Page 6 of My Office Rival

“What will you give me if I do?” I arched a brow.

“You continue to be the most annoying man alive,” she said, but her eyes smiled at me. “Regardless, all this is really doing it for me, so I think I can forgive you.” She gestured vaguely at my body.

“All this?” I teased, running a hand down my chest.

Her eyes darkened. “Do that again.” She bit her lip and my cockjerked. I ran a hand down my chest again, lingering over my abs to watch her reaction. Her eyes were hungry. I ever so slowly moved to grip my cock. One long stroke, then another, shivers of pleasure dancing over my skin, my groin pulling tight with need. Her eyes had gone heavy-lidded, her breaths short. Her gaze was fixed on my erection, and I smirked.

“Jason.” Her eyes flew to my face. “I want more,” she breathed.

“Me too.” My voice was gravelly with need. How was she turning me on this quickly?

“This is stupid,” she said. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. My palm landed on her hip.

“I know,” I muttered. “I don’t care.” I yanked her closer, pulled her under me. Her lush curves felt like sin against my skin. I lowered my mouth to hers, just barely brushing her lips.

“Me neither,” she whispered against my mouth, and kissed me.

The next day,I thought about texting her as I took the subway to the office. I turned my phone over in my hand as I waited for my stop. I’d already typed out a few messages that morning and then deleted them.

The first, which I’d composed after seeing the rumpled mess we’d made of my bed, had read, “Let’s do that again.”

I’d decided against sending it when I’d remembered that she was my opposing counsel, not just a stunningly beautiful woman.

I’d typed out the second while I got undressed for my shower.Why not have a second night?I’d been hard as stone imaging her perfect curves, even after a brutal run, and I’d typed out a message.“When and where?”Simple, stark, like my need for her. And then I reminded myself that I never gave a woman more than one night. For the first time in five years, I’d forgotten. She hadmademe forget. Second nights were prohibited.

Freak.Alana’s words were inked in my memory. I could tamp down my needs for one night. But after that it was too hard. I likedsex, liked it a lot, but to really connect with someone, I needed to feel like I could lose control with them. I spent my entire life, every damn day, keeping my past and my personality under wraps. It was a relief to have someone else in control.

My ex-girlfriend’s rejection had destroyed me. Oh, all was well and good when she was the one tied to the St. Andrew’s Cross, but if I wanted that? If Icravedthat? Hell, no. After I’d asked her to let me sub, she’d muttered some excuses and gotten dressed. I had downed three whiskeys in rapid succession and accused her of being a coward. “At least I’m not a freak,” she’d responded. I still felt echoes of that grinding pain in my chest, and behind it, the old hurt and rejections from my foster families. Never again.

The memory had made my fist clench in rage, so hard I’d thought my phone would shatter. I’d slowly deleted the text to Cynthia.

But the need for her still rode me hard. Today was going to be a trying day, just based on the emails I’d received this morning. Another reminder of why I so desperately wanted out. I hated that my destiny was in others’ hands. I had to stay focused on my goals, but some days, like today, I wanted just one person to be close to. I could picture Cynthia on the chair with me, draped over my lap, her lids heavy with desire, that wild hair spread around her. She would look like a sinful offering with those curves and those dark eyes.Fuck.

I flipped my phone in my hand.Don’t you dare.She said one night, and you vowed never to give a woman a second one.

I tipped my head back against the wall of the subway car and eyed a guy who was idly texting someone, a small smile on his face. Maybe his girlfriend, or his fiancée. Lucky bastard.

Something about last night had beendifferent. The way she’d responded, the way we’d fit together…she might be willing toplaywith me.

But texting was dishonest. Even if she wanted a second night, I wasn’t boyfriend material. I was barely functional. I didn’t have girlfriends. I fucked girls whom I met online, never more than once. Because women I met in real life didn’t want to play like I did. Thelook of disdain in their eyes when they learned what I needed was too humiliating.

There would be no texting. No second night. None of it now, and none of it later. And I’d just have to hope I didn’t see her across the conference table for a long, long time. Because if I were trapped in a small space with her, I wouldn’t be able to resist.

5

JASON

Just hours later, I tapped my index finger against my pen while Mitchell regarded me steadily. His hands were steepled under his chin, and he looked resigned. Rare for him. My boss, rising star, hard-ass corporate lawyer, youngest partner the firm had ever made. And right now, he was looking at me like I’d crashed one of his sports cars.

“We had a complaint from a client about one of the counsel here,” he said, voice hard.

Surprise drew my shoulders back.Had someone said something about me? It’s my family. I know it is. Or they found out about Cynthia. No way. Not just half a day after she left my apartment.

“Not you,” he said quickly. I rolled my lips to stop the sigh of relief. “Someone in this group slept with a client.” He shook his head. “But I’m taking all the senior associates and counsel aside to remind them that fraternization with clients is strictly prohibited. It’s against the rules of professional conduct. And we are taking a firmer stance on fraternization within the firm too.”

I nodded dutifully, relieved I wasn’t the one getting in trouble. All I needed to do was play along until Mitchell got his message across. Cool, calm, reserved, that was me.

“This situation could lead to a lawsuit.” He grimaced. “So every single one of you needs to be on your best behavior. No getting drunk with clients and letting things get out of hand, no late nights holed up in a conference room with a junior associate.” His eyes were hard, and I shivered. Damn, Mitchell was scary when he wanted to be. “And no sleeping with opposing counsel.” His brows drew down. “Someone, and I won’t say who, got caught doing that last year, and I was barely able to stop the PR nightmare. I know you wouldn’t do that. I can count on you, Jason.”

---