Page 17 of His Dark Desire

He places his hand at the base of my back, sending electricity pulsing through me. “Shall we?” he questions, tipping his head in the direction of where we’re about to be seated to have dinner. The event is huge and there's over a hundred different businessmen and women here, all of whom are dressed to the nines and happy.

I grin when I see who we're seated next to. God, Briar's mom is the best, Kathleen Irvine may have some qualities about her that I don't like, but she has always been sweet and gracious to me, it's not for the first time that I wonder if it's her husband, Brian, that's pushing her into making stupid decisions that involve their children.

Mr. Williams is the owner of New Cut Bourbon, one of the biggest distillers here in Kentucky. The man is a multi-millionaire but is getting older in life and has no children. He's looking to go into business with someone, and that’s where Joe Ranieri comes into play. Joe's hoping that by taking over an already successful business he’ll be able to make it global. His ultimate goal is to be closer to his daughter—Gabby and his grandson—who lives in Indiana. He wants to be close but also doesn’t want to be in Indiana as his status as mob boss would have his life on the line along with that of his daughter and grandchild. I get it, it's one of the reasons that I'm so enamored by this man, the love he has for his daughter and grandson is so pure and so raw that it makes my heart warm whenever I see them together.

The heat from Joe’s back has my body humming with electricity. The man may be thirty years older than I am, but he still sets my body alight. I have fallen so hard for him and the connection between us isn’t some stupid young girl crush. I know that he feels it too. The heated glances, the little touches, the whispered words. Sometimes I wonder if I’m playing with fire. I’ve been thinking about quitting, knowing that if I don’t, I’m only going to end up getting hurt.

As we approach the table, Mr. Williams rises to his feet. “Evening, y’all, how are you this fine evening?” His southern drawl makes me smile. He’s in his seventies and has the sweetest eyes that I’ve ever seen, but I have no doubt that he’s a Pitbull. I've heard stories about how ruthless Jeremiah Williams truly is. He’s a shrewd businessman and takes no crap from anyone.

“Good evening, Mr. Williams, I'm very good thank you. How are you? You're looking dashing tonight,” I tell him softly.

He grins at me. “Well, little lady,” he says, and I feel Joe’s hand tighten against my back. “I thank you kindly. It's been a while since I've had a pretty lady tell me that I look dashing. I'm honored to be seated beside you tonight,” he tells me with a soft smile as he tilts his head toward the nameplates that have mine and Joe's names written perfectly in calligraphy.

Joe hasn’t once removed his hand from my back and I’m not sure what the hell is going on. This isn’t like him. I’ve been working for him for the past four months and not once has he been this—possessive—yet, tonight he’s acting as though we're together and it’s freaking me out.

“Joe,” Jeremiah begins, his tone a harsher than when he spoke with me. “I know all about you and how you're after my company. I’m wondering why the hell you think I’d sell my company to you.”

Joe’s jaw clenches and I know that he’s taken what Mr. Williams has said as disrespect, I jump into the conversation, hoping to calm things down. “Mr. Williams, Mr. Raneri has never made his past a secret. He’s never once hidden who he is. He’s a man of integrity, honor, and most of all loyalty. He’s the perfect man to buy your business from you because he doesn’t give up, he doesn’t mess around, and he doesn’t fail. Mr. Raneri has proven over time that he’s a smart businessman, such as yourself. While you may have had different businesses, it doesn’t negate the fact that Mr. Raneri was at the very top of his, just as you are. Selling to a man that has that much power is the right thing to do.”

My cheeks heat and my heart races by the end of my little speech, Joe’s hand slides along my waist until it rests against my hip. The dress that I’m wearing has a slit on my left side and Joe’s currently caressing my bare skin.

Mr. Williams' laughter rings through the room. “I like that, Missy, your loyalty to your employer is very hard to come by. That shows me more than any background check ever could.” He raises his hand for one of the servers that are moving fluidly around the ballroom. “You have yourself a deal, Mr. Raneri. Tomorrow we will work out the details. But tonight, we celebrate.”

The server arrives with three glasses of champagne. I guess tonight is a night worth celebrating. I take a seat, Mr. Williams tells me about his life, he's full of stories and I truly enjoy them.

I suck in a sharp breath when Joe’s hand moves along the apex of my thigh and brushes against my pussy.

“No panties,” he growls in my ear as he slides a finger inside of me.

“Joe,” I whimper, trying my hardest to not make it obvious what he’s doing, especially with Jeremiah sitting opposite us.

“Tonight,” Joe says so that only I can hear him, as he pulls his finger out of my pussy. He brings his hand to his face and inhales deeply. My cheeks heat at the sight, anyone watching wouldn't have a clue what is going on.

I’m utterly confused and aroused.

What the hell happened? Why did he touch me? What's going to happen tonight?

God, I'm so worked up, so needy, and I'm soaking wet. Damn Joe, leaving me here like this.

CHAPTER 7

Joe

My cock is fucking hard as I watch her move with ease and grace across the hallway toward her room. Little does she know she won’t be sleeping alone tonight. For months I’ve been good, I’ve behaved myself, told myself that she’s my employee and that’s what it’s to be. But fuck. No more. I want Hazel more than I have ever wanted another woman and tonight, I’m finally getting what I want. Her.

With all the shit that I’ve dealt with being married to Christina, being tied to another woman isn’t something I ever imagined myself doing, until now. It’s fucked up, I’m technically still married to Christina, but I’ve not seen that cunt in a while, and I hope that doesn’t change

Hazel’s eyes are wide when she sees that I’m following behind her. She’s sweet, so fucking sweet that it’s taken every ounce of restraint not to change our relationship from boss/employee to a fuck of a lot more. I didn’t think she’d be ready for that, buying her the dress was stupid. I should have realized that she’d be pure temptation wearing it. I couldn’t take it, the second I saw her in it, I was rock hard. I knew then that I wasn’t holding back. Not anymore. I’m taking what I want, what she wants and it’s going to be a good fucking night.

She opens the door to her hotel room, her gaze turns to me, I see the challenge there. Will I come in? Oh sweetheart, have no fucking doubt. I don’t hesitate, I walk straight into her room, kicking out my foot to close the door behind me. Her lips are parted, her eyes slightly wider than normal. She’s unsure of what’s happening, but I see the keen interest in her eyes, the way they’re heated, the lust that shines in them. She wants this just as much as I do.

Desire courses through me as I reach for her, it’s been months of pent-up longing and need, I pull her into my embrace, my lips descending on hers. This is what I have wanted, what I have been waiting months for. She feels so fucking good. I want more. I want her. Now.

A low, guttural moan escapes me as our bodies meld together. I guide her backwards with purpose, every step bringing us closer to the bed. In this moment, there is no denying the mutual attraction between Hazel and I that has been brewing since the day we met. I’ve known that Hazel has wanted me since the moment I met her. The flirtatious looks, smiles, and touches have only intensified over the months. Tonight, we both give in to what we want.

As she falls onto the edge of the bed, something shifts in Hazel's demeanor. She becomes bolder, more assertive. With deft movements, she tears at my shirt buttons, eager to strip me down as quickly as possible. Within moments, we are both naked and my eyes hungrily roam over her naked body. I’m salivating at how fucking gorgeous she is. I’m a lucky fucker being able to have her. I lay her on the bed and finally get to have my wicked way with her.

Kneeling before her on the floor, I inhale deeply, taking in her intoxicating scent. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her. Slowly, I explore every inch of her velvety skin with kisses and gentle caresses. I run a teasing finger along her folds and feel how wet she already is for me.

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