Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(41)

I hold both my hands out to her, and she takes them so I can pull her into a standing position. With the heels on she’s tall, but not as tall as me. I duck to look into her eyes, reading that nervous expression on her face as the look of someone who thinks she just royally f*cked up.

“Amazing.” I kiss her. A long, tongue-tangled kiss that has her sagging into me, all that pretty bared skin molded against my body. I wrap my arms around her tiny waist and hold her close, my hands caressing the smooth, plump skin of her ass as I kiss her thoroughly. I can taste myself on her lips, taste her there, too, and my cock springs to life, ready for more action. “I think we might have a few minutes to spare.”

She laughs, a soft huff of sound that breathes over my lips. “I’d better go clean up first. I’m sure I look a mess.”

“You’re beautiful.” I kiss her again. “And naked.”

Unbelievably, she blushes. “I should get dressed.”

Violet reluctantly withdraws from my arms and goes to the spot where her underwear and dress lie on the floor. With hurried, efficient movements she puts on her bra, then grabs her dress, pulling it on over her shoulders and wrapping the tie at her waist. She’s about to reach for her underwear when my cell starts ringing from where it sits on top of my desk.

She freezes, her gaze going wide. “Who could that be?”

Anyone. But I don’t answer her. Instead, I dash over to my desk to see who’s calling me. And I don’t like the answer.

Fucking Pilar.

“No one,” I tell Violet, hitting the ignore button and slipping the phone into my pants pocket. I turn to her, smiling. “Now, where were we?”

“We were getting me dressed so I can go back to work.” She runs her hands down the front of her dress, then over her hair. She isn’t as sleek and perfect as usual and I like it. Makes her appear more human, with the messed-up hair and the dreamy expression on her face. Her lips are swollen and the surge of pleasure that runs through me is potent. Undeniable. She looks that way because of me. And I feel like some sort of caveman who wants to tell the world I’m the * who put that just-f*cked look on her face.

“I’m going to go … wash up,” she murmurs when I don’t say anything.

The phone starts to ring again but I ignore it. I refuse to take a call from Pilar. Not here, not now. “I should probably do the same.” I hate to take away the evidence of what happened between us, but I have a meeting later this afternoon. And it wouldn’t do for me to walk in with Violet Fowler’s come all over my lips and chin.

Though I love the image. It would be my little secret. No one would know …

There’s a knock on the door, startling us both. Violet stares at me, her expression panicked when we hear whoever’s on the other side rattling the door handle, trying to get in.

Shit.

“Who could that be?” she whispers.

“I don’t know.” But I do. I think I do. It has to be Pilar.

“Just a minute,” I call out as I reach for Violet so I can fix her hair, but she bats my hand away. Instead I run my finger along her lower lip. That is one hell of a sexy lip. “You ready?”

She nods but remains quiet.

“Whoever it is, act casual. Pretend we were just having a business lunch,” I tell her. “Nothing else.”

“Right. Of course.” She nods, sounding like a robot. A bland smile appears on her face. “Let’s do this.”

I bend over and grab Violet’s discarded panties from where she left them on the floor, shoving them in my pocket. I go to the door, running my hands through my hair in a wasted attempt to tame it. I can smell Violet on my fingers and I sniff the air, hoping the room doesn’t smell like sex.

Christ. This can’t be good.

Slowly I undo the lock and open the door, not surprised at all to find Pilar standing in front of me. “What the hell are you doing?” she asks before I can even greet her.

“Hello to you, too,” I say, holding the door firm when she tries to barge in. “Can I help you?”

“Let me in. We need to talk.”

I step into the hallway and close the door behind me. “You can’t just force your way inside my office, Pilar. What’s wrong with you?”

“Who’s in there with you? Tell me! Is it Violet?” Her eyes are wide and wild-looking and her cheeks are red.

“Christ, keep your voice down.” I lower mine and keep it level, hoping to force her into calm. “We’re having a meeting while it’s quiet. Talking about our ideas for packaging.”

“You’re a goddamn liar,” Pilar accuses, stabbing a pointed fingernail into my chest. “Did you f*ck her in there, Ryder? Make her scream your name?”

It’s eerie how close she is to the truth. Makes me wonder if she has spies. Cameras. Is she constantly watching me? “Like I said, we’re in a meeting, Pilar. I suggest you keep your accusations to yourself.”

As if on cue my office door opens and Violet appears, looking calm and serene as usual. Her dress is straight, there’s fresh lipstick coating that glorious mouth, and not a hair is out of place. The girl is good, I’ll give her that. “Oh, Pilar.” She smiles that bland, phony smile. “I didn’t know it was you knocking and rattling the doorknob. I was on the phone.” Violet turns to me, her expression neutral as she says, “Thank you again for meeting with me, Ryder. Looking forward to what your team puts together next.”