Page 8

VIOLET

“And this will be where you’re working.” Maggie swept her arm across the expanse of the office coated with the Alpha’s scent. I breathed him in as inconspicuously as I could. “Well, technically over here.” She backed up a few steps until she stepped out of the threshold to motion to the desk right outside his office. On the drive over to the Beaumont Whiskey headquarters, Maggie described my duties as Graham’s assistant. It involved a lot of calls and organizing virtual meetings.

“Shit!” Maggie muttered, patting at her pockets. “I left my phone downstairs in the copy room. Go ahead and look around, I’ll be right back.” She took off before I could get a word in. I rolled my lips inside my mouth and bit down on them. I may as well snoop. It had a similar vibe to his home office, brown and black shades interspersed throughout. Very male and earthy. I grazed my fingertips along the textured wall until I stood in front of the huge painting across the room, facing the desk.

I’d be working here starting this week. By the way Maggie made it sound, we would be spending plenty of time together, but he already seemed to have something against me. Rightfully so, after I hit on him. Hopefully he wouldn’t make my life difficult.

I craned my neck to get a good look at the painting. There were similarities to the other one in his home office. Autumn colors and large trees that broke apart to a pond hidden within the foliage.

“What are you doing here?” The growled words startled me into whirling so fast the room spun. An arm banded around my waist. I gasped, staring up at Graham. Warmth radiated from his body. In the whirl of movement, my hand ended up on his forearm. It was corded with muscle to the point that I could feel the strength in his large body. A shiver of pleasure worked down my spine.

He'd asked a question, but I couldn’t formulate any type of response.

“Speak, girl,” he barked. I flinched. It was in the same tone I’d heard him speak with, but this werewolf flustered me. He lowered his eyes, and I would swear on my life, he looked at my lips, then quickly back into my eyes. An excited tingle fluttered in my stomach. His fingers flexed into my spine, and I could feel him as if I wasn’t wearing a sweater. His presence was so utterly intoxicating.

Graham’s hand tangled in my sweater, and he didn’t look away.

My lips parted with a heavy exhale. I was practically panting at this point, my body alive with need. He tightened his grip and pulled me flush to his body. I gasped and sensitivity turned excruciating between my legs. It didn’t help that I could feel his length pressed against me.

He closed his eyes and with a groan, squeezed me to him, his nose grazing the top of my head. His hand slid down to my butt and he squeezed. Lust licked through my senses. He felt so good. The ache between my legs caused me to arch my spine so my front rubbed against him. He made a guttural sound and the shaft pressing against me throbbed.

Graham pulled away so quickly I wobbled to right myself. He crossed his arms, a thunderous expression settling over his features. I couldn’t help but steal glances at the bulges of his forearms where the cable knit sweater was rolled up.

“I’m sorry, Maggie was showing me around.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll go.”

A growl vibrated from his chest, so deep and loud that I gasped. I’d never heard such a visceral sound. I stiffened, turning back to him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“I’m—” I pursed my lips. “Nevermind.”

It was instinct at this point. Elton got off on hearing my ‘apologies’.

His nostrils flared and he ran his hand through his dark hair, making it slick back. Locks of hair fell onto his temple. He looked too sexy for it to be legal.

His golden eyes dropped for the second time; he kept peeking at my breasts. I crossed my arms over them and cleared my throat.

He almost seemed mad at me for him staring at my tits. I twisted my lips into a pucker, still breathing in his scent, filling my lungs at full capacity. Goddess, he shouldn’t smell so good, it was such a damn shame. I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. He glared, yet he reached out his hand toward my face. I froze, hungering for his touch. I feared if I even blinked, he would snap out of whatever thrall had fallen over us.

“What’s your problem? I can hear you yelling at her all the way from down the hall.” Maggie stormed inside. Graham stiffened, raking both hands through his hair. He didn’t say anything and strode out of the office. He was so incredibly mercurial. I leaned against the desk, needing it to keep me upright.

“Sorry, he’s always moody, but I haven’t seen him snap like that.” She peeked over her shoulder and leaned close. “I think he’s all stressed out about the mating ceremony.”

“Oh,” I forced out, but inside, I reeled. He wanted me. Excitement writhed through my chest. He wasn’t mated yet, and it was a business arrangement. Maybe he didn’t have to go through with it?

I was getting ahead of myself. Other than being attracted to me, he seemed to hate my very existence.