“Whether I’ll regret this is still to be seen,” I continue, “but Austen convinced me I made a mistake letting you go.”
Her brows draw together in confusion, and she finally speaks, her voice quieter but still laced with suspicion. “He did?”
“Yes,” I nod, my gaze locked on hers. “Quite emphatically.”
A flicker of something softens her expression—hope, perhaps—but she keeps her guard up.
“If you want to come back,” I gesture toward the certificate, “I need transparency, Violet. No more sneaking around or pretending to be someone you’re not. I need to be able to trust you.” My voice is crisp, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Austen saidyoumade a mistake?” she asks again as if testing me, and I catch the faintest twitch of a smile, the hint of a dimple peeking through.
“Don’t push your luck, Violet,” I warn, though there’s a trace of amusement in my tone.
She glances at the certificate again, anxiety flickering across her face. “And... I’m not in trouble for this?”
“No, we’re even now,” I say, my tone cool. “But if I need to, Violet, I can make it a problem.” I watch her carefully, letting my words settle. She’s only seen the agreeable version of me today, but she needs a reminder of who I can be when pushed. The flash of contempt in her eyes is quick, but she swallows it down, biting her tongue.
“Why did you lie?” I ask, curiosity tugging at me. “You’re clearly smart enough for the job without it.”
She rolls her eyes, propping a hand on her hip. “Oh please, like I’d have even made it past HR without that.”
I smirk. “We strive to employ the best. But perhaps we need to rethink what that means.”
“So... I can have my job back?” She says, quieter now, the harsh tone softened, and it’s strange how satisfying it is to know I’ve caused that.
“Yes. Just don’t make Austen regret sticking his neck out for you.”
“I won’t. And you can trust me, sir.”
Damn. My cock twitches atsir. The fiery Violet is intoxicating, but my ego wonders how thrilling it would be to see the submissive side buried beneath all that attitude.
She turns back to the door, clearly itching to escape.
“One more thing, Violet,” I say as I return behind my desk.
She freezes. “Yes?”
“Don’t make an enemy out of me. It won’t end well.”
She tilts her head, considering me for a beat, before offering a small, sly smile. “I won’t,” she chirps. “It’ll be like I never existed, just how you like it.”
With that, she swishes out, her hair catching the light as she waves at Bethany and waits for the elevator.
She has no idea how wrong she is.
Chapter five
Violet
His mouth curls in a sneer, his warm breath heating the delicate skin between my thighs. “I think we both know, Violet, I could ruin you before you even step outside this building.”
I scream as his tongue drags a lazy rhythm over my swollen clit, shamelessly writhing on his face, begging for more. “Let everyone watch, Violet, how I own you.” My gaze flies around the room in horror as I realize I’m spread out on the boardroom table, everyone present to witness my humiliation...
I suck in a huge gulp of air as I wake up with a start, my skin layered with a sheen of sweat, my hard nipples pricking my silk camisole, an unrelenting ache in my core. Great. As if being admonished by Chase in his office twice in the last twenty-four hours wasn’t enough. Now I’m dreaming about fucked-up hate sex with the man I loathe. And judging by my slick panties, I liked it. Way too much. I mean, what kind of masochist would get a thrill out of him threatening to ruin me? But that’s exactlywhat happened yesterday when he caged me against the door, his incredible scent caressing all my senses.
Groaning, I roll over and reach for the water on my bedside table, my throat so dry it feels like sandpaper. I down it in one go, wiping the back of my hand across my parched lips. Cracking an eye open, I wince as the brutal sunlight pierces through my threadbare curtains, sending a fresh wave of pain through my skull. It takes few sluggish moments for my frazzled brain to catch up—until last night comes flooding back.
Just one quiet drink to celebrate your fire and rehire,Seb and Millie had said.
