Tied Up by the Boss (Office Kink #2)(9)

Parker had been another part of the reason I had a long night. By the time I got into bed, I was wired. I had visions of Parker on his knees, then on all fours. Things got out of hand from there. Well actually, very in hand. Once I came, sleep was easy. Short but easy.

“I reviewed your work from yesterday,” I said, leaning back. “I found it subpar. Redo those tasks, then complete this list.” I handed him the next document.

He took it from me in a daze, staring at the list. He glanced up at me. “Did you say subpar?”

“I did. I could tell how little you cared about the work. You’re phoning it in. I was quite disappointed, Parker.”

He blinked rapidly. “Any more time and effort spent on that would be giving it serious weight. You’re only giving it to me to punish me!”

I leaned forward, setting my elbows on the desk. “I’m glad you think you know what I’m doing and why. But I don’t care. You respect my rules and my authority. Nothing else.”

“How can I respect someone who treats me like a child and wastes my time with mindless busy work? It’s offensive!”

I stood and loomed over the desk, arms spread wide. “Your attitude is offensive. Stop acting like a child, and I’ll find work suitable to your standards. Don’t test me, Parker. You haven’t seen half of what I can do. Now redo this as if you aren’t a selfish, spoiled prat. Take your time and make it count. If I get anything less than your maximum effort, we’re done. And you can try your hand at kissing Trent’s arse for your senior analyst position.”

Parker growled and shoved the chair back loudly. He snatched the document from me. “This is fucking ridiculous!” he said, skimming it.

“And every bit your own doing.” I raised my brows and crossed my arms. “Any more questions?”

“No,” he replied. Then ground out, “Sir.”

“Then go.”

He flashed an angry glare my way before turning on his heel to stride toward the door. I knew he wanted to slam it, but I was sure he figured I’d kill him if he did. Instead, he left it open and stalked out. Good call.

I pounded my desk. The lad was absolutely impossible! Why did he have to fight me on everything, like I was some evil stepfather?

I took a deep breath and sat back down. I was honest. That work was not of his caliber. It reflected his emotional turmoil, not his intelligence and skill. With each word on the page, I could feel his indignation and outrage. He sabotaged himself with shoddy research and irrelevant data.

I rubbed my temples, a headache coming on.

“Knock, knock,” came a voice from my doorway. I looked up to see Trent standing there.

“Come in.”

Trent entered and closed the door, throwing a questioning look at me.

I rolled my shoulders. “Parker just stormed out.”

“Well, that explains the stomping down the hall.”

I sat back and laced my fingers behind my head. “He’s not happy with me.”

“That’s what I came to talk to you about, actually.” Trent walked over and leaned on the armrest of the guest chair.

“He hasn’t come running to you, has he?”

Trent shook his head. “No, I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“It’s only been one day.”

“And Parker’s already storming out?”

I shrugged. “He’s frustrated and angry. And he doesn’t like my tactics. But he’s going to get used to it. Once I’ve worn him down, I can build him back up. Hopefully with a better attitude.”

“Those are some big plans.”

“I’m confident it will work out. If it doesn’t, he’s your problem.”

Trent tilted his head to look at me sideways. “But I asked how you were doing?”

I could tell he was waiting for something. I wasn’t a sharer. I left my personal life at home where it belonged. And I preferred to keep it that way.

“I’m fine,” I said, ultimately dismissing the question. He knew me well enough to know I didn’t indulge in bro-talks, expressing feelings, and discussing the things that plagued our minds.

Still, if there was anyone I would indulge, it would be Trent. Though he was a lot younger than me?—not as young as Parker, of course, but closer to his age than mine?—he had an old soul. Most people would expect our roles to be reversed. I could pass for the CEO, while Trent could be the VP. I was offered the position, but with my mother’s issues, I didn’t want that kind of responsibility or the lack of time to see to her care. She came first. Always.

Besides, Trent was exactly what a CEO should be: driven, professional, and intelligent. I liked where I ended up and I liked my colleagues. Even Dylan, in small doses. Parker was another story. Yet one that didn’t have a clear ending.

“Okay,” Trent stood up straight, probably realizing he wasn’t going to get anything out me today. “You know I’m here if you need anything, right?”

“Of course.”

He nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets as he turned to go.

Once he’d gone, I stared up at the ceiling, tracing the exposed metal beams. A few weeks. I only had to hang on for a few measly weeks with Parker. Then I could send him off, watching his cute, tight arse as he walked away.