“That’s it, Cupcake.” My voice sounds like gravel, that’s how close I am. “Show me how pretty you look when you come.”
Finally, she breaks, mouth falling open on a silent moan, eyes rolling back as she writhes in my chair, legs pressing together, back arching off the leather. I watch in awe as this woman comes undone right before my eyes, knowing as my release surges through me that there’s no fucking way this is over. I grip my pulsing cock, spilling onto the CAD prints in jerky movements, vaguely registering Iris’s reverent expression as I come.
Breathing hard, we stare at each other. It’s just us, just this moment, and it’s fucking everything.
The sound of a phone ringing somewhere outside my office cuts through the haze, and I suck in a breath, stepping back, tucking myself into my boxer-briefs, buckling my belt withshaking hands. Iris tugs on her panties, not meeting my gaze, and I look at my cum, pooled on the CAD prints, the reality of what we’ve just done hitting me. I jerked off in front of an employee.
No, not an employee.
Theboss’s daughter.
Jesus Christ. How did I let that happen?
John’s already pissed at me for the way I’ve slipped lately. Partnership feels further away than ever, all because I’ve gotten distracted. Now I’ve donethis? How could I have been so stupid? So reckless?
I curse quietly to myself, raking a hand through my hair, and Iris shrinks.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, rising from my chair.
My gaze snaps to Iris. Her shoulders curl inward as she ducks her head in shame, and something fierce flares inside me.
“Don’t apologize.”
She glances at me uncertainly. “You’re not angry?”
Everything about that makes me soften. God, she always expects me to be angry. I know why now, after seeing the way John treats her. The wayIused to treat her. It fucking kills me.
I can’t let her think this is her fault. That I’m angry at her. It’s the opposite of how I want her to feel. With a sigh, I round the desk, hesitating before I reach for her. I know I shouldn’t touch her, especially after what we just did, but I need her to know.
“No, Cupcake,” I say, softly brushing my thumb along her cheekbone. “It’s not your fault. I wanted it just as much as you.”
Her shoulders relax as she gazes up at me. I stroke the soft blush on her smooth skin, and she closes her eyes, leaning into my palm. She looks small, and something protective clenches in my gut.
This can’t go further. She needs someone to keep her steady, to be there for her, to guide her.
Not to take advantage of her.
“But it can’t happen again,” I say gently, hating the words even as I say them. “Not because I don’t want you—God, I do—but you deserve better than me losing control like that.”
She sighs, studying the floor. “I knew you’d say that.”
I ignore the twist in my chest, reaching for the most obvious thing to say. “Your father is my boss. I need to make partner, and that won’t happen if I sleep with his daughter.” The logic is sound, but the words are hollow, even to my own ears. I’m chasing a promotion—chasingapproval—from the man who pushes Iris around, and knowing what I do now, it doesn’t sit right.
But I’ve worked my ass off for this. It’s all I’ve known for years. I’ve fucking earned it.
And I’m not sure I know any other way to be.
“You work for me,” I add quietly, mostly to remind myself. “You’re young, and I should be the one setting boundaries.”
She snorts, rolling her eyes. The sound cuts deeper than it should.
“It’s fine,” she mutters. “I get it.”
My heart tightens. She’s pulling away, and it’s exactly what I need.
But I can’t stand it.
“Don’t think I regret it,” I murmur. “That’s not what this is. God, I wish…” But I swallow my words, knowing better than to say them. “We need to be professional.”
