Page 3 of Good Girl
Now she’s not happy with the fake one and refuses to let me add any tinsel because it doesn’t fit the aesthetic or smell like Christmas, whatever that means.
Biting down on the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from snapping at her, I drag my chair over then awkwardly climb up to straighten the damn angel. Four years of college to end up as the office bitch.
Why the hell do I put myself through this? My eyes dart to the office just to my right, and a sigh wisps past my lips.
Mr. Carter, that’s why.
Although he shouldn’t, that man occupies my every waking thought. A tall drink of water, and boy, am I thirsty. Despite having a fiancé, I feel like I’ve been parched for years. It’s okay to look, as long as I go home to my boyfriend Josh. Right?
I’ve only got another month here before Robert—the person I’m covering for—comes back. I’ll miss exactly one person when I leave here. Tristan Carter.
He is an exceptional individual. I learned that he founded the company from scratch, pouring his heart and soul into building the thriving enterprise. Despite his wealth, he remained CEO and continues to be hands-on with the company. His success came fast, so I’m not sure he even realizes how wealthy he has become. Or if he has, it hasn’t changed him according to the people who were here from the start. Their assessment appears to be true, there have been a few mornings when he mademea coffee, and Linda nearly fell out of her chair when he made his own photocopies one time.
I’ve loved working for him and hope that the experience I’ve gained here will help me secure a new job after Robert returns. I’m hoping to find a position that aligns with Josh’s time frame. After beating twenty other top graduates to secure the position, he’s currently interning at a tech company. Once his internship ends, we plan to return to our hometown, where we will get married.
Ignoring the pit that opens in my stomach at the thought of being stuck in a boring marriage, I fiddle with the damn angel.
“To the left, no right, a little more… A little more,” I roll my eyes at Linda’s nitpicking. She’s such a pain in my ass. I overreach, feeling the chair shift beneath me, the wheels I clicked into place coming loose.
Shit.
“Another tree?” The deep timbre of Mr. Carter’s voice calls out from the doorway of his office, making my legs turn to liquid and melt beneath me.
The chair rolls backwards, causing me to lurch forward. “Oh shit!” I cry out. My body collides with the branches of the tree, the tiny needles digging into my flesh like a damn cactusas I topple forward with a high-pitched yelp, practically bear-hugging the tree as I try to find purchase. It all happens so fast, a chorus of gasps sounding as I tumble like a hot mess to the floor, the tree coming with me, pinning me beneath it. With baubles shattering around me like sharp, painful confetti, my ass and back protest for a few seconds.
The tree is instantly lifted from me, my eyes blinking open and closed as I try to will this all to be a bad dream. Mortification leaves me paralyzed as a pair of well-dressed legs step into view on each side of my head. I chase the vision of his long legs and broad body up to two vivid blue eyes. Mr. Carter is looking down at me, shock written all over his handsome face. “Red lace?” he says, almost to himself, wide-eyed.
Reaching down, he slips his hands under my armpits, lifting me to my feet like I weigh nothing. My legs shake and threaten to dump me back on the floor. He must notice as his hands tighten against my body, the firm fingers sitting just below my side boobs. His strong, powerful body closes in to support me from behind, and I find myself leaning into him. A weird squeak sounds from my throat as heat fires up my neck, coloring my cheeks.
I really need to get laid. Josh has been too tired lately, apparently, but tonight I have a plan to change that. “Are you okay?” Mr. Carter asks, his breathing ragged. I want to say I’m fine, but my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, leaving me unable to form words.
“She’s fine,” Linda answers on my behalf, trying to drag me from Mr. Carter’s hold. But he refuses to release me, keeping me in his grip, his body heat blazing up my back. I know it can’t be what my brain is telling me it is, but there’s something thick and hard poking into my spine.
Something really freaking big.
“Linda, we don’t need another fucking tree,” he growls, guiding me to the chair that caused the havoc in the first place. When he releases me and my ass hits the cushion, I mourn the loss of his touch. “Look at me Poppy,” he tells me, taking a knee before me. A million fantasies flicker through my mind, leaving a damp trail in my panties.
He’s so close I can smell the rich scent of his expensive aftershave.Cedar mixed with a hint of cinnamon.
Everything about Tristan Carter screams dominant, smart and powerful. If I didn’t have Josh, I’d want this man to own me, make me his. I wouldn’t give a shit what people thought about that. I would happily be his dirty little secret that he plays with at his leisure. I’d live in a cage beneath his desk if he desired it. Damn, why does he have such an effect on me, and why do I feel like I’m cheating for just thinking these thoughts.Naughty girl.
“Poppy?” A slight frown tugs between his brows, his smoldering gaze holding me captive. His eyes are a striking blue, reminiscent of the ocean on a summer day. The vibrant color contrasts beautifully with his thick, dark lashes.
I realize I’ve been staring at him in silence. Licking my lips, I finally say, “Sorry, I’m okay.” I nod to reassure him, but he still doesn’t look convinced. My eyes sweep over his face, taking in every detail. His strong jawline dusted with a couple of days’ stubble, plush lips, straight nose, and a delicate silver scar shaped like a crescent moon beneath his right eye. You wouldn’t notice it unless you’re this close to him, and it does nothing to detract from his pure beauty. He looks like a Greek god statue on the day it was crafted—A perfect muse for the architect.
“Take the rest of the day off.” The deep pitch of his voice is so commanding that it makes my stomach clench. I’ve always thought of myself as a nice, respectable girl, but there’s this horny little devil inside me who wants to be anything but.
Most days I regret accepting Josh’s ring. My life with him is underwhelming, but my mother assures me that’s normal, and life isn’t like the movies or books I read. It doesn’t help that everyone knows and expects us to get married back home, so there’s a pressure to do just that. “She doesn’t need to take the day,” Linda blurts, and I shake my head to clear it.
“Don’t you have a tree to fix?” He glares at her, and she ducks her head, bending to pick up the unbroken baubles.
“I don’t need to take time off,” I quickly object, but he places a finger to my lips, evaporating all words and thoughts.
Holy fuck.
My lip parts on instinct, wanting to suck his finger into my mouth. His eyes darken at the sight before he sharply retreats, getting to his feet and placing his hand in his pants pocket, drawing my attention there. The bulge is definitely bigger. Saliva floods my mouth. “Go home, and please text me later to let me know you’re okay.” At his demand, I have to remind myself where I am and how to breathe. I’ve never used his number for anything other than work. “Promise me, Poppy.” His movements make his shirt pull tight against toned muscles beneath.
Damn this man.
