover it is, then. I notice a bottle of water next to the bed and I grab it and chug it, then pick up the note next to the bottle.

  Rose,

  I’m sorry to leave before you wake up, but I need to get to the office. Take your time getting to work. Your car is outside and I had some clothes brought in for you.

  See you at work,

  Parker King

  As I hold the note, I slowly begin to remember bits and pieces from the night before. They come to me like snapshots of memories I didn’t know I had.

  Parker showing up to the bar.

  Flash.

  Getting in his car.

  Flash.

  Him carrying me to bed.

  Flash.

  His goodnight kiss on my forehead.

  Flash.

  I close my eyes and hold the note, trying to remember more. Did I say anything? Did I do anything? I know I didn’t throw myself at him and I know Parker didn’t take advantage of me. He’s not that kind of guy, and suddenly, I realize just how lucky I really am that he picked me up.

  Other people would not be as kind or as respectful.

  And I’m kind of stupid for drinking so much without a way to get home. The night could have ended so much worse than it did.

  I grab my purse, which is also on the nightstand, and I pull out my phone.

  Five missed calls from Stephanie.

  I need to call her back, but I also need to pee. Despite the hangover, despite the nausea that’s definitely going to attack me as soon as I stand up, I decide to risk it.

  I manage to get out of bed and head toward the bathroom. I call Stephanie back on my way across the bedroom.

  “You bitch!” She says, but there’s no malice in her voice.

  “Good morning to you, too,” I say.

  “What happened last night? Tell me everything.”

  “Um…did I text you?”

  “No!” She says. “You butt-dialed me and when I called you back, Parker answered the phone.”

  “Shit.”

  “No, he was really sweet,” she insists. “He told me you were going to spend the night and he gave me his personal cell number in case I got worried about you.”

  Of course he did.

  Because he’s the perfect gentleman.

  Unfortunately, I have a feeling my drunken behavior last night not only ruined my chances of seducing Parker, but could quite possibly impact my position at work. No, there was nothing in his note to indicate that he’s thinking of firing me, but let’s get serious: apparently, I’m untrustworthy.

  “I don’t remember anything,” I admit, walking into the gorgeous bathroom. It’s got a tub and a walk-in shower and not one, not two, but three sinks.

  And this is Parker’s guest room. It’s just one of many, I’m guessing, and suddenly, I hope I’m able to find my way out of his house and to the driveway. A girl could get lost in a place like this. Then again, I can’t say I would actually mind getting lost here.

  “Apparently, you were upset and went drinking alone. He was worried, so he followed you, and then, according to him, did what ‘any man who isn’t a total piece of shit’ would do. He took you back to his place and sent you straight to bed. Alone.”

  “Alone.”

  “How are you feeling?” Stephanie’s voice softens. I can hear people in the background and I realize she’s already at work. I don’t even know what time it is.

  “Hungover,” I admit. “I’m sorry if I’m bugging you at work.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she says. “And Rose?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t over-think this. You haven’t ruined your cha
nces. In fact, I think Parker might be a little bit into you.”

  “He didn’t even make a move last night.”

  “Exactly. If he wasn’t interested in you as a person, or interested in a relationship, he would have taken advantage of you, and he didn’t.”

  “He didn’t,” I repeat.

  She’s right.

  I don’t want to get my hopes up, but suddenly I wonder if Stephanie has been right all along. She’s always insisted that Parker and I were made for each other, but I always blew her off because, well, he’s Parker.

  He’s my boss.

  He’s fucking hot as hell and dirty and naughty and so far out of my league.

  “Listen,” I say, not ready to admit my friend is right. “You haven’t seen the women he dates. They’re thin, like really thin. They’re all models.”

  “And how many of them has he gone to rescue from a bar?”

  I can’t answer that.

  “And how many of them has he taken the time to put to bed alone?”

  I press my lips together.

  “And how many of them has he called their best friend to promise they’ll be all right?”

  I don’t say anything.

  “Rose, this guy cares more than you want to admit, honey, but I think he’s waiting for you to make the move. It’s all up to you now. The ball is in your court. What are you going to do with it?”

  That’s the big question, isn’t it?

  Am I going to pussy out again, the way I have with so many other things in my life?

  Or am I going to fight for Parker King?

  7

  Parker

  My entire morning flies by. I have four back-to-back meetings with investors and potential clients, followed by a hasty lunch in my office. Luckily, Christina thinks ahead and orders in. Otherwise, I’d be starving as I pour over paperwork and contracts on my own. I’m so lost in my work that I don’t have time to deal with phone calls or the two drop-in clients who don’t seem to find it necessary to schedule appointments. Usually, Rose handles all of those things, but I don’t want to force her to hurry in to work today.

  I want to let her take her time.

  I like Christina. She’s a great receptionist and she does a wonderful job with scheduling, but she’s not Rose and without my girl today, I feel a little lost. Part of me thinks I shouldn’t feel this way, yet I do.

  I try not to think about her.

  Instead, I focus on making sure each contract is perfect and ready for afternoon meetings. At 1:00, I decide to call my housekeeper to make sure Rose woke up and isn’t trapped in the bathroom puking from a hangover. As I reach for the phone, though, the door opens and she walks in.

  Rose walks in.

  And she looks like a fucking knockout.

  “You found the clothes,” I manage to say, eyeing the dress that’s much too tight, the dress that shows off far too many of her delicate curves.

  “I did. Thank you for thinking of me,” she says, and closes the door behind her. I notice she locks it, but I don’t say anything. Why is she locking the door?

  Then Rose walks over to me. She moves behind my desk and I turn my chair so she’s right in front of me.

  “I was hurt when you wouldn’t hang out with me,” she admits, and I’m surprised. She’s always been so private about her feelings, about the things she holds close to her heart. She’s not one to talk about when someone hurts her or makes her feel unimportant.

  “It wasn’t anything personal,” I say slowly.

  “You don’t think of me in a romantic way,” she says simply, and then she shrugs. “I get it. It’s no big deal. You can’t help who you like, right?” Then Rose looks at me, really looks at me, and I’m instantly hard.

  Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

  “Rose,” I stand up and place my hands on her waist. “What are you saying to me? Because I think what you’re saying is that you like me, not as your boss, but as your lover. Is that what you’re saying?”

  She nods, and I don’t wait another second.

  I should.

  I should wait.

  I should make sure she’s certain, make sure she’s not just facing a lot of different emotions because she’s tired or because yesterday was crazy and long. I should make sure this is really what she wants, but I don’t because I know what I want.

  And what I want is her.

  I kiss Rose.

  I press my lips to her and I kiss her, dominate her, own her. Her fingers dig into my back as I kiss her like she’s the only woman in the world, like she’s the only one I see. I kiss her like nothing else matters, like I’m going to die without her on my lips.

  She lets out a soft groan and bites my bottom lip. I’m even harder now, even more aroused, and I know it’s not going to be long before we either have to stop or keep going. There will be no maintaining the status quo. There will be no continuing on with business as usual.

  There’s nothing usual about this.

  That’s the way it should be.

  She quivers as I kiss her and I know, just know, she’s as turned on by this as I am. I can sense it, feel it.

  “Parker,” she whispers my name, and I press harder against her. My entire cock is pressed against her belly. I know she can’t miss that, can’t miss the way she turns me on. I know she can’t miss what she does to me.

  “This is what you do to me, Rose. You turn me into an animal.”

  “You’re so hard,” she whispers. “I need you inside of me, Parker. I’ve wanted it for so long and now I just can’t wait anymore. Please, Parker. Please.”

  Please.

  She’s begging me for my cock.

  Rose, the sweet and innocent assistant, is begging for me to fuck her.

  And I’ve never been one to turn down a woman in need.

  8

  Rose

  “Turn around,” he growls, and I quickly obey.

  Obey.

  I obey him.

  Parker King has always been dominating at work. He’s always been in charge, and now he’s in charge of me in the most personal of ways.

  I’m not going to lie: I kind-of-completely love it. I love what he’s doing to me and how he’s making me feel. I love how he’s taking charge of me, of this, of us.

  He pushes me against the desk. My hands hit the polished mahogany top.

  “Beautiful,” he murmurs. I can feel his eyes on me: all of me. He runs his hands down my spine and over the curves of my bottom. Then he squeezes my ass, and I light up. My entire body tingles as he traces every inch of the dress he chose for me.

  “I’m glad you like what you see,” I say.

  “You know exactly what this dress does to me,” he steps closer and rubs his erection against my ass.

  Yeah, I fucking know what it does to him.

  “What are you going to do about it, big boy?” I taunt him, wondering how far I can push him, wondering how far I can take this. Right now, it’s not about the dare. It’s not about proving to Stephanie that I’ll follow through. It’s not about any of that. It’s just about him and me and this moment we’re sharing together.

  It’s just about the two of us, right now, right here.

  It’s just about taking what we should have taken a long time ago.

  Parker pushes my dress up and over my hips, revealing my bare bottom to him. He sucks in a breath and I smile to myself.

  “No panties?” He swats my ass. “Naughty girl.”

  “Just for you. I thought you’d like it.”

  “I did have lingerie delivered for you, if I remember correctly.”

  “Meh,” I shrug, glancing over my shoulder at him. “I can dress myself, Parker.”

  “Looks to me like you can’t,” he says. Then he spanks me again. It’s harder this time, louder.

  “Christina will hear,” I say, but he chuckles.

  “Good. Maybe she’ll learn a few things.”

  He spanks me again and again, warming my skin.
Each swat stings, but it’s a good pain. It’s not too serious or crazy or anything like that. I’ve had lovers before who were into BDSM on a deep level, and I get the feeling that Parker likes to play, but it’s not scary with him. Maybe he’ll push me past my limits at some point, but right now? Right now he’s just taking his time with me. Right now he’s just enjoying me.

  Teasing me.

  Taunting me.

  He runs his nails up and down the flaming skin on my ass. My nerves are awake, silently screaming at me for more, more, more.

  I want more.

  I want everything he has to give, and then I want more.

  “How does that feel, darling?”

  “Good,” I whisper.

  “Spread your legs,” he says. Then he kicks my feet apart with one of his, forcing me to spread my legs wide for him. I’m still bent over the desk, still on full display for him, and I kind of completely love this.

  I’ve spent way too much time fantasizing about Parker King. I’ve spent too much time hoping to land in his bed, too much time wanting to be the girl he was thinking about, hoping for, fucking hard.

  And now I am.

  His hands are on my thighs. He moves them up and down slowly, showing me there are many, many ways he can tease me and today, I think he plans to use everything at his disposal.

  “More,” I groan. I’m soaking wet. I can feel how wet my pussy is, feel how much I need him. I need him to fill me, complete me. I need him to give me his cock and give it to me hard.

  “More what, darling?” He stands behind me and presses his clothed cock against my ass. I grind up against him, seeking pressure and relief. I need a release and I need it soon. I don’t know how much more I can take before I explode.

  “Your cock,” I groan. “Please.” I close my eyes and wiggle, rubbing my ass against him. Parker leans down, reaches around my front, and pinches my nipples through the dress.

  “Impatient, aren’t you?”

  “I’ve waited years for this moment. Patience is overrated.”

  He plays with my nipples and bites my neck, then I hear him undoing his belt.