“Come here, Charlotte.” Declan laid there, covers thrown back, chest rising and falling fast. He was still pink in the face. Charlie quickly grabbed something to clean herself up and made a bit of show of it. She climbed onto the bed next to him. He looked over at her, the moonlight bathing them. It was going to be an intoxicating, endless night.

Chapter Seven

Declan liked to be in the office early, sit at his desk and have his first coffee of the morning uninterrupted by all the fuss and muss Ms. Ward liked to make of the daily schedule. The coffee machine whirred, and the aroma of freshly ground beans wafted through the office as he checked his schedule. Declan knew he wasn’t due for any meetings with Acquisitions today. It looked like mostly conference calls and that meeting to interview the potential new adult lead researcher. As he poured over the applicant’s qualifications, he peered out his open door to discover the office across from his was still empty. The lights off, the door shut tightly. The office belonged to Ms. Flynn.

He thought back to the weekend. It had been incredible. Sunday night he had watched her sleep and had already made all sorts of plans for them. In truth, he had been a little apprehensive in working so closely with someone who displayed the subtle cues of a submissive personality, especially someone whom he was so physically attracted to. However, he knew of relationships where the office had played a role and hadn’t presented a problem. He wondered if Charlotte and he could balance work and play.

He checked his watch. It was 8:42 a.m. Still time enough for her to arrive before the start of the workday, but so unlike her. Charlotte was always at the office early. She explained she liked to come in early because she too liked the quiet of the office, and it gave her a chance to settle in before the chaos of the workday commenced. Hmm … Where could she be? Declan checked his cell. No messages. No texts. Nothing.

Declan took a call from the Toronto office, and Ms. Ward distracted him with her nonsensical filing methods. By the time Declan broke free from her, it was almost quarter past nine. Still no word from Charlotte. He stepped out of his office to get another cup of coffee when he noticed the normal drone coming from the cubicle area hushed to a quiet murmur. For a brief moment, he thought perhaps an important author had turned up. That blessed Ms. Ward and her cockamamie scheduling. I have a meeting, and I don’t even know it! Declan reflexively straightened his tie and walked nearer to the reception desk so he could greet whoever had arrived. As he turned the corner, the sight that greeted him was not what he expected at all. Instead of finding a New York Times bestselling author, he found Charlotte strolling in wearing a wine red dress that hugged her in all the best possible places, and some strappy-heeled shoes. Her hair fell in glorious waves that left Declan breathless. It seemed to be leaving everyone else breathless too. Nathan stood nearby, and it was clear from his dropped jaw that he had noticed Charlotte’s transformation. All the female staffers on the creative team were huddled sharing whispers. Declan leaned against the doorframe of his office and took in the view. He watched as Charlotte exchanged pleasantries with both Nathan and Ms. Ward. As she looked toward Declan, she glanced downward compliantly. I’m so pleased she remembers her place.

***

He returned to his office, contemplating how long he would make Charlotte wait before calling her in and telling her what he had in store for her that evening. He worked with the office door open this morning, so he could keep an eye on her office. He was certain Nathan would make a move, and naturally so. Charlotte was an amazing beauty. Declan imagined Nathan had probably already been to the gents’ room for a wank once this morning after copping an eyeful of Ms. Flynn in full bloom. And that’s what she was, opening like a stunning flower. Declan frowned. He was quite fine with the staff suspecting that the boss was fooling around with his researcher, but anything more than that probably wasn’t good for business, or for Nathan’s personal well-being either, come to think of it. He knew he would have to speak to her about this. He returned his thoughts to work. He had to push through this applicant’s qualifications before the afternoon meeting, but he had to admit, knowing that she was across the hall looking so stunning made it difficult for him to concentrate.

At eleven thirty, he received an email from Ms. Flynn.

Mr. Pearse. I am in the middle of researching “Controlled Burn,” and I have come across a stumbling block. In chapter six, there is mention of the signing of a contract between the Master and his submissive. I am having a hard time believing that someone would actually sign a contract as such without discussing it in detail. Could you please provide me with some direction in this regard?

Thank you,

Charlotte.

PS. I hope you are having a pleasant day. Please let me know if you need me to do anything.

Declan’s mind raced with images of things he would take great delight in commanding her to do right now. He thought about not letting her come the last time Sunday night when they were together. She was being pouty and ridiculous, so he decided to withhold pleasure. It was Tuesday now, so almost forty-eight hours of not climaxing for her. Maybe her beautiful appearance in the office today was an attempt to curry some favor with her Master and earn herself some pleasure. Declan smiled as he entertained that thought, and it pushed his libido over the edge.

Impatiently he sent Ms. Flynn a quick email.

Ms. Flynn – You presence is required in my office immediately.

***

She stood on the other side of his desk, almost instantly. Charlotte held her gaze cast downward, a slight pink flush in her cheeks, and her hands clasped together behind her back.

“Yes, Mr. Pearse?”

Declan was pleased that she slipped into her submissive role so easily. “Charlotte, I would like your input on these research candidates we are interviewing today.” He gestured for her to join him on his side of the desk.

Charlotte walked around to get a better look at the curriculum vitae of Mr. Blount on Declan’s computer screen. Declan had positioned himself so that it would require Charlotte to bend forward, her dress creeping upward ever so slightly. His hand stroked her bottom through the material of her dress, and he noticed her smile as she continued to examine the candidate’s qualifications closely. Declan ran his hand down her leg, feeling the sensual silkiness of the stockings over her thighs, down her calves, and pausing at the top of her shoes. His hand made the return journey on the inside of Charlotte’s leg, and as he reached the hem of her dress, he slowly peeled it upward exposing her plum satin panties. Her legs instinctively parted for his hand, and he couldn’t help but notice there was a visible damp spot starting to spread.

He massaged her pussy through the material of her panties with his fingers, focusing on her wetness and pushing slightly against her. The satin under his fingers gave a little and began to enter her body, soaking up more of her wetness. Charlotte gasped quietly at the intrusion, but opened her legs wider to give him easier access. Declan’s fingers slid her panties to one side and he probed more deeply into her, the wetness making his fingers slick. He rubbed his thumb on her clit and he could feel it swell and stiffen from all the attention.

“Charlotte, my pet, you’re very ready for me today.”