Page 68 of The Owner's Temptation

What the fuck is wrong with me?

This was my idea. I told her to do this and I’m not about to lose control over my own fucking assignment.

She returns a moment later, espresso cup delicately in hand. She bends at the waist more than needed, setting it before me silently.

Her eyes were locked onto me the entire time. A slight curve to her mouth as if the two of us are sharing a joke only we know.

She prepared it perfectly. She's paying attention—to everything.

But so am I.

Mateo’s eyes darken appreciatively, and I suppress a growl. This is how I wanted him to react.

He wants her.

So, I’ll show him exactly what doesn’t belong to him.

I straighten slowly, an idea forming—one that risks my control, but feels oddly satisfying in the moment. I reach for Sienna’s hip, gently tugging her into my lap.

She stiffens momentarily, surprise rippling through her body, but she settles quickly, gracefully crossing her stocking-clad leg over the other. Mateo’s eyes widen hungrily, fixated, exactly as I knew they would be.

And then my fingers brush along her thigh, tracing the delicate fabric, feeling the silkiness give way to smooth, bare skin.

Her breath catches so softly I almost miss it, but I don’t. The faintest shiver works through her body, barely visible, but I feel it beneath my palm—the quickening of her pulse, the subtle tension of her muscles beneath my touch.

Heat gathers low in my stomach in response, my body tightening sharply, a sudden rush of desire I hadn’t expected. My grip tightens fractionally, possessively, before I trace the line of her gartered stocking tenderly with the tip of my finger.

Her thigh shifts almost imperceptibly, pressing just slightly into my hand—a reflexive response she immediately tries to suppress.

But it’s too late.

I felt it. And now I can’t stop feeling it, my body responding against my will.

How easy it would be to kick Mateo out of my office and pull her tight ass onto my lap fully, straddling me. Letting me push this fucking dress up and squeeze my hands around both firm globes.

To rip her wet panties off and watch my cock slide into her sweet cunt.

And that is a dangerous fucking thought.

Mateo swallows audibly, his gaze locked on my hand resting against Sienna’s leg. Desire flares unmistakably in his eyes, and I know I’ve won.

Checkmate.

“So, Mateo,” I say calmly, taking a slow sip of the espresso. “Do you really want to leave The Ledger?”

He hesitates, eyes never leaving Sienna. His throat works, struggling to form a coherent response. “Perhaps,” he finally concedes softly, “we can reconsider.”

"Mateo rises from his seat slowly, clearly reluctant to leave, his gaze lingering on Sienna. He straightens his suit jacket, smoothing it down as if needing something to occupy his restless hands.

"I'll see you out," I say firmly, dismissing him.

Sienna immediately takes the cue, sliding gracefully off my lap.

Turning toward her, Mateo extends his hand, eyes locked onto her as if she were the prize he truly came here for.

“And your name is?”

Her answer is simple, controlled. "Sienna."

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