Ric looks at Dagen, his face twisted with pure hatred. “I hope my sloppy seconds were worth it, Fox. You’re going to pay for this.”
Dagen laughs and it’s like liquid sex trailing over my body. “There’s nothing sloppy about the way I fuck. Maybe you should worry about yourself instead of biting at my shadow.” His hand lands on my shoulder. “Besides, I doubt she ever came with you. It wouldn’t be hard to make her scream my name.”
Ric takes a step forward and I tense, but Dagen? He doesn’t move at all. The security guard steps forward, his hand on his hip where an actual gun rests. My eyes flick over to him the same time as Ric’s do, and Ric seems to realize he’d be making a mistake attacking Dagen Fox. Ric looks over at me, and there’s a promise of retribution there. He has no idea what’s coming, no idea what he’s going to face after this, but that absolute evilness in his eyes is enough to make me want to pick up Elsie and run again. This man won’t stop chasing us. I can see that. And we’re just poking the bear now.
“Get out,” Dagen orders, his voice hard. “Before I fuck her in front of you.”
I jerk and look over at Dagen, my eyes wide. He doesn’t look at me, his eyes on Ric, but for the first time, real shivers trail down my spine. They have nothing to do with my abusive ex or the fear I’d felt and everything to do with the man standing at my side.
Ric doesn’t say anything else. He turns on his heel and storms out, his steps hard on the marble. He slams the door closed behind him, forcing the security guard to open it again and chase after him to escort him out.
The moment the doors are closed, I slump, my stomach roiling.
“You did perfect,” Dagen says, his hand suddenly on my shoulder.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t realize you’d be implying we were sleeping together,” I grumble, pressing a hand against my forehead. “Some warning would have been nice.” m
Dagen laughs. “Implying means I was lying.”
“You were. We haven’t slept together,” I point out, turning to look at him.
He hums under his breath. “Oh?”
I narrow my eyes. “What does that mean?”
He moves closer, forcing me back against the edge of his desk until the back of my thighs press against the expensive wood. He cages me in, taking up my personal space, and I think I stop breathing as he leans down.
“Would you like me to correct the lie, Ava?” he breaths.
“What?” I squeak.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it,” he murmurs. “Because I’d know that for the real lie.”
“I. . .” My face has to be flushed right now. Heat emanates from my cheeks, telling me it’s probably as red as a tomato. “That wouldn’t be very professional.”
He chuckles. “I think we’re long past professional, little bird,” he says. “Why not go a little further?”
“Is this some sort of game?” I accuse. “Really trying to seal the deal and stick it to Ric?”
He grabs my hand so suddenly, I flinch when he does, making him pause. Only after I relax does he slowly lower my hand down to the hardness now pressing against his slacks. “This isn’t because of Ric,” he growls. “It’s because of the way you held your ground. It’s the strength in your eyes. It’s this goddamned red suit that makes me want to sit you in my chair and hide under my desk, licking you until you scream.”
I blink in surprise. “This is so far from professional,” I breathe. “We shouldn’t.”
“Then allow me to convince you,” he growls, and grabs a fistful of my hair. His lips are on mine before I can even gasp, so I gasp against his lips instead, giving him the opportunity to sweep inside. I’m frozen for all of two seconds, and then it registers that this gorgeous man is kissing me, and that he was right.
I really do want him just as badly.
Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I kiss him back, desperately trying to close the distance between us. He growls against my lips and lifts me onto his desk, pressing me back as his hands start to explore, groping me through my suit. He flicks open one button of my satin shirt, just as the intercom goes off.
“Mr. Fox, your next appointment is here,” Cynthia says, her tone giving nothing away.
I freeze, my eyes popping wide as Dagen leans back to listen to the intercom. He curses and reaches for the button. “Give me two minutes, Cynthia. Thank you.”
Staring up at him, I see the annoyance in his eyes when he looks back down at me. “Unfortunately, this isn’t an appointment I can cancel,” he says. “Or else I would.”
“It’s okay,” I breathe, fixing my button. “This was probably a mistake anyway.”
He grabs my chin and forces my eyes on his. “I’m going to fuck you, Ava. When is the only question still up in the air.”
