“You are excused.” He turns to her, his power like a red glow, radiating off him. “First off, you are Reagan’s assistant. You helped me while they were hiring someone to replace Beth. She has now been replaced. Ms. Miller is my new executive assistant, and if you need anything from me, you will go through her first. Is that understood?”
Suzy’s eyes are wide with shock. Her smile fighting not to turn upside down. Good. Cunt. Beat it.
“Yes, sure Roman, anything—”
“And for Christ’s sake, it’s Mr. Holloway,” he snaps. “We have a level of professionalism here.”
She quickly nods and pivots before scurrying out the door. I wave at her stiff back as she retreats. Roman’s attention is on me as he places his two giant hands on my shoulders.
“Now, let’s try this again,” he says in a soft voice, which works its way straight to my core. “How are you? Do you feel okay? When you weren’t here this morning, I was worried.” His hand raises to cup my cheek, and I lean into his touch. The scent of his cologne is overwhelming, and coupled with the way he just told that sleaze to beat it, my heart and libido react. I swear, ever since he knocked me up, my sexual appetite is out of control. Starved and unsatisfied. Trying to play hard to get when all you think about day and night is sex is impossible.
I grab for his head, plunging my fingers into his perfectly styled mane, and pull his lips down to mine. The instant groan rolling off his lips is euphoria to my ears, and I just want to crawl up his strong body. I lift on my toes, giving him the silent instruction to lift me up so I can straddle my legs around his waist.
But instead he clutches my hips and urges me back down while trying to break our kiss.
“Andie, we can’t do this here,” he murmurs, his voice hoarse with barely contained need. “Yes, we can,” I argue and try to stick my tongue back down his throat.
He pulls away, but I grab his hair and pull. Hard. I press my mouth back to his, parting my lips, and our tongues collide in a feverish kiss. He is not going to say no to me.
Okay, so maybe he is.
Another tug and he plucks me off him. His fingers curl around my shoulders, holding me at arm’s length. “Andie. No. This is my office. We can’t do this here.”
My mood plummets.
With a huff, I throw his hands off me and storm toward the door.
Roman sighs loudly. “Now where are you going?”
Gripping the doorknob, I whip around to face him. “You know,” I say with a slight shake to my voice. “I don’t understand you. You want me, but then you don’t.”
Roman throws his hands up. “What on earth are you talking about? When did I ever make you feel like I didn’t want you?”
“Right now.”
“We’re at work, Andie!”
“Well, it didn’t stop you and your girlfriend. Did I ruin your morning plans by actually showing up and—”
“Oh, just fucking stop already.”
“No. You stop. I see why this is a bad idea now. Because I’m going to ruin all your hook ups!” I finish on a yell.
Roman snaps his head up and whispers something that could be a prayer or a string of curse words up to the ceiling. Bringing his eyes back to me, he says, “Andie, I do not have hookups at work. This is a business.”
“Liar.” My voice sounds less angry, more emotional.
I watch his eyes soften. “I’m not lying. How can I prove it to you?” He takes a step toward me.
“Have sex with me. Here. Now.”
He groans, spearing his fingers into his now messy hair. “Andie,” he warns.
“You know what? Don’t you Andie me! I am all hot and horny and I need some fucking sex. This thing inside me is producing way too much of something, and now I have needs that aren’t getting fulfilled. If you aren’t willing to help me out, I’ll just find it elsewhere. I saw a cute guy in the mail—”
“Shut the door.”
“Wait. What?”
Roman starts pulling at his tie. “I said shut the damn door.”
My eyes light up.
Yes!
Winner.
My vagina claps together, thanking me for going the distance and not giving up. I don’t take my eyes off him as my hand fidgets with the door. With the lock in place, I watch as Roman removes his tie and begins unbuttoning his crisp white dress shirt. His white shirts are my favorite. They cling to his muscled torso and showcase his ridiculously defined body. I like the way his shoulders are broad but his body narrows down to a fit waist. He’s bulky but not meathead bulky. Just enough muscles to make a girl like me go wild with the need to lick every one of them.
“Get over here. Now.”
This is the side of him I crave. The man who demands. Takes and devours.
I release the handle and my thighs are already clenching together. The moment I make it to Roman, he grabs for me, lifting me up and placing my ass on my new desk. “Is this what you want, baby?” His voice a low grumble. His hands roam up my thighs painfully slow, while his lips brush against my earlobe. “Tell me what you want, Andie.” He sucks my earlobe into his mouth, and I let out a groan at the soft pressure of his teeth against my skin.
“I was hoping for less fucking talking and more actual fucking,” I whisper, desperately trying not to lose control, an impossible task. With his hands on me, his bare chest peeking through the undone buttons of his shirt, I finally snap, letting the animalistic need for him out.
His hands push my skirt up, hiking it way above my waist. When my black-laced thong is exposed, a soft growl leaves his perfect lips, and with no care, he rips the material.
“No fucking screaming,” he threatens in such a vicious voice, I nearly come right then. “Do you hear me? You want this so bad? Then you’ll stay quiet.” His gaze darkens. “Or I’ll gag you.”
Fuck, my clit pulsates at his threat. There is nothing I want more than for him to tie me up and fuck me hard against this brand-spanking-new desk.
“Why are you still fucking talking?” I ask, taking my hands and going for his belt. It’s off in a flash, and I’m unzipping his pants, pulling out his already hard cock.
God, he has the most beautiful cock I have ever seen.
Not that cocks are really supposed to be good looking, but damn, his…
Just fucking perfect.
Roman causes me to squeal when his hands grip my bare ass, pulling me to the edge of the desk. He aligns himself at the opening of my sopping wet sex. His eyes lock with mine and he utters, “Not a peep.” And before I can even respond, he slams into me.
My head instantly falls back. “God yes,” I moan as he pulls out and shoves himself deeper inside me.
“I said no talking,” he grunts as he thrusts in and out. He removes a hand from my ass cheek, plunging it into my hair. He pulls hard, causing my neck to stretch. His lips are on me instantly as he sucks on my sensitive skin.
“Fuck, yes, harder. Fuck me harder,” I demand, meeting him thrust for thrust. He crushes his lips to mine as he fucks me hard.
This is what I needed.
His thick cock inside me.
His sexy, plump lips on mine.
The scent of him and our arousal surrounding us.
“No…fucking…talking,” he growls against my lips as he pulls out and then slams back home. His movements are becoming aggressive and hard. Just how I like it. I’m starting to moan louder, like a cat in heat. This feels so…
It’s then that he makes good on his word. He grabs for his tie, bundling it up in his hand, and shoves it into my mouth. My eyes widen, but his are black with lust. He takes control, grabbing my hips, and thrusts, faster and faster, until I am gone. Lost. Overboard. Throwing myself off the highest orgasmic mountain. I moan loudly, even with the barrier as I break, coming all over his dick. Roman is right behind me and groans out as his release blasts through him.
Our breathing is labored. He pulls the tie out of my mouth. I allow my head to rest against his sweaty chest until I
’m able to feel safe that my heart won’t give out.
“That was just what the doctor ordered,” I mumble into his chest.
I feel his lips kiss the top of my scalp. I want to sigh, but brush off the urge.
“This was a one-time-only thing,” he tells me in a firm tone. “Understand?”
Bullshit it was. I give in to the sigh I held in moments ago, and I snap back into action. I push him off me. We forgot to use a condom, but I guess now it’s a moot point. I grab a few Kleenexes from the floral tissue holder and wipe myself up. Tossing the saturated tissue in the trash, I jump off the desk and pull down my skirt.
I watch as Roman goes to his closet and discards his shirt, along with his tie for a new one. I stand there adjusting my blouse while I admire the flexing muscles in his back as he throws the new shirt over his shoulders. He turns to me and I smile. We share a moment, both of us sated and in a good place.
Sadly, he speaks and ruins everything.
“So we need to talk about yesterday.”
Ugh. Not a chance. “No, we don’t.” I push away from the desk and head toward the door.
“Andie, yes,” he bites back, irritation in his voice. “We do. I want this. I should have a say.” His voice softens. “I want you to keep this baby.”
I whip around to face him as he buttons up his shirt. “And why? Give me one good reason? We don’t even like each other!”
He winces at my words. “What? How can you say that? I like you just fine. It’s you who has this vendetta against me, for some reason. If you would just let me—”
I pick up a stupid book off his shelf and whip it at him. It doesn’t hit him, unfortunately, but he gets the point.
“That was a first edition of Christine by Stephen King!” he barks at me, the muscles in his neck tense with fury.
“Oh, was it now?” I turn and grab the book next to it.
And toss it.
“What edition was that one?”
His eyes are now matching mine. Pure anger. “Knock it off, Andie.”
Wow.
Newsflash.
Telling me what to do? Big no-no.
Telling me while pregnant what to do? Huge mistake.
I raise my hand, ready to swipe all the books off the shelf, when his voice booms through the office. “Don’t you dare,” he warns me, taking a threatening step toward me.
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I hiss.
“Then stop acting so goddamned crazy.” The words fall from his lips, and the second they’re out, I notice the regret lacing his features. “Andie, I didn’t mean that.”
Yes, he did. I bite my stupid lower lip, which has a mind of its own.
“Shit,” he groans. “Baby, I’m sorry I didn’t mean—”
“I hate you,” I say, my voice quivering.
He stops his attempt to comfort me. “I know you do,” he replies, sounding defeated.
“It’s fine,” I choke out, trying desperately to not cry. “Because I’m here to work. I need the money because you knocked me up. Can’t have our child starve because you don’t know how to wrap it up.”
At that he smiles.
It both irritates me and sends a rush of damn butterflies fluttering around inside me.
“What the fuck are you smiling at?”
Big, stupid, handsome oaf.
He’s calling me crazy and he’s the one having mood swings over there.
“You said our child.”
Shit.
Oops.
“I meant whoever’s child. I’m not even sure it’s yours,” I lie.
His eyes darken again, and it makes my skin tingle with need. “Andie, it’s mine and you know it.”
“Nope,” I argue, hoping to poke the bear some more. “Could be anyone’s.”
He takes another menacing step closer to me. “Knock it off. You know—”
“What I know, Mr. Holloway, is that I need to get to work. Harassment is taken very seriously here, and I won’t hesitate to speak to HR about what just happened here today.”
His mouth parts in shock for a brief moment.
That’s right. I win. “Oh, and you might want to spray something in here. It smells like sex!” I fan my nose. “Phew.”
He glares at me as he makes a show of stalking over to the back credenza and plugging in a Scentsy warmer. Then he smirks, and says, “There. Crisis averted.”
“Fuck off.” I roll my eyes at him and head toward the door.
Idiot.
Leaving the smug bastard so he can assist his own goddamn self, I open the door to leave.
Before I succeed in exiting stage left, I run head-on into an older woman.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
“HEY, MOM,” I GREET WITH gritted teeth. When I meant I needed help, I didn’t mean the very next morning, or for her to show up at my office. “What are you doing here?”
Mom’s eyes twinkle in a knowing way. “I just wanted to come bring my kiddos some treats. That’s not a crime, is it?” She turns her sweet smile on Andie next. “My, my. And who is this stunning woman? I didn’t know you guys were hiring models.”
Jesus. Laying it on thick much?
Andie darts an unreadable look my way. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Andie looks petrified. Not my fiery, fierce girl. She’s not afraid of jack shit…certainly not my dainty mother.
“Andie, this is my mother, Virginia Holloway. Mom, this is Andie Miller my—”
“Executive assistant,” Andie blurts out and offers a shaking hand to my mom.
I was going to say…
My assistant.
My girlfriend.
My baby momma.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
“Oh,” Mom says with a wide grin. “The Andie.” Instead of taking Andie’s offered hand, she pounces on my girl and wraps her up in one of those hugs no one can deny. Andie is stiff for a moment but relaxes in her arms. Something like pride beats around in my chest at seeing the two of them. Mom eventually releases her but then takes Andie’s hands. “I’ve heard so much about you, sweetheart. Not just from Dani either. Roman just goes on and on about how wonderful—”
“He talks about me?” Andie questions, shock in her voice. Her eyes dart to mine in confusion. Unlike Stalker Suzy out in the hall, Andie’s eyelashes are sexy as hell as she bats them over and over again as if to try and make sense of the encounter.
“Of course he does. Smart, blonde, beautiful,” Mom chirps and then leans in, lowering her voice. “Worthy of a chase. Way to make him work for it, angel.” She then makes a clucking sound with her tongue. “I’m still upset you haven’t come for dinner, though. Surely he’s told you I’m a great cook.”
Andie’s cheeks are bright red, and she’s back to staring down at my meddling mother. “I, uh, I…” she stammers in response before shooting me a help-me glare.
“She’s been busy,” I offer as I come around my desk and pull Mom against me for a hug. “Andie was in between jobs but now that she’s here, everything should be smooth sailing.” I make sure to give her a pointed stare to let her know the double meaning.
Andie swallows but seems to get ahold of herself. “I’m so sorry. Perhaps another time soon?”
“How about tonight?” Mom quips as she beams at my girl.
“I don’t know—” Andie starts but is interrupted.
“Meatloaf. Green beans. Homemade mashed potatoes.” Mom looks up at me and smiles. “It’s my big boy’s favorite meal. I even have some made-from-scratch yeast rolls rising in the kitchen. I’d love to have you over. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“We’ll be there,” I tell my mother. “What did you bring me?”
She swats me but grins. “Not just for you. I brought enough for the whole office. Cookies. Lemon bars. A key lime pie. I even brought one of those brownie truffles your sister loves so much.”
“Yum,” Andie groans. “That sounds amazing.” Her initial shock and fear seem to have worn off. I make a mental n
ote to woo this woman with food. It’s her weakness.
“Let’s go have a taste then,” I agree and place my palm on the small of Andie’s back.
“Darling, what’s that smell?” Mom questions as we head for the door.
Andie chokes and starts coughing. I simply shrug. “The Scentsy warmer.”
Mom furrows her gaze and sniffs the air. “I don’t suppose I know the scent. What is it?”
“Sweet cherry pie, I think is the name,” I lie and then let out a chuckle when Andie nudges me. She’s pinning me with a glare that says: Don’t embarrass me. I wink at her.
“Well then.” Mom doesn’t seem convinced, but she lets it go.
The office does smell like sex. And ever since Mom left, my dick’s been at half-mast. With our scent still lingering in the air and Andie as my eye candy, I can’t seem to focus on one single damn work-related task. Thankfully, Andie has taken it upon herself to label all of her hanging folders. She’s quiet as she focuses and shovels in cookie after cookie. Thanks, Mom, for taming the dragon. With her blonde eyebrows furrowed together in concentration and a strand of blonde hair hanging in her face, she almost looks innocent. Childlike. Vulnerable.
I stealthily take out my camera and snap a picture. Once I’ve saved it as the wallpaper on my phone, I begrudgingly get back to work. I’m buried in contracts when I become vaguely aware of Andie removing piles of paperwork from my desk. Normally, I’m average when it comes to neatness. Around the loft, Ram is the one who cleans all the time. I tend to keep my space clutter free, but I don’t even know where we keep the duster. Fuck, I don’t even know what a duster is. So compared to my brother’s office, mine is a little on the unorganized side. My defense is that I have a shitload more to keep track of. He gets to play in Photoshop all day.
I haven’t been able to speak to Andie much since we came back to work. She’s been unusually reserved since Mom showed up. And if I weren’t so busy, I’d ask her what’s up. But apparently, every damn person on the planet has felt the need to call me today. Just when I end a call, Andie sticks a new pink Post-it on my computer monitor with someone else I need to call back. While I attempt to listen properly, I can’t help but notice how neat her handwriting is. Ram hunts for hours for fonts that look as perfect as her writing.
Hate 2 Lovers Page 4
