Page 35 of The CEO

“Does anyone else here call you anything but Mr. Avery?” She paused at the door that led out into the hall.

“No, but they also don’t affect me the same way you do,” I growled out. Was she trying to set a record for how many times she could drive me mad? It was all I could do to remain professional. “Let’s go have that meeting now.”

Pria looked at me unsure. I was sure she was wondering if I was referring to what she wanted to talk about or what I wanted to do to her. If it was up to me, we’d do both.

I let her walk in front of me by a couple of feet to keep up appearances. I didn’t mind though, since I liked watching her ass sway in her tight red skirt. Even though she was short, her legs looked phenomenal in her sky-high red heels. She didn’t pause when we reached my office as she walked right in, and sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk. I guess I’d be hearing her out first.

To give her a bit of the same medicine, she gave me, I directed. “You should have made an appointment with my secretary if you wanted to speak to me.”

Her lips thinned as she tapped her finger on the chair arm. “I would have, but you asked, and I only received the email twenty minutes ago.”

“Fair enough. What can I help you with?”

“I totally forgot after losing Sarah and then the rest of the events of the weekend, but before all that, I’d taken the dogs to the dog park and met a woman with a goat.” That definitely caught my attention, I placed my elbows on my desk and rested my chin on my clasped hands. “We exchanged information about a fundraiser to fight the laws of owning pets in New York. Did you know there are a lot of animals you can’t have in the city?”

“Can’t say that I do.”

“Well, I looked it up and found you pretty much can’t have any farm animals. I was surprised at how many you can’t have asa pet. I’m not sure how she got away with having a goat here in the city.”

“What does this have to do with me?” I wasn’t in the market for having a pet goat or any other animals for that matter.

“She asked if we, and by we, I mean you with a date, and me with a date,” she stammered, “would go to the fundraiser. Plus, she needs donations and sponsors and I thought since you love dogs so much maybe you’d like to go.”

I wanted to laugh at how she tripped over her words. I couldn’t be certain, but I thought it was because she didn’t want me to go with anyone else, but I’d told her I didn’t do relationships and she was trying to do everything in her power to make it known she didn’t think there was an us to be had.

“I’ll only go on one condition.” I fought the smirk that tried to break free knowing she wouldn’t expect my request.

“What’s your condition?” she asked in a huff.

“You have to go as my date.”

Her eyes widened, and I wanted to laugh. “You want me to be your date? Are you sure that’s wise?”

“I don’t know. Is it? Will there be other Avery Capital Holdings employees there?” I highly doubted it. It kind of hurt that she wanted to keep what we were doing a secret, but I understood why. Who wanted to be labeled as the boss fucker, especially when there was no chance at a relationship? Only now that I’d spent an entire weekend with only Pria and the dogs, I liked what life looked like with her in my space and in my bed.

“I’m not inviting anyone from here, but I don’t have control over the guest list.”

“Well, if you want me to go and to donate money, then agree to be my date. It’s as simple as that.”

“Nothing with you is simple, but I’ll agree to go as your date. If we see anyone, we know we can just pretend we bumped into each other.”

Ouch. It was like she was ashamed of me. Most women would die to be my date and to be seen on my arm. All but the one woman I wanted there. At least I knew there was no way Pria was using me.

“Whatever makes you feel better.”

“Thanks.” She smiled sweetly at me before standing. “I should get back to work.”

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to have lunch with me instead?” I really wanted her to change her mind. Who could she be meeting with that she’d give up an orgasm or two?

Her face softened. “I’m sorry, but I can’t cancel. I’ll happily see you tonight.” Walking around my desk, Pria looked at my closed door before leaning down and brushing her ruby red lips against mine.

“I want you to paint me with those red lips of yours tonight.” Preferably my cock, but I kept that to myself.

“I’ll see what I can do.” She winked before walking out of my office.

For the restof the morning, I did my own digging into Sun Heights Investments. I didn’t want to have to go out of town if I didn’t have to. Especially when I already had another overnight trip planned at the end of the week. Now that I had a feisty little houseguest, I dreaded going out of town. If I could have brought her with me I would, but there was no reason for it. I had someone I trusted to take care of my dogs.

Since Pria had other plans for lunch, I needed to let the dogs out and put their food in the crockpot since I hadn’t done it thismorning. I really needed to find someone who could take them for a walk at lunchtime so neither of us had to go home.

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