Page 16 of His to Command

She enters cautiously, stopping just inside the door. She's dressed differently today—a dark blue dress that still conceals her curves but hints at them more than her usual shapeless clothing. Her hair is down, falling in waves around her shoulders. For me? The thought pleases me immensely.

"Close the door," I instruct.

She does, but remains standing near it. A safe distance. Pointless.

"About last night," she begins, voice steady despite the blush deepening on her cheeks.

"You've been promoted," I interrupt, standing and moving around my desk. "Special Projects Director. Reporting directly to me."

She blinks, thrown off-balance. "What?"

"Your new office is through there." I gesture to the door in the wall that previously led to the small conference room. "Your salary has been adjusted accordingly. The position comes with additional stock options and benefits that HR will explain."

She stares at me, those expressive eyes cycling through confusion, suspicion, and something darker. "Hudson, you can't just?—"

"I can. I have." I step closer, into her space. "This isn't because of last night, if that's what you're thinking. This is because you're brilliant and underutilized. The sex is...a separate benefit."

Her eyes narrow. "The sex was a mistake."

"No." The word emerges as a growl. "It wasn't."

"Hudson, I'm your employee. There are rules?—"

"You report directly to me now. No intermediate managers. No HR oversight." I reach out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, gratified when she shivers at the contact. "No one to tell us no."

She steps back. "That's not how this works. You can't just rearrange the entire company because we...because last night happened."

"I can." I close the distance between us again. "And if last night was just 'something that happened,' why are you wearing your hair down today? Why the new dress?"

Her flush deepens, confirming my suspicion. She thought about me this morning while getting dressed. Wanted to look good for me.

"This isn't appropriate," she says, but her breathing has quickened.

"I don't care." I reach for her, hand sliding around the nape of her neck. "Last night wasn't a mistake or an accident. It was the beginning."

Before she can argue further, I capture her mouth with mine. For a moment she remains stiff, resistant. Then, with a small sound of surrender, she melts against me, lips parting, body softening. I deepen the kiss, walking her backward until she's pressed against the door.

"Hudson," she gasps when I release her mouth to trail kisses down her neck. "Someone could see?—"

"Let them." I nip at her pulse point, feeling it race beneath my lips. "Let them all see who you belong to."

Her hands push against my chest, creating space between us. "I don't belong to anyone."

I allow her the illusion of control, stepping back. "Your new office awaits, Director Hastings."

She straightens her dress, visibly collecting herself. "This conversation isn't over."

"I hope not." I smile, watching her eyes darken in response. "We have a budget meeting in twenty minutes. Don't be late."

She turns and leaves through the connecting door, closing it firmly behind her. I give her exactly thirty seconds before following. She's standing in the middle of the spacious office, taking in the changes—the executive desk, the plush seating area, the view rivaling my own.

"This is insane," she says without turning around. "I'm not qualified for this position."

"You're exactly what I need." I step closer, and she turns to face me. "Someone who sees patterns others miss. Someone who challenges me. Someone unafraid to tell the truth."

"Is that what you think I am?"

"I know it is." I brush my knuckles along her jawline. "Last night proved it."

---