She whirled to face him then wished she hadn’t. He was too close to her, and his eyes were barely slits. If this was Des set on mad, she’d happily return the dial to affable Des. Or Des, sex maniac who demanded she pleasure him. Another good option.
“I didn’t tell her it was you. Either of you. But come on, do you really think the idea you could be gay is out of left field?”
“Did you think that when your mouth was on my cock?” His question blew over her lips. “Or when I was watching you get fucked by my partner and wishing like hell it was me?”
“It could’ve been you. It should’ve been.”
He wrapped his hand around her hair, tugging her back until she had no choice but to meet his simmering gaze. “It’s not going to be. So just get that thought out of your pretty head.”
Disappointment sliced through her, fast and sharp. She clenched her hands. “What’s this about then? Just a way for you to show me who’s boss?”
That smile, slow and lethal, should’ve come with a warning label. “You already know who’s boss. This is just to make sure you never forget it.”
While she stood there caught between shivering and screaming, he went to his desk and pressed the intercom button. Van’s perky voice rang over the line. “Yes, Des?”
“Take the rest of the afternoon off. Boss’s orders.” He flashed his teeth at Wendy and she flexed her fingers, hating that she was at his mercy. Unless she decided to walk out the door, once she figured out how to open it with her mouth. “Send Cole in here on your way out, please.”
Oh hell no.
Oh hell yes.
“Are you sure?” She’d never heard Van use that particular soft, entreating tone before. “I can stay as long as you need. Or help if there’s something you and Cole have to take care of—”
Des pushed a button with one long finger. “What do you say? Do we need Vanessa’s assistance?” Sensuously, he licked his lower lip. “Your call, Ms. Stanton.”
She couldn’t shake her head rapidly enough. He chuckled and pushed the button again. “I think we’ll be fine. Thank you, Van.”
He stayed on the line for another moment, making small talk. Van obviously didn’t want to go. Was there a reason why? Like, oh, had she been the first test subject for Des and Cole’s unconventional disciplinary procedures? And maybe she wasn’t ready to be pushed aside.
Almost as soon as he ended the call, the door opened. She shifted her back to the wall, oddly embarrassed to be caught with her hands trapped behind her. It made her feel even more powerless, though really, who was she kidding? They weren’t playing pattycake. In comparison to her vanilla existence, these men were hardcore.
Even if Cole entered Des’s office with a miniature candy cane in his mouth and another longer, thicker one under his arm.
“Wondered when we’d get back on the job,” he said cheerfully, flipping the lock in the doorknob. “So you’ve labeled us gay, hmm?”
She swallowed and twisted her wrists against her binding. Jeez, was that garland? She peeked over her shoulder. Yep, her favorite multi-colored strand. Figured.
Cole’s finger along her jaw had her eyes snapping back to his. He cocked his head, studying her while he sucked on his candy. The gesture made him look boyish, especially with that lock of light brown hair that kept dipping into his eyes. Dark blue eyes that saw too deep and exposed all the lies she told the world on a daily basis.
That she was okay. That she didn’t hurt. That she didn’t need.
“We’re open-minded about who we sleep with, sweetheart.” Cole crunched into his candy. “Sometimes that includes guys. Usually only each other, and usually only when we’re sharing a woman. You don’t have to worry that you’ll come in here someday and find me with my head in jerkwad’s lap.”
She flushed and hated herself for it. “I didn’t mean—”
“Shh. I’m sure you were confused.” Cole’s finger found the corner of her mouth and pressed inward until her lips gave way. He eased the tip inside, smiling when her tongue curled around him. “No confusion now, is there?”
When she shook her head, he smiled and held out the oversized candy cane to Des. Someone had brought it to the party the other night. “Hungry? I brought you a present.”
Des came around the desk and accepted the candy, eyeing it with an appreciation that caused her panties to dampen even more. None of this should be turning her on, but apparently her body didn’t realize that.
“Hmm. I’m not usually a fan of sweets.” She thought of his newly developed sugar habit and then clamped her lips together when he looked her way. “What about you, Wendy?”
“I’m not hungry.”
Des and Cole glanced at each other, matching predatory smiles crossing their ridiculously sexy faces. Cole had dimples and Des’s spiky hair could’ve hidden devil horns, but for that instant she could tell they were of one very dirty mind.
Des stepped forward and stroked the wrapped cane down her throat. She held his gaze, unwilling to slip into the same submissive role she had last time. There was no alcohol in her bloodstream right now. Lust, yes, but she could control that.