Exposed by Fate (Serve #2)(35)

Oliver’s cheekbones had reddened during her recitation, his breathing deepening until it sounded like he’d run a mile. “That’s very good, Eliza. But I saw your face when I walked in here. You don’t want to want me? Is that right?” A muscle jumped in his cheek when she glanced down. “Well, I plan to make sure you spend the entire day that way. Wanting me. Needing me. Until you get used to it.”

Anticipation buzzed in her bloodstream, but it was tempered with nerves. “How are you going to do that?”

“We’re going to eat lunch, goddammit.”





Chapter Fifteen


Oliver paused at Eliza’s office door and let his easygoing mask slip back into place. He’d never had any trouble shedding his dominant side, but today it had roared out of him without warning, like an uncaged beast. He’d walked into the office and seen Eliza standing at her door, stunning and fresh, yet looking almost sad to see him. Oh, there had been longing in her eyes, too, but that didn’t mean anything to him without her happiness. He wanted it all.

A vision of her bounding toward him through the mass of coworkers and jumping into his arms flickered in his head, then stayed lit. He wanted that scene to play out in real life so bad, he almost turned and dropped to his knees in front of Eliza so he could beg.

The idea to withhold sex under the guise of punishment had come to him on the fly. A reason to push off that final lesson while still spending time with her. Time in which she could really see him. Time for her to realize he had more to offer than pleasure. Now, he wondered if he’d been shot with a crazy dart on the way over. His poor girl looked ready to combust. It would take so little effort to reach into her panties and stroke her delicious clit so she wouldn’t hurt anymore. Could he allow her to be in pain for any length of time? The idea made him sweaty and anxious. Angry, almost. Eliza should never be anything less than satisfied all f*cking day, every f*cking day. Especially when she was within reaching distance.

Stick to the plan.

Right, the plan. He hadn’t come here to back Eliza into her office and force her to say words that would normally never pass her lips, but the urge had been undeniable. One look at her in that red strapless dress and the possessive instincts she’d awaked in him crowded out reason.

Now that he’d gotten his He-Man spiel out of the way, he needed to refocus. He only had one shot at proving himself worthy.

“Are you okay?”

Just three softly spoken words from her and his dick hardened again. Christ, this was either going to be the worst or best lunch break in history. “Yeah. I’m just wondering if my delivery got here, yet.”

“Delivery?”

He nodded and pushed open her office door, chuckling when Eliza made a sound like whuuuh? Several waiters in crisp black uniforms went desk to desk with trays, setting down covered plates in front of Eliza’s wide-eyed coworkers. The aroma of gourmet food filled the space, drawing sighs of appreciation from the ladies and a handful of gentleman. They were all looking at one another in disbelief, shrugging as if to say, I’m not going to question a free, catered meal. Mama didn’t raise no fool.

Eliza came to stand beside him. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t want to chance them not letting me take you to lunch.” He looked down at her and had to restrain himself from kissing her. Had her lips gotten fuller overnight? “I figured pasta from Barbuto would give me my best shot.”

She tried to appear reproachful, but he could detect a smile. “So this is bribery?”

“Total bribery. Any vegans in the house?”

“Five.”

“Damn, I guessed four.” He took her hand and started to weave his way across the office floor, Eliza in tow. “Come on, bunny. One of those vegans will be forced to share and I don’t want you in the middle of the bloodshed.”

They managed to make their way inside the elevator without being noticed, but immediately he was facing another dilemma. Being alone with Eliza in a confined space. She gave him an odd look when he positioned her in one corner and took the opposite. They’d only made it one floor when the door pinged open and a group of businessmen pushed inside, half of them rattling off numbers into cell phones. Either he stood next to Eliza or one of the suits crowded her against the wall. As in, not happening. Quickly, Oliver joined Eliza in the corner and braced his hands on either side of her head. Oh God. So goddamn close. He’d only have to dip his head and his mouth would be touching hers in all its perfection. She expected him to kiss her, too. He could tell by the way she subtly wet them and looked up at him through her eyelashes.

Desperate for a distraction, Oliver looked around the elevator, hoping one of the businessmen would be picking his teeth or have massive sweat stains under his arms. Anything that might douse his urge to bang Eliza against the elevator wall. Nope, didn’t work. In fact, it backfired. Two men leered at Eliza appreciatively, then gave him the ol’ head-cocking, eyebrow lift. The silent dude salute that basically said nice one, man. Jesus. Why did that give him the urge to shout, “That’s right. Mine.” She was there with him, looking up at him. This possessiveness didn’t appear to be something he could control, so he’d have to get used to it. If she gave him the damn chance.

When moments passed and he didn’t kiss her, Eliza gazed down at the floor. Disappointed?