Page 86 of Between Love and Loathing
“My feelings aren’t hurt,” I whispered, but they were. I needed recognition in this industry, to feel a part of the team. “I want to prove myself, and I missed the opportunity.”
“To whom?”
“The team. The chefs. They think I’m where I am because of my stepdad and you.”
“So, someone gave you a chance? People either make the best of opportunities or squander them, and you’ve been proving yourself since the day you got here.”
I wasn’t taking his logical train of thought right now. “Well, whatever. Like I said, the text was a joke.”
“Your text was bait, and I’m taking it.” He grabbed my hips and hoisted me onto the conference table.
My eyes widened and my head snapped to where everyone outside was talking. I heard someone laughing, and it felt like Valentino’s eyes were on me.
“Everyone is still outside. They can see—”
“You can see them, cupcake. They can’t see you… unless you want them to.” He questioned as my breath hitched where his hand dipped into the lace. He hummed. “Ah, I see. My girl likes to give a show then. Like a little bit of risk, Clara?”
I shook my head fast no, but I knew my body gave a different answer. I’d never been into exhibitionism, but with Dominic it felt forbidden and dangerous. It felt like I could have him spiral out of control much like I was. I wanted it but knew we couldn’t do it.
Before I answered him, he leaned in and whispered, “I’m not giving them a line of sight to the pussy that’s mine today, baby. Today, I’m selfish.” His hands massaged my thighs so close to my sex under my dress, strong and rough like he knew exactly what I wanted.
When he ripped the lace from my pussy, I gasped. Valentino’s face frowned at the door. He and Rita were still out there, discussing something. I bit my lip, knowing I had to be quieter.
“Don’t bother wearing these to work anymore. It’s not necessary when I’m going to ruin them. Now, how would you like your apology?”
“H-how?” My mind scattered in all different directions, my body on such high alert that his question caught me off guard.
I was losing the battle of resisting him when he was this close, his smell all around me, the length of him now pressing against my pussy as he stepped between my legs to murmur, “Want me to fuck the anger out of you or get on my knees to show you how much I like your food better? I’ll do either.”
“This… I don’t think this is helping further the resort plan, Dominic. We shouldn’t be doing this here.” My heart galloped at too fast of a speed. Dominic Hardy should have been the man I was staying away from. Yet, he pushed me to see my full potential, aggravated the confidence out of me, and made me express every emotion. No man fought for success as hard as him, no one commanded a room like him, no one earned respect like him, and no one touched me like him.
His sharp and intense stare felt dangerous and hot on my skin. “Are you sure? I seem to recall that you went to Valentino for advice about your bakery today instead of me. Maybe I need to establish that I know what’s best for you and your bakery, not some random dumbass.”
“He’s not random. You chose him and his brand from millions.”
“And I’m also inclined to choose to fire him if he comes near my girl again.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I shoved him angrily and then tried to wiggle backward on the conference table away from him, but his hands clamped down on my thighs and yanked me back so I was directly up against his hard length. “So one guy is helping me out while you have countless women happily helping you, including Rita. Maybe you and Rita can—”
His hand tightened. “You think my cock gets rock solid like this for anyone else, little fighter?” he grumbled, completely serious. “You’re driving me crazy spending my money, changing up my resort plans, walking around in these dresses that dance and sway with bright-ass colors that don’t belong anywhere in my damn presence.”
“You like the colors. It’s why you’re implementing my idea,” I shot back as his head dropped down to suck on my neck.
“I hate them, but I like you.” He thrust his cock against my clit, and I breathed out his name, not able to control myself even as both Rita and Valentino looked at the door this time. Dominic didn’t stop. He actually chuckled as he felt my body tense, and then he bit and kissed on my neck.
I whisper-yelled at him, “Don’t leave marks, Dominic. I don’t have a sweater to cover them up.”
The voice that left his body was deep and gravelly, almost near a growl full of frustration. “You didn’t answer my question before, little fighter. Am I fucking you or tasting you?”
Feeling the indent of his trousers had me wanting his cock sliding into me more than anything, but I still hesitated even as my hips moved up and down against him as his tongue and mouth expertly moved over my sensitive skin. “I think I deserve both,” I blurted out, my mouth obviously having no shame as I watched two of our colleagues frowning with disapproval at the door. Immediately, I followed up with, “Sorry. No. We shouldn’t—”
I didn’t finish the sentence. His hand sliced up my skirt to feel my pussy, soaking wet.
I fell back on my hands to watch Dominic Hardy become the man everyone knew him to be.
Determined.
Effective.
