Knocked Up by the CEO

by Lilian Monroe

  This is strange, this feeling. I can feel her fear as if it was my own and all I want to do is make it go away. All I want to do is put a smile on her face and see her eyes light up. Every time a cloud passes over her I feel it in my chest as if it were a red hot blade searing through my flesh. I can’t explain it, I don’t understand it, but somehow I care more about Harper than I’ve cared about any woman before.

  Harper leans her head against my shoulder and trails her fingertips ever so gently along my collarbone. I close my eyes and lay into her, wrapping my arms around her a little bit tighter. Right now, I know that I’ll do anything in the world for this woman.

  I’ve had plenty of women in this bed, but I’ve never wanted one of them to stay. But here, with Harper, I don’t think I’ve ever been this comfortable. There’s something different about her. She can laugh and banter, and then she can turn into the most sensual, erotic woman I’ve ever encountered.

  I’ll get to the bottom of this Greg Chesney thing. I won’t be able to let it go until I know what happened and I know Harper is safe. Before the anger has time to flare up, Harper starts grinding her body ever so gently against mine.

  More important than anything else right now though is the beautiful woman in my bed with her arms wrapped around my body. My cock is done thinking about anything except Harper Anderson and the way her naked body feels when it’s pressed against mine.

  Chapter 26 - Harper

  Zach is different from what I expected. I’ve heard all the stories: womaniser, playboy, commitment-phobe. Every time I’ve seen him he always has a new woman on his arm. I thought sex at the office would bit it, but here I am waking up next to him in his huge king-sized bed. Even last night, there was no question about me going back to my apartment. We fell asleep with our bodies intertwined as if they belonged together.

  I watch him as he sleeps, his face completely peaceful, and I remember the look of anger that clouded his brow when we were talking about Greg Chesney. Was that anger on my behalf? How much does he know? Was he angry because he cares about me or because it’s bad for the company?

  He’s been so… affectionate. I can’t wrap my mind around it. It’s so easy to be around him but at the same time he’s my boss, and all evidence points to him being a total player. I thought I’d be sleeping alone tonight, replaying our first time in the office over and over in my head like every other night since it happened and instead I’m here, in his penthouse, replaying our first time, and our second time, and our third time…

  He inhales sharply and snorts and I try not to laugh. I don’t want to wake him. I slip out of the bed gently and find my clothes. I saw a cafe just on the corner when we drove up last night, and for the first time in over a week, coffee sounds amazing right now. The minute the thought crosses my mind I get an incredible craving for it. I’ll get us both a coffee and a pastry and we can have breakfast in bed together, and then hopefully we can give me some more daydream material with our fourth and fifth times. Maybe sixth time, if I’m lucky.

  I grab his keys and wrap myself in my jacket before taking the elevator down. He lives on the thirty-seventh floor, and the view of Manhattan is insane. It’s even better than the view from the office. The whole wall of the elevator is made of glass, so I can see the ground rushing up towards me. It’s a perfect bluebird day, with clear skies and bright sunlight. There’s a fresh layer of white snow on every surface.

  It’s only a short walk to the cafe. The bell jingles as I walk in and the young man behind the counter greets me. He has a low ponytail and a moustache, and the carefully dishevelled look of a true hipster. The smell of coffee beans is almost overwhelming, and I feel a wave of nausea hit me. What is wrong with me?! Every morning I feel like I’m going to be sick. I take a deep breath and steady myself against a chair. In an instant my nausea turns to craving. I don’t know what is wrong with my body these days.

  “One Americano and one large latte with no sugar, please,” I tell the barista. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard him order a latte before, but I can’t be certain. Either way it’s what he’s getting. I pick out a couple pastries and pay.

  When the coffee is ready I grab them with the paper bag of warm baked goods and try to balance them in my hands as I push the door open. The bell jingles and I see something, or someone out of the corner of my eye. The man jumps up from a bench and turns towards me. I try to look but the bright sunlight reflecting against the snow blinds me for a second. My eyes adjust a second too late.

  A man walks right by me and I swear I know him. He jumps into a car and drives off. I spin around and stare into the car as it passes me, but he had his head turned and the brightness is still piercing my eyes. I squint, trying to read the license plate number but it’s too late. He’s gone.

  I didn’t know that car, but a cold chill passes down my spine. I could have sworn I recognised that slouchy walk, that height, that build. He was wearing baggy clothes and a hat, looking away from me so I never got a look at his face. My heart is thumping in my chest as my eyes finally adjust to the light.

  I stare down the street, looking up and down as the people mill past me. The world tilts on its axis and I struggle to stay standing. I feel like I’ve just sprinted down the street but I’ve been standing still, the hot coffee slowly warming up my hands.

  Surely it wasn’t him, right? What would Greg Chesney be doing here?

  The earth slowly shifts back to it’s normal position and I glance up and down the street. Everything looks normal. I’m just freaked out. I’ve been looking over my shoulder for a year, and we were talking about him last night, that’s all. With the ring, and the note, I’m just on edge.

  It wasn’t him. It couldn’t be him!

  I take a deep breath and turn towards the building. It wasn’t him. Now that I think about it, it looked like this guy had curly hair under his hat, and Greg’s hair is very straight. It was just some other New Yorker who was in a rush to get somewhere. I’m just extra jumpy from yesterday. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t him. It definitely wasn’t him.

  I say these things to myself over and over, all the way back up the elevator and into the apartment. By the time I open the door and put the drinks down to take my jacket off, my heart rate has gone back to normal and the prickly feeling at the back of my neck is almost gone. I’m back here, with Zach. I’m safe.

  Taking a deep breath, I grab the coffees and food and head into the bedroom. I need to forget about Greg Chesney and focus on where I am. I don’t know how long this is going to last, so I might as well enjoy every second of it. I’m with the man I’ve been fantasising about for the past two years, and he’s sexier than I could have imagined, and he wants me.

  My stalker is in the past. The fear and paranoia is in the past. Greg has been disciplined and dealt with. It’s over.

  It’s time I enjoyed myself, for once! I deserve some good sex and a little bit of office romance. I push the bedroom door open and walk in just as Zach opens his eyes. He smiles sleepily.

  “That smells good,” he breathes.

  “Large latte, no sugar?” I ask. He opens his eyes and nods, sitting up in bed.

  “You are unbelievably good, Harper. Did you know that?”

  “I have many talents,” I say with a cheeky smile.

  “I’m discovering that,” he replies as he takes his coffee. Instead of taking a sip, he puts his hand around the nape of my neck and pulls me in for a deep kiss. I lean into him and kiss him back, loving every single second we have together. I pull away and smile.

  “First, coffee and croissants. Then we do that.”

  He grins. “You drive a hard bargain, Harper. Deal.”

  Chapter 27 - Zach

  It’s uncharted territory for me, wanting a woman to stay with me. I can’t explain it, and I don’t understand it, but it’s true. I want her here. I want her beside me, around me, on top of me. I want her sex and her voice and her laugh and her eyes. I want to experience everyt
hing about her and learn all there is to learn about her. I want to make her laugh and make her orgasm and then make her laugh again.

  The next weeks turns into a haze of work, overtime, takeout eaten at the office, sex, early mornings with Harper, and more work. I get a small turkey dinner catered in for Christmas, but otherwise it could be any other week. In the evenings, Harper comes back to my place for wild nights and happy mornings. I love having her in my bed every night and waking up next to her in the morning. I love the way she looks sleepy when she wakes up, and how her auburn hair looks dark against my white pillows.

  I watch her working at the office and I’m constantly amazed at her skills at work. She executes the plan perfectly, pushing the team to produce some of the best content we’ve produced as a company. I don’t even really need to be here.

  I’m sitting in my office and I watch her leaning over Rosie’s desk, looking at one of our advertising proposals. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and points to something on the desk. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but she starts gesturing, explaining what she wants. Rosie is listening intently and then nods. Harper smiles and says something and then they both laugh. I can’t help but smile along. Harper glances up and catches me staring at her. She smiles and winks before walking towards her own office.

  I love the way Harper laughs with her mouth wide open. It’s loud and unapologetic. She throws her head back and her laugh ripples through her whole body, making it impossible not to laugh along. No wonder everyone likes her - the minute she flashes that smile or laughs at one of your jokes, all you want to do is make it happen again. It’s all I want to do, anyways.

  Glancing at my calendar, I shake my head and sigh. This is not the New Year’s Eve I’d imagined. It hasn’t been bad, quite the opposite. In many ways this holiday season has been the best I’ve had in years. I just never imagined I’d be sitting behind my desk at 4pm on December 31st, working on a proposal that was supposed to be due at the end of next month.

  My computer dings and I look at my inbox.

  From: Harper Anderson

  Subject: Latif Proposal

  I click the email and smile. She’s done it, and an entire day early as well. I open the file and am looking it over when there’s a knock on the doorframe. Harper is leaning against it with a playful smile in her eyes.

  “Just sent that through to you,” she says.

  “I’m looking at it now. I like the changes you’ve made to the first ad set,” I say as I glance back at the screen. I read through the document and look up again. Harper is still in the doorway. “This is very good.”

  “We have a good team,” she responds, always modest about her work.

  “We have a good leader,” I tell her. She smiles shyly. I turn back to my computer and pull up the email I’ve already drafted. I attach the file and take a deep breath. I glance up at Harper and grin. “Do you want to do the honours?”

  Her smile widens and she practically jumps forward. “Yes!”

  She comes around my desk and I present my mouse to her. With great ceremony and flourish, she places her delicate hand over the mouse and hovers over the ‘Send’ button. Before pressing it she glances at me and gently pushes her shoulder into mine.

  “This is it,” she says with a grin.

  “Do it!”

  She clicks the mouse and my computer makes the familiar ‘whoosh’ sound as the email is sent. It’s done. Harper stands up and puts her hands on her hips. My hand drifts up and grazes the curve of her ass. She makes a soft noise before turning back towards me.

  “Should we go tell the team?”

  “Yes, and then we can celebrate.”

  “Definitely.”

  Her green eyes are shimmering and I can tell she’s happy. She should be! She’s just saved the firm a major client just in time to ring in the New Year. The two of us walk around my desk and I try not to stare at the way her hips move from side to side. I’ll have those hips between my hands as soon as I can. I’ll pull her into me and lay her down before spreading her perfect legs. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her.

  I pull myself away from my daydream as we walk out into the main room. I hold up my hands.

  “Team, thank you for your incredible effort over the past week. I’m happy to say the Latif proposal has just been sent. I know many of you have families and friends to go back to, and you’re free to go.

  The half dozen employees cheer and clap. Harper is beaming.

  “If any of you are like me, with no friends to speak of,” laughter ripples through the team. “Then please join me downstairs for a few drinks, on me. Happy New Year!”

  “Happy New Year!” Comes the answer, echoing through our small holiday team. Harper goes over to Rosie and the two of them hug each other. Rosie says something I can’t quite catch and Harper laughs before waving her hand dismissively. The two of them glance at me and Harper blushes.

  I can’t help but grin. I love the way her white skin flushes so easily. I can’t wait to make her blush even more tonight.

  Chapter 28 - Harper

  This is the hardest I’ve ever worked, but it doesn’t feel like it. I’ve never put so many hours in to finish a project but the only real memory I have from this week is my time in Zach’s arms. His voice is deep and triumphant as he announces to our small team that the proposal has been sent. I watch the way his shirt pulls against his shoulders as he raises his arms towards the employees. He turns to me and smiles and I feel my knees go weak. That smile knocks me out every time.

  I turn to Rosie and congratulate her.

  “Couldn’t have gotten this over the line without you, Rosie,” I say. She smiles and opens her arms up for a hug.

  “Stop, Harper. You know you carried us all this week.”

  She lets go of me and I take a step back. She cocks her head to the side and I see a mischievous gleam in her eye.

  “Plus,” she adds. “I’m impressed you’ve been able to do it considering you haven’t been getting any sleep at night.”

  I can’t help it, I start laughing. I can feel the flush in my cheeks creeping from my face out to my ears. I don’t say anything, because she’s right. I haven’t been sleeping much but I feel more energised than ever. Every time Zach touches me or looks at me it’s like a bolt of lightening right through me.

  We all gather our things and head down into the cold New York winter. We make it to the same bar we go to for all our team events and stumble in the door. It’s already half-full of people in sparkly hats, drinking as the New Year approaches.

  Zach makes his way to the bar and speaks to the bartender, who produces half a dozen bottles of champagne. It’s almost one bottle each and I start laughing.

  “Don’t you think this is a bit much? There’s only eight of us!”

  “We have a lot to celebrate!” Zach says. He turns to me and it almost looks like he’ll lean down and kiss me before he catches himself. He hands me a champagne flute and pours them for everyone else. We all raise our glasses. Zach clears his throat.

  “To a successful proposal, and a healthy and happy New Year!”

  “Happy New Year!” We respond, echoing him before clinking our glasses together in a circle and taking a sip. I look around the team and I can’t help but feel a burning in my heart. I’m proud of our work, proud of our team, proud of myself. For the first time I feel like I get to share that pride and happiness with someone else.

  The bubbles explode on my tongue and I feel a small shiver travel down my spine. I love champagne. I glance up at Zach and find him looking at me. His eyes are deep and I see something like a current of happiness in them. He lets his hand drift to the small of my back and I lean into him ever so slightly. From where we’re standing at the bar, no one can see the movement and it feels like our little secret. Even just standing next to him feels more intimate than I could imagine.

  He fills up my glass and the bubbles rush and climb u
p the sides, trying to escape out the top. Right before the bubble over, the liquid turns golden and settles down. I giggle. Everything about champagne is excited and happy, and it’s exactly how I feel right now. Zach’s hand presses into my back and drifts down. His fingertips brush the cleft of my ass and I shiver. The wetness between my legs soaks through my panties in an instant as his fingers ever so gently travel down the line of my ass.

  I take a sip of champagne to hide my constantly blushing cheeks. With my nose buried in the glass, I close my eyes and lean into him a tiny bit more. His hand cups my ass and gives it a soft squeeze. The warmth of his hand as he squeezes sends a jolt of desire coursing through my veins. I don’t think I’ll make it to midnight. All I want to do is ring in the New Year with his cock buried deep inside me.

  As if he can read my mind, he leans over and whispers in my hear. The heat of his breath tickles my neck and I try to focus on his words instead of the warmth radiating between my legs.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he breathes. “You are driving me wild.”

  “So are you,” I reply.

  “I’ll go first,” he says. “I’ll wait for you in the car. Don’t be too long this time.”

  I grin. It’s our usual routine. To avoid gossip, we never leave the office together. We typically stagger our exit by ten or fifteen excruciating minutes. As soon as he makes his goodbyes I know I won’t last that long. Five, six minutes tops. The seconds drag on one by one as I wait for my opportunity to leave.

  Rosie slides in beside me. “So I guess you’ll be leaving in what, seven or eight minutes? Do you guys have a timer set?”

  I glance at her sideways and start to laugh. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Only to me,” she grins. “I don’t think anyone else knows.”

  “Good.”

  “They’ve only just gotten over the tree incident, I think an affair with New York’s sexiest boss would be too much. You’d never recover,” she says with an exaggerated sigh.