FOUR
Joseph
After keeping her ankleelevated for the remainder of the day and icing it every twenty minutes, her swelling went down, and she only walked with a very slight limp by the time the end of our work day rolled around.
I hated that she was still limping, though, and it took everything in me to keep my hands to myself and not sweep her up into my arms and carry her into the restaurant I had brought her to for the evening.
She was nervous enough as it was. She hadn’t acted the same since I had kissed her. I wanted to regret it for her own sake, but I couldn’t. It was everything I had imagined it would be.
But I knew lifting her into my arms would only make her even more nervous, not to mention embarrass her. So, I sucked up my own need to take care of her and dote on her.
I just wanted her to be comfortable with me.
Though, I knew I would still never regret kissing this woman. I just had to figure out a way to get rid of this fucking policy that I’d created and claim her as my own while shielding her from both the paparazzi and my other employees until I knew it would give everyone enough time to calm down and move on to something different.
Once we were seated, she began glancing nervously around the restaurant. I had gotten us a secluded table in the back corner so we could talk without having eavesdroppers. I knew she was uncomfortable about talking about personal issues around strangers. She’d always been like that.
“Lana,” I softly called, drawing her beautiful, hazel eyes to me, “there’s no reason to be nervous with me.”
She frowned at me. “Isn’t there?” She asked. “Everything just got,” she twisted her hands around in the air, “tossed around in my life by what happened today.” She made a tossing motion as she spoke. I bit back my smile. She always talked with her hands, and I loved it. She was so expressive.
“What happened is something that I’ve been doing my damnest to restrain myself from doing from the very first moment you stepped into my office, announcing yourself as my old PA’s replacement.” I told her honestly. Her breath caught in her throat, and her lips slightly parted. My cock hardened. I wanted to claim that mouth in more ways than just one.
Particularly by sliding my cock between those perfect, plump lips. They always looked so . . . fuckable.
“I’ve wanted you for two fucking years, Lana.” I told her. She licked her lips. I ran my eyes over her, noticing how her nipples were pressing against her shirt through her bra. “And judging by your body’s reaction, you’re not immune to me.”
Her cheeks reddened in the most adorable manner. Our conversation came to a halt as a waiter walked up to the table. I ordered a bottle of wine for us, instructing him to bring it and just leave it at the table. Then, I ordered both of our entrees, skipping over appetizers. I already knew what Lana would order: lobster ravioli. She lived for the food from here, and anytime we had to work late, I always had her order from here, and she ordered the same thing every time: her favorite ravioli.
She gaped at me as the waiter walked away to go put our orders in and to bring us our bottle of wine. “You know my favorite food?” She asked in disbelief.
I nodded. “I know almost everything about you, Lana. I notice everything about you.”
She fidgeted in her seat, crossing her legs before she uncrossed them again, not quite able to sit still. It was a nervous habit of hers.
“What are you wanting, Mr. Russo?” She quietly asked me.
“Well, first, I want you to call me Joseph – not Mr. Russo.” I told her. She nervously nodded her head. “Second, I want you as mine. Not just for tonight. Not just for a fling. I want to claim you in every single possible way that I can claim you – both in and out of my bedroom.”
A tiny moan – barely audible – crawled up her throat, but I heard it, and it was enough to make my cock harden in my slacks.
She had no idea how powerful she was, nor did she know how much power she had over me.
“But your policy—” She squeaked.
I shook my head at her, reaching across the table to grab her hand in mine. Her hand felt perfect inside of mine – fit perfectly. This woman was made for me, and I was determined to prove it to her.
“Let me worry about that.” I soothed. “Let me worry about the backlash and everything else that may come our way.” I brushed my thumb over the back of her hand. “Just be with me.” I begged her. “Let me take care of you, Lana.”
I could tell that she was conflicted. Her integrity was warring with what she really wanted. I could see the war in her eyes.
But obviously, her heart won out over her mind.
She drew in a shaky breath. “Okay.” She finally whispered.
That simple ‘okay’ was music to my fucking ears.