Page 82 of Beguiled

After I wet my lips with the tip of my tongue, I pulled my hands away and lifted my head.

As expected, standing in the doorway was my boss in all his regal glory.

My entire world was about to crumble into millions of little pieces.

Maybe I’d envisioned utter fury, so much so that he could blow a gasket or incite the level of violence I’d seen the night before.

Not a man with his arms crossed, his long legs spread wide enough apart I was given a perfect view of his thick bulge between them. While his jaw was clenched, his eyes were providing me with a true reaction.

He was not only surprised at finding me sitting at his desk but also thrilled.

Now he leaned against the door, crossing his legs and still not saying a word. I curled my fingers, cognizant that while he was breathing normally, I was barely able to do so without gasping.

Finally, he took a deep breath, walked farther inside, and closed the door behind him. If that wasn’t bad enough, he also locked it.

Shit. Shit. Fucking shit.

Now I was in trouble.

When I started to stand, he issued a command that chilled me to my core. “Do not move.”

I slunk down into the seat, uncertain what his deep baritone indicated. He was perfectly comfortable, studying me briefly before walking toward his bar. He pulled two expensive glasses from a shelf, grabbing a bottle of something. Did it really matter what alcohol he was going to offer?

I think not.

With his back turned, my eyes shifted to the closed door.

“I wouldn’t suggest you try escaping, Saige. As you might imagine, your punishment will be much worse.”

I wasn’t the kind of woman to cower about anything. Truly I wasn’t. However, his lack of emotion other than amusement was the most unnerving thing I’d ever experienced.

He took his time pouring the drinks and when he turned to face it, his gaze dropped very slowly to the computer then back to my face.

As he placed the glass in front of me, a tiny moan escaped. He was completely intimidating and he knew what he was doing to me.

From there, he sat down in the seat opposite, bringing the glass to his lips. I couldn’t take my eyes off him even though I reached for the glass. When I finally managed to wrap my fingers around the thick crystal, my hand was shaking.

So was the rest of me.

Stash took a few sips, never blinking. Barely moving. “Now, would you care to tell me what you think you’re doing?”

Why lie?

“I was obtaining information from your other set of books to finish my report for you.”

“Mmm…”

“At least that’s what I was trying to do.”

“What did you find instead?”

He would find the need to ask me that. The bastard. I swiveled the screen so he could see what I was looking at. The way he leaned forward was not threatening exactly but telling.

Whatever punishment he had in mind wasn’t good. I was in a lot of trouble.

“Interesting. I am curious, Saige. What do you think this information is used for?” His challenge came with a smile, but I also sensed I wasn’t getting out of this room without answering.

“Keeping your associates in line. If they try and cross you, you’ve gathered enough information about all their dirty little secrets to bury them. Figuratively and literally.” I took another sip of the smooth alcohol, thankful it was providing some sense of courage when I felt like I had none.