Bred by the CEO (Breeding Season Book 10) Read online

  Then, of course, her old insecurities came rushing back.

  He’d kissed her, and because she’d shown her attraction, it had disgusted him. No one ever wanted her. Did he just like the idea of kissing her at that moment? Was it a major lapse in judgment?

  Nothing else had happened during the next five days. No kissing. No touching.

  She was starting to wonder if he thought it was all a mistake.

  By the time she rode the elevator, heading to his floor, she had her resignation letter written and in her bag. She nibbled on her lip. Her heart raced as she thought through what she was going to say to him in order to remove what happened that night.

  Her hands shook a little.

  When the elevator stopped for people to enter, she moved toward the back, ignoring those who gave her a curious glance. With each second that passed, her stomach got tighter, and her nerves were nearly at the breaking point.

  She hoped he wasn’t in the office, so she could place the letter on his desk, gather her stuff, and leave. That would be the most logical and easy way to handle this.

  Her mouth was so dry.

  She stepped off the elevator and headed toward his office, but she stumbled as he was already sitting behind his desk, his fingers clicking away at his keyboard. There was never going to be a chance of him not coming to work. The guy was a workaholic and didn’t understand the meaning of the term rest.

  Rose turned her back to him and took a few steps toward the elevator, hoping to get away from him, to find a chance to regroup her thoughts, but that wasn’t going to happen either.

  You can’t run away from all your problems!

  Running was easier. Staying and fighting, that took real courage.

  Darius didn’t mean to kiss her. She knew the truth, and so, squaring her shoulders as if ready to do battle, she stepped into his office.

  He looked up, and the smile he sent in her way made her pause. Why was he smiling?

  “Rose,” he said. “You’re early.” He got up out of his chair and rounded the desk.

  Sliding her hand into her bag, she held the letter up as some kind of protection. Not that she was afraid of Darius. This was going to work.

  “Please accept my resignation,” she blurted. “I think it’s better for both of us if I leave. I’m sorry for any inconvenience I’ve caused. I know it will be difficult with Ross gone.”

  He frowned. His brows drew together, but he didn’t take the letter from her.

  She waited.

  “What the fuck is this?” he asked.

  “Mr. Blackwood, please.”

  He shook his head. “No. Don’t please me.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in close. With his other hand, he reached behind her and threw the door closed, thrusting them into privacy.

  No one else was on his floor yet.

  They were already private, but now, she was closed into such a small space with him, or at least it felt so with his arms wrapped around her.

  Her heart pounded inside her chest.

  “What the hell is going on?” he asked.

  “I think it’s better that I quit.”

  “I don’t agree.”

  “Darius, I’m sorry about that kiss last night. It was a big mistake, and it would be best if you find some—” She didn’t get to finish as his lips slammed down on hers, silencing all protest. Rose knew she should push him away, keep him at arm’s length, but she also didn’t want to let him go.

  She dropped the blasted letter on the floor as she ran her hands up his chest, so solid beneath her palms. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Darius’s grip went to her ass, pulling her in close, and she felt how hard he was, pressing against her soft stomach. The length of him took her by surprise, which she felt through the layers of her dress and his designer suit. In the back of her mind, she knew she should be telling him to stop, but words failed her. All she cared about was feeling his rock-hard body against hers. At some point, he must have moved them because her back hit the wall, and he grabbed her hands, lifting them over her head and locking her into place. She moaned his name, not wanting to stop.

  Her pussy grew slick with need, a whimper escaping her as she begged for more.

  “Please,” she said as his lips left hers, but he didn’t go far. He began to trail them down her neck, and if she thought it felt good before, the way he grazed her neck had her gasping. An instant bolt of lust shocked her to the core, holding her still.

  “Fuck, you smell so good,” he said.

  His gruff male voice rumbled, and she closed her eyes for a second.

  “I’m not letting you go, Rose,” he said.

  “But … that kiss. It was a mistake.” She couldn’t even bring herself to finish what she was saying.

  “I’ve been trying to be the perfect gentleman. You said so yourself, everyone in your life has let you down, and I’m not going to let you assume the worst about me.” He lifted from her neck. “Make no mistake, I want you, Rose. In my bed. I want to fuck you so damn hard that you can’t even think straight.”

  She whimpered, pressing her thighs together, but Darius seemed to know what she was doing and slid his thigh between hers, stopping her. He lifted his leg, and her skirt was loose enough that as he brought it up to rub against her pussy, nothing stopped him. Not the skirt and certainly not herself.

  Rose gasped. What the hell was happening to her?

  She wasn’t like this. She never succumbed to the pleasures of the flesh. It was why she was still a virgin. Giving herself to random men had never been part of her plans. She had always hoped and dreamed that one day, she’d find a guy who would want the world with her, but again, that had never happened.

  With the taste of Darius’s lips on hers, the feel of his hands all over her body, Rose couldn’t quite stop herself from wanting more.

  He knew exactly where to touch, how to make her ache for him.

  Darius held her wrists above her head and slid his knee back and forth, using just enough friction to make her gasp and nearly beg for more.

  When he broke away from the kiss, she sank her teeth against her lip in an attempt to contain her arousal, but it was futile.

  “Does that feel good?” he asked.

  She nodded. There was no way she’d even dare to use her words right now.

  “Look at me.”

  Rose didn’t even realize she’d closed her eyes, but now as she looked at him, she saw the intensity in his stare. His full focus was on her, keeping her locked in place.

  “I’m not accepting your resignation. I didn’t promote you because of this, even though I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’ve thought about fucking you since the day I met you, Rose.”

  She gasped.

  “You’re mine, say it with me.”

  No man had ever made such a demand on her. Not just men, but … no one.

  She felt a fluttering between her thighs.

  “I’m … yours,” she said. It felt foreign on her tongue, but also perfect. She craved to belong, to be wanted in a way no human had ever wanted her before.

  Darius smiled, but it wasn’t sweet or loving. He’d won. He knew it.

  “Good.” He leaned down close so his lips were close to her ear. “One day you’re going to say those words and you’re going to believe every one of them.”

  “I can’t work for you,” she said.

  Why wouldn’t he accept her resignation? He needed someone a lot better than her to work for him. Someone he didn’t want to sleep with—like Ross.

  The vultures had already circled with their gossip about her position. Now as she was pinned against his wall, admittedly, exactly where she wanted to be, she didn’t want to give them any more reasons to question his motives.

  “You can work for me. You signed a contract, and without Ross here, this position is yours, Rose. You’re not going to walk away from this, and I’m not going to play the gentleman with you anymore, so you don’t have time to feel
any kind of doubt as to what I want.” He pressed his lips against her neck. “Today, you’re going to do your job, efficiently and without question, just how I know you can do it. Tonight, you will not be going back to your apartment, you’ll be coming home with me. Do you understand me?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.” He kissed her lips, and she moaned, wanting more, but within a matter of seconds, his entire body was gone, and she had no choice but to force herself to her feet, to remain standing.

  ****

  Darius knew he should have talked about that kiss before now. Rose had too many insecurities, and he’d tried to be the gentleman. Leaving her at her door had taken great fucking willpower. He glanced up to make sure she hadn’t tried to escape.

  Rose sat at her desk, on the telephone, working away as if nothing had happened this morning.

  He wasn’t joking around. Tonight, she’d be coming home with him.

  After taking her home, leaving her there, he’d gone back to his place, had taken a long shower, where he’d taken his cock in hand and brought himself to orgasm three fucking times. That was how much he wanted her.

  Thinking of her soft skin against his own, imagining her body close to his—he was hungry for her.

  Tonight, when he finally got her alone, he was going to love every single inch, relish the feel of her against him. Make her scream his name. He wasn’t going to take her for granted either.

  As he looked back down at his work, nothing made much sense to him because he simply couldn’t concentrate. Not a single word.

  He glanced at the clock on his desk and saw he still had three hours left of work.

  If he left now, people would be wondering, and even though he didn’t give a flying fuck what people thought, Rose did. She cared.

  Gritting his teeth, he couldn’t resist another glance in her direction. Her head was bowed. No telephone this time. Pen in hand, running her gaze across whatever file she worked on. How could no one have wanted her?

  He didn’t get it.

  There was so much pain inside her gaze. Almost always expecting the worst. It was classic trauma, and he wanted to be the man to unravel her.

  Rose was wrong about him though. Darius could imagine she assumed he only wanted her for a quick fuck. She was so far from the truth, it was laughable.

  He wanted her. To take her cherry and to stake a claim all of his own, but that wasn’t all he wanted. Hell no. He wanted to fucking claim her. To make her his. To put his baby inside her. He watched her, thinking about how her body would look heavily pregnant with his child, and his dick hardened at the thought.

  She already had a body he dreamed about, but full of his kid, now that was a dream come true. Rose would have no choice but to stay with him.

  He tapped his fingers against his thigh and decided he’d waited long enough.

  There was always a reason for him to leave the office early, and to take his PA with him. If rumors started circulating that made Rose self-conscious, he’d put an end to them. After shutting down his computer, he put several files away in his briefcase, not that he had any intention of looking at them tonight.

  His only focus was the beauty at her desk. He loved the way the perfect little ringlets hung at the side of her face as she worked. She looked like an angel.

  After grabbing his keys, he locked his office and approached Rose’s desk.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Her eyes went wide. “For … for what?”

  “We’ve got that two thirty I don’t want to be late for.”

  “Sir, I don’t see an appointment.” She frowned, and he couldn’t help but be charmed by her nerves.

  There was no other appointment, unless she counted having her body fucked and loved all at the same time, then that was indeed one.

  “It’s something Ross organized some time ago,” he said. The lies were easy to spill from his lips. He needed her to believe it, at least until they got out of the building.

  “Oh, right, of course.” She smiled up at him. “Let me grab my coat.”

  “And your bag. We’re going to be some time. There’s no reason for us to come back to the office.”

  She nodded, sliding her bag on her shoulder. He frowned, making a note of the bag. It was old, and he saw pieces of thread that had clearly been used to sew it together. He hadn’t thought to buy her accessories when they last went shopping.

  He’d make the time to replace her bag.

  Rose deserved the very best of everything.

  Without a word, she followed him toward the elevator. He smiled at several of his staff, giving them a nod.

  “Do I need to look at any files?” Rose asked. “Be prepared for any questions with your client?”

  “No, I have everything right here. You can read it in the car.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He watched the numbers slowly start to descend, getting them closer to the parking lot.

  Several people stepped on and off, acknowledging him. He spoke only briefly, answering any questions they had, and when he didn’t have the relevant answers, Rose did.

  Didn’t she realize how … adept she was?

  She was right for this job, and still, she allowed the haters to nearly push her away, and that pissed him off.

  Once they were out of the elevator, he put a hand at her back, walking her toward his car. He took her bag and coat, placing them in the trunk, and then climbed behind the wheel.

  “I thought you wanted me to look through the file?” Rose asked.

  He pulled out of the parking lot, not saying a word, and then made his way onto the main road.

  “Darius?” Rose asked.

  “There is no file, Rose. There is no meeting. I couldn’t sit there with you looking so beautiful for another second.” He navigated the traffic.

  He reached out, putting his hand on her thigh. The moment he touched her, she jumped a little, and he smiled. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  “What will people think?” she asked.

  “They don’t have a clue, Rose. No one cares what I do with my life, so long as I pay their salary and keep my company from falling apart, and I’m completely good at doing that.” He didn’t let go of her thigh, stroking the soft flesh right at her knee.

  The tension slowly began to fade from her body.

  The journey to his condo wasn’t a long one. He was parked within twenty minutes, helping Rose out of the car and grabbing their belongings from the back.

  Darius took her hand, leading her toward the private elevator. He typed in the code that gained him access and then pressed the number for his floor. He admired Rose in their reflection.

  Stroking a thumb across her knuckles, he couldn’t wait to hold her. To feel her naked body against his skin to skin.

  She nibbled on her lip, watching the numbers as they moved toward their destination. Neither of them spoke as they got closer.

  When the doors opened, he nudged Rose forward. After taking her to his home, he stepped inside, put their belongings near the front, and locked the door.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  He noticed she kept her body tight, as if she was afraid to touch anything. “You have a beautiful place.”

  Darius laughed. “You haven’t seen the whole place yet. For all you know, it could be a dump.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  He winked at her. “Want a tour?” he asked.

  Now that he finally had her in his apartment, he wasn’t in a rush to get her naked and fuck her. There was no way for her to escape, to run away, to pretend there wasn’t something going on between them.

  He wasn’t going to fight it, not anymore.

  Rose was his.

  “I’d love the tour.”

  He held both of her hands, then led her from room to room. He couldn’t take any credit for the décor. It was all down to a professional designer who listened to what he wanted and then worked his magic.

&nb
sp; After showing her his office, he led her right toward his bedroom, and this time, he moved in behind her and then spun her into his arms. She set her purse on the night table. He kissed those sweet, lush lips.

  “And this is my room,” he said, kissing her neck.

  There were several large mirrors in the room, and he’d never cared for them before, but as he stared at Rose in several of the reflections, he suddenly knew they were perfect. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close to him.

  “What do you think?”

  “You’ve got a wonderful home.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  But what he didn’t have was someone to share it with, and Rose was that woman. Slowly, he eased a hand up her body, cupping one of her large breasts in his hand, and he loved the sound of her gasp. He had no intention of letting Rose go.

  Chapter Seven

  This was actually happening.

  And she wasn’t stopping it.

  Her boss, Darius Blackwood, was slowly undressing her. It was as if he barely moved at all. She felt boneless, wanton, completely at his mercy. Every touch seared her skin and pulled her deeper into oblivion.

  He was so much older, sought after by most single women, and a freaking billionaire. Yet, she was here in his bedroom. It all felt so real, and she hoped Darius wasn’t just out to fulfill some fetish. She didn’t want this to turn out to be another Cinderella story that ended at midnight. No, Rose wanted it all, the happily ever after. She deserved it after the life she’d endured.

  “You’re perfect, Rose.” He trailed soft, deliberate kisses along her bare shoulder, making gooseflesh appear on her skin. Her pussy tingled and her mouth felt dry. With her blouse partially unbuttoned, her heart rate seemed to increase each time he exposed a layer. “I’m going to take you, claim you, and you’ll only belong to me.”

  Maybe she should feel insulted, but his words only fueled her desire. She wanted to be owned by him, to finally have a place in the world where she truly belonged.

  “Tell me you want this. Tell me you want me to fuck you.”

  Oh God, that was exactly what she wanted. Needed. He squatted down in front of her, wiggling her skirt past her full hips until it pooled on the hardwood floor. When she didn’t answer him, he kissed her pussy through her lace panties, making her squeal. It felt so electric, instant heat cascading through her body and taking her inhibitions with it. Filthy thoughts danced in her head, every cell a live wire.