When He Desires: A Dark Mafia Romance (Fallen God Book 1)
When He Desires: Chapter 23

The desk I’m sitting at belongs to Pete Wiley, Handy Heroes’ project manager. His son, Jake, was in the same class as me in middle school. He had bright-red hair, crooked front teeth, and a bright-blue backpack that someone stole from him one day.

Guess who got blamed for it?

Yep, me.

Someone emptied his backpack, took his pens and notebooks, and stuffed the empty backpack into my locker. It fell out as soon as I opened the locker during recess. I can still see Jake’s furious face as he charged at me and called me a dirty thief in front of what felt like the entire school.

No one believed me when I said it wasn’t me. I’d never broken a single rule until then, but it felt like everyone was waiting for me to mess up, and that day, they finally got their wish.

I was sure Mom would pick me up when the principal called, but she got the call when my dad was around, and he came instead. I heard the roar of his bike from where I was waiting outside the principal’s office. The receptionist gave me a dirty look and muttered something about the apple not falling far from the tree.

Her words were a sharp sting right in the chest.

There’s an aged-up photo of Jake framed on Pete’s desk. When Judy gets up to get herself another cup of coffee, I flip it face down.

“How’s it coming along?” she asks when she comes back around, steaming mug in hand. “Do you have any questions?”

“All good. Just waiting for this file to open.” I point at the screen. “It must be a big one since it’s taking a while.”

Judy looks at the monitor. “Oh yes. That happens sometimes. Just make sure not to exit out while it’s doing its thing, or the computer might freeze.”

“Got it.”

She gives me a smile and flips through the pile of documents I’ve printed out and meticulously labeled over the last few hours. “You’re a quick study. You ever think about what you might want to do after you get tired of working at Frostbite? You’ve been there for a while, haven’t you?”

“Almost four years.” Brett and I started dating when I was about a year into the job. It felt weird to date my boss at first, but I got used to it. In fact, I thought it was nice we got to see each other every day.

I should have spent more time thinking about the downsides of that arrangement if anything ever went wrong between us.

The power Brett still has over me is driving me crazy. It’s ridiculous that he can decide to not let me earn any money, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

In some ways, I’m glad Rowan dragged me to work with him this morning. Not that I’d ever admit to it. He was heavy-handed and bossy when he declared he wasn’t leaving without me. But at least now that I’m here, I can be useful. It’s better to have something to do rather than sit around his house and do nothing.

There’s a fluttering sensation deep inside my belly every time I remember how he said, “I won’t be able to focus on my work if I’m worried about you, Sunshine.”

Worried about me? I thought there was a high chance he’d kick me to the curb when he found out about Uncle Lyle. Instead, the man’s worried about me.

It’s…sweet.

“Well, keep up the good work,” Judy says with a smile before patting my shoulder and walking back to her own desk.

She’s nice. So is Arnie, who spent a half hour showing me how to use the printer. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s not that everyone treats me like dirt all the time, but I can usually sense people’s underlying disdain even if they try to hide it under a layer of politeness.

Judy and Arnie seem genuine. Still, I can’t help but wonder if they’re acting this way because Rowan introduced me as his girlfriend. He’s their boss, after all.

Lunchtime comes around, and as if on cue, my stomach starts growling. I get up and stretch my limbs. I could definitely eat.

Rowan hasn’t come out of his office all morning. I’m wondering if I should pop inside to see if he wants me to grab him lunch when a woman walks through the front door.

She’s gorgeous. Shiny black hair, full lips, legs for days. She’s wearing an expensive-looking coat with a faux fur collar, tight jeans, and high-heeled leather boots.

Arnie gives her a wave from his seat. “Hi there. Can I help you?”

The woman gives him a perfunctory smile. “I’m Vanessa. Your boss and I have a meeting.”

“He’s waiting for you in his office.”

She floats past Judy and me, filling my nostrils with her floral perfume, before giving Rowan’s door two quick knocks.

His voice filters through the door. “Come in.”

“Hey, big guy!”

My brows shoot up as Vanessa steps into his office and shuts the door behind her.

Big guy?

“Who is she?” The question bursts out of me before I can stop it.

Arnie moves some papers around his desk. “A sales rep from one of our tile suppliers.”

“Very pushy,” Judy mutters. “I think she’s eager to hit her quota for the quarter.”

I think she might be eager for a lot more than that.

I sink back down in my chair. Suddenly, I’m not hungry anymore.

“Do you two want to grab some sandwiches from Millie’s?” Arnie asks.

“That’s a great idea,” Judy says, stretching her arms above her head. “Would you like to join us, Blake?”

I shoot her a distracted smile. “I think I’ll grab something later. I want to wrap this task up so that I don’t get confused.”

“We can bring you something back?” she offers.

“Sure, that would be great.”

I’m not proud to admit it, but I’m almost happy when they leave. It makes eavesdropping on the meeting in Rowan’s office much easier.

If only the walls were a bit thinner. I can’t make out what they’re saying, save for a few words.

But I hear the laughter. Mostly Vanessa’s. Then Rowan’s too.

A pit opens up in my stomach, and in it swirls a foreign feeling.

It takes me a moment to realize what it is.

I’m…jealous?

My cheeks heat. I have no right to feel jealous. We’re not actually dating, so why is hearing him laugh with that woman making me so irrationally upset?

I know why. He promised he wouldn’t get involved with anyone while we’re pretending. Maybe I should have clarified exactly what that meant.

For me, that means no flirting. And that amount of laughter feels a lot like flirting.

You’re being crazy, a voice in my head advises.

But the pit keeps growing, and when Vanessa’s high-pitched laugh turns into a giggle, I can’t take it anymore.

I make a quick detour through the kitchenette before I burst through his office door.

“Hey. I thought you might want some more coffee?”

Rowan’s head snaps to look at me.

The first thing I notice is that there’s a whole desk between the two of them. The image of Vanessa pressed up to Rowan’s chest that my mind conjured up a second ago disappears in a poof.

The second thing I notice is that Vanessa’s fancy coat is slung over the back of her chair, and beneath is a sexy silky blouse that shows off her ample cleavage.

The simmering jealousy heats to a boil.

Rowan glances at the clock on the wall. “I don’t usually drink coffee after noon.”

Starting today, he does.

I walk over to him, a tense smile on my lips. “Is it already that late?”

Whatever he detects in my expression makes his eyes flash. “I guess it’s only ten minutes after.”

“And who’s this?” Vanessa asks.

My hip brushes against Rowan’s arm as I place the cup of coffee on the desk in front of him.

Jesus. You can literally see her lacy black bra peeking through the gap in her blouse.

What can only be described as some primal, animal instinct takes over my mind and body. I know I’m not thinking straight, but I can’t help it as everything in me demands I stake a claim.

Rowan taps his fingers against the desk. “This is Blake Wolfe. She’s helping us out today.”

“A new employee?”

“No, she’s…” His words drift off into a stunned silence as I sink lower and perch myself on one of the arm rests of his chair.

“His girlfriend.” My smile feels like it’s carved into my face.

Vanessa’s eyes flare with shock.

I glance at Rowan to replace him already staring at me.

His lips quirk.

“I see.” Vanessa looks like she’s swallowed something foul. “Have you…been dating for long?”

“A few weeks.” It’s amazing how easily the lie comes to me. Is Rowan going to correct me? Technically, it’s only been a few days.

Shit, I’m sliding off the arm rest. Why don’t my jeans have any grip? Oh God, I’m going to—

Rowan wraps his big hands securely around my waist and tugs me down onto his lap.

His. Lap.

“We live together,” he says calmly, as if our current position is completely normal.

Vanessa looks devastated. “Oh, wow. Sounds like a whirlwind.”

“When you know, you know,” Rowan says.

My thighs clench. Oh God. He’s playing along a bit too well. But I started it, so I have to keep it going.

I wrap an arm around his shoulders—or at least I try. I can’t quite reach the other side of his stupidly broad frame. My gaze lands on Vanessa’s half-open shirt, and I just can’t hold it back. “Cute bra, by the way.”

Her cheeks redden. She clears her throat and quickly does up a few more buttons.

I lean into Rowan and smile at her again.

Rowan slips his fingers under my T-shirt and caresses the sensitive skin just above the waistband of my jeans. A pleasant shiver coasts up my spine. “I know we’re almost out of time, Vanessa. So back to that discount.”

Wait, he’s just going back to business like I’m not here hanging off him like a koala?

Vanessa brushes her hair back from her face and sits up straighter, her face a blank mask. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be able to convince my boss to go that low.”

I’ve got to give it to her, she seems to have gathered her wits about her quickly enough.

Rowan dips his fingers behind the waistband of my jeans and pulls me a few inches closer.

Oh. The seam of my jeans digs right against my clit, and the unexpected sparks of pleasure make me bite down a gasp.

“I thought you said that kind of thing is up to your discretion,” Rowan rumbles behind me.

“Did I?” Vanessa purses her lips. “I misspoke. If you can get your orders up by about fifty percent next month, we might consider it.”

He clicks his tongue. “I doubt we’ll have that much demand in a holiday month.”

Uh, crap. Did I just cost him this negotiation?

Sweat breaks out over my back. Is he going to be mad at me?

“That’s too bad,” Vanessa says flatly.

“I understand,” Rowan says, a hint of regret in his tone. “Then I think that’s all for today, right?”

“I believe so.” She gets up to her feet.

I try to get off Rowan’s thigh, thinking he will want to see her out, but his grip on my waistband only tightens. I have to bite down on my lip not to moan from the pressure on my clit.

“Thanks for coming by. And for bringing lunch.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“Do you mind closing the door on your way out?”

Vanessa’s cheeks turn red. “Of course.”

The moment the door shuts, I become acutely aware that I’m sweating like…everywhere.

Rowan turns my face toward him with a finger on my chin. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

His gaze flickers with amusement. Or maybe irritation?

God, I can’t tell.

“You’re on my lap.”

“Correct.”

“What happened to no PDA?”

I fold my lips over my teeth. How do I explain my momentary insanity? “Well, you see, it’s important to keep our ultimate goals in mind.”

“Which are?”

“To paint a portrait of you as a reformed playboy. A man slayed by a woman.” I clear my throat. “By me.”

He moves some strands of hair off my forehead, tucking them behind my ear. “Right.” His gaze drops to my lips.

“And Vanessa was unaware of this when she walked in. And I saw how she was looking at you, and I stepped in before she could do something to damage the portrait.”

“Like what?”

A drop of sweat rolls down the valley between my breasts. “Like…seduce you.”

“Did you think she was seducing me before or after she refused to give me the fifteen-percent discount I wanted?” His fingers twitch, and then he flattens his palm against the small of my back.

“Before. After. Both.” The words come out as weak pants.

“Very interesting,” he murmurs.

“Indeed.”

“You know what else is interesting?” He looks at my mouth again.

“Hmm?” We’re very close. So close that all I would have to do is tip a bit forward for my lips to meet his.

“She’s gone,” he says in a low voice, his breath coasting over my skin. “And you’re still on my lap.”

Am I? Oh, hell, what am I doing?

I scramble off. “Sorry. I forgot.” My heart is beating right in my throat. “You’re surprisingly comfortable as a chair.”

Rowan quickly moves closer to the desk, hiding his legs underneath.

He probably wants to make sure I don’t climb up on him again.

This is mortifying.

He clears his throat and runs his fingers through his hair. “I’ve achieved my higher purpose in life.”

“Congratulations,” I choke out. “We should celebrate.”

I’ve lost it. I’ve officially lost it. God help me. What just happened?

When Rowan looks back at me, there’s a bemused smirk playing on his face.

We both know I just embarrassed myself, and that’s on top of costing him whatever negotiation he was trying to have before I barged in. Anguish blooms inside my lungs. I never do psychotic things like this—what the hell has gotten into me?

“I cost you that discount, didn’t I?” I whisper, wringing my hands.

He leans back slightly and links his hands behind his head. “Generally, it’s considered unprofessional to comment on people’s undergarments in a business setting.”

I grip my face. “Right. I can see that. Are you mad? I can’t tell.”

“Mad?” His eyes darken. “Sunshine, you climbing into my lap is more than worth the slight hit to my bottom line.”

Heat crashes through me. I stare at him open-mouthed, unsure of how to respond to that.

The door pops open. “Hey, the client— Oh, Blake.”

I whirl around. “Sam!”

He blinks at me and Rowan. “I didn’t realize you’d be here. Actually, this is great. I was just at your house with an architect. Do you have time to chat? I can tell you what we’re thinking in terms of next steps.”

I’ve never felt more overjoyed about an interruption. “I’ve got plenty of time.”

“Great. Let me just talk to Rowan real quick, and I’ll be right out.”

I hurry out of the office, not daring to look at Rowan. He’s probably still eyeing me with that knowing smirk that seems to say, Got you.