Page 23 of The Darkest Knight

I clear my throat, shove my hands into my pockets. And swallow.

“I won’t make that mistake again,” she whispers.

“I’m sure you won’t.” It takes effort to keep my voice even. “You may go.”

She hesitates, just for a moment, then turns and walks out of the room. I watch her go, my chest tight, my fists clenched at my sides.

And then I wake up.

My chest heaves, my breathing is ragged as my eyes snap open. My skin is slick with sweat. My cock is hard. My bed is empty.

I remember the fight with Dina, but I push that away, and replay the dream in my mind again, letting my imagination play out the rest of it. Pushing my boxer briefs down, I stroke myself, flashes of that ruler hitting Cari's ass spurring me on.

Oh. Fuck. My cock twitches some more.

I hiss out a growl, stroking faster, harder, feeling so close ... but I stop myself. I take my hand away and slide the boxer briefs back up.

I can’t think about Cari like that.

I won't.

It's wrong. She's my fucking assistant, dammit.

My breathing grows heavy, and I'm left feeling empty and unsatisfied; like a coil spring that's wound up too tight, and desperate for a release it can't get.

I swallow, and lie there, feeling like shit, until I hear the ping of a notification. Grabbing my phone I see Dina’s apology text.

She wants to make up.

Fuck. Yes!

I jump at the chance.

She’s using me as much as I'm now using her. We both know there's an expiration date on what we have, so we might as well make the most of it while we can.

Chapter 11

CARI

The office feels strange this morning, like it’s holding its breath. Or maybe that’s just me.

I’ve spent the entire weekend replaying Friday night in my head—how Jett stayed with me, how he made sure I was safe. It was unexpected, and it left me with a warmth that lingers with me even now. I tell myself it didn’t mean anything, that any boss would do that, and yet, I’m not sure that’s true. I can’t imagine Dex or Zach doing that for their assistants. I chastise myself for being delusional and making this mean something it isn’t.

Eliana and Bianca are coming back later this evening. They called me last night to gush about their weekend. It was everything I imagined it would be: a cozy cabin, a fireplace and a hot tub outside. The four of them had a ball.

I wished Eliana were here this morning, just because I needed to talk to her about this gnawing feeling. I felt anxious about coming to work, and Eliana would have steadied my errant thoughts and given me some confidence.

Still, I’m here now and haven’t seen him yet. He’s in his office with the door closed. It’s a blessing, but I wonder if he’s also hiding from me. I sigh, trying to focus on my work. But it’s when I’m at the copier, waiting for it to spit out the last page, that I hear his voice.

“Cari.”

I jump slightly and turn, feeling a tightness in every muscle. Jett leans against the doorway of his office. He looks like he hasn’t slept much, his tie slightly askew, his hair tousled in that perfectly imperfect way that probably takes no effortat all. He walks toward my desk with a casual confidence, his expression unreadable.

“Yes?” I move to sit back at my desk, hands poised over the keyboard and ready to take notes. Look busy. Find another focus other than that chiseled face and those hypnotic eyes.

I look up at him.

“Can you pick up something for me on your lunch break?” he asks.

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