Free Derision: A Novel by Trisha Wolfe Page B

eyes, attempting not to cower under my appraisal. “It was impossible to find anything that covered…anything. You don’t expect me to wear this out, do you?”
    The fierce urge to spring from my seat and punish her mouth has me gripping the edges of the table. “Please sit,” I say, my tone thick with restraint.
    When she merely lingers, fidgeting with the neck of her dress, I push my chair back and storm toward her before she has the chance to react. I scoop her into my arms and deposit her very tempting ass on the table.
    Her nails dig into my shoulders, seeking balance, as I slide my hands up her thighs and grip her panties. I lift her up with a firm hoist and then yank the annoying things down her legs. “When I said this dress was not meant to be worn with undergarments, what I should’ve made clear is that I desire for you to lose them.”
    She gasps as I reach around her back to undo her bra. “Then you should’ve just said that,” she says, wriggling beneath my touch and taking over the removal herself.
    I pull back to look at her, admiring her flushed face as she jerks the bra through her sleeve. A move I always enjoy. Pressing my palms against her inner thighs, I spread her legs apart. “You’re right,” I say, wedging myself between her knees to lock her in place. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
    Her attention is aimed down at the floor. I hook a finger under her chin and raise her gaze to mine. “Otherwise, the selection of this dress pleases me.”
    She presses her lips together, a small, nervous tell before she says, “The selections didn’t leave much choice at all. My options were either naked or naked.”
    This makes my lips twitch on the verge of a smile. I had no idea how mouthy she could be when pushed. “Again, all choices that would’ve pleased me.”
    I move in closer, anxious to taste her lips, but she moves back. “You said you’d clarify our…situation once I was dressed.” She raises an eyebrow. “Partially dressed is adequate?”
    I do smile now. “Perfectly adequate.” Nudging her plate closer, I nod toward her food. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
    I take my seat, leaving her atop the table next to me, while I stuff a forkful into my mouth. I chew slowly, savoring each bite as she struggles to feed herself, awkwardly cutting into the omelet and then bringing each bite up with a hand beneath, ready to catch any drops.
    The notion that I should’ve put her in my lap hits me—and I envision just what it would feel like to take her ass while burying her pretty face in my omelet.
    Well, considering she’s still sitting on the table and hasn’t yet fled, there’s hope to indulge all sorts of whims later.
    I clear my throat, pushing all temptations away. “It’s not that difficult to understand. You only have two options. The first is you remain under my ownership, where you’ll continue to work at Lark and Gannet, but as my personal paralegal. You’ll get a bump in salary, an excellent insurance package, and you’ll be under my protection. Which means none of the other partners can touch you, or so much as speak to you without my consent. Nothing will change for you, other than you’ll be required to accompany me to The Firm on weekends, where you’ll prove your submission to me.”
    Which I need from her more than anything. She’s my pawn in the gambit.
    “The second option is to leave,” I continue. “Because now that you have been advanced, you’re simply a liability to The Firm and its members. More so, you’re a threat. They will never trust that you’re ignorant of the details.”
    She stops trying to feed herself and stares down at me with wide eyes. “So what…? Oh, my god. They’d kill me?”
    To protect what they’ve built, their investments, their identity…some members of The Firm wouldn’t hesitate. But Alexis is mine, and as such, she doesn’t have to fear any of them.
    As far as the partners go, they might be sadistic