Page 72 of Obeying the Owner

“I don’t understand what’s changed. You’re still my boss,” she says. “It’s still taboo for us to be together. Last night on my drive home I made the decision to finally accept that we’ll never be more than an employee and her boss. And now you’re telling me you want to be more.” She throws her hands up. “I can’t keep doing this. It’s not healthy to waffle back and forth like we’ve been doing. We need to be strong and put an end to all the line crossing.”

“No, we need to do the opposite.” I take hold of her hand, clasping it between mine. “Last night, my parents asked me about us. They could tell I’m crazy about you.”

“You are?” she whispers.

“Yes, can’t you tell?”

“I hoped you felt something for me. But it doesn’t matter. I finally made up my mind that I’m only your employee.”

“And there’s nothing I can say or do to change your mind?” I ask, releasing hold of her hand.

Her front teeth dig into her bottom lip, and she shakes her head.

“I guess you leave me no choice, then.” Cupping the nape of her neck, I fasten my lips to hers. My tongue makes a deep dive, caressing the sinuous length of hers. All the stress and worry melts away and it’s just the two of us. Nothing has ever felt so right. Her hands clutch my shoulders, pulling me closer, and when our mouths finally part, she dazedly stares at me.

My hands cradle her face as I peer into her beguiling eyes. “You stole a piece of my heart the first night we met, and every minute we spend together you steal a little more. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I’m done trying to convince myself we can’t be together.”

“But what about it being professionally unethical?” she asks.

My thumbs whisk back and forth over her cheeks. “We were involved before you worked for me. I didn’t take advantage of you being my employee.”

She grips my wrists. “We know that, but no one else does. There’ll be a lot of office gossip about us. How long before someone asks you about it in an interview?”

“I don’t care what anyone else says or thinks. You and I are what matters. We’ve been stuck in some limbo stage where we’re more than employees but can’t be in a relationship. I’m done fighting how I feel about you. It’s an impossible battle.”

Her fingertips caress my forearms. “I don’t want to fight how I feel anymore either. It’s too painful. But how are we going to handle this?”

“We don’t have to throw our relationship in people’s faces. We can be professional at work and be together the rest of the time.”

She nods. “At some point everyone will find out.”

My hands slide from her cheeks to her neck and then com to rest on her shoulders. “Yes, but we’ll control the when and the how.”

Her mouth parts in a stunning smile. “Are we really doing this?”

“Fuck yes. We’re really doing this.” I lean in, pressing my mouth to hers, and it’s the most right thing I’ve ever felt. One kiss turns into two then three as our lips and tongues get reacquainted.

When I finally draw back, Maeve smiles at me. “God, I’ve missed kissing you.”

“Now you won’t have to.” I point to my mouth. “These lips are yours anytime you want them.”

She grabs her mug from the table. “I guess we should get to work now, huh, boss?”

I stand and pull her up next to me. “Unfortunately, yes. We have a party to plan. The sooner we knock that out, the better.”

“I’m gonna try out my new cup, and then we can buckle down. Do you want a coffee?” she asks.

“I do. I’ll meet you in the break room.”

She leaves first while I retrieve my mug from my desk. As I wander down the hall, a grin takes over my face. I feel like I could conquer anything right now. It’s a good thing I don’t pass by anyone else.

Maeve is alone and washing out her dragon mug in the sink. I head over to the coffeemaker and get my coffee brewing, then turn around, leaning back against the counter. She wanders over and stands in front of me. Plucking her mug from her hand, I place it on the counter next to me. I give a cursory glance toward the doorway before I tug Maeve to me and slam my lips onto hers. I know we shouldn’t be doing this. I know this is unprofessional and a bad example for others. But I don’t give a fuck. All I can think of is her sweet taste and how soft and pliant her lips are yielding to mine. My hands cup her ass, squeezing two handfuls of perfection, and I never want to let go.

We kiss for longer than we should, until Maeve pushes on my chest. “Trey, we can’t do this.”

My hands fall from her ass, and she steps back from me. I turn toward the counter and adjust my dick before I grab my coffee. When I pivot back to face her, I clear my throat and say, “I’ll see you in my office, Miss O’Rourke.”

“Yes, sir.” She smirks.

---