back to my office and away from Ryker. He’d sucked all the positivity out of me, and I needed space.
“It was so great to see you again, Charles,” I said, giving him a warm squeeze.
“You too, angel. Would you mind awfully if I gave you a call? I’d love to catch up over a coffee and a blueberry muffin. They always were your favorites.”
I could have sworn Ryker muttered something that sounded remarkably like “Over your dead body, asshole.” Charles didn’t seem to notice, though, or if he did, he didn’t react.
“That sounds lovely,” I said. If Ryker could date, then damn it, so could I. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“Great.” He beamed. “I’ll walk you out.”
Ryker stormed on ahead with me and Charles trailing behind.
“What is it you’re doing at ROGUES, Athena?” Charles asked.
“IT support. Finally putting my degree to good use.”
“Hmm. Well, we’re always on the lookout for talented techies. Do keep us in mind when you’re considering your next move.”
Ryker stopped so fast, I almost bumped into him. He whirled around, blotches of anger coloring his neck. He narrowed his eyes, his nostrils flaring, and his hands formed fists at his sides.
“It is the height of bad form to attempt to poach staff in front of their current boss,” he snarled. “If this is the kind of leadership behavior you display, I don’t think you’re the right fit for a joint venture with ROGUES.”
Charles flushed beet red while I prayed for a large hole in the floor to open up and swallow me.
“I’m sure I didn’t mean anything by it, Stone,” Charles said with a clenched jaw. “You’re right, I apologize.” He turned his attention to me. “I extend my apologies to you also, Athena. That was completely out of order.”
“No apologies needed, Charles,” I said as hot, burning rage raced through me. “At least not from you. And thank you. I will keep your company in mind. One never knows when their current employment may become untenable.” I reached up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Don’t forget to call me, and we’ll grab that drink. Maybe dinner.”
I charged outside and flung myself into the back of Ryker’s limo, my chest heaving with pent-up anger. How dare he speak to Charles in such a manner. And he accused me of unprofessional behavior.
The door beside me opened, and Ryker got in. The car pulled smoothly away. The screen between the front and back was still in place, so I let him have it. Both barrels. For the second time in an hour.
“What the hell was that? You acted like a petulant, childish schoolboy. What’s the matter with you, Ryker? You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me either. Talk about hypocrisy. Pah! It’s fine for you to flaunt your girlfriends in my face, to grope their asses and whisper sweet nothings in their ear over the dinner table. It’s okay for you to fuck anyone you goddamn please, but I can’t even go for a coffee with an old friend.”
He gripped my jaw, his fingers biting into my skin, and slammed his mouth over mine. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, as Ryker’s tongue ravaged me, his lips pressing down hard enough that I tasted blood. A growl radiated through his chest, the sound so male, so dominating, I almost orgasmed. Jesus, Ryker was actually kissing me. Fiercely. Possessively. He wasn’t drunk. I wasn’t seventeen. If Charles had been the catalyst to force Ryker’s sudden loss of control, then I’d buy the man coffees and muffins for the rest of his life.
I buried my hands in his hair, the shock at the turn of events receding, allowing me to be a full participant. My tongue danced with his, earning me a groan of pleasure. His fingers moved from my jaw to my throat. He applied pressure, not enough to cut off my air supply, but more to assert his dominance.
As fast as he’d come on to me, he withdrew. He pressed a button in the center console. “Pull the car over,” he snapped.
“Ryker,” I panted. “What are you doing?”
He didn’t respond. The car stopped. He pushed down on the handle.
“Take Miss Bancroft back to the office.” The door slammed, and Ryker left me dazed, confused… and alone.
10
Ryker
I watched the car drive away, blind fury blurring my vision. I directed every ounce of anger at myself, and zero at Athena. Every word she’d spoken was laced with a truth so painful, it tore