Page 19 of Own Me

I sit at my desk. “No, that will be all for now.” I flash her a charming smile and look back at my computer screen.

I can feel her eyes on me as she hovers by the door. This new assistant—who I hired to elicit a reaction from Ayana—has been relentless in her pursuit of trying to get me in her bed. I make it a point to show her my disinterest when we’re alone. She knows the rules of the no-fraternization policy. I only put on a show of interest in Lux when Ayana is near. I want to make my sweet Ayana think I’m sleeping with the younger woman. I never used to play these kinds of amateurish games before, but Ayana brings out the worst of the worst in me.

“Are you sure?” Lux takes a couple of flirtatious steps closer, cat walking in her four-inch heels. “We?—”

There is a knock at the door, and in walks Ayana without an invitation to come in.

I cast my glance over at Ayana, and my heart seizes. With each day that passes, she gets more beautiful. Her glowing, brown skin makes my fingers twitch and my mouth water. I want to caress every inch of her skin with my hands and lips. I want her pussy juices flowing on my tongue. I want my cock stuffed between her delectable lips. The thought of Ayana beingownedby me makes me hard as granite.

I break out of the lusty grasp she has on me and snap out, “Did I ask you to enter?”

“No, but?—”

I give her a stern look. “Next time, wait for my permission.”

“Yes, sir, Sterling.” Ayana’s brown eyes narrow on me, then she turns her attention to Lux. She bites her bottom lip. “I’m so sorry if I interrupted something, but the courier is waiting for your signature on the Myers contract,” she holds out some papers in her hand.

I get myself under control before standing, walking around my desk, and leaning against the edge closest to the ladies. “You see how Lux has already turned in her paperwork?” I put my hand on a file behind me, which may or may not have been Lux’s work.

Lux lights up at the praise. This newer assistant has nothing on my incredible Ayana. As a younger woman, Lux doesn’t hold a candle to Ayana’s radiant beauty and experience. I’d had a dozen like Lux, but I’d never experienced a night like when Ayana rocked my world. And every single day, she has worked her ass off to display just what an indispensable worker she truly is. But I can’t let her know that. Not if my plan is going to work.

Ayana waltzes towards me, extending the paperwork to me. “I’ll do better next time.” This has become her go-to catchphrase when I’m being a jackass. “Will you sign the contract, please, sir?”

Every time she calls mesir, my blood ignites with passionate hellfire. Heart pounding, I decline to take the paperwork, instead crossing my arms. “You can put the papers in my inbox.” I nod towards the basket on my desk. “Lux and I were having a one-on-one when you interrupted.”

“But, sir, the courier?—”

“It can wait.”

“With all due respect, sir?—”

“I saidit can wait.” The words have come out colder than I intended to, but my blood is liquid fire. My tense tone carries into my next words. “Lux, can you give us a minute?”

I hear the door close as Lux leaves, but I don’t take my gaze off Ayana’s enraged eyes. As dark as her gorgeous skin is, with her standing this close, I can detect a blush. Her body heat radiates out towards me, coaxing me in. I remain a statue against my desk.

She leans in close, our bodies mere centimeters apart. And damn does she look fierce and beautiful when she’s pissed. She presses the paperwork so hard against my chest that I lean back. Now that we are alone, she’s bolder.

“AndIsaid,” she seethes, her tone even colder than mine, “the courier is waiting for your signature on this contract.” She lets go of the papers only after I place my hand on them against my chest. “Don’t let whatever vendetta you have against me fuck up this important deal.”

She pirouettes and sashays towards the door. All I can do is stare after her fine ass as she walks away from me and closes the door, leaving me alone and hard. If I don’t get her to quit soon, I’m going to fucking lose it.

CHAPTER 11

Ayana

At work today, I finally got a chance to visit the chatroom. TheBoss Be Damnedis one huge chatroom on the Discord website with forums, small chatrooms and individual chats. There are three main forums:Boss-Holes, So-So Bosses,andNever Work Here. There are so many women like me who goes through shit with their bosses.

Sterling hasn’t let up and he’s been running me ragged. And yet, he treats Lux like she’s made of gold or something. I’m willing to bet that he’s fucking her.

Why does the thought of Sterling with another woman make me want to throw up?

I need my outlet up and running because every day it gets harder not to blow up at him. As soon as I zip out of his office, I log in and start venting or I wouldn’t last the day. I barely have time to take a stress releasing breath when Sterling calls me for another cup of coffee within minutes, so I must sign out. I carry myself through the day, knowing I will get to vent some more after work.

I’m exhausted by the time I get home later that evening. I take a bubble bath with lavender and soak until the water cools. I get out, put on my favorite teddy bear pajamas, and stroll into the kitchen to heat some spaghetti I cooked the night before. I grab a bottle of red wine from the refrigerator, pour myself a glass, and then head over to my laptop.

I really need to vent this evening, so I sign on to the website as BlacqQueen333.I perch on the sofa and set my laptop on my crossed legs. I read the visit counter in the bottom right corner. I can’t believe how fast the website has gained traction. Numerous women signed on, and I read through a couple of the comments in the thread I created called “This Shit Again.” I reply to some comments before purging some of my frustrations.

Bl@q1sh:I’ve done everything my boss has told me to do to get a raise, yet I still don’t see the money. Before you even ask, yes, I have met with him multiple times to request my raise. I’m just asking for 10% over here. What the hell?

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