It only takes one email to ruin my whole year.
“Iris!”
She comes running into my office with my brother on her tail. “What?”
I don’t even bother asking what he is doing here. Knowing him, it has everything to do with avoiding his responsibilities.
“Did you see Yakura’s latest email?” I slam my finger against the mouse, shutting the email browser before I have a stroke.
“No. What happened?”
My entire face feels like it’s on fire. “He received a call from my father.”
“Fuck.” Cal wipes his face.
My thought exactly. “Yakura’s threatening to pull out of the project.”
She drops into the chair across from me. “Why?”
“He didn’t go into any specific details, but his sentence about how our goals don’t seem to align was as good of a hint as any.”
It doesn’t take a genius to understand what happened. With my father’s personality and his desperation to remain CEO, I have no doubt he went out of his way to make my project seem inadequate. Because in the end, the Kane Company bottom line doesn’t matter so long as he remains in power, even if it means ruining a deal that could make us billions.
He wants to make me look weak and inexperienced compared to him, and this is the best shot he has at destroying whatever credibility I have with the board thus far. The executives know how hard I have been working on this project. If it falls through, the blowback could be detrimental to my transition.
“We can fix this. I’ll reach out to Yakura.” Iris rolls her shoulders and tips her chin up. She has a unique ability to command the situation and ease the growing tension in my shoulders.
“And say what? ‘Sorry my dad’s a dick. He didn’t mean it,’” Cal offers.
Her brows scrunch together. “Of course not. What do you take me for? An amateur?”
“Then how do you plan on winning him over?”
Iris turns toward me. “We show him how our goals align.”
“Do we even know what those are?” Cal’s head swings back and forth between Iris and me.
My face is as blank as my thoughts. I thought Yakura’s goal was to build a park worthy of his land, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“I have an idea but I don’t know if it’s a good one…” Iris’s voice trails off.
“This doesn’t sound promising.” Cal grimaces.
I shoot Cal a look that tells him to keep his mouth shut. “Go ahead.”
She perks up at my obvious interest. “When we initially introduced the idea of building Dreamland Tokyo, Yakura’s first question had nothing to do with profits. I found it strange that someone as successful as him wouldn’t care about how much money he stands to make.”
“What did he ask about?” Cal leans toward Iris.
“If we could make Dreamland Tokyo happen before he was too old to enjoy it with his grandkids.”
“I don’t remember that,” I reply, drawing a blank on that part of the meeting.
Her eyes roll. “Of course you don’t. You were too focused on pulling up the next slide discussing expected proceeds.”
“So he cares about his family,” Cal says.
She nods.
“We’re screwed. There’s no way Declan can work with someone like that.”
“I disagree. Because while your father might be clever, he missed one tiny detail.”
“What?”
“Me.” Her smile rivals the sun.
Fitting because it burns away that last bit of remaining anger I have toward my father. In its place, I am filled with a newfound sense of hope. I can convince Yakura to stick with the project, so long as Iris helps me. She can appeal to just about anyone’s humanity—mine included.
Cal whistles. “Someone thinks mighty highly of herself.”
I want to smack the back of his head but hold back. I’d hate to waste his last brain cells with something impulsive.
“I know my strong suits, and picking up after Declan’s messes happens to be a personal strength of mine.”
“So what’s your plan then?” my brother asks.
“Easy. We show him exactly what Dreamland has to offer.” Her eyes seem to sparkle.
“How do we do that?” I lean back in my chair and consider her idea.
“We take him to where it all started and show him what he would be missing out on if he walks away from this deal.”
“Are you suggesting we take a family trip to Dreamland?” Cal asks.
She nods, and his smile is wiped clean off his face. I feel the same way. Unlike Rowan, neither one of us wants anything to do with the park. Every memory of our life with our mother is attached to the place. The only times I’ve gone have been strictly for business, and I’ve been sure to keep it that way.
“How is this supposed to change his mind?” My voice comes out rougher than intended.
“Yakura is a family man. We need to show him how, unlike your father, so are you.”
Cal’s laugh grates against my nerves.
“What’s so funny?” My teeth grind together.
“The idea of you playing a family man is too good to pass up. You can count on me to be there.”
“Who said you were invited?” She looks at him like a bug beneath her shoe, and I could kiss her for it.
He waves a hand down his body. “I’m part of the promotional package.”
“Not happening,” I respond for her.
He looks over at Iris for help and she shrugs. “He’s the boss.”
Forget kissing her. I could fuck her for standing by me instead of Cal on something like this.
“I don’t like you two ganging up on me.” He rolls his eyes.
She gives his hand a pat. “It’s in your best interest. You hate business talk anyway.”
He sighs. “You’re right. Still fucked up though when you’re my best friend.”
“And he’s my husband. Don’t make me choose between you two.”
My world seems to tilt as she says the words. The weight behind them nearly knocks me on my ass, and I grip onto the handles of my chair in a chokehold.
“You two in love is disgusting.” Cal’s lip curls.
She laughs. “No one said anything about love.”
The way she laughs his statement off feels like someone pierced my chest with a serrated knife. My chest burns equally strong as my gut churns.
Give her time to come around.
I’ve seen the way she looks at me. There is no way she doesn’t love me, even if she hasn’t processed it yet.
“There’s a chance he might not even say yes,” I grumble underneath my breath. I’m almost hoping that’s the case if only to avoid visiting Dreamland.
“After all this time, you still doubt me?” Iris actually looks somewhat hurt by the idea.
“It’s not you that I’m worried about,” I amend. It’s everything that going to Dreamland will stir up for me.
“Leave it to me.”
Iris drops a stack of papers on my desk. “Here.”
“What’s that?”
“Next week’s travel itinerary. I already went ahead and cleared your calendar, that way we have enough time to get acclimated to Dreamland before Yakura visits.”
Holy shit. She fucking did it.
Did you really doubt her in the first place?
No. Of course not. Although I doubted the damage my father did and how Iris would overcome such a challenge.
I grab the stack of papers and flip through them. The first packet includes information about our pilot and our Dreamland schedule, from a park walkthrough with Rowan and Zahra to meetings with the different creative teams on the property. She even secured a private office for me to work out of.
I scan the next packet which includes everything on Yakura. From all his preferences to an entire family tree, there isn’t a single stone Iris left unturned. “Please tell me you went about this plan the legal way.”
“That depends on if you consider it illegal to hijack Yakura’s travel plans to the Grand Canyon and pay someone to ground his plane in Florida.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You didn’t.”
She laughs, and it does something strange to my heart rate.
“Of course I didn’t! Although I’m flattered you think I could pull off such a stunt.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you to accomplish anything you put your mind to.”
Her smile wavers. “Don’t go saying sweet things to me at work.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes me want to do something inappropriate.”
I lean back in my chair and throw her papers on the desk. “Like what?”
She wags her finger. “Nope. I’m off-limits during business hours.”
Blood works its way straight to my dick. “We could call in sick.”
What the hell are you doing by suggesting both of you should skip work?
She laughs. “It’s the middle of a workday, and you have a meeting with the head of park development in ten minutes.”
I check the time on my computer. “Clock is ticking then.” I press the automatic lock button underneath my desk, and the clicking sound makes her brows rise.
“What are you—”
I latch onto her hand and pull her straight onto my lap.
“You’ve lost your goddamn mind.”
“Then I hope I never find it again.” I slam my lips against hers, silencing any protests. An electric feeling sparks across my skin as she kisses me back with enough intensity to make my head spin. Kissing her feels like I cheated my way into Heaven, and I plan on soaking up every second of it.
We break apart as she straddles my lap. My head drops back against the chair as she presses herself against my cock, swiveling her hips in a way that drives me wild with want. I grip onto her hips with a chokehold to keep her pressed against me. She kisses her way down the curve of my neck before sucking on the spot that makes my hips buck forward.
A wet spot gathers in front of my pants from the way she rocks back and forth against my stiff cock. I’m mindless as I push her up and down, switching directions and making her moan as she grinds into me from a different angle.
The shrill ringtone of her phone threatens to kill the moment. She pulls away, but I don’t release her hips from my grasp.
“I have to get that.” Her husky voice sends a fresh wave of arousal through me.
“Let it go to voicemail.” I grip her chin and pull her mouth back toward mine.
She turns her head at the last second, giving me her cheek. “It could be important.”
“Not nearly as much as this.” I help her onto her feet before turning her toward my desk. “Bend over and put your hands on the desk.” I press my palm into the small of her back and push.
She must sense my self-control wavering because she does what I say without asking any questions. Her palms flatten against the wood as she leans forward, making the hem of her dress lift to an enticing height. Her sharp inhale fills the silence as I run the tips of my fingers up the back of her thighs. I lift her dress, revealing the globes of her ass.
“Did you wear this for me?” My dick is rock hard underneath my slacks as I play with the lacy strap of Iris’s green thong. If it wasn’t my favorite color before, it sure as hell is now.
She turns her head so she can properly glare at me over her shoulder. “Your narcissism is showing again.”
“How so?”
“Green is my favorite color.”
“Since when?”
“Since way before you adopted it as yours.” Her laugh feels like being basked in sunlight.
I shake my head and regain control over the situation. “You know what I think?”
“Feel free to keep it to yourself.”
Iris sucks in a breath as I drag my fingers up and down her thighs.
“I think you hoped something like this would happen.”
Her eyes are two glittering orbs of brown. “Quite the assumption on your part.”
“So you don’t want this?” I tease the damp triangle of material before retreating, and she stares at me with a look of murder in her eyes.
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
I chuckle as I grab onto the strap of her thong and drag it down her legs. She lifts each foot for me, and I bend down to retrieve it.
Her brow arches as she looks over at me pocketing her thong. “I never pegged you as the souvenir type.”
“Why would I need a souvenir when I can have you any time I want?” I nudge her legs apart one at a time. She bites down on her lip to stifle her moan as I drag my index finger across her slit, collecting her arousal. My heart pounds in my ears, growing louder with each second that passes. I sink a finger into her only to withdraw it a second later, making her hiss.
She pushes her ass out. “Please.”
“Please what?” I step out of her reach, and she grinds against the air.
“Make me come.”
Her death stare turns into one of lust as I thrust two fingers inside of her. My cock aches to replace them, and my movements grow desperate to match. Her teeth dig into her bottom lip, quieting her moans. I press my thumb against her clit and rub it in slow circles. My fingers brush against her G-spot, and her knees buckle as she clutches onto the desk for stability. She unravels, her legs dropping out from underneath her as she comes.
She is completely dazed as I undo my belt buckle and pull down my pants. I’m quick with putting on the condom, ignoring the way my chest tightens at the idea of disregarding my duty for her.
It’s only a matter of time before she comes around to the idea. Give her time.
I push my erection against her opening. She bolts upright, but I push her flat against the desk.
I lean forward and press my chest against her back. “I could come at the sight of you, ass up, facedown, and wet for me.”
“That would be quite disappointing, to say the least.”
She releases a sharp breath as I push her hair aside, revealing her neck. I kiss the spot that seems to drive her wild. She bucks under me, pushing the tip of my cock into her. I bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop my groan, although my eyes roll back into my head. Never have I felt this kind of connection to someone else. Over the years, I forgot what it felt like to desire someone. To be driven by the need to possess them in every single way.
I have a meeting in five minutes and I’m too busy fucking her to prepare for it. In fact, it turns me on to consider them waiting outside, listening to how good I make Iris feel.
Iris doesn’t seem pleased with my lack of action as she uses the edge of the desk to push backward, and I sink farther into her.
I grip onto her hips. “You’re not in charge here.”
“Oh, honey. I’ve always been in charge. You just were too caught up in yourself to realize who was running things around here.” Her wide grin steals my ability to breathe.
I ram into her, and her gasp of air makes me smile.
“You were saying?”
She laughs.
It stirs the wild side of me that I keep under lock and key. I withdraw, only to thrust back into her with punishing strength. Her dilated eyes still reflect amusement, and it drives me feral that she doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by this connection. Desperation claws against my chest to show her who holds the power between us.
I take out my frustration on her body. My hands grip onto her waist as I ram into her over and over again. Her breathing becomes more ragged, and her grip on the edge of the desk slips along with her control.
You’re not in charge here, my ass.
A knock against the door makes Iris’s eyes widen.
“Mr. Kane? I wanted to let you know I’m here for our meeting at three.”
I lean forward and press the pad of my thumb against her clit. “Talk.”
“Hi, Mr. Davis. We’ll be ready in a few minutes.” Her cheery voice doesn’t match the arousal in her eyes.
She attempts to shift away from me, but I hold her in place.
“What are you doing?” she whispers.
“You’re not dismissed yet.”
“Asshole.”
I withdraw my cock and trace the seam of her ass with the tip. “Does that mean yours is on the table?”
“I will murder you with a dull pencil if you try.”
I shrug. “Pity. Maybe next time.”
I smile as I slam back into her without warning. Her gasp fills me with pride while the trembling of her legs makes me crazed. Fucking Iris is quickly becoming my favorite pastime, where each round feels like a battle of who will surrender first.
A tingle shoots down my spine as I fight off the urge to come. I work hard for each gasp and moan that makes it past her lips, and I feel victorious as she comes around my cock. Her legs give out, and I hold her up as I thrust into her over and over again until I find my own release.
The relief is all-consuming, filling my vision with black spots as I come. She claws at the desk as I ram into her one last time. My own legs threaten to give out, but I refuse to withdraw yet. I don’t want to kill the connection, regardless of who is waiting on the other side of the door.
I lean over and kiss her neck. “Remember this when you think you’re in control here.”
It’s a bullshit statement on my part. I lost control weeks ago, and now I’m nothing but a slave to the sensations she stirs up inside of me.
“I’ll never look at this desk the same way again.” She sighs.
“Says the woman who doesn’t have to work next to a set of claw marks from now on.”
She swipes the wood chips away like that changes anything. “At least it’ll stir up some good memories for you.”
“That or a hard-on.”
“Why not both?” She laughs, and I smile against her skin, loving the way I elicit that kind of reaction from her.
Fucked. You’re absolutely fucked.
