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“Just… looking forward to the event. It’ll be good to celebrate the business’s success.”

“It will!” She perked up. “And Anita seems so nice. Easy to work with.”

I cleared my throat, willing my ears not to flutter as I pretended to concentrate on peering in the wing mirror. “Yes.”

“I’m kind of excited for the food-tasting,” Lipa admitted sheepishly. “I know Piquante are meant to be the best in the city, but I’ve never been to an event fancy enough to be catered by them.”

I glanced over and gave her a tiny smile. “Yeah, it should be great.”

“I brought your protein bar and wheatgrass shot just in case you still want them.” She rummaged in her bag.

I looked over at her again. Lipa had been my assistant for about three years now, and she was awesome. Super efficient and conscientious. Never complained when we ended up working late. I liked to think I was an okay boss, not overly demanding or anything, but maybe I was a total asshole compared to her previous employers. I had no idea. I got pretty grouchy when I was hungry.

“You deserve a raise, Lipa.” I glanced over at her as she froze. “I mean, I’m giving you a raise.”

“I…” She didn’t seem to know what to say. “That—I—That’s very generous of you, sir. But… I got a raise at my performance review in December. Remember?”

I waved a hand. “I know, but that’s like… market rate. You deserve more. You’re a great PA, Lipa.”

“I… Thank you,” she said quickly, because she was smart. “Thanks, Mr var Rorik.”

“No problem.” I grinned over at her. “I’ll tell HR on Monday.”

She was still smiling when we pulled up outside Piquante Catering. I managed not to smirk when we were told Anita hadn’t arrived yet as we were greeted. We were led through to a plush seating area with some artfully arranged chairs and told the chef wasn’t quite ready for us yet, seeing as we were half an hour early.

Worth it.

When Anita arrived five minutes later, I grinned at the slightly disgruntled look on her face as she was led into the room. Jumping up from my seat, I smoothed down my tie before holding out my hand.

“Anita,” I drawled, giving her a tiny, secret smirk as Lipa stood up behind me. “Got here just in time.”

Her nostrils flared, but I saw her mouth twitch before she schooled her features into a pleasantly blank expression and shook my hand. “Nice to see you again, Mr var Rorik.”

Damn, that made my balls tingle. She’d said the same thing as she left the gym sauna after masturbating in front of me.

“Hi, Lipa,” she said with a warm smile, turning to shake her hand.

I let my eyes trail down her frame. She was dressed in her usual work attire: plain black pants, a crisp white shirt and sensible shoes. God, it was so sexy. I wondered if I’d be able to quickly squeeze her ass without Lipa noticing. I probably shouldn’t, but it just looked so cute and pert in those pants. And I knew how it felt in my hands. I’d even tongued her asshole last Sunday after my mini freakout in the bathroom.

Now all I could picture was Anita on all fours on my bed with her ass high in the air. My cock was getting hard, so I quickly sat back down on the loveseat and tried to adopt a casual pose without making it obvious. Lipa was already sitting back down in the armchair, so after a few seconds, Anita perched on the loveseat beside me.

Someone in a uniform appeared carrying a tray with three full champagne flutes. “Champagne?” they asked with a polite smile. “Chef is almost ready for you.”

Lipa’s eyes had lit up, but she shot me a hesitant look when the server held out a flute to her. I smiled at her and gestured at the glasses. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you,” she said eagerly, taking the glass offered to her.

She was just about to take a sip when the server turned to me and I shook my head. “None for me, thanks.”

Lipa lowered the glass, looking uncertain again as her ears fluttered anxiously. Anita must have noticed, because she smiled at the server and took one of the flutes. “I’ll have some. Thank you.”

I knew she didn’t really want it. She took a single tiny sip—just enough for Lipa to not feel so self-conscious—then set it on the coffee table.

I suppressed the urge to grin at her. I also had to get my phone out of my pocket and fiddle with it so I didn’t reach over and palm her thigh. My foot tapped restlessly on the floor. I hadn’t seen her since Sunday, and now she was right there. She smelled really fucking good. Her hair was up in its standard sleek ponytail, but now I knew what it felt like sliding through my fingers.

I furtively eyed the elegant slope of her neck. I also knew how sensitive she was there—how she shivered and moaned when I kissed her there, or scraped my sharp teeth gently over her skin.

I had to look away before I popped a full boner. Just a couple more hours at the most, and then I’d be able to kiss her and touch her as much as I wanted. I wasn’t going back to the gym after this, seeing as this was technically a cheat day, so I’d be heading to Anita’s the moment I dropped Lipa off at home.