“Can I say it or do I need to use your beloved corporate-speak?”
“Just say it.”
“Because you want to fuck me, Julian,” I ground out. “You want to fuck me, you won’t let yourself fuck me, so you’re taking it out on me – since that makes so much sense, right?” I gave him a second to answer and got nothing. “Right. Well, if you have nothing left to say, then I’m going to go. I have to find some Starbucks to change in now, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be late to meet the guys for happy hour, so bye.”
“Who are you meeting?”
It was less a question than a demand and it made my entire body tingle with fury. I turned back on my heel to face him.
“Guys from Kinsley-Weiss,” I answered, referring to the notorious boys club on the thirty-third floor. I took a sick pleasure in the way Julian’s brow pulled together.
“Just you and them?”
“Just me and them.”
“I thought you were going to drinks with Colin.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I decided against it. He works in my office, so it’s probably safer to have drinks with men I don’t run the risk of losing my job with should I choose to go home with them.”
Julian’s shoulders went rigid. He still looked poised, controlled, but I could see the glint of fire behind his blue eyes.
“So your plan is to sleep with someone tonight.”
“That’s none of your business, and I’m leaving,” I muttered, but my breath caught fast in my throat because Julian stood in front of me within seconds. I started again toward the door, but he stepped neatly sideways to block me.
“It’s every bit my business when you’re going with people I know, and in particular don’t trust.”
I gave a bitter laugh.
“You strike me as someone who doesn’t trust, period, and we’ve already established the parameters of your authority over me, Julian. Yes, you can tell me what I can and cannot wear, but no, you don’t get to decide where I go after work or who I want to fuck, especially when I’m the one waiting for you,” I seethed. “You’re the one with the rule, so either make a move, asshole, or get out of my way.”
I could have sworn I saw hatred boiling in his eyes. I practically heard it in his voice when, with a glance at his desk, he finally spoke.
“Take a seat, Sara,” he said.
“Julian, I told you –”
“Unbutton your shirt before you sit down.”
I shut my mouth. A chill rippled over my skin as I watched Julian remove his hand from the door, his shoulders slightly relaxing.
“What exactly are you asking of me right now?” I clarified.
“I’m asking you to take a seat in front of my desk, Sara. And I want you to take your shirt off for me.”
Got it.
Turning stiffly, I saw him calmly return to his chair, watching me closely as I faced him once again. I was heated a second ago, but now I was hot. Searing. I swallowed away the tightness in my throat as I slowly made my way toward the desk, taking a seat in front of Julian as he’d asked me to.
“Unbutton,” he said with a glance down my front. I wet my lips as I shakily started but he stopped me. “Slowly.”
I glared. “Are you going to fuck me?”
“I don’t enjoy contradicting myself. If you’re making me break my rule, I’m going to take my time with you.”
I gulped.
Fair enough.