Tyson Marsden stands up and gives someofficial speech about the purpose of the meeting, apparently for the record.Then they proceed with the vote. “The shareholders of Prescott-Holt who areagainst the sale of the Lawton Shipping and company.”
I can’t help the humph that escapes mymouth and I raise my hand. “That a girl.” Alan bumps my arm. I glance over athim to see he has his arm raised, but no one else does.
“And those in favor?” Everyone else,including Cole, raise their hands. “The sale of Lawton shipping is approved infavor of five to two.”
That’s that. I stand up. I’ve had enough.
“Leaving so soon, Kate?” Kit winks at me.Ooh, I’d like to slug that smug guy. I put my hands on my hips, narrowing myeyes at him, but then wink. I give a little sigh and shrug. “Seems like you hadthis wrapped up before I got here. Sorry to hold you up. I’ll let you get backto work.” I have more to say to these men, but it wouldn’t do any good. Bunchof Vega jerks. I give them all my best smile and turn on my heels, click clackingout of the conference room.
Keaton is sitting in a chair, waiting forme. “We can go.” I know Cole, and I know he wants the last word about thisLawton thing, but I’m mad. I don’t need him coddling me over all this. It willonly make me angrier. Sure enough, before Keaton and I can make it to theelevator, Cole is quick on my heels. I glance at him over my shoulder, and Itry to run, but these heels are so high, I’m afraid I’ll trip and break myneck.
Cole grabs my upper arm, stopping me. Heturns to Keaton, “I’ll text you when we’re done.”
I huff, “I’m busy.” I try to pull my armfrom his grasp.
“Yes, you’re about to be extremely busy.”With a swift move, he hefts me over his shoulder, walking into the emptyconference room at the end of the hall.
“You’re like the Vega star.”
Cole laughs, “A star?”
“Yes, you Vega jerk. The Vega star is analpha star; it outshines every other star around it. It doesn’t let any of theother stars shine as bright or have a say in what they want.”
Cole laughs again as he locks the door.“Let’s finish what we started in here a while ago, shall we?”
“Oh, you think so, do you?”
“Oh no, Cookie, I know so.” He sits medown at the end of the table. I open my mouth to protest, but he crushes hismouth to mine. He pushes his tongue at my lips, invading my mouth. I try topush him away, but he pins my arms to my sides. Only when the pleasureovertakes my anger, and my body softens into him does he break our kiss and letmy hands go. I suck in air, trying to think of what I was going to say, butit’s long gone. The only thing my brain is telling me to do is take Cole’sclothes off. I push his suit coat down his arms, and he takes it the rest ofthe way off, dropping in the chair behind him.
“These,” He pops off my heels, throwingthem behind him, “were a very nice touch. I nearly dragged you into my officeand took you over my desk right then.”
“That was the point,” I say, stillbreathless.
“And this skirt? Holy hell, did you goget this thing this morning? I’ve never seen you wear it before.”
“What, this old thing?”
He growls in my ear, kissing down myneck, untucking my blouse. “Hold your arms up, baby.”
I ignore him, kissing his chin and up hisjawline. I loosen his tie and untuck his shirt. “You first.” Cole gets a wickedgrin on his face and holds his arms up for me. I let my hands roam under hisshirt along his defined stomach and chest. I push the pad of my thumb against oneof his nipples and feel it tighten at my touch. Cole pulls his tie off, unbuttoningthe first few buttons. He slips his dress shirt over his head, sitting itcarefully on the chair behind him. He cocks an eyebrow at me, telling me it’smy turn. I give him a sultry smile, biting my lip, wanting him to work for it.In answer, he fists his hand in my hair, crushing me to him in a bruising kiss.I moan into his mouth, the pleasure in my body building. Cole’s hands roamunder my skirt. “What is this?” He smiles into my mouth, pulling at the spandexfabric of my Spanx.
“Oh, shoot.” I hook my arms around Cole’sneck. I totally spaced it on the Spanx. With my arms still around him, I try topush off the table, embarrassed. He holds my hips, pinning me in place. I hidemy head in the crook of his neck. Cole doesn’t say anything. He just waits formy answer. “They’re Spanx,” I say in a rush.
“Spanx?” He sounds confused.
Only me. My head falls back, laughing.“You know, a support garment that holds all your fat in. Will you let go now?”Cole runs the back of his hand along my flushed cheek.
“Not a chance.”
“Wait wha—” I’m cut off with another hotkiss. His silken tongue slides in my mouth ravishing me. He stands us up,pushing my skirt down my hips.
Cole’s hands roam my waist, “Where thehell is the top of this damn thing?” he questions against my lips. I cover myhands with his, pushing them up under my blouse, just below my breasts to thewaistband. “Lift your arms, Cookie.” I lift my arms up and he pulls my blouseover my head, setting it with his shirt. He leans back, getting a good look atmy skintight Spanx. “How did you get these damn things on?”
“Now you know why I was late.” Colegrasps the waistband with both hands, peeling the spandex underwear down mybody.
“Christ, woman, how could you evenbreathe?” He rolls the spandex material off my legs, chucking them behind him.I take a large breath and glance down at myself and see all my love bites. Colestands and I hold my hands out, keeping him at arm’s length. His eyes rake overmy body. “Mine.” He growls, chomping his teeth teasingly at me. “I was in themiddle of a PowerPoint presentation this morning when you sent your dirty text.I had to take a break.”
“Oh poor baby, you gave me almost a dozenhickies.” Cole manages to get an arm around me, pulling me against him. Bothhis hands squeeze my ass, and he grinds into me, causing me to moan.
