BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 2

MAX one of the youngest department heads, concluded his presentation and glanced towards the other end of the conference room where she was seated. "Thank you, Max, for the quickly assembled research," she said, her disappointment evident. She had assigned him the project two weeks ago, and he hadn't made any significant progress. "We were already familiar with the basic information; there was no need to reiterate the same points."

Observing the discomfort on the young man's face, she continued in her composed and steady tone. "You'll need to redo this. I expect a flawless piece of work before we engage with our contractors. We reconvene in two days to finalize the decisions. It would be wise to gather additional insights and consult with Kitty if necessary."

"Yes, ma'am," he responded, bowing his head slightly.

"With that, the meeting is adjourned. Kitty will circulate the updated meeting schedule before the day ends," she addressed each member before concluding the meeting. As she rose from her seat, she grasped her cane in her right hand and walked out of the room, a security protocol she always adhered to, maintaining her departure before the others left their seats. If Sam had been present, as he usually was, the atmosphere might have turned tense.

The conference room was situated a few floors below her private office, and as she navigated the corridors, she exchanged greetings and exchanged pleasantries with the staff she encountered. Kitty, her ever-enthusiastic personal assistant, followed along, chattering away incessantly. While Kitty's perpetual cheerfulness was like a ray of sunshine, it could also verge on being overwhelming, often leading to lengthy conversations.

"Your next meeting with Mr. Patrick is scheduled for the next hour. Since the presentation is concluded..." Kitty began to relay information but ceased when the elevator doors slid open.

"I'll take the next one," she interjected quickly, stepping back. Her boss entered the elevator with Sam, prompting her to release a subtle sigh of relief. The dynamics between her boss and Sam were complex and often tension-filled, especially within the confines of a closed space like an elevator. She noted that Sam's demeanor appeared notably different around her boss, even managing to provoke a rare smile from him.

Ila stepped into the elevator, her gaze fixed on the closing doors. As they shut, the atmosphere around her seemed to intoxicate her senses. His presence enveloped her, filling her lungs with an irresistible aura that made everything else fade away. Even the intensity of his gaze aimed at her back couldn't deter the longing she felt to be held in his powerful embrace.

Sam's gaze bore into her, a battle of emotions raging beneath the surface. Suppressing his anger proved a difficult feat. He yearned to pull her into a searing kiss, a mix of passion and pent-up frustration. An urge surged through him to deliver a firm s***k to her round backside, punishment for sending him away the previous day. The truth had come to light through Dean that she had struggled with her leg last night. Fortunately, Sky had been at home to care for her.

"Don't drill a hole into the back of my head, Sam," she finally quipped. While everyone portrayed Sam as a man of few words, his interactions with her showcased his talent for riling her up. Their arguments were commonplace, enough for her to believe that if anyone could hasten her aging, it would be Sam, with his absurd security protocols. In their hearts, though, they both understood that they could transcend their roles as the boss and her bodyguard.

Sam's silence carried more weight than words could convey, effectively conveying his discontent. They had engaged in a heated exchange the day prior, a debate that lasted for over an hour. She had abruptly summoned him to her office, declaring that he needed to lead a rescue mission in Dallas. Skillfully, she had convinced him to take charge personally. After he had scrutinized the details she provided, he realized the mission required most of his team to ensure swift execution. Despite the challenge, he had entrusted his cousin Dean, along with two other team members, Ice and the youngest team member, Sarah, to watch over her.

"Sam, enough," she chided, recognizing his vigilance concerning her and Sky. She turned to address him just as the elevator doors slid open. Her office occupied the second-to-last floor of the skyscraper, while the top floor housed her penthouse and a helipad for her private helicopter. This particular floor was dedicated to her office, Sam's workspace, along with Kitty's. It featured a secluded conference room and a break area. Access was restricted to authorized personnel alone, and Sam ensured that anyone ascending to these floors did so with an escort, usually one of his team members.

"Keep moving, baby girl," he rumbled, his voice low, and he closed the distance behind her. His chest met her back, and the alluring scent of her enveloped him. The aroma was divine, yet he knew that her independent spirit bristled at being told what to do. She was a force to be reckoned with, a woman whose mere presence commanded attention in any room. Managing her family's business was no small feat, and she demanded the same level of respect her father had once received.

"Cease the provocation, Sam," she retorted, her irritation palpable. Raised with every luxury money could provide, she carried herself with an air of affluence. Even her family's affection was a privilege she had enjoyed until the age of 16, when her life underwent a drastic transformation.

It was during that period that she learned the distinction between being a wealthy brat and wielding true power. Her resolve to take control of the family business was solidified at 17, following the birth of her son, Sky.

After spending five years raising him far from home, under the care of her mother's twin sister and her husband in Alaska, she returned after completing her education. She unceremoniously informed her father of his early retirement, asserting her claim to the family enterprise at the age of 23. Thus began the journey of building her own empire, a decision that garnered considerable media attention. This notoriety, however, only brought her a cascade of challenges in the ensuing years, including the grave mistake of marrying the wrong man.

Navigating through the hallway, she passed by Kitty's desk and eventually reached her office door. Upon entry, she carefully placed her cane on a hanger by the door, an arrangement reminiscent of the one at her home. Sam automatically assisted her in removing her jacket, his touch grazing her bare shoulder and sending a shiver down her spine.

Stepping away as he hung the jacket, she muttered a quiet "Thank you." Her gaze remained fixed on him, capturing the struggle he attempted to conceal within his eyes as they roamed over her body with unmistakable s****l intent.

For Sam, the sight of her in any of her attire never failed to ignite a maelstrom of feelings. Her fitted pants accentuated her waist elegantly, hinting at a sliver of tanned skin on her midriff. The skimpy top she wore barely concealed her bosom, pushing it tantalizingly high. The inner layer, a shade of blood red, provided minimal coverage, and he fought to suppress the urge to grit his teeth at the allure she emanated. Her bewitching figure was a spectacle he could easily lose himself in, her captivating body a visual temptation he found nearly impossible to resist.

He felt as though he could easily become entranced by the sight of her incredible body. Gradually shifting his gaze upward to meet her eyes, he found himself ensnared in their captivating hold. Her presence was perilous to his sanity. Those amber eyes, akin to a smoldering furnace, blazed back at him with an intensity that left him virtually wordless. Just as he struggled to form coherent thoughts, she turned away, heading toward her desk. Oh, the longing he felt to bend her over and experience her once more consumed him. The memory of her taste and the immense pleasure they had shared lingered vividly in his mind.

Yet, a new distraction captured his attention-the subtle limp she usually concealed from others was now perceptible. Her leg was evidently causing her discomfort again, a fact that reminded him of the very reason for his initial irritation.

"You were aware of your leg's condition and you still sent me away," he finally spoke up, the reproach in his tone apparent. She halted by the front of her desk, pivoting to face him. Anger ignited within her eyes, a spark that nearly coaxed a groan from him. He grappled with maintaining the rules he had set for himself six years ago, sensing that Ila's patience with him was dwindling. He feared losing her once more, this time perhaps irrevocably, if he couldn't navigate this situation adeptly.

"That young girl needed you more," she retorted, her shoulders shrugging nonchalantly, as if that simple explanation sufficed.

"Proceed, take a seat. This conversation is far from over," his voice carried a weightier tone, and she discerned the shift. Though she detested it, she complied, settling into her chair. He moved to the other side of the room to prepare coffee.

"Would you care for some coffee?"

"Yes, please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. He quickly prepared two cups, loading his own with an ample amount of cream and sugar-his affinity for sweetness evident.

Setting her mug in front of her, he returned to his seat and took a sip of his own coffee. Breaking the silence, he inquired, "Why didn't you inform me sooner? You were experiencing discomfort in your leg before I departed, looking back now."

She hesitated before responding in a soft voice, "I was at a disadvantage, and it didn't seem significant enough to warrant a change in plans. You had to go on the mission, and when the girl's situation emerged, I knew I couldn't refuse."

"I'm alright, nothing happened," her words held a quiet reassurance.

"Ila, I trust my team implicitly. When I assured you they could handle it, you insisted that I accompany them. It was clear you preferred I wasn't around when the pain became too much for you to bear," he confronted the unspoken truth, finally addressing what she had been reluctant to admit.

"You made it seem as though I didn't trust my team enough to successfully rescue the girl, Ila," he said, idly stirring his mug. "Let's not forget that you gave me very little time to decide and come up with a safe plan for both the girl and my team to leave. You know how seriously I take the safety of my teammates."

He needed her to understand the gravity of her actions and take responsibility for them. "Risking your life based on your mood isn't wise," he said, watching her flinch. It was difficult to do this, but her recent carelessness was alarming. Her ex-husband's father posed a serious threat after her son's death, and there were family members plotting against her for power. Her brother Mael was already managing a lot in the underworld.

At times, it seemed she forgot her roots as a member of a powerful Mafia family. Her everyday life was supposed to include tight security. "I didn't intend for yesterday to end that way, Sam," she finally found her voice. It felt as if she was being reprimanded like a teenager by her father, even though he wasn't her father.

"I was occupied at the office all morning when Mom called and dumped all that on me with no other options. She said we were the closest and she wanted you personally to handle it. She sounded distressed and threatened to call you herself if I didn't relay the message." He couldn't let that happen because of the implications it would have.

"So you saved me from a difficult spot. I couldn't refuse Sofie's plea and I didn't want to leave you alone either," he explained, which was a valid point, but she could have been more cautious.

"It was after that call that my leg started hurting, but I still had to convince you to go with the team."

"I told you to stay at the safe house overnight. I planned to come back this morning to escort you," he reminded her. Watching her absentmindedly rub her knee, he sensed her fatigue with their ongoing conflict.

"I only had the emergency kit for my leg there, and I promised Sky I'd be back. We've been stuck here for three days. I just wanted to get home to Sky," she explained. Managing multiple businesses wasn't easy, and she had a long list of responsibilities. She had promised her son a vacation, but fulfilling that promise required a lot of work.

"Continue with what happened, baby girl," he insisted sternly.

"I'm sure you've read the report. Ugh, you're such a pain," she blurted out, realizing her mistake immediately as she met his gaze. She knew how even the simplest words between them could spark intense desires.

"Not like that. I meant you're a pain to deal with," she stammered, trying to clarify, but his expression shifted to amusement.

"Frustrating me, are you, baby girl?" He was already on his feet and heading towards her. She bit her lip, realizing yet another slip.

"Do you enjoy testing me?" he asked, coming up behind her, pulling her from her chair, and trapping her between his body and the desk, his hand resting on her bare waist.

"Your mind seems to dwell in the gutter," she retorted with a smirk, surprised by his unexpected actions. Normally, he'd just tease her endlessly, but this was different-progress they hadn't made in a while.

"Can you blame me? What man could resist thoughts when you're around?" he whispered, holding her chin and drawing her closer. Her body was pressed against his, every subtle movement causing her chest to brush against his. Her eyes held an irresistible power, capable of captivating a person's soul. Once marked by her, walking away became almost impossible.

"Remember, you might be in charge, but there are limits with me," he reminded her.

The desire to leave his mark on her neck was palpable, as he imagined others witnessing her as his possession.

"I've missed you for so long, I felt anxious when I learned you didn't follow my orders to stay safe, and then your leg started acting up," he admitted, his gaze lingering on her red-stained lips and the curve of her exposed neck, tempting him to mark her.

"I wasn't there to shield you from the past horrors, Ila. The thought of danger surrounding you terrifies me. I can't bear the idea of losing you, Ila. It would crush me if something happened and I wasn't there to protect you," he confessed, his voice heavy with emotion. He wanted to say that he couldn't continue living if something terrible befell her.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I promise not to act alone again. I... I didn't mean for you..." Her lips were captured by his in a sudden and passionate kiss, causing her to lose herself in the intoxicating sensation. As their mouths connected, she willingly parted her lips, inviting his presence in. The taste of him was all she craved, igniting a fire that refused to be quenched. Their initial intention to start slowly was quickly forgotten as their mutual desire grew, consuming them both in a passionate urgency.

Her fingers tangled in his hair as she boldly bit down on his lip, stoking the flames of his desire. The hunger between them was undeniable; he yearned to lay her on her desk, exploring every inch of her with his lips and hands. His mouth left hers, trailing a path of hungry kisses along her jaw, down the delicate curve of her throat, and to her collarbone. He took his time nipping and sucking, causing her to tremble with uncontainable pleasure.

"Sam... More," she moaned, her need for him aching within every fiber of her being. Her thoughts were consumed by the urgency to discard their clothes and unite their bodies. She longed to feel him inside her, marking her as his own, a possession of undeniable passion. She was determined to ensure he never denied them this connection again.

Sam felt himself lost in her embrace, his restraint waning as her body pressed insistently against his. He was on the verge of pushing her corset down, eager to lavish attention on her exposed skin, when an abrupt beep alerted them to an incoming message for Ila. The intrusion of reality momentarily restored some of his self-control. He placed gentle kisses on the marks he had left on her skin before claiming her lips once more, reluctantly helping her regain her composure.

"Sam," she called out as he turned away, the intensity of his gaze almost too much to bear. He needed distance to regain his own equilibrium.

"Continue with your work, my dear. We are far from finished," he assured her, his voice laced with promise, before forcing himself to exit the room. His own office lay just opposite hers, and he didn't spare a glance for her persistent secretary, who was now at her desk.

Ila was still trying to catch her breath, her heart racing from their heated encounter. She took her seat and swiftly silenced the beeping sound with an impatient press of a button. "This better be of utmost importance, Kitty," she sighed, her thoughts still swirling in the wake of their passionate exchange.

"Mr. Patrick arrived earlier than scheduled, ma'am. He's waiting with security for clearance to come up," Kitty reported promptly.

"Give him another five minutes before granting clearance," Ila instructed, her mind preoccupied with the aftermath of her encounter with Sam. She knew she needed to see the visible evidence of the desire he had ignited within her, and she quickly reached for her jacket, her fingers trembling with anticipation.