Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“Jonathan Jeffers, owns the—”
“Happy Buddies Dispensaries. Sure, I know Jonny.”
Liam’s face darkens. “Jonny?”
“Everyone calls him Jonny.” I waltz into the office and sit down across from him.
“Let me guess. You’ve met him once or twice?”
“Try a dozen times. He’s really friendly.” I try not to smirk at the look he gives me. “He’s also in his sixties and knows my dad.”
“Of course,” he murmurs. “Could you get me a meeting?”
“Probably,” I admit. “But if you’re trying to get him to sell, I doubt he will. Happy Buddies is his baby. I don’t think it’s even profitable.”
“You said he’s in his sixties? Then he’s thinking about retirement. I can make sure he’s comfortable for the rest of his life.”
I tap my fingers on the table. “That might actually work. He’s got grandkids he’ll want to put through college. If you throw a ton of cash at him and frame it that way…” I trail off, already thinking about how I’d try to nudge Jonny toward selling. He’s an older guy, really affable, big family, the sort of crunchy northwest ex-hippie that would’ve rather cut his own fingers off than deal with a man like Liam Crowley, but now that generation’s getting older and the reality of retirement’s looming.
As I’m working on a strategy in my head, Liam stands, walks to the windows, and closes the blinds. One after the other. Click, click, click, until we’re suddenly very alone. I frown at him as he finishes.
“You overstepped your boundaries today.” He turns to me, arms crossed over his chest.
I fight back a wave of annoyed frustration. “Get over it. I’m already being helpful.”
“Perhaps. But I don’t like the idea of you thinking you have free rein now that I allowed you to work in this office.”
“Great, you need to put me in my place. What a big, strong man.”
“That’s exactly right.” He comes around the table toward me. “Stand up.”
“Liam—”
“Stand up, Alisa, or I will drag you to your feet.”
Trembling, both angry and strangely aroused, I rise to face him. Liam stands over me like he’s looking down a cliff. There’s a strange, intense concentration in his expression.
“Is this what gets you off?” I whisper, meeting that gaze. “Putting me in my place?”
“Yes,” he says, and I don’t think he’s kidding.
“Liam—”
“Turn around.”
“Absolutely not. We’re at work.”
“We both know this isn’t a fucking business. Turn around, Alisa, or I will turn you.”
Shivering, knees trembling, I turn around.
“Palms flat on the table,” he commands.
“You’re being insane,” I say, but I do it.
“Good girl,” he murmurs, his hands moving up my shoulders, his lips neck my neck.
I fight back a whimper. I don’t want him to realize how much his commanding attitude arouses me, how much I love this—not until I can’t hold it back any longer.
“Can you give me the email for HR? I think they’ll want to hear about this.”
“Orin is HR. Do you want to give him the details of what I am about to do with you?”
“Probably not,” I murmur, chin tilted down. He grabs my hair and pulls me head back. I gasp as his lips find my throat.
“You delight in making my life more difficult.” He tightens his grip. “But I will admit, you’ve already been helpful.”
“Liam Crowley, admitting that he was wrong?”
“No, princess. I always knew you could make my business run more smoothly. I simply didn’t want to put you in any danger by allowing you anywhere near this.”
“Now that I’m here, you can’t help yourself, can you?”
“That’s exactly right.” His hands slowly move down my chest, over my breasts, down to my thin belt. He unbuckles it, pulls it off, tosses it aside. I’m breathing hard, a pulse of pure desire running up my throat. His fingers unbutton my slacks, zip them down—
Then he drops to his knees and slowly pulls them off.
“Liam,” I say, sucking in a breath. “What’s the goal here?”
“The goal is to punish you then to fuck you until you understand your place in all this.”
“You asshole—” But my rage dies on my lips as he stands, one hand back in my hair, pulling it so my chin’s straight up. He buries my mouth with his own as his other hand slides down the front of my panties, and I’m moaning into his lips, moaning against his tongue, and I’m pretty sure I’m about to let my boss manhandle me into submission because it feels too damn good to stop.
Chapter 26
Alisa
“Are you still happy you came to work for me?”
I pant into his mouth as his fingers do their filthy work. “Yes. Totally. Ecstatic.”
“That’s nice to hear.” He pulls his hand back and I let out an annoyed groan, but before I can complain, he forces me forward onto my elbows.
“Liam—” I start because I know what’s coming next, but it’s too late.