“Do you have time for a drink before you go?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“It will give me more time to convince you you’re exceptional and that I should speak to those parents and demand they recognise it.”
She gives me a half smile. “I can deal with them, but thank you.”
My eyes lock with hers. “I’m always here for you.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows slowly. I want to hold her close but also fuck her as she screams my name.
“I’ll make your coffee. Meet me downstairs, okay?”
“Sure. There’s a Diet Coke in the fridge for you. You might need the energy before your night out.”
Her smile over her shoulder makes me blush.
CHAPTER 40
Rosie
My fingers tremble as I pour milk into Niki’s coffee. I can’t believe I called him sir and let him control me. I tried to remind myself of the conversation with my mum, but after finding him in tears and with those glassy blue eyes looking up at me, I needed to do whatever it took to make him okay.
I bang the teaspoon down. I’m lying to myself. It wasn’t just about that.
I wanted him.
I crave every version of him, from the vulnerable to the powerful. I was desperate to straddle him and be the woman he needs. I want him to control me. I would have done anything he asked.
But then he asked me what I fear.
My answer was honest, but it wasn’t everything. Because what scares me is I’ll never orgasm with another person. I want him to be the first man to make me come.
I’m terrified I’ll never kiss him again and that one day I’ll be the assistant buying flowers and presents for anotherwoman when all I want is to be the one holding his hand or underneath him as he fucks me.
“Are you excited about your night out?” he says behind me.
The hiss of a can opening makes me turn. He passes it to me with a soft smile. I long to run my fingers across his freshly shaved hair. His little cheek dimple demands my touch. I don’t want to go out tonight and be surrounded by men who don’t compare to my boss.
I just want him.
“Rosie?”
He reaches around me and takes his coffee, and I breathe in the oak and vanilla smell embedded into his skin. His body brushes my chest, and I sink my teeth into my lips to stop crying out for more.
I swallow, and he watches my throat.
“Yes,” I reply hoarsely. I fumble in my pocket. “By the way, you said I could keep the chain, but I meant to return your ring. Sorry for not giving it back sooner.”
I hold out the ring, and he closes my palm around it. “Take it tonight. If a guy you don’t want tries it on, tell him your husband’s picking you up and you only have eyes for him.”
I only have eyes for Niki. I want to ask him to pick me up, but I nod instead.
He avoids eye contact. “And don’t forget to keep it hidden if you meet a man you want to hook up with.”
“As if. The one time I had sex, I got pregnant.”
His eyes snap to mine, and I cover my mouth. I didn’t mean to confess that—or did I?
