by Cari Quinn
The hum of voices lifted as the minutes crawled by. Then Spencer strode in and shut the door, his presence immediately quieting the group.
That was a power all its own.
She watched him head to the front of the room at his normal fast clip. He didn’t do anything slowly. Not talking, not walking, and especially not fucking. Had he rammed into her any faster or harder, she would’ve ended up in a back brace.
Spencer’s gaze roamed the table and met hers for one charged second. Deliberately, she rubbed the tip of her tongue over the shallow dent in her lower lip and then she dragged her teeth over the fullness. His chest expanded and he turned away, his jaw clenched.
She grinned. Direct hit.
“We’re here today to discuss some things going on within the company. We’re rolling out some new promotions…”
Again, she reached for her PDA as Spencer droned on. Shit. How was she supposed to take notes now? She glanced at the woman next to her and whispered, “Can I bum a pen and paper?”
“Ms. Crossman, do you need clarification on something?”
For a minute, she couldn’t believe he’d actually interrupted his monologue to snap at her. The cold edge to his voice peeved her a little but turned her on more.
You are one twisted puppy.
“Just needed pencil and paper, sir.” Accepting both from the woman beside her, she wet the pencil’s tip and smiled. “So sorry to interrupt.”
Spencer’s eyes narrowed and for a second, she actually thought he’d say something else. He must’ve reconsidered, because he resumed gesturing at the map he’d tacked up of their new stores in Virginia and South Carolina.
She worried her lip as she took notes, alternating between thoughts about The Book Nook and Spencer. He was so sexy when he was bossy and demanding. She’d never thought she’d enjoy having someone as controlled as she was as a lover, but the constant push-and-pull between them was almost as arousing as his well-toned body.
He tapped the conference table before he again began prowling the room. Since he’d started the meeting, he hadn’t stopped moving. Spencer wasn’t one to remain rooted in any spot for long but today he seemed positively wound up.
Hmm, wonder why?
Without being fully conscious of the move, she sucked her lower lip between her teeth again, only realizing what she was doing when his gaze fastened on her mouth.
Oh yeah, this fascination wasn’t only one-sided. She’d bet her salary on it.
“Now that we’ve covered progress on the new Virginia stores, I’d like to discuss new business. Specifically, what we can do to keep The Book Nook not only profitable but continually moving forward. In an era of bookstore closures, we’ve flourished because we refuse to stick to the tried and true. We’ve also moved into areas where the big box stores have failed to satisfy their customers’ needs. That means we have to do better. We can’t slack, not even for a moment.” He tapped his fingers on the conference table, probably to make sure all eyes were on him. “We value our employees’ ideas. To that end, we’ve instituted an incentive program for those who offer suggestions we implement.”
“I don’t want another damn watch,” Marcia muttered.
“Duly noted, Marcia. We’ll discuss mutually agreeable rewards once we have a few ideas on the table.”
Kelly crossed her legs and suppressed a smile. She had a very agreeable reward in mind.
She jerked in her seat when she realized Spencer had paused beside her chair. She glanced up at him and something about their positions—her seated and him towering over her—jolted pure lust through her system. She imagined kneeling in front of him, her hand encircling his cock as she brought the thick length to her lips. He’d be hard and hot and unrestrained as he fucked her mouth.
God, she wanted to hear him groan and know she’d caused it. She ached for him to let go with her in a way she suspected he rarely did otherwise.
Her gaze traveled up his chest, finally meeting his. For an instant, something burned in his eyes, as if he knew what she was thinking. As if he were thinking it too. Then he went back to his journey around the room and the moment was gone.
“There will be a comment box outside my office. I’ll be available for private meetings if you prefer to arrange one or leave your thoughts in the box.”
“E-readers.”
“Kelly?”
Startled he’d used her first name, Kelly flattened her palms on her thighs. “Nothing, sorry. I’m just thinking out loud.”
“Good. That’s the point of this discussion. What about e-readers?”
She inclined her chin. “I’ve talked to several of our regulars who’ve admitted they’re considering buying them. Some others have already and aren’t coming into the store like they used to. Even Leigh’s orgasmic peanut butter cookies aren’t luring them in anymore.”
He cleared his throat and she struggled to hold back her grin. “Agreed, digital books are taking a larger cut of the market. But statistics show—”
She cut him off. “The statistics don’t correspond with what I’m hearing. People like the idea of sitting on their couch and downloading a book on release day. There are still diehards who won’t consider an e-reader, but those numbers are shrinking. For them we’re a great option. But for those eager to embrace the future, we’re nothing but a pretty dinosaur starting to shiver in the cold.”
Silence spread around the room like a virus. Terse exchanges between her and Spencer weren’t unusual. But her frank comment went way beyond their usual pissing contests.
“I’m telling it how I think it is,” she said, risking another glance at him. She didn’t know what she expected to find but it wasn’t him studying her thoughtfully.
“We’ve worked together what, three years now? I’ve gathered you do that often. Tell us how it is,” he said at her blank look. “In this case, you’re not the only one who has spoken with our customers. I spend a lot of time on the floor when I visit each of the stores. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t particularly relish riding a desk.”
Ride me. The errant thought invaded her brain so unexpectedly she actually blushed. But he wasn’t through.
“You’re right. Some people will stop visiting the store in favor of reading on devices.” He pronounced the word devices as if it were a communicable disease. “Some are willing to abandon the joy of opening a book and smelling the ink, feeling the weight of paper and binding in their hands. Some don’t mind not being able to pass down treasured hardbacks from one generation to the next. We can try to influence those customers with sales and specials but ultimately we’re not what they’re looking for. And perhaps the reverse is also true.”
She nodded but, good point or not, she wasn’t done yet. It was probably lucky for her he had an open mind toward his staff being vocal or she might’ve been looking for another job years ago.
“But it doesn’t have to be that way,” she said in her most nonconfrontational voice, her spine tingling as she got fired up. Making reading accessible to everyone was a topic she was passionate about, every bit as passionate as Spencer. “We can reach those people too. What if we created a haven for the person who wants to read e-books? Or at least explore them? We could have informational kiosks on e-readers and yet specialize in the things we do best, figuring if we draw them in the store there’s a chance they’ll buy. If they stop coming in, period, we’ve lost them. This gives us an opportunity to—”
“We’re not one of the huge chain stores,” Spencer began. “We’re not going to produce an e-reader to try to compete in an already overcrowded market. We’re also not going to peddle toys or collectibles to try to hold on to market share. What we’re doing, what we have to keep doing, is excelling at what we do best. Treating our customers as if they’re family, as if they represent more than just a dollar.”
“I know that.” Kelly fought to retain her composure. “Believe me, I wasn’t absent the day you read the company mission statement. All I’m saying is tha
t we need to change with the times. It’s not enough to just give out cookies and put pretty pictures on the wall. We need to offer customers something they simply can’t get anywhere else.” She let out a breath. “If you’re asking for suggestions, there’s one. Innovate. If we don’t grow, we stagnate. If we stagnate, we die. Look at all the bookstores that have closed or are caught in the death spiral now. They all missed the opportunity to act.”
As far as she was concerned, that applied to her too. She’d been stagnant for too long, putting all her eggs in the basket of her job. Yes, she loved it. Yes, nothing mattered more. But what about the rest of her life? What about fun? Spontaneous fun, the kind not regulated by the list of potential fuck buddies on her beloved PDA?
The PDA she no longer had.
Maybe it was just as well she’d lost the list. Perhaps the time had come for her to move beyond games to a real relationship.
And if that was the case, she could see only one candidate for the position…
Spencer’s gaze rested on her for so long she almost forgot they weren’t alone. “We’re moving on. Unless anyone else would like to jump into the fray?”
His knife-thin smile dissuaded any other dissenters from joining the conversation, so he swiftly moved on to discuss their next sale and a few more particulars about the new store launches.
“Overtime will likely be required for the next month or so as we transition. If you have any hours or days you’re not available, you’re advised to discuss them with your supervisor now rather than waiting until you’re asked to work. Any questions?”
The usual suspects piped up to ask things they should’ve had the answers to during their first week of employment. Spencer fielded the inquiries with remarkable aplomb, but the minute Kelly indicated she wanted to speak, his shoulders stiffened.
“Kelly,” he said tightly.
Clearly she’d worn out her welcome for taking the floor.
“I’m available for whatever overtime is necessary,” she said in her sweetest voice, well aware of the tittering around them. Yanking Spencer’s chain made any name-calling worth it. “The store’s my first priority.”
“Don’t think that’s your first,” Tony muttered, eliciting a chuckle from his ever-present pal Cale.
Kelly’s eyes narrowed. All at once she knew, just knew, her PDA hadn’t simply been misplaced. They—or one of their cronies—had read her personal information before passing it around. She was the biggest joke in the store.
Shame burned her cheeks as she looked away. Why had she ever made a list about something so private? She might as well have begged for public humiliation.
“Tony, do you have something to say?”
Spencer’s sharp question grabbed her attention. If she hadn’t seen it herself, Kelly never would’ve believed the glower Spencer aimed at Tony.
“If so,” he continued, “I’d be happy to arrange a meeting. Actually, I’d relish it. Your shift ends at five today, correct?”
Tony crossed his arms over his chest, his snigger disappearing. “No, I’m finished.”
“Glad to hear it. And Mr. Griggs’ insubordination brings me to the last reason for this meeting today. Causing trouble and spreading gossip.” Spencer surveyed each of the employees in turn. “Some would say there’s no stopping it, that any company has its share of troublemakers and that’s just the way things are. Surprise, that’s not the way things are run here. If you have a problem treating your fellow employees with respect, I understand and will expect your resignation on my desk by close of business today.”
His cold gaze swept the crowd. “Any questions?”
Chapter Six
The room remained blessedly silent. Since Kelly had taken a sudden interest in the conference table, she didn’t see if anyone was looking at her. Right now none of that mattered.
The only thing she cared about was her PDA. Did Tony or Cale—so much for them being her friends—still have it? Or had they passed it on to other employees?
Or—her head snapped up as the room started to empty—did Spencer have it? Had he seen her list?
Oh God, had he seen his placement on her list?
She didn’t move as everyone filed out and the door thudded shut. Why not make it really obvious she wanted to talk to Spencer privately? She wondered what the chances were that her staying behind had been unnoticed.
Slim, meet none.
He dropped into the chair beside her. He didn’t speak, just rested his hands on his stomach and waited.
“You have my PDA, don’t you?”
Something about the way he looked at her confirmed her suspicions. She swore she could feel her skin blanch. How freaking embarrassing.
“Don’t you?” she repeated. She didn’t know if it was pity or sympathy she read in his eyes but both emotions were unfamiliar and unwelcome.
“Did you lose it?”
“No.” She swore under her breath. “Fine, maybe I did. I don’t know. But I definitely didn’t intend for it to be passed around.” Her eyes grew hot and she bit her lip, hard. “It contains personal stuff. Private things I don’t want anyone to see.”
“Too late,” he said, his terse response momentarily stifling her urge to snap at him. “Do you have my car?”
“It’s in the parking lot. Where else would it be? I left the keys in the inbox on your door as soon as I got in this morning.”
“You borrowed it without permission.”
How did he do that so effortlessly? Somehow he knew just how to switch gears so she stopped feeling depressed. “I needed a ride, you weren’t around. What did you expect me to do?”
Spencer’s gaze locked with hers and the power from that single look thrummed all the way to her toes, spending a few choice seconds between her thighs. “I didn’t expect you, period.”
Before she could dwell on his statement, he removed her beautiful purple PDA from his pocket and set it on the table. Relief crashed over her like the bay at high tide. But when she reached for it, his hand blocked her. “I’m not done ‘borrowing’ this. Just like you set the limits on how long you needed my car, I’m setting the limits for how long I need your PDA.”
She tried not to sputter. “That’s not professional. You can’t keep my property—”
“You stole my car,” he reminded her. “I didn’t give it to you.”
“That’s completely different. I want my damn PDA back!”
Unshockingly, he didn’t appear moved by her impassioned plea. “I’m holding on to a piece of electronic equipment that caused some…excitement in my store.”
Her foot, clad in a soft-soled ballet flat, lifted perilously close to his ankle. As if he guessed her intentions, he gave her another of those not-quite-a-smiles he flashed when they were alone. “I wouldn’t, if I were you.”
“Why? Gonna spank me?” Though she’d intended to be flippant, she barely suppressed a moan when he gave her a look hot enough to melt off her panties.
“I’m keeping this. End of discussion.” He slipped the PDA into his jacket pocket. It was probably best he didn’t remark on her spanking question. “Maybe you won’t do something so foolish and reckless again.”
So he had read her list. He’d probably crowed when he saw his ranking. Ten, the best of the best. She hadn’t really explored that best last night—truthfully, their car and wall interludes had been the quickest sex of her life—but she still had hope she’d get a chance to discover all the hidden erotic pockets of Spencer Galvin.
Hope, desire, need—he made her a tightly wound ball of all three.
“Maybe.” His inscrutable expression made her womb clench. “And maybe when I go back to the club, I’ll do something even worse.”
His brow arched. “There’s no way it’ll be open again that fast.”
“It never closed.” Wow, how good did it feel to have more information than Mr. Know-It-All? “I talked to my friend this morning and she said the raid never happened. It’ll be open tonight, same as usual.”<
br />
“Once rumors of raids start, the cops aren’t far behind.”
She gave a jerky shrug. If it were up to her, she’d never go back to Kink again. Probably. But as part of her thing with Spencer…well, that changed things entirely. “What’s life without risk?”
“Your face was ghost-white last night.” He gripped the edge of the table, the only evidence he cared a whit about their conversation. “You were scared out of your mind.”
“Scared, intrigued. I’ll know what I’m in for tonight.”
She pushed back her chair and rose, pleased her wobbly legs had firmed a bit. Slowly, she bent to pick up the pencil she’d knocked off the table. She’d worn tight black capris with a thong today and she knew he could see her underwear selection from his quick intake of breath.
Molten heat flared in her pussy as she glanced back at him. “I wasn’t kidding about that overtime. If you need me, I’m available. Wherever, whenever.”
She didn’t give him a chance to answer before she strolled out and shut the door.
* * * * *
He wasn’t going to the club.
Spencer faced his computer monitor and chugged his third cup in a row of cream-and-sugar-laden coffee. Pretty soon he’d be running on straight caffeine, which probably wasn’t the best antidote for his already ragged edges. He needed the buzz to get through the pile of work he hadn’t dealt with last night, not to mention everything that had accumulated this afternoon.
Today had been a complete bust. He’d been unable to focus on anything but the memory of vulnerable hazel eyes.
He wasn’t used to being led around by his dick. Hormones had their place but nothing came before work. Until Kelly. Well, and before her, Diana. He really didn’t like the parallels.
Unable to stop himself, he paced to the window and thought of the woman he rarely allowed himself to remember. That time in his life wasn’t one he liked to revisit but every now and then, something reminded him. A hint of spicy floral perfume. A woman looking down at him over dark sunglasses. The sound of laughter meant to entice without a single note of real warmth.