She just had to be an employee, didn’t she? He wasn’t about to enter into something with a woman who worked for him, not after that mess in the Toronto office with his oldest brother, Patrick. His brother ended up falling for his assistant who was interning as she earned her MBA. Everything was going fine until Pop discovered Pat was diddling the help instead of giving her dictation. In the end, it all worked out, and now Rebecca is his new sister-in-law, but it could have gone badly. If ole Paddy boy hadn’t stood up to Pop, things could have gotten ugly. Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman wielding sharp office implements.

Declan had certain tastes when it came to women, tastes that ran outside the norm, but he held himself to some standards, and one of them was not dicking around at work. Poking the payroll was always bad for business. He never once let his cock dictate his actions, or at least that is what he had been trying to convince himself of for the past eight hours. His personal philosophy had gotten Declan this far in business. Was he suddenly willing to change because of a gorgeous woman in research? Declan had convinced himself he would meet her for dinner, it was the gentlemanly thing to do. But in no uncertain terms would he take it any further. Charlotte Flynn was untouchable and forbidden. He almost believed himself until he caught a glimpse of her sitting at their table.

Charlotte looked stunning at the office but even more breathtaking out of it. Her hair, long and dark, shone in the glow of the secluded dining area. She was wearing a sexy charcoal dress, and it accentuated every blessed curve of her body. He watched, breathless as Charlotte placed the glass of champagne to her plush lips and tasted the sparkling golden liquid. She briefly held it in the confines of her mouth, savoring the taste before swallowing. She hadn’t discovered he was there yet, so Declan watched a moment longer.

The lust/loathe dynamic that surrounded them at the office carried over to the restaurant. Her smart mouth turned him on. Thinking about her mouth drove him crazy. The fact she sank her teeth into that lush bottom lip of hers on purpose had his blood boiling. He couldn’t keep away from her. When their mouths crashed together, it wasn’t a sweet, gentle kiss. No, it was angry, wet, and hot. The way the skin of her neck gave into the pleasure and pain of his bite drove him mad. She released a little moan, and he knew at that moment she would submit to his desires eventually. And her scent. She smelled like a vanilla cupcake—sweet and seductive—like spun sugar.

And her eyes, Sweet Mother of God! They were hazel, dancing somewhere between beautiful tawny brown and glass green. Declan closed his eyes and almost let out a growl, the image of her looking up at him with that gaze as she took his cock in her amazing mouth danced through his lust-addled brain. It was almost more than he could take. His self-control was waning, yet he knew he would continue his descent into Hell and enjoy every damned minute of it.

***

As Declan made his way into the Pearse Publishing building Wednesday morning, last night’s single malt and self-doubt clouded his thoughts. Today could go a few different ways. Charlotte might act as if nothing happened, become as unrelenting as cling wrap, or have his ass handed to him. He doubted the latter because Kellan mentioned she was a loyal employee who loved working for Pearse. Declan didn’t think she would throw him to the lions.

He was standing in front of the bank of elevators when she walked into the office building. Damned if she didn’t completely ignore him. The doors opened, and they both made their way into the packed car. By the time the elevator reached the eighth floor, it was so crowded it was almost at capacity. When it stopped, four more people decided to squeeze in. Charlotte pushed further into him. Her back was against his chest, and her ass was against his now semi-erect cock. The rest of Declan’s body stiffened, and he had to stifle a groan. When the elevator moved again, Charlotte moved as far away as she possibly could. It was all Declan could do to stop from grabbing her hip and pulling her back against his body. He wanted to whisper in her ear and share with her how much he would love to feel her ass pressed up against his hard cock.

Declan’s torture ended when Charlotte pushed her way through the sandwiched staff and exited on the fourteenth floor. When he made it to the seventeenth floor, Declan flew out of the elevator and breezed right past his secretary, Natalie, who was trying to tell him something, but his mind was in a fog, so she sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher.

“I’ll deal with it later!” he shouted at her and slammed the door to his office shut.

Control. Damn it. Control. Declan had never experienced this kind of distraction at work, and he was beginning to unravel. Work. He needed to focus on work and stop thinking about Charlotte. It had been barely twenty-four hours since the date at Thirteen left him rock hard and with an unquenchable desire to claim every glorious inch of her. Nearly an entire day of not being able to kiss her, scrape his teeth against her tender flesh, or touch her soft, wavy hair, and he felt like a lunatic.

***

Declan needed to talk to someone, someone who would understand. He glanced at the clock and did something he hadn’t done in months. He decided to contact Emerson Stone.

“Ms. Ward, will you please get Dr. Stone’s office on the phone for me?” Declan’s voice softened, remembering he had grumbled at his skittish secretary on his way in.

“Yes, Mr. Pearse. Right away.”

Moments later, there was a knock on his office door.

“Come in, Ms. Ward.”

“Mr. Pearse, Dr. Stone himself is on line two for you. Can I get you something hot to drink, perhaps some tea or would you like some Tylenol?”

Declan smirked and shook his head. “Oh, my dear, Ms. Ward, thank you for being so thoughtful, but Dr. Stone is not that kind of doctor. Now if you please, shut the door behind you?”

Declan picked up the line. “Hello, Emerson.”

“Hello, Declan. It has been far too long.”

“Yes it has. How is your Anabelle?” Declan tried to make small talk, but his mind was laser-focused on one thing, getting back on track with his pursuit of Charlotte.

“She is doing well.” Stone paused. “So who is she, and how did it go awry?”

It all came out then. Declan talked at length about her, about how he was certain she would make an excellent submissive for him, and that he wanted to take her on as one. He also told Emerson the obstacles in his path. She was first an employee, and secondly they had gotten off on the wrong foot when he dined with her last night. He confessed he hadn’t maintained control and acted like a horny teenager who needed to get laid.

During the conversation, Emerson let Declan speak freely, making appropriate comments. Yes, she sounded like she would be a perfect sub for Declan. Yes, Declan acted like an ass. Yes, being her boss could create a problem, but only if he allowed it. Emerson mentioned he was speaking from experience on this matter, so Declan trusted him implicitly. Yes, from time to time it was possible that control would be hard to rein in. Yes, he could correct the situation.

By the time Declan had finished the call an hour later, he felt relieved. Stone had convinced him the best way to gain the upper hand again was to allow her to keep her job, but limit his pursuit and seduction to situations away from the office.

Declan cursed. How exactly am I going to manage this? Charlotte seems to want nothing to do with me at the moment. He rifled through his desk, filtering through his mail while wracking his brain. He spotted an invitation at the bottom of the pile and pulled it out. Quickly, he realized he had the perfect situation to show his hand to Ms. Flynn.