Page 20 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Ben

E mma’s acting like nothing’s changed between us, and it’s driving me insane.

It shouldn’t, really. I should be ecstatic that over the last ten days she’s been bold and sunshiney and treating me the same as she did before, but I find I don’t like it.

Every time she says something sassy to me, I want to bend her over my knee and spank her ass red or shove my cock in her mouth.

Every time she gives her dazzling smile to another man, I want to wrap my arms around her waist and growl she’s mine.

Every time someone else makes her laugh, I want to grab her by the back of the neck and cover her mouth with mine so I can taste the sound.

I’m going fucking pazzo. Loco. Crazy.

I’ve never had an issue detaching myself from a sub before. Then again, I’ve never had to spend every day with one and pretend I haven’t been balls deep in her pussy.

That’s all it is. Sexual frustration from being stuck in close proximity to her.

Two weeks is too fucking long to go without her.

Especially since we spend most of our time in the truck heading from one job site to another to make sure work is getting completed on schedule.

September and October are our busiest months for asphalt paving because the rain makes it more difficult between November and March.

But in order for the asphalt crew to do their job, the pipe crews have to install the water lines and other utilities first. The last thing we want is for a pipe to be laid wrong or missed and have to go back and redo the asphalt. That could put us months behind.

We’re headed to an apartment complex where the paving process is set to begin in a few days when Emma’s phone rings.

“Hello?”

I can’t hear the other side of the conversation, but the voice sounds like a man.

“Oh! Hello, Derek. Yes, it’s good to hear from you.” She pauses to listen. “Mmhmm. As soon as you send me the plans I can get you an estimate for the cost of the job.”

My shoulders relax a little at the mention of the developer, it’s just a business call.

“Oh, no, I’m not busy that Saturday. What’s the occasion?”

Never mind. Not just business.

Is this fucker—who gushed about his wife—seriously asking Emma on a date? She shouldn’ t be dating a client, let alone a married one. But it’s not my business. It better not interfere with our plans. I don’t think I can go another two fucking weeks with my hand.

I wonder if Emma’s been following the rules or if she’s tried to play with her pretty pussy. I’d love to punish her for breaking the rules… maybe with the flogger this time.

Great, now I’m hard.

“Perfect! I’ll let the rest of the Rossi team know. We’re so grateful you thought to include us.” There’s a pause before she says, “Of course, we’ll see you then, Derek. Have a good day.”

Emma ends the call and puts the phone back in her purse.

“What was that about?” I ask.

“Oh, the plans for Derek’s next complex will be done by the end of the week. I’m nervous to start on a solo project. I don’t want to mess it up.”

Something mushy pokes the hard wall around my heart. “You’re going to do great, Emma. Besides, no one’s just going to throw you in the deep end. If you need help, we’re here for you. We’re a team here.”

Emma blinks and clears her throat, rubbing her palms down her thighs. “Um, thank you. He also invited the Rossi team to a party he’s hosting to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Allridge Development. It’s next Saturday at The Hotel Del Coronado. Black tie. Everyone is allowed a plus one.”

Well, at least it doesn’t interfere with our session this Saturday.

“Are you planning on going?” I refuse to ask if she’s bringing a plus one. I have to believe she won’t .

“Of course. I’ll probably bring Jordan. What about you?”

Who the fuck is Jordan?

“Black tie events aren’t my thing.”

“You’d look delectable in a tux.” She sighs then straightens. “Sorry. That was supposed to be an inside thought.”

I keep my face neutral, even though I’m practically puffing my chest. At least now I know she’s not entirely unaffected by me.

“My dad will probably talk me into going to show a united front. I hate it though. The schmoozing is the worst part of this job.” I don’t know why I keep talking. I don’t need to tell her this. She doesn’t need to know anything more than what I like in a scene.

“I never would have guessed,” she deadpans.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re not exactly ‘Mr. Personable.’ Most of the sales guys are scared of you; that’s why they usually only ask for Alex, Drew, or me. Same with the crews. You have a really good work ethic, have innovative ideas, and you’re great at planning, but you don’t take the time to get to know people.”

“I’m here to do a job, not—”

“Be friends. I know. But what’s the worst thing that could happen if you showed you were human and not a robot?”

I don’t know why I find it hard to connect with people.

My parents are both extremely friendly, it’s what makes my dad a good businessman.

My siblings have no problem charming people.

They thrive off of attention and interacting with people, but I’m the opposite.

An hour into a company party and I want to crawl out of my skin.

Ten minutes with a salesman and I start getting irritated because I have work to do, I can’t be chatting the day away.

If I need their services, I’ll give them a call.

I prefer to focus on the job. Maybe because I saw how hard my dad worked to build this company with my Nono, and I don’t want it to fail.

Schmoozing may be an important part of the job, but the work part is what keeps the business afloat.

If everyone only focused on connections, then the work wouldn’t get done.

Instead of answering her seriously, I break my rules and give her a suggestive smile. “You know plenty well how not robotic I am, honey.”

Emma’s jaw literally drops open, and she sputters, “You—you broke your own rule! We’re at work!”

I shrug. “I’m the one who made the rule, I can break it without punishment. Besides, we’re in the truck, which doesn’t count.”

She scoffs but remains quiet, her cheeks flushing as her thighs squeeze together.

Fantastic, now I’m thinking about pulling the truck over and making her ride me right here in the driver’s seat.

Saturday can’t come soon enough.