Page 28 of Grumpy Boss's Secret

Ian looked down at the book again, interest sparkling in his eyes. That was weird. His whole demeanor had shifted as soon as I'd said that I'd underlined parts of the book.

"I won't crumple it," he said, picking it up. "Thanks, Jozi. I'll check it out."

He tucked the book under his arm gently. Almost reverently. "Now show me those numbers," he said.

“Sure,” I said, turning back to my computer.

We discussed the social media campaigns for a few minutes, and then he left with my well-loved copy of Captured by Love tucked under his arm. I felt like he was leaving the room with a copy of my heart.

Chapter Eleven

There was a knock on my apartment door.

“That’s weird,” I muttered, walking over to it.

Was somebody going door to door in the apartment building selling something? Wasn’t that illegal? I opened the door. And then almost slammed it shut again in surprise. Ian.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I said.

He didn’t answer me. He just stepped through my doorway, like a fairy prince, out of my imagination, and pressed his lips against mine.

"I should tell him to leave," I thought, my heart pounding. "What makes him think he can just show up here and –"

But then his arms were wrapped around my body, his fingers pressing against my skin. The pressure of his embrace crushed all my resistance. Slowly, lingeringly, he pulled away from the kiss. He stepped back and closed the door behind him. And locked it.

I just stood there, staring at him. My heart was pounding. He was so close, his broad shoulders towering over me. He wasn't breathing heavily or giving any sign of embarrassment. He just stood there. Like a statue. A really, really sexy figure.

“Where would you like to begin?” he asked.

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“What location?” he asked.

I thought he meant what location on my body. I was about to answer, “Um, whatever you want,” when he said, “Have you taken a shower yet?”

My eyebrows rose. Oh. Wow. That kind of location.

“Not yet,” I said. He'd caught me just in time. I was still wearing my dress and heels from work. I shower when I come home, get all soft and squeaky-clean, and then change into something squishy and snuggly. But I was okay with getting clean and then getting dirty again.

“Shower it is,” he said, deciding for us, smiling a roguish smirk.

He strode across my apartment like he’d been there before. He flicked on the bathroom light. I followed him, dazed. I felt hazy, almost like I was in a trance. When I reached the bathroom doorway, he had already pulled off his shirt and hung it on the towel rack. His thick muscles gleamed in the lights. His chest rose and fell as he breathed.

He reached for me and pulled me to him quickly, forcefully. He inhaled as if enjoying the feel of me, pressing my torso against his. He ran his hands up and down my back and buttocks, holding me against him, his fingers stroking me gently while his palms pressed firmly. He gripped my ass, his hands shifting against me as if he looped me up. Then, suddenly, he let go of me. He stepped back.

“Undress,” he said, stroking my cheek with his finger. “I’ll join you in a little while.”

He turned on the shower and slipped out of the room. My lips parted, wondering where he needed to go. In my apartment. With his shirt off. Then I realized what he was doing. He was toying with me. Whetting my appetite by drawing out my suspense. Making me get naked while I knew he was out there, waiting to come in.

I watched him disappear around the corner, his body moving slowly and sensuously. When he was out of view, my misgivings rose up again. This was hardly professional. Should I tell him to go?

I grinned. Yeah, definitely not. I unzipped my dress and stepped out of my heels. My skirt fell to the floor, making a swooshing sound. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I took off my bra. Was Ian around the corner, watching me through the mirror's reflections? My eyes were sparkling. I was enjoying this.

I moved sensually in slow, luxurious motions. In case he could see me. I slid my panties off and tossed them out into the hallway. Then, doing a final seductive spin in the mirror, I entered the shower. Warm steam filled the air. I immersed myself in the stream of warm water, feeling it cascade over my skin. I was tingling with anticipation, wondering what Ian was going to do. I held still for a moment, trying to listen above the rushing sound of the water.

The shower curtain moved. Even though I knew he was coming, I still jumped. My heart pounded wildly as I stared at his hand, pulling it back. He stepped through in one quick motion. He was completely naked - and very hard. His eyes were on me hungrily, looking me up and down. He closed the curtain again and just stood there. Staring at me. His eyes roamed over my body as if entranced. He didn’t touch me.

Slowly, he moved a hand to his erection. He cupped his fingers around the width of it and then slid them up and down, still staring at me. He was panting, his eyes travelling up and down my body as he became more and more aroused.

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