by Jenika Snow
I ran my fingers along the spines of his architect collection, the leather soft. Over the last couple of weeks, I’d been unable to separate how I felt for Zane with being a professional and working for him.
Humming to the song that played through my earbuds, I ran the rag across the board, polishing it, making everything as pristine as possible. Maybe I was just cleaning his office, but dammit, it would be the cleanest office he’d ever had.
As I moved around the room, all I could think about was him, how he looked as he sat behind his desk with his suit jacket off. The expensive, tailored material would be tossed over the back of his chair, his sleeves rolled up, his skin tattooed, tan, the veins slightly noticeable under the golden skin of his forearms. I loved that he was a bad boy wrapped up in a good suit. He was smart and determined, successful and honest. Yet underneath all of that, painted on his skin was the ink from another time, one that was dangerous and spoke of a much different life.
And God, the way he spoke to people when he was in his zone … authoritative, determined.
Zane was a man used to getting what he wanted, and it turned me on so much.
I stopped in front of his desk and looked at how immaculate it was. The glass and chrome didn’t need any cleaning, but I found myself running the rag across the top regardless, then used the tips of my fingers to move over the same spot I’d just cleaned. I then walked over to his leather chair, the back high enough that it reached my breasts. I skimmed my fingers along the leather, the soft feeling igniting my senses.
Looking up, I glanced around to make sure I was truly alone. It was lunchtime for the office, and the majority either left or had catering brought into the meeting room. That was usually when I worked on Zane‘s office. Trying to clean while he was in the vicinity was just as hard as I’d thought it would be.
Smiling slightly, I sat down in his chair and leaned back, the scent of leather and his masculinity consuming me. I closed my eyes and thought about Zane.
Like usual.
I turned in the seat and faced the window, resting fully against the smooth leather as I stared out at the cityscape. I looked at the skyscrapers, glanced down and saw cars zipping up and down the road in the distance. The sun was hidden in an overcast sky, the gloomy day not taking away from how incredible this was.
The music was still blasting through my headphones, so I didn’t hear Zane come in. But I sure as hell saw his reflection in the window as he stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. I saw the smirk on his face and felt my eyes widen as I turned around quickly and stood, the chair sliding out from under me as I stumbled back.
I quickly ripped my earbuds out and shoved them in my pocket, heart racing and embarrassment flooding me. My face felt hot, no doubt red as a tomato as I stared at him.
God, he was handsome in a rugged, yet very well put together way.
“I’m sorry.” I was humiliated as I glanced away, hating the fact my face always got so red when I was embarrassed. “Really unprofessional of me to be sitting in your chair like I own the place.” I closed my eyes as humiliation continued to run through my veins.
He didn’t say anything after I spoke, so I glanced up at him just as he pushed away from the doorframe and stepped inside his office.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said in a voice so deep and masculine that I felt chills race up and down my arms.
I moved out from behind his desk at the same time as he circled it, as if coming closer to me. He stood by his chair and I waited at the opposite end, both of us watching the other, the air becoming thicker the longer nothing was said.
Breathe. Stay calm.
I could stare at this man all day, every day, and it wouldn’t be enough. He made me feel weak in the knees, had my pulse racing, and had every logical thought in my head leaving. I knew it wasn’t right to desire him, not just because he was my father’s best friend, but because he was so much older than me, so well-established.
I’d be starting college soon, inexperienced in everything … and I meant everything. But that couldn’t stop me from wanting him, from loving him.
“Relax,” he said, and I swallowed, hating the fact that he could read me so easily. “You’re always so nervous around me.” He smirked again, and I felt my heart jump in my chest. It was sexy and almost dangerous.
“Well, I was caught sitting in my boss’s chair when he wasn’t here.” I laughed awkwardly. “And I guess you’re just … intimidating.”
This had him lifting an eyebrow, his smirk widening.
“Intimidating?” His voice got lower and he chuckled deeply. “Where it concerns you, Piper, you shouldn’t feel nervous or intimidated in the least.”
Goosebumps popped out along my arms. I couldn’t help the reaction I had for him. It was engrained in me Just the sight of him, even thinking about him, had my body reacting. I could envision myself walking up to him and placing my hands on his chest, smoothing my fingertips over his expensive suit, pulling on his lapels to bring him in closer.
We’d stare into each other’s eyes, sharing the same breath, our lips only an inch apart. And then I’d be bold and kiss him, whisper how much I loved him, that I’d wanted him since I knew what my feelings were. But on the heels of that fantasy I could also see him pushing me back, breaking my heart as he told me nothing could ever happen, that I was far too young, that our history, the fact he saw my father as his family, was crossing lines.
And I couldn’t blame him, because he would be right.
And as my daydreaming consumed me, I realized he’d moved away from the desk and now stood in front of me. I felt my eyes widen as he lifted his hand and brushed a piece of hair away from my cheek, a strand that had fallen loose from my bun while I’d been cleaning.
The feel of his finger along my skin was like fire and ice all in the same breath. My breasts felt heavy, tingly, my nipples ultra-sensitive. I clenched my thighs together as moisture pooled between my legs, my arousal raising its potent, intense head, letting me know that there was no way I could control myself where he was concerned.
He let his finger linger on my cheek a little longer than was probably necessary, but I wasn’t complaining. In fact, I wished he’d pull me in close, let my body rest against his, my head on his chest as I listened to his heart race like mine was.
The air was so thick around us, and I swore we were the only two people in the entire world This moment felt serene, seeming far more intimate than it probably was. But surely I wasn’t blind to the fact that he watched me with this intensity, almost a possessiveness.
And then I saw him lower his gaze to my mouth. I felt his stare all the way down to my marrow and found myself licking my lips. This deep sound left him, vibrations from his chest slamming right into me. I heard a gasp, and realized it came from me.
Was I imagining this?
Was Zane looking at me with desire?
I opened my mouth but nothing came out, words lodged in my throat. And then I saw him lean forward, maybe to kiss me, maybe to tell me to leave. But before he could say anything, the sound of people approaching interrupted the haze we were currently in.
The noise got closer, coworkers laughing, nearing his office to where they would see us in this very intimate position. I was the one who cleared my throat and took a step back, breaking the tether that was between us.
I glanced away, my hands shaking so much that I had to curl my fingers into my palms to keep them still. I felt his stare on me still and lifted my gaze to look into his eyes, seeing this need reflected back that was surely a mirror of my own.
“Piper.” He said my name gruffly.
“Mr. Alfonso, I have the paperwork you wanted.” The sound of a feminine voice interrupting this, us, had my body growing even tighter.
I looked over my shoulder at the woman who stood in the doorway, her focus on the paperwork she held. I took a few steps back, away from Zane, away from the connection we’d shared. Glancing at Zane, I s
aw he still watched me, that smoldering gaze unmistakable.
He wanted me. That was clear.
Before I made an ass of myself, I said “Sorry, excuse me,” and moved past the woman at the door, feeling my face heat.
And all the while I felt Zane watching me.
4
Zane
I set my pen down on my desk and ran my hand over the back of my head, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. Everyone had left the office an hour ago, but I’d stayed behind to finish up some last-minute blueprint details.
I looked at the forms in front of me, contracts and building specifications, permits and design suggestions. It all blurred together at this point. The sixteen-hour days were starting to suck the life out of me, but then again, I didn’t get where I was, have the thriving and successful business that I’d built, by being tired and giving up.
Leaning back in my chair, I stared out the windows that showed the hallway. I could imagine Piper walking through my office door, her eyes big and innocent looking, vulnerability pouring off of her in waves. She’d tell me she couldn’t stand the secret anymore, that she’d loved me for just as long as I’d loved her. She’d confess that she would be mine no matter what, that I’d be the only one who touched her, knew her body inside and out … loved her.
I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the seat, trying to push my thoughts of Piper out of my head. But thinking about her was going to have me sporting a raging hard-on.
But saying I would not think about her was like telling myself not to breathe.
It wasn’t going to happen.
I heard footsteps and opened my eyes, straightening in my chair and staring out the window in the hallway. No one should have been here. I could hear muffled music playing, as if somebody was listening to it in headphones especially loud. And then I saw Piper walking past my window, her focus on her phone, her earbuds in as she hummed softly.
Everything in my body tightened, came alive. My cock became hard, my mouth drying. Watching her when she was unaware could’ve been classified as weird as fuck, but seeing her in her element, unaware how beautiful she was, of how special she was to me, turned me on.
She wasn’t watching where she was going and ran into the side of my receptionist’s desk. Although I knew she wasn’t seriously hurt, the protective side of me rose up. I found myself standing and making my way toward her. I heard her swear as she rubbed the side of her leg where the impact had been.
And then her phone dropped out of her hand, her curse ringing out again. I smiled at the fiery side in her.
She bent over to retrieve it and I couldn’t help but look at her ass, the way it was shaped like a juicy peach, the fact her jeans molded to the mounds like perfection.
My dick hardened, and I tried to control the fucker. Last thing I wanted was for her to look up at me, her gaze landing right on the stiff erection pressed against my slacks. And then she straightened, her focus on her phone again for just a split second before she realized she wasn’t alone.
She looked into my eyes and I saw hers widen, the surprise that I was here clearly on her face. Piper quickly pulled the earbuds out, her music blasting through them. She shut off the music, or attempted to, but all that did was have the jack coming out of her phone and the song she’d been listening to screeching through the speaker.
Her face got red and I couldn’t help but smile again. She was too damn adorable. When she finally got the music off, looking back up at me and clearly flustered, all I wanted to do was pull her close and have her rest her head on my chest. I wanted to tell her that she could relax, that there was nothing for her to be concerned about.
I wanted to tell her that I would take care of everything, that I’d make sure she never wanted for anything.
Yeah, I wanted to say all of that simply because she was embarrassed right now.
She had such a hold on me, these hooks in me that refused to let go, ones that were embedded in my body permanently. It was dangerous, my feelings for her, but they would never go away.
I loved her too damn much.
“I thought everyone had left,” she said quickly, her face still red from her embarrassment.
I tucked my hands in my front pockets, pulling the material out slightly to try and hide the fact I was sporting wood right now. “I had some last-minute things to finish up before calling it a night. But what are you still doing here?”
“I was headed home but forgot my phone so had to come back.” She cleared her throat and looked away, as if being in my presence set her on edge. “Then I missed the bus so I’m just hanging here until the next one comes.” She looked down at her phone. “Which I should probably get going or I’ll miss that one too.” She laughed a little awkwardly.
“Bus?” I was shaking my head before the word even left me. “You’re taking the bus to get home?” Not that I had issues with that, per se. I’d taken the bus plenty when I was younger. But this was Piper. It wasn’t safe.
“Normally no, but today I had to. My car is on the fritz and my dad is working out of town on a construction gig.” She shrugged and smiled. “I can take it home. No problem.”
I shook my head again before she even finished speaking. “Absolutely not. That’s not safe, and if I would have known you were taking the bus, I would have been picking you up myself, or at the very least gotten you reliable and safe transportation.”
“That’s kind of you, but the bus is really fine, and it’s perfectly safe.”
“Let me take you home. It’s the least I can do for keeping you here so late.”
She smiled sweetly and all good intentions left me.
How in the hell could I control myself, especially when she looked at me that way, the memory of having her close, of touching her cheek, smelling the subtle floral scent that came from her? How could I rein in my feelings when all I wanted to do was claim every part of her until she couldn’t walk comfortably the next day, until my cum was slipping from her tight little pussy, leaving a wet spot on her panties?
God, my thoughts were lewd, fucking filthy.
But they claimed me like I was possessed, like there was no stopping how I felt, what I wanted.
And it was fucking time Piper knew that. All of it.
5
Piper
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t immensely excited about the fact I was in Zane’s car. When he said he’d take me home, my heart nearly beat out of my chest, but I was proud of myself for keeping it together and not acting like a fool.
I glanced over at him, the lights from the dashboard casting a glow over his masculine face. His dark hair was impeccably styled even after a long workday. I could see the five o’clock shadow covering his cheeks and jaw, the scruff having my fingers itching to touch him, to see if they were rough or soft.
And his lips, full and kissable, had me envisioning filthy acts, things he could do with his mouth on me. I turned my head and looked out the passenger window, swallowing past my suddenly dry throat.
What I wanted was to tell him not to take me home, that I wanted to stay with him, be with him.
My heart was thundering so hard it felt like it would burst through my chest. Could he hear it? Could he see the way I shifted on his seat, twisting my hands together in my lap, that I was a nervous wreck? I wanted to be bold and brave, wanted to go after what I desired, which was him.
Always him.
But I was so scared of rejection, that I’d be turned away, humiliated.
No, I couldn’t risk saying anything, not now at least. Because if he did turn me away and then told my father, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to face him again. I couldn’t handle that, at least not while I was still working for him. Maybe after I was done and going off to college I’d admit how I felt. That way if he turned me down it wouldn’t be so bad.
And if he didn’t turn me away? What if he wanted me the same way I wanted him?
I glanced over at him and saw his jaw was tight, his entire b
ody tense. I exhaled slowly and averted my focus, not wanting him to catch me staring at him.
“You’re deep in thought.” His husky voice broke through the silence and I looked over at him once more. We were stopped at a red light, and the way he looked at me, his stare intense, speared right into me.
“Sorry, I was just … thinking.” I didn’t want to admit exactly what those thoughts were about, at least not right now.
I felt the atmosphere shift, change the longer we stared at each other. It grew heavy, as if Zane himself had something to say. It was the way he looked, watched me. The fact the light had turned green, yet his focus was still on me.
Since we were out of the city the roads were pretty much free of any traffic. It was like we were in our own world, neither of us caring that the world still moved forward.
It was just him and me.
“Piper.” He said my name softly. His voice, the way he spoke, was emotion filled.
I felt my pulse start to beat harder. I wanted to reach up and cup his cheek, feel his scruff underneath my palm. But before I gave in to that feeling, he focused forward again, the connection we’d just had broken.
He accelerated, driving forward once more, silence weighing heavily between us. His hands were tightly wound on the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the force. His body was rigid, hard once again.
And then he was pulling off to the side of the road, kept the engine running, and stared out the front windshield.
There was a flashing red stop light up ahead, a late-night diner still open across the street, and a few parked cars here and there. Aside from that there was no life. It was just Zane and me, the silence deafening, my confusion growing.
“Zane?” I looked at him, my brows furrowed, not sure what was going on. He still faced forward, the red flashing light filling the interior in a ruby glow.
“Zane?” I looked around, not sure what was going on. “What are you doing? Why are we stopped?”