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As he passed by me on his way out, he lowered his voice so only I could hear him. “So, now we’re keeping employees a secret?”

I didn’t have a response. How could I answer him when I wasn’t even sure why I had brought her on? I had told myself it was because she was a good developer. But was there another reason?

Just after he walked out of the door, Jai stuck his head back in and flashed his biggest smile at Amelia to tease me even more. “If you need any more IT help, you know where to find me.” The door clicked behind him.

Amelia rose from her chair and stood facing me from behind her desk. “Shyam…I mean, Mr. Sethi. I’m sorry for taking up so much of Jai…um, Mr. Sethi’s time,” she stammered.

I liked seeing her nervous around me—seeing the effect I had on her.

I stalked closer to her, as if I were a predator closing in on my prey. “I trust you are ready to work now. You and Jai have wasted enough time for one day. The next time you need help with setup, contact our IT department instead.” I couldn’t hold back my aggression.

She stared at me with a look of disbelief. “He was just helping!” she snapped as her hands balled into tight fists at her sides.

My eyebrow arched with curiosity.This kitten has claws.Hearing her raised voice was another first for me. Clearly, she had some fight in her. She just needed to be pushed.

“Talking back to your boss? And on your first day? Not a great way to make a good first impression.” I continued moving in until I was near enough to feel her forceful exhalationsof anger on my skin. Her frustration spurred me on even more.

“Only when I think he’s being unfair,” she shot back. Her attitude surprised me, yet it made my dick hard. I wanted her to obey me and fall in line, but her fight made me horny as hell.

She had to tilt her head back to show me the venom in her eyes because I was so much taller than her. A lock of her thick hair had fallen over her face during her tantrum, and it blew back and forth with each breath that huffed from her nose. I lifted it gently with my fingertips, feeling its smoothness. I tucked it behind her ear and let my finger slide along her cheek, which was warm with anger.

I studied the beautiful face before me. Her glossed lips were full, just waiting for me to sink my teeth into them. Her breath slowed to almost a complete stop as I lifted her chin and moved my face closer to hers. My fingers slid to her neck. Her bruises had disappeared, but I still remembered them vividly, along with the asshole who had given them to her. I stroked her neck gently, silently apologizing on behalf of her attacker.

Her hands moved to my forearms as if to tell me,Don’t stop.I did not want to stop, either. Her hold over me was inexplicable. I had never felt the need to be in control and yet be so out of control at the same time before.What is she doing to me?

Her delicate hands slid from my arms to my chest.Can she feel my heart beating faster?

Rising onto her toes, she closed the gap between us. She took control.My control. Her plump lips pressed against mine. Her kiss was gentle, as if to test my desire. I needed to taste her. I needed to consume her with my mouth.

I ran my tongue along the seam of her lips, seeking an invitation. Ever so responsive, she invited me in. Our tongues met with fervor. She tasted like strawberries. The heat between us was so strong.

Gripping my shirt with her fingers, she pressed her body against my hard length. I sucked her bottom lip between my teeth and bit down hard. She breathed out a pleasured moan, bringing me back to my senses.

I released her lip and stared into those dark-green eyes.Fuck. I needed to get a hold of myself.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Chapter XII

Amelia

My body was buzzing from our kiss as Shyam’s eyes, hooded with desire, stared into mine—mirroring my need. I had been upset that he rejected me before and had even wondered if I was the only one who felt the attraction. But in this moment, I knew he felt it too.

He had stormed into the office and forced Jai out when he was just helping me get settled, and then he had ordered me around like a child until I couldn’t take it anymore. He had pushed me, and I had snapped—but not enough to resist the spark between us. The man could kiss. It was the best kiss I had ever had, and I would never forget it.

A knock at the door pulled him out of our trance. Stepping back from me, he smoothed the front of his shirt and wiped the remnants of my lip gloss from his lips with his fingers.

Anxiety shot through my body at the idea of being caught in a compromising position on my first day. I already felt out of place in this luxurious building. Getting caught making out with the boss would only make things more awkward.

“Come in,” Shyam commanded in his usual authoritative tone, but his voice was laced with irritation.

The door cracked open and Jessica stepped inside. “Oh, Mr. Sethi.” She glanced nervously between Shyam and me, probably unsure of what to make of her boss being in my office. Whatever she was thinking, she didn’t expose it. She maintained her professional manner. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

“Do you need something?” Shyam asked, not bothering to disguise his impatience.

Sensing his mood, Jessica answered hurriedly, “I just received Ms. Becker’s keycard and I wanted to deliver it as soon as possible.”

She held out a small card with my name and photo on it. I looked like I was twelve years old in the photo I had taken only hours earlier. I always looked much younger than my age. And standing next to a confident man like Shyam while I was still flushed from our make-out session probably made me look like jailbait right now.

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