Page 4 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

He holds his hand out in front of me. “Stand up,” he says quietly.

I hesitate. I’m not used to men telling me what to do, especially in my own office. I purse my lips, but then decide to go with it and place my hand in his large one. It closes over mine and he helps me out of my chair.

I let out a small gasp when he drops to his knees in front of me. I start to panic. What is this? What is he doing? My palms sweat and I’m about to give him a swift kick so that I can back up when he reaches out to place his hand on either side of my dress at the hem.

My breathing goes heavier at his touch. I stand stock still as I wait to see what he is going to do, knowing I can get out of this if things go sour. He slowly slides his hands up, bunching my dress up as he trails up my outer thighs until my dress is up around my hips. My clean-shaven pussy is visible to him through the scant lace of my thong, but I don’t care right now. He is turning me on with whatever he is doing.

To my surprise, he doesn’t even give my pussy a glance. He meets my eyes and holds up the item that was in his hand.

I start to pant slightly. I open my legs a little bit so that he can reach around to strap the new thigh-holster to my right thigh. His fingers brush lightly over my skin and I’m disappointed when he finishes up and removes his hands. He leans over to scoop up the knife. He traces the blade of the knife over the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, drawing it upwards until he reaches the holster. I hold my breath, waiting for the burn of being cut, but it doesn’t come. He is gentle, even though the action is dark, and I want it more than anything in that moment. I can taste it. He slides it slowly into the holster, his eyes burning with desire. It’s only when he reaches for the hem of my dress that his fingers skate over my lace-covered pussy for a second before he pulls the dress back down. It’s the only indication I have that he even saw what was in front of him.

He stands up and I press my legs together. I’ve gone damp from his slight touch, which startles me. Not many men have been able to work me with a small act, even one that was sexy as fuck and has left me wanting more even though he is my employee, and I can’t go there with him.

“Thanks,” I murmur, looking up at him from my foot shorter stature. He is immense. I suddenly feel the need to be held by him.

“Anytime,” he murmurs back, his intense gaze boring into mine. “Now I know you’re doubly safe.”

“You shouldn’t care much about that,” I whisper.

“Oh, but I do,” he says and backs off. “See you tonight.”

“Yeah,” I rasp, watching him leave my office with me in a state of arousal that must be dealt with immediately.

“Oh! By the way,” he says, poking his head back around the door.

I hope he’s here to finish the job, but no such luck. It’s all business now.

“I heard about Tony leaving,” he says, making me frown.

How does he know about Tony and that he left?

“I know a guy. He is sound. Discreet and gets the job done. I can send him over later.”

“Oh?” I ask, my arousal taking a nosedive. “You don’t want it yourself?” The bite in my tone is obvious, but he ignores it.

“I like my job at front of house. Layton is used to back room work. I’ll send him over.”

“Sure,” I murmur, seemingly having no choice as Ramsey has now left and I have no intention of running after him, even if it is to berate him for being an overbearing asshole that has stuck his nose into my business where it definitely does not belong. This Layton guy can show up, but I don’t have to see him. Simple as that.

I sit down, feeling the dampness still between my legs. I cross them and clear my throat, pushing Ramsey and his sudden knowledge of my underworld work away to deal with later. And make no mistake, it needs dealing with.

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