Page 19 of Obsessive Cravings

“You did good, Alec. Keep your men on Mason and let me know if he moves again.”

“Will do, boss.”

There was more to Riley Brinks than I thought, and I was ready to discover her secrets.

I walked to my desk and paged Sherry. “Send Miss Brinks up.”

Waiting patiently as I looked out at the snow, I thought through my options. I wanted the game to move to the next level, but a part of me wanted to continue seeing her unguarded smiles, to play with her secretly like I had the prior night. That meant I needed patience. I wanted my control back, however, and now was the time to take it back. I wasn’t ready to give her everything, but I was ready to play more.

I heard her slowly open the door. “You wanted to see me?” she asked in that seductive drawl that made my balls tighten.

“Sit, Miss Brinks.” I continued staring at the street but could hear that she’d chosen to sit in the seat in front of my desk. “On the desk.”

She made a slight noise similar to a cry, and I could sense her confusion. I still didn’t turn to her yet, needing to maintain my control. I wanted her on edge and keeping my back to her ensured she would be.

“Did I not make myself clear?”

“I…no…I mean, yes, you did.”

I smiled at her uncertainty and listened as she rose and sat on my desk before I turned. The breath fled me like it did every time I looked at her. Her hair was still windblown. Strands sat loose around her temple and her neck, and I had the urge to walk over and wrap one around my finger. To feel the softness of it.

Walking over to her, I stepped into her space, smelling the subtle scent of her perfume. Her green eyes were wide with anticipation. Her skirt had slipped up, exposing more of her thigh, and I studied her reaction as I stepped closer and rested my hand on it. Her lips parted, her breaths growing shorter as I smoothed my hand along her skin.

“There’s a rule I have for my employees, Miss Brinks.”

“Yes,” she said rather breathlessly.

“No dating.”

She scrunched her brows, her eyes dipping to my fingers, which were pushing her skirt higher. I loved how she wore no stockings below her boots, even in the cold, but I was curious what she’d look like with a sexy pair of thigh highs and a garter.

“Does that rule not extend to you?” she asked, meeting my eyes.

Lifting my hand, I tipped her chin, brushing my finger down her neck. “No.”

She inhaled so sharply I could see it pained her.

“There are no rules or laws that extend to me, Miss Brinks. I do what I want because I can. And I get what I want because I can.”

“And what do you want?” Her eyes were lush, the green deep with desire, and I fought not to kiss her.

“I want you to keep away from Matt.”

She creased her eyes, drawing back from me.

“Matt?”

“Yes,” I said, stepping back and loving the disappointment in her eyes.

“I haven’t done anything with Matt.”

“No? That’s not the rumor that came from his mouth.” She looked like I’d slapped her. I’d heard the talk from the bastard’s mouth once she turned him down. No one was close enough to her to tell her the truth, so instead they were talking about it behind her back. I should have fired them all. Should have killed the fucker and made him suffer horribly before putting him out of his misery. He’d pay, but I would use his stupidity as leverage.

“What rumor?” There was that guarded look again.

“That he fucked you the night he walked you home.”

Her mouth dropped, and her reaction stung me. “I didn’t sleep with him.”

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