Page 106 of Carnal Games

“Great!” I return my attention to the road and scoff. “I’m so relieved you’ll pinch your way out of the clutches of an attacker.”

“Well, I can hardly slap my boss in the face.”

“Try and I’ll respond in kind.” I drop my voice. “Except, I’ll put you over my knee and spank your other cheeks until you’re sorry.”

Her lush mouth forms an O while her breathing picks up. The burgundy blouse stretches around her tits, and I wrench my eyes away before I’m tempted to check if her nipples are hard.

Why would they be?She’s in love with your brother, Kian.

The thought douses cold water over my head, and I apologize, “That was inappropriate. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t have to come to rescue me, Kian.”

“Why were you with Rosalie?”

“She had a meeting with Justin in the area regarding her animal shelter and offered to drop me off at the office. We stopped at a red light when we saw the guy about to punch and throttle the dog.”

Justin Merchant is a close friend of my business partner, Dash. He also frequents The Mirage whenever he’s in town. Though I’ve never seen him take advantage of the amenities and parties there, except for the first night he came two years ago.

“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask casually.

“I didn’t want to disturb you. Plus, Nova was on his way.”

My fingers tighten around the steering wheel at the mention of another man coming to her rescue. “Next time you’re having an emergency, call me. Directly.”

“Why?”

Because you’re mine.

Fuck! Where did that thought come from?

“You’re my assistant, not his,” I say instead. Even that comes out possessive. “As long as you work for me, you’re my responsibility.”

Though it’s beginning to feel like more.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Iris

“Iris!” someone calls my name from behind.

I turn and survey the crowded cafeteria of the Kinetic Securities.

“Here!” yells Yukta, sitting around a five-seater table on my right. Two other girls I don’t recognize sit beside her. Must be from her department.

As she waves me over, I walk toward their group with my food tray in hand.

Crowded places give me the worst anxiety if I have to brave it alone, which is why I’ve been avoiding coming to the cafeteria until today. It’s a large room with super high ceilings, filled with colorful chairs in red, yellow, and green, meant for every department at Kinetic Securities. In other words, the perfect place to covertly gather intel.

As if my task isn’t daunting enough, I have my social anxieties being the biggest hurdle. However, if I want asuccessful career, I’ll need to overcome my fears of interacting with new people.

The best way I have dealt with social anxiety in the past is by separating the interactions as personal or for a formal purpose in my head. If I look at it as a task or assignment, like an interview or test, I’m able to lose the voice that chants I’m being judged and quieten my overthinking brain.

It may be unconventional, but it’s what worked for me.

The reason why I bonded so quickly and have a tight-knit friendship with my girls is that they both relate to my quirks and fears, especially Rosalie. She may seem outgoing on the surface, but she, too, finds it difficult to open up and hates large groups.

Heart pounding with every step I take toward Yukta’s table, my palms become slippery around the food tray.