"Good morning, Pagan," a deep voice said, entering the room. "Any messages today?"
"Yes, Mr. Ross." She handed him the small stack of messages, fighting her need to throw him to the floor and rip off his clothes. He was delicious in his gray suit.
"I think I have time for a quick cup of coffee. Then, I will be in that damn board meeting for a few hours."
"I'll bring it right away." Pagan couldn't take her eyes off his neatly trimmed goatee, remembering her dream and how his mouth had felt on her body.
"You all right, Pagan?"
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry, Mr. Ross, I guess I slept very little last night."
"How many times do I have to ask you to call me James?" He rolled his eyes. "I get called Mr. Ross all day long and I see you more than most."
"I guess it just doesn't sound very professional."
"What if I make it an order?"
"Okay, easy, I'll do my best, Mr.--" She chuckled at herself. "I mean, I will do my best, James."
He winked and retreated into his office.
Like she had done for the past two years, she walked to the coffee pot and made him his coffee. Black, two sugars, no cream. Bracing herself, Pagan entered his office with a light knock. His scent assailed her and she breathed deep, taking in all she would ever have of this man. He was on the phone, so she placed it at his elbow and walked slowly from the room.
At her desk, she pulled up his recent case files and prepared to polish them up and file them in order of appearance. She had to do something before her work was affected. He had asked her about a year ago to address him by name when it was just them in the room. She had tried, but it just didn't come so easy. Calling him James made things a little more personal, and she had other ideas of personal. Ideas that involved his hot, sweaty body under hers while she rode him into a coma. She could still feel the effects of her dream, and her body ached in remembrance.
From her past experiences, Pagan had grown shy about sex, always afraid to go after what she wanted, and no longer willing to voice her desires or act on them. She only wished she could.
"Pagan?"
She jumped and spun around in her chair, her face flaming. She had been caught daydreaming.
Oh, God, please don't ever let him know it was him in my thoughts, she silently prayed.
"I'm sorry, Sir-er-James." She made a show of stacking files. "Do you need me for anything?"
"Maybe you should take the day off and get some sleep."
"No, I'm fine. Another cup of coffee and I will be good as new."
"If you're sure." He cocked a brow at her nod. "I will be in the meeting room. Just page me if anything comes up. And if I'm not back in an hour, page me anyway. These things are tedious."
"All right, I can do that."
"Also, could you pull the file for my divorce hearing that's in court tomorrow? My client will be in this afternoon to discuss a settlement."
"It will be waiting on your desk."
"You're a gem, Pagan. I got lucky when I found you."
She blushed and watched as he walked from the office. Pagan had to sigh, wishing she could act on her feelings. But he was her boss and that would never fly. She couldn't lose her job, and that's exactly what would happen. Unless she found one hell of a man soon, she would have to be content with her fantasies.
)
