I hesitated. “Maybe it’s a calling, like you said.”
He shook his head, and I felt like he was boring his way into me. Only into my brain this time, not my pussy. “No,” he said. “It’s something else. Is it about your father?”
I nearly spat my coffee. “About the sperm donor?!No. I couldn’t give two shits about him.”
“Then it’s about Verity?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why does it have to be about anyone? Maybe I just like a hard day’s work?”
“I’ve been around the block a few too many times to buy into that, Katie. I know when someone’s out to prove something, there’s a steel to it, an edge. You’ve had that edge since we sat down to look at slides last night.”
“Why does it matter?”
He shrugged. “I like to know what I’m working with. It helps me get the best out of you.”
“I’ll get the best out of myself,” I said. “You don’t need to worry.”
“I’m not worried.” He was quiet as he finished up his bagel. Big purposeful bites without any self-consciousness. I couldn’t take my eyes from him. He dabbed his lips with a napkin, left a single crumb behind. I wanted to pull him close and lick that crumb right off. “Just use that motivation in the right way,” he continued. “Competition can be healthy, it can also be destructive.”
“Sure thing,Daddy.” I laughed at his frown, and it was quite a frown. “Jeez, Carl. I’m joking, just playing around.”
His frown relaxed. He raised an eyebrow at me, and couldn’t help smiling. “Let’s get back,” he said.
I followed him out, watching his firm ass all the way back to the car. He slung an arm behind my seat as he reversed out of the space. “I told him,” he said. “Your father, I mean. I told him what Colin Wilkins said about you. I gave him a copy of your performance stats, as well.”
The thought gave me shivers. “And what did he say?”
“He saidthat’s his girl.”
I folded my arms. “I’m nothisgirl.”
“I told him as much. I said he can relinquish whatever ideas he has for a hold on you, because there’s a newdaddyin town.”
I gasped at that. “You didn’t.”
He laughed. “No, I didn’t.” He met my eyes as he turned back onto our section of the estate. “But I would, if it called for it. I don’t believe in pussy-footing around for the sake of the status quo, Katie.”
The thought thrilled and petrified me in equal measure. “That would be crazy,” I said.
“Maybe.”
“Definitely.” I unclipped my seatbelt as he pulled into his space. “And I’d lose all respect from the team. Nobody likes someone they think waltzes around getting special treatment, Carl, especially not one they think is in bed with the boss.”
“And there we go,” he said. “You’re all in, even if you don’t want to be. You already care what they think of you.” He grabbed my wrist as I made to open my door, and I flashed back to the weight of him over me, pinning my wrists as he pushed his way inside my sore pussy while the birds chorused the dawn outside. “Will we see you tonight?”
My mind turned blank. “I don’t know… I, um… Samson…” I took a breath. “I need to see Samson.”And my pussy needs a break.
He nodded, let go of my wrist, and I immediately regretted my answer. “Of course, yes. Sorry.”
But I wasn’t sorry he’d asked. Wasn’t sorry at all.
I tried to say it, but he’d already opened his door.
I left Carl’s side on the way back through the office, and headed to the toilets to freshen up. My skin felt clammy and flushed, and my pussy felt battered and hot.And needy. Again.I washed my hands in cold water and splashed some over my face, opening my eyes in time to watch that bitch Verity walk in.
She didn’t pick a cubicle, just stared at me in the mirror.
“What?” I said, finally. “What do you want?”