My Boss’s Husband: A Forbidden Romance Read online

  Addy blushes.

  “I had no idea,” she murmurs. “You guys were always so professional at work.”

  I nod.

  “Yes, we tried to be. We didn’t want the House of Steele to suffer because we were no longer interested in one another personally. Our business is our baby, and just because we’re getting divorced doesn’t mean our child should suffer.”

  Addy nods, her eyes still wide.

  “Yes, of course.”

  At that moment, the waiter shows up with our bottle of wine. He pours me a test, and I sip it slowly. It’s excellent.

  “That’s great, thanks.”

  “I’m glad you like it, sir.”

  The waiter pours us each a glass and leaves the bottle in a bucket of ice on our table.

  “To us,” I remark. “To a fabulous partnership.”

  She blushes.

  “To us,” she repeats in a small voice. I grin, loving how my double entendres get under her skin. She’s going to be wonderful to toy with. We clink glasses, and then take small sips of the wine.

  “I want to know what your plans are for the future of the company,” I say smoothly. “How can we improve the House of Steele?”

  Addy brightens immediately and perks up in her seat. Wow, the curvy girl really is interested in the business.

  “Well, since you’re asking, first off, I think it’s silly that we’re not allowed to listen to music on the design floor. It might seem small, but we’re creatives. Listening to music, even classical stuff, helps stoke our creative fires.”

  I nod.

  “I agree. Marissa was weird about that. She needed dead silence. But you know what? She’s gone now, so music it is.”

  Addy blushes.

  “So fast?”

  I grin.

  “Yep. It pays to be the boss.”

  She nods and bites her lip again.

  “Thank you. I also think the designers should be allowed to work remotely outside of the office. Marissa was worried it would slow down output, but I think the opposite will happen. I know a lot of designers find inspiration in the natural world. Heck, some of my favorite designs came to me while strolling in Central Park. There are a lot of beautiful places around the House of Steele offices, and I think it’d be good to allow our designers to leave the office to work. We’ll hold them accountable for the same level of output, but I think it’ll help with creativity.”

  I nod.

  “Done.”

  Addy gasps again.

  “Are you serious?”

  I nod, my blue eyes twinkling.

  “Yes. We’ll hash out the details later, but it sounds like a great idea. I don’t want to stifle you guys in any way. Consider it settled. Is there anything else?”

  Addy bites her lip nervously. “Well, there is one more thing.”

  “What is it?”

  “I know that high fashion has always catered towards skinny women, but I’ve been thinking that it might be nice to release a line of clothes for regular women like me? There’s a huge market for plus-sized fashions, I swear. We’re always asked to wear ugly, shapeless gunnysacks, and it’s absolutely ridiculous. It would be nice to have clothes that women like me can wear and feel beautiful in. I know it’s not exactly on-brand for House of Steele, given that we’re a high end line, but …”

  I put my hand over Addy’s on the table.

  “That sounds like a great idea, Addy. Just so you know, it’s been on the table for a while now. We know most American women are size 14’s, which isn’t something that we offer.”

  She nods, blushing.

  “But wouldn’t it be great if we offered sizes 14-20?”

  I think for a moment.

  “I don’t know. Dior, Chanel, Gucci? They don’t do it and it’s because they’re snobs. They’re our competitors, so we tend to move as a unit when it comes to this kind of thing. But maybe Steele should be different. Maybe we should expand our horizons and be forward-thinking. I can’t say yes or no right now, but in the meantime, do you want to get some samples ready? It’ll be good to see what they look like.”

  Addy gasps.

  “Really?”

  I squeeze her hand.

  “I can’t promise anything, but let’s see how those plus-size samples turn out. Will they represent the House of Steele? Will they fit with our style and our message?”

  Addy nods furiously

  “I’ll make sure that they do.”

  I nod with satisfaction.

  “Yes, I know you will. You’re a talented designer who can bring the impossible to life. If anyone can do it, you can.”

  She blushes again as my eyes rove over Addy’s body. She’s wearing a form-fitting dress today, but she’s right when she says bigger women don’t tend to get sexy, beautiful clothes. Right now, of course, I’d love to tear that dress right off of her, but the waiter arrives with our appetizers.

  “Monsieur, Madame, the calamari and the French onion soup. May I take the rest of your order?”

  To my satisfaction, Addy orders steak frites with an extra side of fries, and I get the same.”

  She giggles.

  “I guess we’ll have four servings of fries total then.”

  I laugh too.

  “I guess so. But you know what? It’s totally worth it.”

  With that, the dinner continues, the food and conversation flowing. I know I made the right decision promoting this beautiful girl. After all, she clearly is good at her job and loves working at the House of Steele. The problem is, can I get her to be more than just a designer? Will I be able to convince Addy that she needs me, as much as I need her?

  6

  Addy

  * * *

  My plate is empty and my stomach full. My nervousness has slipped away, and it’s a miracle because between the company and the food, this restaurant is amazing. I wish I could afford to come back here, but there’s no way I could pay this much for a steak, even if it is the best beef I’ve ever eaten.

  “Did you like it?” Marcus asks, his brow quirked playfully.

  I nod. “Delicious. Thank you so much for bringing me here.”

  “You’re very welcome, Addy. What would you say to a night cap? My penthouse isn’t far from here.”

  My eyes widen. His penthouse? The one he shares with Marissa? I’m not sure I can handle that awkwardness.

  “Um, well, does Marissa still live with you?” I ask hesitantly. “It would be really weird to see her again under these circumstances.”

  Marcus throws his head back and laughs, revealing even white teeth.

  “No, she’s gone. She’s never lived at my place, actually. This is a new penthouse I bought after we separated, so you’re safe.”

  I exhale with relief.

  “Okay, then I’m game.”

  He grins at me, those blue eyes gleaming, and I know there’s going to be something in store when we get back to his place. Marcus pays the bill and to my surprise, we don’t hail a cab. Instead, he takes my elbow and guides me just down the street to a glass skyscraper. It’s tall and imposing, with a circular courtyard and a marble lobby.

  “Welcome home, Mr. Steele,” the doorman greets.

  “Thank you, Bernie,” Marcus nods in return. “This way, Addy.”

  We step to the elevators, which whisk us up to the sky. At the top floor, the elevator opens directly into his apartment, and Marcus lets me in. I’m struck by how masculine the penthouse is. The couch and chairs are black leather, and the tables are made of dark wood.

  Marcus grins.

  “As you can see, this is a bachelor pad. Marissa would never go for this kind of décor.”

  I nod.

  “Yes, she always liked pastels, and I don’t think there’s a drop of pastel in your home.”

  He grins.

  “I hate pastel. Well, I like it okay, but not where I live. A stark white works better, or even a muted gray, but not peach or lilac.”

  I giggle.

 
; “So no comfy pink overstuffed sofas?”

  He grins.

  “Absolutely not.”

  The penthouse has an open floor layout with floor to ceiling windows and I gasp while gazing outside. I can see all of Manhattan from up here, and it’s stunning. From my apartment, all I can see are the garbage cans my building uses, as well as the brick wall of the building next door. It’s not great. Then again, Megan and I make our rent every month, and that’s what matters. Someday, when we’re both big-name designers, we’ll move somewhere nicer.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Marcus asks.

  “Oh, sure,” I nod. “Thank you.”

  “How do you feel about rum and pineapple juice?”

  “Mmm, sounds yummy.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be right back.”

  Marcus goes into the kitchen to fix us drinks, so I take some time to check out the rest of the apartment. The living room and dining room are connected and decorated in a sleek, masculine style. To the left of the door, there’s a short hallway that probably leads to the bedrooms.

  My cheeks flush. I still can’t get the image of Marcus naked out of my head. His cock was the biggest I’ve ever seen, and the power with which he used it was mouth-watering. Was that an illusion? I moan a bit, and then blush when Marcus returns.

  He grins, like he knows exactly what I’ve been thinking. But he doesn’t comment and merely hands me a glass filled with pale yellow liquid with a hint of red on top.

  “What is this?” I ask.

  “It’s delicious, trust me. Rum with pineapple and a splash of cranberry.”

  I take a hesitant sip, but Marcus is right. It’s tart and tangy, without being overly sweet. I don’t like alcohol much, but this is the kind of drink I can handle because it doesn’t taste like there’s rum in it at all. This might be dangerous, but I don’t care. It’s Friday night, and I’m allowed to let loose a little bit.

  We take seats on a black leather couch, and I sip at my drink again before taking a deep breath.

  “Can I ask you what happened with Marissa?” I say. “I know it’s none of my business, but I’m just curious because you were together for so long. Plus, you seemed so in love.”

  Marcus looks thoughtful, his huge body still.

  “We were in love, at least in the beginning. When we got married, we were young and idealistic and fresh out of design school. I do still love her, but Marissa and I have grown apart. We’re not the same people that we were years ago.”

  I shoot him a confused look.

  “What do you mean?”

  He sighs, and looks out over the Manhattan skyline.

  “I guess everything changed, with respect to family, the business, and even her personality. Marissa was warm and bubbly when we first got together, if you can believe it. There was none of this ice queen persona, and her warmth and friendliness are what drew me to her. But she became hard and brittle somehow, and maybe it was the business. The stress of running the House of Steele can be overwhelming, and I guess we just handled the pressure in different ways.”

  I nod.

  “I enjoyed working under Marissa, and I feel like she taught me a lot, but yes, she’s harsh,” I acknowledge. “She’s someone who leads with a whip, and not an apple.”

  Marcus nods.

  “I agree. That’s why I fought for the company in the divorce. Marissa took a buy out, and I think it’s because she realized the company has been eating her alive. She’ll be happier now that she can do something else with her time, and maybe that icy shell will melt a bit.”

  I nod.

  “I hope so, and I’m glad it worked out this way. Not just because I got promoted because it sounds like it was the best thing for her too.”

  Marcus nods and sips his drink thoughtfully.

  “Yeah, that’s why we’re calling it an amicable separation. Marissa built a wall around herself. By the end, there was no one and nothing that could touch her. It was as if she’d fossilized behind a hard shell, and was no longer a woman, even. As a result, we decided to separate last year and finalized our divorce last week.”

  I start with surprise.

  “Wait, you finalized it already?”

  “Yes, as I mentioned, this has been going on for a while. We separated a while ago, but we never told the staff because there was no need. By the morning of the meeting, we were no longer legally married.”

  I take a deep breath. This changes nothing and everything at the same time because I had no idea they were already divorced. Everything happened so fast, and I just assumed that Marcus and Marissa were in the throes of separating, or maybe even the beginning stages. I had no idea they were done done. But then, the handsome man interrupts my thoughts.

  “You’re not like her, Addy,” Marcus says, his voice low. “You’re her opposite in every way.”

  I look at him through my lashes.

  “I am?”

  “Yes. I like that about you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Addy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m going to kiss you now. Can I?”

  My eyes widen. I can’t find the words, so all I do is nod.

  The flood gates open. Marcus moves to my side in an instant, and kisses me hard and fast. The passion is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. His tongue dips between my lips, tasting mine, and I sigh with pleasure, wrapping my arms around his neck. He’s so massive and broad that I feel positively tiny next to him.

  Carefully, he levers my curvy form down onto the couch, making sure not to crush me with his weight.

  “You drove me crazy when you walked into the restaurant wearing that dress,” he growls, blue eyes blazing while tracing my collarbone with his finger. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”

  I blush. “Thank you. You too.”

  He quirks an eyebrow.

  “I’m beautiful?”

  I giggle.

  “You know what I mean.”

  He merely growls again and kisses me slower this time as I melt against him. I’ve been kissed before, but never like this. It feels like he’s absorbing me and I toss a bit against him in pleasure, trying to get closer.

  After all, this man is everything I’ve ever wanted. And now he’s fully and truly divorced too! Like a needy girl, I run my hands up and down Marcus’s muscular back, luxuriating in his carved physique. His shirt is soft, and his skin hot even through the material. Giggling a bit, I slip my hands up under the hem of his shirt and scratch lightly down his back.

  Marcus takes the hint and pulls his shirt over his head.

  “Wow,” I say appreciatively, letting my eyes roam over his tanned form, those six pack abs bulging. “You must work out a lot.”

  He laughs, although it comes out a little choked-sounding.

  “Thank you, and yes, I do. But I think it’s only fair we get this dress off you, too.”

  With that, we shift so Marcus can slowly slip my dress up over my head. He tosses the fabric aside, his gaze roving over my curvy form.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he whispers before kissing the mounds of my breasts above my bra. “Absolute perfection. I’m going to make you feel so good, Addy.”

  I mewl as he tongues a nipple through my bra.

  “You already are,” I cry out, shifting restlessly beneath him. “Oh god!”

  Marcus grins. “Just wait, it’ll get better.”

  His hands find the waist of my panties and teases my slit through the fabric until he finally slips his fingers under the hem and strokes my wet folds. I let out another breathless gasp, spreading my legs as he grins.

  “You’re ready for me, baby,” Marcus whispers. “So wet.”

  I arch my back, pushing my pussy against his fingers.

  “I need you, Marcus,” I respond breathlessly. “Unnh!”

  Marcus grins and kisses me again.

  “You’ll get me soon enough.”

  I fumble with his belt, trying to move things along. Chuckling, the handsome
man slips out of his pants while tearing at my lingerie, and within seconds, we’re both completely naked. I stare at his physique, my mouth watering even as my thighs clench with need.

  “You’re so big!” I whisper, eyes round.

  He grins.

  “Yeah, but you knew that already.”

  My eyes widen.

  “Oh my god, you did see me that night.”

  That smiles becomes knowing.

  “I did, and I finished thinking of you, Addy. I was coming in her, but I was thinking of you.”

  I gasp again.

  “Oh my god, really?”

  He nods, blue eyes intense as his cock bobs between us, the tip wet.

  “Yes. I’ve had my eyes on you for a while, Addy. This has been a long time coming, and I need you now, sweetheart.”

  I blush, lying back and parting my legs.

  “You have me.”

  “Good.”

  Marcus’s fingers finally plunge deep inside me and I writhe with ecstasy beneath him. The pleasure is too much. We’ve barely even started, and I’m already close. I moan while plucking at my nipples, wanton and wild.

  “You’re so beautiful like this,” he hisses from above me, those blue eyes bright. “That’s right, baby, I want you to come. Come on my fingers, sweetheart. Let yourself go.”

  “I’m so close… don’t stop, Marcus… oh, FUCK!”

  My pussy violently contracts around Marcus’s fingers, gushing hotly as I wet his palm. He moans a bit, watching as it happens and then slowly removes his fingers and licks my juices from his flesh.

  “You’re so sweet, baby girl. I swear I can taste pineapple in your nectar.”

  I flush but then smile.

  “I want to taste you too,” I pant hoarsely. “Please, let me.”

  “In time. Right now, I need to fuck you senseless. I want your head knocking back and forth because you’re getting your pussy crammed full.”

  My legs widen on their own and I whisper, “Then do it, Marcus. I want you to fuck me.”

  Marcus adjusts himself so his enormous cock is lined up with my hole, pushing against the pinkness.