Enslaved (Devil's Kiss) by Gemma James Page B

his ear and shoulder as he entered data into his laptop. He didn’t acknowledge me as I set down the coffee cup with a trembling hand. I pulled my iPad from my briefcase, and then shuffled my feet as he finished the call.
    “Good morning, Kayla.” He grabbed the cardboard cup and took a sip before going about his normal morning routine, which involved dictating what he needed me to do for him. My fingers flew over the screen, adding meetings, notes, and anything else he specified. He said nothing remotely related to our weekend together—not even a hint. He resumed typing, and I kept my mouth shut, though I had to admit to being completely flustered. He acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. I couldn’t help but stand there like an idiot, waiting for some sort of response—something to indicate how I should behave around him. Was I supposed to call him Master while in his office when no one else was around? Did he want me on my knees as long as the door was closed?
    I cleared my throat. “Mr. Channing?” Uttering that name left an odd taste in my mouth after the weekend I’d endured. Not only had he effectively programmed me to call him “Master,” but addressing him so formally after he’d had his cock buried in me seemed ridiculous. I licked my lips, thinking of the one place he had yet to penetrate. I’d be naive to assume it wasn’t going to happen eventually.  
    He glanced up. “Yes?”
    “Is there anything else?”
    “No, that’s all. I’ll need that report by lunch.” He returned to his work, and I didn’t know what confused me more—his casual dismissal, or the fact that it stung.  
    I put Gage’s behavior out of my mind and got to work. Shortly before lunchtime, as I was gathering a printout, Tom from the marketing department approached me.  
    “How was your weekend?” he asked.  
    I blinked. “It was . . . nothing unusual. How was yours?”
    “Could’ve been better. Cindy and I broke up.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. It was a long time coming. Actually, I wanted to ask you out for coffee. You busy this week?” He took a step closer and brushed a stray hair out of my eyes. “Or we could do something more private. Whatever you’re up for.”
    I gave him an uneasy smile. “I’m sorry, I can’t. My daughter’s in the hospital.” I stumbled back until a couple of feet separated us.  
    Apparently he didn’t pick up on my subtle hint. “How’s she doing?” he asked, closing the distance.  
    “Her doctor’s hopeful. We’re waiting on some test results.” I looked toward Gage’s office and found his thunderous expression aimed in our direction. He crossed the space with a purposeful stride.  
    Oh, shit.  
    “You’re fired,” he snapped at Tom. “Security will escort you from the premises.” Gage gave a slight nod toward a man who materialized from the periphery. He grabbed Tom by the arm.  
    “What the hell?” Tom’s eyes widened as he took in our employer’s furious expression. “Why? What’d I do?”
    “I won’t tolerate sexual advances between my employees. You obviously made Ms. Sutton very uncomfortable.”  
    “Let’s go,” the security guard ordered.  
    Tom protested, his voice ringing through the fifth floor as the guard escorted him to the elevator. “I’ll have you sued for this!” As soon as they disappeared behind the sliding doors and all the prying eyes pretended to go back to work, I set my hands on my hips and glared at Gage.  
    “Was that really necessary? He has a kid to take care of!” I wasn’t sure who was more surprised by my outburst—him or me.
    “In my office now .”
    I closed my eyes on an exhale. Once again I’d let my mouth run rampant. Every gaze in the room weighed on me as I trailed behind Gage. He shut and locked the door, and I swallowed hard, preparing to grovel.  
    “I’m sorry. I was way out of line.”
    He grabbed my arm and yanked me over to his desk. There wasn’t much on it—a