Page 48 of Pretty Little Thing

Eleven

Clive

I close her office door,trying hard to suppress the smile begging to rise on my face. The last thing I need is someone getting suspicious and reporting us to human resources. Nothing to see here, folks. Just a low-level employee dropping off some paperwork to the boss’ office. That erection he has is just business as usual…

She couldn’t be more adorable today. Blushing and beautiful Nora Payne. It’s a new side of her; one she rarely lets out but I don’t blame her one bit. A woman like that would be walked all over if she showed signs of weakness at the wrong moment in the business world. Busting balls is how she survives.

So, that fact that she blushes for me is not insignificant.

But this deal isn’t sealed yet. I just have my foot in the door.

I lay the newly-signed forms on Ali’s desk as I pass it on the way toward my own. She’s not there, so I pause to jot down a quick note to her, remembering Nora’s request about her vacation days.

My desk phone starts ringing as I sit down and I clear my throat before picking it up.

“Accounting,” I answer.

“Hey, Clive. What’s up?”

I gaze around for eavesdroppers. “I told you not to call me here,” I tell him.

He scoffs. “And I wouldn’t need to if you had a cell phone like everyone else, man.”

“What do you want, Alex?”

“An update would be nice,” he says. “You ran off yesterday with a light bulb burning up your ass. Figured you might have some good news this morning.”

I give the room another cautionary glance, sensing movement a few desks over. My eyes flick toward Nora’s office. “Not yet,” I say. “I told you I need a few days.”

“For what?”

I drop my head. “If I can’t get it here, then I have to get it there.”

“Where’s there? Her house?”

“Yes.”

“How are you gonna do that?”

I sigh. “Okay, genius. How exactly would you secure an invite to an attractive, single woman’s private residence?”

He pauses for several seconds. Then, I hear a quick inhale. “Ohhh—”

“Fucking moron,” I mutter with rolling eyes.

“Taking one for the team.” He laughs. “I like it.”

“Other way around, actually,” I say. “It might take some convincing, hence the few days. So, don’t call me here again. I’ll call you.”

“Tick-tock, buddy. Our buyers aren’t exactly patient.”

Nora steps out of her office carrying an empty coffee mug, something I’ve seen dozens of times before but I can’t pry my attention away from it this time. She rushes off toward the break room for a refill. Her hips swish in the most perfect way as she walks with her head high and back straight. Strong and confident Nora Payne.

I want to ruin her.

I want to see her with bruises on her nipples and rug-burn on her knees.

I want to watch her plead for release while I have my way with her.

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