Page 12 of Bred By the Boss

“Noelle. Can I help you?”

I blink. Why did I come here again?

“Noelle—”

“I’m sorry.” My eyes shoot to his. He’s got that smirk of his on, the one that makes me want to walk away in a huff but also pull him closer. I blush at the fact that he just caught me ogling him.

“I asked if I could help you with something?”

Right. “When my mom was ill, she often struggled with sleeping. Herbal tea helped, and it helps me too.”

“Noelle,” Connor rasps, folding his arms over his massive chest and staring down at me with something dark glinting in his eyes. “Is this going somewhere?”

“I just boiled some water for a cup of tea for myself,” I rush out, “but I figured I’d offer some to you. To help you sleep.”

He gives me a long look, as if waiting for me to continue.

“I just,” I continue nervously. “You seemed tired and stressed earlier. Tea always helped me and my mom, maybe it’d help you too.”

My heart flutters against my ribcage. God, what am I doing here? He looks fine now. More than fine, actually. He’s giving me the same look he gave me just before he kissed me. It’s almost like he’s a predator looking at prey, but I can’t find it in me to run like prey might.

That probably means he’s fine, I’m worried for nothing. “I’m sorry, this was stupid—”

Just as I turn to walk away, his hand wraps around my arm, stopping me.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he says, his voice still little more than a rasp. Goosebumps rise on my skin. His hand drops to take mine and he pulls me into his bedroom with a gentle tug. “Come here.”

My mind goes blank as he guides me into his room. I’ve been in here before, but only alone. It’s different with him next to me, his skin throwing off warmth like it’s the sun. Connor backs up until the backs of his legs hit the mattress. He sits on the edge, his hand still wrapped around mine. His hand is so big it practically engulfs mine.

“How’s your thumb?” he asks softly, his gaze hot and searching.

It takes me a minute to register his question.

“Oh. It’s fine,” I tell him. That feels like it was almost a lifetime ago, even if it’s only been a few days. “It’s healing up well, I think.”

He pulls my hand closer to his face, looking at it intently. The band-aid is a little frayed, but it’s only really there to remind me to be careful at this point. “I was worried, you know,” he explains. “Kitchen injuries are no joke.”

“It was nothing,” I breathe. My head is spinning with his proximity. He’s holding my hand right now but all I can think about is how his hands felt on my body when he caught me wearing his sweatshirt. “I’ve had worse.”

“I’m sure,” he says. “You work hard, and your hands show it.”

I watch as Connor brushes his lips against my knuckles. Sparks fly in my stomach, need filling me low and hot. I don’t dare draw a breath. I don’t want him to stop, even though I know I should.

He kisses my palm. “I wonder what else can these hands do.”

“Anything you want,” I gasp when I feel his tongue on my skin. “Anything you need.”

“Are you sure you want to give me that kind of power, kitten?” he growls. His eyes practically pierce me as he looks me up and down.

It’s no use. I can’t fight the desire any longer. “Yes. More than anything.”

He takes my other hand in his and pulls me closer, dragging my fingertips across his chest and stomach until they’re at the waistband of his sweatpants. My eyes widen when I see how hard he’s become. How big he looks caught in the confines of the soft fabric.

“This is your last chance to say no,” he purrs, his hips grinding against my palm as he presses it to his clothed cock. “I’m tired of holding back with you.”

I want him. I’ve wanted him since I landed this job. I’ve never wanted anyone before, but I want him like he’s the only thing I’ll ever need. I’ve craved his touch every day since I first felt it, and I’ve hoped for this moment every step of the way. Yeah, it’s foolish. It puts my job at risk, and probably my heart as well.

I’ve had to deny myself so many things for so long in my life. It’s time I let myself have something I want.

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