“What?” I huff. “You can’t do that.”
“I’m the boss, Miss North. I can do whatever I want, and I’m telling you no lunch.”
“That’s completely illegal.” I spit.
A sly smile spreads across his lips. “Actually, you’re right.” He leans forward on his desk. As much as I want to deny it, the dimple in the side of his right cheek is a total turn-on. My body betrays me, thinking of what it would be like to kiss those full lips of his. I must be fucking psychotic. “You can’t work through lunch, but you can go on a business lunch with me.”
“A business lunch? Amandatorybusiness lunch.”
“That’s right.” He says. “Report here at noon. I’ll order the food.” He looks me up and down, and I can’t help but notice his glance remains on my chest a beat longer than it should. The worst part is that it makes me hot, turns me on like nobody’s business. “I’d ask you to do it, but clearly, you have trouble in that area.”
I open my mouth to retort, but part of me wonders if he’s joking. It’s hard to tell. If it’s a reaction he wants out of me; I’ll do the exact opposite. I have two older brothers and know that when they turn into meanies, the best thing to do is hold back any and all emotion.
“Yes, Mr. Clayton.” My robotic voice comes out as a sing-song.
“That’s better.”
“Is that all, Mr. Clayton?”
“For right now, yes.” He says, emerald eyes narrowed. I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing. While I’m fairly certain I can’t win, you can’t blame me for at least trying to play.
I nod and head toward the door, but as always, his booming voice stops me. “Actually, there is one more thing.” My shoulders rise, and I want to slap that sinister tone right out of his mouth. “I think we’ll move your desk in here with me. That way, I can keep an eye on you.”
What the holy fuck?
“You want me in here with you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. “All the time?” This has gone too far.
“I’m not sure I can trust you to get all of your work done without supervision, and as you know, I’ve had to fire my former assistant for calling in because she was hungover.” My chest clenches. That’s my fault and an accident I will be paying dearly for—also, a severe move on his part.
“Fine,” I say through a clenched jaw. “I’ll call down and have my desk moved into your office as soon as possible, Mr. Clayton.”
“Good idea.” He says. “And Miss North.” I turn to face him, my fists balled at my sides. I’ve never wanted to hit someone so badly. “Have a nice day.”
Four
Vance
Ainsley brushesa stray strand of chestnut hair away from her heart-shaped face. Patiently, she sits at her desk, answering emails and performing all of the menial tasks required when you’re assisting a busy CEO like myself. I can’t take my eyes off of her, but it’s like she doesn’t even acknowledge my existence. It’s been nearly a week, and, to my amazement, she hasn’t quit. I thought for certain the hours alone would send her into a fit of rage, causing her to forget the entire ordeal no matter what kind of financial state she’s in.
It’s strange, but the smallest part of me feels bad, guilty. It’s a feeling I’m unaccustomed to, but with Ainsley, it’s like I want to punish her for being so subservient, for not knowing her place. It’s how I was raised, and I didn’t turn out so badly.
The clock reads six-thirty in the evening, and as I’ve clearly stated, when I’m here, she’s here. To my surprise, Ainsley doesn’t rebel or object in any way. She’s been beyond subservient for the past three days, biting her tongue and painting on a smile when I’ve made her come in early and stay late.
And for what? Why am I actually doing this?
She licks her full lips, nostrils flared, as her fingers fly across her keyboard. I can’t tear my eyes away from her, even though there’s a huge case I should be working on. As if sensing my gaze, her head flicks in my direction. I don’t avert my eyes quickly enough and she catches me in the act. I clear my throat and tap my pen against the desk, quickly focusing all of my attention on my computer screen.
I read the same sentence over and over while my mind drifts away. Thinking of Ainsley naked, wet, and ready has become my favorite hobby as of late. I'd be shocked if she hasn't noticed that I'm rock hard on more than one occasion, but does she know it’s for her? Does it matter?
I feel myself start to swell once more, but before the feeling gets away from me, I rise from my desk. “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee,” I say. “Do you want one?”
Her sparkling eyes meet mine. She opens her mouth to speak but closes it just as quickly. “No.” She says, “Thank you.” Before I have a chance to respond, her focus is back on her work.
It’s not until I reach the company kitchen that I realize what I’ve done. She’s the one who should be getting me coffee, but dammit, I needed to get away from her for just a second. Being around her like this is making me crazy. Maybe my feelings are a little messed up. But how do you show someone like her that you’re interested? Especially now, after all of the shit I’ve put her through. I’ll just have to keep up this ruse a little longer; at least then I know where she is at all times.
Ainsley’s become a bit of a drug for me, an addiction. I can’t get her out of my head. The strangest thing is that I’m not sure that I want to. After how I’ve treated her, it’s pretty clear she’d never be with someone like me, but if I can’t have her, no one can, and I will make sure that I keep her as close to me as I can.
Until she finally gets sick of my shit and quits.