He’s clearly nervous, and even though I should be locked in and focused on the task at hand, learning how this thing works, I’m not. Because Kris has moved his chair closer. Not too close, but close enough that I can feel him there, and close enough that I can only think about the fact that he has my panties in the pocket of his jacket.
Exactly like he said that I would.
Under the table, his fingers brush my thigh.
Reaching down, I grab his hand from tracing upwards further, the way I already feel that it’s going. Alone in the cafeteria? That’s one thing. Here? In front of every powerful person at the company? I…don’t think I can.
Instead of pulling back, Kris weaves our fingers together. It doesn’t make sense how such a simple touch can create the impression of such a dangerous secret. Nothing is bad or awful about holding hands. But where our skin is touching it feels like a brand. Hot. Overwhelming. I don’t want it to stop.
Nothing happens for a while. There are a few more speakers, men and women. I try to hear their words, but from the way even the managing team is looking at their phones and scribbling on their notepads, these people aren’t serious contenders. I’m sitting in between the real contenders, and based on the way people are being called on, Meynard and Kris will go last.
Because of course.
As if they didn’t have enough of a rivalry already.
Then again, I’m sure that the people on top don’t necessarily think that the rivalry is a bad thing. It does drive them both to produce work that will outdo the other.
That can only be good for business.
I’m sure that if I said that to uncle Meynard he would flay me alive yet again for the observation. But just because I’m new to business, doesn’t mean that I’m wrong.
Kris holds my hand for so long that I get used to it. And it’s only when he moves—brushes his thumb along the back of my hand—that I jump and realize it’s still there. What does it mean that it feels that natural? Is it bad that it does?
No. I don’t think that it can be. But the butterflies in my stomach still have me wondering. Is this…infatuation and craving normal for someone like me? Someone who’s avoided all of this and now is being given everything that they’ve dreamed of? Because this is real life. People don’t fall head over heels in love in a couple of days and then happily spend the rest of their lives together. That’s not a thing.
So…then the question remains. Is this a thing that’s going to end up hurting me?
Maybe. I have to admit that. But does that also mean that I should pull back and end it before it starts?
Pain in my chest is the immediate response. No. I can’t imagine that. There’s something too strong drawing us together for me not to see what it is. And in that same deep place where I know that Kris is the one I want to show me all these new things, I know that any pain that might come from this will be worth it, and I won’t regret it in the slightest.
That’s all I can ask for right now.
“Meynard,” the CEO calls. “Let’s hear it.”
My uncle gets up from his chair and strides to the front of the room. I already know what he’s going to say. It’s about as much as he’s shared with me about the project. I keep my eyes on him, because he’ll notice if I’m not paying attention. After this afternoon? I need to stay on his good side.
But that doesn’t keep me from being distracted when Kris shifts our joined hands under the table. Slowly, so that no one will notice the position of our arms. He moves my hand over onto his thigh. Higher. Higher. Until his hand, woven with my hand, is hovering right over his cock.
I’m not sure when my breath became so shallow. I’m still looking at the front of the room, but all my attention is under the table. What is he going to do?
Kris lowers my hand, and for a second I’m confused, and think I ran into a piece of the table or the arm of the chair. Nope. This is not furniture. His cock is just that hard. Even through his suit. I think it’s harder than it was in the cafeteria. Or at the very least, my fingers getting up close and personal with it make it feel that way.
And then, slowly, he drags my fingers up and down the length of it. If I look back at him, I know that I’ll find nothing on his face but the mask of utter boredom. All the while helping me jerk himself off. The tease.
At the same time, all the heat I can feel through the fabric of his suit seems to sink through my skin and into my body. The thought of getting him off? Of him helping me get him off while he’s made me agree not to? God, that’s so fucking hot.
“Chianna.”
I blink, and find my uncle staring at me. Glaring at me. “Yes?”
His jaw tightens. “The files, please.”
Scrambling to my feet and hoping that no one saw where my hand came from, I grab the small stack of folders in front of me and pass them to the CEO, President, and Vice Presidents. My face is so red that it’s hot. From embarrassment and arousal. I’m going to kill Kris when I get him alone. And then I’m going to bring him back and let him do whatever the fuck he wants.
“Still pawning off your work on interns, Meynard?” Kris says lightly. “You see anyone else here bring someone to carry five files?”
There’s light laughter through the room, and the tension eases. Without even mentioning my name, Kris took the focus off me and the inattention that he caused and put it back on Meynard for being a prick. Even if it’s all his fault to begin with, I’m grateful for the small gesture.
On the way back to my seat, I give him a small smile in thanks.
His whisper brushes the back of my neck. “I like seeing you smile like that.”
I press my lips together to hide my smile. My uncle is already seething. I can’t do anything to make it worse. But any doubts about whether or not I want to do this have entirely evaporated.
This time, when his fingers graze the skin of my thigh, I let them. I lean my leg into the touch and breathe, trying to show him without words that yes, I want more. Yes, I’m grateful for the rescue. And yes, I want him.
Meynard finishes his little speech, and despite my little interruption, the higher-ups seem pleased with what he’s said. But I still see a glimmer of amusement as the CEO glances towards Kris and me. “Excellent work, Meynard. Kris, show us what you’ve got.”
My uncle storms back to his chair and sits with far more force than is necessary. “You’re dismissed,” he snarls. His voice is loud enough to carry to the whole room and feels like a bucket of ice water. But I won’t let them see me sweat.
I get up and move easily to the exit, all the while feeling a pair of scalding hot eyes on my body. It’s only at the door that I turn back at the last second. Kris is staring at me like he could fuck me right here with just his eyes. I’m sure that he could.
Slipping out of the conference room, I lock eyes with him one more time before he starts speaking, and smile. He’s got this. I don’t know anything about the contents of his proposal, but I’m rooting for him.
When I get back to my desk there’s a smile on my face. Very soon, I plan on no longer being a virgin. And for the first time in what feels like forever, that thought excites me like nothing else.
As soon as my uncle leaves town? All bets are off. And not even Kris is going to see it coming.