Chapter 5

The penthouse felt colder in daylight.

Gray morning light sliced through the half-drawn blinds, turning the black sheets silver-gray. I sat in the middle of the massive bed, knees drawn to my chest, staring at the empty space beside me like it might suddenly fill with Lucian Kane again.

It didn't.

His scent lingered smoke, leather, sex but that was all. No note on the pillow. No business card on the nightstand. No text lighting up my dead phone screen (battery long gone, charger nowhere in sight). Just silence and the dull throb between my legs reminding me last night wasn't a fever dream.

I'd begged a stranger to ruin me.

He had.

Thoroughly.

And then he'd vanished like smoke.

My laugh came out cracked. Of course he did. Men like that didn't do mornings. They did one-night obliterations and walked away clean.

I dragged myself out of bed on shaky legs. Every step pulled at sore muscles, tender skin, the faint bruises blooming on my hips where his fingers had gripped. I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror across the room and froze.

Mascara tracks had dried into faint black rivers down my cheeks. Lipstick smeared. Hair a wild tangle. Neck marked with faint red blooms from his teeth. Breasts still flushed, nipples dark and sensitive. Between my thighs God. Dried evidence of him, of us, streaked my inner thighs like war paint.

I looked wrecked.

I looked alive.

For the first time in years, I didn't hate what I saw.

I found my ruined dress crumpled near the door, panties shredded beyond saving. No bra to begin with. I slipped the silk back on anyway clammy now, wrinkled, clinging in all the wrong places. Barefoot, I padded through the suite.

Kitchen. Living room. Bathroom.

Empty.

Immaculately clean. Like no one had ever been here except me.

The minibar was stocked. I grabbed a bottle of water, chugged half, then splashed the rest on my face. Cold shock. Better.

My phone finally found on the entry table blinked to life when I plugged it into the suite's charger. Notifications exploded across the screen.

Mom: 17 missed calls.

Ethan: 8 texts (I didn't open them).

Mia: 3 voicemails.

Work: 2 emails marked urgent.

Reality slammed back like ice water.

I had a life to return to. A canceled wedding to explain. An apartment that wasn't mine anymore. A job I suddenly remembered I still needed.

I dressed as best I could smoothed my hair with wet fingers, wiped away the worst of the mascara with a tissue. Slipped my broken heels back on. Took the private elevator down.

The lobby was quiet. Early Saturday morning. The concierge gave me a polite nod, no judgment in his eyes.

Either he saw this kind of walk-of-shame every weekend, or he was very well paid to mind his own business.

Outside, the rain had stopped. The city smelled clean, wet asphalt and coffee from somewhere. I hailed a cab, gave my address our address Ethan's and mine.

Halfway there, I changed my mind.

"Actually... take me to Reed Enterprises Tower instead."

The driver glanced in the rearview. "You sure, miss? That's downtown. Traffic's gonna be hell."

"I'm sure."

I didn't know why. Maybe because I needed to feel in control of something. Maybe because showing up at work looking like I'd been thoroughly fucked would be the most honest version of myself I'd presented in years.

Or maybe just maybebecause a tiny, reckless part of me hoped that the man who'd disappeared this morning owned half the skyline and might be waiting behind one of those glass walls.

Reed Enterprises. The name had been everywhere lately billboards, news, the new tech merger that swallowed three smaller companies whole. Billion-dollar shadow. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable.

Exactly like him.

The cab pulled up outside the sleek black tower forty minutes later. I paid with the last of the cash in my clutch, stepped out barefoot (heels in hand screw it), and walked straight through the revolving doors.

Security stopped me immediately.

"Ma'am, ID and appointment?"

I lifted my chin. "Lila Harper.

Marketing department. I work here."

The guard frowned at my appearance wet dress, bare feet, wild hair but swiped his tablet.

"Badge?"

"Lost it," I lied smoothly. "Long story. Can you call up? Tell them I'm coming in to... handle a personal emergency."

He hesitated, then buzzed someone.

Two minutes later, the elevator dinged. A woman in a crisp blazer stepped outmid-thirties, sharp bob, no-nonsense eyes.

"Lila Harper?"

"Yes."

She looked me over once. Didn't comment on the state of me. "Follow me. Mr. Kane wants to see you. Now."

My stomach dropped through the floor.

Mr. Kane.

I followed her into the private executive elevator. She swiped a card. We shot upward fast, silent.

When the doors opened, it was straight into a corner office the size of my entire apartment.

Floor-to-ceiling glass. City sprawled below like a toy set.

And him.

Lucian Kane stood at the window, back to me, hands in the pockets of a charcoal suit that probably cost more than my car. Shoulders broad. Posture relaxed. Like he'd been expecting me.

The woman left without a word. Doors closed behind her.

He didn't turn around yet.

"You're late," he said quietly.

I laughed-short, disbelieving. "Late for what? You didn't leave a fucking note, Lucian."

He turned then.

Same midnight-blue eyes. Same scar on his jaw. Same mouth that had devoured me last night.

But this version wore power like a second skin. Cold. Controlled. Untouchable.

"Language, princess," he said mildly. "You're in my office."

My pulse roared in my ears.

"You knew who I was," I whispered. "Last night. You knew I worked here."

"I did."

The admission hit like a slap.

"You let me beg you. You fucked me like I was nothing. And then you left me in your bed like yesterday's trash."

He crossed the room in three strides. Stopped just close enough that I could smell him again same cologne, same sin.

"I left because I had a board meeting at seven," he said. "And because if I'd stayed, I would've fucked you awake. Again. And again. Until you couldn't walk. And you have a presentation Monday you need to be able to stand for."

I stared at him. "You're my boss."

"Technically, I own the company you work for." His gaze dropped to my mouth. "And right now, you look like you've been thoroughly claimed by your boss."

Heat flooded my face and lower.

"You can't just "

"Can't what?" He tilted my chin up with one finger. "Make you come so hard you forget your own name? Mark you so everyone downstairs will smell me on your skin? Own every filthy little secret you gave me last night?"

My thighs clenched. Traitorous body.

"I should quit," I breathed.

"You won't." His thumb brushed my bottom lip. "Because you're already wet thinking about what happens next.

"

Damn him. He was right.

He leaned in, mouth hovering over mine. Not kissing. Just breathing me in.

"Monday," he murmured. "Nine a.m. My office. Wear something I can rip off easily."

Then he stepped back.

Dismissed me.

Just like that.

I stood there trembling, heart hammering, thighs slick again.

He returned to the window. "You're dismissed, Ms. Harper."

I turned. Walked to the elevator on numb legs.

As the doors closed, I caught his reflection in the glass.

He was smiling.

Small. Predatory.

Satisfied.

And I knew bone-deep, terrifying certainty

This wasn't over.

It was only beginning.

Chapter 6

The executive elevator doors slid shut with a soft, expensive hush, sealing me inside a mirrored box that smelled faintly of Lucian's cologne. My reflection stared back at me mascara still faintly smudged under my eyes, lips swollen from last night's kisses, hair wild and damp from the rain that had finally stopped. The black silk dress clung in all the wrong places now, wrinkled and ruined, screaming walk of shame to anyone who looked too closely.

I pressed a trembling hand to my stomach. The ache between my legs was a constant, delicious reminder. Every shift of my thighs sent a fresh pulse of memory through me his thick cock stretching me, his voice growling "Good girl" while he filled me, the way he'd cleaned me afterward with surprising gentleness before disappearing like a ghost.

And now he was my boss.

Lucian Kane. CEO of Reed Enterprises. The man whose name was on half the tech patents in this city. The man who had just dismissed me from his penthouse office like I was an intern who'd delivered bad coffee.

The elevator dinged on the marketing floor. I stepped out on shaky bare feet, heels still dangling from my fingers. Heads turned. Whispers rippled through the open-plan desks like a wave. Sarah from accounting nearly dropped her latte. Ryan Brooks my closest work friend froze mid-conversation with a client, his eyes widening as he took in my state.

"Lila?" He excused himself and hurried over, voice low. "Holy shit, what happened to you? You look like you got hit by a truck. Or... fucked by one."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "Not now, Ryan."

I tried to slip past him toward my cubicle, but he fell into step beside me, concern etched across his boyish face. "Seriously. Ethan called the office twice already. Said something about the wedding being off? And you're walking in here looking like you spent the night in a hurricane."

I dropped into my chair, wincing at the soreness. The computer screen blinked to life, showing Monday's presentation deck I was supposed to finish. My hands shook as I reached for the mouse.

"I caught him," I whispered, voice cracking. "Ethan and Mia. In our bed. Four days before the wedding."

Ryan's jaw dropped. "That motherfucker."

Before he could say more, my desk phone rang. The caller ID made my stomach flip.

**Executive Office – Mr. Kane**

I stared at it like it might bite me.

Ryan glanced at the screen and whistled low. "The big boss? On a Saturday? Girl, what did you do?"

I swallowed hard and picked up the receiver, trying to sound professional. "Lila Harper speaking."

Lucian's voice poured through the line like dark velvet and smoke. "My office. Now."

No greeting. No please. Just that low, commanding tone that had me clenching around nothing.

"I-I just got to my desk, sir."

"Ten minutes ago you were in my penthouse. Don't make me repeat myself, princess."

The line went dead.

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "You good? You look like you're about to faint."

"I'm fine," I lied, standing on unsteady legs. "Just... new boss stuff."

I grabbed my bag and headed for the private elevator again, heart hammering so loud I was sure the entire floor could hear it. The ride up felt endless. When the doors opened onto the executive level, Sophia Lang Lucian's sharp-eyed assistant gave me a once-over that missed nothing.

"Ms. Harper. He's expecting you."

She didn't smile. Just gestured toward the heavy oak doors.

I stepped inside.

Lucian stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Miami's glittering skyline and the turquoise stretch of ocean beyond. Sunlight poured in, highlighting the silver at his temples, the powerful lines of his shoulders in that perfectly tailored charcoal suit. He didn't turn around immediately.

"Close the door."

I did. The click sounded final.

He finally faced me. Those midnight-blue eyes dragged slowly down my body taking in the wrinkled dress, bare legs, the faint marks I knew were still visible on my neck if you looked close enough.

"You came to work like this," he said, voice dangerously calm. "Looking like you've been thoroughly fucked. My cum still inside you?"

My breath hitched. Heat pooled low despite everything.

"I didn't have time to change," I whispered. "I needed... I needed to feel normal."

He crossed the room in three strides, stopping so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. One large hand came up, thumb brushing the corner of my mouth.

"You don't get normal anymore, Lila. Not after last night. Not after you begged Daddy to ruin this tight little pussy."

I whimpered. My thighs pressed together instinctively.

He smirked that cruel, beautiful curve of his lips.

"Monday morning. Nine sharp. You'll present the Q3 campaign deck in the boardroom. Wear something I can slide my hand under during the meeting without anyone noticing. No panties."

My eyes widened. "Lucian "

"Mr. Kane in front of others," he corrected, but his voice dropped lower. "And if you're good... I'll reward you after. On your knees under my desk."

The image flashed through my mind me on my knees while he took calls, his hand fisted in my hair, feeding me his cock while the company carried on outside the door. Fresh wetness slicked between my legs.

He leaned in until his lips brushed my ear. "You're mine now, princess. Every moan, every orgasm, every filthy secret. Mine to take whenever and wherever I want. Understand?"

I nodded, breathless. "Yes... Daddy."

His hand slid down, cupping me possessively through the damp silk. A low growl escaped him when he felt how wet I already was.

"Good girl."

He stepped back abruptly, leaving me aching and empty.

"Dismissed. Fix your face before the floor sees you again."

I turned on trembling legs, pulse racing, mind spinning with equal parts fear and dark, addictive excitement.

As I reached the door, his voice stopped me one last time.

"Oh, and Lila?"

I glanced back.

His eyes burned with promise. "If Ethan calls again... tell him the wedding is off. And that you belong to someone else now."

The door closed behind me with a soft click.

I leaned against the wall in the hallway, breathing hard, thighs slick, heart thundering.

This wasn't just a one-night mistake anymore.

This was the beginning of something dangerous.

Something I wasn't sure I could survive.

But God help me... I didn't want to.

Chapter 7

Monday morning hit like a fever dream.

I stood in front of my closet at 6:47 a.m., heart racing, staring at the black pencil skirt and cream silk blouse I'd chosen. The skirt was tight enough to hug every curve, the slit up the back just high enough to be dangerous. No panties just like he'd ordered. The cool air kissed my bare pussy with every movement, a constant filthy reminder that I was walking into Reed Enterprises completely exposed.

My nipples were already tight against the thin lace of my bra. I could still feel Lucian's hands on me from Saturday, the way he'd cupped me through my ruined dress and growled that I was his. The ache between my legs hadn't faded; if anything, it had deepened into a throbbing need that made me clench uselessly around nothing.

I slipped on sky-high black heels, smoothed my hair into a sleek ponytail, and added a touch of red lipstick. Professional on the outside. Whore for him on the inside.

The drive to the tower felt endless. When I stepped into the lobby, the marble floors echoed under my heels. People nodded politely, unaware that their new CEO had fucked me senseless two nights ago and was now waiting to play with me in front of the entire board.

The boardroom was already filling when I arrived at 8:55. Lucian sat at the head of the long glass table, looking every inch the ruthless billionaire in a navy suit that made his eyes look even darker. Sophia sat to his right, tablet ready. Ryan gave me an encouraging smile from the side, completely clueless.

Lucian's gaze locked on me the second I entered.

He didn't smile. He simply leaned back in his leather chair, one finger tapping slowly against the armrest, and let his eyes drag down my body pausing at my breasts, then lower, as if he could see straight through the skirt to my bare, dripping cunt.

"Ms. Harper," he said, voice smooth and professional. "You're on time. Impressive."

Heat flooded my face. I took my seat at the far end of the table, directly in his line of sight. As I crossed my legs, the slit in my skirt parted just enough to flash a glimpse of thigh. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

The presentation began.

I stood at the front, clicking through slides, voice steady even though my pulse was hammering. Market projections. Campaign visuals. Projected ROI. Every word felt distant, like someone else was speaking. Because under the table, Lucian's foot had found mine.

He pressed the toe of his expensive leather shoe against my ankle, then slowly slid it upward, pushing my legs apart. My breath hitched mid-sentence.

"which gives us a twelve percent uplift in Q3 engagement"

His foot moved higher, nudging my knees wider until I was forced to stand with my legs slightly parted. Cool air kissed my exposed pussy. I was already wet. Soaking. I could feel it starting to trickle down my inner thigh.

Lucian's expression never changed. He listened politely, nodding at the right moments, while his foot continued its slow, torturous exploration rubbing along my calf, then pressing firmly against my inner thigh, inches from where I needed him most.

I stumbled over a number.

"Ms. Harper?" he asked, voice laced with mock concern. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, Mr. Kane," I managed, gripping the clicker tighter. "Just... passionate about the campaign."

His eyes darkened with satisfaction.

As I continued, he shifted in his chair. A moment later, my phone vibrated silently on the table beside my notes.

One new message.

**Lucian Kane:** Spread your legs wider. Let me see how wet you are for Daddy.

My thighs trembled. I obeyed, inching my stance wider under the table. The slit in my skirt parted further. If anyone looked closely, they might notice. The risk sent a fresh gush of arousal leaking from me.

Another buzz.

**Lucian Kane:** Good girl. Now touch yourself. Two fingers. Slowly. Don't let them see.

My hand trembled as I pretended to adjust my notes. Under the table, I slipped two fingers between my folds. I was drenched. The slick sound was faint but obscene to my own ears. I circled my swollen clit once, twice biting the inside of my cheek to keep from moaning.

Lucian watched me like a predator, his face calm while his eyes burned.

I rubbed faster, desperate, hips twitching subtly. The pressure built fast too fast. My breathing grew shallow. I was close. Right there in the middle of the boardroom, surrounded by twenty executives, with my boss commanding me to edge myself.

His next text came through:

**Lucian Kane:** Stop.

I froze, fingers glistening, body screaming in protest.

He stood smoothly as the presentation wrapped.

"Thank you, Ms. Harper. Excellent work. Everyone, take fifteen. Lila stay behind. I have notes on the deck."

The room emptied quickly. Ryan shot me a curious look but left with the others. Sophia closed the door behind the last person, giving me one last unreadable glance.

The second the lock clicked, Lucian was on me.

He spun me around, bending me over the long glass table. My breasts pressed against the cool surface, papers scattering. He kicked my heels apart, yanking my skirt up to my waist in one rough motion.

"Fuck," he growled, voice no longer professional. "Look at this pretty cunt. Dripping all over my boardroom floor because you couldn't stop thinking about Daddy's cock."

His fingers plunged inside me two thick digits curling instantly against that spot that made me see stars. I moaned loud, unable to hold it back.

He leaned over me, chest to my back, mouth at my ear.

"You were such a good girl in there. So wet for me while you talked business. Did you like knowing anyone could have seen how desperate you are?"

"Yes-Daddy-please-"

He pumped his fingers faster, thumb finding my clit, rubbing ruthless circles.

"Come," he ordered. "Come all over my hand right here where I make decisions every day. Soak the table I own."

The orgasm crashed through me violently. I cried out, body shaking, walls pulsing hard around his fingers as pleasure ripped me apart. My juices ran down his wrist, dripping onto the glass.

He didn't let me come down.

He pulled his fingers out, brought them to my mouth.

"Clean them."

I sucked greedily, tasting myself on him while he unzipped his pants behind me.

The thick head of his cock nudged my entrance hot, heavy, leaking.

"Beg for it," he rasped.

"Please, Daddy... fuck me. Ruin me right here on the table."

He thrust in hard all the way to the hilt in one brutal stroke.

I screamed his name into the glass.

He fucked me like he owned me. Deep, punishing strokes that slapped wetly against my ass. One hand fisted my ponytail, yanking my head back. The other cracked across my ass cheek-sharp, stinging.

"You're mine now," he growled with every thrust. "This pussy belongs to me. Say it."

"It's yours-Daddy-only yours-"

He reached around, rubbing my clit again, driving me toward another peak.

"Come with me," he commanded. "Milk my cock like the good little slut you are."

I shattered again, vision whiting out as my walls clamped down on him. Lucian groaned low and deep, slamming in one final time before flooding me with hot, thick ropes of cum. He stayed buried, grinding slow, making sure every drop stayed inside me.

When he finally pulled out, he smoothed my skirt down gently, almost tenderly. Turned me around. Kissed me slow and deep, tasting us both.

"Fix your lipstick," he murmured against my lips. "You have another meeting at eleven."

He tucked himself away, looking perfectly composed again.

As I reached the door on wobbly legs, cum already starting to leak down my thigh, his voice stopped me.

"Lila."

I looked back.

His eyes were soft for just a second. "You did well today, princess."

Then the mask slipped back into place.

"Dismissed."

I stepped out into the hallway, thighs slick with his cum, heart racing, body still buzzing.

This was only the beginning.

And I was already addicted.