Unwrapped

“Yes, sir.” She hung up and stabbed her thumbnail into her palm. Her time of reckoning had come. She’d blown and screwed her way around a firing Friday night, but now she was going to get it.

Was it wrong that she wanted to ask if she could get the other it again before they booted her out the door? Preferably by Des this time? Not that she hadn’t enjoyed having sex with Cole, but he wasn’t her boss. Err, he was, but he wasn’t Des.

Dammit all to hell, she wanted Des. Even more so now.

So maybe she needed to show him that she didn’t mind handling a few extra tasks around the office? Blowing, and filing, and typing, and fucking…

She adjusted her suit. She’d worn power red today, hoping it would give her a boost. That it looked good with her coloring and the snug skirt revealed lots of leg? Absolutely irrelevant.

While she stood there fiddling with her clothes, the phone rang again. She answered, her belly fluttering in anticipation of hearing his deep, sexy voice. “Now, Wendy.”

“On my way.” She hung up and strode down the hall, determined to project an outward air of confidence. She was a valuable employee. There was no reason at all to think she’d be fired for such small transgressions.

Then she saw Des standing in his doorway and she stumbled.

Instead of moving to help her, he crossed his arms. Ankles too. He made her think of a king, waiting to be served. That he wore a pair of black jeans, crisp white shirt, and formal pinstriped vest—and a smirk, can’t forget the smirk—didn’t diminish his kingly air.

She slipped past him into the room. The slam of the door made her jump, and quick as a snake, he shoved her face-first against the wall. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep quiet. At least she hadn’t pl

eaded. Yet.

His minty breath warmed her cheek as he pressed to her back. “So I’m gay.”

Yep, there was no stopping the squeak then. Classy. “Uh, I didn’t say you were gay. That the…individual might be gay. The fictional man I slept with, I mean.” She shook her head. “I’m just going to stop talking now.”

“No, it’s fascinating. Tell me more.” While he spoke, he gathered her wrists and—bound them. What the hell?

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.