Chapter 248: Wild Rose

Holly's POV

The hallway was silent except for the faint hum of the air-conditioning and my own heartbeat thumping in my ears. I stood just inside the cracked door, one hip cocked, fingers lightly gripping the frame, every muscle coiled like a spring. I could do this. I had to do this…for Amber.

Not long after, I heard footsteps approaching. Heavy, confident, coming closer.

He appeared at the end of the corridor…mid-thirties, an obvious knock-off watch flashing under the lights, that smug grin already plastered on his face like he owned every woman he looked at. His shirt was half-untucked like he’d come straight from whatever corner of the world he thought made him king.

He saw me and his eyes raked down my body, slow and obvious as he whistled loudly. “Damn, Wild Rose. You look even better than I had imagined."

I tried my best not to let him see how disgusted his presence and words made me feel. Instead, I let my lips curve into a shy, eager smile, stepping back to let him in. “You’re here,” I breathed, like I’d been waiting my whole life for this exact moment. “I was starting to think you’d stood me up.”

He pushed past me, already shrugging off his shirt and tossing it on the chair. “Not a chance. A piece like you? I cleared my whole afternoon.”

The door clicked shut behind him. Lock engaged. Cameras rolling.

He turned, crowding me against the wall before I could move, one hand planting beside my head. “Been thinking about this tight little body since you texted,” he muttered, voice low and filthy. “Gonna fuck you so good you’ll forget every other dick you’ve ever had. Spread those legs and let me give you what you’ve been begging for, sweet girl.”

My stomach twisted in disgust, but I tilted my head back, letting my breath hitch like his words turned me on. “God, yes,” I whispered. “I need it.”

He groaned, already yanking his singlet over his head, revealing the kind of gym body he probably thought made women stupid. Buttons popped. He leaned in, mouth aiming for mine, breath hot with whiskey and entitlement.

I turned my face at the last second so his lips grazed my jaw instead. “Wait,” I said softly, fingers pressing lightly against his bare chest. “This…this has been my fantasy for so long. Don’t rush it. I want to savor every bit of it. Please?”

He pulled back just enough to smirk. “Savor it? Baby, once I’m inside you, you won’t be thinking straight enough to savor anything.”

I reached for the nightstand, lifted the drugged glass of wine, and held it out to him like an offering. “Then let’s toast first. To…finally getting what I’ve always wanted.”

His eyes flicked to the glass, then back to me. He took it from my hand, fingers brushing mine deliberately. He lifted the glass up as the rim almost touched his lips.

But then, he froze.

“Wait a second.” His brow creased. “How’d you even get my number, sweetheart? I’m pretty sure I haven’t met you before.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. Shit.

I blinked, let my mouth part like I was flustered, buying a second to think. “I…uh…”

Come on, Holly. Sell it.

I dropped my gaze, bit my lip…shy, guilty, desperate.

“I’ve…seen you with my colleague a few times. Amber. You two looked so hot together and I just… I couldn’t stand only watching her have you. One day she left her phone on her desk and I… I snuck it. Copied your number. I know it’s crazy, but I couldn’t help it.”

He stared at me for a beat, then let out a dark chuckle that made my skin crawl. “You stole my number because you were jealous of that bitch?” His free hand came up, cupped my breast roughly through the blouse, squeezing like he had every right. “That desperate for my cock, huh?”

Irritation flared hot under my skin, but I forced a breathy little moan, arching into his touch. “Yes,” I whispered. “So desperate.”

He grinned wider, thumb brushing over my nipple like a reward. “Good girl.”

He lifted the glass again, ready to drink.

Then paused. Again.

My insides screamed.

Drink the damn thing already, asshole!

I bit the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood, keeping my face soft, needy.

“You know what?” he said, voice suddenly playful in the worst way. He pushed the glass toward my mouth, tilting it so the rim touched my bottom lip. “Why don’t you have a taste first, Wild Rose?”

The cool rim of the glass pressed against my lower lip, and for one terrifying second everything hung in the balance.

His eyes were locked on mine, sharp now, the cocky haze lifting just enough to show suspicion flickering behind them. The hand that had been groping my breast slid up to my jaw, thumb stroking my cheek like a warning.

“Come on, baby,” he murmured, voice deceptively soft. “Drink. Show me you’re not playing games.”

My pulse was a war drum in my throat. One sip and the whole plan collapsed. He’d know. He’d flip. And then I’d have to fight my way out of this room with nothing but pepper spray and a stun gun against a guy twice my size.

I couldn’t let that happen. Amber was counting on me.

Think, Holly. Think fast.

I let my eyes go wide, innocent, then dropped my gaze to his mouth like I was suddenly shy. I parted my lips…just enough…and let the tip of my tongue touch the wine, barely wetting it. Then I pulled back with a tiny, breathy laugh, like the taste alone was too much for me.

“Mmm,” I whispered, voice low and shaky. “That’s…strong.” I licked my bottom lip slowly, deliberately, watching his pupils blow wide again. “Makes me feel warm already.”

His grip on the glass loosened a fraction. Greed flashed across his face…raw, predictable greed.

I leaned in closer, pressing my body against his bare chest, letting my breasts brush his skin. My free hand slid down his stomach, nails dragging lightly, stopping just above his belt. “But I don’t want to drink yet,” I said, letting my voice drop to a sultry pout. “I want to remember every second of you touching me. I’ve waited too long to be fuzzy for it.”

I took the glass from his hand…slowly, carefully…my fingers wrapping around his as I guided it away from my mouth and back toward his. “Your turn,” I breathed, tilting it for him. “Drink for me. Then kiss me with it still on your tongue. Please.”

He smiled with content as his ego purred at the plea. Men like him love being begged and worshipped.

He searched my face one last second, suspicion warring with lust.

But finally, lust won.

“Fuck, you’re filthy,” he muttered, grinning again as he finally…finally…tipped the glass back and took a long swallow.

Thank God.

I hid my relief behind a soft moan, rising on my toes to press my lips to the corner of his mouth while he was still drinking, pretending like I was tasting the wine on him. “More,” I whispered against his skin. “I want you relaxed. I want you to take your time ruining me.”

He groaned, swallowed again…deeper this time…then set the glass down hard on the nightstand. Both hands came up to grab my hips, yanking me flush against him.

“Darling, that desperate little stunt with Amber’s phone has just earned you a reward.” he said, voice rough as he started walking me backward toward the bed. “I’m gonna pay you heavily for that. Gonna fuck you till you can’t walk, then go collect my next piece of ass while you’re still leaking me.”

Disgust burned in my chest, but I let my head fall back, exposing my throat, giving him the vulnerable angle he wanted. “Promise?” I asked, all breath and need.

His mouth crashed onto my neck, teeth scraping. “Oh, I promise, baby.”

The drug wouldn’t take long…five, maybe ten minutes before his limbs got heavy.

I just had to keep him busy until then.

My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him against my skin as I counted the seconds in my head.

Ten minutes.

I could survive ten more minutes of this.