Page 39 of The Silent Hour

"Today, she overstepped," he continued. "So now I will discuss with her the problem that is.”

"At least you got that right. Congratulations on doing the bare minimum." I paused. "And points for honesty."

"Honesty?" Something almost offended flashed behind his eyes.

"When have I ever lied to you, Julia? Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"

"No." The word came out softer than I'd intended, because he hadn't. Not once. I straightened, unwilling to let him completely off the hook just because he had over a decade of good behavior behind him.

"Is she assigned to the Ruiz case?"

"No. She's working a case with Serena."

I let that settle. Then, "If this happens again, the meeting she will be having is with me in the room too."

"Of course."

My eyes narrowed. "Just like that?"

"Our name's on the building, bella, and I make most of the rules." His tone was matter-of-fact but gentle. "That request isn't even a ripple in what I'd do for you."

"Keep talking," I sassed.

His grin returned, and he leaned forward, his voice dropping as Italian rolled effortlessly from his tongue. I didn't need him to translate. That woman is nothing. No threat. No comparison to you.

His inked hands slid lower, fingers spreading possessively over the curve of my ass before he pulled me onto his lap in one swift motion. The leather chair groaned beneath our combined weight.

"Now," he murmured, "what else do you want from me?"

I toyed with his silk tie, midnight blue with a pattern so subtle it disappeared unless the light caught it just right. I wound it slowly around my fingers until the expensive fabric pulled taut against his throat. Then I leaned close, brushing my lips against the shell of his ear.

"Maybe you should fuck me on her desk."

His laugh carried equal parts heat and warning. "Her office isn't as private as mine. Glass walls. Flimsy blinds." His palms traveled along my thighs. "Hearing is one thing. If someone walked by and saw my gorgeous wife spread out for me, we'd have to burn the building down with everyone inside afterward, bella."

"I already changed my mind." I rolled my hips against him just enough to make his breath hitch. "She'd probably save the visual for herself to get off to later. You know how good you look when you're into it."

The midnight-blue silk tightened around my fingers as I shifted on his lap, the material cool against my skin while his hands burned where they gripped me.

"I think I need to test something." His thumbs pressed into my curves, tracing slow circles. "Do I really look as good as you say when I'm into it?"

I tried to laugh, but the sound caught in my throat when his gaze darkened. "You do.”

His mouth brushed my jaw before trailing down my throat. "You look beautiful, by the way. You always do. But this dress..." His teeth scraped the sensitive hollow where my neck met my shoulder, sending a shiver down my spine. "The way it hugs every curve is doing criminal things for your ass." His hands tightened. "I'll be burning it later."

A laugh escaped me as my fingers dug into his shoulders. "We're supposed to be going to eat with Toya and Knox."

His eyes lifted to mine, burning with a hunger that had absolutely nothing to do with lunch. "I'm about to eat right now."

My pulse stumbled. I tilted my head back as his mouth traveled lower, heat following the path of his lips. Then, in one fluid movement, he lifted me onto the desk. My thighs landed directly on the file he'd been working on, the corner of a manila folder pressing into my skin as he shoved the skirt of my dress higher with absolutely no patience.

His dark eyes locked on mine.

Then he sank to his knees.

His broad shoulders flexed, the fine wool of his suit jacket pulling taut as he shoved my thighs apart with a single, proprietary motion. There was no hesitation—only raw intent. He leaned into the space he’d carved for himself, breath hot through the damp lace.

“Fuck,” he murmured, voice thick. “Already dripping for me.”