Page 37 of Wild Cub

“No.” One word. One word can spark anger so infuriating, it lights a house on fire.

“Excuse me?” I say, challenging him.

“You’re excused,” he says, a smug look on his face.

Be the bigger person. “Do you have a purpose here? Or you are here to just annoy the fuck out of me?” I peer back at him with a bite in my voice.

“Business and pleasure.” The sensuality in his voice turns up the heat.

I swear, this hot and cold treatment is going to give me whiplash. “You can forget about the pleasure. Skip to the business.”

“I told you not to hide,” he says, completely off topic but not looking at me as he says it.

“Yeah, but apparently you didn’t heed the warning label. I don’t listen very well. You know where I am and where to find me. Exhibit A,” I snarl out. “The silence explained it all.”

“Silence… you think I was ignoring you.” He leans forward.

“Think? I know buddy. Trust me, the bottle of Jameson has been a better lover than you were.” I think this is the part where everyone would agree that my mouth might get me into trouble.

Jackson stands up and walks towards the front of my desk. The intimidation might work on others, but the look in his eyes tells me something different. At this moment, I don’t know if I need to run, tase his ass, or smack him. I put my walls back up; I am not backing down from a fight.

“Has been? Last time I checked, that’s past tense. I don’t believe we’re at that point.” He places his hands on my desk, leaning closer to me.

“You know, I found you attractive, until you opened your mouth.”Brave. Stupid, but brave.

“Last time, you had no issue with my mouth. Do I need to remind you again?” The possessiveness in his voice sends little reminders of last time down my spine.

“No, I’m quite fine. Now, leave,” I growl out.

“No.” There’s that word again. Maddening, enraging.

“Jackson, I’m not asking. I amtellingyou to leave. Do you need more brain cells to figure it out?” I turn my chair to stand up but am trapped by his arms, forcing me back in my chair.

“It seems we have some issues to work out. Let me make one thing clear: when I said I protect what’s mine, that meant you.” His words whirl around my head, my eyes growing wide. “You are mine. I told you not to hide, and you did. I intended to let you breathe and figure things out. The phone works both ways.” When did he think the answer for me was space?

“And the last time I called, I received the cold treatment. You decide to hide as well. You relied on your men to keep tabs on me. News flash, I’ve enjoyed their company more than yours recently. With you, fucking Antarctica. Could freeze to death with your demeanor,” I say to him. “Jackson, please leave. I gave you a chance. You blew it.”More like we both blew it. More emphasis on my end.

“That, darlin’, is not my name. I know my behavior wasn’t your favorite, but since we’re on this path, every time I try to figure you out and give you what you need, you hide. Why is that?” He inches closer to my face, and I know that time is ticking away before real work requires my attention.

“Jackson, I’m not perfect. But this is not the place nor the time to have this conversation. ” Those are the only words I have in me.

“That isnotmy name. Let me refresh your memory.” He whips my chair back around and lowers himself to my ear. “Just say yes.”

“I don’t have time for this.” My meeting alerts dings to turn my camera on for my meeting. “I have a meeting and you’re an example of an unpleasant distraction.”

“You might reconsider in a moment. Turn on the camera, Little Cub, and don’t let them know.” He slides over to the other side, a pillow in hand. He adjusts my chair then slinks underneath my desk, adjusting himself.

“Let them know what, exactly?” The video is starting and then the realization hits me. Jackson pries open my legs.Fuck yes.I mute my video. Thankfully, I’m wearing a dress. He pushes the material up, exposing my legs to the coolness of the air.

“Jackson, not the time or place for this.” My mind wonders how comfortable he is down there. I want to peek, but my chair is pushed in thankfully, the camera is only from the chest up.

“Lift your ass and say yes.” He wants a game of uncle? Game on. I lift up a little and he yanks off my underwear, to the point where I think he ripped them. My breath quickens. “Yes.”

But he doesn’t start right away. Like a predator, he plays with his prey, waiting for them to cry for mercy. “Good morning or afternoon everyone…” the chairperson begins to take the role. Jackson’s peppering kisses along my inner thighs. They’re slow and agonizing. I hear my name called, realizing the committee was calling my name.

“Yes. I’m here, sorry, spotty connection, here.”

I can feel the small laughter from Jackson below and I kick him, but he nips at me. “Behave or I’ll stop.” I turn my head away from the camera, covering my mouth.

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