BENTLEY Read online

  I give her a sympathetic nod. “If you need help, let me know .”

  Kim’s smile is kind. “I know Mr. Strongwell keeps you busy. It’s okay. But thank you for the offer .”

  I finish my turkey croissant sandwich and try to ignore the sense of dread I feel about going back to the office. It’s been like this for too long now…me simultaneously wanting to avoid and be near him, and him running as far away from me as he can. It’s mortifying .

  I should have more pride. I shouldn’t want him, not after the way he froze me out .

  But I can’t help remembering the wounded look in his eyes the first time I met him. The way he sank into me when we had sex, like he’d found something he’d been missing. I know I didn’t imagine it .

  Bentley is a tortured man. But what is torturing him, I don’t know .

  We eventually toss our trash and make our way back outside the cafe. Avenue of the Americas is bustling with crowds, as always. We flash our badges to the security guards as we enter the building, and then head upstairs. Strongwell Ink takes up almost a dozen floors of the high-rise it’s in. It’s almost not enough room for us—books overflow in the hallways, which I find kind of amazing .

  I’ve done so much reading since working here, learning more about our products, our brand. Curled up in my bed under the covers, delving into the books we publish. It helps me feel more a part of the company .

  I go back to my desk and work more on the spreadsheets I promised to have on Bentley’s desk by the end of the day. He’s interested in my mathematical perspective. So I pour myself into the work and try to pretend I’m not filled with angst. Fortunately I’m able to sink my focus into it .

  At least I’m in my zone, doing what I’m most comfortable with. Something I feel strong doing. Something I’m useful with--numbers. Numbers are consistent, they don’t change from one moment to the next, don’t disappoint you with unexpected outcomes .

  Numbers I can handle .

  The rest of the day passes by as I get the spreadsheet ready for presentation. Bentley has to present it to the investors tomorrow, and I know he’ll expect it to be perfect. I won’t fail to deliver. At the very least, he won’t be able to argue about my math .

  By four o’clock, my stomach is in knots about the thought of seeing him. I’ve had so few rare glances of Bentley lately, that I feel removed from my job in a weird way. Almost like I’m not really here, working for him .

  Which is awful, because after that night we had together, I wanted so much more. More of that sensual, wicked pleasure. More of the way he made me alive .

  I print out the spreadsheet and knock on his door. I could have emailed it to him, but fuck it. I’m going to make him face me. I’m tired of pretending like nothing happened .

  “Come in,” he says in that usual rumbling tone, and I open the door .

  My stomach is a mass of butterflies. I step in like everything is normal and hand him the spreadsheet. “Here it is.” But instead of leaving, I just stand there, waiting for him to read it over .

  He raises a brow but doesn’t say anything, his eyes barely glancing my way. Scours the document with his ever-ready pen present. He makes a few notations on the document. “Here,” he says, thrusting it back at me .

  I take the paper from him but don’t move. Instead I just stare at him .

  Moments pass in silence until he finally looks at me. “Yes?” he finally says .

  “What is going on?” I blurt out .

  To his credit, his face doesn’t change. He just keeps that placid expression. He must be a hell of a poker player. “What do you mean?” he says coolly .

  I can’t help it. My cheeks burn with frustration. It’s hard enough that I’m having to act like nothing happened. Even more when he tries to fake it too. “You know what I mean. Your behavior is different with me. Since…” I swallow. “Since that night,” I finish delicately .

  Bentley draws in a slow breath, then exhales. Only his chest moves. “I changed .”

  I blink. “What does that mean ?”

  “What happened between us…it was a one-time thing and it could never be more,” he says .

  I roll his words around in my head. So, it was just a one-off, is what he’s saying. He never intended anything else. I don’t know what to make of this. Was I a fool for thinking that maybe his desire extended beyond that ?

  “Why?” I demand. I don’t know if it’s pride making me ask it, or if I’m pushing aside my pride to ask. But I need answers, and he’s the only one who can give them to me .

  Bentley’s gaze drifts over my shoulder. His face grows hard. “Because my needs are far too complicated for someone like you. We’re better off just being professional. I shouldn’t have done that in the first place .”

  “You mean take my virginity,” I state .

  The words echo between us in a long stretch of silence .

  To his credit, he finally looks over at me, emotion in his eyes. “You don’t understand. You could never understand .”

  “Of course I don’t,” I counter. “What is it you think you want, and why are you so sure I can’t provide it?” I pause, remembering how it felt to be perched on his desk, mere feet from where I am now. Him thrusting inside me. “I’m fairly certain you…” I make myself continue. “You enjoyed the way I provided for you .”

  His nostrils flare, and I’m certain I’m starting to break through his hard shell. “You have no idea what someone like me wants .”

  “So tell me,” I demand. “Because you can’t get what you want if you don’t speak up .”

  “I need to control you,” he finally blurts out. His words are clipped. “I need to control you, do things that are well beyond what I’ve shown you so far.” He stands and looks at me, his eyes hard, hungry. “I’ve kept myself in check as best as I can, but there’s only so much I can fucking do. I’m not capable of having a regular, typical romance, Samantha. If we were to continue, you’d need to give yourself over to my every whim.” His voice drops but he never looks away. “Give yourself to my every desire and command. You’d have to be willing to take punishment when I’m displeased with your efforts, as well as accepts the rewards I’d dole out at my discretion .”

  His words shock me. Shock and arouse me. I don’t know what to make of this. I’ve never had someone speak this way to me before, tell me such intense things. Could he really want all of that with me ?

  I’m so confused. Conflicted. My emotions are rioting in my chest. On the one hand, I know this relationship would be headed for disaster should we decide to pursue it. It cannot possibly end well. Bentley is my boss. He’s rich, older, emotionally unavailable. And apparently he has some kinky sexual tastes I don’t fully understand yet. For me to get involved with a man like him would be to repeat history, only to do it in even worse circumstances .

  Having a sexual relationship with him would be like admitting total defeat—that I learned nothing after the interlude with Dr. Archer. From my past mistakes. It would prove that I’m reckless, a loser, a total joke…and if my parents ever found out, they would be destroyed .

  They’d never believe in me again .

  And yet …

  I want him so badly .

  I want this man. More than I fear failure .

  So I’m faced with a decision. Walk away, or step up to the plate .

  “I’ll do it,” I find myself saying. My heart is in my throat, but I continue. “I’m willing to play by your rules .”

  Bentley grows quiet, just eyeing me. Like he isn’t sure what to think of what I just said. Does he believe me ?

  I want him to. But I’m also finding a backbone in me, one that says I have to be strong. This man requires more than someone who is docile. I can sense that about him. He doesn’t want that submissiveness just weakly given .

  No, he needs it from someone who makes him take it .

  The thought of him taking that from me makes me get instantly wet. Him walking up to me, gripping
me, forcing me to kneel to him .

  A part of me would want to give that to him .

  But an even bigger part wants him to take it from me .

  Bentley gets up from his desk and walks around to stand in front of me. We’re inches apart, his eyes peering down into mine relentlessly. I can feel the heat pouring from his body. “Do you know what you’re offering to me ?”

  I don’t back down. I don’t know why, but I need this. With him. He makes me feel something I’ve never felt before, and I crave the chance to explore it. Logic be damned. “I’m offering you all of myself. To do everything you ask. But are you going to run away again?” I challenge .

  The chuckle he gives is so dark, it sends goose bumps skittering across my flesh. “Just remember, Doll, that you were told. You can never say I didn’t warn you about me .”

  Bentley

  M y world shifted on its axis yesterday. Samantha came into my office and gave herself to me .

  From now on, she will be my submissive. Of course, she can’t possibly know what that entails. What exactly she’s offering to me .

  But the fact is, since yesterday afternoon, my mind has not been able to stop whirling with that information. That she is mine. Mine . To take, to tease, to punish, to torture. To deliciously control. Every sick and twisted way that I want to .

  I’m like an addict that’s finally been given an endless supply of his favorite drug, and yet I’m enjoying the anticipation so much that I haven’t even begun to indulge …

  Samantha may decide after today that it’s too much. I can’t be too excited. Can’t let myself think too far ahead .

  I’m sitting at my desk, having just arrived at work. I a few minutes early—Samantha hasn’t arrived yet and she’s now officially a minute late. A test, even if she doesn’t know it was .

  There’s a light rap on my office door .

  “Yes?” I say smoothly .

  It opens, and her face peers through. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here,” she offers as she comes in, bearing my mug of coffee. Since she started working for me, she’s had the coffee on my desk and ready for me when I arrive. I threw her off by getting here before she did .

  I want to see how she reacts .

  “You know what you were supposed to do,” I say quietly .

  She pauses. Puts the mug on my desk. Clenches her fingers in front of her . “Yes .”

  “ Tell me .”

  “I was supposed to have the coffee on your desk before you arrive.” Her voice is breathless, giving away a slight tremble .

  “You have grown complacent,” I tell her. “Put your hands on the top of the desk .”

  Samantha blinks at me in shock . “What ?”

  I don’t say a word. Just stand there. If she’s going to do this with me, I need to demonstrate who is in control .

  With stilted moves, she leans forward and plants her palms on the desk. Her ass, clad in a pair of form-fitting black pants, is thrust out temptingly .

  I get up from my desk and take a leisurely stroll to her side. Stand close to her without moving. “You are to wear dresses or skirts every day from now on. No panties at all. That pussy is to be available to me any time I want to access it. Do you understand me, Samantha ?”

  “Yes,” she says, and I can see a shudder of excitement work its way through her spine. Oh, she’s loving this. The realization sends a wave of power through me. I’ll fucking let her know I’m in charge. That’s what she wants. She craves .

  “Yes, what?” I prod .

  “Yes…sir?” she asks .

  “Good girl.” I step behind her. “But you still have to be punished. I expect you to be here before I am, not a second late. With hot coffee ready for me. You must comply to my demands. Do you understand ?”

  “Yes, sir,” she says, and I can see her back arching as she sinks into the role. Oh, this girl was made to be submissive, to take orders. And to be stiffly disciplined. I’m so aroused by the sight of her giving herself to me this way .

  My darkest impulses have taken over and my blood is racing .

  I reach around and unbutton her pants. Thrust them down to her knees. Her panties are a scrap of black fabric, barely covering her ass. “These are indecent,” I say offhandedly as I finger the edges, my hands brushing her ass cheeks .

  She shudders from my touch. “Yes, sir.” Her words are shaky but willing. She wants this as much as I do .

  I tug one panty cheek to the side and then plant a light smack on her ass. Her whole body stiffens, and she stifles a cry of surprise. Another two swats on her curvy ass, and she’s biting her lip, trying not to say a word. But her whole body is tense. It’s not a real punishment, just enough to warm her up. Let her see who’s controlling things. “You’re going to do better tomorrow,” I remind her .

  “Yes, sir,” she finally says .

  I straighten her panties and move her to standing. “Get yourself sorted and go email the French publisher I mentioned to you earlier. He wants to acquire the rights to several of our books.” She’s fumbling with her pants, looking awkward, so I step forward and still her movements. Breathe into her ear, “Be a good girl for me .”

  That does it. Her whole body relaxes into my words. “Yes, sir,” she says on a long sigh. And then she’s out of the office .

  I’m left standing here, thinking about what just happened. How easily she responded to my demands. Accepted my punishment, even though she could have protested it was unfair. Samantha didn’t care though. She took it like a good girl .

  Fuck. My cock is unbearably hard and I want nothing more than to plow into her hot, needy pussy right this instant .

  It would be so easy to get caught up in this. How much can I maintain control and not lose myself to this? Not give in to all those twisted things I want? To watch her beg me. To see her on her knees before me .

  I think about how her body felt that first time between us, and it’s like I’m going to jump out of my skin with desire. I need to be sated .

  But no .

  I will go slow. I can still keep from sinking too deeply into it. I just have to stay strong. This will not control me .

  That sense of control lasts all of an hour. I sit at my computer, fidgeting, attempting to work but struggling to focus. All I can think about is her warm ass under my firm hand. The way she took the spanking without complaint. How she even seemed aroused by it. She’s so innocent but willing to give herself to me . Why ?

  I fire off a message to her, telling her to come here. When she knocks on my door, I order her to open it. Upon her stepping inside, I say, “Strip off your panties. Right now.” I don’t know what’s possessed me. I can’t stop thinking about this woman. Wanting her to submit to me .

  Samantha pauses for a moment, but she unfastens her pants, takes them off, then her panties .

  “Put them on my desk,” I say through gritted teeth .

  Her movements are stiff as she does so. I can see the full flush on her face. She’s mortified. Yet…there’s a spark in her eyes that says she’s into it, too. She likes being dirty for me .

  “Go put your hands against the wall .”

  “Yes, sir,” she breathes, and plants them face -high .

  “Lower. At your waist.” I want her bent over, exposed to me .

  She seems to understand what I’m asking. With hesitant steps, Samantha does my command. Her ass is out for me, her beautiful, glistening cunt on display .

  “When you enter my office, you are to push up your skirt or dress until you are open to me this way,” I tell her. I’m so fucking aroused right now, looking at those pink lower lips, the slick of juices on them. She’s turned on. Her breathing is irregular, and she’s trembling at my words. “You will push our ass out, and you still stand here and be on display for me at my whim. Do you understand ?”

  “Yes, sir.” The words are barely whispered .

  “You are mine to touch,” I say as I get up. I can’t help myself. I move to her and
I allow myself the sheer pleasure of touching her wetness. Fuck me, I can smell her now, that hot and thick scent of arousal that makes my cock rage to be released. I could grab her hips and plunge into her right now. Cup a hand over her mouth and order her to stay silent .

  I want to. I so ache to .

  But I make myself stay strong. This is just as much about me as it is her. Me doling these moments out for when they are deserved. I want to treasure every one, because I don’t know how long this will last .

  Still, I drop down to my knees and nuzzle my nose at her entrance. Breathe her scent in. Her whole body is still, but I can feel her micro-vibrations. She’s on edge. I bet one swipe of my tongue along her slit would make her explode. She is desperate for me .

  The thought makes me so fucking turned on I can’t even wrap my head around it. How long I’ve ached for this. Years and years. And then this young, beautiful woman arrives and she’s ripping my world apart .

  I give myself the luxury of grabbing her ass cheeks and spreading them apart. Pushing my face against her pussy and smelling deeply. I want this scent imprinted on my nostrils. I want to breathe nothing but her .

  Then I make myself move away. Stand up. “Put your pants back on. The panties stay here. They are mine now .”

  Samantha does as I command then faces me. Her eyes are heavy-lidded with desire, with that looseness that comes when she’s following my orders. She stands there, waiting for me to tell her what’s next .

  “I will text you from now on with my orders,” I say to her impulsively. I know better than to send them through company email. And stupid as it may be to have a record of it, I can’t just keep calling her into my office every time I have a whim. She didn’t call HR on me before, and I have to trust she won’t now .

  That she’s just as invested in this as I am .

  “Yes, sir,” she says with a faint smile on her face .