[Supporter] Newlywed's New Desires Ch. 20 (Patreon)

Hey Friends! I can't believe we are already in Sept. I was hoping to get this out to you all a couple of days earlier, but life happened.

This chapter takes place entirely in Seattle, with Chris and Katie visiting Larken Industries with everyone's favorite character, Tom. Admittedly, this chapter was a lot harder to write than I thought it would be. I ended up writing three different versions of it, and landed with this, so I'm curious to see what everyone thinks.

In other news, over the last month or two, I've been working on another short. With both this and EP being a bit heavier as of late, I wanted something a little more light to work on. I should have it out to Insiders by the end of the week, and then you all a short time after that.

I've already got the first scene of EP written, so look for that in the next couple of weeks. If there's anything else you'd like to see me work on, then as always, feel free to reach out. For those of you who read the Insider version, this is mostly the same. Just smoothed out some passages and tightened up the spelling and grammar.

Enjoy!

The wheels touched down on the tarmac in Seattle, just as Chris was powering on his phone. As the plane taxied to the gate, his phone buzzed with new notifications.

"God, I hate flying," she said as the seat belt sign disappeared. She unbuckled, standing to stretch and grab her bag from the overhead. "My ears are still popping."

Chris glanced at his phone. He had a missed call from Tom. That seemed weird since Tom knew they would be in the air. Tom was supposed to pick them up from the airport and head back to the office to go over tomorrow's presentation. Maybe he was calling to cancel; that would be a welcome surprise.

"Everything okay?" Katie asked, noticing the confused look on his face.

"Yeah, just..." Chris held up his phone. "Tom called while we were flying. Probably wondering where we are or something."

He pressed play on the voicemail, holding the phone to his ear as passengers began to shuffle toward the exit.

What he heard took his breath away.

"Who owns this pussy, baby?" Clayton's voice was immediately recognizable, even above Tom's labored breathing. It was like his breath sat right on the mic. Regardless, the grunts and moans in the background were also unmistakable... Clayton was fucking Ashley.

"Ohhhh shit. Oh baby, you..."

Chris shuffled in his chair, frantically looking around to ensure no one else could hear the message. He chewed on the corner of his lip, his cock already beginning to thicken.

"Yeah, tell Chris who owns that pussy," Tom chuckled. Chris closed his eyes, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Chris ended the call, throwing his phone into the back of the seat in front of him. Despite his obvious arousal, his vision was blurred as he fought back tears of anger. He hadn't even made it halfway through the voicemail.

"Is... everything alright?"

This was deliberate. Tom knew he would get it the second his plane landed, and he would be angry, but why?

"Fine," he said curtly. "Everything's fine. Let's just get off the plane." He jerked his seat belt off and got to his feet. His legs felt like lead. He didn't understand why Ashley would go to see him without talking to Chris first. She knew it would upset him. Did she even care about his feelings anymore?

Chris shouldered into the aisle with everyone else, eyes pinned to the EXIT sign as if it could drain the heat from his chest. At the jet bridge he checked his phone again, hoping the voicemail had changed in the last thirty seconds. It hadn’t. It kept looping as he and Katie moved toward baggage claim, Ashley’s face writhing behind his eyes.

When they emerged at baggage claim, the rage inside Chris had only grown. Tom was leaning on a pillar near the entrance, his smile widening as Chris approached, fists balled.

He wondered what kind of trouble he'd be in if he walked over and punched Tom square in the jaw. Fired, sure. Airport security would have tackled him before his fist connected. He pictured grabbing Tom by the back of the neck, bouncing his skull off the steel column until that smug smile slid off his face forever. He'd be arrested for assault, maybe worse, because it was federal property. Locked up while the FBI's case became a slam-dunk. Ashley would find solace in Clayton's arms... would she even visit him in jail?

Was that his game? Did Tom send him that voicemail specifically so Chris would lose control and get himself arrested? Remove himself from the equation so they could...

The thought gutted him. His hands trembled as he forced them steady, crushed the violent fantasy, and kept walking. When he reached Tom, he extended his hand and manufactured a smile. He wouldn't give the bastard the satisfaction of seeing him break.

"Tom," Chris managed, holding his gaze. "Hope we didn't keep you waiting."

"Not at all," Tom said, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I found ways to keep myself occupied."

Chris's jaw clenched as he released Tom's hand. The bastard was taunting him openly, daring him to react.

"Mr. Ashford?" Katie stepped forward, extending her hand while tucking her hair behind her ear. "Katie Morrison. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Tom's attention shifted, his demeanor transforming as he took the beautiful woman's hand in his. "Please, call me Tom. The pleasure is entirely mine." His gaze swept over her. "Chris has been hiding you from us. Though I suppose I understand the impulse to keep beautiful things close."

Katie gave a playful giggle. She was used to this song and dance. Ever since her training with Clayton she'd learned how to handle men like Tom Ashford. She'd show a little leg, laugh at his jokes, and make him feel like the only man in the world. All while ensuring his company continued to buy their product, spend more money. Men were such suckers for a pretty woman with nice legs.

"We should grab our bags," Chris interjected, suddenly feeling overly protective of Katie. What if Tom's plan wasn't to get rid of Chris so he could get to Ashley? What if it was so he could have Katie all to himself? He couldn't let that happen.

"Of course." Tom's hand ghosted across Katie's back as he guided them toward baggage claim. "I spoke to Clayton just before your arrival." Heat filled Chris's neck as he thought about what that meant. Was Ashley still there? Was she... "He said the audit is already underway and has assured me there's nothing to worry about." He looked back at Chris, giving him a wink. "I thought maybe we could head back to my office for a few hours to prepare for the board meeting tomorrow. If it would be helpful, I can set up a video call with Clayton. See what type of demands he wants to make."

"No," Chris said, a little too loudly, causing several people in the area to look his way. "No, we don't need to bother Clayton. I'm sure the three of us can manage."

Katie glanced between the two of them, picking up on the undercurrent of tension. It was no wonder they were talking about moving the client over to her. The two of them didn't seem to get along at all.

Chris's breathing grew shallow as they approached the carousel, his fists opening and closing at his sides. Tom was baiting him, he had to be. The bastard wouldn't actually video call Clayton with Ashley there. Would he? Katie would lose her mind if she saw... but then again, maybe she wouldn't be surprised at all. She'd been with Clayton too.

"Got them," Katie said, standing in front of Chris with both of their bags.

"Not much of a gentleman, Chris," Tom chastised as he took the bags from Katie. "The car is this way."

Chris exhaled slowly, forcing his shoulders to relax. He was losing control, and Tom was feeding off it like a parasite. He needed to get it together.

***

The black SUV they piled into felt smaller than Chris remembered. When Tom had picked him up all those months ago, the vehicle had seemed spacious, luxurious. Now, sliding into the back seat beside Katie while Tom settled in on her other side, the interior felt cramped, suffocating. Maybe it was the way Tom positioned himself, closer to Katie than necessary, his arm casually draped along the seat behind her shoulders.

"So," Chris began, twisting in his seat to face them, desperate to maintain some semblance of control. "We should probably go over the key points for tomorrow's presentation. We expect the audit to be completed by then, although we won't have the official write-up. But we should be able to share concrete metrics, code snippets, and—"

"Absolutely," Tom agreed, before turning his attention to Katie. "Though I find the most successful presentations come from understanding the audience first. It's all about reading the room, knowing what people really want."

Katie nodded, letting her gaze linger on Tom. "Definitely. You have to adapt to what motivates each individual."

Chris watched their easy rapport develop, but his phone felt like a burning coal in his palm. The voicemail. There was more to it, he'd barely made it halfway through before his control had snapped. What else had happened? What other humiliations were waiting for him in those remaining seconds of audio? And why did the thought of hearing the rest make his cock stir, even as he imagined shoving Tom out the door?

Ashley's muffled cries echoed in his memory, fragmentary and tormenting. Tom's laughter. Clayton's voice. The wet sounds of—

"Isn't that right, Chris?"

Tom's voice cut through his spiral like a blade. Chris blinked, realizing he'd been staring at his phone for God knew how long. Both Tom and Katie were looking at him expectantly, waiting for a response to a question he hadn't heard.

"I'm sorry, what?" Heat crept up his neck as embarrassment flooded through him.

Tom's smile was indulgent, patient in the way adults were with distracted children. "We were discussing the importance of being present in the moment. I was just telling Katie how vital it is to stay focused on what's happening right in front of you." His fingers brushed Katie's arm as he spoke, and Chris gritted his teeth. "Rather than getting lost in... other concerns."

Katie laughed softly. Chris knew her well enough to know it was fake, but it still made his blood boil. "Tom was saying how some people get so caught up in their phones, in their personal dramas, that they miss what's actually important."

The jab landed perfectly, wrapped in shared amusement that excluded Chris entirely. He was the distracted husband, the unreliable partner, the man who couldn't focus on what mattered. Tom and Katie exchanged a look, a private joke that didn't go unnoticed.

Chris opened his mouth to respond, to defend himself or redirect the conversation, but then Larken Industries loomed into view through the windshield. The building rose twenty-three stories. It wasn't the tallest in Seattle's skyline, but undeniably impressive.

"There she is," Tom announced with pride. "Impressive, isn't it?"

Katie pressed closer to the window, leaning across Tom as she craned her neck to take in the full scope of the structure. "Oh my God, it's incredible! I had no idea it was so massive. How many floors do you occupy?"

Chris's breath caught. Ashley's voice suddenly overlaying Katie's. "Oh God, Clayton, it's so massive." The memory of her submission, the awe in her voice as she'd discovered what Clayton had to offer, crashed over him in a wave of arousal. He shifted away from the other two, hoping they wouldn't see the strain in his pants. His hands clenched in his lap as the parallel burned through his consciousness.

"The top five," Tom said, his smile growing. "But if things go... as planned. Then we will expand into Europe and easily occupy another three." He leaned into her, brushing her hair away from her ear. "And I'll have the privilege of overseeing the entire operation. Building something that spans continents... it requires vision."

"That must be an amazing feeling," Katie said. "You must have so much power."

Chris watched the exchange, trying to decide whether Katie's awe was genuine or an act. She was good at this. He'd never really seen her in action, but he knew enough about her tactics to know she could make clients feel like the most important people in the world.

The SUV pulled up to the front entrance of Larken Industries, and Tom was out of his seat immediately. He extended his hand to help Katie down from the high vehicle, his grip lingering as she found her footing on the sidewalk.

"What a gentleman," Katie said with a warm smile, smoothing down her skirt. "Thanks, Tom."

"My pleasure entirely," Tom replied, scanning her body one final time. "I believe in treating exceptional people exceptionally well."

Chris climbed out on his own, watching the exchange with growing unease. Tom's hand remained on Katie's elbow as he guided her toward the entrance, leaving Chris to trail behind like an afterthought.

***

Chris stood in the back of the elevator as it ascended, watching Tom inch closer to Katie, the way he'd whisper something in her ear and she'd giggle. He reminded himself that she was smart, she could handle guys like Tom. But just in case, he needed to get out of his own head. He needed to protect her.

"Here we are," Tom announced as the doors opened and they were looking across a sea of open offices and expensive looking furniture. "I figured we could use the executive conference room. Give you the full experience."

Chris rolled his eyes, but it was hard not to be impressed with the view that every office seemed to have. Just stepping off the elevator he could see Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. When Chris had come in the past, they stayed on the lower floors; he hadn't seen any of this.

"Have a seat wherever you're comfortable," Tom said, like he was the world's greatest host as they entered the conference room. "Can I get either of you coffee? Something stronger?"

"Water's fine," Katie said, settling into a chair that overlooked the panoramic view outside. She caught the way Tom eyed her and made a bit of a show about crossing her legs.

"Coffee. Black," Chris replied in an attempt to break whatever was happening between the two. When Tom turned toward the coffee maker, Chris glanced at his phone. Still nothing from Ashley. The unfinished voicemail sat on his screen, taunting him. He stuffed the phone into his pants pocket.

Tom turned on one of the wall monitors while pouring a fresh cup of coffee. "So, let's talk about tomorrow's presentation." He walked back toward the table. "The board will want to hear about the audit results, obviously, even if they are just preliminary. But they are going to want a refresher on the tech side of it too. I assume you're as thorough as you are…" He let his eyes roam over Katie's body. "Charming."

Katie straightened, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "I like to think I'm as thorough as needed for whatever the occasion."

"I like you," Tom said with a laugh that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Chris. He was in his own personal hell.

"We expect the preliminary audit by nine a.m. Of course, we don't expect anything to be found in the report, so—"

"I think you mean there's nothing that could be discovered, right?" Tom held his gaze. The two men daring the other to say the silent part out loud.

Chris wasn't going to be baited, though. Whether Tom was just trying to get his kicks or walk him into a trap, he refused to fall for it. "Of course."

"Excellent. The board will want specifics. Things like code coverage percentages, penetration testing results." Tom pulled up a document on the screen. "I've outlined the key questions they're likely to ask. Katie, would you mind reviewing the technical specifications section?"

As Katie leaned forward to read, Tom positioned himself behind her chair, his eyes dripping down to her unbuttoned blouse.

"This section here," Tom murmured, leaning down so his voice was near her ear, "they'll want to understand the encryption protocols in detail."

"Not a problem," Katie assured, doing little to keep Tom from staring.

Chris cleared his throat. "I'm going to step outside for a second. Make a phone call."

The hallway stretched in both directions, empty except for the low hum of air conditioning and distant office sounds. Chris walked until he found an alcove near the elevators, far enough from the conference room that his voice wouldn't carry.

He pulled up Ashley's name, about to press call, but paused. He wasn't sure if he was ready to have that conversation yet, not with the way Tom was already acting. His heart raced as he clicked over to his voicemail screen. The unfinished message stared back at him. He already felt the blood rushing to his groin as he pressed play and held the phone to his ear.

Wet slapping noises filled the air along with Ashley's moans. She was mumbling something, but Chris couldn't make it out, the sound of Tom's labored breathing in the speaker drowning out what was being said.

"Yesss. Ohhh fuck. I want it." Ashley's cries seemed to come from nowhere, and Chris groaned in anticipation, reaching down and adjusting himself.

"Go ahead, tell your husband what you told me," Tom hissed into the speaker. "Tell him how you want my dick inside you."

A flash of light filled Chris's vision, his anger and arousal clashing and dulling his other senses. Ashley would never say that, would she?

"I... I... ohhhh fuck," she moaned, as Chris closed his eyes and pictured Clayton laying into her. His body pressed tight against hers, her legs on his shoulders, nearly folding herself in half. There were more whispers, Tom's incessant breathing growing louder. The man sounded like he was running a marathon. "Nnnnnghh, yes, fuck, yes!"

Ashley's voice made his knees buckle. Did she just agree to fucking Tom? His cock pulsed, desperate for release. He looked down the hallway, desperate to find a bathroom. To cum, to vomit, he wasn't sure.

"Whose pussy is this?" Clayton roared, as the voicemail continued. "Tell them! Who fucking owns this pussy!"

Chris pressed pause, afraid of what Ashley's answer would be, even though he could guess exactly what it was. He couldn't listen to the rest of it. Not here. He was already on the verge, and he needed to get back inside and keep an eye on Tom.

He took a deep breath, trying to push the anger, the hurt, the arousal aside so he could focus. A few steps toward the conference room, he stopped, catching his reflection in the glossy reception desk. He looked broken, defeated. Which made sense, given everything he had been carrying.

But Tom expected him to come back shattered. He knew exactly what Chris would do in the hallway. He had planned for it, wanted him off balance. Chris pressed his palms against the cool wall, forcing his breathing to slow. The bastard was playing chess while Chris stumbled, barely playing checkers.

Ashley had gone to see Clayton without telling him. That stung, but it wasn't the betrayal that made his hands shake. Clayton fucking his wife wasn't the problem. It was the arrangement they'd built together, as messed up as it was.

No, what gutted him was Tom's involvement. The voicemail wasn't so Chris would feel included, or even to show Clayton's dominance. It was about humiliation, about reminding Chris that he didn't have any control. Tom had twisted the most intimate thing they'd ever shared against Chris, and worse, Ashley had let him.

He couldn't walk back in there looking like a broken husband. Katie was already looking at Tom like he was some kind of superhuman, while Chris chased his own tail. He straightened his tie, tried to smooth the worst of the wrinkles from his shirt. He just needed to keep it together long enough to get back to the hotel and talk to Ashley.

If Tom wanted to play games, Chris had learned a few of his own in the last few months.

When Chris reentered the conference room, he still had the look of someone who was on the verge of a meltdown. Tom was huddled close to Katie, whispering something to her when he saw Chris enter. A smile appeared on his face before he masked it with false concern. "Are you okay? If you need to take the rest of the day, I'm sure Katie and I can handle things from here."

Of course Tom wanted him gone. Leave Katie alone with the bastard while Chris nursed his wounds somewhere safe. The thought made him see things a little clearer, gave his anger a target.

"Actually, I was thinking..." Tom turned to look at Chris and grinned. The look caused Chris's voice to crack. Suddenly, all he could see was Ashley twisting in pleasure as Tom watched on. His hands began to fidget.

"About?"

"It's just... I mean. The um... board."

"Chris, if you have some personal matters to attend to I'm sure Katie and I can—"

"No, I'm... I'm fine." He took a deep breath. The condescension in Tom's voice was like a knife, cutting into Chris's psyche, trying to sideline him. He couldn't let that happen. "I was just thinking about the board."

"Oh? What about them?"

"It just seems odd that you're jumping through all these hoops for tomorrow when tomorrow should be a formality." He leaned back casually, starting to find his footing. "If you have such a strong rapport with them, why does this feel so... tense?"

Katie leaned away from Tom, raising an eyebrow at Chris as if to ask what he was doing.

"No one is jumping through hoops," Tom snapped, his smile faltering. "I just like to be prepared."

"This is more than prepared, Tom. You're going over every little detail. Grilling poor Katie here about the intricacies of computer networking." His hands had stopped shaking. He could do this. He could outwit Tom.

"No one is grilling—"

"Hey, I'm just trying to figure out what we are walking into tomorrow," Chris said, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "Are we being thrown to the wolves, or have you actually done your job and laid the groundwork for a successful meeting?"

Katie's eyes lit up with excitement. She had never seen Chris be this direct before, this forward. She watched Tom from the corner of her eye as he took a few steps backward, clearly staggered.

"Of course they do," Chris agreed easily. "But thoroughness and desperation are different things. Katie deserves to know what kind of room she's presenting to tomorrow. Don't you think?"

Tom was giving Chris a look of pure death. He wasn't used to being embarrassed, especially not in front of a beautiful woman. But he'd been around the block a few times; he wasn't going to lay down without a fight. "There are no... unusual circumstances."

"Good to know." Chris stood with a satisfied smile, gathering his materials. "Then tomorrow should go exactly as planned. Simple, straightforward, professional." He met Tom's eyes directly. "No surprises." He stood up, motioning for Katie to do the same. "Which means we can call it an early day and prepare in our rooms."

Katie looked back to Tom, unsure of what she was supposed to do. When Chris made his way toward the door and Tom said nothing to stop him, she quickly followed suit.

"What the hell was that?" she asked before the elevator doors closed.

"I think the professional term for this is growing some balls," he said, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his chest as Katie giggled.

***

"Whose pussy is this?" Clayton's taunts filled the hotel room as Chris pressed play, already kicking off his pants.

The minor victory against Tom only fueling his need to finish the voicemail. He'd been rock-hard the entire drive over, adjusting and readjusting so that Katie didn't notice.

"Tell them! Who owns this fucking pussy?" Chris rushed into the bathroom, grabbing a hand towel before making his way to the bed. Ashley's moans were turning into full blown screams of pleasure. Each one making Chris's cock pulse with need. His hand wraps around it, pre-cum already oozing from the tip.

“C-Clayton—” Chris closed his eyes, his hand moving on its own, as the wet sounds of their skin slapping together consumed him.

“Say it. Tell him!” Chris held his breath, there was no doubt she was going to say it. And yet, Chris held his breath, caught between wanting to hear her surrender and desperately hoping—God, please—that she'd call his name instead. The rational part of his mind knew what was coming, but some primal piece of him still believed she might choose him in that crucial second.

“AHHH—FUCK! OHHH—OHHHH GOD!” Chris chewed on his lip, his hand working frantically. He could see her, her hips lifting off the bed, her tongue gliding over her teeth as she hooked her heels around his ass pulling him deeper. Chris's breath grew short, behind his closed lids he saw the way Ashley's pussy quivered as it stretched around Clayton's impressive girth.

“It’s yours!” Her voice grew higher, needier. “It’s yours, Clayton! This pussy is yours!”

BOOM that was all it took. Chris came with a violent shudder, his seed coating his hand as his wife's betrayal echoed in his ears. But Clayton wasn't done, he had to make sure he twisted the knife. "Tell him what I'm doing," he taunted, and Chris could picture the sinister look in his eyes.

"He's... Ohhh. Ohhh fuck. He's cumming inside me, Chris. Oh God, there's so much cum."

He gasped, his cock continuing to twitch long after he was done as Ashley painted the image perfectly in his mind. For thirty seconds, endorphins flooded his system, and he was there with them. His wife, holding his gaze as she melted under another man's touch, keeping the moment about them and no one else. Giving him exactly what he needed ever since—

Then Tom's smug voice brought him crashing back to reality. "Fuck, that was hot."

He stared at his cum-slicked fingers, disgust rising in his throat like bile. What the fuck was wrong with him? He'd just masturbated to his wife agreeing to fuck saying another man owned her pussy.

He collapsed onto the bed, letting the fatigue wash over his body and quickly fell asleep.

When he awoke sometime later, he didn't feel any better about his actions. He rolled over, staring at the clock on the nightstand. 6:30pm, he'd been asleep for over an hour. He picked up his phone, holding his breath. Ashley should be on the way to work now. He needed to talk to her, to hear her say this was all part of the plan and they were okay.

The phone rang once, twice. Chris's palms grew sweaty as he waited. What if she didn't answer? He needed to hear Ashley's voice, needed the reassurance that they were still okay despite everything that had happened today.

"H... Hey baby," Ashley's voice came through, breathless. Relief flooded through him instantly.

"Thank God you answered. I was starting to worry—"

"Ohhh, mmm w... wait just a... ffffuck."

Chris's stomach dropped, images of what was happening already appearing behind his eyes. "Ashley? Where are you?"

"I'm... Oh God. Fuck not so hard. I'm gonna.... NNNGGGH."

Chris shot up in his bed, his erection already forming, despite having just cum an hour ago. "You... you need to leave, Ash. You need to get to work."

"I'm... uh. I'm so close. So fucking close. Don't stop, Clayton. Don't you dare fucking stop."

"Ashley! God damnit. Stop! I need you to—"

The line went dead.

Chris stared at the phone, blinking back tears. The walls seemed to close in around him. Everything seemed to be going wrong. The FBI had followed him to Seattle. Tom was doing his best to try to undermine him, and now Ashley... He buried his face in his hands.

His marriage was falling apart. His wife was with another man, had probably been fucking him all day while Chris tried to play some corporate game with Tom. He'd pushed Ashley too hard. He knew that there was something there with Clayton, but every time she tried to slow things down he just pushed harder. He'd done this to himself. Did she love Clayton? Did she want to be with him instead of Chris?

A sharp knock at the door interrupted his spiral, making him jump.

Chris scrambled to clean himself, shoving the phone into his pocket and wiping his eyes. He caught a glimpse of himself in the hotel mirror, his face flushed, his eyes desperate. The hum of the AC seemed to get louder, and he could swear they sounded like Ashley's cries of passion.

"Chris? It's Katie."

He took a deep breath, trying to control his breathing. He smoothed out the sheets, still warm to the touch from where he slept. Then, grabbed his pants, frantically pulling them over his hips.

Before she had time to knock again, he glanced over his shoulder one last time to ensure nothing was out of place, before opening the door to see Katie standing there holding a bottle of Patron.

"Thought maybe you could use this," she said with a grin. She had changed since the meeting with Tom. Now she was in a pair of loose-fitting shorts and a sweater that hung off one shoulder. "And you could tell me what really happened back there."

Panic clawed up Chris's throat. Had she heard something? The walls were thin, did he hear Ashley's moans? Hear the way he pleaded for her to stop? He forced his features into what he hoped passed for normalcy while his mind scrambled for explanations he prayed he wouldn't need. While he was trying to process all of this, his gaze was fixed on Katie's exposed shoulder, but by the time he'd realized he was staring, she was already smirking.

"I, um... of course. Come on in." He stepped aside, allowing the scent of her perfume to wash over him as she sat with her back against the foot of his bed.

"I gotta say, boss. I've never seen that side of you before." She pulled the top from the tequila then pressed it to her lips. "Ugh, that's strong," she laughed, passing the bottle to Chris who was seated next to her. "It was kinda hot to see though." She gave him a playful nudge.

Chris accepted the bottle. Was she flirting with him? He tried to shake off the thought, allowing the liquor to burn away his guilt. "Just hit a breaking point I guess. It probably wasn't the most professional thing to do though."

"Well, it was impressive. Very alpha male." She grinned, taking a sip. "Though I guess I can see why you're looking to move the account over to me."

"Well, gotta keep the client happy, right?" The next drink was longer, the warmth now familiar and welcome. "I'll smooth things over with him tomorrow. Sometimes we have to do whatever they want, even if we hate it."

"What does that mean?"

Chris thought about giving her the entire story. He trusted her, but he was afraid the more she knew the more danger she would be in. The tequila was already starting to make his head swim, and he worried if he opened up now he wouldn't be able to stop.

"Nothing. Just that I'll do a little groveling tomorrow and then let him know that going forward you'll be the point person for this account."

Katie leaned forward, her eyes brightening with interest. "Does that mean I'm getting that promotion we talked about?"

Chris met her gaze, noting how the evening light caught the green flecks in her eyes. "Depends on how tomorrow goes. But yeah, probably."

A shriek of glee left Katie's lips, and she practically threw herself in Chris's lap she was so overcome with happiness. She hugged his neck, her chest pressed against his arm causing him to spill some of the liquor.

"Oh shit," she laughed, pulling back slightly, one hand on his chest the other grabbing the bottle off the carpet.

Chris felt heat spread through him like wildfire. Katie was still giggling, her green eyes sparkling with playfulness. He smiled as he got lost in those eyes. Why couldn't Ashley give him that kind of attention? Why wasn't he good enough for his own wife anymore?

The sound of Ashley's orgasm still rang through his ears, her screams for Clayton, admitting that he owned her pussy. The way she continued to fuck even after Chris called, after he begged her to stop. Before he could second guess himself, he was leaning forward, brushing the hair from her cheek.

"Chris we..." His lips grazed hers, her breath burning his skin. He pulled her closer, his eyes drifting closed.

"We can't," she said, pressing firmly against his chest. "Not after what happened in the office. I just got over that embarrassment."

"I..." The sting of rejection made his eyes burn. Shame flooding his system, cutting through the alcohol-hazed thoughts. What the hell was he doing? He was so desperate for someone to choose him that he'd just tried to use Katie to fill the void Ashley was carving in his chest. He was better than that.

"Shit," he muttered, running his hands through his hair. "I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

Katie's expression softened with understanding. "You're dealing with a lot right now. But this isn't the answer, and you know it."

"No it's fine. It's my fault, really." She stood, creating distance between the two of them.

"Katie, wait. You don't have to—"

"It's fine. Really." She gave a forced smile. "Goodnight, boss."

As the door closed behind her, Chris was left alone with the weight of his failures, the taste of tequila, and the echo of Ashley's voice still ringing in his ears.

His head fell back against the foot of the bed. He was unraveling. Ashley didn't even bother to stop fucking her lover to talk to him, Katie had rejected his pathetic advance, and tomorrow he'd have to face Tom knowing the bastard had orchestrated all of it.

He stared at the lock screen on his phone. A picture of Ashley, smiling her arms wrapped around his neck as she laughed at one of his stupid dad jokes. When did everything go so off the rails? And how could he ever expect to get back to anything that resembled normal?

He closed his eyes, willing sleep to overtake him again. At least then he wouldn't have to think about what a giant failure he was.

***

When Chris woke up the next morning, his head was pounding. He wasn't used to drinking tequila, and combined with everything that had happened, it had made for a restless night. Sharp rays of sunlight stabbed through the parted hotel curtains, temporarily blinding him as he searched the nightstand for his phone.

A voicemail notification stared back at him—Ashley, 10:13 PM, almost an hour after he'd fallen asleep. He sat up in bed, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Part of him didn't want to play the message, terrified it would be another gut punch like the day before.

After several long seconds, he couldn't fight it any longer. He pressed play.

"Chris?" Ashley's voice was soft, normal. No background noise this time, no heavy breathing or sounds of sex. Just his wife, alone. "I'm walking into work now. I'm... I'm so sorry about earlier, baby. I know that was awful for you. I didn't mean for all of this..." She sniffled. Was she crying? "I miss you. And we really need to talk about everything that's happening."

Her voice cracked. "When you get back tomorrow. It's... it's too much to do over the phone."

A pause. Chris held his breath.

"Remember what I told you before you left. I love you, Chris. That hasn't changed, no matter how complicated everything else has gotten. I love you."

The message ended. Chris stared at the phone. She was on her way to work. That was good. At least she wasn't still with Clayton, even if she was hours late. She'd ended by saying she loved him. The coil in his chest loosened slightly. He wasn't sure what would happen when he got home, was still angry with her, still didn't know what he'd be walking into. But at least she still loved him. There was that.

***

The ride to Larken was mostly silent as Chris and Katie climbed into the back of their Uber. For a long minute, Chris was worried things were going to be awkward between them. He still didn't understand why he had tried to kiss her. He told himself it was the alcohol and all the stress from the events leading up to it. He just wanted to move on, to forget the whole stupid thing had ever happened.

"I went over the technical deep dive last night when I got back to my room," Katie said. Her hair was up in a high bun, the dress more professional than what he'd typically seen her in. She was smiling, prepared, willing to put the entire stupid thing behind her. "Do you think they will want specifics about the audit? The report just came in, but I can try to skim it if I need to and—"

"You'll be fine," Chris said with a reassuring smile. "Don't overthink it. They're going to be impressed."

"Thanks, Chris. For... everything."

He looked out the window, watching the rows of buildings pass by until Larken came into view. "Don't thank me yet. Let's just get through today, make sure the client is satisfied, and then catch our flight back in the morning."

Tom was waiting for them just outside the conference room when they walked up. His gaze lingered on Katie before darting his eyes to Chris and giving him a wry smile. "I've already prepped the board members. They expect to hear that BitGuardian is secure and ready to be rolled out worldwide."

"We'll be fine," Chris said, with a little too much bass in his voice.

He'd barely slept last night, and Tom was a contributing factor in that. Every time he'd closed his eyes, Ashley's voice pierced through the darkness, so much of it orchestrated by Tom. After Katie left last night, he'd listened to the entire voicemail again. The thing that haunted him the most was Tom's final taunt. She wanted him to fuck her too.

Now, as Tom led Katie toward the conference room, his hand resting on her lower back, Chris couldn't help but picture him doing something similar with Ashley. The thought made his stomach clench with rage.

As they were ushered into the large conference room, Tom stood in front of the large projector screen with Chris and Katie flanked to either side. The five members of the board sat in a semi-circle around the large oak table, their faces neutral as the presentation got underway.

"Good morning, everyone," Tom began, just as confident as ever. "I think we're all eager to hear about BitGuardian's audit results and discuss our expansion opportunities."

Chris caught the subtle shift in Katie's posture from his peripheral vision. Her shoulders drew back, spine straightening with the particular tension he recognized as performance anxiety. A half-smile pulled at his mouth. There had been a time when boardroom presentations represented the apex of his fears, when corporate approval felt like life or death, when his pulse would spike at the thought of disappointing executives in expensive suits.

That version of himself felt like a stranger now. So beautifully uncomplicated.

The gravity of everything else happening in his life recently had recalibrated his understanding of what truly constituted stakes worth losing sleep over. Boardroom politics suddenly felt like elaborate theater, where the worst possible outcome was professional embarrassment. Not the same type of fear as listening to your wife with another man and wondering if she's falling in love. Or, worrying that today may be your last day as a free man before the FBI pulled you in for crimes you didn't commit.

A hush had fallen over the room, and Chris realized everyone was looking at him to kick things off.

"The preliminary audit results came in this morning." He pulled up an email from the auditors. All saying the code looked clean and there were no threat vectors. "As you can see here, there is nothing to be alarmed about and all of the media attention from a few months ago was completely unwarranted." He bit the inside of his cheek to keep his actual feelings at bay.

He watched the board members nod and whisper to one another. None of their expressions ever wavered. It was as if he were talking to robots.

"Excellent," responded Mark Richardson, the CEO. "The comprehensive analysis will follow within the week, I assume?"

"Absolutely," Tom interjected. "We expect the full report by the end of the week. I think we can proceed with confidence. BitGuardian has consistently exceeded our security expectations."

Katie launched into her technical presentation next, fielding questions about encryption standards and data sovereignty requirements. Chris watched as she delivered her prepared explanation, her confidence growing. She would make a good VP. She was everything a client wanted—knowledgeable, diplomatic, able to explain complex concepts without condescension.

"On the topic of expansion," Tom said as Katie concluded her presentation, "I understand the board will be making decisions next week about the European initiative leadership structure. I'd like to formally express my interest in heading that expansion."

The subtle shift in the room's atmosphere was almost imperceptible, but Chris caught the way Richardson's pen paused on his notepad, the glance exchanged between Morrison and another board member.

"Of course, Tom," Richardson said diplomatically. "We'll certainly consider all qualified candidates." A pause. Chris couldn't help but smile. He knew exactly what that pause meant. And judging by the scowl on Tom's face, he did too. "Though international markets do present unique challenges. Cultural sensitivity becomes paramount when building relationships across different business environments."

"I believe my track record demonstrates exactly that kind of adaptability."

"Certainly," Morrison agreed carefully. "We will consider your nomination in private."

The board wasn't directly challenging Tom, but their diplomatic language carried pointed implications about his methods, his style, his suitability for expanded responsibilities. Chris found himself watching Tom with growing interest. It was almost as if he'd expected the rejection, but he couldn't understand why.

Tom's hands pressed flat against the table, his knuckles whitening slightly. "I appreciate the board's thorough consideration. I believe my relationships with our key partners speak to my ability to navigate complex dynamics."

The room settled into polite nods and murmurs, but Chris could sense the undercurrent of skepticism. This was corporate politics at its most refined, where concerns were expressed through careful word choice and meaningful pauses.

"We'll certainly give all factors proper consideration," Richardson concluded, effectively closing the topic. "The board will convene next Tuesday for final decisions on the expansion leadership structure."

The meeting transitioned into routine discussions about implementation timelines and quarterly projections, but Chris found himself studying Tom with new understanding. The man's posture remained confident.

As the session concluded with handshakes and promises to reconvene, Tom clapped his hands together. "Well, that went exceptionally well. I think this calls for a celebration. What do you say we grab drinks? Your flight isn't until the morning, correct?"

Chris almost declined the invite, he didn't want to spend another minute with the man. But there was something about his confidence. The way he took the rejection in stride, he was hoping maybe after a few drinks Tom would show his hand a little more.

"Actually, that sounds perfect," Chris said. "After a meeting like that, I imagine we could all use a chance to decompress."

Tom's eyes narrowed slightly, searching Chris's expression for the subtext he suspected was there. "Exactly. Nothing like good company to process a productive discussion."

The two men stared at each other, both weighing what the other knew. Katie glanced between them, clearly sensing the undercurrent but uncertain of its meaning.

As they waited for the elevator, Chris found himself studying Tom's reflection in the polished steel doors. The man's confidence felt more calculated than yesterday. The board's subtle rejection should have rattled him, yet here he was diving head first into what he called a celebration.

Chris knew Tom well enough by now that he could sense something was up. As they stepped into the elevator and Tom continued to try to charm Katie, he made a silent promise to himself not to leave the two of them alone.

***

The restaurant Tom brought them to was the type that must have had a waiting list for weeks. It was tucked in between two larger buildings, giving it an almost secret entrance. The interior was covered in exposed brick, and Edison bulbs making the room feel even smaller and more intimate. Katie took in the room with an excited energy as Tom whispered something to the host before the three of them were whisked away to a booth in the back.

"Champagne to start?" Tom signaled the server. "After today's success, we should celebrate properly."

"I'd love some," Katie said, sliding into the booth next to Tom.

Chris saw the move for that it was. Tom would shower her with compliments, lower her inhibitions with alcohol, and then try to seduce her. Chris wouldn't let that last part happen, but if he wanted to loosen tongues, Chris wasn't going to stop him.

A server emerged from the back room, carrying a tray of bread baskets to nearby tables. Chris's breath caught. Agent Holbrook, but why was he dressed like restaurant staff? Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before Holbrook disappeared behind a pillar.

"A toast," Tom started holding up his glass, as the champagne arrived.

"To the board finding the right..." Chris wanted to steal the toast from Tom, set the tone for the dinner. But his voice faltered as he scanned the room, searching for another glimpse of the agent. "The right man to lead the expansion," he finished weakly.

Tom's eyebrows rose slightly at Chris's hesitation, but he pressed on. "Speaking of the right person for the job, when are you finally going to let your greatest asset take over this account fully?" His gaze turned to Katie, who couldn't help but blush at the compliment.

"I think Katie's proven just how valuable she is. I plan on getting the paperwork in order as soon as we get back."

The waiter arrived with a shot of something clear and Tom thanked him before engaging Katie with questions about her background and life back home. Chris used the downtime to try to think of a plan. He needed Tom to open up a little, explain why he seemed so confident even after the board seemingly rejected him.

"You know," Tom said, finally peeling his eyes away from Katie. "Clayton holds my opinion pretty high. I could give him a quick call, tell him how wonderful of a job Katie did today."

He was holding Chris's stare, a smirk holding on his lips. For a second, Chris felt his pulse spike, he understood the implication completely. But, what Tom didn't know, was that he'd already talked to Ashley. He knew she wasn't with Clayton, that there was no chance Katie would see the fucked up situation he'd gotten himself into.

"I'm sure your vote of confidence would go a long way."

Tom flinched, his hand cupping the empty shot glass a little tighter. "Perhaps another round first. Gotta make sure Katie here excels at the schmoozing part of the job."

Katie's eyes sparkled with mischief as she caught the undertone. "Well, I do pride myself on being... thorough in my client relationships." Her tone carried just enough suggestion to acknowledge the game.

Another round arrived, and Chris's stomach groaned in protest. They hadn't ordered food yet, and he was already starting to feel a little lightheaded.

"Speaking of people who value your opinion," He put on his best fake smile. "I have to say, Tom. You don't seem too worried about who the board is going to put in charge of the expansion. You must have a pretty good relationship with them as well."

Tom laughed like it was the most rudimentary question ever. "Relationships are all about push and pull, Chris. Give and take. One minute someone thinks you're not ready, and the next you give them compelling reasons to reconsider."

Chris saw Katie nodding in agreement, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to focus on what Tom was saying. "I'm not sure I agree. Relationships aren't so black and white. People have a tendency to remember past experiences."

"Exactly!" Tom seized the words enthusiastically. "Shifting expectations is crucial." He turned his entire body toward Katie. "The best professionals understand that success sometimes means being flexible about traditional boundaries. Adapting to what the... situation truly requires."

"I've always believed in going above and beyond client expectations," Katie said enthusiastically, with just a hint of seduction in her voice.

Chris opened his mouth to redirect the conversation, but movement caught his peripheral vision. Holbrook again, this time refilling water glasses two tables away. Chris scanned the rest of the restaurant, no one seemed to have any idea there was an FBI agent just feet from them. Holbrook's eyes found Chris's and held them for a beat, his face expressionless before disappearing again.

By the time the group had finished their third round, Chris's attention was split between Tom's increasingly bold advances and tracking Holbrook's movements through the restaurant. Chris was growing frustrated, but at least he had been mostly successful in starving off Tom's advances.

"You know," Tom said, his words slurring together as he stroked Katie's arm. "Mr. Richardson really seemed to take a liking to you during the presentation." Katie turned a deep shade of red and Chris was unsure if it was from embarrassment or the alcohol.

"I was thinking, maybe I could arrange..."

His voice dropped lower, as he leaned toward Katie and Chris struggled to focus on the words he was saying.

Just as he was about to call Tom out, Holbrook emerged again. This time it looked like he was talking into a speaker in his jacket. Was he calling in backup? Was Chris about to be arrested on the spot? The walls felt like they were closing in all around him. He glanced to Katie, hoping he could signal to her that they needed to get out of there. But her attention was fully on Tom. Her hand on his wrist, as it inched up her thigh. Every instinct screamed at him to stay and protect her, but the situation with the FBI felt like it couldn't wait.

"Sorry, I um... I need to use the restroom," Chris said, his voice tight with barely contained panic as he pushed back from the table.

Tom’s smile spread before Chris had even turned away. He knew exactly what this meant for him.

Chris’s gut twisted as he walked, every step pulling him further from Katie and deeper into Holbrook’s orbit. He told himself he had no choice, that one wrong move with the Bureau could end with prison bars. Still, the truth clawed at him: he was leaving her alone with a man who had already spelled out his philosophy of breaking all of the rules. It was just a matter of which disaster to face first.

***

Chris pushed through the restaurant's service corridor, his heart hammering in his chest. Gone was the smell of freshly grilled steak and vegetables, replaced by industrial cleaner and grease. He found Holbrook at the far end of the hallway, methodically folding napkins as if he'd been doing it his entire life.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Chris's words were slightly slurred, but his buzz was quickly wearing off. "Following me to Seattle, playing dress-up. Either arrest me or leave me alone."

Holbrook said nothing at first. He finished folding the napkin in his hand, laying it in the pile beside him. When he finally looked up at Chris his expression was just as cold as always. "You keep interesting company, Mr. Parker. Besides, who says we're here for you?"

Chris stared at him, confusion written all over his face. "Tom?"

"It's like I said before. We saw some... inconsistencies in their accounting, and he seems very close with your pal Clayton. So what's the play—trading company secrets for kickbacks?"

"I don't... what are you talking about?" Chris's mind raced, trying to piece together what Holbrook thought he knew. "Tom's just trying to get promoted. The board is voting on European expansion leadership next week and—"

Chris saw Holbrook's eyes sharpen, grow wider by a fraction of an inch.

"European expansion?"

"Yeah, they wanted proof that BitGuardian could pass an audit and now they are considering expanding its access into Europe."

Holbrook was quiet for a long moment, processing. "That makes sense. International banking systems, money laundering opportunities worth millions. Tom could stand to make millions if he had access to all of that data."

"The board doesn't seem to think he's a good fit for the job. That's actually why I'm here. Tom didn't seem too worried about—"

"Men like Tom get creative when they're looking for leverage. When backed into a corner, there's no telling who or what they'll use to get what they want."

Who? The pieces crashed together in Chris's mind with sickening clarity. Tom saying something about Richardson liking Katie, about arranging something. Tom had been trying to get close to Ashley for months. Was Clayton grooming her? He fought the urge to vomit, his face going pale. "I...That doesn't."

"Look, I don't know what all you've gotten yourself into, but we are running out of time." Holbrook grabbed his shoulder, steadying Chris before he fell forward. "If you can help me prove conspiracy to commit blackmail and wire fraud, the FBI will drop everything we have against you. Let you go back to living a normal life."

Chris pulled out his phone instinctively, Ashley's contact already pulled up. Then he stopped. He couldn't have that conversation over the phone where it could be monitored, recorded. He still had the upper hand when it came to how much Clayton and Tom thought he knew. Ashley was safe. As long as he kept her away from Tom there was no real damage.

"Oh God, Katie!"

His stomach dropped as the full weight of his miscalculation hit him. He'd left her alone with Tom while he came out to confront Holbrook. He wasn't sure how long he'd been back there, but he had to get back to the table. To make sure she was safe.

"I have to go," Chris muttered, shoving past Holbrook toward the dining room.

The restaurant felt different when he returned. Everyone seemed to be staring at him, like they knew how bad he had just messed up. A waiter brushed past him carrying a tray of desserts, the sweet smell of chocolate turning his stomach. The ambient noise of silverware against plates and muted conversations felt amplified, like someone had turned up the volume on everything except his own ability to think clearly. He looked over the top of people's heads, desperate to find his table. This time, he did throw up.

Empty glasses sat abandoned on a white tablecloth, Katie's purse gone. Tom had taken her. A server rushed over with napkins and concerned murmurs, but Chris barely registered the commotion. He was too focused on his failure. Chris had no idea where they went or how long ago.

He wiped his mouth with a trembling hand. All he knew for sure was that Katie was gone.

***

Katie glanced at her phone again. Twenty-three minutes since Chris had excused himself, leaving her alone with Tom and a steady stream of wine that had created a pleasant haze behind her eyes. The alcohol warmed her chest as she traced the rim of her glass, hyperaware of Tom's hand resting on her knee.

She'd handled flirtatious clients before, knew how to navigate the balance between professional charm and personal boundaries. But Tom was different. His presence filled the space around them with an intensity that made her pulse quicken, made her second-guess responses that usually came naturally.

Chris's words echoed in her memory: expectations, closing deals, going above and beyond for client satisfaction. Then his abrupt departure the moment Tom mentioned boundaries and flexibility. The timing felt almost deliberate. Katie's stomach tightened as she thought about the possibilities. Was Chris really the man she thought he was? Was last night's near kiss a glimpse of what was expected of her?

"You know," Tom said, bringing her back to the present, "there's a wine bar near my place that has an incredible selection. I'd love to show it to you while we discuss future possibilities."

Katie's pulse quickened as his hand slid a fraction of an inch up her leg. Where the hell was Chris?

"That sounds tempting," she replied, letting her fingers brush his arm before pulling back, "but shouldn't we wait for Chris? He is my boss, after all."

Tom's gaze seemed to darken, his smile growing wider. "I think we both know he's not coming back."

Her eyes went wide. She couldn't believe how forward he was being. Was this all a setup? She could feel the anger welling in her chest, but Tom gave her leg an assuring squeeze.

"Look, I've worked with him long enough to know his... management style. He wants to see the type of initiative you take with... client relations."

The words created an uncomfortable knot in Katie's stomach. That didn't sound like the Chris she knew. He was considerate, protective even. That was more Clayton's approach, pushing boundaries and expecting others to figure out the unspoken rules. But what if she'd misread Chris entirely? What if his recent behavior, the promotion discussions, the way he'd seemed to encourage her independence—what if it was all leading to this moment?

"Chris doesn't seem the type to..." she trailed off, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"I know. But as a leader myself, it's important that he give you space." Tom signaled for the check. "It's completely up to you, of course. I just know how much this promotion means to you."

The phrasing should have been a red flag, but the alcohol made her head foggy. Maybe Chris was more like Clayton than she realized. Before she could fully process what was going on, Tom was helping her with her coat and they were on the way out the door.

The Seattle skyline seemed to blur around her as she settled into the leather seat of the car, with Tom crowding in next to her. She tried to overlook the weird situation that got her here. At the end of the day, Tom was an attractive, charming man. She'd done a lot worse with less. Still, the underhanded tactics of Chris didn't sit well with her.

The soft buzz of her phone caught her attention, Chris's name appearing on the screen. Before she could reach for it, Tom's lips found the side of her of her neck, the warmth of his lips brushing against her throat sent shivers through her entire body. She melted into the sensation, her eyes fluttering closed as warmth spread from where his mouth touched her skin.

"Do you kiss all your vendors' necks like that, Tom?" she asked, pulling away slightly with a laugh, despite her racing pulse.

"None of them are as gorgeous as you." His eyes found hers in the dim light of the car. "And sir or Mr. Ashford."

Katie caught her bottom lip in her teeth. The correction, while playful, stirred something dark inside her, a subtle shift in dynamic that she felt in her bones.

"Whatever you say, sir." Her voice was teasing, but Tom never smiled, just gave an approving nod.

The car pulled into a quiet suburban neighborhood, lined with street lights and perfectly cut lawns. When it pulled into the drive of a small two-story home, Katie lifted an eyebrow.

"I thought we were going to a wine bar."

Tom's laugh was warm, gentle. "We are... it just happens to be in my basement."

"You, sir," she said the last part with emphasis, "are a sneaky one. I'm going to need to watch you."

"Guilty as charged." He reached out, gently cupping her fingers and guiding her from the car. Katie took in her surroundings, each step echoing down the empty street. Bright flower boxes sat in the window, a tire swing hung off an old oak tree in the front yard. "Home sweet home," Tom said, stopping in front of a bright yellow door.

The interior of Tom's house was just as plain as the outside. Hardwood floors covered the house, a wall of photos by the window. Katie found herself gravitating toward that wall, a smile forming on her lips as she looked at various pictures of Tom not in a business setting. He had a warm, bright smile, his arms more toned than she'd realized under his business attire. One picture in particular caught her attention: Tom with his arm around a boy who looked maybe nine years old, both of them smiling at a baseball game.

"Is that your son?" She picked up the picture, taking a closer look at him.

Tom appeared beside her with a glass of wine already in hand. "Yeah, that's Alex. He's twelve now."

Katie accepted the drink, taking a small sip. "He's adorable. Where is he tonight?"

"At a friend's..."

The buzz of Katie's phone interrupted them. She sat the picture down, and opened her bag. Chris's name once again appeared on the screen. "I should get this. That's the second time—"

"His mother..." Tom continued, sucking Katie back into his story, "she had... problems. Drinking, mostly. I tried to help her, tried to make it work for Alex's sake." He turned away, wiping away a false tear. "But eventually I had to choose between enabling her addiction and protecting my son."

Katie's heart clenched with sympathy. The successful, confident executive she'd been sparring with all evening suddenly seemed more human, more complicated. "That must have been incredibly difficult."

"Custody battles are hell," Tom continued, moving closer as he spoke. "Especially when you're fighting against someone who's supposed to love the child as much as you do. I have full custody now, but it took years of legal battles and documented incidents before the courts finally saw what was happening."

The vulnerability in his voice was compelling, creating an intimacy that felt deeper than their earlier flirtation. Katie found herself stepping closer, her free hand touching his arm in comfort. "You're obviously a devoted father. That picture shows how happy he is with you."

Tom turned to face her, setting down his glass and moving behind her to rest his hands on her shoulders. "I appreciate that," he murmured, his lips finding the spot where her neck met her shoulder. "I don't normally open up to people like that."

Katie felt the warmth of his breath against her skin, the weight of his hands anchoring her in place. The wine and his story had created an emotional connection that made his touch feel natural, inevitable. "I guess I have a way of getting people to open up," she whispered, pushing into his lips.

"So do I." The whisper was so low Katie didn't even hear him.

She reached back, threading her fingers through his hair. His mouth felt dangerously good against her skin, drowning out the small, rational voice warning her she was crossing a line. This was Chris’s doing, she reminded herself. He’d set this whole thing up. Her body betrayed her before her mind caught up, spinning in Tom’s arms until she faced him fully. She brushed her fingertips along his cheek, stifling a gasp as his hand claimed her ass. When Tom’s mouth covered hers, she didn’t resist. She let the kiss swallow every thought of Chris.

Tom's tongue pushed past Katie's lips, causing her to melt into him. Her hands rested on his chest, fingers curling around his shirt. The wine, coupled with the events of the last two days lowered her inhibitions enough where a soft moan escaped her throat as her tongue found his.

When they finally broke the kiss, Katie's chest was rising and falling at a rapid rate. The intensity in Tom's eyes were like nothing she'd ever seen before.

"Tom." She pressed on his chest, trying to catch her breath. "Maybe we should slow down a little. I mean, we are going to be working together, and—"

"I thought we already established the proper way to address me?" His hand was on her jawline, his thumb applying steady pressure to her chin. "Do I need to tell Chris and Clayton that you can't follow basic instructions?"

Katie felt heat creep up her neck, caught between embarrassment and arousal. "Mr. Ashford," she corrected softly. "I just think—"

“You’re overcomplicating things.” His fingers moved to his shirt, tugging at the first button as Katie watched his toned chest come into view. “Eyes on me.”

Her eyes snapped up, from watching his hands, her gaze locked with his. "Good girl." His approval sent an unexpected thrill through her.

"I'm going to help make this easy for you." His shirt continued to open, just outside of her peripheral vision. "I'm going to make all the decisions tonight, and you're going to do exactly what you're told. You don't need to think, or make things complicated. You just need to do as you're told."

His stare petrified her. Not frightening, but arresting, as if he’d taken command of her body with his gaze alone. The shirt slid open, and it took everything in her not to drop her eyes to his chest. “You can manage that, can’t you, Katie?”

“I… yes. Yes, sir.”

“Good girl.” His mouth crashed against hers, harder this time, insistent. Each thrust of his tongue stole her breath as he pressed her back against the wall, taking more of her with every kiss.

“But what if Chris—” she began, only to feel Tom’s fingers working at the buttons of her blouse.

“Chris brought you here,” Tom cut in, irritation sharpening his tone as her shirt parted. “He knows exactly what kind of man I am, exactly what I expect from the people who work with me.”

Katie’s hands flew to his forearms, but his steady, expectant look made her falter. Her arms dropped to her sides, breath catching as cool air grazed her exposed skin.

“This isn’t about Chris anymore. He’s already delivered for me.” The words stole her breath as surely as his fingers tracing the edge of her bra. “The question is whether you’re ready to show me the same level of dedication you’ve been hinting at all evening.”

Her thoughts spun wildly. Was this whole trip nothing more than a setup to get her into his bed? Was the promise of a promotion ever real? Part of her wanted to retreat, to put space between them, but Tom’s presence was suffocating, magnetic in a way that left her dizzy.

“I don’t know what you mean, sir,” she said, clinging to the flirty facade she’d worn all night.

“I think you do.” His hands slid to her shoulders, applying steady pressure. “I think it’s time to stop pretending. Don’t you?”

The pressure increased, and to her own shock she yielded, knees bending until she sank to the floor in front of him. Heat flooded her veins, a visceral reaction to his control that both thrilled and terrified her.

“That’s better,” Tom murmured, his hand threading into her hair. “Much better.”

Katie’s knees pressed into the hardwood floor, the position awkward and humiliating. She reached for his belt, fingers fumbling with the buckle.

"Not until you're told," Tom said, grabbing her wrists and pushing them away. "I told you already. You just follow instructions. Don't move unless I tell you to."

Katie's cheeks turned pink. She couldn't believe this asshole was talking to her that way. She bit the inside of her cheek, unable to deny the heat pooling in her core.

"You're awful bossy," she said refusing to be tamed without putting up a fight. "It's kinda hot though."

“Bossy? No. This is discipline. And if you’re going to last with me, you’ll learn to appreciate it.”

Her stomach flipped, and she rubbed her thighs together. "Whatever you say, Mr. Ashford." She hoped the snark would hide the shiver crawling over her skin.

“That’s better.” He released her wrists, letting them fall uselessly into her lap again. “Now wait.”

Seconds dragged like minutes. His shirt hung open, his chest broad and deliberate in her line of sight, but she kept her eyes on him, determined not to lose whatever this game was. The anticipation wound her tighter with every breath.

At last, his hand tilted her chin. “You may undo my belt.”

She thought about asking him what would happen if she didn't feel like doing it, but her fingers were already tugging at the leather strap. She couldn't believe how turned on she was right now. Her pulse raced as she slid the buckle free and reached for the button of his slacks.

“Wait.”

Her nails pressed into her palm as she nodded, fighting the urge to argue. The fire in her core continued to grow, threatening to consume her.

“Good girl.” He stroked her cheek. “Now. Undo the button.”

This time she waited, watching his eyes for confirmation before moving. Her fingers slipped under the waistband, popping the button open. Again his hand stopped her, holding her sweaty hands in his before she could continue.

“Patience,” Tom said, savoring the tension etched across her face. “It’s not about rushing. It’s about waiting until I decide.”

Her throat went dry. She wanted to reach between her legs and touch herself, but she knew he would stop her. And somehow that only made the need grow stronger.

“Now, unzip me.”

Her fingers trembled as they found the zipper. Each inch of progress sent her pulse racing louder in her ears. When she stopped to glance up, his approving look anchored her in place, anticipation burning hotter than the act itself.

Tom’s eyes stayed locked on hers. “Go on. Take it out.”

Her breath hitched as she slipped her fingers inside his open pants, brushing the fabric of his boxers and the unmistakable hardness beneath. She moaned in anticipation, the weight of him pressed against her palm.

She held her breath as she freed him, sliding his pants and boxers past his ankles, allowing him to step out of them. Heat rose in her cheeks as she licked her lips staring at his smooth, and slightly curved cock. “You have a nice… thick cock.”

Katie leaned forward, then paused, looking up at Tom through her lashes until he gave her a slight nod. When it came, she lowered her mouth, pressing a kiss to his tip. His fingers slid into her hair, controlling her rhythm.

“Mmm such a fast learner," he praised, closing his eyes and savoring the wet feeling of her lips on his shaft. "Just like that. Worship it.”

She obeyed, lips sliding lower, tongue tracing the ridge before she swallowed more of him. One hand worked the base where her mouth couldn’t reach. He wasn’t as long as Clayton, but the girth stretched her jaw until it ached, her eyes drawn to the thick veins bulging along his shaft.

“Move your hand,” Tom ordered. “I want to see how much you can take.”

Her chest tightened as she obeyed, sliding her lips farther down his length until she gagged softly. Saliva spilled across her chin, her throat stretching around him. Pride flared through her body as she took him to the root. He held her there just long enough to make her eyes water before guiding her back.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “Now again.”

Katie moaned around him, the vibration dragging a guttural grunt from his chest. The sound spurred her on, lips stretching wider as she forced him deeper, her throat straining around his girth. Her fingers cradled the weight of his sack, squeezing lightly as his entire length disappeared between her lips. The room filled with the wet, choking rhythm of her throat working himglug, glug, glug—each swallow making her eyes water as spit streamed down her chin.

The obscene sounds echoed in her ears, each wet gulp sending a new wave of shame over him, but what rattled her more was the electric pulse building between her legs. The closest she’d ever come to this was with Clayton. He had been rough, demanding, but never like this. He didn’t make her wait, didn’t force her to beg with her eyes. As degrading as it felt, Tom’s control filled her with a need she’d never experienced, a craving that left her trembling for more.

“You like this, don’t you? Being told how to use that pretty mouth.”

It was like he could read her mind. Her nails dug into her thighs, shame and arousal building all around her. Before she realized it, her fingers began to drift lower, searching between her legs for the release she craved.

Tom’s grip in her hair tightened instantly. “No. You didn’t get permission to touch yourself.”

Katie froze, breath ragged, her cheeks blazing with humiliation. She pulled off his shaft with a loud pop, spit sailing through the air.

"Please, sir. I need it so bad." She watched him through her lashes, her tongue dragging slowly across the underside of his shaft.

“Better,” Tom said, with a smirk. "But not yet. Put my dick back in your mouth."

Fury burned in Katie's eyes, a look of defiance growing, but before it could materialize she stretched her lips back around his cock. She worked him harder now, desperate to prove she could be obedient, desperate for permission to touch herself.

Tom’s breathing grew heavier, his hips shifting with urgency. Each thrust hit the back of her throat, and she waited for the moment he would grab her hair and cry out burying his cock there. The pulse of his cock against her tongue told her it was going to happen. But just as she adjusted to take more, his hand pulled her back sharply, his cock slipping free with another wet pop.

“Stand up.”

Katie gasped for breath, spit glistening on her chin. “What? I thought—”

"Now," he said, pulling on her arm.

Her legs trembled as she rose, knees sore, body buzzing with frustrated need. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, still catching her breath.

Tom closed the distance between them in a flash, his body crowding hers until her back pressed against the wall. His fingers traced along her cheek, before his thumb pressed against her lower lip, parting her mouth.

“You want me to fuck you, don’t you?” He wore the smile of a man who already knew the answer.

“Yes.” There was no sense in denying it.

His brow arched. “Yes what?”

Her lips closed around his thumb, sucking it into her mouth, her tongue circling it like his cock just minutes ago. Her eyes never left his, the intimacy of the moment only serving to fuel her desire. When he slid his thumb free, slick with her saliva, she whispered, “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl. The bedroom is down the hall. Second door on the right.” His mouth curved into a smile. “Hurry before I change my mind.”

She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she moved past him. Even though her body tingled with nerves she couldn't process. She didn't know if it was the delayed gratification or the command in Tom's voice, but she was on the verge or orgasm and she hadn't even been touched yet.

"Stand there." he said pointing to a spot next to the bed as they entered the bedroom. The light was set to dim, and other than the queen sized bed and dresser the room looked relatively bare. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, maybe some sort of red room situation. Whatever it was, this wasn't it. Still, she did as she was instructed and took her place by the bed.

“Take off your shirt,” he said, standing in the doorway, his nakedness on full display. “Slowly. And look at me while you do it.”

She couldn't help but smile as she tugged at the hem of her shirt. Heat flushed her skin as she pulled it over her head, but she didn't dare look away. By the time the shirt fell to the floor, her chest heaved with anticipation.

“Tonight I own your body,” Tom said, his gaze raking over her. “You’ll do exactly as I say.”

“Yes, sir.”

She expected him to step forward, to touch her, to claim what he’d just declared. Instead his eyes flicked to the shirt at her feet. “Pick it up. Fold it neatly. Place it on the dresser.”

Katie blinked. The command seemed absurd, but she obeyed, folding the fabric without breaking eye contact. As she set it down, she felt the oddest rush, her nipples taut with renewed anticipation.

“Now your pants,” Tom said.

She hooked her thumbs into the waistband and began to shimmy them down, When the denim hit the floor, she bent to gather them, folding carefully as she had with the shirt.

“You’re soaked." He took a step forward into the room but didn't bother to close the door. "I can see it from here.”

Katie’s cheeks flamed. “You sure you're not imagining it? Maybe you should come take a closer look,” she teased, though her thighs pressed together instinctively.

He smirked. “Patience. Bra next.”

She gritted her teeth as her fingers found the clasp. This was maddening. She slid the straps from her shoulders one at a time, letting the fabric drift down her arms before she caught it. She held the cups on her chest, trying her best to put on a tease, but Tom looked almost uninterested. She rolled her eyes and let the bra drop, before folding it and placing it on the dresser.

“Panties.”

She cocked an eyebrow, she wanted to be pissed to pull them off and be as dry as a desert. Then she could tell him how stupid all of this was. How it took something sexy and made it into something robotic. Instead, the lace clung to her damp skin as she pulled them down. A small string of juice stretching from her glistening lips, to the fabric. She hurriedly placed them atop the neat stack of clothes, her body thrumming with tension.

“You want to touch yourself, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.” Her voice cracked with need.

For a long moment, Tom only studied her, his face unreadable, his silence twisting the tension until Katie thought she might scream. Then, in a blur, the restraint vanished.

His hand shot to her throat as he drove her backward. Her bare back hit the mattress, the illusion of control shattered.

“I’m going to fuck you,” he growled, climbing over her before she could catch her breath. The cool calm from moments ago had evaporated, replaced by a hunger that made her pulse hammer in her ears.

Katie’s legs parted instinctively as he pressed his body into hers, the weight of him pinning her down. The suddenness of it stole her protest, left her trembling beneath him. She felt his cock on her wet folds. The heat of it welcoming as she moaned with desire.

Her fingers curled into the sheets, his hips sliding forward and parting her slick folds.

Tom pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his grip still heavy on her throat. “You’ve been waiting for this, Katie. You've been such a good girl. Are you ready to cum for me?”

Her lips parted, words spilling out in a desperate rush. “Yes, sir.”

His smirk was dark, triumphant, as he reached for the nightstand. The rip of foil filled the room, as he rolled it onto his thick member. "Do not cum without permission, or there will be punishments."

Katie didn't have time to ask what he meant by that before his body pressed forward, making her toes curl as the latex slid across her swollen clit.

"Guide it in," he commanded, staring down at her, knowing he'd won.

Her breathing was shallow as she eagerly reached for his throbbing erection. She bit her lip, squeezing his cock in her palm and pulling it forward, splitting her own labia and drawing him into her body.

"Ohhhh fuck," Katie whispered, letting go of his rod and allowing the heat of her body to welcome the intrusion. Her tunnel was soaked and clung to him like a thousand-degree vise.

Tom grunted, the noise sending a jolt of satisfaction through Katie as she curled her legs around him. He pushed his weight into her tug, and sank deeper.

"Mmmm, God. You feel so fucking good." Katie leaned up, kissing his neck, wanting to get lost in him completely as she felt the brush of his sack against her.

"You're so fucking tight," he hissed, sitting back on her knees, unwrapping her legs from around his body, and pulling her hips into him.

"Unnngh yesss." The effect was immediate, as Katie felt him slip deeper inside her. Her panting began to grow, her vision blurring. Then all at once, he stilled. She writhed beneath him, every halted thrust lighting her nerves on fire.

She let out a frustrated groan opening her eyes. "Why'd you stop?"

"I told you. You don't cum until I give you permission. I won't tell you again."

Her nails clawed at the sheets, her body clenching helplessly around him, but she nodded.

"Good girl," he said, slamming back into her with his full length, making her hips rise off the bed.

"Your pussy looks so good like that. Stretched around my cock. You love it don't you?"

“It feels so good. Fuck, Tom, let me cum. Please.” Her whole body ached, every muscle tight with need. They hadn’t even been at it that long, but already she felt her orgasm clawing at the edges, threatening to rip free without his permission.

Tom’s eyes narrowed at the sound of his name. It seemed that she wasn't as obedient as he thought. He was tired of taking it easy on her. It was time to see exactly how much she could take.

Without a word, he gripped her waist and rolled her, pressing her forward until she was on her hands and knees, hair matted against her damp skin.

His palm cracked against her ass, the sting sharp and immediate. At the same time, he drove his cock deep into her soaked heat.

"Ahhhh, fuck!" Her cries bounced off the walls, disappearing out the open door.

The second slap landed on her other cheek, leaving his handprint glowing angry red across her skin.

"Nnnngh!" Her scream was primal, unlike anything she had ever heard from herself. Tears stung her eyes, yet her hips slammed back on their own, desperate to take him deeper.

Katie’s ass shook under the blow, flesh rippling as red prints bloomed across her skin. The rush of pain and heat crashing so close to pleasure almost made her cum on the spot. She had no words for it, only the desperate sound tearing from her throat.

“What did you just call me?” he asked, his words punctuated by another thrust.

Her head shook, her eyes squeezed shut. “I… oh fuck. I’m sorry, sir!”

“That’s better.” His hand tangled in her hair, yanking her head back as he pounded into her again.

Katie’s body clenched around him, the squelch of her juices leaking out around him making it harder for her to breathe.

"That's it," Tom taunted, his orgasm growing near. "You're taking my cock so well now. Like you were fucking made for it."

All Katie could do was moan, her body trembling, as she teetered on the edge. Tom’s pace grew harder, his grunts letting her know he was getting closer.

“Please… ohh, God. Please, sir. Can I... I need to cum?”

Tom thought about pulling out. About telling her she couldn't cum until she agreed to fuck Mark, but he didn't want to push too hard, not yet. He had all night.

"You can't help it can you. You can't get enough of my cock."

Katie’s nails tore at the sheets, her voice breaking into desperate sobs of pleasure. “Uhh, uhh. Fuck sir, I can’t hold it…”

Her walls fluttered around him, spasms running through her core. She was losing control, trembling so violently she wasn’t sure she’d be able to hold out if he told her no. Yet, the fear of punishment only made her want it more. She'd never felt so alive.

“You know what this means,” he growled, leaning in to nip at her ear, his sweat dripping onto her face. “Every time you’re in town, you’ll be right back here. Begging for my cock." His breath was coming in short bursts as he tried to hold out. "My own... personal... fuck toy.”

"Ugggnnnhh," Her eyes shot open as another jolt of electricity went straight to her clit. “Yesss,” she moaned, the sound torn between surrender and ecstasy.

Her body clamped around him, the fire she was putting out too hot for him to control any longer. He could feel his own orgasm clawing at him, threatening to rip the control from his hands.

“Cum for me, Katie,” he snarled. “Now.”

The command detonated inside her like a bomb. Her body arched, a violent quake ripping through her as her orgasm hit hard.

“Oh... God. Oh, fuck. Oh... oh, OH… mmmmmm—”

Her thighs trembled, nails digging furrows into the sheets, her cries high and ragged as her pussy convulsed around his cock.

Tom slammed forward, burying himself deep as his release surged. He groaned through gritted teeth, his cock throbbing as he filled the condom with his warm seed. The force of it seemed to feed her, driving her climax higher until she collapsed forward, shaking, her body still milking him for every drop.

***

Chris got to the airport early, trying Katie's phone again and only getting a voicemail. He was starting to panic, he'd called Clayton last night to let him know, but he assured Chris Katie was a big girl and not to worry. It didn't help.

As he made his way to the gate, he spotted her, walking out of the Starbucks line. His heart nearly leapt from his chest as he rushed over to her.

"Katie! Thank God, I've been calling you."

She turned as he approached, her smile just as natural as always. "Morning, boss."

He waited for her to explain what happened, but when she didn't volunteer the information, he plowed ahead. "I tried calling you last night. Several times after you—"

"Yeah, sorry," she said, walking toward the gate. "After dinner I went back to my room and crashed. Too much wine." She stared out the airport window, unwilling to look Chris in the eye.

"But I came to your room. I knocked. Katie, where—"

"It's fine," she snapped, before catching herself and taking a deep breath. "It's fine, Chris, really. It was just a long night. I'm tired."

He chewed on his lip, trying to understand why she was being so distant. She was lying, he knew that, but he didn't understand why. Why did she leave with Tom? Did she stay at his place? He was pretty sure no one was in her room last night.

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, and before he could ask any questions, Katie stood and got into line.

"When I couldn't get a hold of you last night, I called Clayton," Chris said suddenly. "We talked about the VP position. It's yours... if you still want it."

She looked at him and smiled, although he could see the tears welling in her eyes.

"Thanks, boss. I'm glad to see my... services met expectations."

Chris felt the blood drain from his face as understanding crashed over him. She thought he'd set her up. Thought he'd deliberately left her alone with Tom, knowing what would happen.

"Katie, that's not what—"

The boarding announcement crackled overhead again, passengers shuffling forward with their carry-ons. Katie picked up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder with practiced efficiency.

"You know," she said, wiping away a tear, "I used to think you were different than Clayton. I actually let my guard down with you." She stepped into the boarding line, not looking back. "Turns out you're exactly the same. You just hide it better."

She handed her boarding pass to the flight attendant and disappeared down the jet bridge, leaving Chris standing frozen at the gate, her words nearly destroying him.