by Lucia Jordan
Less than two hours before she had to brave the lion’s den. Taryn flipped on her computer, pulled the stack of files toward her and began reading. It didn’t matter that the job was temporary. Pride demanded she do her job to the best of her ability. Besides, she could also do her best to prove to Giovanni DeMitri that she, as Karyn, was a good person, a dedicated employee, and not out for his brother’s money.
And if he was the sweetest bit of eye candy on Planet Earth, well, she’d enjoy that as well.
***
Three weeks later, Taryn had to admit she was enjoying her new job—her temporary job—a lot. The work itself was challenging, interesting and totally new and different from her previous office and admin jobs. Though Giovanni DeMitri was demanding—even arrogant and bossy—he was also a genius and exciting to work for.
It didn’t matter that he didn’t like her, or that she disliked him every bit as much. He was a brilliant businessman and the job was fun and fulfilling. Too bad the man was a bully when it came to his family.
Taryn grinned. Karyn had called last night and her sister had sounded happy, which made her happy. She leaned back in her chair. She was also restless, already anticipating the fireworks when Giovanni discovered the truth. And he would. He watched her and studied her and she knew he was confused. Her first day, she’d forgotten her sister took her coffee light and sweet, while Taryn preferred black.
She bit back a chuckle. She’d told him she was on a diet in order to fit into the wedding dress she’d picked out. He’d been angry and distant since, which was fine with her. But she was feeling guilty. The man demanded honesty and loyalty from his employees. When he learned of her part in the deception, he’d never forgive her.
That shouldn’t bother her, but to her surprise, it bothered her a lot. She liked working for Gio, and would miss the work when Karyn returned. Even if Karyn returned to her former position as Stefano’s assistant, Giovanni wouldn’t keep an assistant who’d lied to him not once, but every single moment of every single day.
The door to Gio’s inner sanctum opened and his sister, Carmela, sauntered out. She’d just returned from a trip to New York. “Hey Karyn. How’s it going?” She winked, and then raised her voice. “Want to go shopping after work? Saw some great sale ads for bridesmaids’ dresses.”
“Carmela!” Taryn wanted to bang her head on the desk. Stefano and Karyn had told Carmela the truth, as Carmela and Karyn were close, and the woman thought the whole situation funny.
Carmela leaned down close. “Saw Kari and Stef when I was in New York last week. They’re so happy.”
Taryn grinned. “I’m so happy for them.” She grimaced as she shot a quick glance at the open doorway. “Your brother is going to be furious when he learns the truth.”
Carmela studied her blood-red nails. “I know. It’ll be fun watching Gio blow his stack.” Her eyes turned hard. “I love my big brother. He means well, but he takes his responsibilities a bit too far at times.”
“The man is an arrogant bully,” Taryn said, her voice low.
Tipping her head to one side, Carmela grinned with amusement. “You just might be the person to take him down a peg or two. I love Karyn like a sister already, but she’s afraid of Gio. You’re not and that’s good.”
Taryn couldn’t imagine her sister as Gio’s admin. The man would have scared her witless in two hours while she, herself, enjoyed rising to his every challenge. She smiled. “Go away, you troublemaker. I’ve got work to do.” She gathered her file and stood.
Carmela laughed. “Well-well, you actually like working for my brother.” She winked, and spoke again, raising her voice. “We’ll go shopping when you’re free.”
Watching Gio’s sister saunter out, Taryn shook her head and sighed. She did like her job. In fact, it was her dream job. Her boss might be a jerk when it came to dealing with his family, but he was a genius in the workplace. She loved the challenges he threw her way, even though she suspected he was deliberately making her job hard to get her to quit.
“I’ll show him that Taryn, er, Karyn Jones is no wimp,” she muttered. She gave the doorframe a knuckle rap.
“Yes?”
Taryn entered, eyeing the man behind the desk. He’d shed his suit jacket and had rolled up the sleeves of his green shirt. His gaze met hers. She swallowed hard. Why did the man have to be so damn good looking? Every time she looked at him, she had to fight a buzz of attraction.
Her heart sped up, and her insides felt like wax melting in a pool in the sun. It was hard to keep her expression cold and indifferent and hide the tremor in her voice around this man. Unlike her sister, she wasn’t much of a romantic. She believed in ruling with her mind, not her heart. Especially on the job.
Office romances spelled disaster. Her eyes dropped to his full lips. Too bad. What would it feel like to be held by him and kissed? Deep in her center, lust swelled to a dull throb between her legs.
Forget it, she told herself. Giovanni DeMitri is off limits. And not just because of the little game of deception. The man was way out of her league. Flirting or going out with this man would be like playing with matches in a forest during a drought.
She cleared her throat. “Legal sent up the Baker files. Everything is ready. Just need your signatures.” She set the large envelopes on his desk. “I also finished the report on Angelo’s business.” That report joined the pile.
***
Gio glanced up as Karyn set a file on his desk, then stepped back. “That was quick work.” He opened the file and took a quick glance. It looked thorough and complete. He was surprised and impressed by her ability to keep up with the brutal pace he set. She was every bit as intelligent and detail oriented as his last admin, who was out on maternity leave. Hell, truth be told, she was better.
A beeping sound came from her office. He lifted a brow when her features softened and a small smile tugged at her lips. “Another text from Stefano?”
She narrowed her eyes. “That is none of your business.”
Gio hid his grin at her contempt. The lovely Karyn Jones was still hopping mad and, he had to admit, she was even more beautiful when her eyes flashed sparks of blue fire. Which, he admitted, made him bait her just to get the reaction from her. He found he preferred her anger and heat to her cool indifference. Unfortunately, he wanted to see lust and desire there as well.
“It is my business during your work hours,” he retorted.
“You have no complaints about my work and you know it. Don’t even try to go there. Besides, it’s well past quitting time.” She tipped her chin, gathered a stack of files he no longer needed and turned. “I’ll file these and let security know you’re not to be disturbed. Then I’m leaving.” She widened her eyes. “I think I’ll take your sister up on her offer to go shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses.” She smiled nastily, and then swept out of the room, head high, shoulders back, and cheeks flushed with anger.
Gio grimaced at the reminder of the wedding. He’d spent the evening before listening to his mother talk about wedding venues. Should they get married in a church or wouldn’t an outdoor wedding at one of the vineyards the family owned be much nicer? And then there were color schemes, flowers, who to be sure was invited, and far too many other details.
Desperate, he’d fled. For reasons unknown, he couldn’t bear to think of his brother marrying Karyn…and not just because she was after his money. It went deeper, and Gio did not want to go there. Putting his worry aside, he read over Karyn’s report then sat back.
For three weeks, he’d put her through her paces, looking for faults to use against her, and he didn’t have a single complaint against her work or her work ethic. On top of that, she was punctual, even early, most days.
Was she trying to impress him? Was she attempting to put herself in good light so he’d forget his objections to her engagement to his brother? That wasn’t going to happen. Just because she worked hard didn’t mean she didn’t have her eye on a rich man. Still, he’d been forced to re
evaluate his original opinion that she was a flighty, social butterfly.
She was a damn good employee, a true asset, and that irritated Gio, because he hated to lose good help…but there was no way she could stay. He shoved away from his desk, stood, swept the report into his hand and strode to the open doorway. And then he froze.
Karyn had her back to him, or rather, her sweetly curved ass. She was bent over one of the filing drawers behind her desk, knees locked, her long, shapely legs emphasized by her red heels. Her tight, red skirt had risen up in the back, revealing smooth thighs.
His gaze slid down over her rounded ass and latched onto the back of her knees. Was the skin there as soft as it looked? Would his kisses there send shivers of delight through her body? His gaze lifted slowly as he imagined himself kneeling behind her, spreading her legs apart and moving up to kiss even sweeter pastures. With her fair coloring, her ass would be white, her mound covered with tight blond curls, and her pussy, a sweet, pale pink, like the throat of a white daffodil with a pink center.
Damn it to hell, but his fingers actually twitched with the need to cup her ass and dig into her soft flesh, gripping her while he plunged his cock into her sweet, wet, pussy. His dick stirred at the image in his mind and the nearly constant ache in his balls sent shivers up his spine.
Ever since that first day when she’d glared at him with anger and contempt and told him off, he’d been intrigued. And attracted. His wealth and background often meant people were too intimated to speak their minds, but not Karyn. If she disagreed with him, she argued her case with thought and logic.
If he got too demanding, she let him know. She didn’t cower, kiss his ass, or simper and giggle. At work, she was different from the woman his brother had brought home at Christmas…and that thorn of attraction dug deeper beneath Gio’s skin, to the point he’d backed off his plan to seduce her.
Aside from admitting her value to the company—and to him—a big neon sign flashed danger whenever his fantasies took hold. And, fuck it—he had the most vivid fantasies when it came to Karyn Jones. Like draping her over his desk and burying his cock in her pussy. Or laying her flat on his desk, feet planted, his hands lifting her hips so he could taste and drink her sweet cream. And those were just a couple of the fantasies in his office. She haunted his mind wherever he went—elevator, conference room, and even in his own home.
The things he could do with her, to her, in his playroom! He firmly blocked out the image of her on his spanking bench, or cuffed, spread eagle on his bed, screaming his name as he pleasured her over and over. Shit. There went his control.
There was only one way to get her out of his mind and out of his system. He needed to fuck her and end this. Once she slept with him, he’d prove to his brother she didn’t love him, and then transfer her to another location.
Gio squashed his niggling guilt at the thought of hurting and betraying his brother. Someone had to protect their family. His father sure as hell hadn’t. He’d left, sucked in by a money-grubbing bitch twenty years younger. Good thing the family business had belonged to his mother.
Smiling grimly, he strode to one side of Karyn’s desk and dropped the report. It hit with a loud smack. “Good job, Miss Jones.”
Startled, Karyn straightened and whipped around to face him. Her heel caught on the carpet and snapped. She cried out, threw her hands up, and papers flew around them like big flakes of snow. Gio rushed forward, reached out, and caught her with one arm around her waist. Off balance, she slammed against him, hard.
He stared down into her startled eyes, mesmerized by the gentle, summer blue. They were wide with shock, and her full, red lips were rounded in surprise. Holding her so close was the worse move he could have made. Or the best, depending on which way he looked at it. He had her in his arms, right where his body wanted her.
Her hands gripped his shoulders, her fingers digging in. Her breasts were crushed against his chest, and her hips were flush with his as she clung to him. Her gaze was deliciously soft, her eyes wide. He felt the hard thumping of her heart against him and each gasping breath she released felt like a warm caress against his throat.
Her lips parted. “I’m—I’m sorry—”
He held her gaze and, to his surprise, hers turned soft and dreamy. He drew in a deep breath, breathing in her scent. His body reacted to the faint tang of her arousal. His entire body went still. As a Dom, it was his job to know when a woman was turned on. Could Karyn be attracted to him as well? His dick stiffened at the thought. Only one way to find out. He dipped his head.
Taryn breathed in Gio’s masculine scent. His earthy blend of spiced warmth slid through her like the heat from a fireplace, making her feel warm and cozy. His lips parted, and his gaze lowered to her lips. When he brought his lips closer, all the warm and cozy feelings fled, as desire rolled through her like a car on a rollercoaster climbing that big, frightening mountain of steel.
She crested that peak when his lips brushed hers. That first taste sent her speeding down the tracks. Her stomach fluttered and felt hollow and her heart pounded with excitement. Gio closed his mouth over hers and kissed her fully, his lips claiming hers.
She kissed him back, gripping his shirt with her fingers and arching her head back, needing all he could give her.
“Open for me.” His deep, commanding voice slid seductively through her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his other still around her waist as he banded her to him.
She obeyed immediately. His tongue thrust inside, taking control. Taryn felt as though the ride she’d climbed on had taken a dangerous edge as she was flung into turns, curves and dips. Her legs went weak and, deep in her center, desire slammed bolts of need into her clit.
His breath was hot and sweet, his taste tangy and unique—and addicting. She couldn’t get enough. She moaned and gasped, then sighed when one of his hands slid down her waist, over her hip to her thigh. He lifted her leg, the one with the broken heel. Her skirt rode up, his fingers sliding up and down her thigh.
God—she felt his erection, she wanted him to lift her, to cup her ass with his hands while she wrapped her legs around his waist. She wanted him to fuck her. He continued to kiss her, keeping her off balance and filled with need as he plundered her mouth and drank and explored and tasted. When he retreated, she followed. He sucked her tongue inside and stroked her with his tongue.
She shyly danced her way around his mouth, and then allowed him to regain control of hers. She’d enjoyed a lot of kisses, those preludes to making love, but none were like this. Gio made love to her with his lips, mouth, and tongue. This was not just a bit of preloving. He consumed her completely and, god, she needed so much more.
His hand on her thigh inched up beneath her skirt until his palm slid over her ass, cupping and caressing. She broke the kiss, letting her head fall back as she sucked air into her starved lungs. Feeling his fingers skimming where her thigh met her groin, she lifted her leg higher and let out a long sigh as his fingers slid beneath the elastic of her panties.
He kissed her jaw, moving down her throat, and brushed those fingers against the edge of her sex. She cried out. His touch was fainter than a butterfly’s kiss, but she was so in-tune, so turned on, that the intimate touch sent desire throbbing into her clit. She clenched her muscles as though she could drag him inside.
Her mind fogged with need. Nothing else mattered. She shouldn’t be doing this but the reason why not escaped. All she cared about was finding a release for the raging desire roaring through her.
Gio was lost in her scent, her taste, and the feel of her clinging to his chest and thrusting her hips deeper into his. He took her mouth again, moving his lips gently and tenderly as he swallowed her moans. He loved the way she’d wrapped one leg around his ass, opening herself. He ran his finger along the edge of her panties, teasing them both.
He moved his finger along the curve of her ass and back down until the back of his finger skimmed along the side of her weeping slit, and then up to brus
h against her soft mat of curls. Her heart pounded against his chest and she made soft little moans as she kissed him. Traveling back down, reaching the apex of her legs, he slid one finger beneath her panties and dipped into her pussy.
He swallowed her loud cry but couldn’t hold back his low groan. She was hot, wet, and more than ready for his cock. Her pussy contracted and gripped his fingers, telling him she wanted him. And, god help him, he was going to take what she offered.
He had to take her, claim her, make her his own. Lifting his head, he scooped her into his arms and strode into his office, kicking the door closed. The receptionist who guarded his suite of rooms would be gone and lobby security wouldn’t allow anyone up on this floor without calling up to him.
He let her slide down his front, pulling her hips hard against his.
Taryn’s arms were around his neck. “Mr. DeMitri—” Her voice was low, thick with need.
He swallowed her protest. “Call me Gio. Considering that I’m about to fuck you blind, we can dispense with the formalities.” God, he was going to do something he’d never done before. He was about to make love to a woman in his office. He refused to think about anything but satisfying both their needs. He needed her. All or nothing.
“We can’t do this, Gio.” Taryn stared into his eyes, dark as a moonless night, and swore she saw stars or sparks of light deep inside. She just melted. She didn’t want to be the voice of reason. She wanted what her body knew this man could give her. There were reasons this couldn’t happen, but she’d be damned if she could think of a single one at that moment. The man turned her brain to mush and her body to a quivering mass of desperate need.
“Can and will,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers. Once again, his arms banded around her. She felt his hands gripping her ass and his fingers bunching in her skirt as he drew the fabric up and slid his leg neatly between hers.
He pressed that thick, hard, muscled thigh up, pressing hard and firmly against her clit.
