I grind through the morning in a slight haze.The tension in the office grows when Ms.Baker arrives, but with everyone’s workload so heavy, we maintain our professional attitudes and focus on completing tasks.
A few minutes before lunch break, I return from my last morning meeting and find Audrey half asleep at my desk with her elbow propped on the surface and her head in her hand.
With neat stacks of folders covering most of the desk, she sits with her eyes closed and her fingers pinched around the top page of the opened folder in front of her.
A quick glance reveals she’s working ahead and sorting paperwork for tomorrow morning.
She sighs and sways.I lunge around the desk and catch her head as it slips out of her hand.For a blissful moment, she snuggles into my palm and makes a low, happy sound in her sleep.
She jolts awake and glances around as though lost.When she stiffens and trails terrified eyes up my suit, I drop into a squat and lift her hand to my face.
“It’s just me, baby doll.You’re safe,” I murmur.
She inhales and blows out her breath before adding her second hand and framing my face.Endorphins flood my system as she offers me a wicked smile.
“Safe?With you?Only a monster would claim such a thing,” she says with mock affront.
I cover her hand with mine and lean into her palm.
“You’re right.I am a monster.Your monster,” I vow.
Her gaze softens, but she shakes her head and looks away.
“I’m sorry.I haven’t fallen asleep at work in years.This isn’t professional,” she says.
“You were up taking care of me all night, so of course you’re tired.We’ll postpone everything after lunch and leave the office early,” I decree.
“We can’t—”
“We can.Owner, CEO, and asshole boss, remember?We’re taking this afternoon off.”
She pulls her hands away from my face and scowls.I tease a fingertip along her jawline.
“But not until after your tutoring session,” I clarify.
“I… how did you know I was studying for the GED?”she asks.
I fix my glasses as I rise.
“You fell asleep at my desk before, remember?”
Her face turns an enticing shade of pink even as her eyes catch on my tie.
“You’re a sneaky jerk.Thank you,” she grumbles.
I smile and steal a quick peck on her temple just so I can enjoy her soft skin and fresh lemony scent.
“Of course, baby doll.I need to head out before the guards start spreading rumors about me standing them up.Be safe,” I say.
She glances at the door before nodding.
I can’t resist.Her lips are too tempting.She’s too tasty.
I leash my desires and kiss her with as much gentle reverence as the fire roaring within my blood allows.When I pull back way too soon, she blinks up at me with dazed green eyes.
“I’ll see you after lunch.”
She nods again without taking her stare off my lips.
