by Liz Fox
“My work days are Monday through Friday. Tomorrow is Saturday and I have other plans.”
“Cancel your plans.”
“Um, no?” Her tone makes it sound like I’m the ridiculous one in our conversation. Which infuriates me even more.
“You will be here tomorrow, Sloane.” My voice cuts like a knife, deep and edgy. I slam my hand on the phone, disconnecting the call. Breath heaving, muscles tight, I stride to the office bar, pouring a generous amount of twenty-five year old scotch into a glass. My knuckles whiten as I clench my hand around the tumbler.
Something about Sloane aggravates me on a biological level. Obviously, the chemistry between us is explosive. Her sensuality oozes from every pore. But there’s something more. Her quiet demeanor hides a stubbornness that I rarely see, even amongst my esteemed peers.
When I got home last Monday, the toilets were cleaned and the sheets were ironed just as I’d requested. However, it didn’t take a detective to figure out she’d also snooped through my closets, in obvious defiance of my orders to leave my stuff alone. Finding my previously clean t-shirt waiting on my bed clearly wasn’t an accident.
Anyone else would have been immediately terminated for ignoring my instructions. Unfortunately, Sloane is Liam’s sister, and I don’t want to damage my relationship with him. Additionally, I do require a personal assistant at the moment.
But I must admit, at least to myself, that there are more intimate reasons Sloane is still in my employ. She has awoken my curiosity with her quiet, sexy, and stubborn personality. She challenges me daily, and I was never one to back down from a challenge.
If Sloane wants to defy me, she’ll find out exactly how I became known as the most dominant and forceful CEO in the industry. Even if I have to take her over my knee and teach her a lesson to do it.
Chapter 4
Sloane
You know it’s bad when even puppies and kittens can’t settle your temper.
It’s Saturday morning and I’m at Penny’s Pups. It’s an animal rescue on Vincent Street in Fairview. I’ve been coming here for years, helping Penny with the animals. Volunteering here is what inspired me to become a veterinarian.
Even as I make sure all the kennels are clean with fresh food and water, my mind is stuck on the conversation with Max the Ass. After that first day, the week had gone fairly well. I showed up on time, did everything he asked, and never complained. The tasks and the routine were simple enough that I even started looking forward to work, at the very least for the eye candy. Max knows how to wear a suit well. Without meaning to, I consistently found myself measuring the width of his shoulders and admiring the fit of his pants.
I’d also overheard him on several business calls, his deep, commanding voice in complete control. He might be an ass, but it’s clear he knows what he’s doing when it comes to the Hawthorne Group. I’d forgotten how attractive intelligence is in a man. Max reminded me every day this week, enough that my panties were consistently damp by the end of the day.
But then, for him to demand my presence on my day off? The sexy, entitled prick. I’m usually very even-keeled, but he sure did make me want to hiss and scratch. Some time away from him this weekend should do me some good...but then why am I so tempted to drop everything and go to him this afternoon?
Huffing to myself, I don’t notice Penny joining me in the back room until I almost run into her with a scooper full of poop.
She stands in front of me, hands on her hips.
“Chica, you need to tell me what’s wrong.” She gestures to some of the dogs. “You’re quieter than usual and you’ve made the dogs restless.”
Glancing around, I notice most of the dogs are pacing their kennels. Normally, they’re sitting happily, wagging their tails. But not today. I sigh.
Penny takes my elbow and guides me to the back porch, where two plastic lawn chairs wait in the shade of the building.
“Talk to me.”
I hesitate, not knowing exactly where to start.
“Fine, I’ll go first.” It’s like she can read my mind, probably because she’s so good with the animals.
“This week has been very stressful. Johnny’s been working overtime at the police station, but he can’t tell me why. Nate has decided he won’t eat any vegetables. Ever. And we’re supposed to get a new litter of kittens today, but we don’t have any more space. I don’t know what we’re going to do. We might have to turn them away.” Penny’s shoulders slump with her admission. “Your turn.”
“Well,” I hesitate to continue. Penny’s problems are so much bigger than mine, I feel a little embarrassed sharing my issues with her. “I’m working for this guy during the week, and he’s kind of an asshole.”
She nods encouragingly. But I can’t keep going. So what if Max is an ass? He’s my brother’s friend and he pays well. So what if he thinks having money entitles him to treat other people with disrespect? It has nothing to do with me. So what if he has a huge house? It’s practically empty. At least my home is full of family and love.
Wait a minute. Real problem—finding a temporary home for a family of kittens. Possible solution—huge, empty house.
“Penny, I have an idea.” I feel my bad mood lifting.
“I thought we were talking about your boss?”
“We are. He’s going to make up for some of his poor behavior by helping us out.”
◆◆◆
Three hours later, I’m pulling up to Maxmillian’s estate with a box of kittens in the backseat, and a box of supplies in the trunk. I’d called Paige, since she’s working more weekends, to check and make sure the coast was clear.
She meets me at the front door. “What are you doing?” she whispers, even though there’s nobody around us.
“I’m saving these kittens.” I nod decisively, even though on the inside, I’m questioning my reasoning. Are my intentions actually pure, or is this just an excuse to spend more time at Max’s house?
“By bringing them here?” she asks.
“Well, I couldn’t take them home. You know my mom won’t let me bring anymore animals into the house.” Probably because we already have three cats, two dogs, chickens, guinea pigs, and a turtle. All but the dogs are mine.
Paige nods, reluctantly admitting I’m right. “But how are you going to take care of them? It’s not like you can be here all the time.”
“I thought maybe you could help me.” I give her my most hopeful puppy dog eyes. “At least until I figure something out.”
She’s already shaking her head. “No way. You’re not going to drag me into this.”
Just then, one of the kittens meows. Seconds later, all three of them are meowing. Perfect timing. I open the door and bring out the box, stopping right in front of Paige. One black and two tortoiseshell kittens stare up at her with big green eyes.
“Fine. I’ll help.” She sighs as if put upon, but I can see the gleam in her eyes. Kitten cuteness wins every time. “Let’s keep them in the library. No one goes in there, it’s away from the main living area, and there’s plenty of warm light.”
I hand her the box of kittens and go back to my car for the rest of the supplies. It takes me two trips, but Paige seems perfectly happy keeping the kittens entertained.
“This space is too big for them to just wander. Isn’t that right, kitty?” Paige’s voice takes on a sing-song tone as she talks to both me and the black kitten in her arms.
“That’s why I brought this collapsible cat cage. They’ll be fine in here.” I set up the cage, making sure to include food, water, comfy beds, and a litter box.
Once I’m finished, I turn to Paige who is still cuddling the black kitten. “I know it isn’t a long-term solution, but they just need a safe place until some space opens up at Penny’s Pups.”
“And you aren’t worried about Max finding out?” She has her face buried in the kitten’s fur so all I can see are her eyes and raised eyebrows.
For a minute, I remember Maxmillian Hawthorn the
Third wearing his pajamas on my first day of work. Only this time, in my imagination, he's holding one of the kittens to his muscled chest, smirking as he strokes down it’s little back. It’s one of the hottest things I’ve ever not seen.
I shake my head to dispel the image, wishing it was that easy to get rid of the heat in my core. It will never happen anyway.
He’s more likely to take the kittens straight to the public animal shelter than to cuddle them. I’m not too worried, but it might not be a bad idea to stay on his good side. Even though I said I was busy, I could still meet him at his office this afternoon.
Regarding his new houseguests, “What Max doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”
Chapter 5
Max
She’s late. Or maybe she isn't coming. It wouldn’t surprise me. She radiates a quiet stubbornness that makes me want to teach her a lesson until she’s coming around my cock.
I glance impatiently at my watch again. It’s fifteen minutes after four. We need to leave immediately or we won’t make it.
When Sloane finally arrives, I’m already waiting in the parking lot, jaw clenched, temper frayed. She exits her car, looking like a goddess in jeans, black knee-high boots, and a deep blue v-neck sweater. My cock hardens in automatic response to her beauty and curves, fanning the flames that already burn inside of me.
”You’re late.” I walk in her direction until I’m standing in her personal space. The tension between us builds, like waves of heat over hot pavement.
Sloane shrugs, blue eyes blinking at me with deceptive innocence. She doesn’t answer my question. Her quiet rebelliousness infuriates me. Like pouring gas on the flames of my desire. Doesn’t she realize if she keeps stoking the fire, she’s going to get burned?
It makes me want to punish her. Punish her for her meek exterior that hides a spine of steel. Punish her for her deceptively delicate beauty, a study in contrasts with black hair, creamy white skin, and sapphire blue eyes. Punish her for making me want her, obsess over her, lose my careful control with a careless shrug.
My gaze roams over her perfection, stopping on a piece of fuzz on her sweater that doesn’t belong. Still barely restrained, I pick it up. “Is this cat fur?”
She shrugs again, and the raging inferno of my temper only blazes hotter. Before I can do something I won’t regret, I grasp her elbow and lead her to my car.
Within a minute, we’re on the road. Sloane sits in the passenger seat, her sweet floral scent filling the car.
“Where are we going?” Even her silky voice is a temptation. A lure. Like a siren calling me to day and night.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
She huffs and falls back into her seat. That’s it. I need to calm down or I’m going to pull over and take her over my knee. Trying to take back some control, I explain to Sloane what her task is.
“We’re going to a community library. You have an appointment with the director. She thinks you’re a member of the press. She’ll give you a tour and give you an opportunity to ask some questions. I’ve already acquired the pertinent details, so I don’t need the facts. What I need from you is to determine whether they’re doing a suitable job. Do the patrons seem satisfied? Are the employees proactive? Is the library benefiting the community, or is it a drain of resources?
“This task shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes.” I park down the block from the library, and gesture to the brick building. “That is the library. I’ll be waiting here until you return.”
As I should have anticipated, Sloane doesn’t immediately hop to it. Instead, she turns in her seat until she’s facing me. “What is this about?”
“You do remember that you work for me?” I ask, sarcasm evident in my tone. Suddenly, I feel tired. Sighing, I close my eyes and tilt my head back against the headrest. “Just do this for me. It’s important.”
“Okay.” There’s something in her voice, curiosity instead of her usual indifference. The tension drifts away as Sloane accepts her task. “What’s the director’s name?”
“Her name is Margaret Thornton.”
I don’t open my eyes as she exits the car. While I wait, my mind skips between my responsibilities, my job as CEO of the Hawthorne Group, and Sloane’s delicious curves.
Thirty minutes later, Sloane walks back to the car. I literally can’t take my eyes off her—the way her hips sway with unconscious seduction, the breeze blowing through her silky hair. She looks like a goddamn supermodel, except with perfectly thick thighs. My breath quickens and my pants tighten uncomfortably as I swell to readiness.
That’s it. I don’t care if she’s my friend’s sister. I don’t care if she only applied to this job for the connections or the money. I’ve never desired someone the way I desire Sloane, with a passion that borders on sinful. And I always, always get what I want.
Sloane opens the passenger door and slides into the leather seat. I let my expression ask the question, one eyebrow raised.
“It’s an adorable little library. Margaret was professional and incredibly passionate about making books available to the public. She talked about her plans for expanding it so it could become a place for the community to gather. I liked her.”
“What about the employees?”
“There were a few women working. I didn’t interrupt them, but they seemed engaged. One was helping a kid find a book, one was making a display, and I think the other was in the back.” Her nose scrunches adorably as she searches her memory.
“And the patrons? Was it busy?”
“Yes, I was surprised by how many people were there. A few moms with their children, some elderly people at the computers and browsing, even a few teens which I didn’t expect on a Saturday afternoon.”
I nod. She’s confirming what I thought. Time for the next step. I engage the engine and pull onto the street.
“That’s it?” Her voice raises in confusion.
“Yes. There’s just one more task I need to complete.” I pull into the post office parking lot just a few blocks from the library. Extracting a prepared envelope from my jacket pocket, I slide it into the drive-through blue box.
“Wait, what was that?” She reaches over the console and grabs my forearm. “Max, you aren’t going to hurt those people, are you?”
With one question, she reignites the flames of my temper and with it the desire to pleasure and subdue her until she knows who’s boss. Quick as a whip, I grab her hand, reversing our positions and taking control.
“Remember, Sloane...” Slowly, I pull her toward me until our breaths mingle and I can see the hint of freckles on her cheeks. Her pupils expand as I take in her sweet scent. “It’s none of your business.”
Releasing her, I turn back to the road and take a deep breath. Adopting my professional tone, I continue, “This afternoon was a terrible inconvenience. I need to know you’ll be prompt and available for your duties when I need you.”
Surreptitiously, I glance at her, noticing her hands clenched in her lap. Satisfaction fills me at the evidence that she’s affected by me, too.
“For my convenience, you’ll move into one of my guest rooms immediately.”
Instead of the prompt refusal I expect, Sloane offers a slow, quiet, “Okay.”
Daring her to defy me, I add, “We’ll stop by your home so you can pack a bag.”
“That’s fine,” she murmurs, and I could swear she’s suppressing a smile.
My eyes narrow in suspicion. Was her insubordination just part of an act? Is this her game? To work her way into my home until l don’t want to let her go?
Sloane doesn’t know she’s playing against a master. I’ve played these games before against far more sophisticated opponents. Soon, she’ll learn that I always come out on top.
Chapter 6
Sloane
It doesn’t take long for me to pack a bag. Fortunately, my parents are out at dinner so I’m able to avoid a confrontation. I’ll send them a text later tonight. I take a minute to say go
odbye to the animals. Rosie the cat gets a cuddle. Magik the guinea pig gets a grape. The dogs get pats on the head.
Max is waiting in the driveway, so I don’t take too long. Plus, there are the kittens waiting for me in his library. I feel like an undercover agent, going across enemy lines to rescue my comrades.
Not that Max is my enemy. In fact, when we were at the library, it felt more like we were friends almost, or at the very least, fighting for the same side. I still don’t know what was so important about our mission. The director, Margaret, was everything you’d want in a librarian—informed, passionate, and responsible. I hope I didn’t contribute to hurting them in some way.
The drive to his estate is quiet. My bag sits in my lap as a barrier, protection against the memory of him pulling me close across the middle console. The tension between us still hasn’t dissolved. We pull up to the front entrance. Oddly, he doesn’t put the car in park. He just keeps his foot on the brake.
“I presume you know where the guest rooms are?” I nod, and he continues. “I’m going out for the evening.”
Hesitantly, I exit the car. Max barely waits for me to shut the passenger door before speeding away. What the hell? Now, I’m stuck here with no car. The ass.
Whatever. I head into the house, put my bag in a guest room on the second floor, and go straight to the library. Once I have a tortoiseshell kitten in my lap, I realize the day couldn’t have gone any better. My gut reaction had been to deny Max when he ordered me to stay in his home, but I’d quickly realized it was the perfect opportunity to take care of the kittens. And also, maybe I’d get to know Max a little better and see past the stone facade he presents to the world.
A sense of relief flows through me and I spend the next hour playing with the kittens.
When I notice them getting tired, I put them back in the cage. It’s getting late and I’m a little hungry. Plus, I’d like to clean up before bed. The guest room I chose is more like a suite. The attached bathroom feels like a spa, everything huge and gleaming. The tub is a dream, and I promptly decide to spoil myself with a long, hot bath after finding something to eat.
