by Liz Woody
“Try me,” she said bitingly, before strutting to the ‘Employee’s Only’ door.
Carson looked at his part-timer Stuart before heading in. “Don’t disturb me unless there’s a fire.”
“Yes, Boss.” With that, Carson closed the door shut behind him, trapping both of them in the dark.
Chapter Three
Come into my den, Carson Fox had dared Josie with his eyes. That pushed her into agreeing to talk in his office. It was ridiculous, the way this thick-headed Alpha set her nerves on fire and put her on edge. She felt like little red riding hood, except when the big bad wolf came to eat her, she willed him to do it. The way Carson looked at her, she felt like something edible.
Not exactly prey, because prey fought to survive, didn’t they?
No, she wanted to take a ride on the wild side with this man. See if he wasn’t all talk and no action in the sack...Jesus Christ no. Come hell or high water, she will maintain her dignity and pride, despite what little of it she had left. His eyes, initially blue, now burned gold with desire and for once, she was glad of the desk in his office, separating her from him.
“Well,” she said, unnerved by his silence. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Why don’t you start?”
She growled under her breath. No way was she getting anything out of this bastard. “If you’re here to waste my time, then I’m leaving.”
“Without telling me off?” He asked.
That stopped her. “What’s the point? You don’t seem to be interested in listening.”
“It’s because you don’t make such a convincing argument, Josie.”
The sound of her nickname made her recoil.
“What did you call me?” she whispered.
Only three people called her Josie, and two of those were gone—first her father and second, the man she had a crush on when she was little, one of her father’s apprentices, whose name she couldn’t remember.
“Josie.”
“That was a lucky guess.” She bit her lip, not liking she was in unfamiliar ground.
Why was it that everything this guy did unnerved her? For crying out loud, it didn’t seem to be because he was a lofty Alpha who expected everything to be handed to him by those he saw as inferior.
“Not a guess, don’t you remember me?”
She frowned, digging through her memory and finding no answers. “I don’t recall an arrogant Alpha wolf who thinks he can push anyone around.”
“Not everyone. It’s only your buttons I’d like to push, Josie.” Carson sat back, looking at her with those raking eyes again that didn’t fail to start up her heart or turn her skin fever hot. “How’s this, I’ll make you a deal. You do something for me, and I’ll move my bakery to a new location. This town’s big enough for the both of us.”
“Do something?” Josie swore under her breath.
Carson raised his brows. “Do proper ladies curse?”
“This one does. I knew it, knew you were sketchy and shady.”
Carson feigned looking hurt. “Darling, your words are like a dozen arrows through my chest.”
“I’m not your darling or your anything. Don’t be dramatic. It’s clear to me what or who you want.”
Josie couldn’t believe she was saying the words, much less consider them. Someone with moral fiber would stand her ground, yet no other man in her entire life had ever looked at her the way Carson did—not just a conquest, but something else, something she couldn’t put a name to. She was frightened to guess the answer anyway.
What would people think of her? Hell, she didn’t care, but what would Pansy think? Pansy always disliked it when Josie tried to get her to stop dancing the pole, to find something decent...but what was Josie doing?
“What do I want?” Carson asked.
Damn the smug bastard for making her say the embarrassing answer out loud, and for enjoying this far too much.
“Me,” she whispered.
He chuckled, and neither mocked her nor corrected her answer.
“Darling, why is that so hard to believe? Don’t think I’m good enough for you?” Carson asked.
“No, it’s just I’m used to men paying more attention to my sister.”
The words slipped out without warning even though she knew she should put her guards up. Being careful around this dangerous Alpha was her best bet of survival...but why did the thought of a man like Carson wanting a woman like her thrilled her to bits?
“Oh, believe me, baby. You’re the only thing on my mind.”
His mind? Had he been thinking of her prior to their meeting? Carson must have caught a glimpse of her and decided she was his next prize. That must be it. Maybe because she was his enemy upped the stakes.
“So, how do we do this? Understand something, I’m not usually like this. I don’t give myself away to any man,” she blurted, not knowing why she wanted him to understand. Hell, a man like Carson shouldn’t care, but his gaze turned dark.
“Darling, once you’re within my reach, I’m going to make sure you fully understand what a fucking perfect and sexy woman you are.”
She swallowed at his words. It was already happening. She was falling for the spell this smooth-talking bastard of an Alpha wove over her. “Enough. Do me the courtesy of not lying to my face.”
He growled, the sound rumbling through the office walls, making her jump in her seat.
“I never lie, Josephina, because I have no reason to.”
“That was unwarranted. Sorry.” Josephina meant it, although muttering apologies didn’t come easy to her. Yet, this was the second time she said that word to him. What could she say? He seemed capable of bringing out the wild and scary parts of her she didn’t know existed.
“Apology accepted...only if you come and sit on my desk. I want to examine you.”
Wait. What? Did Carson really just say those words? Part of her was outraged. The other part was excited by the dirty request. How could such a thing turn her on? Yet wetness seeped into her panties, and Carson could smell her.
“I should sue you for sexual harassment,” she blurted.
“Oh? Aren’t we simply two consenting adults?” Carson smiled, showing her teeth. “Don’t pretend with me, darling. There are no secrets between shifters. Either you take my offer and sit on my desk, or leave. The door’s right through there.”
He was right of course. No one forced her to stay here and do what he commanded. Yet, if Carson had really been serious, he promised to move if she agreed to his ridiculous proposal.
“Tell me the rules,” Josie said.
“Good girl,” he rumbled. “For the next three days, you’ll be mine and do whatever I ask.”
“And after three days?” Josie asked, intrigued. She shouldn’t be, she knew. This was a thousand shades wrong and yet, what could go wrong? Pretending to belong to this man, this Alpha who was her enemy for three days would send most women walking, but not her. After all, Carson genuinely wanted her for some incomprehensible reason, was that so bad?
“If you satisfy me, then I’ll move my shop far away from yours. Deal?”
Arrogant prick.
“One day,” Josie stated, crossing her arms. Unbelievable she was making a bargain with this man.
Carson shook his head. “Two days and that’s my final offer.”
“Done, and shifter’s word is law.”
“Shake on it.” Carson held out his hand, which she looked at distrustfully.
Damn. How would she get anywhere if she were this skittish? Rising from her seat, she shook his offered hand. They were big, callused, had old burns—a dedicated baker’s hands and she found herself admiring him as a fellow artisan...until he opened his mouth anyway.
“Now that that’s done, I want you on my desk, Josephina.”
Chapter Four
Carson studied Josie intently, wondering if he showed his hand too soon. Scaring her away hadn’t been his intention, but he wanted to test her resolve, to see her reaction
to his reckless offer. Carson was a big believer of risk big, win big and this time...it paid off.
“Fine,” Josie said.
Carson shoved the papers on his desk aside and wheeled his chair a couple of inches away. She mounted his desk, eyeing him, the challenge in her fiery gaze stunned him. God. She really was more than he could ever ask for. They were truly perfect for each other, but he was a long way from convincing her she was his. Never mind. Action speaks louder than words anyway.
Testing her reaction, he touched her knee. She stared back at him—beautiful, defiant, daring him to go further. He leaned in, closing his mouth over those pouting lips that drove him mad. If she pushed him away, Carson decided he wouldn’t take this any further. He’d chalk off his losses and find another strategy, despite knowing it would take some time to win her trust again.
Oh Lord. She tasted like fire. Instead of reluctance, he found compliance and damn, that tasted good. Josie wove her fingers into his hair, tugging him close, inviting him. Carson no longer held back. He nipped and sucked her bottom lip, amazed when she parted them to let his tongue in. Drunk with her taste, Carson tongue-fucked her as she clutched at him tighter, encouraging him to go further.
When they parted, she stared at him, panting slightly, looking shocked, but no longer skeptical.
“I’m far from done, darling.”
Carson poised his hands on her waist and nuzzled her huge breast. So soft. Carson couldn’t help himself. He closed one mouth on her left breast, his teeth grazing the fabric to reach her nipple. The mere heat of his mouth peaked her nipples and made her moan. That amazing sound went right to his bones. God. This woman did the craziest things to him.
Pulling his mouth away, he said, “I need to taste you. Now.”
“What do you mean?” she gazed at him like she’d never seen him before, or rather probably began reassessing her initial opinion of him. Good.
He hooked his fingers into her belt loops by way of an answer.
“Oh, you want to taste me there?” She asked, breathless.
“I want that honey between your legs.”
Her face burned bright red. “What are you, a werebear?”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “Wolves crave honey too, especially if its nectar as sweet as yours.”
“Do you like hearing yourself talk?” she demanded.
When Josie didn’t stop him from taking off her shoes, Carson moved on. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans.
“I like seeing your reaction,” he corrected.
Carson tugged the denim down, cock twitching at the sight of her creamy thighs and plain cotton underwear. He groaned, tugging away her pants. Reaching for the hem of her panties, she stopped him by touching his hands.
“Changed your mind, baby?”
“I’m not your baby or darling. Carson, remind me. Tell me this is just a fling for you. The look in your eyes scares me.”
“Why? Because I’m not looking at you like I’m supposed to? You’re my prize, Josie, but I want to keep you forever.”
She let out a shaky laugh. “Do those lines really work on every woman you meet?”
Carson culled his impatient wolf. “I’ve only said them to you.”
Her mouth opened in shock, but it seemed like she ran out of ammunition. Good.
She let go, watching him slip those cotton undies. Carson thought of the sexy black g-string he bought for her. That piece of underwear was worth the price, for its audacious design and the fact he knew it would look amazing on her. He already anticipated something like this happening—that Josie would buck and fight him, but in the end, she’d submit to him, to his love.
Oh yes, Carson wasn’t afraid to say he loved her. Josie though...still had a long way to go.
He’d get her to wear that sexy black thing soon and right after, enjoy the pleasure of stripping it off her.
Perfect.
“Look at that beautiful pussy,” Carson said, parting her legs to thumb at her folds. “Look how you’re so wet for me.”
His dick thickened in his jeans at the sight of Josie, aroused because of him.
Josie shuddered, planting her palms on either side of the desk.
“Show them to me baby, part those lips,” he ordered, liking when she used two fingers to push her outer labia apart to reveal her cute little clit. “Touch yourself.”
She blushed, but did it anyway, fingers rubbing back and forth her glistening labia, the motions driving him insane. Placing her fingers gently aside, Carson took over. Nuzzling his unshaven cheek against her inner thighs made her moan, hold his hair, but he didn’t mind, seeing he was about to give her a wild ride.
He blew at her folds, delighted by her whimper. “Are you ready for this, baby?”
“Don’t talk,” she murmured. “Show me.”
Carson chuckled. Oh, by the end of this, Josie would be his and she didn’t even know it yet.
* * * *
The moment Carson put his mouth and tongue to work, every muscle in Josie’s body tightened with want, with need. Just like that, he held her captive, tongue lashing at her clit without mercy until it hardened.
She squeezed her thighs together, or tried to, but he kept them firmly apart with his strong hands. Oh, she liked that too, the illusion of restraint and being helpless under this powerful Alpha’s mercy—because it was that. Never in a million years would Carson hurt her. She knew that now, because he’d offered her plenty of opportunities to leave and she’d refused.
Josie didn’t merely want to prove something either. She stayed for reasons she couldn’t name, and besides, Carson’s mouth felt so good. He made her feel so alive, so wanted. Using his tongue, he traced each of her lips, licking off the glistening cum, before pushing inside her waiting hole.
Josie buckled at the prodding sensation as he began tongue-fucking her. Distinctively, she wondered how his cock would feel like, sheathing its way inside her virgin hole. Josie doubted he knew that little tidbit, but she didn’t think it would be so bad, surrendering her purity to a man worthy of her. Maybe Carson was the one true mate she’d been waiting for all along.
Damn it. She shouldn’t be thinking of Carson’s deadly promise right now. He didn’t want a fling...but he couldn’t want a relationship either, right? Aside from being enemies, an Alpha like Carson wouldn’t settle for a plain she-wolf like Josie. What was this then?
Carson dragged his tongue upwards, fastening the hot vacuum of heat on her clit. That completely obliterated her need to think. Her wolf wanted her to forget about unnecessary human worries too. What was the use?
Moans tore out of Josie. She barely recognized this wanton creature, seated on the desk of her enemy, while he ate her up. Josie felt wild, liberated, like she’d finally been freed from the prison of her skin.
She’d think about being careful later. Carson felt so good.
Carson pulled his mouth away. “I want you to come for me, Josie. I want to hear your surrender.”
Not an unreasonable demand, given Josie would burst soon. Carson bit lightly at the sensitive bundle of nerves, at the same time thrusting two fingers into her tight heat. She gasped, back arching and came, shuddering, telling herself to keep quiet least the others outside would hear her. Josie came hard and fast, the room falling away. Her mind swam in blissful waters, all her worries melting away.
Carson froze, his fingers still in her. Looking at her with obvious shock, he pulled his fingers out. “Josie, you’re still a virgin?”
When she recovered, she shook herself awake to look at him. What had gone wrong? Where was his lofty confidence? “Is that a problem?”
Carson shook his head, like a man given a painful blow to the chest. “I wouldn’t have made this offer if—”
Josie interrupted him, holding out a finger. “Nothing. What, you’re changing your mind now because you found out I’m a virgin? We’re both adults, didn’t you say that?”
Carson growled. “I’m not backing away, but I need you to
be sure. Aren’t you saving your purity for someone special?”
“Such a person doesn’t exist. You’re it, Carson.”
“I’m not sure whether I should feel flattered or insulted.” He said that with a smile though.
What would it take to shake this Alpha’s control?
She blushed when he started licking her clean. Once he was done, he regarded her. “Your cream tastes more amazing than I imagined.”
Cheeks red, she looked down. Her gaze shifted to the bulge in his jeans and swallowed.
“We’ll continue this tomorrow night,” he promised.
“What’s going to happen tomorrow night?” Josie asked suspiciously, relieved when he helped her back to her panties and jeans. Finally, he helped put her sneakers back on, the gesture strangely sweet.
“Darling, you and I are going out on a date.”
“Excuse me?”
He just ate her pussy, and now he was asking her out? Didn’t the date usually go first? What the hell? What kind of game was Carson playing? She played along though, kept spurring him forward, eager to find out the outcome. That made Josie as bad a player as he was. If she wasn’t careful....she might end up risking her heart to this man.
Why didn’t that thought terrify her?
“Well, I planned on asking you out tonight, but let’s cool down a little. I’ve had my fill after all and I’ve waited this long. I can wait one more night.”
Puzzlement must have shown on her face, because he patted her thigh.
“You keep talking like we’ve met before,” she accused. “No fair.”
“You’ll figure it out sooner or later, darling.”
Furious, she hopped off his desk. She began walking to his door, unlocking it, when he called out to her again.
“I’ll pick you up at closing time.”
She stomped out, ignoring the curious glances of Carson’s employees. Josie didn’t care what they thought, although one or two could probably guess by her appearance what went down between their boss and her.
