Page 21

21

P aisley

“Thanks, Doc,” I hear Maggie say as she opens the door to the supply room, “I won’t be long,” she adds as she closes it behind her, turning to me, a naughty smile on her face.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper, even though it isn’t necessary. There is no way Dr. du Pont is going to hear us with the door closed.

“ It went well . Really? Is that all you were going to give me? It went well? ” she says in a mocking tone.

Maggie texted me earlier, and that was my reply. Apparently, it wasn’t enough information for her.

“It did go well. What more do you need to know?”

“Lots more. I need all the low downs.” She rubs her hands together.

“No, you don’t.” I snicker. “It’s private.” I smile. It feels like it’s from ear to ear. I look like someone who got it all. I can even feel my cheeks heating more and more by the second.

Maggie jumps up and down and giggles like a schoolgirl. “Oh, my gosh! Was it that good? It was, wasn’t it?”

I nod. “Yes, it was great. He was great.” I sound breathless. Not like me at all.

“How many orgasms?”

“Sheesh, Maggie.” I shake my head. “Back to the part about my sex life being private. I’m not giving you any details.” My face feels like it’s on fire.

“That many, huh? Did he make you see stars?”

“Mags!” I warn, still grinning.

“Stars and a couple of planets.” Her eyes are wide. “Go, Arctic! He is a little stuck up and a lot intense. They do make for the best lovers.”

I giggle. Arctic was true to his word. He made me come two more times last night before leaving. I swear, he’s evil and can already play my body like a maestro plays their instrument. I fell asleep as soon my head hit the pillow after letting him back out through the window.

“And? Are we feeling a little sensitive down there today?” She looks pointedly at that part of my anatomy, and I have to stop myself from covering up.

I give her a look. “I’m really not going to get into it with you. It was great. I’m looking forward to a repeat.”

“So, a little sensitive but nothing too crazy?”

“Something like that.”

“Did he stay and cuddle afterward?” She cocks her head.

I look at her like she’s lost her mind. “No, of course not. It’s sex…that’s all. And you? How are things with Hazard?” I change the subject.

“I’m still having a good time, so I’ll probably see him a few more times before calling it quits.”

“Do you like him?”

“I wouldn’t sleep with someone I didn’t like. I’m…having fun…he’s fun to be around.” She gets this look when she talks about him. I know they’ve been sharing meals and hanging out together. I’m pretty sure they cuddle, and Maggie isn’t too sure about it. I might be wrong, but it’s the vibe I’m getting.

“Sound’s risky.” I could easily become attached to Arctic. I’ve decided we definitely need to put an expiry date on this, and it can’t go on for too long. And we need to stick to the rules. “I think the key is knowing when to stop. If you spend too much time with a person you’re intimate with, it could end up becoming more. I’m not judging or anything. You guys don’t have the same restrictions as we do, so it wouldn’t matter if you fell in love.”

“Fell in love? Bite your tongue, girl. Don’t even say the L-word around me.” Maggie wrinkles her nose.

“It can happen, that’s all.” It’s something I’ve given thought to since last night. Arctic and I have to be careful. Moreover, I have to be careful. I would hate to fall for him and then have to watch him date and possibly mate another woman. “Sometimes it sneaks up on you.”

“Nah…we’re good. We’re just having a good time, but you are right; I should probably kick him to the curb soon. It has been getting a little…too cozy lately. I don’t want to break the poor guy’s heart or anything.”

“You’ve been very honest with him, haven’t you?”

“Of course. He knows I’m still trying to find my feet after a nasty divorce. He knows I’m nowhere near ready for anything serious, but just because you know something doesn’t mean you don’t end up getting attached.”

She sounds wistful. I’m not sure if she’s talking about herself or about Hazard. It’s murky and dangerous.

She sighs; I can tell she’s deep in thought. “You’ve made a really good point, Paisley. I think I’m going to end things tonight.”

I make a face. “I didn’t mean you had to end things right away. I was probably talking more about me and Arctic than you and Hazard. In fact, I was. It’s just that I’m more wired to have a relationship than a hook-up. Jim hurt me really badly. He left me for someone who could give him babies. I can’t put myself in a vulnerable position where I’ll get hurt again in the future. I need to tread carefully. I’m sure that you and Hazard are just great.”

“Oh, babe.” Maggie looks at me with concern. “I’m sorry your ex put you through that and made you feel broken.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m fine. You know how it is. What your ex did was unforgivable. You ended up losing two important people in one go.”

“Yeah, I heard they’re engaged to be married.” She smiles.

“What?” I feel myself go cold. “That’s terrible. I can’t imagine how that must make you feel. You’re great, Mags. You know that, right?”

She gives a nod, but I can see that she doesn’t mean it. Her eyes are filled with pain. “It might be why I’ve clung onto Hazard a little more than I should have. It’s nice to feel sexy again and wanted, you know?”

“I know.” I nod. “Of course, that’s normal. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be betrayed like that. I had my best friend right there at my side.”

“You know exactly what it’s like. You understand what I’ve gone through more than most. I had my sisters. I have other friends. I have you now.”

“You do.” I hug her.

“I’m so grateful.” She hugs me back.

“I’m here for you.” We let go.

“To get back on topic, you have your fun with Arctic. You deserve it.”

“I will. We just need to be a bit careful, that’s all. In these types of arrangements, it’s normally one of the two people who end up getting hurt in the end.”

“I’m not ready for a relationship, and I would hate to hurt a guy like Hazard. He’s just so darned sweet.”

“I guess we both need to tread carefully.”

She nods. “For now, you need to not overthink it. Just have a good time.” Maggie smiles. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. When are you seeing him again?”

I look at my watch. “I have a meeting with him shortly.” I grin; I can’t help it.

“A meeting?”

I laugh. “We need to discuss the event that’s happening tonight.”

“I’m sure he might have a few more items on the agenda.”

I shrug. “You never know.”

He asked me to wear a skirt and to bring perfume. I know for sure there’s more on the agenda. I’m just not sure how I feel about sex in his office during working hours. It feels kind of wrong.

Maggie laughs. “I’d better leave you to finish up, then. I wouldn’t want you to be late. You might get spanked. Arctic is the type.”

I laugh. “He is not.”

“Intense and brooding… Yep, he’s the type, alright.”

“Whatever.” I look at my watch. “We’ve got a few ladies arriving soon, but Dr. du Pont is going to have to handle some of the appointments on his own. We’ve actually been quite busy. Lots of requests for contraceptives.” I lower my voice. “But there have also been some fun cases. One lady – I can’t give names – got a butt plug stuck up her…you know where.”

Maggie laughs.

“And another lady had such chafe between her legs from the guy’s stubble that she needed a cortisone cream to calm things down.”

Maggie giggles behind her hand. “Actually, I can believe it. I almost booked myself in for an appointment a time or two. Do you really need to have another event tonight? It sounds like everyone is doing just fine.”

“We did a survey, and only fifty-six percent of the women are ‘dating.’ A few of those fifty-six percent are ‘dating’ more than one guy. That leaves close to half of the ladies who haven’t taken the plunge yet. It’s up to Cathy and me to make that happen.”

“How are you guys getting along?”

“I think she’s realized that I’m there to help her. To brainstorm ideas. I don’t take the glory. It’s her show, at the end of the day. I think she’s okay with it.” I shrug. “She seems fine.”

“That’s good. Okay, babe. I’ll leave you to it. Maybe we can have drinks after work tomorrow? It is Friday night.”

“Sure thing. Let’s do it. Chicks before dicks, right?”

Maggie snickers. “Absolutely, correct.” She waves and heads out.

I get finished with unpacking supplies and help the doctor with the first patient before having to rush off to see Arctic.

I can’t believe how nervous I am for our appointment, yet again, which is so silly. I’ve slept with the guy. He’s seen me naked. He’s had his tongue…in places that should be illegal.

There is an SUV waiting outside. The driver opens the door for me, as always.

“Thank you.” My butterflies have had baby butterflies, and they go crazy in my stomach.

We get to the castle. I greet the reception staff, and then it’s up in the elevator. It doesn’t take me long to reach the Royal Offices. I suck in a deep breath and go inside.

Sally’s face brightens up as soon as she sees me. “Right on time, Miss Reed. His Royal Highness is expecting you.” She winks at me.

I go to the door, knock, and go right in.

“Miss Reed,” Arctic says, his vivid eyes on me; they don’t reveal a thing. Not a single emotion when I’m sure I look a mess.

He looks me up and down. I’m in the skirt he requested. It’s a pencil skirt that forms part of my uniform, even though I prefer regular scrubs. It comes to just above my knee. His gaze lingers on my legs, still not giving away a damned thing.

His jacket is hanging over his chair. His dress shirt is a crisp white and fits him like a freaking glove.

“Glad you could make it.”

I decide to toy with him and leave the door open as I walk inside. If he wants me, he can work for it.

His eyes move to the open space before narrowing on me. His mouth twitches. I can’t make it too easy for him. I’m not here to discuss the upcoming events, and we both know it.

“Take a seat.” He gestures to the chair across from him.

I do as he says, crossing my legs.

We just look at one another for a few charged moments.

“Let’s discuss what you and Miss Summers have planned for the rest of the week. Tonight sounds…interesting. Just one second.” He holds up a finger, lifting a sleek-looking phone off the cradle. “Hi, Sally. Miss Reed would like a glass of water, please.” He pauses and looks at me while he listens to whatever Sally has to say. “With lemon?”

I smile. “That would be great.”

“With lemon. Good…thanks.”

It’s my turn to narrow my eyes on him. I give a small headshake at his smirk.

“You were saying…?” Arctic plays with his tie before focusing fully on me.

“We were talking about tonight’s activities. Are you any good at karaoke?”

He throws me a half-smile. “I’m good at a lot of things, but singing isn’t one of them. You won’t catch me dead behind a mic.”

“We’ll have to see about that. Cathy had a good idea of how to get everyone more relaxed enough to sing. We’re kicking off the evening with a cocktail-making competition. Mark, who works as a chef in the kitchen, is also a mixologist. He’s going to do a demonstration, and then you guys are going to pair up with the Tributes and make cocktails. Everyone needs to taste and vote. It’s Marcel’s last night here on the island. He and Thorn are going to be the judges. Their votes will be the deciders on who wins. The winning team gets—”

There is a knock at the door. “My apologies for interrupting,” Sally says from the doorway. “I have Miss Reed’s water.”

“Come on in, Sally.”

She does as he says, placing my water on the table in front of me. “Anything else I can get you?” she asks us.

“This is great, thanks,” I tell her.

“I’m good, Sally,” Arctic tells her. “There is something important I need to chat to you about, Miss Reed.” Arctic looks over my shoulder at where Sally is walking away. “Would you mind closing the door behind you, Sally?”

“Of course not, Sire.”

The door clicks shut, and you could hear a pin drop, it’s so silent inside the confines of Arctic’s office.

He stands. God, but he’s devastating. My heart instantly goes nuts inside my chest, and my mouth feels dry. He’s so imposing it’s scary. So sexy, my mouth goes dry, and my panties go wet. I have to stop myself from squirming in my seat. He walks around his desk to me, placing a hand on my shoulder so that he can swivel me to face him. I have to crane my neck to look up at him.

He lets me go and then looks down at me. His jaw is tight, and his eyes are blazing. For a moment, I’m sure he’s angry. Then I realize that he’s not. It’s a different emotion altogether. One that has my blood buzzing in my veins.

“Do you like toying with me, Paisley?”

I shrug. “I might.” I run my tongue over my top lip and watch him follow the trajectory.

His eyes darken, and his jaw tightens. “Have you ever been spanked?”

I choke out a laugh. “You can’t be serious?” Maggie was right. Holy shit!

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

I shake my head. “Nope.” I lick my lips. “I didn’t realize you were into such kinky shit.”

His eyes darken. “Spanking isn’t kinky. Not by a long shot.”

It is to me, but I don’t say that.

I stand, and we’re chest to chest. “You said I was in charge. That I’m running the show.”

“You are.”

“Maybe I should spank you, then.” Since when am I this daring? Since never.

His eyes flare with surprise, and then he laughs; it’s deep and throaty and so sexy it takes my breath and all of my faculties.

“You can spank me. You can do whatever you want to me. I would be happy to take a back seat, Paisley.”

As if to prove a point, he sits on the edge of his desk with his legs slightly splayed, his hands on the desk.

He looks the picture of calm.

“Someone might hear us. Sally might—”

“My office is fully soundproof. You can scream as loud as you want when I make you come.”

I want that. I want it so badly. That ache starts between my legs. I’m already wet, and he hasn’t even touched me yet.

“Someone might come in.” I look back at the door.

“You sound like you don’t want me to fuck you.”

“I do want…it…that…you.” I need to get it together. “I would hate to be caught, that’s all.”

“No one would dare enter this office without my approval.”

I chuckle. “What are you talking about? I have and more than once.”

He gives me a half-smile that has everything in me pulling tight. “More reasons for that spanking. I assure you that you’re the exception to the rule. No one else would fucking dare.”

“What about Cathy? Surely—”

He shakes his head.

“Marcel, then?”

“Not a chance. You can turn the lock if it will make you feel more comfortable.”

I look back at the door. I should go and lock it. I could lose my job.

Shit!

I should do the right thing. What is it about this man that makes me want to do stupid things?

I unbuckle his belt and then undo the clasp and lower the zipper. He lifts his ass off the desk enough for me to pull down his pants. I keep my eyes on his. Then I lower down to my knees in front of him.

Oh, my god. I’m going to give my boss a blow job. This isn’t me.

I’m all in, though, I decide as I watch his throat work. It gives me a sense of power to see the effect I have on such a powerful man. His hands tighten on the edge of his desk.

Arctic pushes out a breath when I grip his cock in my hand. I lean forward just a little, and he makes this noise that smacks of desperation. I love it.

I lean in slowly…slowly…slowly. I can feel him watching me. Then I lick the head of his cock. Arctic’s breath hitches, his body tense as I tease him with my lips, never fully taking him into my mouth but rather keeping him right on the edge.

“You want this, don’t you?” I murmur, looking up at him as my mouth closes over his tip.

“Yes! Holy shit! Fuck me with your mouth, Paisley,” he grinds out under his breath.

His eyes are locked onto mine, filled with such need, such urgency.

I cup his balls with my other hand. They’re tight.

I decide to go all the way and deep throat Arctic. He groans. Then I pull back completely, doing it again and again. Just as his breathing starts to roughen, I take one of his balls into my mouth.

“Fuck,” he whispers as I move my hand up and down his shaft in easy strokes. His dick is wet from my saliva and from the pre-cum that leaks from him.

I move back to his tip and suck on it gently, careful not to catch him with my teeth. After a time, I palm his balls and deep throat him again. Arctic is groaning and grunting. His hips are rocking a little. His hands are still tight, fists still holding onto his desk. He rocks his hips just a little.

“Paisley…shit…that feels good,” he groans.

I look up, and his head has fallen back. He bites down on his lower lip. I’ve never seen anything so sexy in all of my life. He’s it. He’s dangerous. I definitely could get too caught up in this. For now, I’m not going to think about it.

He grips my head with one of his big hands. “So…so…good,” he moans. His hand tightens a little on my head, but he doesn’t try to pull on me or hold me in place. “I’m going to come. You should probably stop now.” His hips are rocking a little faster, and his voice sounds strained.

I keep sucking on him for all I am worth.

I look up at him from under my lashes. He’s looking down at me, breathing hard. I’m so turned on it’s insane.

“You should stop,” he warns. Then Arctic grits his teeth for a few seconds, “Going to…” Then he groans deeply and comes in my mouth in hot spurts.

I swallow him down in greedy gulps. My hand is stroking his base, and my mouth keeps working as much of him as I can get into my mouth.

“Holy fuck!” Arctic groans. “Fuuuuuck, Paisley!”

I slow and then ease off him, licking my lips.

He lets go of my head, breathing hard.

When I look back up, I see him watching me intently. His face is still pulled tight with the aftermath of his pleasure.

“You’re…” He grunts. “You’re so beautiful. It’s my turn to make you feel good,” he tells me, holding out a hand.

I note that his cock is back at full mast, which is seriously impressive. I grab his hand and am on my feet a moment later.

Arctic lifts my skirt above my hips. He picks me up and puts me on his desk. I open my legs around him.

Then he shoves my panties aside. Sucking on a finger, he starts to rub on my clit, positioning himself between my legs.

I start moaning right away.

He kisses me once, twice.

“I should use a condom,” he mutters almost to himself. “You sure you’re okay with—?”

“It’s up to you,” I repeat my words from last night.

He looks over at his jacket on the other side of the desk. “Fuck it!”

“No. More like fuck me,” I beg. “Preferably sooner rather than later.”

“Demanding, too. I still might just spank you.”

“Stop talking.”

I’m a little shocked when he lifts my legs, pulls my underwear right to the side, and thrusts inside me in one bold move, his eyes fixed on mine. I yell because it feels so damned good to be filled so suddenly.

He grunts hard, and I thank the lord this room is soundproof.

He keeps his finger on my clit and fucks me hard. I hold on tight. His desk is solid oak and doesn’t so much as move. I put my hands behind me and anchor myself in position.

“You’re wet,” he grunts.

I can’t reply because… Holy shit!

Holy fucking shit!

He goes harder on my clit, strumming my nub with everything he has. We don’t have much time. These meetings are never drawn out.

“Come for me,” he whispers just as his phone rings.

His blasted phone rings, and I was right there. So close.

He slows but doesn’t stop. He puts a finger over his lips, warning me with his eyes, and picks up the phone. His cock goes in and out, in and out…ever so slowly.

“Yes.” He sounds so damned normal. How?

He is silent for a few moments, still rocking into me.

It’s maddening.

“Okay…yes…I understand. I need two minutes, Sally.”

Two. What?

Arctic puts the phone down. He gives me a pained look and pulls out. He pulls out! What the hell?!

“We need to finish this later. I’m so sorry, Paisley.” Then he’s tucking himself away and doing up his pants. “I wouldn’t leave unless it was critical. You brought perfume like I asked you to?”

“Of course.”

“I have a bathroom through that door.” He disappears into the room in question, and I hear the tap running. When he comes back into the room, I smell cologne.

“I have to go. I’m sorry.” He leans in and kisses me softly on the cheek. “Make sure you brush your teeth and gargle with mouthwash. There are supplies in the top drawer. Your place tonight after the party?” He lifts his brows.

“Yeah…sure.”

“Don’t touch yourself, Paisley. You hear me? You wait. Am I clear?”

I nod. “It’s not fair, but okay. You’re the boss.”

He smiles, but it’s tense. “Good girl. Now go into the bathroom and clean up, or everyone will know what went down here. Shifters have fantastic senses. Much better than humans, and semen has a distinct odor.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Noted.”

“I like it on you.” He grins.

I roll my eyes. “That’s a little disgusting.”

“It’s a shifter thing. Don’t take too long; freshen up and leave.” Then he pulls down my skirt and leaves his office. I hear him saying something to Sally before the door closes.

I wonder what that was all about. He tried to look relaxed, but I could see that he wasn’t relaxed at all. He looked…upset. He looked off-kilter, which isn’t like him at all. I guess that, as the king, he has a ton of responsibilities. That must be it.

I go into the bathroom, which is pretty impressive. It has a shower and a tub. I suppose Arctic sometimes has to work late.

I quickly wash as best as I can, brushing my teeth and gargling with mouthwash, too. I wash my hands with soap. Last of all, I spray myself with perfume and head out.

If Sally is suspicious that something happened between Arctic and me, she doesn’t show it.