Page 42 of My Forbidden Boss

“Of course, Mr Chandler,” she says, but I don’t buy it. She sounds conciliatory. There’s a note that doesn’t escape my attention.

“How is your sister?” She might be upset about her sibling and I’m agitated enough to read things that aren’t there. “I didn’t expect you back in the office so soon.”

Andrea lifts her head. “She’s in hospital again and is safe there, so I came back while I could.”

My arms unfold and I push away from the desk. “Shouldn’t you stay by your sister’s side? She’s more important than Blue Sky.”

Andrea’s sister should be more important to her than my business which makes me wonder why she’s here at all.

“The doctors have her on bed rest. She’s getting the best of care where she is,” Andrea replies.

The best of care is not better than family. Women need all the support they can get when they’re pregnant. I slam Samantha from my mind at that thought. “I said you could take all the time you need.”

She looks at me, her blue eyes gleaming. She’s coming undone in front of my eyes. “I need to be here…it helps me if I’m here…doing something normal…I need to think about something else. Please understand, Mr Chandler, I need to be with Sarah, but I also need to be here.”

I’m strung tight because I haven’t had my drug of choice. One taste of Adeline is not enough, and I’ve taken out my frustration on Andrea, who’s stood at my side throughout Blue Sky’s growth. She’s worked late nights with me. Weekends. Who but me can understand the need to be buried in work to stop thinking about the world? “My apologies, Andrea. Be here if you need, or go to your sister whenever the need arises. I understand your position.”

She wipes the wetness from her cheeks and swallows. “Thank you, Mr Chandler. I appreciate that. May I…collect myself?”

I nod and she hurries from the office. Adeline watches her go, and I have the excuse I need to have her to myself. Thoughts of Andrea scatter when I call Adeline into my office.

I’ve staked my claim with her body and I’m about to stake my claim with her mind.

Adeline steps nervous as a bird into my office. I fight the urge to move and remain standing. Adeline is going to learn exactly what I think.

“Close the blinds, please, Adeline,” I say.

Her brows draw together, but I don’t want to explain myself.

“Okay.” She twists the cord and shuts the vertical strips, cutting out my view of the office beyond.

“Now shut the door,” I say.

Her eyes dart over my face, but I stand firm and wait for her to comply. Part of me wants to be gentle, but a bigger part knows that she needs to understand how strongly I feel about her.

“If this is about what Andrea said…” she says.

“This has nothing to do with Andrea.” I cut her off, not wanting to think about my staff member. I don’t want to think about anything other than what I’m about to do to Adeline.

Heat floods to my cock. My dick swells, tenting my trousers. Anticipation races through my system when I imagine what I’m going to be doing to her very soon.

The door closes with a soft click. The sounds of the office outside are lost to the roar of blood in my ears.

“Lock it,” I say.

I wait. Watch. Adeline hesitates and I see a wash of emotion pour over her face before her cheeks grow pink. She turns and snibs the lock. Now she’s trapped in here with me and I silently rejoice.

She is mine.

The fact remains, even if she doesn’t believe it yet. It doesn’t matter how long it takes me to convince her. I’m up for the challenge.

I watch her fidget, unsure. Her confidence crumbles, but I’ll build her back up, a better, self-assured version of herself. I want her to flourish. I’ll turn this nervous little creature into a bird of paradise. My paradise.

“Turn around and place your hands on the door,” I say. My cock throbs, but I ignore it. This isn’t about me. This is for Adeline.

“What?” she asks, her voice passes her plush lips on a breath.

“Do it, Adeline,” I say.

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