Payne: A Bad Boy Romance: (With bonus book Mine)

by Kim Linwood

  It’s actually so fucking ridiculous that I laugh out loud. What are the odds? It takes several moments before I realize the others aren’t laughing with me. Carl’s more lost than ever and Claire’s eyes are shooting daggers. She was all meek and shit coming in, but there’s a temper under there.

  I should know. I had it aimed at me while she was riding my face, and while she was ordering me to fuck her harder, and while…

  Oh, I’m gonna love this.

  I clear my throat. “So. Claire. You’re my new assistant? Here to work for me?” Leaning back against the edge of my desk, I cross my arms over my chest and make a show of looking her up and down. “Nice. I can already tell you’ll be well qualified for whatever position I put you in.”

  Claire speaks up, her voice tight, vibrating with anger. I bet she wants to rip me up one side and down the other, but she reins it in and powers through. “Mom’s going to kill me, because I’m already messing this up, but if that’s how you’re going to be, then obviously this isn’t going to work. I’ll see myself out.”

  “Mr. Riordan.” She adds it like it’s a dirty word.

  I want to hear that while she’s on her knees.

  Which isn’t going to happen if she walks out the door. “Claire, wait.”

  Carl looks taken aback, and that’s no mean feat. If anyone rolls with the blows around here, it’s him. His face swivels back and forth between us so quickly I’m worried it’s gonna fucking pop off. “Do you two know each other? I thought you said you’d never met your stepsister.”

  I grin, looking right into Claire’s beautiful brown eyes. “As it turns out, we’ve bumped into each other a few times, but just never been formally introduced.” Her eyes widen as she catches my double entendre. “Just a funny coincidence.”

  To be honest, I don’t want a fucking stepsister. More importantly, I want her mom out of the picture. She’s bitchy, unpleasant and if she hadn’t already signed the pre-nup, I’d figure she was just getting hitched to Dad for his money. Hell, she’s even started redecorating Dad’s house—basically pissing all over Mom’s memory—and she hasn’t even moved in yet.

  But now that I know who her daughter is, that complicates matters. I haven’t been able to get Claire out of my mind after that night, and that never fucking happens. Never. Her coming back into my life like this has to be some twisted sort of fate, or karma or whatever the fuck you want to call it.

  If fate wants me to hit it twice, who am I to say no?

  My first thought is that I want to tear her clothes off and fuck her silly, but the way she’s looking at me right now, I think she’d be more likely to bite off my dick. Maybe if I can get Carl out of the room. The thought’s tempting, but I can’t think like that. Claire’s sexy, but she’s not worth destroying my career over.

  I have to keep my head in the game.

  Maybe having her here is the best thing that’s happened lately. I’ll learn more about her and her mother, and if I happen to find out something that helps stop this whole nutso nuptial shit, all the better. But until that happens, I might be able to finally scratch the itch I’ve had for her since our night together. Sure, she’s probably going to hate me, but I’m not too proud for a good hate fuck, especially if it’s over my desk.

  Staying away is likely what’s kept me hung up on her anyway, because no pussy is that magical. I’m sure another round or two will cure what ails me, and then she’ll be gone. Hopefully taking her mother with her.

  I look into her eyes, throwing any professionalism right out the window. “Just so we’re clear. I’m doing this because I’ve been ordered to and it’s my job, but you’re going to be mine this summer. You only have this job because my father is screwing your mother, and we both know it’s only a matter of time before that gets old.”

  She arches an eyebrow at me. “Like father, like son, you mean?”

  I want to laugh so bad it hurts to hold it in. “I’m not going to go easy on you because you’re about to be family. By the time this is over you are going to hate my guts. Say goodbye to the sun because this office is your new home.”

  She wets her lips with her tongue while she considers my words, and I can’t stop watching it until it’s hidden back in her mouth. I know where that tongue’s been, and it’s going to drive me nuts until I get it right back where it belongs.

  Her eyes harden and she comes a step closer, clenching her hands into tight little fists. “Is this where you say, ‘You can’t handle the truth’?” Her voice is even but tight. “Because you don’t scare me. Bring it on, tough guy. I worked for this opportunity, so if nepotism is a sore spot with you, don’t shove your daddy issues off on me.” Her eyes spark and her back straightens. “I don’t quit, so let me make you a promise. I’ll be here in the morning.”

  I can’t tell if we’re fighting or flirting, but either way she’s making me hard as a rock. “I don’t do anything halfway, babe. You know that.”

  Even furious, she blushes, and I’m sure it’s because she remembers the last time I showed her how true that was. If she’s sticking around, I’m going to make her life hell. And my own.

  If she stays, we are going to fuck. I hope she realizes that.

  “Alright.” Claire nods, a tiny smile on her face that makes me nervous.

  “Yeah? Just like that?” I trust her about as far as I can throw her, but even though I won’t admit it to Claire, I know she’s right that Dad wouldn’t have given her the job if she wasn’t qualified. “You sure you can handle me?”

  She rolls her eyes and tilts her head. “I can handle you. And anything you throw at me.” Her mouth crooks to one side, making her expression lopsided. “You know, I’m glad we reconnected. Now I know exactly how little I’ve been missing.”

  I could rise to her bait, but instead I fling her words back at her. “I knew you missed me.” I turn to Carl, ignoring her angry sputter. “Do you want to see if her badge and access codes have arrived?”

  He nods, still eyeing us like we’re crazy.

  “Good. Get her set up in my front room.” I turn back to my desk, noting the way her expression becomes a little unguarded now that I’m not focused on her. She looks nervous, and I’m reminded of how young and new she is. I almost feel bad. Almost. “Oh, and the IT guys should have a laptop waiting for her.”

  Carl nods again.

  “Thanks, Carl.” I stare at him until he catches the hint and leaves the room, closing the door behind him and leaving me alone with Claire.

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  The End

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  About the Author

  Kim Linwood is a sucker for bad boys, billionaires and alpha males. If they're all three at once, that's even better. When she's not writing about romantic conflicts and witty dialogue, she's herding two growing boys (who are of course not bad) with her husband.

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