Layers(49)

“Health hazard?” He observes me closely; his eyes dance with mischief.

“You’ll have to release what you’ve just caused in me. It can be highly harmful keep it bottled up this way,” I say.

His features harden. “When is your lunch date with Natasha?” His voice is low and serious. Is it me or are you flushing?

I study him, startled, beginning to comprehend where this is going. Are you seriously insane? Don’t you have a room full of people waiting for you; don’t you have a company to run? Not even waiting for my reply, he lets go of my hand and in two steps he is at the entrance to the meeting room. My eyes grow bigger as I watch him. I can hear him say, “Continue without me, I’ll catch up later.” And just like that, he grabs my hand and directs me to the elevator. God, he’s serious.

“I would do you right now, here, in this elevator, but there are security cameras in the ceiling.”

Reflexively I tip my head to look for the cameras. “And no chance in hell I’ll let the horny security guys look at you cum.”

“Daniel, workplace malfeasance,” I mumble, my body already worked up at what’s about to come.

“It’s my company, did you forget? I can do whatever the hell I want … And I want to do you.” He winks at me.

I stare at him, raging inside. A mixture of awe and desire rumbles in my gut. I can’t wait for the damn elevator to reach its destination.

“Anne, call Natasha Taylor from R&D and tell her to come to my room in twenty,” he says to his PA as we pass by her desk. Twenty? Well, he is busy. I inwardly snicker. He pulls me too rapidly by the hand toward his office. I am so turned on now, all he needs to do is just lay a finger on me and I’ll burst.

He settles himself on his chair, tugging me to sit astride him and claims my mouth with a kiss that turns my knees to butter.

“So, you were saying something about a release,” he whispers, nibbling my ear.

“Release away, Daniel, by all means. Please do.” His pants are pulled down, my skirt lifted up and this thing between us that started with a spark ends in a burning inferno. Shaky and entirely satisfied, resting on a breathing, warm Daniel, I peep at the clock. Tasha should be here any minute.

Pulling up his pants he mutters, “Skirts are much more convenient. Don’t wear them to work again.” He winks at me and his face lights impishly; I shake my head, grinning. Somehow I wouldn’t be surprised if you were absolutely serious.

“That was too good of a distraction,” Daniel says casually. “Drop by any time, to be treated for a health condition or for any other matter I can be of help with.”

His elated face glows at me. I echo his expression.

“It was my complete pleasure. Thank you so much for the releasing part. I’m pretty positive I’ll take you up on your offer, Mr. Stark.”

“By all means do, abuse the hell out of this open invite.” Naughty eyes twinkle.

“Okay now, misbehaving young lady, there’s a meeting I should attend: the one you stole me away from.” He pecks my head and turns on his heels.

“Daniel,” I call after him as he steps away. He turns his head back to look at me over his shoulder, his eyebrow arched. “Run a hand through your hair or something. It screams just-had-sex.”

“Better!” He winks again and flashes his megawatt smirk just before walking out the door.





Chapter 18: Wrong Deed


The trees shake their leaves above us in the light summer wind; I gaze through my shades at the clear blue summer sky waiting for Tasha to place her order with a short tempered waitress with spiky orange hair. Let the poor waitress be, I think, observing Tasha. She already confirmed just about three times that there are no anchovies in the goddamn Caesar dressing, Tash. I try to telepathically transmit my message to my dear but irritating friend.




“I would also like mineral water with a third of a glass of ice and some lemon.”

I inwardly shake my head and smile at the waitress with an empathetic expression that says, “I’d also add bleach to her drink if I were you.”

“I’ll take the hummus chicken wrap and ice water, please,” I say, politely.

“Will that be all?” she asks, looking at me. I nod, giving her my most apologetic grin. She smiles back, frowns at Tasha and leaves toward the kitchen.

“So, Hales, how have you been? Me and the walls at the crib have been missing you like crazy.” Tasha hardly conquers her smile as she fights to put on a gloomy, desperate expression instead.

“I do miss our walls, and you too of course. Though I must say I have some pretty great distractions helping me cope with my longing for you.”

“Bet you do. So you guys are doing well?”

My goofy smile broadens. “‘Well’ is an understatement.”

“Stop it with the silly smirk, Hales. People will start thinking you’re an asylum patient on the loose.”

“Have you talked to Ian lately?” I ask, brushing off some tiny dried petals that have landed on our table.

“He’s been under the radar with a tourist from Portugal.”

“So, no Ian till further notice,” I say, matter-of-factly.

“Not until he gets tired of this one too.”

We both chuckle. Typical Ian. Tasha sits in front of me in her navy fitted dress, orange stilettos and her dark blue Gucci shades that frame her lovely face. Impeccable as always.