Page 5 of Wham, Bam, Marry Me, Ma’am (The Billings Brothers Trilogy #1)

Rachel

By late afternoon, Vaughn still hasn't returned.

I want to talk to him, clear the air, and explain why I said no to his incredibly sexy request. Apparently, we are not going to be able to pretend it didn't happen. But it's getting late, and I don't intend to camp out at the office to talk to somebody who’s avoiding me.

"Hi, Rachel, is Vaughn in?" Clinton walks up to my desk carrying a square box.

"No, he's not, Clinton. Did you have an appointment I didn't know about?" I chew my lip, anxious about screwing anything up when things are so weird between us right now.

"No. He wanted to see more of the designs I'm testing on the camping trip, so I thought I'd drop them off." Clinton places the box on the corner of my desk. "You can call me Clint, by the way."

"I'll make sure he gets the box, Clint," I say, smiling as I stand up. "Research and design would be my first choice of department at the company," I admit, peeking into the box. "That is, after my own job, of course,"

"Yes. Makes for long hours, though," Clint says. "Good thing I live alone, I guess."

I eye him cautiously, trying to decide if he wants to talk about it. "Yeah, it's hard to meet someone in the city," I say sympathetically.

Clint shakes his head and gives me a small smile. "Testing is the best part of the job," he says, expertly changing the subject. "I get all of the outdoor products, so that makes for a nice perk."

"You like nature?" I assess him through fresh eyes with this new information.

Clint looks like a Viking with longish blond hair.

He's tall with thick arms and thighs. I've mostly seen him in professional wear, but if I picture him in jeans and a flannel, he is definitely a swoon-worthy mountain man type.

Clint nods. "Yep. Grew up in a small mountain town on the other side of Passion Ridge.

" A sad nostalgia shines through his eyes for a moment, but it's fleeting and then he's all business.

"Okay, well. I'll need these back in a week.

" He taps the box once. "Do you want me to put it in his office for you? "

"No, head home. I've got it," I assure him. Clint hesitates, but I wave him off. He gives me a little wave as he leaves.

I write a note with Clint's one-week request on it and tape it to the box. I lug it into my arms and prop it against Vaughn's door so I can turn the handle.

Well, this is heavier than it looked. I should have taken Clint up on his offer. I manage to get it to the desk without dropping it, but I jostle a stack of mail when I set it down heavily. The stack of envelopes scatter across the plush carpet.

I hum to myself, refusing to get cranky about something easily fixed as I get down on all fours to gather the mail.

As I stack the pile neatly on Vaughn's desk, I notice one letter stuck toward the back of his desk.

I crawl under and have to get down on my elbows.

As I try to loosen it from where it's wedged under the thick side cabinet section, I marvel at how it must have hit at the perfect angle when it fell.

There has to be an online forum for weird everyday things like this.

I wiggle my butt, pulling the edge of the envelope toward me, and it finally comes free.

"For fuck's sake, Rachel. Are you trying to kill me?" A deep voice sounds behind me, and I jump, bumping my head on the underside of Vaughn's desk. Strong hands wrap around my waist, hauling me up, and when I turn around, I'm inches from Vaughn's brooding face.

He grimaces as I rub my head, looking pained. It hurts, but my ego is more bruised at this point.

"What are you doing in here?" he demands, and I glare at his tone.

"Delivering a package, but I knocked over the mail you left on the corner.

" I turn to place the final letter on the stack with the others, moving the pile a safe distance to the middle of his desk with sassy emphasis.

I turn and stride toward the door, all thoughts of the conversation I still need to have with him put aside.

If I irritate him this much, why the hell did he want to kiss me?

"It's probably best if you stay out of my office," Vaughn grits out quietly.

That's it. Something in me snaps, and I am no longer interested in making excuses for his controlling behavior.

I whirl on him. "Excuse me, Vaughn Billings?"

His eyes flare with heat, and it takes everything in my power not to climb him like a tree and beg him to finish what he started in the elevator two days ago. But now I'm pissed.

"I am doing my job, and I'm doing it well.

A fact you may have missed considering I've yet to hear one positive comment about my job performance.

" My hands on my hips, I'm now inches from his face.

Even through my anger, I can't stop myself from glancing at his full lips.

I look up to his eyes quickly, refusing to give him an edge over me.

"You want a job review?" he asks through gritted teeth.

He takes a step toward me, and I involuntarily take a step to the side, desperately trying to concentrate around his spicy soothing scent that has a direct line to my nipples.

They tingle, hardening as his chest grazes mine, and I bump into the desk behind me.

I place my hands on either side of my butt, gripping the edge for support as I try to keep myself away from his mouth.

"You. Are. Fucking. Perfect ," Vaughn grits out.

"The best fucking assistant I've ever had.

Anticipate every move. Three steps ahead of me.

You manage my moods like it's normal to be a controlling fucking asshole.

And you are so goddamn beautiful I can't stand to look at you for too long or my heart will break knowing you don't want me the same way. "

I blink twice, and he blinks back at me, as startled by his admission as I am.

And then I'm on him. I pull him toward me by his tie, my legs wrap around him, and I plant my lips to his with every ounce of desire I've built up since November.

His mouth opens in shock, and I take the opportunity to slip my tongue past his lips.

He groans when he tastes me, one hand tangling in my hair as he kisses me back firmly, the other stroking up my thigh to grip the side of my lace panties.

Five months of passion unleashes, and we become a tangle of lips, tongue, teeth, and limbs.

"Fuck. Why did you tell me no?" Vaughn's teeth skim down my neck, and I shiver as he sucks and licks his way through my cleavage.

"Because I want more than one night." I pull his head up, kissing him again before he can respond to my pathetic request. I tear at his suit jacket and try to pull it off his shoulders.

He removes his jacket quickly and tosses it to the floor as he eyes the buttons of my dress like he can barely restrain himself.

"Don't rip it, please. It's my favorite," I plead, panting as I kiss up and down his neck, loosening his tie.

"I'll buy you more," Vaughn growls, grabbing each side of my dress to rip it open, but I slap at his hands.

"Don't you dare. They only had one in my size." I pull his shirt out of his pants, as I try to undo the fastener at the top. His hard bulge strains against his zipper, and my core clenches with achy impatience each time he presses between my open legs.

I finally get his pants open, but he stills my hand.

"Wait, not here." Vaughn pulls back quickly and stares at me, panting hard as he zips himself back up. My chest heaves as I look around desperately, trying to figure out where he wants to go.

He pulls me forward and lowers his shoulder into my stomach in one quick move.

Before I can blink, I'm staring at his tight firm ass accentuated by expensive dress pants.

He opens the door to his office and strides down the hallway like this is an everyday occurrence.

His large hand is plastered just under my butt cheeks, holding my dress down firmly across my thighs.

I squeak in protest. "Vaughn, put me down," I hiss, even as a flush of joy zips through me at how easily he carries me toward the elevator.

"No." His deep voice rumbles against my stomach, and I try to squeeze my thighs together. He chuckles. "You like it when I don't listen to you?"

I respond by gripping his ass with both hands, trying to use his perfect backside as leverage to pull myself up.

I anticipate a smack on my ass in response, but he slips his hand between my thighs.

Moving my panties to the side, he inserts one thick finger inside me, silencing me as he steals my breath away.

He moves his finger in and out of my already dripping core, and my wanton moan echoes around us.

The doors open to the entry of his penthouse apartment, and I give up trying to get away as he slowly continues his administration.

"So responsive," he whispers, and his praise makes me melt.

I decide then and there if this is the only night we spend together, I'm going to make sure it lasts a lifetime for my fantasies.