“The terms of which state you can be terminated should I see fit,” I lied. That statement wasn’t inyet. “There is a severance package,” I added, another untruth.
She wanted five million to retire. I’d give her twenty. Buy her a house, a new car, a yearly wardrobe, pay for extravagant vacations.Whatever, just as long as she didn’t have to suffer the grind of a career.
“I don’t want a severance package,” she snapped around sniffles. “I want my little office and a chance to prove myself in your company.”
“Ryan—”
“You’re on a deadline too,” she pointed out, her chin wobbling. “You need me as much as I need you. My first day has been a major disappointment. I just want a do-over. I know I made a subpar impression today. Let me redeem myself and prove I’m not a whiny crybaby.”
Of course, she wouldn’t realize my actions were meant to protect her and not areactionto the press conference.
“At least allow me to make the presentation at Amage, then if you’re still unhappy, I will accept your severance package.”
I have no idea how the fuck she goaded me into doing uncharacteristic shit, but I nodded.
“Thank you,” she said bleakly. “This means so much to me.”
Instead of answering, I said, “you were unaware of the specifics of your parents’ deaths.”
Her nostrils flared, and she drew in a sharp breath. “I want to talk to my sister, so she can deny everything that was said today and tell me it was just the product of viciousness. But deep down…” Her trailing voice allowed a sob to escape. “My father…I can’t believe…no…my mother…” Whatever point she was trying to make wouldn’t fully form.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t sit idly by and watch her fall to pieces, so I moved next to her and pulled her into my arms. She buried her face in the bridge between my neck and shoulder. Sobs tore through her, shaking her body.
I threaded my fingers through her hair and whispered words of comfort to her. At what point my solace turned into physical need, I’ll never know. But suddenly our mouths fused together, and my tongue swept into her sweet recesses. The tip of my tongue stroked the roof of her mouth and the softness of her inner cheeks. Her coconut scent brought back memories I tried so hard to forget. Even as I lost myself in her smell, I couldn’t deny the sense of familiarity rising in me at our frantic kisses.
Consciously, I might continue to deny the truth because of all the ramifications involved. Deep down, though, I knew Ryan was my lady in blue. My body wasn’t deluding me as my brain and my cousin insisted upon doing.
She whimpered, and I pulled away, fighting for sanity. The sight of her kiss-plumped mouth and passion-dark eyes sent blood rushing to my cock. We were both panting. Just as I was wrestling my desire under control, she licked her lips and tipped her head toward mine. It was the encouragement I needed to justify my actions.
I wanted her too fucking bad to continue to pretend otherwise. After pushing the coffee table away to give myself room, I slid to my knees, admiring her gorgeous legs.
My anger had momentarily stolen the memory of my first glimpse of her outfit. If I hadn’t been wearing the coat to my suit, my hard-on would’ve been on display.
Kissing the warm skin on her thigh, I placed my hands on her knees and parted her legs. Considering the designer clothes she wore, her serviceable cotton panties shocked me, but the scent of her arousal watered my mouth.
Too impatient to bare her, I pushed the seat of her underwear aside. Her glistening pussy lips invited me to taste. Obliging, I swiped my tongue along her seam.
“Fucking delicious,” I growled.
She trembled.
Wanting no hindrance, I ripped her panties away and used my shoulders to widen her thighs. The closely cropped mat of hair on her mound gave way to clean shaven pussy lips.
Resting her bare feet on the edge of the sofa, she used her fingers to open herself and reveal her swollen clit. “Lick me off.”
“Gladly,” I responded, sliding two fingers inside of her and caressing her slick heat while I lapped her pussy. Her breathy sighs turned into arousing moans.
She lifted her hips and rocked against my tongue, threading her fingers through my hair. The faster I licked her and finger fucked her, the quicker she moved and the louder her cries became.
Instead of allowing me to oblige her demand, she lowered her legs and pulled away from my mouth. Before I could question her, she leaned down and brought her lips to mine, not protesting when I took control. My balls throbbed at the knowledge that she was tasting her pussy juice as she kissed me.
Her hand caressed my jaw, her gentle touch firing my blood.
“Stand up,” she said against my lips.
Hating to stop kissing her, I did as she asked, even though I wanted to fuck her so badly, my cock was hurting. She slid to her knees and began unbuckling my belt. I pushed her hands aside and finished the job, stopping only when she had full access to my member.
“Oh my,” she whispered, lifting an astonished gaze to me.