Taking Chances Read Free Page A

policies we need,
and then we’ll start writing. I want to get a couple done before we order lunch.”
    “Lunch, well, I…” She attempted to explain her lunch
was in the fridge down the hall, but let the words fall unspoken, and she bit
her lip when their gazes locked.
    “Forget your lunch plans. You’re not leaving my side
until we’re done.” His attention returned to his laptop.
    The snap of his demand made her heart
leap in her chest, and her pelvis swayed with the heat building in her pussy. Jake’s
attention might have returned to the computer, but not Lydia’s. She was still
stuck in the moment. She had to ponder what excited her more, time with Jake or
the threat that shone in his dark eyes?
    She forgot about lunch.
    ****
    The two worked at an efficient pace. They quickly had
a dozen policies to write and knew they would find a few more. By lunch they had
one policy ready for others to review.
    He was pleasantly surprised by her knowledge of the
new database. She taught him a few things he didn’t know and brought a whole
new line of thought to the table. He brought the upper level control, and she
brought in the smaller details; together they made the policies shine.
    They worked well together. Sure, she was a shy girl,
but now that she wasn’t facing the entire team, she had no problem voicing her
opinions. She kept him on his toes, and he liked the challenge. Of course, he
found himself lost in the length of her silky, chestnut hair and the slope of
her disarming eyes. All it took was replaying her statement from earlier: sometimes things should be left alone, to
bring him back to his senses.
    If only he could ask her about her needs, maybe the
scene would interest her. Her personality fit right in with many of the submissives he’d met over the years. Just because his mind liked
to imagine the steps he’d put her through, thoughts that sent blood rushing to
his cock, it was still possible she would be disgusted by his lifestyle.
    He made his no
subs from work rule for an important reason. He wouldn’t bring the familiar
pain down on himself or someone else again. He shouldn’t be thinking about
taking Lydia right here on the table. Best to put a stop to it now before
things spiraled out of control.
    They were working at a fast pace, but they had
several days ahead of them. Time to get your head back on what’s right in front of you. He looked up to find her leaning over
him pointing at the screen.
    “Right here, Jake, we need to add a screen print
here so they don’t get confused.”
    She was beautiful in her convictions, but it was the
slant of her neck to her shoulder that continued to captivate his attention.
The patch of skin called to him, invited him. It wouldn’t take much effort to
hold her to the spot and lick the junction into his greedy mouth.
    “We already have several screen prints in this
section. Do we really need another?”
    She leaned over him to scroll back a page in the
document. “Yes, you’re right we do, but this is a crucial point. If they miss
checking this box, the document won’t be indexed, and that messes with the
steps in the next several policies. Come on, Jake, let me have another.”
    Was she begging him? “Lunch,” he choked.
    “What—”
    “I’m starving, and I need a break.” He got up abruptly,
and Lydia fell back into her chair. “I’ll order from Carvelos .
Be right back.” He stormed from the room.
    ****
    He kept surprising her. Jake wasn’t the guy she thought
he was. Not that she had much of an impression before today, other than strong,
commanding, and pretty serious. Sitting next to him was supposed to be hard and
distracting, with all the beauty and testosterone. He listened and presented
his calm exterior, welcoming her free thoughts. Normally, she would get lost in
her neuroses when she was around men. Not with Jake. Her mind didn’t run amok
until after he left the room.
    Why had he left so abruptly? Had she annoyed him? She
was