Page 39 of Ruthless Mr. Ricco
I glance between the “smaller workspace” doors and the passenger seat of the car before meeting my boss’s eyes.Wearing black slacks and a t-shirt with a sparkle of mischief in his hazel gaze, he smirks and holds the door open as he gestures for me to climb into the car.
He told me today would require casual clothes, but I assumed work casual, not the laid-back weekend vibes wafting from him.
This must be a trap.I shouldn’t get in the car no matter how my body sparks to life under his hungry eyes.
I clear my throat and cross my arms over my chest.He leans against the car door and sticks a hand in his pocket.
The silent challenge both irks and calms me.
Ever since he kissed me in his office, he’s followed through on his vow to let me practice law.He appointed me as both a company lawyer and his personal attorney, upgraded my desk in the glass alcove, gave me unfettered access to the company’s records, rescinded Ms.Lynn’s power over me, and decreased my assistant’s aide workload.I don’t know how they managed to coordinate so many moving parts between just the two of them—they really do need another person on the executive floor especially after I serve Ms.Lynn her papers—and even though it’s only been a week, I’ve grown to enjoy working with them.The tasks may pull me away from my research, but they also keep me aware of my surroundings instead of hunched at my new desk all day.
I internally scoff at my lame attempt to fool myself.Although he hasn’t touched me since he let me off his lap on Monday except to wrap my arm on Tuesday, the growing hunger in his eyes pulls a responding need from me.Every time he walks into the room, my entire body wakes.
He sighs and taps his long fingers against the door frame.I push away my misgivings but give him a dirty look as I settle into the passenger seat.
“Where are we going?”I demand.
“Don’t worry, little rabbit, I won’t caveman toss you over my shoulder until after you beg me to ravage you.My penthouse is off-limits.We’re strictly in public for work-related stuff today,” he says.
Relief and disappointment flow through me.
Although his filthy teasing hasn’t changed, his professional attitude toward me has shifted since I revealed my father blacklisted me.He no longer plays petty workplace games with me, and even though he’s demanding and exact, his leadership skills and clear communication make him the most difficult yet easiest boss I’ve ever had.His intensity drives me to be better.
He leans in and pulls my seatbelt across my lap before I get a chance.My heart squeezes and lungs constrict as his delicious, clean scent invades my nostrils, and my fingers ache as I stop myself from caressing the long, masculine column of his throat by death gripping my bag.He snaps the buckle into place before trailing his hand up the belt.I fight for breath as his knuckles brush against my breasts.He teases my collar with his fingertips before dropping his hand to my lap.
I grab his wrist.
“What are you doing?”
I wince at the breathy quality of my voice.Wicked mirth darkens his eyes.
“I’m ensuring my passenger is properly buckled.After your recent luck with cars, I can’t take any chances with your safety,” he says.
Lava bubbles in my core as his deep rumble vibrates through my bones.
“You’re ridiculous,” I breathe.
His eyes dip to my lips as he skims his hand across my lap.
“I’m thorough.Verythorough,” he promises.
Every nerve in my body zings with awareness, but after squeezing my hip and patting my thigh, he takes my purse and closes the passenger door.I will my heart back into my chest as he walks around the front of the car.My mouth waters at his lithe movements.
I will not beg, but I’ve never been so sexually frustrated before, and the bastard has been working me to the bone so by the time I get home every night, I don’t have the energy to masturbate.It’s infuriating.
I peel my gaze off his enticing body as he opens his door and wedges himself behind the wheel.
With the radio playing softly and the windows blocking out the sounds of the late Saturday morning crowd, we sit in a strangely comfortable silence as he pulls away from the curb and navigates through traffic.When he pulls up to the valet stand of a renowned boutique shop, I snap my gaze to his.
He doesn’t even spare me a glance as he grabs my purse, exits the vehicle, and tosses the keys to the valet.I glare up at him when he opens my door and extends his hand for me to take.
When he stares at me, completely unperturbed, I sigh and slip my hand into his.Heat flashes through me when he pulls me to my feet and tucks me against his side with ease.
“Mr.Ricco,” I scold, reminding him of our professional relationship, but he tightens his arm around me and digs his fingers into my hip.Lust steals my voice.
“Trust me, little rabbit, you want to stay close to me today.Just think of this as a perk of overtime,” he murmurs.
“I’m salary.You don’t pay me for overtime,” I snark.
