Chapter 9

Sometimes I think the universe is against me. Like seriously actively working to put me through the ringer. Or I just have the world's biggest asshole for a boss. Unlike Dani, I don't have a hot boss who gives me orgasms on my lunch break. If I did, I would so follow his every command. No questions asked. I mean, if Gabe walked in here and ordered me to drop to my knees, I think I probably would.

My thighs squeeze together as my panties dampen at the thought of that happening. I sigh and push up from my desk chair. I've been summoned to the boss's office. And, unfortunately, that boss comes in the form of a raging bitch with a chip the size of all of Australia on her shoulder.

What she wants to see me about now, I have no idea. But I do know if I leave her waiting any longer than I have, I'm going to get a lecture about how much of her time I'm wasting and how her time is more valuable than mine and I should be more considerate.

Ugh, if you can't tell by now, I've had that discussion more than once.

I walk down the hall. My fist lifts to eye level and I knock on her door. "Come in," her shrill voice calls out from the other side.

My chest rises as I inhale through my mouth and exhale through my nose. "You've survived much worse than her, Daisy. Just smile and agree. You love your job," I say to myself before twisting the handle and stepping into the office of the she-devil otherwise known as Aleksandraa. I think her parents knew she'd need the extra A for asshole. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, come in. Sit down," Aleksandraa says without looking up from her computer screen.

I sit and wait for what feels like an hour, but is more likely ten minutes. When she finally turns her attention to me, her smile is forced, and I know I've done something to displease her.

"Last week's reports were lacking detail."

"What sort of detail?" I ask, because I know for a fact my reports on my girls are most certainly not lacking detail.

"Detail," she repeats like it's the meaning of the word that I'm not understanding. "I don't know if these clients of yours are actually making progress or not. What are you doing with them? If they're not improving, then we need to refer them to someone else. Someone who can actually help them."

"My clients are progressing," I'm quick to defend. No way is she attacking the quality of my work. I'm literally the only one in this office who does this job because I want to help these girls.

"How would I know that? Like I said, your reports are lacking detail. If I don't see something more tangible, I will reassign them and provide you with some easier cases," she says.

"I don't need easier cases. I assure you, Aleksandraa, my clients are making progress," I tell her.

"I hope for your sake that that's true," she says before returning to her computer monitor. "You can leave now."

I wait until I've closed her door before I utter the one word that's running through my head. "Bitch." Then I stalk back to my office and slump in my chair just in time to hear the phone on my desk ring. I'm ready for this day to be over. I really am. Picking up the handle, I bring the handset to my ear. "Good afternoon, this is Daisy Blake."

"Ms Blake, this is Principal Jen. I'm calling about Carly Donaldson," she says.

"What happened?" I ask. I can't stand this principal, but I will take the time to talk to her if it means helping Carly.

"She hasn't turned up to school for two days. I've attempted to contact her parents to no avail, and Carly's personal cell is switched off."

"Two days? Okay, I'll see if I can track her down. Thank you for letting me know."

"When you do, remind her that attendance is mandatory, and if she's to miss any more days, her enrolment here will be revoked."

I don't get to respond to that because the principal hangs up with a loud click. Well, fuck you too, I think to myself. Then I pick up my phone and try Carly's number. It goes straight to voicemail.

I pull up her parents' contact information next and try them, until her mother finally answers on the third ring. "Hello."

"Hello, Mrs Donaldson, this is Daisy Blake. I'm trying to get a hold of Carly but can't seem to get through on her mobile. Is she at home with you by any chance?" I ask, keeping my tone light.

"Oh, she's… at her grandmother's. I'll let her know to call you when she can. They don't have great service where she is."

"Okay, when are you expecting her back?"

"Next week," Carly's mother says.

"Okay, thank you." The call disconnects, and I throw my phone into my bag with a huff. Something is off about that woman. I can't remember Carly ever mentioning having a grandmother. That's not to say she doesn't have one, but I have a feeling her mother was trying to hide something. I just don't know what it is.

I walk out of the office for the day while contemplating driving past Carly's house. Maybe I can come up with an excuse to go and knock on their front door… By the time I get to my car, I've talked myself out of it and decided I'll keep trying to call my client over the weekend. Just as I turn the key to start the engine, my phone lights up and I grab it to see a message from Gabe lighting up my screen.

Gabe:

Don't make plans tonight. I'm coming over and we are fucking all night long.

Me:

That's awfully presumptuous of you, Gabrielle.

I turn my camera on, lift my blouse away from my chest, snap a photo of my cleavage, and send it to him.

Me:

I'll be home in twenty.

Gabe:

Fuck, now I'm driving with a hard-on.

I set my phone down on the centre console and plug my seat belt in before pulling out onto the street. The entire drive back to my apartment, my body is humming with anticipation of what Gabe is going to do to me. I park in the underground garage, walk over to the elevator, and find Gabe leaning against the wall.

When he sees me, he pushes off and saunters in my direction. I don't get a chance to say a word before his mouth is descending on mine. Gabe claims my lips like he owns them, like he owns me. The thought doesn't repulse me like it should. The fact that the idea of belonging to him doesn't have me running for the hills scares the crap out of me. But all thoughts fly out of my head the moment his hand grips the base of my neck to deepen the kiss.

When he pulls away again, I'm breathless and dazed. That's the effect he has on me. "Fuck, I missed you," he says, dropping his forehead against mine for a brief moment.

I move back, take his hand, and press the button to call the elevator. I feel like an awkward teenager about to fool around with a boy for the first time. I don't know what it is about him that has me so out of sorts. I can feel his stare burning into the side of my face. I don't look at him. Instead, I step into the elevator when the doors open before pulling him behind me. Neither of us says a thing as the lift ascends to my floor. Gabe steps out first and tugs me towards my apartment.

"Key?" he asks while holding out a palm.

I sift through my bag, pull out my keys, and hand them over to him, holding up the one that opens my door.

Once we're inside, Gabe leads me into the living room. "Sit down," he says.

I look at him and smirk. "You know I'm not a dog, right? You can't just order me around." Although it is kind of hot. But I'm not going to admit that to him.

"Daisy, sit your pretty ass down on the sofa," he grinds out.

"Well, since you called me pretty," I huff and plop myself on one of the cushions.

Gabe sits on the coffee table right in front of me. "What happened today?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what happened today that made you stressed?" he says.

My brows furrow. How on earth could he possibly know I had a bad day?

"It was a shitty day. Nothing I haven't had to deal with before and nothing that won't happen again. Lucky for me, it's the weekend so I'm going to forget about my bitch of a boss and enjoy two days of peace."

"What she do? What's her name?" he questions.

"It doesn't matter. She just accused me of not doing my job properly. It's fine. I'll get over it, and I'm sure she will too."

"What else?"

I sigh. "I have a client I can't find. But that's confidential, and I can't talk to you about the girls I help."

"You only help girls? Ever counsel a guy?" He lifts a devious brow while a smirk plays on his lips.

"As much as I agree that you need a therapist, Gabe, no, I'm not gonna counsel you."

"Cute, but it's not me," he says, which I must admit has me intrigued.

"Who?"

"Never mind. This girl you can't find, you got a mobile number for her?" he asks instead of answering my question.

"I do."

"Give it to me. I'll get you her location within minutes," he says.

"No, I'm not doing that."

"Why not? You want to find her, don't you?"

"I do, but I'm not going to break the law, put my job on the line, and have you do something that's more than likely illegal to get me the info I need," I say. "Besides, I thought you came here for a booty call? If you really want to help me, you can make me come. That would help a lot right now."

"Have you got any throat lozenges handy?" Gabe asks.

"Ah, probably in the cabinet above the fridge. Why?"

"Because you're going to need them after I make you scream all night." He winks and stands, pulling me up with him.

Gabe drags me through the small hallway and into my bedroom. Within minutes, we're both naked and I'm bent over the edge of the bed with my ass in the air for him. My feet flat on the floor.

"Fuck, this is a sight I'm never going to tire of seeing."

I turn my head to look at him. "Gabriel, fuck me. Now."

"As you wish," he says while lining his now-sheathed cock with my entrance. Then, with one hard thrust, he's buried inside me. Stretching me out in the best possible way. "Fuck, you feel so damn good," he grinds out as he slides back so that just the tip is left inside my pussy.

A moan—or maybe he's right and it's more of a scream—spills from my lips when he slams back in again. I don't know what he's hitting, but I don't want him to stop. I rise up on my tiptoes and push my ass back into him, trying to urge him to go faster.

"Someone's pussy is a bit greedy tonight," Gabe says before he leans over and bites down on my shoulder. "You need to learn that you don't call the shots here, baby. I do. I'll fuck you as hard or soft as I want. As fast or slow as I want. And you're going to fucking love every minute of it," he growls into my ear.

"Argh, Gabe, fucking make me come," I hiss out.

Gabe straightens up again, and then he's fucking me like a man possessed. He doesn't stop. It's not soft and slow. It's rough, hard, and fast. Exactly how I want it. How I need it. Within minutes, I'm coming. My body is alight with pleasure, as what I know is only my first orgasm of many crashes into me.