Page 44 of Room One Hundred & Twenty-One: Kiss of Fire

I grab her wrist and pull her back to me. “I always keep my promises, baby.” Then I kiss the fuck out of her until she’s breathless and writhing against me. I spin her back in the direction of my bathroom and swat her ass. “Go fix your makeup and get back to work.” I can feel a sassy reply waiting on the tip of her tongue. “Good girl, remember?” I smirk and she glares at me before walking away.

15

SELENA

It’s Friday and Ms. Abernathy chooses today of all days to call out sick. I didn’t think the woman knew what a sick day was, but clearly I’m mistaken. She hasn’t missed a day of work in years, aside from the rare vacations she takes. So I know if she’s not here, then she must be really ill. I make a mental note to check on her at lunch before spending the entire morning scurrying around the office and getting ready for today’s presentation.

At first, Stan simply had me book a meeting for himself and my bosses. But then he called yesterday afternoon and notified us that he was also bringing in the executives from Aspen Creative. I didn’t pay too much attention to the details except to note the annoyance on Ms. Abernathy’s face at the last-minute change. Now she’s not here, and I wish I had a better handle on what’s going on.

Stan and his guests will arrive in less than an hour. Panic starts to set in as I make a mental note of the tasks I still need to complete.

“Yes, two dozen assorted breakfast pastries by 9:45,” I verify to the woman on the phone, relieved that she can deliver this morning.

I’ve stopped by this cute bakery down the street on my way into work a few times. The place is small and hasn’t been open for more than a year. But when you walk inside and smell the sweet treats and fresh coffee, it fills your stomach with warmth and happiness. This is the first time I’ve placed a catering order with them, but if all goes well, it certainly won’t be my last.

After confirming my delivery, I hang up and get to work on the other items I need to check off my list. My only enemy today is time, so instead of wasting it, I pull my hair into a ponytail and get to work.

I rush to the copy room and gather the presentations that Ms. Abernathy printed and bound yesterday. After placing each one at a seat around the conference table, I set out pens, notepads, and other office supplies that might be needed for the meeting. As I’m arranging napkins and utensils for the food, my cell chimes with a text to notify me that our delivery from Chloe’s Bakery is waiting downstairs.

I’m headed toward the elevators when my footsteps falter as Chance swaggers into my line of sight. He’s dressed in a tailored blue Armani suit that fits his sculpted ass just right. And his dazzling smile makes my temperature rise at least another degree or two. But his brows pinch when his gaze settles over me.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply, a little out of breath. “Just a woman on the move. The caterer is downstairs, and your guests should be here shortly. But I have almost everything ready to go.”

“Have you eaten?” he asks, cutting off my thoughts of work. He looks pointedly at me when I don’t answer. With so much happening this morning, I didn’t have time.

“I promise I will just as soon as your meeting gets started.”

His gaze narrows, but I ignore it and wait for the elevator. Chance follows me and steps inside when the doors open. I look at him curiously.

“I’ll help you bring the food up and then you’re going to eat.”

“But—”

“I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not telling you to have a steak dinner. Just grab one of the pastries before you do anything else.”

It’s useless to argue with him—with any of them for that matter—so I take the path of least resistance and agree. “Fine. I will.”

We make it to the lobby to find Chloe, the bakery owner, holding two large boxes of pastries with a wide smile. She’s a petite, older woman with long black hair and soft crinkles at the corners of her eyes.

“Hi, Chloe! It’s nice to see you again,” I greet her and take one of the boxes.

“Good morning, Selena! I hope everyone will enjoy these. And there’s fresh coffee too. My treat.” She starts to hand me the other box, but Chance steps forward and takes it instead, along with the travel cartons of coffee.

“Thank you for taking my order on such short notice.”

“No problem at all. Happy to have the business.”

Chance gives her a panty-melting smile. “Are you the one who makes the raspberry and cream cheese danishes?”

Chloe blushes at his attention and I can’t blame her. All women do. “Um… I think so?”

“You are,” I confirm with a laugh. “I brought him one last week and now he’s obsessed with them.”

“They’re amazing,” Chance praises. “I can’t wait to have another one.”

“Oh, you’re too kind. Thank you. I better let you two be on your way. Do you need some help carrying them up?”

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