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  “And I have a somewhat twitchy finance department who’ll need calming down. By the way, I read through Denise Metcalfe’s personnel file after we talked earlier. I think you made a good call there. How come she was never promoted before?”

  Thea swallowed her noodles and surveyed the array of foil trays spread across the table. She had her eye on a spring roll next. “David Lister probably. If he was on the take, chances are other aspects of his management were suspect as well. Including his staff appraisals. Anyway, she’ll have her chance to shine now, at least for a while.”

  “If she’s any good she can keep the job. Call this a trial period.”

  Thea nodded again, this time impeded by a mouthful of crispy pastry and spicy vegetables. She chewed slowly, aware she was about to make another giant leap—for her.

  “Shall I follow you to the office in the morning? In my car, I mean?”

  Tony lifted an eyebrow, the only indication he gave that the significance of this moment was not lost on him. She was no longer insisting on working via remote access or only going into Dart Logistics’ premises when the rest of the staff weren’t there. He speared a piece of battered spicy chicken. “Why not travel in together? You are staying the night I assume?”

  Thea put down her fork. “Yes, I’d like to. But I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea. About us.”

  “Wrong idea?”

  “Well, right idea then. But you know what I mean.”

  Tony grinned at her. “Yes, Mrs Richmond. I get your drift. That’ll be fine. I was intending to go in early in any case, so you can take your time.”

  Thea picked up her utensil again, relieved he wasn’t going to push her harder on this. He seemed ready to accept her baby steps. “I’ll need to go home first, find some clothes suitable for work. I can hardly show up for my first day in jeans. Or worse still a corset and thong.”

  “Do you have a corset with you?” His eyes gleamed with interest. “It’s not your first day, technically. But I can see the corset would cause a stir in the warehouse. We’d probably have more than a few wrecked forklifts to worry about. Our insurance would go through the roof. No, you’re quite right. We have enough difficulties to resolve just now without you adding to them by not adhering to the dress code.”

  Despite having started it Thea ignored the sensual banter, preferring to home in on the aspect of the conversation which mattered most to her at this moment. “As far as the rest of your staff are concerned, it’s the first time they’ve seen me. First impressions and all that.” Inwardly she grimaced, this was the part she dreaded most. Resolute, she suppressed her fears and concentrated on the conversation. “So, why are you going in early?”

  “Morale’s low. Yesterday everyone just feared the worst, and no one seemed that surprised at the prospect of Dart going under. They lack faith, and I intend to change that. I’ll start by putting myself about, being seen out on the shop floor, so to speak. I want to get to know my staff and make sure they know me. I want to boost confidence, and develop a sense of pride, of ownership even amongst my teams. I want them to feel a part of Dart Logistics. Maybe then they won’t steal from me.”

  “Most people aren’t dishonest.”

  “No, I get that. But it won’t hurt to win them over a little, get them on my side. Our side.”

  “Ah, a hearts and minds offensive then?”

  “Yes, exactly. And while I’m doing that, you can be sorting out our backroom, make sure Dart Logistics has systems that work, policies that make sense, and we can enforce. And close any loopholes in our security. I want to be running a tight ship, and I intend for everyone who works for me to know that. Fair, but firm. I intend for Dart to be a great place to work, but a lousy place if you’re idle or feel like putting your hand in the till.”

  “More carrot and stick than hearts and minds, then?” Another spring roll found its way onto Thea’s plate.

  Tony shrugged as he poured them both a second glass of the complementary cola that came with their meal. “Maybe, though I do subscribe to the UN maxim on international peacekeeping—when you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.”

  Thea arched one expressive eyebrow. “I rather like getting up close and personal with your balls, Sir, but I’m not sure about the rest of that analogy.”

  Tony stood and leaned across the table to kiss her hair. “You need to become a little less fastidious, but I have every faith in you, Mrs Richmond. We’ll make a great team.”

  *****

  “Which office would you like me to use?” Thea stood in his doorway, her briefcase dangling from her right hand. She was dressed in a tight-fitting navy blue suit, the jacket buttoned over a crisp white shirt. Her hair was drawn back into a neat, if rather severe chignon, and her black leather court shoes gleamed. She looked formidable, formal, and sexy as hell when he considered the lush, curvy body which he knew for certain was to be found beneath those austere layers. His cock leapt to attention.

  “Shit, you look—different.”

  Thea narrowed her eyes, and flicked them briefly to her left, indicating the presence of Isabel nearby. “My office?”

  “You can share mine, at least for now. I don't intend to be in here that much.” Tony stood and gestured to the chair he just vacated. “Did you speak to Mrs Metcalfe yet?”

  “No. That’s my first job. I should be able to get that out of the way before the police arrive.”

  Tony nodded as he passed her to lean around the doorway to the outer office. “Isabel, could you arrange for a second desk to be set up in here please? And I think Mrs Richmond will need you to locate Denise Metcalfe and have her come up here. Have we heard anything more from Inspector Collywood?”

  His PA glanced up from the post she was opening, her expression stony. “Yes, yes, and no.”

  Tony nodded, choosing to ignore her curt tone. “Right. And is there any chance of some coffee? Perhaps you’d like to join us.”

  His PA’s expression warmed. “Right on it. How does Mrs Richmond take hers?”

  Tony was relieved at the bright smile she shot him as she got to her feet and made a mental note to find ways of reassuring Isabel that her position was not about to be usurped.

  Tony and Isabel both sat in on the interview with Inspector Collywood, but Tony had to admit it was entirely Thea’s show. And she handled it like the absolute pro she was. Their relationship outside of work was a bonus, and a seriously hefty bonus at that, but here in the work environment she was just awesome. She knew her stuff, could deal with every issue raised, understood her evidence, and the implications of every fine detail. The officers appeared perfectly satisfied that there was a case to answer. They left, on their way to pick up the three suspects and question them.

  “Do you think we’ll have David Lister badgering us again? He’s already phoned three times this morning, and I can't count how many emails he’s sent.” Isabel folded her notes into a tidy stack and rose to leave too.

  Tony nodded. “Probably. Almost certainly once the police let him go. Just keep on fielding his calls if you would please. Neither me nor Thea intend to talk to him.”

  Thea glared at him. “Would you like me to start my audit of your human resources policies now, Mr diMarco?” She emphasised his name, particularly his title.

  Tony managed to conceal his grin. So, his little sub wanted to keep things formal here, did she? He’d indulge her, up to a point. But she’d earned a spanking later. The first of several if he was any judge. He pulled a small block of post-it notes toward him and jotted a few words on the top one. He tore it from the block and stuck it on her leather-bound document folder.

  Later. Dining table. Your bare bottom, my belt. xxx

  Tony enjoyed a private moment of pure lust as her face coloured puce. He beamed a smile at a speechless Thea as he sauntered out of the room, nodded to Isabel in the outer office, and headed back down into the warehouse to charm his employees.
r />   “I didn’t get chance to ask you earlier, how did it go with Denise Metcalfe?” Tony leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on the desk. He surveyed his new colleague as she closed down the recently installed computer terminal on her pristine desk. Isabel, with her customary efficiency, had had the additional furniture and equipment delivered and set up within hours of him requesting it. Thea looked quite at home already.

  “Great, once she calmed down. She was convinced I’d called her in because of the investigation, which of course was true indirectly. She looked astonished though when I offered her the job.”

  “She accepted?”

  “Oh yes, but we’ll need to find some management training for her. She’s a good accountant, but as we already know, there’s more to her new role than that.”

  “I’m sure you’ll come up with something suitable.”

  “Me? So is staff training my responsibility too?” She swivelled her chair round to face him.

  “Part of human resources, surely.”

  “I suppose.” She picked up a pen and turned back to her desk to jot a note on a sheet of paper.

  “Don’t you use an electronic diary?”

  “Yes, for some things. But I like lists. On paper. It’s a system that works.”

  Tony shrugged. “Whatever. Who am I to quarrel? But I will require you to turn your desk around, I prefer you facing me.”

  She swivelled again and looked up, peering at him over her glasses. “What, you want me to do that now?”

  “No, next time you’re in. Which will be when?”

  “It’s Tuesday today. I need to go in to Kershaw’s tomorrow, certainly, and probably Thursday too. I’ll be here again on Friday though, all being well.”

  He nodded. “Bring a weekend bag with you. You’ll be staying at mine. So, are you ready for the off?”

  “Almost. I just need to rinse these cups and—”

  “Leave them. We have a cleaner who does that stuff. Come here.”

  “Tony…?”

  “Here. Now.” His tone held that curt Dom timbre. She rose and crossed the room.

  “Sir, I don't think—”

  “You look very prim, Mrs Richmond. Tell me, are you wearing knickers under that oh-so-decent skirt?”

  “Of course, Sir.”

  “Commendable. Remove them please. And the tights too, obviously.”

  “I will not. Not here.”

  “Oh Thea…” His tone was deliberately ominous, dripping sensual menace. “You know better than that.”

  “Sir, I don't mean to be difficult. Or disobedient. But…”

  “We are quite alone here, Thea. I promised you a spanking, but I’ll deliver that at home. And incidentally, the six strokes I had in mind just doubled. But I want your underwear now.”

  He held out his hand for her knickers, and watched with interest as a parade of emotions crossed her face. Alarm, confusion. And perhaps arousal. Yes, definitely arousal. She stepped out of those sexy, understated little shoes and bent to lift her skirt, then rolled down her tights from under it. She offered those to him, and he accepted them. His intention was that she be naked under her suit. He waited while she peeled her panties down her legs too, then pocketed both garments.

  “Are you wet, Thea?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She stood before him, her expression despondent.

  “Why so sad? Is this not a cause for celebration?”

  “Not here. It’s okay if we’re somewhere we can fuck, but—”

  “I don’t usually fuck my colleagues, but I suppose I could accommodate you. If you insist.”

  “That’s not what I meant, Sir.”

  “No? Are you not wet then? Disgracefully so? Not dripping in readiness for a long, sweet fuck?”

  “Sir, I can’t do this.” She raised her gaze to his, the telltale sheen of tears unmistakable.

  “Why? Tell me, Thea.”

  “What if someone were to see? What if Isabel had to come back for something?”

  “The outer doors are locked. There’s no CCTV in here. No one’s going to see. No one’s coming in. You’re safe, Thea. Well, comparatively so. I suppose that does depend on how far you decide to defy me.”

  “I’m not defying you. I wouldn't. You know that. Please…”

  He reached for her, cupped her chin in his hand. She went silent instantly, her expression calming at the contact.

  “Let me worry, you just obey. Yes?”

  Her nod was almost imperceptible, but enough. Her submission, given anyway, despite her fears.

  “Lift your skirt, and bend over my desk then. Now please.”

  Thea made no further protest, just edged around him and did exactly as he’d instructed. Tony watched as her beautiful bottom adorned his workspace, lifted and ready for him. He would enjoy punishing her later. But for now, he stepped forward and parted her buttocks with his hands.

  She sighed and settled more comfortably on the desk, her body relaxing, becoming limp almost. Her hands were outstretched, gripping the opposite edge. As he stroked his fingers down the groove between her cheeks he watched her fingers loosen as she sank more deeply into her submissive haze. He was surprised, it usually required some serious attention with a flogger or paddle to get her to this point. On this occasion the pain had been mental, emotional, but she was coming through it, digging within herself to find the trust she needed in order to respond to him. He was not about to disappoint her.

  He undid his trousers to release his cock, and sheathed himself fast. He stepped closer, tapping her bare feet with his leather-shod one to encourage her to widen her stance. Then he reached between her legs to stroke her pussy, from front to back. He took his time, allowing his fingertips to dip inside her entrance, and linger there. She was not exaggerating about her wetness. He smeared her juices across her arse, and considered fucking her there instead.

  No, her pussy was drooling. She needed this. Using both hands now he parted the lips of her pussy and positioned his cock at her entrance. She rocked her hips slightly, pushing back against him. He tapped her bottom, a mild rebuke to remind her who was in control here. She lifted her bottom slightly, a silent plea, and went still.

  Tony dislodged the clips holding her hair in place and unravelled her neat chignon. He spread her hair across his desk, then he pressed the head of his cock into her, and waited. She squeezed, tensing her inner muscles, her body shuddering with unmet need. He shifted and pressed forward again. A little more, another inch, then another. She was panting now, her eyes closed. He eased back, almost leaving her, then forward again. He repeated, a series of short, stabbing strokes, teasing, promising, tormenting. Her breath hitched, caught in her throat. She was desperate, needy, utterly his.

  He plunged, sinking his solid erection right to the hilt. She let out a sharp cry, somewhere between shock and relief. He pulled back and drove into her again to set up a pounding rhythm. Her pussy tightened around him, he knew she was on the verge of coming. He hadn’t given permission, and he wondered if she would seek his consent. He’d say no, because she needed to be controlled right now. She craved his dominance and needed to please him, win his approval. For that he had to set her a challenge.

  “Sir, I needed to orgasm.”

  “No, Thea. Not yet.”

  “Sir, yes! Now. I can't help it.”

  “No. Wait.”

  Her body was rigid, straining as her inner battle was played out. She was gripping the edge of the desk, her breath coming in short, staccato gasps. He slowed his thrusts, again opting for the short, rapid strokes which drove her into a frenzy of clenching. Her hips thrust back against him, but he didn't admonish her this time. She was trying to obey him, struggling to hold on to control of her response. He intended to test that control to the limit. Leaning over her slightly he reached around and under to lay his middle finger across her swollen clit.

  She shook her head, her expression pleading now as she opened h
er eyes to look up at him over her shoulder. “Please Sir, don't. Don’t do that.”

  “I’ll do what I want to you, Thea. You know that. You love it when I stroke your clit.”

  “Sir, I can't take any more. Please let me come.”

  “Soon. But first…”

  He circled her clit with his finger, the caress slow, light, barely there. Thea whimpered, her cunt contracting hard around his cock. He drove forward, filling her completely, then stroked the tip of her clit again. He applied just a touch more pressure, and she started to convulse. He stopped, waited. She hauled herself back from the brink, her entire body shivering. Tony waited for a count of five, then another. He leaned in to murmur in her ear.

  “Come now, Thea.”

  His finger hovered, a fraction of a millimetre from her clit. His cock stretched and shaped her. He kissed the back of her neck, then dragged his teeth across her sensitive skin. It was enough, too much. She convulsed around him as her orgasm seized and spun her. Tony rubbed her clit at last to provide the friction she craved, driving her release further, harder, deeper.

  At last she lay still under him, spent. He took a handful of her hair and twisted it around his fist, lifting her face from the table top. He leaned over and kissed her on the mouth, hard. He plunged his tongue between her lips, tasting, exploring, possessing her even now. He broke the kiss and started to move again, driving his cock deep with the long, slow strokes he loved. His own climax was just seconds away, but he’d been determined to see hers through first. Her pussy was tight, so hot, so wet. She seemed to squeeze around him, was she doing it on purpose? Yes, probably. He tightened his grip on her hair and growled into her ear.

  “Behave.”

  She relaxed, giving over control to him totally. Her submission was all he required to cause his nuts to contract. Semen surged into the condom and his balls emptied.

  Still holding her by the hair he nudged her nose with his. “Talk to me, little sub. Are you okay?”

  “Yes Sir. Thank you for that.”

  “For what, exactly?”