In a moment of sheer disbelief, I find myself face to face with Cash Maddox.
The CEO of Invested Enterprises. Multibillionaire and investment guru. Fiercely private third son of Benjamin
Maddox, one of those old school New York moguls whose family gets mentioned in the same sentences as the
Rockefellers or the Vanderbilts.
A beast in bed. One of the most “eligible bachelors” in Manhattan, along with his brothers, according to
Emma.
Ace. As he stands from his chair, he looks just as devastatingly handsome as he did that night in Hawaii—no,
scratch that. He looks better. He looks dark and powerful and freaking dazzling in his suit, with the city view as his
backdrop. He radiates alpha male power and unimaginable success.
I’ve manifested a lot of shit lately, but there is no way on the planet this can actually be happening. My brain
is short-circuiting.
But then it slowly revs up again. And it occurs to me that, if I do want to ke ep this job—which I desperately do
because it’s not only my dream but also my life raft at this point—then I absolutely cannot do... what I want to do.
Which is to walk over to where Ace is sitting and climb onto his lap. And kiss him.
And unzip his pants. And take that enormous, hot, thick manhood he’s packing in my hands, just like I did in
Hawaii. Like I was ready to do in my dream before he disappeared.
God. He guided—no, forced but I was so willing—me into positions I’d never even heard of. His cock was so
big and so de ep as he growled dirty words.
“That’s it, Texas. Fucking ride me. Fuck yeah, baby girl. Look how damn gorgeous you are. Your pussy’s so
wet and tight around my big cock. You feel so fucking good.”
But I don’t. I can’t. I won’t. Because he’s now my boss. “It’s you,” I manage to gasp. He walks closer. God,
he’s beautiful. Those freaking muscles under that to-die-for suit. The broad shoulders. The hint of shadow across
his square jaw. Just... all man.
“You said you were from Dallas.” The accusation has a grumpy edge and the bass notes of his de ep voice
bring back a rush of filthy, delicious flashbacks that make me instantly wet. Damn it!
“Austin, actually,” I admit. I’d almost forgotten how ridiculously handsome he is.
“Why the fuck would you—” he starts, but the door opens with a flourish of here-I-am! energy.
Penelope walks in, chattering brightly. “I am so sorry about that little hold-up. Mr. Maddox, have you met
Dusty Rose, our newest junior analyst? She’s going to be working on Evan’s team. Dusty, this is Mr. Cash
Maddox, our CEO.”
Ace walks over and reaches for my hand, to shake it. His strong grip sends a thrilling little jolt up my arm and
a flurry of butterflies to erupt in my stomach. Even blinded I would recognize his electrifying touch. And that
scent. God, he smells good. Leather and mint and that pure, uncut man- spice that’s all Ace’s.
He’s just completely, totally intoxicating. Especially since I know what it feels like when he unleashes that
gigantic orgasm-wand he’s got stuffed
down his pants.
What I really want to do is to cling to his broad chest and breathe him in.
I found him! I don’t, obviously. Ace’s gaze holds mine. An entire silent conversation passes between us before
I pull my hand from his. The loss of contact feels like an ice bath after a blazing sauna. But I have to be realistic.
This is my entire career on the line.
“Dusty Rose,” he says, slowly, his eyes burning me with their intensity. “It’s a pleasure.” I can hear in those
husky tones of the word “pleasure” all the intimate things he did to me. Biting. Licking. Pinning me under his
weight. Groaning as he came.
“And you, Mr. Maddox.” My voice sounds steady enough, despite the chaos thumping through my heart. I
need to ke ep this professional. I need to remember why I’m here.
“We’re glad to have you on board,” Ace says, and there’s a hint of steel behind his tone.
Fine. Good. I can play it that way. He’s right. We’ll pretend like nothing ever happened. I’m glad we can
agree on that. “Thank you. I’m excited to be here.”
But then, as soon as Penelope’s back is turned, his gaze turns darker. He’s challenging me, daring me to react
to him.
Penelope seems oblivious to the insane sexual tension in the air—I can only hope.
Can she tell my panties are saturated at the thought of fucking my boss right here on his mahogany desk?
Penelope clasps her hands together. “We’ve got some final contractual things to go over so we’ll leave you to
it, Mr. Maddox.” I’m wondering if his tone has caused her to cut this meeting short.
Thank God. I need to get out of here before I melt into a puddle on the floor.
As we leave Ace’s office, I make a point of not glancing back at him. Which is borderline impossible.
Somehow I manage to do it but I can feel his eyes on my back like laser beams.
I exhale with relief when the door closes behind us and Penelope rambles on about the office perks as we take
the elevator to the upper level.
I nod and smile and try to give the right responses.
We spent one night together months ago. It’s over. He’s not Ace anymore. He’s Cash Maddox.
For the sake of my career and my sanity, Cash Maddox needs to remain absolutely, totally,
completely—without even considering any relapses whatsoever, at all, under any circumstances—off-limits.