Page 5 of Year-End Bonus
"I can confirm that is a hard limit no," Hunter deadpans.
I turn to him in disbelief, furious that they've gone behind my back and made an offer before we've even had a chance to discuss it. I would have obviously saidno. I'm not willing to risk the company, even for someone as incredible as Skylar.
"Just because she likes reading about it doesn't mean she wants to do it," I grit out.
"And yet"—Hunter hands me the stack of papers they were reading when I walked in—"she said yes."
Unable to process all the emotions coursing through my body, I stand abruptly and leave.
No.
Chapter three
Hunter
Where are you?
I peer over the second-floor balcony, my gaze flicking around the company holiday party as I search for our girl.
Our girl.
I'm filled with the frantic energy of someone who is about to live out a four-year fantasy, pacing like a caged lion waiting for his next meal.
Mark is in the conference room behind me, preparing for his portion of the evening, and Paul has shut himself away in his office, which is necessary but annoying. I need him to processthis situation quickly and get on board stat. We don't have time for melodramatics.
He's not worried about being sued. Nope, he's worried about getting his heart broken, but that infuriating man has been obsessed with Skylar for years. He hasn’t dated anyone else since he first set eyes on her, and he's going to let it pass by just to prove a point? I think not.
This isn't just about tonight.
I crossed my fingers when I promised Skylar one night. The truth is, we plan to lock her in for a lifetime. But first, we need to make her fall in love with all three of us. Easy-peasy.
I scan the room again, anxiously seeking the treasure, and then suddenly, she's here. Standing by the elevators, looking like sin and sunshine in a festive dark red wrap dress, with a modest plunge to her neckline. Her ample cleavage is hidden, and my hands itch with the desire to unwrap her like a present.
I've tracked her spending over the last week, and I was shocked to see the first purchases on the company card we sent her just today. One charge at a spa. Another at a women's clothing store, which I'm guessing is the result of tonight's sexy number. And a third and final charge at a lingerie store, which has had me salivating in anticipation all afternoon.
Mark and I have already worked out our plan for the evening. I get to greet her, but I'm not allowed to fuck her yet. We knew Paul was going to be resistant and probably pout in the corner for most of the night until we got her going. Once that happens, he won't be able to hold back, and he'll come in and do what he does best. He's like a director-participant extraordinaire, and we all benefit from his vision.
Mark and I have decided that our job is to have her as wound up as possible by the time we get her in front of his eyes. Win-win for everyone.
I glide through the party, my gaze zeroed in on her, which means I get a ringside seat when Aaron from accounting approaches her and offers to take her coat.
Gritting my teeth, I increase my pace.
Aaron is a tool. We've discussed firing him with HR multiple times, but he's litigious, so we've decided to hold off as long as possible. However, the way his hands linger on her shoulders makes me more than willing to deal with a lawsuit. And if he moves his hand to her lower back, he'll be lucky if my rap sheet doesn't include assault charges.
Note to HR: Aaron is fired on Monday.Happy New Year, asshole.
When Aaron turns away with Skylar’s coat, I rush in and grab her hand, pulling her into the stairwell with me.
I don't even look through the little window to see his reaction when she's disappeared into thin air like a figment of his imagination.
"Hi, doll. Fancy meeting you here."
Skylar grins up at me. "Glad to know it was you behind the messages. I mean, you sent me the proof, but I still had my doubts."
I quirk an eyebrow at her. This woman has been my obsession for the past four years. Four years, two months, thirteen days, and eight hours, to be exact, starting from the moment we first interviewed her. I knew she was it after one conference call.
Something in her voice—a lightness mixed with sensuality and intelligence—had my dick responding immediately. And when it turned out she looked like this? I was a goner. And unsurprisingly, Mark was too.
