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He’d starred in so many of her fantasies. She’d always wondered what it’d be like if he were to ever see her as a desirable woman, rather than an uptight paralegal. Well, she’d gotten her wish. Unfortunately all she’d been to him was a good time, a novelty. He felt bad, sure, now that she knew the truth. He was concerned and wanted to make it right, but not because she meant something to him.
She would have to quit, find a new job. Oh, she could have eventually faced Mac and Trent, could’ve even forgiven them. But she could never look at Dane and know how good it felt to be held by him, to be touched by him, to know his kisses, how perfect their bodies fit together. Leaving was the only sane thing to do now that she knew her heart was involved. Besides, he would be glad she left. It would save them all from further embarrassment.
10
Dane tried to focus on the e-mail, but after reading the same subject line four times, he gave up. It was no use pretending an interest in work. All he could think about was Lydia. The devastation on her face as she’d sprinted out of his office kept running through his mind. She’d have every right to hate him, to never speak to him again, but the very idea made him want to howl in rage.
It’d been two days. Two damn days of not seeing her bright smile, not teasing her until she blushed. Not hearing that hated Mr. Gentry pass through her pouty lips. He’d tried calling her. He’d even gone to her apartment. She refused his every attempt to make it right. He was at his wit’s end.
“Hey,” Mac said as he poked his head into his office. “I hate to bother you, but I was wondering if you’d decided on what to do about Lydia.”
Since Lydia hadn’t returned to work things were going to hell around the office. He hadn’t realized how efficiently she’d handled her job. Without her around, the past couple of days had turned chaotic. He felt like a total shit for taking her for granted.
Dane dragged his fingers through his hair and groaned. “I’m not hiring anyone else. Lydia is still my paralegal.”
After Mac was seated in a chair across from him, he handed Dane a resume, then sat back. “At least hire a temporary replacement.”
Dane pretended to scan the woman’s qualifications, but he really didn’t give a damn. He didn’t want to work with anyone but Lydia. He handed the paper back to Mac. “I’ll think about it.”
He nodded. “You’re getting behind. You can’t do your job and Lydia’s both.”
Like he needed the reminder. “Yeah,” Dane grumbled.
“She still won’t speak to you?”
“Hell no. She won’t answer my calls and she refused to see me last night when I stopped over at her apartment.”
“She’s always been a stubborn one,” Mac reflected, scratching his chin.
Dane couldn’t agree more. Hell, Lydia’s willfulness had been half the appeal. She wouldn’t bow to just any man, and giving up control wouldn’t be an easy thing for her either. He’d ached to watch her submit to him, but thinking back to that night he wasn’t sure who had actually run the show. He was pretty sure she’d turned him inside out with her whispered pleas and tantalizing body. Christ he missed her. It was insane to need someone as badly as he needed Lydia. He should leave her alone. Let her get on with her life, but even the thought burned like acid.
His fax machine started up and Mac quirked a brow. “You expecting something?”
“No, I’m not.” A sense of foreboding skated down Dane’s spine as he rolled his chair backward and grabbed the paper from the tray. He scanned it quickly, then shot out of his chair. “Son of a bitch!”
Mac stiffened. “What is it?”
Dane threw the paper on his desk, then reached in his left drawer and took out his wallet and keys. “I’ll be back.”
Dane saw Mac lean forward and grab the paper before he cursed and got to his feet. “Don’t go to her like this, man. You’re too worked up. You’re liable to alienate her more.”
Dane clenched his fist around his keys as he glared at Mac. “Alienate her more? She faxed me her resignation! Enough’s enough. She can damn well face me. I’ve let her hide long enough.”
He didn’t wait around for Mac’s reply. Dane stormed out of the office, his muscles coiled tight. All the blood in his body seemed to head south as he imagined paddling Lydia’s sweet ass for even considering leaving him so easily. Better yet, he’d tie her pretty wrists first, then spank her. After her flesh had turned a nice shade of pink, he’d fuck her until neither of them could stand.
Dane knew he’d restrained his true nature when he’d coaxed her into giving her passion free rein. This time, he’d show her exactly what a dom does to a defiant sub.
Lydia had groomed Socrates until the chubby cat had gotten annoyed enough to scamper off to her bed in the laundry room. She’d reorganized her kitchen cupboards, steam cleaned her carpet and she’d even alphabetized her bookshelf. It was useless. All the busy work in the world couldn’t erase the fear spiraling through her.
She’d gone to an office supply store and faxed in her resignation. It’d been a huge step in the right direction, or so she tried to convince herself. She’d tried not to wonder about Dane’s reaction. Would he miss her at all? With her luck he already had her replacement picked out. Then again, what did she care? She wanted to move on, hadn’t that been her plan? Forget about that incredible night at Kinks and look for a new job. One that didn’t involve three handsome lawyers who had a penchant for wearing leather hoods. Her doorbell rang and Lydia dashed across the room, only too happy for the interruption. As she peeked through the peephole, she sucked in a breath and jumped back.
“I know you’re in there, Lydia. Open up or I’ll break the door down.”
Dane’s deep voice had the power to make her body vibrate with need. It wasn’t fair that a voice could be so sinful, so enthralling. “I thought I made it clear I don’t want to see you,” she shouted back.
“I don’t give a damn what you want. Open the door.”
Lydia crossed her arms and called out, “No!”
