Misadventures with the Boss (Misadventures #12)(17)

“Oh. Hi, I’m Piper. Nice to meet you.”

My phone blared a loud tinkling noise, and I glanced down to see Jackson Dane blinking across the screen.

I held up a finger, my heart pounding in my chest. “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.”

I rolled off my seat and scuttled quickly to the exit, pushing the door open with my hip.

Stepping outside the bar, I pressed the answer key and then held my phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Piper, I need you to come into the office.” Jackson’s tone was matter-of-fact. As if every boss called their employees at seven o’clock on a Friday night.

“I really…can’t,” I said.

“On a date?” he asked, his tone clipped.

“No, not that it’s any of your business,” I added briskly. “It’s after work hours, and I’ve had a couple of drinks.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t mind, and I need you here ASAP. Won’t take long. I’ll see you shortly.”

The line died, and I stared at my phone for a moment, trying to convince myself that he hadn’t just ordered me around like some sort of indentured servant he’d smuggled here on a ship in the fifteen hundreds.

I shouldn’t go. I shouldn’t let him win.

But even as I thought over all the reasons it was wrong to go back into work tonight, I found myself paying my bill and making excuses to Steve before I hit the sidewalk and marched the two blocks to the dark-mirrored glass office tower where I worked.

I knew it was stupid, but dang it, I actually liked my job. I liked that Jackson needed me.

What else do you like, Piper?

I shoved the mocking voice away and willed the heat from my face. Sure, it was after hours, but I could be professional.

I entered the building after a janitor let me in, and I made for the elevator swiftly, closing my eyes to stop the slight sway of the world around me as I walked. I was one tequila shot away from hiccupping, but Jackson had robbed me of that. Or maybe he’d saved me. I wasn’t quite sure.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped from the elevator and made my way to his office, not bothering to knock before I opened the door and crossed my arms over my chest.

“What was so important that I had to come in on Friday night?”

He looked up at me—almost as if he was surprised I’d actually come—and then offered me half a begrudging smile.

“You look…nice.”

“Oh, I—”

Shit.

I’d forgotten that I’d loosened up a little after work, pulling my hair from its staid bun and letting it fall around my shoulders. My button-down shirt had been unbuttoned to show the slightest hint of cleavage, and I’d changed from my usual slacks into a bright-red skirt that showed off my legs.

“You’re sure you weren’t on a date?” he asked, his laser-beam eyes looking through me.

I shook my head, trying not to read anything into the question. So he was nosy. No big.

“Positive. Once more, not that it’s any of your business,” I added again for good measure.

“I’m glad to hear that. Sit down.” He motioned to one of the seats in front of him, and I took my place carefully, smoothing my skirt beneath me as I sat.

“You’ve been drinking,” he asked, though it wasn’t a question.

“As I said, yes.” I pointed to the glass on his lacquered desk. “Apparently, I’m not the only one.”

“No. I’ve had two myself.” He folded his hands on his desk and regarded me with a thoughtful look. “But I want to make sure you have your wits about you.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Because I have an important proposition for you.” His gaze seared my skin, and I crossed my legs, once again feeling like he could see straight through my thin layer of clothing.

“Go on,” I asked, nerves skittering through me like lightning.

“Before I tell you, you need to promise me you’re sober enough to listen.”

I gave him a single nod, not just because I was curious but because the second I’d laid eyes on him, I’d felt sober, though slightly drunk on him. He had that effect on me—of draining away all other outside forces and commanding all my attention in a way only he could.

“Good,” he said. “Now, your performance here this week has been outstanding.”

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“No, thank you. I’m very impressed with your work. So much so that I am not willing to lose you as an assistant, so please keep that in mind as you consider what I’m offering you.”

I frowned slightly. “Okay.”

“I can’t go on like this,” he said simply.

“Like what?” I asked, blinking back at him.

“I can’t work side by side with you while I have a constant erection.”

I drew back, both surprised and sort of turned on by his forthrightness. “Oh.”

“Every time I look at you, I imagine stripping off your clothes and fucking you right here on my desk. And now that I see you in that tiny red skirt…you have no idea how much I want to cross this desk and spread your legs apart so I can lick the space between your thighs.”

I swallowed hard. “Mr. Dane—”