Grandma whistled. “Plural? You skank.”
I nodded. “Don’t I know it.”
29
***SJ***
Itoccurredtomeas I was walking into Dominic’s office that I hadn’t seen him since he’d spanked me the day before. I felt my cheeks warm at the memory, but instead of finding the man behind his desk, I found his office empty.
I put my stuff down on my desk and decided to talk to Cindy before I had to start work. I was still in the learning about the company phase and I wasn’t in love with it. I was ready to write.
Cindy smiled brightly when she saw me coming back toward her. “Did you want to take me up on my candy offer?”
I shook my head and leaned against the front of her desk. “Nope. I just thought I’d chat before the boss man gets in.”
Her rosy cheeks stretched high as she smiled ever wider. Her hair was permed short and stark white. Add in the adorable dress she had on, and the one she’d had on the day before, and she reminded me of Mrs. Claus. In the best way possible. She exuded warmth, and I could understand why the guys had been willing to fight to get her to stay with them.
“He’s in. He’s in Barrett’s office.” She looked in that direction and then leaned in closer. “He’s cranky this morning. More than normal. I even tried to give him his favorite chocolate bar and he just grunted.”
I frowned. “I wonder what his deal is.”
“Oh, there’s no telling. This place can be stressful. He’s a very hard worker, you know?” Cindy wagged her brows at me. “Such a handsome man, too.”
I clicked my tongue at her and shook my head. “You stop it.”
She shrugged innocently. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The sound of raised voices came from down the hallway, and I glanced down at Cindy with wide eyes. “Is that normal?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on with them. You’d better get back to your desk before he comes out.”
I frowned in their direction and nodded slowly. “Of course. If you hear anything, let me know?”
She laughed and patted my hand. “You’re perfect here.”
I hurried back down to my desk and opened the laptop that was waiting on me with all the information on the company. I was wearing another swing dress, in red, and my hair hung down my back in curls. The matching red heels hurt my feet, though, so I kicked them off, and pulled my feet under me in my chair. If I had to be bored, I’d at least be comfortable.
A little while later, Dominic blew into the office like a hurricane. He closed the door hard and leaned against it, his stare hard as he looked at me. He seemed as if he hadn’t relaxed any since the shouting.
I raised my eyebrows and sat up straighter. “Good morning?”
He shook his head and pushed off the door. His suit jacket was missing and his shirt was unbuttoned at the neck, with the sleeves rolled up. It wasn’t even nine in the morning and he already looked like he’d had a hell of a day. His hair was even sticking out in all directions, like he’d had his hands tugging at it. “Nope.”
I watched as he moved to his desk and bent over his keyboard, hitting a few buttons and bringing up a screen I couldn’t see before straightening and stretching his neck and shoulders. “Sir?”
His eyes seemed to ignite at that singular word. His jaw muscles worked as he stayed silent for another minute. Finally, he sat in his chair and steepled his hands in front of him. “You’ve been a naughty girl, Sugar.”
My skin erupted in goosebumps. I licked my lips and tilted my head, unwilling to say anything incriminating. I’d only done one naughty thing, but I didn’t think he’d be pissed about it. And if he didn’t know what I’d done with Holden, I wasn’t going to just blurt it out like an idiot.
“Come here.”
I was on my feet and standing next to him before I remembered that I didn’t have shoes on. Glancing down at my feet, I curled my toes under and bit my lip. “Yes?”
He spread his legs and motioned for me to step between them. When I did, he turned me around and patted the desk. “Over.”
Heat scorched my entire body, but I bent over his desk. Resting on my elbows, I held my breath and waited for his hand to land on my ass. My body was once again betraying me and eagerly awaiting his firmness.
“Before we start this, I want you to know that it’s already been handled. I fixed it.” Dominic closed his thighs around my legs and dragged his fingertip over the back of my thigh in a pattern I couldn’t make out. “Remember that first night we were together? I told you that we wanted to get you somewhere private so you wouldn’t end up in a tabloid?”