Page 59 of Of Blood and Smoke

I would do no such thing. “Josiah called me into the office, I’ll be right back,” I informed her, setting the cup on my desk.

“Hurry up, I need you over here,” she snapped and went back to scrolling Instagram.

Ignoring her, I strode down the hall and to the office. Micha opened the door for me, staring down at me in that unnerving way he had, before he left silently, walking away down the hall. I’d met his eyes, but he said nothing.

Josiah sat behind his desk, sunglasses off, and I waited while he looked me up and down. His gaze was like a physical touch. I could’ve sworn the goosebumps that bloomed across my body followed the same path as his eyes.

“Come here,” he said, his voice firm but soft.

When I stopped in front of his desk, he beckoned me to come to his side. Hesitantly, I obeyed, and then he pulled me onto my lap. “This isn’t very professional,” I told him, secretly loving the contact.

“It's my company, and I missed you.” He gripped the back of my head and crushed his lips to mine, giving me a quick but consuming kiss that left my knees weak. “Now you can get up.”

Letting out a short laugh, I hopped down and returned to where I’d been standing. “Thank you for the coffee,” I said, lamely. I didn’t know what to think or what to do. I didn’t know what was expected of me now. Was he going to have me be a secret mistress? Was he going to fire me? Was he going to bend me over his desk after hours?

Josiah cleared his throat before he spoke. “Della, these are unusual circumstances for me. Clearly, it is unethical for me to be sleeping with you, to have taken you as my lover and woman.” My heart plummeted like the heaviest rock.

“The company policy is no fraternization between executives, salaried or hourly regular employees. Your signature attests to your knowledge of this rule. It is nonnegotiable.”

He stood up as my eyes watered and my heart thumped angrily behind my ribcage. I’d risked everything for a piece of ass and now, my dad and I were screwed. A sarcastic laugh slipped through my lips unbidden.

Because I got screwed, I got screwed. I’d released the tight reins I’d held over my life for nothing but a single night of the best sex I could ever imagine.

He took slow measured steps toward me, his hands casually resting in his pockets as if he hadn’t turned my world upside down in more ways than one. His outfit was impeccable, as usual, with his form-fitting button-up shirt and vest, perfectly creased pants, and shiny leather boots with thick soles. Hislife seemed to match, unlike my own, which was suddenly very disordered.

He peered down at me with parted lips, and I watched him run his tongue against his teeth. He gave the impression he was hungry, and I was his eagerly awaited snack.

“What do you want from me?” I meant to ask him what he wanted me to do but the ravenous look in his eye was distracting, conjuring up visions of my blood painted across his pecs while I bounced in his lap.

Josiah arched an eyebrow. “Little One, I expect your unfailing loyalty and undying faithfulness. I won’t settle for anything less and you’ll get the same from me in return.”

Oh.

Wait.

“I meant to ask what you want me to do. That,” I waved my hand in the air vaguely at him, .”..that is distracting.”

He ran a hand down my arm. “I want you to go to lunch with me.” He glanced at a watch I just noticed on his wrist, all shiny, sparkling gold. “In ninety minutes.”

“Also, you should know your department has been eliminated and you now work for a separate company that just so happens to now rent space here in this building. You’ll notice the difference on your bank statements.”

What? “Is that legal?”

He smirked. “My lawyers assure me it is.”

I scratched my head. “Okay.”

“Don’t worry, my love. Your reputation will be protected.”

“I wasn’t worried about that but thank you.” I glanced down at the floor. “I just have a lot of questions.”

“About?” he asked impatiently, when I stayed silent.

Meeting his dark gaze, I said, “Last night... you said and did some things I’m not sure I understand.”

“I was rather clear with you. What do you not understand? I know you have feelings for me. Are you denying what you feel? There is no point in doing so.”

Letting out a deep breath, I replied, “No, that’s not it. It’s, well, you said some things. Said you are some things, but there’s no mark on my neck. No marks anywhere. And I....well obviously you’re successful but do you have a blood fetish?” I was rambling but I didn’t know how to phrase “you think you’re an actual vampire.”

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