Page 30 of Caged Heat

“Your assistant?” she asked, her lip quivering.

“Yeah. Deanna keeps me in check. She’d love to meet you one day. The woman who brought Jackson Powers to his knees.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want,” she started again.

“Ella. Stop the spiral for a second, and listen to me, okay?”

She bit her lip but nodded.

“Do you like me?”

“Yes.”

I smiled, smoothing my thumb across her cheek. “Good. Because I like you too.” I planted a kiss on her lips before she could stop me. “Is the only reason you’re avoiding me because I work here?”

She nodded. “I also overheard some girls talking about sleeping with people to get better positions, and it rubbed me the wrong way. Then, ten seconds later, I walked into that meeting and saw you. It just felt like the world’s worst timing. I’m sorry I ignored you. I didn’t know how to handle it, and I knew if I answered, I’d fold.”

“Well, that makes me happy to hear.” I smiled widely, making her chuckle and shake her head at me.

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea, Jackson. Plus… I, um?—”

“Went on a date with someone else,” I finished for her.

“Yeah. How do you know that?” Her brow furrowed so adorably that I melted even more for her.

“I overheard you before I stepped in. And while I don’t love it, we’re not exclusive, and I can respect your freedom to date whoever you want, as long as that includes me.”

“I don’t know what to say. I thought you’d be upset.”

“I’ll only be upset if you tell me to walk away, Ella.”

“It doesn’t solve the problem of us working together.”

“Ah. Sorry, I guess I should’ve led with the solution.” I reached into my bag, pulled out the form, and handed it to her. “We just have to fill that out and file it with HR. Simple.”

She blinked, reading over the one paragraph on the form.

“As for those bitches, we can keep our relationship behind closed doors if that’s easier for you while you find your place here. Keeping my hands to myself will be hard, but I’ll survive.” I dramatically pouted, and she chuckled, reminding my dick how close to her we were.

“You’d be willing to do that?” she asked, her cheeks heating.

“If I get to be with you, I’d do almost anything, Ella. Besides, it might be kind of hot to keep it private—forbidden romance, clandestine meetings, secret hookups. The more I think about it, it definitely has a nice ring to it. We can even have code names.”

She grinned, squeezing my hand. “You’re too irresistible, Jackson.”

I leaned in, taking her lips in a longer kiss this time. My body came alive at having her so close again. She moaned, her body pressing into mine. A noise in the distance broke through the lust fog, and I pulled back, staring into her eyes for a moment as I debated.

“Will that work? Does it solve your dilemma?”

Ella bit her lip, her eyes searching mine before she nodded, giving me a soft smile.

“Come with me then. Let’s go file the document, and then I need to be between your legs, or I might die.”

“Wow. You are dramatic,” she teased.

I moved her hand over to mine, her eyes bulging as she felt the hard length pressing against my leg. She swallowed once before slowly nodding.

“I’ll probably regret this, but okay.”

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