I round the corner, take her by the shoulders, turn her to face away from me, march her around the desk, and push her into my chair.
“Sit at my desk.It’s yours when I’m not using it.I’ll be back in half an hour.”
I stride across the room and grab the doors to close them before she can argue.The stunned relief in her expression and the exhausted droop of her shoulders, shame me.I’ve never expected an employee to work harder than I do.She can’t continue running circles around me.
The meeting lasts longer than expected.
Ms.Baker rises from her chair when I approach.
“I’ll go with you to the luncheon Mr.Williams organized instead of Ms.Tripp,” she says.
I check my watch and shake my head.
“No.They’re already expecting her there, so it’s best if she accompanies me.You’re free to take an extended break.I’ll text when we’re headed back,” I say.
“Of course, Mr.Diamond.I’m a text or phone call away,” she responds.
I nod in acceptance and step into my office.
Alarm spears through me at the sight of Audrey slumped over my desk.The door closes quietly behind me as I hurry across the room.Relief pours through me when she huffs and shifts her head on her arm.
She’s asleep, not passed out.
My heart aches as I study her relaxed profile.She’s too delicate for this world.I brush an escaped tendril of hair away from her face and wonder what demons drive her to push herself so hard.
The paper trapped under her captures my attention.A line ends abruptly a few inches away from the pencil lodged between her fingers.I lean down and skim the contents.
She’s taking a practice GED test.
I retreat to the double doors, spend a few minutes on my phone, then swing the door open as though I just arrived, making more noise than usual.
Audrey jerks awake, wipes the drool from her mouth, and slams her folder closed before rising and hugging it to her chest.I look up from my phone and quirk a brow.An embarrassed blush colors her cheeks.
I can’t resist.She’s too adorable.
She shuffles away as I crowd her space but trips on the wheel of the chair.I catch her with an arm around her back and swing her so her ass rests against the edge of the desk.To stop my hands from wandering, I flatten my palms on the desktop on either side of her hips and resist tasting her by sheer force of will.
“You’ve worked hard this morning, Ms.Tripp.I don’t mind you napping on my desk, but I’d rather you drool on me instead of wasting it on important paperwork,” I murmur an inch away from her lips.
Her sharp inhale pleases me.
For a delicious moment, she stares at me with sleepy, hunger-glazed eyes.I lament the hardening of her expression, but the glimpse of vulnerability fills me with awe.
“You’re disgusting,” she grumbles as she pushes out of my arms.
I rise, adjust my glasses, and smile as she drops her folder on the coffee table and grabs her purse.She turns and does a double take.
“What’s that look for?”she asks.
My mirth grows as I anticipate her reaction to my next words.
“Disgusting is better than a monster.I’m proud of the upgrade and can’t wait to hear what you call me when I—”
“Mr.Diamond, I believe we’re late for our luncheon,” she interrupts.
My cock hardens at her haughty tone and I long to ravish her, but she turns away, lifts her tote, and reaches for her briefcase.
“You don’t need any of that for a luncheon, Ms.Tripp,” I say.
