I sucked in a breath at his vicious words and glanced away because if I didn’t, I’d probably try to continue what we’d started. It seemed I didn’t have much control when it came to him. Licking me from his fingers, his tongue moving with precision to get every last drop of me, was a turn-on I’d have to forget about.
I buttoned my shorts and stepped back from him, avoiding his gaze while trying to calm my breathing. That moment would have been a great time for the elevator to start working again.
“Now that we’ve curbed your emotions and given you something to tide you over, let’s stop stepping out of line at work for the time being, huh? I don’t need the cops called on Stonewood Enterprises because you can’t keep your temper in check.”
My eyes bulged. “Excuse me? Are you saying you just did that to—”
“To calm you down. Yes.” He shrugged and pulled his phone out like what we’d done wasn’t an event of epic proportions. “You looked like you were going to walk into that work party blubbering like a miserable Harley Quinn. No one wants to see that.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I lashed out. “Don’t act as if you weren’t enjoying yourself, you dickhead.”
“I assure you, you enjoyed it more.”
“I can’t believe you have the audacity to act as though you’ve done nothing wrong here. You shoved me up against an elevator door the second it stalled. To anyone who watches the tape, you’re not exactly the innocent party handing out favors here.” I flicked my eyes to the cameras.
When my retort was met with silence, I thought I’d won.
Instead, genuine laughter burst from deep in his chest and vibrated through me. “You’re funny sometimes, Izzy. I’ll give you that.”
“I’m not trying to be funny.” I pushed away from the elevator door and pointed to the keypad. “Probably should call elevator maintenance or else HR may receive more evidence to substantiate your screwed-up tendencies toward an employee. I should report you.”
He chuckled but pulled his phone up. “Sure, baby. Check that video before you report me. You were moaning and enjoying yourself about as much as me.”
I was so sick of him thinking he was above me and my team. Maybe I really would report him. “You know, I deserve a boss who doesn’t laugh in my face and act like an asshole every chance he gets. I work hard for this company. Quite frankly, the whole team does.”
“Are you saying that’s what I do?”
I blew a breath in irritation. “That’s definitely what you do.”
“Okay.” He tilted his head as he thought about it. “I guess I do. And yet, you’re going to a damn party because you work for one of the largest corporations in the United States and haven’t had a cyberattack or data breach in a whole year.”
Stonewood Enterprises threw a couple of extravagant annual parties. I’d heard it was because one of the wives felt it was good for morale, but he was right. We were being rewarded for our expertise.
“Because we’re damn good at what we do,” I emphasized.
“Yes, and because your boss runs a tight ship. Or would you like to disagree and go back to working for the government?”
I truly hated him, but I couldn’t continue pushing my limits. At the end of the day, I couldn’t risk losing a job under Cade Armanelli.
His hands were in everything. He controlled the digital world of the United States. If I lost a job here, I’d lose the potential to work anywhere of significance in data security.
That’s what his last name meant.
Control. Prestige. Power. And fear.
“I’m not disagreeing with anything you’re saying, Mr. Armanelli.” I scoffed.
“Glad we got that out of the way.” He waited a beat. “Now, are you ready to go to the party or are you planning another outburst?”
My hand itched to use the spray can again, but I couldn’t let this night get any worse.
Maybe Gerald was right about some things. Dating someone like me couldn’t be easy. Protecting my mental health and sobriety always came first, even when it meant standing up for myself.
I didn’t look good on paper. Yet I was proud of the person I’d become.
I sighed as I leaned into the railing of the elevator and tried not to let Gerald’s words, or this night, get to me. I turned away from Cade and faced a wall of nothing as I took a couple of deep breaths. “Give me a minute.”
Two tears, or maybe three or four, fell before I sniffled softly and wiped them away. I was going to enjoy this damn night, even if these two men had tried their damnedest to ruin it.