KIERAN
"Stop making that face," I muttered, adjusting the cuff of my shirt. "He got himself fired."
She was still staring at me—lips slightly parted, eyes wide, like I'd just confessed to murder. Maybe in her innocent little brain, I had. But that bastard deserved it.
I leaned closer, gripping the headboard behind her, caging her in. Her breath caught. She tried to move back, but there was nowhere to go.
Just how I wanted it.
"He looked at you too long."
"Smiled too wide. And then he touched you. I saw it on the footage."
Her brows drew together. She grabbed her notebook, scribbling fast and furiously:
NO HE DID NOT
LIAM IS NICE TO ME
I gritted my teeth. "See, that's the problem. I didn't hire him to be nice. And that—what he did—that wasn't him being nice. That was him wanting something else."
She shook her head. I didn't care. I grabbed her waist and lifted her up off the bed. Her legs instinctively wrapped around me as I carried her down the stairs.
"I'll get you a new tutor. Maybe a female one. But I'm not taking down the camera in your classroom—I need to know what's happening in there," I said.
She made a face, trying to act like she wasn't pleased about that, but it was so damn cute it nearly made me groan.
"You know how adorable you are when you pout like that? Makes me want to tie you up and—"
I stopped. Her face went pale at the word tie.
"I'm sorry. I'm not going to tie you." I pressed our foreheads together and kissed the tip of her nose.
A few quiet seconds passed. Then we kept moving in silence. I couldn't take my eyes off her, not even long enough to check the stairs properly.
When we reached the living room, I glanced down at her in my arms. She looked away quickly, her cheeks flushed.
I stood there for a moment. "Is there anything you want me to get for you while I'm out?"
She shook her head shyly.
"Come on, kitten. Anything at all—I'll bring it."
She bit her lip, clearly thinking about it. Then she grabbed her notebook again and scribbled something down.
Classes.
Of course. After firing Calloway, she was probably bored out of her mind. This house was massive.
I gently set her down, raked a hand through my hair, and looked at her again.
"I'll get you another personal tutor. And how would you feel about joining some extracurriculars?"
She tilted her head, confused.
"When I get back tonight, I'll show you some options. Stuff you can do when you don't have classes."
I tucked a strand of her long, silky hair behind her ear.
She shivered, her ear turning red.
Too fucking cute for her own good.
I took a breath. "Now come give me a kiss to calm me down or I'll—"
I didn't get to finish. She stood on her toes, placed a hand on my chest, and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. Before I could turn and claim her lips, she pulled away with a sheepish grin and darted toward the kitchen.
I watched her vanish around the corner, the warmth of her lips still lingering on my cheek.
My hands clenched. Jaw tight.
Trying not to chase after her like a man possessed.
God.
She had no idea what she did to me.
That one kiss… so innocent. So soft. And yet, it set my whole body ablaze.
I ran a hand through my hair, pacing. I needed to leave. Meetings. Contracts. A boardroom full of people who feared me more than they respected me. And here I was—frozen in my own damn house—because one silent girl with the biggest eyes in the world kissed me like I mattered.
****
"Mr. Blackwood, you have—"
"I know I'm late," I cut off my PA. "Just send me all the files."
And yes, I was late. Because instead of walking out like a normal, sane man after that kiss… I went into the kitchen.
I lost control.
I ravished her against the counter like no one else existed. Like I didn't care who saw us. Hell, people had been there—and they cleared out, thank God—but I still took it as my chance.
I spread her legs and fucked her like I was starving for her.
Because I was.
I don't know what it is about this girl.
But I can't keep my hands—or my damn dick—to myself.
"... Caldwell." The name snapped me out of my thoughts. I whirled around, my gaze locking onto my PA. She staggered back from the force of my sudden movement.
"What did you just say?"
She swallowed hard, taking a step back. "I said that Jimmy Caldwell is here to see you."
What the hell is that bastard doing here?
"Where the fuck is he?"
She pointed toward my office. I gave her one last look before turning away.
"After we leave, we need to talk," I said, my voice low and threatening.
Her eyes went wide with fear.
"S-sir, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to let him in…"
But I was already walking toward the office. As I stepped in, I didn't even have time to shut the door before a hand struck my face.
Rachel screamed.
I staggered back, but I quickly slammed the door shut behind me as Caldwell yanked my shirt.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" he snarled, spit flying from his mouth, landing on my face.
I wiped it off with a smirk. "I'm your worst fucking nightmare."
I grabbed his hand, the one clutching my collar, and yanked it away. But I didn't let go. Then—
CRACK.
A satisfying crunch echoed through the room.