Josie is a sales associate by day and a lollipop-sucking hacker by night. She likes to stay in and feel the keys underneath her fingertips. When she decides to grace her friends at a club, she stumbles across a man who seems to send every part of he...
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I walk behind Kade's imposing figure as we enter the lobby of Romano Industries. So, his name is Kade Romano, which is very fitting.
"Keep up," he barks over his shoulder, not bothering to slow his pace. Oh, he must be really mad. I roll my eyes and pop another cherry lollipop in my mouth. If he thinks I'm going to scurry after him like some obedient puppy, he's got another thing coming. Still, I pick up my feet a bit. No need to push my luck when I'm already in hot water.
The security guard at the front desk gives me a suspicious once-over as we pass. I flash him a cheeky grin and wave. "Don't worry, I'm with the bossman."
Kade's shoulders tense, but he doesn't comment. We step into a private elevator, and he punches in a code. As we start to rise, I can feel the waves of irritation radiating off him.
"So," I say, twirling my lollipop, "Fancy place you've got here. Very Bruce Wayne. Very Tony Stark. Very—"
His intense gaze shuts me up instantly. "This isn't a game, Josie. You caused a serious security breach. I don't know what is out there in the world now. If you ever pull a stunt like that again—"
"You'll what?" I interrupt, cocking an eyebrow. "Ground me? Take away my computer privileges?"
A muscle twitches in his jaw. "I'll put you over my knee and spank you until you can't sit down for a week."
I nearly choke on my lollipop. Heat rushes to my face. "You wouldn't dare."
The elevator doors slide open with a soft ding. Kade leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Try me."
I suppress a shiver as Kade steps out of the elevator, his expensive cologne lingering in the air. As I follow him down the sleek hallway, my mind races. Sure, I'm in trouble, but I can't help feeling a little smug. After all, I managed to do what countless women have tried and failed—I got the infamous Storm to break his one-night-only rule. And if I have to cause another data breach for round three, then so be it.
"You know," I say, quickening my pace to keep up with his long strides, "For someone who claims to never sleep with the same woman twice, you sure didn't put up much of a fight." I pop the lollipop back into my mouth, savoring the sweet cherry flavor.
Kade stops abruptly, causing me to nearly collide with his broad back. He turns, his eyes narrowing. "Is that what this is about? You hacked my company to prove a point?"
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant even as my heart races. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you could resist coming back for seconds. Spoiler alert: you couldn't."
His jaw clenches, and for a moment, I wonder if I've pushed too far. But then I catch a flicker of something in his eyes—desire? Amusement? It's gone before I can be sure. A few of his employees look our way. Probably wondering who I am. I already look out of place with my attire.
