CHAPTER TEN

KNOX

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My team of twelve,plus Payton the damn sex kitten—which I only call her in my head, for the record - sit around the boardroom table waiting for my presentation on the screen in front of them to start.

I click through the slides, my chair pushed away from the table, and my ankle propped up on my knee and begin.

“This is the new timeline we’re working to. While the wider teams know it’s coming, we haven’t briefed them yet,” I say, swiveling to look back at my team. “We should have.”

I’m not appointing blame, but I need them all to understand that we are now well behind where we should be.

“Can we use some of last year’s content?” Mindy asks.

“No.” I shake my head. “If we were Gap, sure. But we’re not.” I shouldn’t have to fucking spell that out, but she’s not a senior member of my team, so I let it go. “The framework can be and should be used, but what we need is a creative campaign from StoryCraft.”

I glance over at Payton.

Reluctantly.

She’s obviously warm and has taken off her jacket and I have full visibility of those round globes housed inside her tank top.

“Mindy, can you get the air conditioning looked at in here,” I growl. “And make an appointment with the design team for Payton and I next week.”

“Michael, take Payton through the digital designs in the meantime. Then work together to create a brief for StoryCraft and send it to me for sign off by Friday.”

“Yes, sir,” Michael says, taking notes.

Payton nods, looking like a deer in headlights. Jesus, I hope she’s up to this.

I flick to another slide, which highlights last year’s launch, complete with data to show the results.

“Payton, we are looking for improvements on these numbers this year.” I use the remote to point at the screen as I twist my head to her. “Please make sure that your team have the monitoring in place for all forms of media, and that we get the report no later than a month post launch.”

“No problem,” she replies and taps on her laptop.

“I want a first concept presentation by next week.”

Her mouth falls open.

God, I wish she wouldn’t do that. Those lips of hers are beginning to haunt me.

I spin back and flick through the rest of the slides, showing them other examples of our launches and some from our competitors.

“Flounce is launching two weeks after we do. I want our name on everyone’s lips so that no matter what they do, it’s a disappointment,” I say, clicking the screen off.

This launch is important to our sales, but I am potently aware that it also speaks to me as a leader in the organization. I need it to come off without a hitch if I am to be taken seriously for my father’s job.

Payton is playing a key role in this.

So no matter how much I want to keep my distance, I need to work closely with her to make sure this launch is an enormous success.

“This is very exciting,” Payton says. “We can work to these timelines and I’m confident that working together we can start shaping a concept that will become another fantastic StoryCraft and Verity Co. collaboration.”

My team is encouraged and I watch as they brainstorm ideas. Payton takes notes and adds her own thoughts.

I’ll be honest, I’m impressed.

She’s creative, positive, and, yes, sexy as fuck.

Eventually, the room begins to empty out while I’m scrolling on my phone. I glance up and notice only Payton and Mindy are left.

Standing, I slide my phone into my pocket and hold the door open. Mindy walks through first, and without thinking, I turn back to get my laptop.

Because of my size, I’m blocking the doorway with my body, so Payton plows right into me. I catch her, my hands gripping her arms, as the door closes behind us.

“Shit, sorry.” She gasps.

God, to hear her gasp as I slam my cock inside her.

Wrong. Nope. Do not think shit like that.

“Jesus,” I mutter, slowly running my hands down her bare skin as our eyes connect. The air crackles as the chemistry I’m trying so hard to ignore slaps me in the face.

Unlike Stacey and Selena, Payton is a subordinate, and I don’t like that I have power over her.

Bullshit.

I love how she pants and would love nothing more than to push her against the boardroom table, lifting her onto it and yanking that proper skirt of hers up to her waist. Then I’d tear her tank down the fucking middle so that finally I can wrap my mouth around her nipples.

But that is not happening.

Not today.

Not ever.

Six weeks and she is gone.

“Do you have any questions?” I clear my throat.

“No.” Payton shakes her head and takes a small step back.

I follow.

Fuck.

I don’t know why I do it, but I don’t want space between us, and I like seeing the desire she has for me in her eyes. I want her lying under me, filled with me, begging me.

God, I cannot let the allure of this woman fuck this up for me. This is my company and my future. Her pussy can’t be that damn good.

Suddenly I’m pissed with myself for crossing the line. I need an excuse for cornering her.

One that doesn’t include my cock.

“Before you leave, I need you to know we’re not the client you fake until you make it with, Ms. Mills,” I say darkly. “You’ll be working closely with me to ensure this launch is the best Verity Co. has ever achieved.”

She swallows and I watch her throat.

Damn her.

Then her chin lifts.

“StoryCraft is the best agency in the city and, as I told your team, I’m not working on this project alone. I have an amazing team behind me. I will not let you down, Mr. Montgomery,” Payton says.

I groan inwardly. The last thing I need is my kitten to become a tiger because then I will want to break her.

One orgasm at a time.

Wait... my sex kitten? I’m losing control here and I don’t like it.

“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”

I don’t think we are. My cock is thickening, and all the blood is leaving my bigger brain. How am I going to stop desiring for this woman for six long weeks?

Then she is gone.

I swear to fucking god, if I last that long and we get this launch done, Payton Mills is gone. I will end the damn StoryCraft contract if I must.

“Is that everything, sir?” Payton blinks.

No, it’s not all. I want you on your knees like I saw in my fantasy. I want you to suck my cock and beg me to fill your pussy.

Also, I need her to stop calling me sir, or this last thread of control I have will snap.

“Yes. For now.” I step to the side, and she brushes past me.

My eyes close as I inwardly curse. Looks like it’s me and my fist again tonight.

FEELING LIKE I needto confess my sins or make up for what I’d like to do with Payton Mills, I stop by my father’s office on the way out the door.

“Hey.”

“Knox,” Ward says, turning from his computer. “How’s the new account director from StoryCraft working out?”

“Good,” I say, taking a couple more steps inside. I rest my ass against the back of one of the two-seater sofas and cross my arms. “She has a great attitude.” And ass. “We worked through timelines with the team today.”

“What do you think?” he asks, walking over to his cabinet and pouring a drink. He lifts the crystal decanter, offering me one.

“No thanks. I’m off to the gym.”

“Didn’t you go this morning?” Ward asks.

Yes, but I have some testosterone to work off and when I’m lifting weights, I’m not jerking off. Seems like an effective use of my time.

“No,” I lie, then get back on topic. “I am confident we can do this. StoryCraft is an excellent agency.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ward says. “I will stop by and meet her during the week.”

I still.

I really hope he doesn’t. He’ll take one look at her and know I’m attracted to her.

But then again, maybe that’s not a bad thing. If I can show him that I can keep it in my pants around someone as gorgeous as Payton, then it will go a long way to prove I’m worthy of the CEO position.

I was about to tell him I would attend the industry gala on Friday night.

I still am.

Now I’m going to surprise both him and me.

“So, I know I opted out of the gala at the board meeting last month, but I’ve decided I’ll attend for you on Friday.”

“Oh.” Ward sips his drink and stands with his legs wide, studying me.

Why do I feel like he can see right through my plan?

“I’ll take the new account manager with me. She can meet a few people and get a feel for what an event in our field of work is like.”

He nods slowly. “I’m sure that will benefit her.”

“Okay, well, I’m going to head out. Just wanted to update you. Save an email. All that.”

“Thanks, son,” Ward says, tossing back the last of his drink.

Jesus. Why do I feel like I just committed another sin, not confessed?

Perhaps because I just did.

I step into the elevator and let out a curse. I’m taking Payton on a fucking date on Friday.

What could go wrong?