A few minutes later, the show is on. I shove what I think is the collection of my best works under Charlie’s nose, and he’s inspecting every page, hmming and aaaahing. I can’t tell if they’re good or bad sounds, but if he doesn’t form actual words soon, the tension rising inside me will choke me.
“Charlie, how about voicing some of that feedback?” Blake asks eventually. The two of us are standing around one of the small round tables, and Charlie is the only one sitting. Kind of wish I’d perched up on a seat too because my knees feel like they’re about to give away, and not in a good way. As if sensing this, Blake brings his hand at the small of my back, moving it in small, soothing circles, as if saying, I’m here for you, and I’ll be here no matter what Charlie says. I’ll have your back, always.
Charlie snaps his head up. “Sorry, I tend to lose myself in illustrations. These are very creative. What’s your background?”
“I took a class at a community college, but mostly I’m self-taught.”
Charlie nods. “How many illustrations do you have in total?”
“Lost count a few years back, but the number is in the hundreds.”
“No better way to hone your craft than by continually using it. Our imprint is company-fresh talent. We’re looking to bring on board three full-time illustrators, with a two-week training period right in the beginning. The recruitment process is just about to start. Would you be interested?”
Woooooooot! Hell yes! Breathe in, breathe out, Clara. Sound polite. Do not let your crazy come out right now. You can do a happy dance later. It might involve Blake, and we might be naked.
“Yes, very interested.”
“Excellent. I think you’d be a match for us. Go on our homepage, you’ll find the job posting there. Apply and you’ll hear from us. Best of luck.”
I’m still dizzy when Charlie leaves, which is when I unleash my crazy, smothering Blake with kisses.
“Congratulations, babe,” he says when I give him the chance to breathe. Then I attack him again.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Oh snap. I’m in love with this man. Head over heels in love, earth-shattering love, and any number of euphemisms are appropriate to describe what I feel. The more exaggerated the more appropriate.
I jump into his arms, kissing him even more energetically than before. Blake stumbles backward until we arrive at the counter. He lifts me onto it, pulling away a few inches.
“Clara, wait. I’m losing control here.”
“Where’s the problem?” I ask wickedly. “Your team won’t arrive for eons.”
“Babe, I have a dangerous effect on you, and I plan to take advantage of it.”
Lifting me off the counter, he leads me into that tiny back room where he did wicked things to me that night right before we made love for the first time. Since I was hanging around the apartment, I’m wearing a rather loose dress, which Blake seems to find particularly amusing. The second we’re in the small office, he pushes me against the closed door, cinching my dress up, then pulling it over my head, leaving me in my underwear only.
His eyes darken as his gaze slides down to my see-through bra, then lower to the silk thong.
“You’re fucking sexy. I want you to keep these on.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” I’m not entirely sure how keeping my panties on will work, but I trust the master.
He cocks a brow. “Thought I wasn’t the boss of you.”
“Not in general, just in the bedroom, or the office.”
Staring me straight in the eyes, he lowers his hands, stroking my slit over the silk once. I’m slick the next second, my knees buckling from the unexpected burst of pleasure. He smiles wickedly as he strokes again, and a new wave of heat rushes through me. My nipples press against my bra, bringing pleasure and torture in equal measures. Watching me, he repeats the movement, until my panties are so soaked through that I’m almost ashamed. But shame doesn’t keep me from coming hard. My hips swivel against his hand. Sweet baby Jesus on a unicorn. He made me climax by only touching me over my panties.
“How can you do this every time?” I whisper, lacing my arms over his shoulders, because my legs are shaking.
“What?”
“Bring me to your mercy?”
“It’s the easiest thing in the world because you’re so responsive to me. We’re doing this together.”
Eyeing the bulge in his