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Nothing happened. Richard stood within her private space, and she couldn’t think. “A new cleaner?”

“It would mean you’d remain at your desk. I always wondered why you’d disappear an hour before a meeting. Now I know.”

Was he whispering? His breath seemed to fan her face.

As she glanced down at his body, Temperance’s cheeks heated. Pressed against the front of his pants was his large cock, and she had to contain her sudden fear. He was huge, and not just biker huge. This was porn star huge.

“You want me back at my desk?”

“Yes, I want you back at your desk.”

“All right.” She brushed past him and headed toward the door, but Richard caught her. “Is there anything I can get you?”

Richard didn’t speak, and she forced herself to look up. He was staring at her curiously. “Yeah, there is.”

“What would you like?”

“I want to know who Bryan is.”

“Bryan? I don’t understand.”

“The person who called your desk. His name is Bryan, and he wanted you to call right away. He said it was urgent.”

“Oh, Bryan. Right, yes, he’s my brother.”

“You have a brother?” he asked.

“Yes, I have a brother. I also have a little sister, too. She’s in college right now, studying for an art major.”

“I never knew you had a brother.”

“He’s one of my contacts for emergencies. If you can’t get my parents, he’s the next one in line.”

Richard tilted his head to the side, observing her. “I never knew you had a family.”

Temperance smiled. “Everyone has a family.”

He released her arm. “Not me.”

“Surely you must have had some family.”

“None. I was passed through foster homes. Never did stick.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Are you married?” he asked.

“What? No. I’m not married.”

“Do you have a partner?”

“No, I’m single, why?”

“I’m just curious to know. I don’t seem to know a lot about you.”

“Mr. Bruce, all of these questions can be answered on my employment form. You have them on all your employees, and you wouldn’t let me work for you without it.”

“Lifestyle choices change.”

Temperance stared at him. “Are you married?”

“No.”

“Single?”

“Yes.”

“What about that woman? She doesn’t strike me as a sister or a work colleague.”

“Miss Harris, what are you doing?”

“I’m asking reasonable questions. The way I see it, if you can ask them personally of me, then I can do the same of you. You once said you believed in equality, providing your employees knew that the final decision was your own.”

“You remembered that.” His lips gave a twinge as if he was fighting a smile.

“I’m sorry that my brother called the office. I won’t let it happen again.” She started walking toward the door, and was about to exit when his voice stopped her.

“She’s a woman I fuck when the mood strikes me.”

Glancing at her boss over her shoulder, Temperance couldn’t believe the flood of arousal that swept over her from his blatant words.

He fucked in the office. She’d known all along, and even though they were breaking the employer and employee code, she didn’t care.

****

It was getting late, and Jay knew it was going to be another day where Temperance wouldn’t be returning home to their apartment. She hadn’t even called this time. Her boss, Richard, he was starting to be a problem. He saw the difference in her. She liked her boss. No, not just liked, it was too subtle a word. Temperance wanted her boss. The desire was clear in her eyes, and Jay didn’t know what to do. He was losing the only woman he ever loved, and it was all his fault. She had never shown the slightest interest in him after their time years ago. He didn’t want to lose her, but other than sharing her with this boss, he didn’t know if he was ever going to win her over.

Just the thought of his little Tempe losing herself between him and another man had his cock so damn hard. She’d always had this effect on him, consuming him with need.

If only he’d fought for her back then. They had a lot of history.

I’m not going to let another guy take her from me.

Jay would do whatever he had to in order to keep her. He needed to find out who this boss was.

Chapter Two

He hated O’Brian. The bastard was so smug, and thought he knew what the hell he was doing. Richard stared across the table at the most irritating man he’d ever done business with.