Playboy Boss Page 9

  “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you.” It was true. He’d desired her before the kiss. Before he’d taken her to the EaDo property. Pulling down the delicate strings of her thong, he slipped her panties down until it dangled from her left ankle. Skin on skin, he settled between her legs. “I hated the way Jeff was flirting with you.”

  “Were you jealous?” Her tone was bold, brazen. It was obvious she was aware of the power she had over him.

  Before he kissed her again, he growled, “Very.”

  Konrad would literally do anything for her in that moment. Give her anything.

  What an odd feeling for him. He’d thought he was controlling the situation, but he knew now she had all the control.

  Their tongues tangled, danced. He couldn’t have been any harder, and she couldn’t have been any softer. Somehow, in the heat of the moment, he grabbed a condom from his wallet faster than the blink of an eye. In no time he was sheathed and ready to have her—to give her the best orgasm she’d ever had. He gazed down at her, looking for a sign to continue or not.

  A seductive look on her face, parted lips, and hooded eyes, gave him the answer he was looking for.

  She leaned back. Every part of her was exposed. He groaned at the beauty of her. Scottie took his cock in her hands, stroking him until he thought he might explode. “I want you inside me,” she whispered.

  No thoughts. Just doing. He entered her, diving through her tight skin. It was so delicious. Her sounds were just as intoxicating as he buried himself inside her. She whimpered until he’d impaled her to the hilt and stopped. His heart pounded. Fuck. He could lose it so easily, but he wasn’t inclined to do that. Her pleasure was more important than his. He moved back, slowly, watching her face soften with ecstasy with every inch he gave her.

  “You’re so…” She trailed off.

  “What?” he urged.

  She bit her lip, her eyes shut tight. “You barely fit inside me.”

  Konrad knew he had a big cock. It was the one thing he knew women liked about him. Maybe the only thing. He pressed himself further inside her, hearing her cry out with the depths he conquered. “You can take it.”

  “I can,” she said, pulling him into her again until their lips met in a savage kiss.

  Sweat dripped down his back, and when he got too close again, he stopped. This was about Scottie.

  “Harder,” she begged, digging her fingers into his back.

  Harder, he drove insider her. Over and over until her whimpers became moans and her moans became pants. Before he could catch his breath, she clung to him, screaming out his name with her release.

  “Fuck, Scottine,” he groaned, moving in and out of her over and over until his orgasm came to the surface and exploded in a mass of pleasure he’d not felt in a long time. Never, actually.

  Sweaty and shaking from the exertion, they fell limply onto each other.

  After a few minutes, or maybe an eternity, Konrad lifted off Scottie, staring at her. My God. What have I done?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Scottie was stone-cold sober. And she felt every conflicting emotion known to man. She stared at Konrad, his face flushed. She was thankful his eyes were downcast. She didn’t want to read them. What could they possibly say? When he stood up, not a word out of his mouth, and bent over to lift his boxer briefs over his hips, Scottie knew exactly what he was thinking. She was just another conquest to him. After all, what else could she be?

  “Well…” His voice was coarse and disconnected. “This certainly wasn’t what I expected.”

  “Expected?” Her voice cracked. She hated how emotional she sounded.

  He looked up, catching her gaze. She became aware of how naked she was.

  “Intended.” His eyebrows furrowed. The man looked like he was in absolute pain. Not what she expected from a player.

  But what did she expect? What was her intention after their capricious lust had passed? Because it was lust that made her so irresponsible, not just then but also at the EaDo property. She looked down at her fingernails, chipped and in need of a manicure. Not that she ever paid for manicures.

  “I didn’t intend this either.”

  She stood, gathering her clothes and reassembling her outfit without looking at Konrad again. She couldn’t. The lump in her throat wouldn’t let her. You can walk away from this. No big deal. Life proved to her men don’t stick around. This shouldn’t have been so devastating to her. But he’d only been the second man she’d ever been with, and it was devastating.

  The silence was torture. She wanted him to say something, but at the same time, she didn’t. No words were necessary. But all of them were. What did she want? Assurance? Of what? That he wanted her? Or that she was indeed just another notch on his bedpost?

  Without looking at him, she walked through his office, Konrad calling her name. She refused to turn and didn’t take a single breath. She bent over to retrieve her wallet and her purse, which had fallen to the ground. On the way up, she straightened her spine, shoulders back. Be strong. She’d had to learn to be strong where men were concerned her whole life, especially in regards to her heart.

  “Scottie, stop,” he demanded, his accent strong. She didn’t face him. “We should talk about this.”

  Her eyes closed tight. “I have to go.”

  “I want to talk about this.” His hand warmed her shoulder. She wondered if he’d dressed or if he was still half naked.

  Scottie needed to get out of there, needed to be as far away from Konrad as she could. “I-I can’t.” She dashed out, her shoulder missing his touch on the way out.

  Her heart pounded the whole way to her car and to her duplex. Every second of the night replayed in her mind on a loop. Over and over, she tortured herself. She throbbed deep down, still raw from his touch. From his penetration. She whimpered in remembrance.

  This is so bad.

  Scottie considered staying in her car. She considered driving to her father, though she didn’t know where he was, and telling him what she really felt about him. Someone else needed to hear her lament, scream, cry.

  Could Konrad be different? No, he couldn’t be. She’d seen the proof. She’d been his accomplice in breaking hearts.

  Oh God. She dropped her forehead to the steering wheel.

  The whole night could have passed without her moving from the driveway, but the chime of her cell phone brought her to reality. Her stomach tightened. Konrad? She was afraid to check her phone. Too many minutes passed by, and she still didn’t answer it. When a hard knock at her window scared the living shit of out her, she jerked her head to the left, her mouth open, her heart blasting inside her chest.

  Tara stood, holding her cell phone, a pissed-off look on her face.

  Reluctantly, Scottie opened the door and got out to face the music. “Hey.”

  “Really?” Tara didn’t seem to be in the mood.

  Scottie ran her fingers through her knotted hair. “I know you’re mad.”

  Tara laughed, not in humor. It might have been what kept her from assaulting Scottie. Her eyes turned up to the dark sky, her sigh long and steady. “You’re not giving me a lot of options, Scottie.”

  Scottie let loose her own long sigh. “I know.” She felt like complete shit. This wasn’t how she envisioned her life after college. She should be in a career by now, not scrounging to pay rent, putting others in bad positions.

  “What am I supposed to do? My catering business is slow-going. I don’t have money to support you too, Scott.”

  “I know.” Scottie hated herself more. She needed to do better, say something better than I know. “You’re right. I can leave.” Living in her Nissan for a couple days might be doable. She could go home for a couple of days, though she hated the idea of being in the same apartment with her mom’s newest boyfriend.

  Tara shook her head. “I don’t want to kick you out. I want you to pay me for rent on time every month.”

  “I know.” She should just be quiet. This was s
o not the time.

  “If you can’t do that, then we’ll have to get another roommate. Brett said he would move in and help with rent.”

  What? That was the worst thing Scottie could hear. She absolutely couldn’t stand Brett. Tara didn’t seem exactly excited about that notion, either. It was like a punishment. “No.” Scottie’s mind reeled, searching for and finding a solution that honestly was a last resort. “I’ll pay you tomorrow. I swear.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “Tomorrow? You swear?”

  “I swear.” Scottie shut the door after retrieving her purse. She faced Tara again, who looked curiously at her.

  “Where were you? You look weird.” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you been crying?”

  Scottie froze. Tara always knew when she held back. “I’m just a little bit tipsy. Some coworkers went to the Bowie Brew for happy hour. On the boss’s dime.” And she was on the boss in his office. God.

  “Oh.”

  They walked inside the duplex in silence. With each step, Scottie could feel Konrad inside her. At the doorstep, Scottie turned to Tara, her heart in her throat. “I know I’ve not been responsible. I’m sorry.”

  “We all have to grow up, Scottie.” Tara’s words were harsh, but her voice was soft, and Scottie knew she was right.

  She had to grow up. In all aspects.

  In her bedroom, Scottie pulled out a box from under her bed. It had odds and ends she didn’t want to get rid of. But what she was looking for was secure in a box, slightly worn from many years. She opened the box, the metal hinges creaking. Inside was an Art Nouveau gold Rene Lalique brooch made for British nurses in 1915. Her paternal grandmother left it to Scottie in her will when she passed away five years ago, along with the college money. The brooch was all she had of her father’s family.

  And she was going to pawn it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day, Konrad drove faster to work than usual. Some might even say he drove like a maniac, and he couldn’t disagree. He’d become another frustrated Houston driver. He should’ve been more careful. After all, his car cost six figures.

  He couldn’t help it, though, and the source of his frustration was not traffic. He should’ve been more careful about more than just his driving. Scottie had been on his mind since she left him reeling in the office, practically naked. Konrad felt completely exposed emotionally.

  It frightened him. What was he supposed to do with the feelings he had?

  He eased his sports car into the Korr Corp building parking garage, though his heart didn’t let up a bit. He parked up front and center. On his approach, he glanced at the VIP visitor parking spot. Empty. His heart fell. Only two things were feasible. Scottie didn’t show up to work. She’d quit, which he half expected but also hated as an option. The other alternative was she’d not parked where he’d instructed her. It was a fifty-fifty. Lifting his foot off the brake after he’d put his car in “park,” he breathed in. Calm the fuck down, Korr.

  With another heavy sigh, he turned off the engine.

  Susan had been on a call when he entered the lobby. Waving, he passed her and walked into the suite. He nodded and greeted employees as usual until he turned the corner to his office. And Scottie’s cube. His heart came to a complete stop. Images of the night before took him hostage. His tongue in her mouth. His fingers dancing over her skin. Her tight grip around him. Her warmth squeezing his cock. He could have so easily had an erection thinking on it.

  He opened his eyes again, taking in the reality of the busy space. Employees moved around him, tasks on their minds. Scottie was on his. When he turned the corner, there she was. In a red dress of all things, which was fitting because he knew she was a no-go. He should have pictured a stop sign the moment he met her. As much as he wanted to rip that red dress off her and put her down on his desk again, his moral navigation system just wouldn’t allow it. Apparently, he’d just become aware of the damn system. He hated it. But, he sensed he would hate it more if he ignored it. So would Scottie.

  “Hi,” he said, his voice too breathless for his taste. He cleared his throat. “Good morning, Scottine.” Damn. He didn’t know how to act with her anymore.

  Her pink glossy lips didn’t curl up, didn’t give him any indication she was happy to see him. “Good morning, Mr. Korr.”

  Awkward silence ensued. There was no way she wasn’t imagining what they’d done the night before. They’d kissed in the very spot in which they stood. He could see the memory on her face, flushing her cheeks.

  “You’re looking well.” He hoped no other employee could see how Scottie affected him.

  Her lip quirked up. “Should I look unwell?”

  His control was MIA, and he didn’t know how to proceed. He needed to find it ASAP, though. This was his place of employment, and even though he was an emotional slave to her in that moment, he was still the boss of Korr Corp.

  “You didn’t park where I told you to.” Control came back harsher than he wanted it to. She pursed her lips, and he continued. “Did you forget or just disregarded my instructions?”

  “No.” She held on to a folder, her knuckles white.

  “So why didn’t you park where I told you to?”

  “I…” She averted her gaze, making him feel bittersweet about his victory. “I—”

  “Let’s go in my office.” So many things to discuss. Urgent things. And none of it was about the stupid parking space.

  Scottie made a move toward him, but Jeff’s voice put a halt to all their momentum.

  “Scottie, there you are.” Jeff was too cheery for Konrad’s taste, and he had no reason to look for her. Scottie didn’t work in his area.

  Konrad didn’t take his eyes off Scottie, though he clearly needed to vie for her attention from Jeff. Fuck off. He was winning, though. Scottie didn’t take her eyes off Konrad, either. There was too much unsaid between them.

  But when she turned to face Jeff, a smile emerged. The smile Konrad wanted for himself.

  “You were looking for me?” She was playful enough to make Konrad’s stomach knot up.

  This was so fucked.

  Jeff beamed, his gaze inching over her face. It was obvious he was interested in her. “I was.”

  “We’re in the middle of something, Jeff,” Konrad said, completely aware of his clipped tone. And his jealousy.

  Scottie glanced at Konrad. She knew what he was thinking. Her eyes were all-knowing.

  “I…” Jeff leaned into Scottie, his voice lower than before, but not low enough. “I wanted to ask if you are free for lunch today. My treat.”

  It all happened quickly. Scottie met Konrad’s eyes again, holding them for a moment.

  “You crazy kids should have lunch. But just an hour, yeah?” Konrad couldn’t believe the words came out of his mouth. Scottie looked like she’d been run over by a bus. You fucking idiot.

  “Sure, that sounds good, Jeff.”

  Her legs open, him centered between her. His mouth over her nipple, sucking until her moans rolled down his ear. Her sweet smell wafting off her as he buried himself inside her.

  No. Fuck no. He couldn’t continue this way. Scottie couldn’t be just another woman to objectify. She was not like the others.

  “Great!” Jeff beamed again and pivoted on his heels, leaving them in painful silence.

  Konrad didn’t know where to go from there. He must’ve looked like a complete asshole to Scottie. After they’d had sex not even twelve hours ago, he’d already pushed her in another man’s arms. It looked horrible. And, it was not at all what he wanted her to conclude about him. But how could he reconcile his need to be someone different? Someone who wouldn’t use women anymore?

  “You needed to talk to me in your office?” she asked, her voice huskier than before.

  The game to gain his control dissipated. He only wanted to soothe Scottie. “Yes. We need to talk.”

  He walked into his office, briefcase in hand. Thoughts abounded, though none were clear. Fabian’s damn engag
ement had really screwed up Konrad’s flow. He’d been moving along so nicely, but now nothing about what he felt was nice.

  Konrad sat, his gaze fixed on Scottie. God, she was so beautiful. Her eyes were downcast. She looked sad, which made him feel like utter shit. He focused on the gold brooch pinned to the right of her V-shaped neckline.

  “That’s an unusual brooch.” He’d zeroed in on it, avoiding what he needed to say.

  She looked up at him, her mouth opening as the light bounced off her shiny lips. “It was my great-grandmother’s.”

  He also deciphered a man stretched out, muscles rippling from his back, and wings of a bird sprouting forth. Though it was an interesting pin, it wasn’t what he was truly interested in. However, it balanced his focus and slowed the emotions that bubbled under the surface.

  “Fascinating.” Konrad watched her slim hand reach up to touch the pin. “Heirlooms keep us connected to our family. Our past.” Not that he wanted anything from his past. Or family for that matter. His father had proven consistently that family wasn’t important. Family was a burden, only necessary for inheritance. He’d certainly inherited the belief for years that marriage hurt and, in his mother’s case, was the death of people.

  Scottie’s eyes glistened. “Yes.”

  They were silent again. He wished the silence would stop between them. He wished he could say what he felt, that she could say what she felt.

  Scottie interrupted his thoughts, the soft voice replaced by indignation. “Why did you tell me to accept lunch with Jeff?”

  Could he really tell her the truth? He’d barely been able to tell himself the truth. “Because why not? You need to eat, don’t you?”

  Her cheeks blazed nearly as red as her dress, and her lips pressed into a straight line. “Because of last night. Here, on your desk. You remember that, don’t you?”

  He began slowly. Even. Too even, maybe. “Of course I remember last night. I won’t forget it. But, it can’t happen again. I’m not a guy you want to get involved with. You were right to stop our kiss at EaDo. It was a mistake.”