Page 2 of Forbidden Boss

“Careful,” she says dryly. “Older doesn’t always mean better.”

Maybe she’s right. But my gaze slides back to him anyway, tracing the cut of his suit, the casual way his hand rests on the rail. He doesn’t rely on the same showy tactics that every other guy in the club uses.

He projects an authority that probably comes from years of being the most important man in the room.

The music swells. Susie spins again, and I let myself follow, but the decision has already settled in my bones. For once, I’m not going to overthink. I’m not going to weigh every risk like I always do. I worked my ass off to get where I am, and tonight is mine to claim.

I want him, and I’m determined to have him, too.

Susie grabs both my hands and yanks me back toward the center of the dance floor before I can second-guess myself. I let myself move, carefree, celebrating with the girl who has been there through every late-night breakdown and every victory in equal measure.

Susie grins and tilts her chin toward the VIP section. “Don’t look now, but your silver fox can’t take his eyes off you.”

I feel my whole body flush with excitement, forcing myself not to shy away in embarrassment like I normally would. Tonight is about being bold and confident. I’m a goddamn boss. As of Monday, I’ll be an accountant at a huge tech firm. There’s nothing I can’t do.

I laugh, shaking my head as I sway to the beat. “Then we’d better give him a show.” I make eye contact with him, swaying my hips like I mean it.

One moment I’m laughing with Susie. The next, the space behind me is filled by a presence so solid, so commanding, my body recognizes it before my mind does.

Heat rolls off him, the faint brush of a suit against my bare shoulder as he steps into my rhythm. His chest presses lightly to my back, the bass vibrating through both of us, and I close my eyes for a second just to steady myself.

I turn my head enough to catch him in the shifting lights. Up close, he’s devastating. His jaw is sharp, his stubble catching the glow. His blue eyes lock on mine with a hunger that sends heat coiling low in my stomach. He smells like something dark and clean, expensive cologne mixed with a hint of smoke.

Susie’s grin widens as she backs a step, giving me that “go for it” look before she spins off into the crowd, leaving me with him.

He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. His hands find my hips, guiding me into his rhythm, slow and deliberate despite the frantic beat of the music. I let him lead, our bodies pressed close, the friction sending sparks across my skin.

Every shift of his hands, every roll of his hips, tells me he’s in complete control, and I hate how much I like it.

I tilt my head back slightly, giving him better access as he leans closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“You’re beautiful,” he says, his voice a low rumble that cuts through the music as if it were made for my ears alone.

The words slide over me like silk. I’m not usually the kind of woman who lets strange men touch me in clubs, but nothing about tonight is usual. Every instinct screams that he’s dangerous, that he isn’t the kind of man who plays games. And maybe that’s exactly why I can’t pull away.

I twist in his hold enough to face him, and the look in his eyes makes my breath catch. Heat burns there, sharp and raw. His thumb brushes against my hip bone with just enough pressure to send a shiver racing up my spine.

I lean closer, my lips a breath from his jaw, and ask, “What’s your name?”

Instead of answering, he lowers his mouth to mine.

The kiss is hard and demanding, without hesitation. His mouth claims mine like he has already decided I belong to him, and the shock of it sends fire racing through my veins. My hands come up, pressing against his chest, not to push him away but to anchor myself against the intensity. He tastes like vodka and cigar smoke.

The music around us blurs, the lights dim, and all I feel is the crush of his body against mine, the firm grip of his hands, the relentless kiss that steals my breath. When he finally pulls back, his eyes burn into mine.

“I want you,” he says, blunt and certain, not a request but a fact. His voice is deep enough to vibrate in my bones. “Now.”

My pulse stumbles.

Before I can find a reply, he takes my hand and pulls me off the dance floor. The crowd parts without question, some glancing at him with wariness, others with curiosity, but no one dares to step in his way. I barely manage to grab Susie’s arm as we pass her.

“Where are you going?” she shouts, laughing, though her eyes search mine to see if I’m okay.

I lean close and yell back, “I’ll see you later!”

“Make good choices!” she hollers, her mantra every time we go out, shaking her head at me.

“Always,” I mouth, though my grin feels reckless, my heart pounding in agreement with the bass.