Chapter Six: Let your imagination run wild.

I am not in a good mood this morning. I’ve been pissed off since the first night Alyssa hung up on me again. She’s lucky I’d had a couple of drinks and couldn’t drive over to her place. Nothing irks me more than being hung up on and ignored, especially by someone who works for me. I could have been a complete ass and fired her, but I won’t. No matter how pissed off I am, I still have a strong urge to get under her skin and make her want me. If she really wanted to, I could have her in my bed by tonight, but I have no idea what I’m capable of. Last night was a small teaser. I want her to come this weekend with me, so I need to tread lightly.

I am sitting in my office, waiting for Alyssa to arrive with my coffee. I told her I needed her an hour early this morning. I didn’t, but she doesn’t need to know that. I will find something for her to do. I am curious how she will react to me after last night.

A knock on my office door grabs my attention. I smirk, “Come in.”

My office door opens, and Alyssa walks in with my coffee in her hand. “Good morning, Mr. Sutton,” she says politely with a smile.

“Good morning, Miss Corbet.”

I am taken aback by how casual and polite she is being. She comes over to my desk and hands me my coffee.

“What do you need from me since you asked me to come in early?” she asks softly.

Shit! I should have come up with something before she arrived. Or I can be honest with her and watch her get mad at me again. Yes, I like the latter.

I smirk, “Nothing.”

I watch her entire face change from calm to annoyed. “Are you serious? You made me come in an hour early for nothing? Why?” she says through gritted teeth.

She is trying hard not to lose her temper since she is under my command. I stand from my desk and confidently stroll toward her, getting close. She takes a step back, but nearly trips. I quickly wrap my arms around her to stop her from falling.

I pull her against my chest, and she gasps, “Careful, Mr. Sutton.”

She stares up at me through her long, dark lashes, with pretty, bright blue eyes that almost match the color of the ocean. I find myself staring back down at her, not saying a word; our heavy breathing is the only sound to be heard.

My tongue darts along my lips, and Alyssa mirrors my actions.

“W-w-why did you tell me to come in?” she whispers.

I reach in and stroke the hair away from her face, “Punishment.”

I hear her gulp, “P-p-punishment?”

“Yes, it is what I said.”

She anxiously chews on her lip, “What does that even mean?”

I smirk and back away from her, “Let your imagination run wild, kitten.”

I take a few steps back and admire the mess I have made. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes dark, and her breathing is heavier, almost panting. Oh, I could make her such a mess so easily.

I return to my desk. Alyssa stands there and stares at me, not saying a word; by the look on her face, she is still processing what I said.

“Dismissed,” I say and focus on my screen.

She mutters under her breath, words I can’t make out, but storms off to her office, slamming the door behind her. I chuckle to myself, but she knows the rules: the door stays open unless I am the one who closes it. I don’t like how she thinks she can start to break the rules.

I stroll over and open it. She glares at me from her desk.

“You know the rules. Door opened, unless I am the one to close it,” I state firmly.

“Yes, Sir,” she says, but each word dripping with sarcasm.

“Stop with the attitude, kitten,” I warn.

She rolls her eyes at me, “Stop with the inappropriate names.”

My palms twitch at my sides. I draw in a breath to calm myself before I do or say something stupid.

“Don’t close the door again,” I snap and retake my place at my desk.

She is probably cursing me under her breath. I groan and run my fingers through my hair. I need to focus on work, but it isn’t going to be easy with everything that has happened since last night and the culprit sitting next door. I need to get it together. I need to spend time with her to find her a dress. She should not be getting under my skin so easily. No one can get under my skin the way she seems to be. It is frustrating the hell out of me.

I need to get laid and cleanse my mind of Alyssa. I will call someone later once I am done. Casual sex gives me enough to scratch the itch, but I really need to find someone who can give me more. I need someone new who either knows what I need or is willing to be taught. I make it worth it for them, but I haven’t found a person worthy as of yet and haven’t had one in a while. I should probably get back on the scene before I do something stupid and decide the person to be Alyssa. It would be a bad idea—an idea I shouldn’t even be having.

I groan and run my fingers through my hair. I don’t know how our shopping time will go, especially because of her stubbornness. I will pick what she will wear, and she will need to accept that. I need her in a dress appropriate for the event. It is important to make everyone believe she is my girlfriend. The woman I choose to be with needs to be of a certain standard, and everyone knows that. Alyssa will seem like the perfect woman I would choose to be with. Call me egotistical, but I know what I want. My standards are high in all aspects of my life, and I will not apologize for it. I worked my ass off to get to where I am; I have the right to want the best. If someone doesn’t like it, then they can leave. It is their problem, not mine.