by Opal Carew
He had let her down gently that night, later telling her he wouldn’t have taken advantage of her in that state. But the following Friday, he’d called her into his office at the end of the day and talked frankly to her. Telling her he wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. And that had been the start of their clandestine office romance, both of them agreeing to keep their relationship a secret.
Now as he walked toward her, she couldn’t help but remember how it had felt to be in his arms. To feel his lips on hers, demanding, taking everything she was willing to give.
And his naked body against hers as they made love. She tried to push away the memory of how big his cock was, how good it felt sliding into her depths. Of how excruciatingly electrifying his lovemaking was, giving her the most spectacular orgasms she’d ever experienced.
And now he was walking toward her. Her body, recognizing him, flared to life, every cell quivering with need.
Was he going to touch her? Goose bumps danced along her skin.
Take her in his arms?
Kiss her?
But he walked past her and continued to the bar. He opened the ice bucket and placed ice into two glasses.
“Drink?” he asked as he poured himself some scotch.
“No, thank you.”
He poured water from a small bottle into the second glass and handed it to her, then walked back across the suite. “Join me.” He settled on one of the couches.
She sat on the couch across from him, clutching the icy glass in her hand.
He sipped his drink and his gaze locked on her. Then he frowned.
“Your head is bleeding.”
She swiped her hand over the band aid and felt moisture. It wasn’t bad, only a small smear on her fingertips.
“Yes, I was in a car accident this morning.” She shoved her hand in her jacket pocket in search of a tissue, but no luck.
“An accident? Then what the hell are you doing here?”
Her eyes widened. “I was under the impression I didn’t have a choice.”
“Rachel, you were hurt in a car accident. No one expects you to carry on as usual.”
“Mr. Baird does. Especially today.”
He stood up and moved to her side, pulling a handkerchief from his own pocket. He dabbed at her forehead.
“Did you have someone look at this?”
“My assistant looked at it when I got to the office.”
“I meant a medical professional.”
She didn’t like him being so close. Didn’t like reeling from the affect of his masculine presence.
“You look a bit woozy,” he said, concern lacing his eyes. “Let me get you to a doctor. You might have a concussion.”
She straightened her back, forcing herself not to lean away from him.
“No, I’m fine,” she insisted.
His expression was doubtful. “We need to have a discussion about what’s happening with the merger, but I’m not going to do it with you in this state.”
“I’m not in any kind of state, I—”
“Hush, I’m not going to argue with you.” He pressed his hand to her back and guided her to her feet. The feel of his fingers against her sent her totally off balance. He slid his arm around her waist and led her to the door.
She felt like an idiot. She could walk on her own. And she certainly didn’t need Mr. King Taylor, multi-billionaire and new owner of the company she worked for babysitting her by taking her to the hospital.
The elevator doors opened and he guided her inside.
“If Mr. Baird finds out I didn’t finish the meeting with you—”
“Don’t worry about Baird.”
His arm was still around her waist, and his body was too close for comfort.
She frowned. “You don’t have to see me downstairs.”
“I’m not just seeing you down, I’m taking you to the hospital.”
The doors opened.
“I can take a cab to the hospital,” she insisted as he walked her across the busy lobby. “You don’t need to come with me.”
“I’m not going to abandon you to a cab in your condition.”
A woman passing by turned around, her gaze dropping to Rachel’s stomach. God, the woman must think she was pregnant.
“I’m not in any condition,” Rachel growled between grated teeth.
“Stop fighting me. You know you’ll lose.”
She sighed, knowing he was right. So she allowed him to whisk her to the hospital in his private car, the driver dropping them at the emergency entrance. When King tried to get her to sit in a wheelchair at the entrance, she flatly refused.
He handled checking her in, filling out the paperwork, asking her questions when needed. Then they sat in the busy waiting room together. The women around them eyed her handsome companion, who clearly stood out in the crowd.
She was called in quickly and thank heavens they didn’t allow him to follow her in. A woman came into the examination room and introduced herself as Doctor Kregg. After she shone a light in Rachel’s eyes, asked a lot of questions, and checked her out thoroughly, including tending to the cut on her forehead, Dr. Kregg led her to an office. She sat down behind the desk and gestured for Rachel to sit in one of the chairs across from her.
A moment later, a nurse brought King in. Doctor Kregg stood up. She might be a doctor, but Rachel could see the feminine interest in her eyes as she gazed at King.
“Hello, I’m Doctor Kregg. You’re the one who brought in Ms. Clark?”
“Yes.” He shook the doctor’s hand. “I’m King Taylor.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
In fact, she seemed absolutely delighted.
But King’s gaze turned to Rachel as he sat down beside her, assessing, then back to the doctor.
“Is Rachel okay?”
Doctor Kregg had sat down again and resumed her business-like attitude.
“She might have a mild concussion—nothing to worry about—but I would suggest someone stay with her for the next day or so and keep an eye on her. There are a few things to watch for.” She slid a sheet of paper across the desk to him.
He scanned the page quickly, then turned it over and read the other side.
“Thank you, Doctor Kregg. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
“Good.” She stood up again. “Bring her back if you have any concerns.”
Rachel was a little perturbed that everyone was talking as if she wasn’t even there, but she was also thrown off by the fact the doctor actually said she might have a concussion. That her brain might have been smooshed against her skull in a bruising blow.
The thought made her feel a little nauseous.
“Rachel, are you okay?”
At King’s sharp voice, she realized her eyelids had fluttered closed.
“Yes, I’m just…” She blinked, not quite sure what she’d been going to say.
He tucked his arm under her elbow and drew her to her feet, then slid his arm around her waist.
“Come on. I’m going to get you home.”
She’d felt perfectly fine before. Well, maybe a bit lightheaded during the morning in the office, and she’d had trouble figuring out what to say to people, but she’d put that down to the stressful situation. But maybe she did have a concussion.
She didn’t protest as King helped her to the doors, then guided her to the car waiting at the entrance. As they drove, she settled back in the comfy leather seat and let her eyes close.
“Rachel. Wake up.”
Her eyelids snapped open. King leaned in close, staring into her eyes.
“Do you know who I am?”
“What? Yes, of course. You’re King.”
“And what’s your name.”
She frowned. “Why are you asking—?”
“Just humor me, okay?”
Of course, he was checking that her brain wasn’t shutting down.
“I’m Rachel Clark and I live at…” she glanced out the window as the car
stopped in front of the Concord Hotel. “Hey, this isn’t my townhouse.”
“Of course not. First of all, you didn’t give me your address before you fell asleep. And second, I’m not going to leave you on your own. Doctor Kregg said you need someone to keep an eye on you.”
“So you’re taking me up to your room?”
“I can’t think of a better solution.”
He guided her through the lobby again and up to his suite. She knew she should protest, but the truth was that she didn’t want to be left alone, and she didn’t have anyone she knew who could come and stay with her on short notice.
The double doors of his suite loomed ahead.
She couldn’t believe she was going to spend the night with Mr. Taylor. Even when they’d been having their affair, they’d only spent the night together once, when they were on a business trip together. Usually, they’d had sex on the couch in his office. Or his desk. Or the credenza. Or even against the wall.
God, she’d loved it when he’d taken her against the wall. It had been so passionate and raw.
His arm tightened around her waist and she realized she’d swayed, probably because she’d gotten a bit dizzy thinking about it. Or was it the concussion?
He opened the door and closed it behind them, then swept her up in his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked as her arms went around his neck.
“I’m making sure you don’t fall and hit your head again.” He settled her on the sofa. “I’ll order some food. You must be hungry.”
She frowned. “This is very strange for me. You just bought the company I work for. You’re my boss’ boss’ boss.” There were definitely more layers of management in there. Like a shooting star, his success had carried him to the higher echelons. “But here you are babysitting me.”
“I’m more than just the man who bought your company. You and I have history.”
“I know but even then… when we were together… you were my boss. You never would have taken me home and looked out for me like this.”
“You don’t know that.”
The solemn look in his charcoal eyes set her wondering. Could he have wanted more back then? Had she been the one putting out the distance vibe?
He walked to the dining area and dialed room service, then after he’d placed the order, he filled a glass and placed it in front of her. It was a tumbler full of ice and amber liquid.
“I don’t really want a drink, thanks.”
“It’s just apple juice. Don’t worry, I’m not going to offer you liquor in your condition.”
“Not even a little wine with dinner?”
He smiled and sat across from her. “Not even.”
She sipped the juice. He seemed in a good mood.
“So you met with the executive today and Mr. Baird set up a special appointment for you to meet with me. May I ask what—?”
“No, you may not.”
“But—”
“I’m not going to start a conversation about work. It’s important not to stress you.”
Her head had started to ache anew.
“But not knowing what will happen is a big stress. If you just tell me…”
But the dark cloud shadowing his expression stopped her in her tracks. She was getting the distinct impressions that when he did talk to her about it, it was not going be good news.
“Mr. Taylor, I know that as your employee you considered me headstrong and a little difficult, but—”
“Rachel, I told you I won’t discuss it with you now, so stop pushing.”
“But—”
“Another word and I’ll put you in the bedroom and lock the door.”
She frowned. “That would be kidnapping.”
He chuckled. “I doubt you’d make the charge stick. So let’s just relax and spend a quiet evening together.”
* * *
King eyed Rachel as she sipped her juice again. He couldn’t help watching her full, pouty lips, glistening with juice as she put the glass down. When her pink tongue glided over those lips, his groin tightened.
Her long, chestnut hair was bound at the back of her head with a clip, all the ends neatly tucked in. It was longer than he remembered. Her hair had been too short to put up when they’d worked together, but he’d always told her how he’d love to see her with long hair.
Her eyes, green with specks of gold, remained fixed on her glass. He’d commanded her to be silent and she’d actually obeyed, as much a shock to her, he was sure, as it was to him.
Heat washed through him. He liked the feeling of her following his orders. But then, he’d always known he would.
When she’d called him Mr. Taylor, his heart had leapt. Of course, she always called him that in a professional setting…but here, when they were alone… His heart pounded. If she were to call him Sir, he’d probably burst at the seams.
As he gazed at her now, however, memories of the hot, sensual sessions they’d shared in his office had him longing to hold her in his arms. Longing to feel her naked body against him, her soft sensual murmurs whispering in his ear. To glide his cock deep onto her warm, welcoming body.
His cock swelled, but the band aid on her head reminded him she was in no condition to even walk straight, let alone have wild, savage sex like they used to.
An even deeper craving swelled through him… to do something he’d never done with Rachel. Something he’d yearned to with a force so strong he’d had to hold himself back with an iron fist.
To dominate her. Totally and completely.
But if he’d even tried, he’d been certain she would have run for the hills. Most of the time, she wouldn’t even do what he told her as her boss. Trying to command her as his lover… Well, that was doomed to fail.
She lifted her gaze from her glass briefly, then dropped it again when she found he was watching her. At her uncertainty… the slight confusion in her green eyes… protectiveness surged through him.
He loved the fact she needed him right now. Loved that she’d agreed to stay the night so he could watch over her.
The predatory male in him couldn’t resist her frailty. Not to take advantage of her, but to take care of her. To know she was his woman and he would protect her.
Even if only for one night.
A knock sounded at the door and he walked across the room to answer it. A waiter rolled in the cart of food and placed the covered platters on the table, along with the condiments, a basket of bread, and coffee service. He signed the check and the waiter left.
Before he could return to the couch, Rachel was on her feet. He strode to her side and slid his arm around her.
“I can walk on my own,”
He ignored her protest as he guided her to the table and pulled out her chair, then waited until she was settled before he sat down at the head of the table, kitty corner from her. He lifted the lids off the platters. He’d ordered both of them seafood pasta, which he knew she loved.
He smiled when he saw the way her eyes lit up at the sight of it.
He poured her a glass of water and watched her poke her fork into a fat scallop and raise it to her lips.
God, he’d missed her. She might be defiant and strong willed, but she was also sweet and feminine. And he knew that very defiance and strong-willed nature made him want to dominate her even more.
“It’s very good,” she said. “I love seafood.”
“I remember.”
“You do?” Her inquisitive look seemed incredulous.
Did she really think their relationship had been so superficial to him that he wouldn’t?
“That’s why I ordered it.”
“Oh… well, thank you.”
He ate a plump shrimp, the succulent flavor bursting in his mouth.
“I know you’ve been with Brenier Electronics for three years now. Where did you work before that?” he asked.
He risked her wanting to talk about the merger again, but he wanted to know how she’d been these past five years.
She stared at her plate, pushing around a shrimp. “After I gave you my notice, I moved to Granger Intel.”
“Yes, I remember. But I did some business with them a few months later and I heard you were no longer there.”
He had specifically asked. In fact, he’d insisted she be put on the consulting project they’d proposed to his company. He’d thought if he could spend more time working with her, maybe he could convince her to continue their relationship.
She toyed with her food a little more. “I… was self-employed for a while.”
“You left Granger Intel after three months to be self-employed?”
She bit her lip, a sure sign she was lying.
“Rachel, tell me what happened.”
She sighed. “They hired me because they’d bid a big project for the government, but the funding dried up and they didn’t continue after the first phase, so they laid off the entire team.”
“That’s unfortunate. Where did you go after that?”
“I… well, I said I was self-employed.”
Oh, fuck. “You couldn’t find anything, could you?” He knew how tight things had been. “How long were you out of work?”
She gazed at him, her sad eyes telling the story.
“The whole time until Brenier hired you?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry. It must have been a tough time for you.” He shook his head. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have hired you back in a heart-beat.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t. Not after I’d walked out like I did.”
His heart ached knowing the financial difficulties she must have faced. How being out of work like that must have shattered her confidence.
“But you’ve done well,” she said, pasting on a smile. “You’ve gone from being president of a medium sized company to CEO of a huge corporation in only five years.”
“I’m happy with my progress.”
“And Collier Industries is an even bigger entity now that you’ve bought Brenier Electronics.”
He sipped his water. “We’re not going to talk about it.”