Oops, I slept With The Boss

Chapter 3

Holly felt heat rush to her cheeks thankful for the makeup hiding it. The CEO of Hardy Enterprises was noticing her, really noticing her. It was surreal.

"Thank you," she managed, reaching for her drink.

Conner's hand covered hers, stopping the movement. The contact sent electricity up her arm. "I meant what I said. I think you've had enough."

"With all due respect, Mr. Hardy," Holly replied, emboldened by alcohol and heartbreak, "you don't know what I need."

His eyebrows rose. "Don't I, Holly? I have watched you down a few drinks very quickly."

The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine. She studied his face, angular jaw, intense gray eyes, the perfectly tailored tuxedo that screamed power and s*x appeal. He was totally fuckable. This was the CEO of Hardy Enterprises, a man whose name graced the building she worked in every day, and he had no idea who she was.

The realization was strangely liberating.

"Are you monitoring everyone's alcohol consumption tonight, Mr. Hardy?" Holly asked, lips curving into a smile. "Or am I special?"

A flicker of interest crossed his features. "Special? Perhaps. Most of my employees don't wear dresses quite so... memorable."

"Oh, I'm not an employee," Holly lied, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "I'm here with my friend." Not technically untrue, Janet was a friend, even if she was also a colleague.

Conner's posture shifted subtly, his interest visibly increasing. "Is that so? And where is this friend?"

"Around," Holly said vaguely, waving her hand. "Mingling. Networking. All that corporate festivity."

"Yet you're alone at the bar."

"As are you, Mr. Hardy. I find all the office gossip boring."

He smiled, a genuine expression that transformed his face, softening the hard lines of authority. "Conner, please. 'Mr. Hardy' makes me feel like my father."

"Conner," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. The alcohol had loosened her inhibitions just enough to make her bold. "Is it lonely at the top?"

His eyes darkened. "What makes you think I'm lonely?"

"Why else would the CEO be talking to an unaccompanied woman at the bar instead of schmoozing with investors or department heads?"

"Maybe I prefer the company of beautiful women to business discussions."

Holly laughed. "Oh, that was smooth. Do they teach that line in CEO school, along with how to give a perfect handshake?"

To her surprise, Conner laughed too, a rich, deep sound that made her stomach flip. "Actually, they advise against exactly this kind of conversation. Fraternization and all that."

"Lucky for you I'm not an employee, then," Holly replied, the lie now feeling almost true. Why not… This was fun, it wasn't like he knew who she was. She had never seen him on her floor at work… ever. Only across the lobby.

"Lucky indeed." His eyes traveled the length of her body, slow and appreciative. "So what does Holly of the Christmas Eve birthday do when she's not attending corporate parties as someone's plus one?"

Holly hesitated. She couldn't tell him she spent her days filing documents in his company's basement. "I'm... between opportunities at the moment."

"Mysterious," Conner commented, signaling the bartender. "Sparkling water for the lady, please. And a scotch, neat, for me."

"I didn't ask for water," Holly protested.

"No, but you asked for my attention, and I prefer my conversations coherent." His tone was commanding but not unkind. "Tell me, Holly, who is this friend you mentioned who seems to have abandoned you."

Holly's smile faltered slightly. "That's my business. But I can tell you I'm single and I'm not sleeping with my friend." Janet's husband would have something to say about that if she was.

Conner's eyebrows rose, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Single? That's... interesting information to volunteer."

The bartender placed their drinks before them. Holly wrapped her fingers around the sparkling water, suddenly aware of how forward she'd been. How much she had had to drink… also how sexy Conner was. Maybe he was just what she needed.

"Just establishing facts," she replied, taking a sip. The cold water was refreshing, cutting through the alcohol fog beginning to cloud her judgment. "I wouldn't want any misunderstandings."

"I appreciate the clarity," Conner said, his voice dropping lower as he leaned closer. "Especially from beautiful women in sexy little red dresses."

Holly felt heat bloom across her chest, creeping up her neck. This was so unbelievable, Conner Hardy, billionaire CEO, flirting with her as if she were someone worth noticing. Part of her wanted to blurt out the truth, but a stronger, wounded part wanted to maintain the illusion just a little longer. She was enjoying herself even if it was alcohol-induced boldness.

"So, what does Conner Hardy do when he's not running a corporate empire and monitoring the sobriety of party guests?" she asked, deflecting attention from herself.

He sipped his scotch, eyes never leaving hers. "Work, mostly. The empire, as you call it, is demanding."

"Just like its owner, I imagine," Holly said, surprised by her own words.

His lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. "Very perceptive. I've built my success on high expectations, for myself and others." His eyes darkened as he leaned slightly closer, voice dropping to a timbre that sent shivers down her spine. "I've found that being... demanding... gets results. In all areas of my life."

The implication hung between them, charging the air with electricity. Holly swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.

"And do people always meet your demands?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Those who can't handle my expectations don't last long," he replied, his finger tracing the rim of his glass slowly. "But those who rise to the challenge find the rewards... substantial and very rewarding."

Holly took another sip of water, trying to cool the heat building inside her. "That's quite the management philosophy."

"It extends beyond the boardroom," Conner said, his eyes deliberately trailing down to her lips, then lower to where the red dress hugged her curves. "I believe in taking control of what I want and making sure everyone involved gets what they need. I've never had any complaints."

The confidence in his statement made Holly's insides liquefy. This was far beyond simple flirtation; he was practically spelling out what he'd be like in bed. Demanding. In control. Thorough.

"That's... quite the testimonial," she managed, heart pounding against her ribs.

"Not a testimonial," he corrected, moving imperceptibly closer so that his knee brushed against hers. "Just a fact. I don't make promises I can't deliver on."

Holly felt herself being drawn in by his magnetism, the intensity of his focus making her feel like the only woman in the room. His hand moved to rest lightly on the bar beside hers, not touching but close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

"Another fact," Conner continued, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through her, "is that I find myself unusually interested in learning more about you, Holly."

"What would you like to know?" she asked, pulse racing.

"Everything," he replied simply. "But I'm particularly curious about what brought you here tonight. You don't seem to be enjoying the party much."

The question caught Holly off guard. How much should she reveal? She took another sip of water, buying herself time.

"Rough day," she admitted finally. "Found out this morning my boyfriend... ex-boyfriend was cheating on me. Or rather, that I was unknowingly the 'other woman.'" She gave a humorless laugh. "Not exactly how I planned to start my day."

Conner's expression darkened. "The man's clearly an idiot."

"That seems to be the consensus," Holly replied, grateful he hadn't asked for details. She did not want to talk about Toby.

"So, tonight, is what… a distraction?" he asked, studying her with those penetrating gray eyes.

"Something like that," Holly admitted. "My friends thought getting out would be better than staying home drowning in ice cream and self-pity while watching old movies on the TV."

"Smart friends," Conner observed. "Though I imagine most men here tonight are finding it hard to concentrate with you in that dress. I'm also worried about some of the older guys’ blood pressure. The dress really should come with a hazard warning."

Holly was unused to compliments, especially from someone like him. "That wasn't exactly my intention."

"No?" Conner raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Red dress, killer heels, looking like that? Seems like you're making quite the statement."

"Maybe I am," Holly conceded with a small smile. "Is it working?"

"Absolutely," Conner replied without hesitation, his gaze heated. "Whatever fool let you go is missing out. Significantly. And his loss is my gain."

The raw appreciation in his eyes was intoxicating; more potent than the alcohol she'd consumed. Holly felt desired, powerful, visible in a way she rarely experienced, especially after learning she'd been nothing but a side piece to Toby.

"Thank you," she said softly, meaning it.

Conner's hand finally moved to cover hers, his thumb tracing small circles on her wrist. The simple touch sent electricity racing up her arm.

Holly felt a rush of confidence at his words. The alcohol, the dress, the attention from this powerful man, it was all a heady combination that made her feel bold in a way she never had before.

"So, what happens now, Mr. CEO?" she asked, leaning slightly closer. "You've established I'm single, I don't work for you, I'm not having the best day, and you find me attractive. That's quite the groundwork."