Page 40 of Revere

This time, his fingers tighten ever so slightly on my knees. He digs them in, and I wish he’d just grab me and pull me the final few inches to close this space so I could feel him.

“You should have taken me up on my offer to leave.”

I shrug. “And you should have locked the office door before putting me on your desk like this.”

At that, he leans in, dropping his mouth to my ear. “Let them walk in and see what a bad girl you are for me, Patience. I don’t give a fuck.”

Turning my face to his, we’re a breath away as our eyes lock, and I know he means it. He could lose his career over this. He’s risking his reputation. And he couldn’t care less.

For me.

It doesn’t make sense.

Jacob releases my knee and reaches for something in the top drawer of his desk. “Help me with something.”

“Wh—” I cough when the word catches in my throat as I take in what he’s holding. “What?”

“A problem I’ve been trying to visualize.” His free hand moves to my thigh now.

“I thought you weren’t going to touch me.”

“Maybe I lied.” He smirks. “Or maybe I meant I just wouldn’t touch you like you’re hoping I will.”

“How are you going to touch me then?”

He pulls back slightly, and my head swims as he lifts the wooden ruler between us.

“What are you going to do with that?”

“Tongue out, Patience.” His stare has turned to ice.

Not because he feels cold, but like he’s slipped into another version of himself. One I’m aching to give in to as he harnesses control.

And while I realize I should stop this, I embrace the rush that is an equal mix of excitement and embarrassment as I stick my tongue out.

“Good girl.” Jacob flattens the bottom of the ruler over my tongue.

His finger presses to the tip, and the warmth of his skin has me considering what it might feel like if this ruler were replaced with him. Embarrassment has me dropping my gaze.

“Eyes on me,” he says firmly, and my stare snaps back to him. “You watchmewhen I’m playing with you.”

Playing with me.

If I were smart, I might consider that a warning. But I can’t think straight when he’s this close.

“So beautiful.” He slides the ruler down an inch. “So obedient.”

I’ve never been called obedient. Never wanted to be. Because that word means I’m not acting on my own will. Except I am. He gave me the option to run, and I didn’t. I am obedient for him because I want this.

Jacob is the only person who can strip me of my thoughts until all I do is feel.

I’m free with him.

He continues to slide the ruler down my tongue, and I don’t break his stare. I keep my eyes locked on his as he slowly drags the ruler lower, until he finally pauses and smirks. His eyes drop from my mouth to my throat to where his hand holds the other end.

“You’re a determined girl.” He looks at me. “We could make it work.”

He pulls the ruler back, and my tongue retreats into my mouth. “Make what work?”