Page 88 of Heat & Deceit
“I’m fine.”
I give her a stern look. “Don’t argue with your boss. Meet me in the office, and bring a muffin.”
She narrows her eyes. “That sounds like a terrible idea.”
“Relax, Carm. You need to eat, and I have a bunch of inventory that needs to be counted and put away.”
“That’s not really a break,” she points out.
Touché, but it’ll get her locked in a room with me.
The things I could do to her.
* * *
Despite my filthy thoughts, I manage to mostly be a gentleman. She ate the muffin so fast, I’m not sure she even chewed before swallowing. The thoughts that came to mind while watching her eat... fuck, my balls ache. My eyes slip down to her ass when she bends over to grab a box from the floor. I take a seat behind my desk and watch her sort through the supplies. As soon as she’s out of the office, I reach down and adjust myself.
Asking her to come back here was a terrible idea. The fantasies I have are all wonderful, but Javier and Rome would kill me if I made a move on her. Or maybe they’d thank me, on the off chance that she wants the same thing I do.
She reenters the office and shoots me a haughty look. “You’re not going to help?”
The tent in my sweatpants is enough to keep my ass firmly planted in the chair. “Mmm, nope. I like the view.”
Squinting, she purses her lips and grabs another handful of supplies and carries it off. I force my focus on the computer, reading through the most recent emails from our vendors and responding to one or two. My attention is torn between working and eye-fucking Carmine.
My phone chirps, and I pick it up, releasing a heavy sigh and answering the call. “Checking up on me?”
Rome chuckles. “I lost my bet with Javier... unless you burned the place down and didn’t tell us about it?”
“Your confidence in me is inspiring.” I lean forward and prop my chin on my hand, smirking at Carmine when she shoots me a curious look. “I wanted to talk to you about Carmine.”
Her head whips in my direction.
“Is she okay?”
Do I detect concern? My, my. Is Rome as interested as I am?
“She’s fine.” In more than one way. “But I’m worried about her mouth. It’s filthy.” She makes a noise of protest, but I spin away from her, continuing, “She called me an asshole.”
“Well, she’s not wrong.”
“Ouch.”
He sighs. “Are you causing trouble?”
“I’d say she’s the problem. It’s hard to work with her. She’s so—” I glance at her over my shoulder, pleased to find her hanging on my every word. “—Bossy. Do I have permission to teach her who the real boss is?”
“Leave her alone.”
I chuckle under my breath. “That’s no fun. Bending her over my knee, though...” I trail off as Carmine stomps toward me.
“Who are you talking to?” she hisses.
“Sorry, Rome. I think they need me up front.”
“Don’t forget to tell them about the holiday party,” he says before I hang up.
I drop my phone into my lap and clasp my hands over my erection. “It’s rude to interrupt someone when they’re on the phone.”
