“Fuck off, Walt.” I stomp into my personal domain where privacy is expected.
My assistant follows over the threshold without hesitation. “She’s changing you.”
“For the worst. I’m well aware.” I jut my chin at his beloved device.
His dark eyes widen. “No, this is good. Very good.”
“This discussion’s expiration date hit before it even started.” I drop onto my chair with a snarl.
“I know that look, Landon. That’s the look of a man in lust.” Walt is gay, so I suppose that means something coming from him.
I jiggle my mouse to avoid wringing his neck. “Why are you still standing here?”
“Would you like me to send a car to fetch her from the hotel?”
The glow from my computer illuminates the dim room. “Sure, if that’s what it takes to get you out of my face. Coffee and some decent lighting would be good too.”
“You got it, boss.” Walt dashes off to do my bidding, flicking a switch on his way out.
I lose track of time rather quickly. My flow is just hitting optimal efficiency when a noticeable shift boots me from the numb headspace. Vannah sweeps into the room with a force that knocks me immobile. Well, not every part of me. My cock leaps to attention as she prowls closer. The straining frustration from our illicit photograph dulls as another catalyst rushes in. Her appearance is wreaking immediate havoc on my newfound resolve. That’s when I notice her legs.
“Fishnets aren’t appropriate office attire.” My tone booms louder than I intend it to.
Halfway in her pursuit to my desk, Vannah pauses and stabs me with a glare. She skims a finger along the snug hem of her dress. “Are you making rules now?”
I grunt at her brazen display. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You just seem like the type of woman who prefers being taken seriously.”
“And this outfit offends you?” She still hasn’t relented in her attempts at exposing my weaknesses.
A flare in my nostrils is all she gets. “I’d have to care in order for that to be true.”
Vannah rolls her eyes. “It seems someone is reverting back to Angry Lannie. I was wondering when he’d make a reappearance.”
“I just needed a reminder why being nice is overrated.”
She pinches the useless material clinging to her thigh. “It’s a tad vampy for my regular taste, but I’m feeling extra saucy this morning.”
“You look it.” The bulge in my slacks agrees, pushing the zipper to its limit. This battle against my arousal is turning into a nonstop affair. A smolder erupts in my veins, aiming south at an alarming rate. I need to get my reaction to her under control before real damage can be done. I can’t afford to slip.
“And here I thought we were making some progress.” Her wink lashes at the fire racing beneath my skin.
“Certain disputes are being handled quite well. We’ve laid the worst to rest,” I mutter.
“You have a talent for making everything sound like an innuendo.” Her answering laugh is a twinkling tune.
“I’m glad my point is coming across.”
“Oh?” She struts to the windows, turning her focus on the awakening city.
The image of us joining as one in that exact spot cements in my brain. Everything else I’d planned to accomplish grinds into useless pulp. That demise happened quicker than I care to admit. “I need you again.”
She peeks at me from over her shoulder. “Already?”
I’m standing in the next beat, all other agendas forgotten. “You should be glad I left without sinking between those welcoming thighs again. The idea was tempting.”
Her fiery hair is collected into a loose bun, exposing her slender throat. I can almost see the chaotic thrum of her pulse from here. “You think I’ll let you back in after that lacking reception?”
“My apologies. I’m a bit out of sorts.” Granting her that confession cramps my gut.
“Why might that be?” She toys with a stray tendril that escaped her tangled knot.
“You’ve managed to unnerve me.” If she wants to reveal a fault in my game, I just handed her one.
“Is that so?”
“I can’t stop thinking about making you come around my cock for all of Chicago to see.”
She taps on the mirrored wall. “This is tinted, or I’d never consider it.”
“Just the illusion is plenty.” The thunder beating against my chest is proof. I want to take her in front of millions. “Christen my office with me.”
Vannah quirks a brow. “You’ve never…?”
“I didn’t have the urge until very recently,” I admit.