by Diana Ballew
Her gaze snapped back to his face, and this time he didn’t stop the grin forming on his lips. He had surprised her. Good. He wanted to keep her on her toes around him.
She nodded.
“If you can’t find anyone, let me know. I’ll have Carla make arrangements for you.” Reynolds stared at her with an intense expression. “Your only objection, right?”
Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her hands. What else could she say? She wouldn’t mention what happened between them in the elevator or on their date in front of Michael.
“Yes.” Her voice was tight and controlled.
“Good.” Michael stood. “Joe, I know you’ll do a good job.”
“I’ll do my best.” He cupped Victoria’s elbow to escort her from the room.
She glared at him but didn’t pull away. He didn’t expect her to make a scene. Vicki might take him to task, but she wouldn't make a scene. He studied her, trying to figure out why she was so uptight at work. Together they walked past Carla to the elevators.
His body tightened at the thought of being in an elevator with her again. After going out all last week with her, his fantasies still centered around their Friday night encounter at the Plantation. Even masturbating hadn’t helped. He was still hard. If the trip provided him an opportunity to get her into bed again, he would, but only if she was willing.
The bell pinged and the elevator doors opened. With precise movements, Joe ushered her in and pressed the button for the seventeenth floor. The doors closed and the car began to descend.
“How dare you?” She pulled away from him, her spine stiff, her green eyes shooting fire, the folder pressed against her chest.
“What did I do?” He raised his hands in mock surrender. God, she was beautiful, especially when she was angry. Cliché or not, it was the truth, but he would have loved to see her happy rather than angry.
“You know darn well—” She broke off when the elevator stopped.
Several people entered, and she moved to the right front corner. Joe followed, ignoring her scathing gaze. When the doors opened on the seventeenth floor, he held them, gesturing for her to precede him.
Fire brewed in her eyes as she glared at him before she strode out of the elevator with her head held high. He trailed behind, enjoying the way her bottom moved in the black skirt. As they neared his office, he grasped her arm, pulling her to a halt. “Are you wearing garters again?” he whispered.
Her lashes fell, and she didn’t answer. Not knowing only increased the hardness of his cock. He opened the door to his office and gestured for her to enter.
“I don’t think … ” she started, as apprehension flickered in her eyes.
While he wasn’t surprised by her reluctance, he wasn’t going to let her go, either. He needed to get to the bottom of why she was so upset. “Please,” he said in a soft tone. “I promise I won’t bite.”
She rolled her eyes and marched past him.
“At least not at this moment,” he commented as he tailed her into his office. He shut the door and engaged the lock. They really didn't have time for this, but he wanted to reassure her that she held all the cards on this trip. He would respect her space if she told him so.
If Victoria asked to leave, he’d let her. His control around her wasn’t in top form. The last thing he wanted was someone walking in when he was in the midst of losing it, so he locked the door. He’d worked in the corporate world long enough to know sexual acting-out wasn’t tolerated in most companies.
Joe wanted to be with her, to spend time with her, and if the only way he could get close to her was in a platonic work situation, he would. But after hours, he wanted her to agree to no restrictions. She would be all his, the way he wanted her, any way he wanted her. He hoped to win her over to his way of thinking. He was going to woo her, seduce her onto his side.
“Let’s get something straight, Mr. Bradshaw.” She slapped the folder on the table and then whirled around and faced him.
The passion in her eyes caused fire to stream through his veins. He wanted her passion. Her fire. Just her. “We are at work, no more shenanigans,” she declared, poking him in the chest with her finger.
He placed a hand over his heart and stepped back. “You wound me, fair lady.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Oh, cut the bullshit.” She placed her hands on her hips. She glared at him, looking a bit like a Norse goddess of war.
“There is no bullshit here.” He spread his arms wide, allowing the grin he was fighting to sneak across his lips. There was his Vicki. The fiery, sexy woman he wanted to fuck day and night; the woman he wanted to make his life exciting rather than dull. “I told you Saturday you were going to set the pace.”
His grin seemed to infuriate her even more. Her fingers clenched and her back stiffened further. “Don’t give me that sexy, devilish grin of yours. I won’t—”
“So you think I’m sexy.” He rubbed his chin, unable to stop his grin growing.
“No, I don't.”
“You said sexy, devilish grin. I kind of like it.” He moved forward.
“You would.” She threw her arms up. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.”
Had he read her wrong? No, he knew the passionate woman beneath the cool façade. “What is it, Vicki? What’s got you so upset?”
She turned away from him, her spine rigid, her arms wrapped around her waist in protection. From him? His gut clenched and he slid to her side, wanting to embrace and comfort her, to tell her he’d protect her. But he held back. Something was eating at her, and he wanted to know what it was.
“Vicki?”
“It was too fast,” she whispered, gazing at him. Her eyes were clouded with pain. “Everything is happening too fast. I’m not sure what’s going on. Not only with my body, but my mind. I’m in a damn tailspin. And I still want you.”
For a moment, pure unadulterated relief flooded him. She still wanted him. “We’re attracted to each other.” Understatement of the year, but the truth. And he also understood he had to take part of the blame for pushing her on Friday. “I’ll admit I came on a little strong.”
“A little?” Her right eyebrow quirked up.
“Okay. I’ve got a dominant personality.” He shrugged.
She let out a laugh. “I feel like I’ve been flattened by a steamroller.”
“Not my intention,” he lied. He wanted to keep her captive in his bedroom, but he also realized something or someone had sent her into hiding. He hated that something bad had happened to her, and he vowed to make her his number one priority. Without conscious thought, he ran his finger down her cheek.
She sucked in a breath. “I don’t know if I can trust myself to be alone with you.”
Yes! “That’s what I want.” He forced himself not to pump his fist in the air in triumph. She was his sexually; now he'd make her his emotionally. “I want the uncontrolled woman.”
“But that’s not me.” The panic in her voice made him realize she was fighting against Vicki with every fiber of her being. Again, he wondered why.
“It is you.” He took a step. “There’s a very passionate, sexy Vicki hiding beneath the prim and proper Victoria. I don’t know what happened to make you suppress her, and I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to tell me, but don’t shut me—or her—out.” He might not push her for an answer, but he wasn’t going to let her hide. If he let her get away with it, then she'd never open up to him, and he wasn't going to allow that to happen.
“And if I’m never ready to tell you?” she asked, sadness creeping into her voice.
“I’ll deal with it.” And he would, if it came to that point. But something told him once she stopped fighting, she'd tell him the whole story. Her shoulders dropped. “I’ve never taken another woman to Plantation. You responded in such an honest, positive manner, I could barely see straight.” Let's see if he could hurry the process a bit. He was never a patient man.
Her cheeks flushed. “You were so demanding.”
"And that frightened you?"
She shook her head. "Turned me on."
"And Saturday?"
Her lips turned up. "It was fun and different."
“Then why so doubtful now? What’s the worst possible scenario?” He put his hands on her waist, pulling her toward him.
“I could lose my job again.” She clamped a hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out a second time. But he was glad she had. He didn't want her worrying about her job.
He wanted all her fears revealed so they could deal with them and heal her. He wanted a future with her. “Your job has nothing to do with what’s between us.”
“It won’t matter.” She tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold on her.
He hated the sadness in her voice, the belief if she gave in to what she was feeling, she’d be the loser. “I promised you to keep our relationship separate from work. And I will do that. Outside the workplace will be a different matter.”
“And what about today?” She bit her lower lip, making his stomach tighten with the need to soothe the marks with his tongue.
"Reynolds asked me if I had any objection to your going to the conference with me. I don't."
"So it wasn't your idea?"
"No, it was all his." He framed her face with his palms. "Let’s explore what’s happening between us. Let me take the lead and take care of you. I promise I won’t let you down. And if you say no, I’ll back away. No questions asked.” He scrutinized the flitter of emotions through her sea-green eyes. Fear, excitement, wariness … and then acceptance. The knot in his stomach loosened.
“All right,” she whispered, her lips turning up into a small grin.
The relief almost brought him to his knees. He didn’t know what he would’ve done if she hadn’t agreed. Probably something totally unacceptable for the workplace, and he would have lost her forever.
“Work starts in ten minutes,” he said, as he slid his hands from her waist to her neck, cradling it between his palms.
“Ten minutes?”
“Yes. First, I need something to tide me over until we’re off duty.” He lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers, then pulled back. He wanted more than just a brief taste, but he wasn’t going to abuse her trust. He'd keep it light and easy for now.
“Oh, Joe.” She leaned forward and their lips met once again briefly before parting. Her expression was dreamy. “I need more.”
“One deep, wet kiss, and then we’re all business.” He wanted her agreement before he proceeded. “No more misunderstandings.”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He chuckled and captured her mouth. Her lips parted, allowing him to thrust his tongue inside, tangling with hers. And she gave back as good as she got. As her arms curved around his neck, he let his hands slide from her face past her shoulders to settle around her hips, cradling her to him. Once he broke the kiss, he trailed his lips to her ear. "I want to strip you, spread you out on my desk, and sink my cock into your hot, moist pussy."
Her breath ruffled his hair as she let out a shaky sigh and trembled in his arms.
"Think about it, my cock sinking into your softness. Your mewling cries as I make you climax, not once, not twice, but three times." He couldn't wait to feel her contract around his dick once again.
"You're not playing fair," she whispered.
"I play to win." His lips seized hers again, his tongue mimicking what he wanted to do with his body. This time, she broke the kiss. He found her earlobe and nipped it, before soothing it with his tongue. His body was hard and on alert. Her breathing was uneven, and a flash of pleasure flowed through him at being able to arouse her so easily. “You’ll come with me.”
"Oh, yes. Make me come, Joe." Her words were soft and pleading.
He gave a chuckle. "I meant you'll attend the conference with me." He needed confirmation she was okay with the trip.
She leaned back in his embrace, and their gazes met, the dreamy expression on her face clearing. “Oh.” She glanced away as her face turned pink. She studied the wall.
“Think about it." He kept his hands around her waist. "Long nights together in bed, in the shower, on the floor, against the wall, wherever it suits us to make love. My hands on your body, in your pussy, playing with your nipples, my cock thrusting into your wetness, your heat.” He pressed his hips forward as his hands cupped her ass, molding his palms against her, holding her in place. "Think of the kinky fun we can have."
Her eyes flared with passion, want, and need before her lashes lowered, cutting him off. “Joe,” she started. "I don't think--"
“Don’t overthink it. Let’s explore our attraction to each other. I’m not asking for a lifetime.” At least not yet. He'd give her time to get used to their being in a relationship.
“I didn’t think you were.” Her gaze lifted, her eyes bright. “You’re not a man who’d settle for one woman.”
A flash of annoyance slipped through him. “You shouldn’t listen to gossip.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Yes, I like women, but I never get involved with more than one at a time. I promise.” Her body softened in his arms, and he exploited it. “How would you explain to the boss why you're not willing to go to the conference with me?" He was pulling out the big gun. "Come with me, Vicki. You want to. I know you do. Take a chance. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Her chest rose as she took a deep breath. Before she could answer him, a knock sounded at the door.
Joe smothered a growl of annoyance. “We’ll continue this later.” He released her and quietly unlocked the door, throwing it open. His secretary, Sandra, stood there with an apologetic look on her face.
“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Bradshaw, but Mr. Reynolds just called about the figures you gave him this morning, and since you’re leaving soon … ”
Joe waved aside the rest of her words. “That’s okay, Sandra. Ms. Collins and I were just strategizing about what we need to accomplish during the trip.”
“Yes, we were.” Vicki’s voice was cool, and if he didn’t know better, he would have thought ice ran through her veins.
“Out front in ten minutes,” he told her. "A taxi will be waiting for us."
"But my car is here." Her tone was all business.
"So is mine. They'll be fine in the parking garage."
She nodded and strode out of his office past his secretary.
Joe watched her, admiration coursing through his veins. He might want a woman who was submissive, but damn, he loved it when Vicki fought him, arousing him beyond belief. She wouldn't be a pushover, and he didn't want one. He wanted a woman who'd challenge him, and she was perfect. He wouldn’t pressure her if she became frightened. He'd get to the bottom of the past man in her life who made her afraid, but their relationship was going to happen; he refused to let her suppress the woman within or deny what was between them. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
Victoria took the stairs back to the third floor. Stopping on the fifth-floor landing, she pulled in a deep breath and let it out with fierce concentration. What the heck had she just done? Giving in to his seductive voice and a promise he couldn’t possibly keep!
How could she have let Joe overwhelm her good sense? Easily. All her rational thoughts and actions fled when she was near him. She hated he could affect her so physically, but she couldn’t seem to stop the tightening of her nipples or the way her pussy gushed when he was near. It was even worse since they’d had sex. Only once, and she wanted to be in his arms more than ever.
But this was her job he was playing with. While she could find other employment, she didn't want to. She loved her job, and outside of some long hours when things got hectic, the benefits were good and the pay wasn’t bad. Then there was Derek, the mental and emotional turmoil she had to overcome because of her involvement with him, although she was slowly recovering from the crap Derek had caused.
Starting at the sound of a door slamming, she moved down the rest of
the stairs and back to her office. Oh, shit. The bitchy secretarial manager, Jessica Neimier, was standing next to her desk, arms folded across her ample chest and foot tapping against the carpet. What did Jessica want now? Vicki glanced at Lisa, who mouthed a silent "I'm sorry."
“There you are.” Her tone was accusing, as if Victoria were a child who had run off without permission.
“What can I do for you?” Victoria forced herself to speak as normally as she could and not let her annoyance show. Lisa would be able to hear every word, so Victoria needed to keep this professional. There were some days she wanted to take Jessica down a peg or two.
“I understand you’re going to accompany Joe to the ElectroTech conference.” Disbelief tinged Jessica’s voice.
“Good news travels fast,” Victoria muttered, striding over to her desk. If she didn’t go now, everyone would wonder why she had refused. Not that she was planning on refusing; the picture Joe painted still dominated her thoughts. But damn it, she hated being backed into a corner.
“Wanted to let you know that Joe called me to say goodbye.”
"Really?" Had Joe lied to her when he said he wasn’t involved with anyone? Why couldn’t she pick a man who was honest with her? Wait a second. Joe had said he was never involved with more than one woman at a time. She wanted to believe him. With Jessica here confronting her, the office gossips were going to have a field day. Clearly, Jessica didn’t know the meaning of the word discretion. Victoria turned to retrieve her jacket.
“It seems to me,” the bitch continued in a snide, condescending voice, “you’ve been playing a game. Who would’ve thought a mousy thing,” Jessica’s lip curled in a sneer before she continued, “like you would have the nerve to sleep with Joe Bradshaw? I believe I underestimated you, but remember--I had him first, so don’t think you’re special.”
“Victoria is very special,” a familiar male voice said.
Victoria spun around. Her heart clenched. “J-- Mr. Bradshaw,” Victoria stammered.
“Ms. Neimier,” Joe began, and Victoria shivered at the iciness in his blue gaze and voice. “Let me set the record straight.” His words were clipped. “You and I have never had a relationship, nor have I ever expressed interest in you.”