Page 11 of Arranged Addiction

I have no idea what I did wrong, and I start to feel awkward and afraid. My stomach twists, and I lace my fingers together in front of me.

His gaze flits to my lips.

“I need you to go into this fully aware of what I want, Casey.” He sounds like he’s struggling to speak. My stomach is a blaze of worry.

“It’s okay, Mr. Whelan?—”

“Declan,” he corrects, stepping closer to me. I move back and bump into the wall. We’re so close now that I can feel heat rolling off him and smell that musky cologne.

The scent I gave him.

“Orsir,” he whispers.

I nearly moan at that word. Oh my god, I’m losing my mind. I’m beyond aroused. It’s pathetic. My nipples are hard, and I can feel how wet I am. It’s obscene and embarrassing. I should seriously say goodnight, take his dry cleaning, and run back home before I make a fool of myself.

“It’s okay, Declan. You can… you can just tell me… whatever you need.” I’m stammering and making a fool of myself. This is just a work thing. Why am I so nervous?

His eyes blaze. He reaches up and touches my cheek. I go very still, heart racing.

Because this isn’t how a boss should act with his employee.

“I’ve resisted you for so long. I resisted you foryears.” His voice is husky and low like he’s barely in control. I’ve never seen Declan like this before.

Did he really say years?

Which means from the first day I started working for him…

“You resisted me?”

“I had rules. I followed them obsessively for so long. But when I saw that box and the look on your face, I lost myself. I’ve been losing myself. And now I’m about to cross a line I swore I’d wait to cross until the right time, and I need you to understand. I need you to tell me it’s okay.” He leans in close. His lips are near mine. “Tell me it’s okay, Casey.”

Holy freaking shit.

I only halfway understand what he’s saying. Rules? What rules? But I don’t care about that.

He wantsme.

This is really happening.

Am I sure I want this?

I’m not prepared at all.

Declan is nothing like the young men I’ve been with.

He’s so much older…

And such a bastard. And he’s my boss!

If we cross this line, how can we work together tomorrow? How can I still have a job?

But it’s Declan Whelan. If anyone can take tonight and compartmentalize it away…

It’s Boss Bastard. The most obsessive, controlling, perfectionist, neat-freak psycho I’ve ever met.

Which means…

If I want him, I just have to say the word.