CHAPTER 10

He slid his thumb over my clitoral region and said, "Say it," into my ear. You won't be mad at me all day, I promise.

Finally, I gave in and said, "I want you inside me." As he accelerated his speed, thrusting and whirling, he let out a deep, labored sigh, and his forehead landed on my shoulder. His hardness rubbed against me as his hips pressed up on my ass. I cried out in agony, "Oh, God," as I felt a deep coil of pleasure churning within me and asking to be let out.

The repetitive sounds of our moans and panting were suddenly broken up by a phone's harsh ringing.

As the truth of our surroundings hit us, we froze. Mr. Ramirez swore as he backed away from me and took the elevator's emergency receiver. I immediately reached for my dress, slid it over my shoulders, and then fastened it with my shaking hands.

"Yes." He didn't even seem to be out of breath, and his voice was unusually calm. Across the elevator, our eyes locked. I see... No, no problem. He carefully bowed down and pulled my shredded and abandoned panties from the elevator floor. "No," you said, "it just stopped." He ran his fingertips over the smooth material and listened to the person on the other end. That's all right. He concluded the conversation and hung up.

The moment it began to climb once again, the elevator jolted. He cast a quick look at the lace in his palm before turning to face me. Then, after grinning, he moved away from the wall and came closer to me. He leaned in, put one hand close to my head, ran his nose down my neck, and said softly, "You smell as good as you feel."

I let out a little gasp.

He pointed to my panties in his palm and added, "And these are mine."

When we arrived at our floor, the elevator chimed. The doors opened, and he boldly strode out without so much as a look back in my way. He tucked the delicate cloth into the pocket of his suit jacket.

Panic. As I virtually ran to my office, it overtook me. I couldn't believe how things were turning out. Being with her in that little steel box by myself had utterly destroyed my willpower due to her aroma, her noises, and the feel of her flesh. I was disintegrating. In a way that I had never felt before, this lady had me under her spell.

I finally found some relief in the comparatively secure environment of my office and slumped into the leather couch. I leaned forward and held my hair firmly in an effort to relax and force my erection to go away.

The situation was becoming worse and worse.

I knew there was no way I could organize my thoughts, much less make a decent presentation in that awful conference room, from the minute she reminded me of the morning's meeting. and who is seated opposite her at that table? It was a tragedy waiting to happen. My erection was again piqued as I walked in and saw her resting against the glass, lost in her own thoughts.

She called me out on it, so I made up an explanation about the meeting being moved to a different level. Why did she have to irritate me all the time? I made it a point to remind her of my authority, but just like in all of our past arguments, she immediately fired back.

The loud thuds coming from the office outside made me wince. Then there were additional thuds. Then some more. What in the world was going on outside? I got up and went to the door. When I opened it, Miss Brown was slamming her papers on the floor in various heaps. I looked at her briefly while leaning against the wall with my arms folded. The issue in my pants was not resolved by her enraged attitude.

Would you mind telling me what appears to be upsetting you?

She gave me an odd look as if I had an additional head. Are you crazy, I asked.

"Not in the least."

Forcibly throwing a stack of papers into a drawer, she growled, "Excuse me if I'm feeling a little on edge.

"I can't say I'm overly thrilled with the—"

My dad stepped in and said, "Robert," as he hurriedly entered my office. "Very nice work there. Troy and Dorothy were—" "Henry and I just talked with Dorothy and they were—" He quickly came to a halt, his eyes riveted on Miss Brown, who was firmly grasping the edge of her desk.

"Emily, sweetie, How are you doing?

She stood up straight, extended her fingers, and nodded. Her hair was slightly out of place, and her face was attractively flushed. owing to me. I forced a firm swallow before turning to face the window.

Dad approached her and put his palm on her forehead, saying, "You don't look well." You are heated.

A strange feeling crept up my spine as I gazed at their reflection in the glass. From whence did this come?

Actually, I do feel a little odd," she said in response.

"Well, I think you should go home. Having recently concluded the semester at school and having a hectic schedule, there's no question that you're—"

I cut in, turning to face them, "I'm afraid we have a packed program today. I clenched my teeth, "I was expecting to wrap up Beaumont, Miss Brown."

My father looked at me with a cold glance. "Robert, I'm confident you can handle whatever needs to be done." He returned to face her. "You can go ahead."

"Thanks, Elliott," I said. She gave me a quick look while arching a beautifully defined brow. I'll see you in the morning, Mr. Ramirez.

My father turned to face me with a glaring glare as I saw her go and shut the door behind her.

I said, pretending ignorance, "What?"

He walked over and sat on the edge of her desk, saying, "It wouldn't kill you to be a bit friendlier, Robert. You know, you're lucky to have her.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "We wouldn't have a problem if her personality were as appealing as her PowerPoint skills."

He cut me off and glared me down. "Your mother phoned and told me about the supper at the home tonight. The infant will be arriving with Henry and Mina.

I will attend.

He paused on his approach to the door to turn around and stare at me. Don't arrive late.

"I won't. Christ!" He was fully aware of the fact that I was never late for anything, not even a straightforward family dinner. Henry, though, would be running behind schedule for his own burial.

I returned to my office and sunk into my chair when I was finally alone myself. Okay, I guess I was a little tense.

As I was about to put what was left of her underwear into my drawer with the others, I went into my pocket and pulled out the tag. Provocateur agent. On them, she had splurged. It aroused my interest. I looked at the other two pairs by opening the drawer. The Perla. Damn, this lady was serious about her underwear. I should probably pay the La Perla shop in the city a visit at some time simply to find out how much my little collection was costing her. I threw them all back into the drawer and slammed it shut while running my free hand through my hair.

I was definitely going crazy.