Page 17 of The Claiming Series: Collection 1

Callum

“Friday? Isn’t that a little short notice?” Lily demands, her hands braced on her ample hips as she glares at me across my desk.

I called her into my office to tell her she’s accompanying me on an overnight business trip at the end of the week. To say she’s not too happy about it is an understatement.

I lean back in my chair and pin her with a cool stare. “It’s Monday today, Lily. Which means you have almost four days to get everything organized. Granted, it’s shorter notice than I would’ve liked, but it’s the only time I have available in the next few weeks, and I need you there. ”

It’s been a month since Lily started working for me, and it's been a mixture of heaven and hell.

Heaven, because she is undoubtedly the best personal assistant I’ve ever had. Hell, because my desire for her is growing by the day.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve jerked off in the shower, rubbing my cock raw to images of her and grunting her name as I spill my seed into the swirling water.

I want her by my side and in my bed, where I can worship her curves and fuck my DNA into her.

Every cell of my body demands that I mark her as mine, like some feral animal.

But I promised myself I’d give her time to get settled, get to know me better, and hopefully, fall for me like I’ve fallen for her.

So far, my patience has been rewarded with… nothing. Lily is the epitome of efficiency and professionalism. Not once has she hinted that she sees me as anything other than her boss.

On the one hand, this makes me a happy camper, knowing she’s not the kind of woman to flaunt her sexy-as-fuck body in her boss's face.

On the other hand, it makes me a miserable fucker, knowing she’s not the kind of woman to flaunt her sexy- as-fuck body in her boss's face.

See my dilemma?

Swear to God I’m regressing into a fucking Neanderthal. Give me another week, and I’ll be clubbing her over the head and dragging her back to my man cave to breed her.

I level her with my best authoritative look. "I did warn you when you took the job that there would be the occasional business trip,” I remind her, feeling zero remorse as I pull rank.

Her mouth tightens with irritation. "It's not fair to expect me to drop everything at a moment’s notice. I do have a life beyond these four walls, sir.”

She doesn’t often call me ‘sir,’ but when she does, I have to fight the urge to bend her over my knee, rip off her panties, and spank her rounded ass until it glows red with my handprint.

"I know, and I'll make sure you're paid for the additional time and inconvenience, but like I said, I need you there," I persist.

Not strictly true. I'm more than capable of sealing this deal myself, but she doesn't need to know that—yet. I’m determined to get some alone time with my angel, and I know the only way I can do that is to use work as an excuse .

What can I say? I'm not a fucking saint, and I’m not beyond using questionable tactics when it comes to winning Lily’s heart.

Lily lets out an annoyed huff. “What about Groot?”

“Your cat? What about him?”

She glowers at me. “I’ll have to find someone to feed him at short notice.”

God, she's beautiful. Two spots of color paint her cheeks red, and her hazel-green eyes flash with irritation. Her magnificent tits strain against the buttons of her blouse, and my mouth waters with a sudden desire to taste them, to hear her sweet moans as I lick and suck at her nipples.

“Don’t you have a neighbor who can help?” I ask, discreetly adjusting my swollen cock beneath the desk.

“I suppose I could ask Mrs. Summers next door,” she grumbles. She pauses, nibbling on her bottom lip. "Okay, but please give me more notice next time," she finally concedes.

"You got it," I reply with a nod. "And thanks. I appreciate it."

Lily looks like she wants to staple my hand to the desk or throw a box file at my head. She turns and leaves the office, muttering under her breath about presumptuous bosses.

Firecracker .

I love that she doesn’t take any shit from me. She stands up for herself and fights me to the last. It’s a major fucking turn-on . Hell, everything about her is a turn-on. My dick hasn’t had a minute to relax and kick back since I first set eyes on her.

Shaking my head, I try to push all thoughts of Lily from my mind, immersing myself in the mountain of work piled up on my desk.

An hour later, I realize I haven’t emailed the details of our trip to Lily. Less than a minute after hitting the send button, she bursts into my office.

“You didn’t tell me that the business meeting is with Miller Corp.” she accuses, a hysterical edge to her voice.

I frown at her unexpected outburst. “I wasn’t aware that I had to. Why? Is there a problem?”

She shakes her head, wringing her hands nervously in front of her. “Yes, there’s a problem! I can’t go with you, Callum. I’m sorry, but… I can’t!”

Alarm bells are going off in my head. I know Lily used to work there, but her reaction tells me I’m missing something.

I stand and walk to the door, closing and locking it quietly so we have complete privacy. “Sit,” I instruct, pointing at the chair in front of my desk. I watch as she plops her butt down before returning to my seat.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t—I can’t go back there,” Lily says again, her expression haunted.

I capture her gaze, shocked by the fear in her eyes. “Lily, tell me what’s wrong,” I encourage softly.

She releases a shaky breath, dropping her eyes to her hands in her lap. Her shoulders slump in defeat. “There’s something I should’ve told you at my interview.”

I nod, sensing I won’t like what I’m about to hear. “I’m listening. Take your time.”

She bites her lip, looking so vulnerable that I want to scoop her up in my arms and tell her that whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. Nothing she can say will change how I feel about her.

“I left Miller Corp. because my ex-boss, Miller Cooper, pinned me up against the wall in his office and shoved his hands up my skirt,” she mutters, her voice rough with emotion.

I’m not sure what I expected her to say, but that wasn’t it. A red haze descends in front of my eyes, and my hands clench into fists. I force myself to take a few deep breaths to calm down. Lily doesn’t need me going all Terminator right now.

“I kneed him in the balls, grabbed my purse, and went straight to HR,” she continues, her expression dark with painful memories.

“Apparently, it was my word against his. There were no witnesses, and he didn’t leave any marks on me.

He swore on his mother’s grave that he never touched me, even accused me of coming on to him .

As if I’d ever do anything like that.” she says, her mouth curling in disgust.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I ask softly, trying to keep the anger from my voice.

“I thought you wouldn’t believe me,” she whispers.

I shake my head in disbelief. “Why the hell would you think that?”

She lifts her eyes to mine again. “Because no one else did. Not one person had my back when they heard what happened. They either didn’t believe me or were too scared of losing their jobs.

I should have told you at my interview, but I was scared.

Why would you believe me , a woman you’d only just met?

But I want you to know I never did anything to encourage that narcissistic asshole.

One thing I’ve learned is I can’t control what other people think, but I know the truth, and that’s all that matters to me, so if you want me to leave?—”

I hold up my hands to stall her tirade before she passes out from lack of oxygen. “I do believe you, Lily. And you’re not going anywhere.”

Her eyes widen in shock. “Really?”

I nod. “Really.”

Her face crumbles, and tears roll unchecked down her cheeks. “Oh, thank God. I was so scared you were going to fire me.”

Dear God, that fucker has done a real number on her. I want to rip him limb from limb.

Seeing her tears unleashes something primal inside me. Without thinking, I’m out of my seat and heading toward her. Then I hesitate. She’s recounted a disturbing incident—she isn’t going to want me touching her right now.

But then Lily does something surprising—she reaches for my hand.

I fold it into my larger one, humbled by the gesture. “Can I do anything?” I ask hesitantly. The need to take care of this brave, precious woman is overwhelming.

She doesn’t reply but stands and moves into my arms, wrapping hers around my waist and holding onto me for dear life. The silent sobs that shake her body tear at my insides.

I gently move us toward my chair and sink into it with her in my lap. She curls into me while she cries, her face tucked against my throat as I soothe my hands over her back.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you. Let it all go,” I murmur next to her ear.

Her tears dampen the front of my shirt. This is a side of Lily I’m not familiar with. She’s usually so composed, so together, but her vulnerability and the reason for it almost wrecks me.

My hand continues to smooth her silky hair down her back in a soothing rhythm until her tears eventually subside.

“I keep going over it, wondering if I did something or said something to make him think he could put his hands on me like that,” she says, her voice husky from her tears.

I shake my head. “Men like that don’t need a reason. They don’t need encouragement. They see what they want, and they take it. You were unfortunate to become the target of a sick, arrogant fuck.”

Lily lifts her head to look at me, giving me a watery smile. “Thank you for believing me. It means a lot.”

“You don’t have to thank me. And you don’t have to justify yourself to anyone. Like you said earlier, you know the truth, and that’s all that matters.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I should’ve been honest with you from the get-go. I only worked for Miller Corp. for a few months, and it seemed easier to pretend it never happened,” she says, her mouth twisting with a bitter smile.

“Well, his loss is my gain,” I reassure her.

Goosebumps break out along her arms, and I suddenly realize my hands are absently smoothing up and down her soft skin.

Energy crackles between us as I gaze down at her.

I know she’s feeling it, too, by how her eyes dilate and her breath catches in her throat.

My rock-hard cock stabbing her hip might also give her a clue.

Her eyes widen, but I don’t see rejection in their hazel depths. I see curiosity tinged with desire. Does she know what she’s revealing with that hungry look?

“Doesn’t this make me a huge hypocrite,” she asks uncertainly, waving a finger between us.

I move my hands to cradle her face, smoothing my thumbs across her cheeks. “Because I’m your boss?” I ask, my voice a low rumble.

“Yes. And because I’ve just told you what happened with my last boss.”

I frown. Am I that different from Miller Cooper? After all, I took one look at Lily and knew she was going to be mine. My thoughts about her over the last month haven’t exactly been innocent—far from it.

But I’d never put my hands on a woman without permission, and I’d certainly never force her, never take what wasn’t given willingly. The thought of Miller Cooper doing that to Lily makes me want to break things—namely, his fucking face.

“I know you, Lily. There’s no way you did anything to make that asshole think he could treat you like that.

We’ve spent almost every day together for the last month, and I know the kind of person you are.

I see your passion and diligence for your work and the kindness you show others.

You get the best out of people without abusing your position, and everyone in the office loves you. ”

Including me.

I want to say the words, but I bite my tongue. She’s not ready for that yet. I’m still letting that fact settle in myself.

Her eyes fill with tears at my words. “I love working here. I love working for you.”

I’ll settle for that. For now.

I slide my hand through her hair, massaging her scalp with my fingers.

She closes her eyes with a sigh of pleasure, and when she opens them again, there’s no denying the desire in their hazel depths.

Her eyes drop to my mouth and her lips part, her head moving closer to mine as if pulled by an invisible thread.

“I’ll never hurt you, my little office angel. Will you let me kiss you?” I ask, my voice rough with emotion.

“Yes, please,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering closed again.

My mouth touches hers tentatively, lightly grazing her lips.

The light contact sends a shock of desire coiling through me, stalling my breath in my lungs and tightening my balls.

I pull back slightly to gauge her reaction, giving her the opportunity to move away.

The last thing I want to do is scare this beauty in my arms or overstep her boundaries.

But she doesn’t move away. Instead, her hands fist in my shirt, and she lets out a small moan, lifting her mouth blindly toward mine.

It’s such a small sound, but it tells me all I need to know.

It tells me the chemistry between us isn’t one-sided, and the passion simmering inside her matches mine.

It tells me that I stand a chance—no matter how small—of making her fall in love with me.