Chapter 235: Baited

Holly's POV

A low chuckle poured through the speaker, oily and smug. “So you’re the mystery girl who’s been dreaming about me, huh? I wanted to know how you sound, I can already tell how good you'll taste from how you sound.”

Ew. God, his voice was even worse than I expected…nasal, trying way too hard to sound sexy. No hard feelings…but he genuinely sounds like a frog.

How come he is not even bothered about how I got his number? Is he deadass stupid?

“Yeah,” I giggled, hating myself for how convincing it sounded. “It’s embarrassing how long I’ve wanted this… It's my dream.”

“Mmm. Lots of girls say that. They all want a taste of the gold, don’t they?” He laughed at his own disgusting joke. “Tell me, baby…what’s your dream exactly? You want me to bend you over? Make you scream my name like these other girls used to?”

Bile rose in my throat. I gripped the edge of the table to stay upright.

“Yes,” I forced out, letting my voice shake just enough to sell the obsessed act. “That’s exactly what I want. I can’t wait for tonight.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Be a good girl and don’t keep me waiting…the line’s long, sweetheart. Got a couple other thirsty ones lined up after you, and I wanna make my rounds.”

He hung up. Just like that. No goodbye, no nothing.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it, rage boiling so hot I could barely breathe.

“Motherfucker,” I hissed, voice shaking. “You absolute piece of trash. I will show you! You wanna bend me over? I'll fucking bite your cock off!” I yelled into the empty room.

I was going to destroy him. Not just scare him…I was going to make sure he never touched another woman without remembering tonight. Without shaking.

I didn’t know exactly how yet, but I’d record everything, get proof of the blackmail, the threats, the coercion. I’d make him beg Amber for forgiveness on his knees, then hand every second of it to the police.

He thought he was hunting?

Tonight, he was the prey.

I shoved my phone in my pocket, picked Amber's own from the table and turned to leave.

But I froze as soon as I turned.

David was standing right there by the door, arms crossed, shoulder leaning against the wall like he’d been waiting. And listening.

His eyes were dark, unreadable, jaw tight.

Shit.

How long had he been there?

What exactly did he hear?

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought it might crack one. David just stood there, blocking the doorway like a damn wall, his eyes locked on me with that intense stare that always made me feel like he could see straight through my bullshit.

"How long have you been standing there?" I blurted out, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out higher than I wanted.

He didn't answer right away. Just pushed off the wall and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click that somehow felt louder than a slam. "Long enough," he said, voice low and rough. "Who the hell was that on the phone?"

I laughed…too loud, too fake…and waved my hand like it was nothing. "None of your business, boss. Just a friend. Girl stuff. You wouldn't get it."

His eyebrow arched, and he took another step closer. "Girl stuff? It sounded like you were setting up an ambush. And you were yelling about biting something off. Real cute, Holly. What the fuck are you doing in here alone, making calls like that?"

Heat rushed to my face. Thank God he didn't get the full gist. I crossed my arms, trying to look annoyed instead of panicked. "Again, not your business. I'm allowed to have a life outside of work, you know. Why don't you go boss someone else around?"

He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne…something sharp and expensive that made my stomach flip in a way I hated. "A little advice? Stick your nose where it belongs, Holly," he said, voice dropping even lower. "And stop getting all bratty about other people's business. Or in this case, mine…since you're using my office for your little secret calls."

"Your office? Last I checked, I work here too!" I shot back, getting defensive because what else could I do? He was poking right at the one thing I couldn't let him uncover. "Mind your own damn life, David."

He didn't back off. If anything, he leaned in closer, his eyes flicking down to my lips for a split second before locking back on mine.

The air between us got thick, hot, like someone cranked up the heat in the room. My pulse was racing, and I hated how my body reacted…like it forgot we were supposed to be fighting.

I shoved at his chest, hard enough to make some space. "Back off! I have a boyfriend, okay? He's super jealous. Like, he'd kill you on sight if he knew you were all up in my space like this."

David groaned, this deep, frustrated sound that vibrated through him, but he didn't move back much. Instead, his hand came up, fingers brushing down my arm, slow and deliberate, rubbing little circles on my skin that sent sparks shooting everywhere. Oh God, it felt good…too good…and for a second, I almost lost it, almost leaned into him like an idiot.

He smirked, that cocky tilt to his mouth. "If I touch you like this, does the boyfriend get mad? How mad can a little mouse like that get, anyway?"

I gasped, yanking my arm away and shoving him again, harder this time. My brain screamed at me to keep the upper hand. "I would never cheat on my boyfriend! And wait…didn't you literally call me a child the other day? Why are you suddenly so interested in me, huh? Or…” I faked a gasp. “Are you a pedo?”

He staggered back a step, looking caught off guard for the first time, his cheeks actually flushing a bit. "What the hell... It's not like I'm interested in you like that," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just looking out for you because you're—"

"Ava's little sister…right?" I cut him off, rolling my eyes so hard it hurt. "Yeah, I know the drill. Stick to being my boss, Mr David. Stop interfering in my personal business."

I turned on my heel, ready to storm out. But before I could reach the door, his hand shot out, grabbing mine.

He whirled me around fast, and I crashed right into his chest…hard muscle under his shirt, his heartbeat thumping against me.

We both froze, staring at each other, breathing heavily. The room felt electric, charged with this insane tension that made everything else disappear. His eyes were dark, intense, pulling me in, and for a hot second, I forgot that I was supposed to make him jealous. My lips parted, and I swear he leaned in just a fraction—

Then he cleared his throat, loud and abrupt, stepping back like he'd been burned. "I have a business meeting at six," he said, voice gruff, avoiding my eyes. "You are coming with me."

I blinked, trying to catch up. "What? No, I have other engagements planned tonight."

"It's work-related," he said, finally looking at me again, that boss mode snapping back on. "And you're my personal assistant now. Remember?"

His hand came up again, fingers stroking along my jaw, tilting my chin up so I had to meet his gaze. It was gentle but firm, and damn it, my knees went a little weak. "Or would you rather quit?"

My mind raced. Quit? Hell no…I needed this job, needed to stay close to him so I could seduce him.

But going with him meant blowing off my plan tonight, the one where I finally nailed that douchebag and got the proof I needed. David is doing this on purpose, sabotaging me without even knowing the full story. Asshole.

I swallowed hard, hating how his touch made it tough to think straight. "Fine," I muttered. "I'll go."

He dropped his hand like it was nothing, turning toward the door. "Good. I don't want to have to look for you after work. We're leaving together."

Then he walked out, leaving me standing there alone again, fuming.

I leaned against the door, heart still pounding. That arrangement I'd just made with that douchebag…meeting him at seven, luring him in…it was all set. And now David was ruining everything, dragging me to some stupid meeting.

I hoped it wouldn't drag on too long, that I'd still have time to sneak away and meet the creep. But deep down, I knew better. David didn't do quick meetings. He was thorough, controlling, and tonight he'd probably keep me glued to his side just to prove a point.

Screw it. I couldn't risk it. Not with him watching.

I pulled out my phone, thumbs flying over the screen as I texted the douchebag: “Hey, something came up with work. Can't make tonight. How about tomorrow instead? Same time?”

His reply came almost instantly, cocky as ever: “Tomorrow? You think you can just reschedule on me, baby? Fine. But when you show up, you're gonna kneel and apologize for wasting my time. Say you're sorry like you mean it, and maybe…just maybe…I'll let you have a taste of this glorious cock you've been dreaming about.”

I stared at the message, rage bubbling up again. What a disgusting pig. The things he said made my skin crawl, but I forced a deep breath.

Tomorrow, I'll play along just enough. I'd get him talking, record it all, bury him so deep he'd never crawl out.