Chapter FIVE ~ Heated
I walked towards Mr. Lawson’s office with a stack of paperwork in my arms. It’s heavy, leaning to the side, and I fumble to hold it straight. Halting before it all tumbles to the floor and clenching the stack tightly against my chest. Peering over top of the paperwork as I sigh and continue forward.
That was a close one.
Mr. Lawson’s office door was near, and I did not know how I’d open it without this stack of papers tumbling towards the floor. Puzzled as the door stood before me and I heard footsteps come closer behind me. Feeling eyes peering into my backside, but afraid to turn around. The paper stack wobbled in my grasp as I slowly reached for the door handle and the papers tilted to the side.
“No, no, no...” I mumbled as my hand retreated and tried to catch my mistake.
“I got it, beautiful.” A sweet-talking voice announced as his blonde hair came into view and he held the stack of papers up just in time. “Looks like you need a little help.”
“It would appear that way...” I breathed and sighed as I avoided the disaster. Mr. Lawson would have my head if I screwed up again on my first day. “Thank you so much, Mr. ...?”
“It’s Brant Bradley and you must be Drake’s newest assistant.” Brant introduced himself as he smiled, and his brown gaze traveled down my body.
“Yes, the one and only.” I chimed brightly and the weight of the paperwork weighed down on my body. “Do you mind opening that door for me?”
“The pleasure is all mine, beautiful.” Brant smiled, and his pearly white teeth shone with the light.
“Thank you, Mr. Bradley.” I sighed as he opened the office door and helped me inside. Working together as we place the stack of papers carefully on the desk, and I fix my dress. Pulling it down slightly because everything had bunched up with my mission down the lengthy hallway.
“You can call me Brant.” He smiled smugly as his eyes traveled over my cleavage and I felt underdressed.
“Okay, Brant, how can I help you?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest and stared into his deep brown eyes.
“Well, you could start by telling me your name?” Brant asked and leaned against Mr. Lawson’s desk.
“My name is Gemma.” I announced as I eyed him curiously and pondered his reason for being here. “How do you know Mr. Lawson exactly?”
“Well, let’s just say we’re old friends, Mr. Lawson and I...” Brant sighed as he sat back in Drake’s office chair and placed his hands behind his head. Mr. Bradley made himself right at home. “Drake and I went to law school together. We battle it out in the courtroom from time to time.”
“Oh, so you’re friends?” I asked curiously and raised my eyebrows.
“Not even close, Gemma.” Drake called out from behind me.
“O-oh, Drake, I didn’t even realize you were...” I stammered, startled, and spun around in his presence.
“Get the hell out of my chair.” Drake glared as he entered his office and let the door fall closed behind him. The room grew tense with his presence and I felt stuck in the middle as the testosterone filled the air. “What do you want, Bradley?”
“Nice to see you too, Lawson.” Brant glared back as he stood and fixed his suit jacket. “I came here to congratulate you on the case today since you left court so abruptly, but I ran into this beautiful woman.”
Buttoning his suit and running his hand through his blonde hair. His gaze never wavered from Mr. Lawson and shone with sarcasm. He smirked, and his white teeth shone again. I stood there and pondered how he got them so clean. Mr. Bradley was sleek and appeared perfect, but he gave me the creeps as his eyes roamed over my body.
“I will leave you two.” I breathed as I turned my back towards Brant and walked to the door.
“No, Gemma, please stay.” Drake insisted firmly as he held up his hand and opened the door. “Mr. Bradley here was just leaving.”
Halting on the spot at Drake’s command and not daring to test him. He appeared on edge and there’s no way in hell I wanted to get anywhere near that right now. Simply nodding my head and turning around to see Brant’s eyes leaving my ass. His brown gaze meets mine as I feel like slapping the smug smile off his face and telling him where to shove it.
“Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Gemma, and I’m sure I will see you around.” Brant said as he nodded his head towards me and I kept my mouth shut. Unable to speak because I wanted no part in any of this intense situation, even though I felt very much plastered right in the middle of it.
“Don’t count on it, Bradley.” Drake breathed as Brant passed and walked out the door.
Drake stepped aside as he let the door fall closed once more and turned towards me. His hazel eyes met mine, and the moment felt profound. Unable to look away as my heart hammered in my chest and my palms sweat. The air sizzled around us, and time stood still. Caught in his haze as my body hummed for him. But reality sunk in. Mr. Lawson’s my boss and an asshole. I needed to get it together and remember that well-known fact.
“U-um, I got the rest of your paperwork ready for you, Drake.” I said as I cleared my throat and cut the sexual tension.
“Right, thank you, Gemma and I hope Mr. Bradley wasn’t a bother.” Drake said as he shook his head and tore his gaze from me. “He’s a constant pest that never goes away.”
“Oh, no, I can handle myself just fine.” I chimed and turned towards him as he walked over to his desk. Taking off his suit jacket and dropping it across the office chair. “Is there anything I could get for you?”
I couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles flexed under his crisp white dress shirt, and he loosened his tie. Making himself comfortable after a long day’s work and I swallow hard as my pulse picks up pace. He ran his hand through his dark black hair and down his face as he picked up a paper from the top of the stack.
“No, Gemma, that’s all right.” Drake said as the paper in his hand shook and I realized his entire body trembled. “You can go now.”
“Drake, you’re shaking.” I breathed as I walked towards him and touched his wrist. “Are you alright?”
“Please, Gemma, just go...” Drake breathed through clenched teeth as he laid the paper back on the desk and pulled his wrist away from me.
“Are you sure because...” I said as my hand touched his shoulder and his body shivered.
“Goddamnit, I told you to just leave!” He shouted as he turned around and I retreated my hand, feeling his electric anger sting me.
“It would be my pleasure...” I muttered under my breath and spun around to leave, with my long locks flying wildly behind me.
Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and spun me towards his body with one powerful movement. Grabbing both my wrists as he pins me up against the wall and grips my hands over my head. Breathing heavily as his minty breath fans my face and his rigid body presses up against mine. No words spoken and I should feel frightened, but it’s the complete opposite. My panties grew wet and I’m turned on to no end. Melting in his fiery hold as his deep hazel haze bore into mine and roamed down my body. My breath trembled as I swallowed hard, and his eyes landed upon my cleavage. His other hand traveled from my waist over my wanting breasts and covered my throat. The attraction ignited to life as he lightly squeezed there, and I could imagine all the things he could do to me. Fucking me against this wall right here in his office with not a care in the world as it all fell away, and it’s just us. Caught up in the passion that we shared and not caring if anyone walked in. The very thought made me wetter. My mouth went dry and I licked my lips.
Big mistake.
Drake’s eyes darted towards the movement like a dog in heat as he released my neck and his fingertips traveled up. Tingling my skin as he went and leaving nothing but goosebumps in his wake. Grazing my exposed flesh as I pant for him and he traces my bottom lip. Slowly running his fingertips over the wet flesh as his mouth opens and his eyes never leave my quivering lips.
“I will see you in the morning, Gemma.” He breathed as he released me and stalked out of his office, not looking back.
What the hell just happened?
I’m left breathless, feverish and completely turned on. I’m confused and flustered by what had just occurred and what didn’t. I could’ve sworn Drake was about to kiss me and I would’ve let him willingly. Everything about that moment was intense and I could see why many women bend to his will. Tracing my lower lip where he’d touched me with such passion that I feel myself exploding inside. Knowing I’d let him have his way with me, no matter what the cost, but he’s my boss and I had to remember that. No matter how incredibly tempting he was, Mr. Drake Lawson was off limits. And I’ll be damned if I let him in.