“Tomorrow. We’ll meet?”

I realize the car has stopped and I see my building through the window, the familiar doorman standing out front, his arms crossed behind his back as he waits. He doesn’t know I’m in the car or he’d rush forward and open the door for me.

“When?” I ask quietly. “What time?”

“For lunch. At noon. My office?”

“Your office?” I finally turn to look at him. “There’s not a restaurant you prefer?”

“A secret, remember? And my office has solid walls.” He smiles, reaching out and drawing his finger across my lower lip. “Wear something sexy.”

“To work?” I’m shocked by his request.

And aroused.

“Beneath the clothes, Violet. Wear your armor.” He smiles. “And then wear a little something that will slay me underneath it.”

Chapter Ten

Ryder

I haven’t felt such anticipation for something like this in a long time, if ever. I couldn’t sleep for shit. I’d gone straight home and jacked off in the shower to thoughts of Violet. Asking me to give her pleasure in that achingly sweet voice. The taste of her lips, the scent of her, the sensation of her tongue against mine …

I’d come all over my hand in seconds.

This morning I had an early meeting and fucked off mentally during the entire thing. Waste of my time and everyone else’s. The conference call I had at nine thirty? I can’t even remember what was said. Now I sit holed up in my office until noon, avoiding everyone I can for fear I’ll say something stupid or worse, go up to Violet’s floor and stare at her through the window of her office, my hands pressed against the glass. Hell, with the way I’m feeling, I’d probably press my fucking drooling face against the glass, too.

Then she’d just consider me a stalker and file a restraining order against me. Or worse, have me fired.

A package arrived for me at approximately ten thirty, someone from reception delivering it with a cheery smile and flirtatious wink as she handed it over. I scowled at her and set it on my desk, staring at the long, narrow plain brown box, curiosity filling me. There’s no return address, no business listed, just my name scrawled across the back of a small, cream-colored envelope that’s taped to the center of the box.

Carefully I pry the envelope from the box and turn it over, pulling the tiny card out of it. It’s covered in the most beautiful handwriting I’ve ever seen and I stare at it for a moment, recognizing that writing before I even see who signed it.

To replace the one I ruined last evening.

Yours,

V

My lips curl into a tiny smile, and I pop the lid off the box and push the layers of tissue away to find a gorgeous red tie nestled within. I run my fingers over the fabric, impressed with the quality but not surprised.

Violet Fowler never does anything half-assed or cheap. That includes asking someone to indulge in a secret affair.

I pull the tie out of the box and admire it, the subtle pattern that runs through the fabric, the brutally red color. It’s the shade of victory, of blood, of death and triumph and sex and lust.

I’m feeling all of those things. I can imagine taking this tie and wrapping it around Violet’s wrists, binding them tight. So she can’t touch me, can’t do anything but let me pleasure her.

My cock comes to full attention at the image.

Should I wait to thank her properly when she finally makes her way to my office in less than two hours? Or should I thank her now?

Reaching for the phone, I dial her extension and wait for her to answer, my fingers never straying from the tie.

“Good morning, this is Violet.”

She sounds cheerful but brisk and efficient. A contradiction as usual. “Good morning,” I say in reply, not bothering to identify myself.

There’s a moment of silence before she finally speaks. “Hello.” Her voice warms. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Better since I received my gift.” I pause, wondering what I can say to her without sounding like a lecherous ass. May I tie you up so I can go down on you and bring you to orgasm with my tongue? Better yet, Let me bind your wrists behind your back and push you to your knees while I push my cock into your mouth …

“Do you like it?” she asks shyly.

“I love it. Thank you.”

“I felt bad. For what I-I did to your tie last night.” She sounds so unsure of herself, it just about kills me. Does she have any idea how sexy she is? All that innocent vulnerability is an incredible turn-on.

Most would say because I’m going to take advantage of her. That’s why I find her naivety so freaking sexy. She’s easy pickings.

They would be right.

“I didn’t mind,” I reassure her. And it’s no lie. The crumpled tie can be fixed. Nothing a good dry cleaner can’t tackle. “But I like this one, too.”

“I’m glad.” She lowers her voice. “We’re still on for noon?”

She sounds excited. And I feel victorious. This is just too easy. “Yes.” I don’t say another word. I’m in the mood to hear her squirm.

“Are we going to have … a heavy lunch?”

Is she speaking in code? “I was thinking more along the lines of an … appetizer.”

“Oh.” She takes a deep, shaky breath. She’s already aroused. By the time noon rolls around and she shows up, she’ll be primed. “That sounds … good.”