From teasing, he got curious.“What?”
Curling her fingers around his tie again, she pulled him down until their lips met.Fuck him.Even when he didn’t surprise her, he surprised her.He anticipated her.Yeah, he didn’t want her to get one up on him, but it was still an honor to know her needs and dreams were important to him too.
Reversing, her butt hit the table and she slid up onto it, hooking her legs over his hips, pulling his tie to bring him down as she slanted back.
He broke the kiss.“Ah, see, you got me there.”
She smiled, yanking.“Get your cock out.”
“No, because, see, I’m your boss and I didn’t set you up in here to get laid.”
“You get laid anyway,” she said, sensing his teasing.“Is this inappropriate, sir?You don’t want to ride the sweet, innocent, impressed underling.”
“You’re no more innocent than you are impressed,” he said, straightening, sliding his tie from her fingers.“Meeting then pussy.”
She sighed and hopped off the desk.“I’ll catch up.”Backing away, she went around the other end of the desk.“I’m going to use my private restroom.”
He winked.“You going to charge me entry?”
“Don’t I always?Did you hear from Zairn today?”
“No, why would I?”
“They flew back this morning.”
“They?From where?”
Did the guy pay zero attention?“Zairn took Roxie to Hawaii.They had dinner with Dyce.Roxie called to say they got in safe.I thought he would let you know.”
A single laugh shook his shoulders.“Baby, Zairn can’t piss without the media reporting it.If he didn’t get home safe, that’s when I’d hear, on CNN along with the rest of the planet.Go pee.Move.”
Oh, he had no idea.Pee?No, that wasn’t why she was sending him off to the meeting alone.He wouldn’t believe himself on top of the pile after she was through with him.
TWENTY-SIX
LEON DID THE presentation.Of course.Rourke relished lording over everybody from the head of the table.Let him.She’d keep her binder hugged to her chest as Leon performed for the group.And when the time came, she’d launch her offensive.In the seat closest to the presentation with no one opposite her, the position was perfect to find out what their leader was: her boss or her bitch?
Eventually, her friend would get up to say something to the captive audience.The spotlight would entice him onto center stage; he’d never be able to resist.
“Does anyone have questions?”Leon asked after talking them through it.
Not only did Rourke have Hope’s infrastructure on his agenda and under control, but he’d already built a skeleton system.And, damn, she hadn’t wanted to be impressed.
“They have no questions,” Rourke said, putting the lights on with his watch as he left his chair.“What they need to know is it’s in hand.”
“I have questions,” she said, deliberately turning her chair away from her buddy to look at the presentation again.“Your timeline is broad.Shouldn’t we narrow that down?”
Leon froze, everything except his eyes.Those went left, right, and back again.What was he looking for?
“Sit,” Rourke said to the scared rabbit and replaced him by the presentation.“You want to do this here?In front of all these people?”She just grinned.“Okay, the timeline is whatever I say it is.If it hooks me, it’ll be done by the end of the week.If it doesn’t, I’ll leave it as long as I like.Or until someone persuades me to use my skills for their benefit.”
“Mm hmm,” she said, sliding her binder onto the table.“You have a team?”
“Allocated exclusively to this?”he asked.“No—” His focus dropped as she pushed her shoulders deeper into the chair.That’s right, boss man, feel the power ebb.Who was in charge now?His mouth closed slowly to a smile, but he cleared his throat.“My people do what they’re told, when they’re told.”
“Some of your people.”
“All of my people,” he said, switching focus to others at the table.“Cornish, you tell these guys about their assignments?”
