Page 43 of Tangled Control

I’m actually glad Rian took off this weekend – glad I was saved from actions that are now sickening to me. I’m delighted I got to spend time with Daniel and an afternoon with my mother. They mean so much more to me than losing my pride by sleeping with a useless prick who takes a tan.

Rian looks up from flicking through the final write-up of the Alton House contract that we agreed a couple of weeks ago. “So…while I was lazing around on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, drinking, eating and living it up, you spent your weekend finalising contract papers?” He smirks and raises his eyebrow at me, egging me on to insult him back.

Lazy dick, you couldn’t do a day’s work if you tried.But I don’t bite. I refrain from telling him that all the work was carried out this morning when I tried to block out everydingof the lift. The fact that he took off on Friday meant I had time to do some extra online editing over the weekend – to my bank account’s delight. Of course, I don’t say that either. I just stare back at him, letting my usual icy glare tell him exactly what I think of him. I ought to thank him, really – if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have gone for that 10K race with my running club on Saturday – and I probably wouldn’t have gone for coffee with them after, something I’ve never done. I was exercising, socialising, earning money, and I spent quality time with my loved ones this weekend. Yes, I should thank this useless playboy who’s been handed everything in his life – thank him for opening my eyes to what’s important in my life.

Which isnothim or his long fingers.

The sides of Rian’s mouth twitch at my silent response. He keeps my gaze locked, waiting, but I remain still. Then his nostrils flare and he swallows. What’s going on in his head? It looks as if he’s struggling with something. Probably indigestion from too much caviar. Not that I care. In fact, I couldn’t care less.

He drops the file, the smack as it hits the desk too similar to otherslapsthat took place in this office… My backside burns with imaginary handprints. Rian leans into his chair, steepling his fingers and never taking his eyes off me. My stomach churns nervously as his gaze travels down my length. Oh no, not that look.Despicable dimwit with crappy taste in women!

“I was swimming in lobster and champagne while you were crossing thet’s and dotting thei’s.”

The timbre of his voice.Feck, feck, feck.I’ve spent the last days building up my resolve, cementing my decision not to ever do anything with my boss again, never to let him get under my skin, and yet… Even as I fight it, I sense the air thickening.You’re an untrusting flirt with way too many fancy watches who deserves no respect.My internal voice is losing its strength as my pulse picks up its pace.

“For that…” The tip of Rian’s tongue wets his lower lip. “For that, you deserve a reward.”

My insides clench. There is no doubt what type of reward Rian is talking about. I don’t want to fall into his web again!

“There’s no reward you can give that I want,” I hiss.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Positive.”

His eyes track down to my chest, his gaze burning holes in my jacket. The tips of my breasts tingle. “Let’s find out, shall we?”

My head screams for me to get the hell out of the office, to run away from him, but he must possess evil magic, as the outside world disappears while he hypnotises me with his darkening gaze, and I stand here, concreted to the floor, all my attempts to despise him evaporating.

I fist my hands and my eyes sting. “I hate you,” I whisper.

Rian mouth twitches. He leans forward in his seat and lifts the receiver of his desk phone.

“Orla, hold my calls for the next half hour, I don’t want to be disturbed.” His hands look so big and powerful as he places them flat on the desk. His shoulder muscles strain against his white shirt as he rises from his seat.

The woodsy scent of his aftershave teases my senses as he passes me. The low click of the door lock is an electric burst to my core.

“Come here.”

My breath hitches over the lump in my throat. There’s no will of my own left in me, only the desire to follow Rian’s orders. As I stand in front of him, he leans down, breathing in my hair before his warm breath washes over my neck leaving goosebumps inits wake. He isn’t touching me and yet I can’t withhold the traitorous moan slipping past my lips.

“You need to be quiet, or I can’t reward you. Do you understand?” The words are licks of flames against my skin. I nod, biting my lip to stop another moan. Only a thin wall separates us from our colleagues. Anyone could come knocking. My heart rate ratchets up, and I press my legs together.

“Take off your jacket.”

Such an easy command, yet my fingers tremble under his scrutiny. Maybe he expects me to strip seductively, but there’s no coherent thought in my brain that would allow me to act a role or play games. I drop the jacket to the floor. I’m still fully dressed, but I feel naked without it.

Rian licks his lip and takes a step closer. Instinctively, I step back, one slow step at a time, until I’m pressed against the conference table with Rian towering in front of me. He doesn’t move. He is a master at this, bringing me close to begging without doing anything at all.

My shoulders sag in relief when he finally trails his hands up my stomach, gliding over my top to my sensitive breasts. Heat sears through the layers of clothes. I push my chest out as he skims over my nipples, begging for more. He doesn’t give it to me.

“Turn around.”

With my back to him, he grabs the hem of my cotton top and lifts it over my head, but not all the way off. Instead, he lowers my arms and uses it to tie them together at my back. I yank at the improvised binding, but it’s secure. My lungs constrict and panic sizzles at my temples, yet a surge of unhidden lust makes my stomach contract.

“I need to start wearing a tie every day to work,” Rian mumbles and tracks a line over my bound arms. He releases a harsh breath and turns me back to face him. His eyes arehooded. A thick vein in his neck pulses, but his movements are slow and controlled. Small tremors erupt every time his fingers brush the exposed skin of my stomach as he undoes my trousers. They drop to the ground and cool air hits my naked legs. Impatiently, I kick my shoes off and my trousers out of the way. Rian chuckles quietly, yet his Adam’s apple bobs as he takes in my half-naked body, scorching me with his intense gaze. The tension is palpable, but I stand still, waiting, longing for his next move.

He places his hand between my breasts and lightly pushes.