Page 155 of Hate You More

“I’ll just refer to my notes.” I run a finger down the blank page. “The thing is, sir, I really need a raise.”

“I’m not sure now is the time to discuss monetary matters.”

“But I’m desperate,” I say, flattening my hand to my chest. “And I do have some ideas how I could . . .” I drop my gaze to his lap, then wet my lips. “Earn it.”

Troy cocks a brow but doesn’t fully break character. He makes a gesture with his hand: Go on ahead.

I return to my book as though reading from a list. “I’m a hard worker, but I have more in me. More I could show you,” I add, trailing a finger along the neckline of my blouse. “I feel I’m truly underutilized here. I don’t get used enough.”

“Oh, really?”

“I have an extensive skill set that you’re simply not taking advantage of.”

“I see,” he muses as his gaze crawls up my stocking-clad legs.

I wiggle a little, letting the fabric of my short skirt ride higher. “I want to show you everything I can do. I love this job, and I want to give it my all. Give you . . . my all.”

“That’s very interesting.”

“I really would accept any position you put me in.”

A strangled noise rises from the chest, and he fakes it into a cough.

“I can take it, sir. Just try me.”

“I’m not sure you’re ready for the responsibility, Candy.”

“But I really, really need that raise, and I was thinking that, if you could consider me, I could do more. For you.” Playing with the front of my blouse now, I’m all big eyes and sincerity.

The chair creaks as his weight shifts when Troy reaches out to run his finger along the hem of my skirt. “What kinds of things did you have in mind?”

“I could help you with your personal—tasks!” That comes out on a little squeak as his hand curls around my knee.

“Go on.”

“You work so late some nights, I could stay behind with you and give you a hand.”

The look he sends me? Dangerous. “Give me a hand with what, exactly?”

“With anything that might come up.” Subtle isn’t a word that Candy can spell, let alone understand.

“What kind of things would you expect to be handling?” His hand skims higher, tantalizing the soft skin of my inner thigh.

“Anything. Any way you want to use me. I deserve to work directly under you.”

That’s when he breaks, his laughter low and real and unmistakably him. “Well, aren’t you eager, Miss Candy.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” I purr, sucking in his joy. I loosen a button on my blouse. “Not only am I eager but I’m also very, very willing.” Two more buttons as Troy watches on with the kind of intensity that makes my vision go a little hazy. My shirt falls loose and I caress the valley of my cleavage. “And very, very able.” With a soft shimmy, the fabric falls from my shoulders.

Everywhere his gaze touches burns. “This is certainly the hardest I’ve been for a meeting.”

“I want your complete satisfaction, sir.”

“You want that raise.”

“I want it so bad.”

“Well, Candy. There are some areas you’ll need to improve in if you want my full attention.”