CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Two days.

That's as long as it took for me to make up my mind.

Correction—that's as long as it took for Jake to help make up my mind.

The sneaky bastard that I call my boss promised not to pressure me.

Instead, he told my son about the promotion.

Which basically devolved into Jake following me around to ask why I hadn't said ‘yes'.

And no matter how much I argued it, my little guy always came back with the same answer—Bash and I loved one another.

So on Wednesday morning, I grab two coffees from the café and head straight up to Bash's office.

I knock—hard lesson learned—and wait for him to call me in.

He does, but I note that Bash is on the phone. I shut the door behind me and sit down.

When he hangs up, I fold my hands in my lap and take a deep breath.

"I've decided to take the promotion."

Bash's mouth hangs open. "What?"

"Having trouble with English this morning, Mr. Ettin?"

He mock glares, getting out of his seat to skirt around his desk and loom over me.

"You said you wouldn't answer me until tomorrow afternoon."

"Eh, I like to keep you on your toes."

"Mm, I see. So when you say that you're accepting this promotion, does it mean…"

"I'm accepting your offer to be partner at Boggleworks because that's all you officially offered. If you were implying more, then you'll have to be more explicit."

"That sounds like a challenge."

"It was—good luck."

With this, I saunter out of Bash's office, knowing everything is about to change.

But for the first time, it feels like it'll be for the better.

I arrive to work early on Friday morning per Bash's request.

Yesterday, he sent out a company-wide email detailing my promotion.

Everyone has been nothing but congratulatory.

But then again, they don't know I'm sleeping with the CEO who just made me partner.

Bash's door is open, and he senses my presence before I say anything.

A giant smile splits his lips, revealing the sharp, white points of his teeth.

Behind him, his tail whips back and forth, almost as if it's wagging.

"Ready to see your new space?"

"Ready."

"This way."

To my surprise, he leads me to the spacious office right next door to his.

"I thought this was reserved for your corporate lawyer?"

"Only because no one was using it. Lawrence has his own office in another building a couple of blocks away."

The interior is decorated in gorgeous hues of wisteria and cream, complementing the dark wood of my new desk.

Behind it sits an expanse of windows that overlook the city.

The view is breathtaking, and I'm nearly giddy with the knowledge that I get to look at it every day I work here now.

My chair is one of those ergonomic monstrosities that look more complicated than comfortable, but when I sink into it, it molds to my body like it was made for me.

I swivel slowly, absorbing my new room and everything that it entails.

More money.

A better future.

Something deeper with Bash.

As if reading my mind, he shuts the door, locking it before crooking his finger at me.

"Come here."

Slowly, I rise out of my chair and make my way to him.

His huge, clawed hand finds mine, tugging me forward.

The ease with which his fingers interlock with mine suggests I'm the missing puzzle piece in his life.

A smile unfurls on my face, and Bash's lights up in delight. A lump forms in my throat.

This amazing man did all this—for me.

"So you like the room?"

"Like it—Bash, I love it."

"Only the best for my partner."

He caresses my hair before encircling his hand around my throat.

Before I know it, my back is against the wall, and the air wheezes from my throat.

Bash's thumb strokes my cheek, sending shivers through me.

The air in my new office grows tense as electricity zips through my body.

"Have I ever told you how gorgeous and amazing I think you are?"

I nod limply, unable to move my lips to form the words.

My boss—no, partner—growls as his shape blurs, the edges of him softening with the intensity of what he's feeling between us.

It's mesmerizing, like watching shadows dance on the wall.

"Do you have any idea how much I've dreamed of you inside of this room, being mine?"

My heart flutters as he leans his head down close enough to brush his lips over my cheek.

"How long?" I manage to whisper on a gasp as he continues to seduce me.

"Too long to count. And now that you are, tell me—are you mine?"

His pink gaze locks onto mine, and I lick my lips before responding.

"I am, but only if you're mine."

"Always," he says without hesitation. "I want you so much, deoring, I can't see straight."

"Then show me."

It's all the invitation he needs. His hands frame my face, tilting my head back.

His mouth claims mine, full of fervent hunger that makes my head swim.

We're instantly lost in each other, a tangle of limbs and longing.

My back presses against the freshly painted wall as Bash kisses a fiery trail down my neck.

Sparks course through my veins, making every part of me throb with need.

"Fuck, Wyn, you taste divine."

His voice vibrates against my skin, a physical touch that sends shivers spiraling straight to my clit.

I moan at the contact, my fingers gripping the lapels of his blazer.

The kiss becomes hot and insistent, full of the familiar burning desire that consumes me whenever we touch.

Bash's other hand traces down the side of me, resting on my hip.

His touch is fire, and I'm melting under it. In this moment, he owns me.

And I never want it to end.

Every stroke of his tongue against mine reminds me that this man wants me—needs me.

He pulls back to undo the buttons on my blouse, revealing my black silk bra.

Bash hums low in his throat, his mouth descending over one of my nipples.

My knees threaten to buckle, but my monster always supports me—now and in everything else.

Waves of pleasure cascade through my entire being when Bash tugs my bra back to feast on my exposed flesh.

The connection between us reaches dizzying heights.

It's like I'm teetering on the edge of an exquisite explosion of sensation that only Bash can create.

"More," I beg.

He looks up at me, his pink gaze bright as liquid pleasure pools in my stomach.

Without hesitation, he leans back up, capturing my lips in another deeply passionate kiss.

In these stolen seconds, nothing else exists but us, lost in our rapture—our love.

A knock on the door jolts us apart, and I quickly right my clothes and sit down in my new chair as Bash opens the door.

Sarah walks in, all smiles to congratulate me on my promotion.

I strain my ears to see if I can hear an undercurrent of sarcasm in her tone, but the CAO appears to be genuine.

Bash continues to grin, so I'm inclined to think Sarah bears me no ill will for my new position.

She asks if I want to get lunch before telling Bash that Marcie is looking for him.

When she leaves, my monster goes to shut the door—perhaps to resume what was interrupted—but his receptionist calls for him.

He hangs his head in resignation.

"Rain check?"

I smirk. "Absolutely. Come find me when you're free…I'm just an office away."

We giggle like naughty children as he slinks away.

Once Bash is gone, I turn to my computer, excited to work.

In truth, my focus is still marketing but with a much larger salary.

My phone buzzes, displaying a text from Mrs. Jenkins that a woman stopped by to see me.

Apparently, the woman didn't give her name, just that she'd be back later.

The back of my neck prickles, but I ignore it. For too long, I've always assumed the worst.

And I refuse to keep living my life in that pattern.

Thirty minutes to five, I grab my purse and go over to Bash's office.

It's empty but his receptionist is still at her desk.

"Hey, Marcie, do you know where Bash is?"

"He had an emergency meeting."

"Oh, I hope everything's alright. I'll call him later."

"Have a good weekend, Wyn."

"You, too, thank you!"

I pull out my phone to call Bash, but note that it's dead.

The blank screen stares back at me, and I could've swore that it was charged.

Not having access to Mrs. Jenkins makes me anxious, and I fidget the entire way home.

To my relief, when I get to my apartment, Jake dashes into my arms.

"Mom!"

"?hi?k?í! How was your day?"

"It was good! How's your new office?"

"Big! I have lots of empty space to put up your pictures."

Mrs. Jenkins comes into view, clearing her throat.

I can tell something is wrong, so I set Jake down to go back to his Legos.

"That woman is back."

Before I can respond, a ghost from my past rounds the corner.

The room spins, throwing everything off-kilter, and my vision tunnels.

A wave of dread slams into me, thick and cloying, and I try to breathe but can't.

Because my ex is back.