Misconduct

I’d had a site in southern Florida to check out, so I’d taken Christian with me, handing over my social media and e-mails to Jay for the weekend just so I wasn’t distracted.

Christian had joined me out in the heat and mud as we walked around, going over the plans for a plant to be built. Some of the workers had shown him how to handle the machines and even how to drive a loader. I don’t think he understood exactly what I did, getting to see only the suits and clean offices at home, but on-site, it was dirty and loud, the ground being dug up and bulldozers roaring in every direction.

After a spell of trying to act disinterested, he’d joined in the fun, finally taking in the full impact of what Marek Industries was all about.

Sunday happened to be my birthday, so we’d spent it on a boat, fishing with some of my colleagues. I enjoyed seeing him smile so much that I’d decided not to press him about anything or to try to talk to him. Instead we would ease into it, learn how to be together comfortably, and let things happen naturally.

I knew one trip wasn’t going to win him over, but I was glad for the opportunity to spend some time with him away from the day to day of the company and other distractions in New Orleans.

No matter how much I was still thinking about her.

I’d texted Easton to let her know I’d be out of town for the weekend, but other than that, I hadn’t talked to her. She’d responded with a Be safe, and I hadn’t called after that.

And it wasn’t that I didn’t want to.

But it was time to face reality. It was still only October. She’d teach Christian for another several months, so was I going to continue to sneak around with her all that time?

And not to mention that, if Christian found out, I’d lose him instantly.

“Mr. Marek?” Corinne came over and poked her head in my office door. “Ms. Bradbury is here to see you, sir.”

I turned around in my chair, from where I had been gazing out the windows, and felt a rush of heat. It was late Wednesday afternoon, and I hadn’t seen her since the conference last Thursday.

Why is she here?

I nodded. “Send her in.”

Corinne left, and I turned down the TVs on the wall

A moment later, Easton walked in wearing a long black coat, tight at the waist but flared at the legs, and her hair windblown beautifully around her face.

My breath caught. God, I’d missed her.

Her skin glowed, and her rose lipstick made her lips look plump and edible.

Corinne closed the door behind her, and I blinked, regaining focus as I tried to force nonchalance.

“You coming to my office can’t be a good thing,” I teased, remembering the last time she’d been here.

She clasped her hands behind her back, looking vivacious and flirty. “I missed your birthday this weekend,” she pointed out. “And I wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”

A smile played on her lips, and I leaned back in my chair, taking her in.

“You look beautiful,” I told her. “How’s school?”

She leaned forward, placing her palms on my desk and pinning me with a smirk. “Wouldn’t you rather have your present, Mr. Marek?”

My pants instantly got tighter.

Jesus.

I cleared my throat and played the game with her. Looking her up and down, I simply shrugged. “I’m not seeing it. Where is it?”

She stood upright and held my eyes, the blue hue of her gaze turning sensual and dark. She slowly began unbuttoning her coat, and my cock immediately stiffened with need for her.

She pulled the coat off, letting it slide down her arms, and then she dropped it on a nearby chair.

My lungs emptied, and I suddenly felt starved.

She wore black stockings with lace trim, a black necktie around her neck, and absolutely nothing else.

I groaned as I took her in. The beautiful olive skin of her hips and upper thighs looked soft and smooth, and I wanted my mouth on her flat stomach and full breasts. Her nipples were hard, and her hair floated across her chest, making me want to bury my hands in it.

“Just my size,” I said in a low voice.

One corner of her mouth turned up. “Oh, this isn’t your present,” she admitted, turning around to take something out of the coat pocket.

My eyes landed on her ass, and I saw the little bruise she still had from the pool table.

Looking up, I saw her tear off a piece of duct tape from a roll and meet my eyes. “This is.” She gestured to the tape. “No backtalk.”

And she placed the strip over her closed lips and batted her eyelashes at me.

I started laughing, loving her ingenuity. If only she knew how much I really loved her mouth.

She rounded the desk, stepped out of her heels, and straddled me, slowly lowering her body down and resting her arms over my shoulders.

I reached out and ran both hands up her sides, kneading her skin, unable to help myself.

She moaned behind the tape, and I threaded my hand in her hair, grabbing a fistful of it and burying my lips in her neck.

But then I stopped. I let my forehead fall to her chest, wondering what the hell I thought I was doing.

Christian.

He came first. He had to come first.

And this would hurt him.

I was thirty-six. What was I doing with a twenty-three-year-old teacher who taught my son?

I couldn’t have this no matter how much I wanted it. Brynne was right. I was a mess.

Looking up at her, I saw the question in her eyes. She was wondering why I’d stopped, and then she ran her fingers across my forehead, pushing away the hair that had fallen forward, and I knew that I was in too deep with her.

I would hurt her, disappoint her, and throw away any chance with my son along the way.