Young, Allyson - Broken [Running to Love 2] (Siren Publishing Allure) (2 page)

* * * *

Tabitha Land felt someone watching, her hyper vigilance alerting her, although she gave absolutely no sign. She unobtrusively scanned the room, and her gaze lit on her boss, sitting at a center table in the restaurant Christy had asked her to try for lunch. She knew Kyle Stone’s reputation as a shrewd and wealthy businessman and had seen him move in and out of the building where she worked. She knew he had an office there and didn’t think he had ever seen her before. Until today. His green eyes kept their focus on her as she and Christy moved past his table, and she made herself nod respectfully. Christy abruptly stopped and made an about-face.

“Mr. Stone,” she said. “Nice to see you again. Hi, Gordon!”

Tabitha watched Mr. Stone search his memory of Christy’s face and come up with a name to attach to it. It was strange how she knew he was doing that, and it unsettled her. Her ability to read others effortlessly made her remember why she needed to develop that skill. But it made her feel like an anxious, nervous animal, different from people around her who seemed oblivious to danger. “Ms. Reynolds. Christy.”

He then turned expectantly to her. Christy laughed. “You probably haven’t met Tabitha. Tabitha Land, our boss, Mr. Stone.”

Kyle Stone stood and offered his hand, and Tabitha gave him a cool, brief press with her fingers. Kyle held her hand a fraction longer than necessary, and she felt something pass between them, something almost like an electric shock. It made her more nervous, and she risked a look at his face. He had felt it, too, judging by the way he looked at her.

Tabitha murmured a pleasantry and tried to urge Christy on with a subtle movement, but was foiled by Gordon’s tardy scramble to his feet accompanied by a huge grin.

“Hey, Christy! Join us,” he said, hauling out a chair, and Kyle emulated him.

Christy plopped herself down, and Tabitha, anxiety rising behind her public face, took the chair her boss held for her. She kept up her side of the ensuing conversation, from ordering a meal, although her boss seemed to have taken that task on with little input from her, to acknowledging her position at his company and her enjoyment of her job.

* * * *

Kyle watched Tabitha as she picked at her food, an action that was really the only indication she was uncomfortable. Her manners were impeccable, her conversation light and interesting, her interaction appropriate. And Kyle learned next to nothing about her. His fascination with her began to grow as he observed this beautiful, controlled woman, and he was glad that his lap was hidden by the tablecloth, for his cock seemed to be reaching for her under the table. Kyle was a highly sexed man, but trained as he was in BDSM as a Dom, he had terrific control. Except for today. His libido was taking a front row seat in the presence of this woman. Kyle had played in the club, Unleashed, of which he was part owner, and had just finished training a new sub who had gone to auction, so perhaps he needed a new project. Unless she was the One.

He idly wondered if Tabitha was a Tabi-cat out of the boardroom or if she was as controlled as she presented now. Kyle somehow thought no one had tapped Tabitha’s depths, his knowledge of women signalling to him. He began to formulate an action plan to find out.

Chapter Two

Tabitha held it together until she was released from the impromptu lunch date and back in her office. She then shut the door and meditated for a few minutes until she got her inner self back under control. Kyle Stone had gotten into her head, and it scared her shitless. She had felt something from him, something she had never felt before, and was worldly enough, if having had no actual personal experience with the feeling, to suspect that it was arousal, a sexual attraction.

The man was extremely attractive with his dark chestnut hair and emerald-green eyes. He exuded power and not just because of his financial position. His shoulders were broad and his chest and arms muscled under his expensive suit. What the hell was she thinking? Why had he been so focused on her throughout the meal? Because he had been focused. She knew it as any prey recognized a predator. It was unfortunate because she liked this job, and the money was really good. Already she had been able to put a considerable amount away, topping up the savings from her previous position. But her safety was paramount, and she would be gone in a heartbeat if Kyle Stone cropped up in her life again outside of his role as a distant boss.

* * * *

Kyle scrutinized Tabitha’s personnel file. She was twenty-six, honors in business from a reputable, if small, college, no priors, good reference from a previous job. Her performance review revealed a focused, talented employee with an excellent work ethic. The employee application divulged her address, an apartment in a complex within walking distance of the office, cell phone, no landline, and nothing else. There was no family listed in case of emergency, no friends to take their place. Kyle had found her weakness. Tabitha was alone, whether by choice or design. She had her work and, well, her work. No personal information such as hobbies were noted other than reading and walking, both solitary ventures. He made some casual inquiries of the local employee gossip line and heard only that Tabitha Land was a hard worker, willing to stand in and help anyone out, but other than the odd envious remark about her work ability and her attractiveness, no one really knew anything about her. No one mentioned a boyfriend, although it was assumed that she had one by virtue of her looks alone. She didn’t seem to have a social life of any sort, and the lunch dates with other employees appeared to always be at their invitation. It was as if Tabitha conformed on occasion in order not to obviously stand out in the hierarchy of office politics and gossip. He was getting extremely interested in figuring this out. He sensed an aura of submissiveness behind Tabitha’s cool exterior.

Kyle wondered again if Tabitha could be the One. If indeed she was alone, he could be the only one for her. If she wasn’t involved, even peripherally in a relationship, he could introduce her to the intense D/s bond. Kyle wanted a special woman for himself, someone who would focus herself on him and allow him to take care of her, totally, in all aspects of her life. He would ensure that another Dom would provide for her in the event that something happened to him, as it would be unlikely that she would be able to return to a former lifestyle. That would be the responsible thing to do.

* * * *

Tabitha received the call first thing the following morning, a summons to Mr. Stone’s office. She knew it had nothing to do with her work and scented the circling of the wolf. She composed herself and went. His secretary ushered her in right away, and she saw him, his back to her, staring out over the Tulsa city skyline through the huge glass windows in his office. He turned and went behind his imposing desk, motioning her to a chair on the other side.

“Ms. Land,” he greeted her. “I won’t insult you by playing any games. I pride myself on my honesty and wouldn’t treat you any differently, employee or not.”

Tabitha waited. He looked extremely handsome, and waves of strong intent rolled off of him. She wasn’t afraid, yet. Tabitha was extremely practised in reading people, as her survival had once depended upon it, and she knew that this man, while having an agenda that involved her, was presently not a physical danger. She wasn’t sure about how much of an emotional risk he presented, however. Her nervous inner animal crouched and waited.

Kyle leaned back in his chair and spoke clearly and confidently.

“I find myself extremely attracted to you, Ms. Land. That does not happen often for me. It is awkward that you are an employee, at least it would prove awkward for you within the office if it came out that you were involved with your boss, and those kinds of secrets are difficult to keep. I have a proposal for you.”

Tabitha interjected, “I’m sorry, Mr. Stone. I am not looking for any involvement with you.”

Kyle went on, acknowledging her statement with a nod, “I’m afraid I don’t take refusal easily, Tabitha, and I want you to hear me out.”

Tabitha noted how he had dropped the formality and infused his tone with a hint of steel. Her senses went on high alert. This man drew her for some inexplicable reason, and that made him very dangerous. She found herself wanting to obey him, and that was so very scary. She shifted in her chair, ready to leave on any pretext.

Kyle appeared to take note of her body language and quickly moved on. “I’m going to place you in another company I have interests in, although I am a silent partner there. It has need of someone with your skills and talents, so this offer is not entirely altruistic, Tabitha. We can then pursue a relationship.”

Tabitha nearly laughed, surprising herself. He had such arrogance, such confidence. She wished she wasn’t tempted, but she was, and her body was speaking to her again. Her brain told her to run, immediately.

“Thank you for your offer, uh, both of them,” she answered with an aloof smile. “But I like my present position, and unless it hinges on dating you, I prefer to stay here.”

Kyle shook his head. “I thought I had made myself clear, Tabitha. I am not offering you a choice. You will be transferred at the end of the week, which should give you time to clear your schedule and move your files to other employees. And it’s time you called me Kyle.”

She was speechless for what seemed an eternity. Words of outrage then rose to her lips but remained unspoken. She had trained herself better than that and knew he was more than a match for her. Kyle came around the desk and held his hand out to her. Somehow, her hand got placed in his, and he drew her up and close to him, never taking his eyes off of hers. He slanted his mouth down and stopped her breath. Tabitha had never, ever, felt anything like what passed between them. Her lips parted to allow his tongue to invade her mouth, tangling with her tongue, seeking knowledge. She felt his huge erection pressing into her stomach and noticed, as if from a distance, how her breasts suddenly felt too tender to be crushed to his chest. Her very core was changing, the labia uncomfortable against the crotch of her panties, and she felt wet and somehow achy. It was both unfamiliar and terribly unsettling.

Kyle released her mouth and looked into her face. He stroked her cheek gently with one big hand and murmured, “I’ll be by to pick you up at eight tonight. Please wear a black dress and heels.”

Chapter Three

Tabitha found herself outside of his office door, the secretary looking at her in puzzlement. What the hell had just happened? She took herself back to her office and began to clear the coming days of appointments and look at which files needed immediate attention and those that could wait. Tabitha worked automatically, while the other side of her brain examined and considered what Mr. Stone’s interest inferred. She hadn’t reiterated her refusal because she somehow knew it would have been futile. One went along with authority until one could escape. So why wasn’t she planning her getaway? Why was she thinking about whether her black dress was in her closet or at the cleaners and if her black heels were high enough? Tabitha told herself that the new position would be a promotion and the pay would be commensurate. She had no ties here, and this was an opportunity she hadn’t expected. Her physical response to Mr. Stone was unusual, in fact unknown to her, and Tabitha collected knowledge like ammunition to aid her assimilation into society. There was still time to run.
    

* * * *

What Tabitha didn’t know was that Kyle’s relationships were primarily with subs who sought him out for training. His time for dating was thus limited. Still, while he noticed and appreciated women, the attraction he felt for Tabitha was different. He had noted her wariness, barely noticeable to others, but evident to his intense scrutiny. Kyle had planned to wait to begin his relationship with Tabitha, at least until she had been transferred, and build his anticipation. However, he now instinctively knew that she would find a way around things unless he had pressed his advantage by giving her a taste of what lay between them. The kiss in his office had been electric, and while strongly affecting him, he knew Tabitha had been left dazed and confused and, he believed, wanting more. God knew he wished he could have had her over his desk without any preliminaries.

His driver took him to Tabitha’s place, and Kyle took a moment to center himself, gaining control over his libido. He felt like a teenager on a first date. Tabitha was ready when Kyle arrived at her door. He took that as a good sign, believing that she wanted to please him. Her expression was guarded, but he could see the pulse beating in the base of her throat like a tiny, fluttering bird.