If you’ve made it this far in this story, you know where this is going, right? I’m glad you do, because I sit there like a fucking dumbass just grinning like a cat on Quaaludes while Vince works his magic.
I thought I’d turned a corner. But shit never goes like it’s supposed to go. That’s not life, and that’s sure as hell not my life. Because karma is a bitch, and she’s dressed up in thigh high fuck-me boots as she walks tall and proud behindhim, five minutes late to the meeting, and flips my world upside down.
“Sorry I’m late, everyone. I had to drop my daughter off at school. Traffic was a bleedin’ nightmare.”
I stop breathing. The visceral reaction from just hearing his voice tears me to shreds. I will myself not to look at him, but my eyes refuse to listen and take him all in. He looks even better than I remember. The navy blue suit he wears hugs him in all the right places, his crisp white shirt presses against his hard chest as his red power tie dominates the room.
I manage a smile, and he returns it with a scowl. My stomach twists until I realize Vince still has his hand resting on my shoulder. And that’s exactly where Niall’s eyes are glued. I think about shrugging Vince’s hand off, but at least I’m getting some kind of reaction out of Niall, and the heat in his eyes is just too tempting to pass up.
Yes, I know I’m walking a fine line here. Smoke and mirrors are exactly what got us in this mess in the first place. However, honestly? What do I have to lose? Smiling, I pat Vince’s hand and settle deeper into my seat as the sound of a pencil snapping in half fills the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I glance over and see Niall tossing the two halves onto the table and running his hands over his face.
Game on.
Again.
***
The meeting has barely ended, and as we file out of the conference room with Vince high-fiving every manager and executive at Halpert like they were off to the big game after a rousing pep rally, I feel a hand grab me around my elbow.
“Quiet,” Niall mumbles in my ear.
I stumble behind him as he drags me down the hallway and through the breakroom, his pace unrelenting and his grip hard. All the color is gone from his eyes, leaving only a pure black dominating stare. I don’t know what I’m in for as he drags me into a cramped supply closet, but by the predatory look on his face, it’s not an apology.
I take a step backward and raise my palm in an attempt to ward off his tirade. “Niall, please don’t start—”
Slamming the door, he spins me around and backs me against a wall of shelves stocked with office supplies. As my back crashes into the ledges, our lips clash, and it’s not gentle. It’s hurried and frantic and about as romantic as you’d think making out in a supply closet would be. But holy fuck, it’s hot. Immediately, my hands go to his waistband and jerk his shirt out from the confines of his belt, diving under it and raking over his hard chest.
Fuck, I’ve missed this chest.
I can barely breathe as he kisses me on my lips, my face, my neck, my hair, anything he can reach, his tongue is tasting, and I’m about to lose my mind. My head drops back, and I whimper as Niall groans and pulls my jacket off my shoulders. Unbuttoning the first few buttons on my dress, he jerks the lace of my bra down and trails a heated path from my chin to my breast. The minute his tongue scrapes over my over-sensitized nipple, I let out a moan that I’m certain can be heard all the way to the breakroom.
This is it. I’m going to die right here in this closet, because all I want is his touch. I’ll give up everything for it. Even the one thing I risked it for in the first place. Unable to stop myself from touching him, I reach out between our bodies and cup him, my blood boiling as his teeth graze over the tip of my nipple.
“Turn around and spread your legs,” he commands hotly, pulling back and licking his lips.
Just the sound of his voice almost makes me come on the spot, but I manage to lift my head and stare at him with an open mouth. “We can’t. Niall, someone will hear us. I just started this job,” I halfway protest, but I’m already curling my fist around the shelf in preparation of his onslaught. “I can’t…shit, I can’t get fired already.”
“Aye, I outrank your arse in this office.” He’s near losing control. Even in the short time we’ve been together, I know his accent always gets heavier when he’s angry or painfully hard. “Christ, Laken, just around and spread your feckin’ legs before someone comes in.”
Weeks of missing him and hating myself blind me to what’s right or wrong. All I can see is what’s in front of me and the sinful way he’s manipulating my body. And I know it’s only about to get worse. Or better.
Fuck, I can’t even think anymore, but I obey, and turning around, I grip the shelves and spread my legs. Even in the dim light, I can see the wicked grin that tips the corners of Niall’s mouth up from over my shoulder. After he jerks my skirt up around my waist, the sound of his zipper lowering catches my attention and he crowds in behind me, his rigid length settling between my ass cheeks.
“Were you trying to make me jealous today, Laken?”
My world is spinning as I feel him grab hold of the base of his cock and move my panties as he slides it between my slick folds. “No,” I groan, leaning my forehead against the shelf for support.
He pushes the tip in just enough to drive me insane. “No?”
“Niall…”
His hands come up in front of me and squeeze my breasts and I can’t help but push my ass backward in an attempt to force him inside me. I groan at the loss when, at the last minute, he pulls back out.
“I’ll ask again. Were you trying to make me jealous of my own friend today?”
“Yes! Fine, all right? Is that what you wanted to hear? You’ve frozen me out for the last three weeks.”
“Well, you have my full attention now. You want to talk…let’s talk.” He slams into me, and once he’s embedded as far as he can sink, he only stills for a moment before sliding back out and driving back in. He sets a punishing pace, and I welcome it. Because at the end of the day, I know I deserve it. It’s what I need to rid myself of this guilt. Maybe this is what will finally allow me to sleep at night.
