Chapter 232: David's Punishment

Holly's POV

Amber was pacing near the far end of the open-plan area, phone pressed tight to her ear, her free hand gesturing wildly like she was trying to swat away whatever was being said on the other line. Her face was flushed, brows pinched together in frustration, lips moving fast in hushed but sharp tones.

I’d never seen Amber like this. She was always the calm one…the girl who handled client meltdowns with a smile and a perfectly timed joke. The one who could diffuse a bad mood with a single raised eyebrow and a coffee refill. But right now, she looked…unravelled.

“No, I told you, I can’t—” she hissed into the phone, voice low but cracking at the edges. She stopped pacing, pinched the bridge of her nose, and took a deep breath. “Just…calm down. Please. I’m handling it.”

Handling what?

I leaned forward a little, pretending to organize files on my desk while I watched. She started pacing again, heels clicking too hard against the floor, then suddenly veered toward the supply closet hallway…the quiet little dead-end nook where people went to take personal calls or cry without being seen.

Well, that was weird. Maybe I'll ask her about it later.

The rest of the afternoon was more of the same. Tyler sent a delivery…flowers. A cute little bouquet of pink roses with a card that said Thinking of you, gorgeous. The delivery guy handed them right to me at my desk. Half the floor saw it. Whispers started immediately.

I put them front and center on my desk, snapped a quick pic, and sent it to Tyler with about twenty heart emojis.

David came out of his office twice. Once to drop off files he could’ve emailed. Once to ask some pointless question about scheduling. Both times, his eyes went straight to the roses, then to me smiling at my phone.

By two-thirty, he looked ready to snap. His tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up, hair a little messy like he’d been running his hands through it all day.

I was photocopying some files when he appeared again, this time blocking my path.

“Holly,” he said, voice low and rough, that authoritative tone he used in board meetings. “End whatever this is with Tyler. Now.”

My breath caught. I looked up at him, heart pounding, and wondered just how far I could push before he finally broke.

The words kept repeating in my head like a broken record, that deep, commanding rumble in his voice wrapping around me and squeezing tight.

God, why was that so hot?

The authority in it, the possessiveness…like he had any right to demand anything from me after pushing me away for years. My thighs clenched involuntarily, a rush of heat flooding straight between my legs. My knees felt like jelly, like if I didn’t lock them, I’d just melt right there on the office floor.

But no way was I giving him the satisfaction of seeing that.

I straightened up, forcing my face into something cold and unbothered, even as my heart hammered like crazy. “Is that part of your  responsibility now, boss? Telling me who I can date?”

David groaned low in his throat, a frustrated sound that made my stomach flip.

Before I could blink, his hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my wrist like a vice. He yanked me toward his office door, pulling me inside and kicking it shut behind us. The click of the lock echoed loud in the sudden quiet.

He didn’t stop there. He backed me up against the wall, one hand planting beside my head, the other lifting my jaw so I had no choice but to look up into those dark, furious eyes.

“Isn’t this the same office,” he growled, voice rough and low, “where you confessed your love to me yesterday? Poured your little heart out like a kid?”

I laughed…short, sharp, trying to play it off even as my pulse raced. “Wow, it’s not that deep, David. Chill, old man. And like you said… Yesterday. I already upgraded.”

His eyes flashed dangerously. In one swift move, he spun me around, flipping me so my front was pressed to the wall, my breasts flattening against the cool surface. His body caged me in from behind, one hand sliding up to wrap loosely around my neck…not squeezing, just holding, a possessive claim that sent sparks shooting down my spine. His other hand gripped my waist, fingers digging in just enough to make me gasp.

“Old man?” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot on my skin, voice dripping with dark promise. “You have no idea what this old man could do to you, Holly. I could have you screaming my name in minutes. Bend you over that desk and fuck every smart-ass thought out of your head until you’re begging me to stop…or not to.”

Holy shit.

Inside my head, I was screaming. Yes…God, yes. Lift my skirt. Rip my tights. Fuck me hard right here against the wall until I can’t think straight. Take me like you own me.

Because you do.

My body was on fire, core aching, thighs pressing together to ease the throb. I was soaked, embarrassingly so, every nerve screaming for him to make good on that threat.

But outwardly? No way. I wasn’t giving in that easy.

I twisted in his grip, shoving at his chest with both hands. “Get off me, Mr Hunt.”

He didn’t budge at first, his hold tightening just a fraction…enough to make my breath hitch.

“If you don’t let go right now,” I hissed, voice shaking but firm, “I’ll march straight to HR and report you for sexual assault. Then I’ll submit my resignation on the spot. Your choice.”

For a second, he froze. Then he released me…his hand sliding off my neck, the one on my waist following slowly, deliberately.

I jerked away, spinning to face him, my back still against the wall for support because my legs were still traitors.

“Go ahead,” he said, voice flat but eyes blazing. “Report me. Quit. See if I care.”

I smoothed my skirt with shaky hands, lifting my chin. “If you don’t have anything work-related to discuss, I’ll be going back to my desk, sir.”

I didn’t wait for a reply. I pushed past him, unlocked the door, and walked out…head high, steps steady even though my heart was pounding out of my chest. I didn’t look back, but I could feel his furious stare burning into me the whole way to my desk.

I sat down, hands trembling as I grabbed my phone and pretended to check emails.

David thought he could order me around? Threaten me with that filthy mouth and expect me to fold?

No. Well…yes, he could. But I won't let him.

This was just the beginning.

I was going to make him eat those words he said to me yesterday slowly. Drag it out until he was the one losing sleep, until the jealousy ate him alive, until he came crawling to me on his knees, begging for what he’d pushed away for so long.

And when he did?

I’d decide if he deserved it.