SECRET DIRTY SANTA (A Reverse Harem Christmas Tale Book 1) Page 5

  "I know. Love you too. You owe me a play-by-play of last night. I need positions and inches! I got my measuring app on standby." YumYum took my mug from my hand, moving to place it in the sink and fill it with water.

  Jenica smirked and walked over to me. She tightened my bun and patted my shoulders. "Looking like a hot afternoon snack. Go do your thing!" She turned me around and slapped my ass.

  "Jenica." I sighed but smiled. "Thanks, you two. See you both later."

  "Bye!" they announced.

  With one final breath, I unlocked the door and headed to Matthias’s office, hoping today wouldn't be my last day working at Felton Corporation.

  I reached up to knock on the door but flinched at the high-pitched voice that was filled with annoyance.

  "This is absurd. My family is in the same position in terms of wealth, power, and dominance when it comes to multiple factors. I applied because I was reassured I'd get the assistant role. How is it you’re keeping that blonde chick and the other assistant I've yet to meet, but I'm only temporary? Not only am I dealing with volunteers who only want to get a glimpse of you guys for whatever drama and social climbing they want to conduct in their lives, but I was also guaranteed the position."

  I debated whether to enter now or not, biting my lip as I tried to not get pissed off. Who does this new girl think she is? As a matter of fact, who the fuck does she think she is, talking to Matthias like that?

  "Clara, do you have to be so whiny in the afternoon? Trying to relax here." The playful voice immediately reminded me of Titus.

  From our short introduction yesterday, Titus was the playful type. He told jokes through the night and appeared to be the one who didn't take anything to heart. There was something about him that made me believe there was more to his personality, but in my drunk state, I couldn’t have deciphered it even if I’d wanted to.

  "And last time I checked, none of us have ever been entertained by your rants," another voice added. Logan.

  He was the same height as Titus—6’2”—and was literally like a walking model. I'd yet to discover what his background was, but his brown hair and medium skin tone made me wonder if he had a hint of Native American in him.

  * * *

  "I'm not replacing my assistants. They've been here from the ground up. I don't think it would be very CEO-like of me to let either of them go just because you were promised something I hadn't been informed of. Not to mention the fact that you just started and already fucked up. I'll say this once, Clara. Know your place. I'm doing your family a favor having you 'assist'. Don't think it’s because I actually need you here."

  A smile formed on my lips at Matthias’s declaration and I swore I'd’ve fucked him right there and then.

  Yes, we aren’t together or anything, but damn, his words are making me hot in all the right places.

  I took that moment to knock on the door and take a calming breath to center my mind into business mode.

  "Come in," Matthias instructed.

  I entered the room and closed the door behind me, turning to lock gazes with a blue-eyed woman. She had curly blonde hair, stood at 5'9” with her black heels, and was currently wearing a very short black dress.

  I grimaced at her attire, already judging that she appeared like she wanted more action in the sex department than to actually work.

  When I lifted my gaze she was frowning at me, and I knew right away we would NOT get along. She looked like one of those preppy girls from high school who would reassure everyone that she was smart, talented, and got whatever she wanted.

  Ya, that's not happening.

  Scanning the room, I glanced to my left, which was where Logan was relaxed against the wall, while Titus was chilling in one of the leather chairs to my right.

  Matthias was leaning against the front part of his desk, his chiseled arms crossed over his chest. He didn't look pleased, but when our eyes locked for a moment, I knew that displeasure wasn't my fault.

  With a small smile, I nodded my head slightly to each of the guys before locking eyes with the woman I assumed was Clara.

  "Good afternoon, gentlemen. Sorry for the delay, I'd been on break and wasn't in the building. Ah, you must be the new girl who’s handling the Christmas party this year. A pleasure to meet you." I took three steps forward, purposely stepping hard against the tiles so my heels would echo around the room.

  Outstretching my hand, I gave Clara the sweetest smile I could muster. "Elle Castro. I'm one of Mr. Felton's assistants. I specialize in Business Management and to everyone else, I’m known as one of Felton Corporation’s business advisors. I appreciate you taking this opportunity to help us during this busy time of the year."

  Clara looked irritated as fuck, her nasty expression only making me happier as we shook hands. I kept my grin and gave her hand a firm shake before letting go.

  "Elle. I'll take my leave, seeing as I have many other things to work on. Mr. Felton will inform you of what needs to be done."

  Oh, as if I'm taking that bitchy tone.

  "I'm sure Mr. Felton knows I'm up to date on what needs to be done for the annual Christmas party. However, I was informed that there's an issue with the alcohol order?"

  Clara looked like she'd growl at me if she could. Matthias chimed in. "Your assumption is correct, Ms. Castro. Clara has no idea how to get the order through for the staff’s special requests. I'm sure you have your ways of handling all of that."

  "Certainly. I can have it set up and delivered tomorrow if you'd like. Or...I could obviously let Clara do it. I wouldn't want to take her duties away from her if she wants to learn how to do it herself?" I suggested, wanting to emphasize that I knew what I was doing.

  "I bet five bucks she'll fuck up," Logan mumbled and Titus chuckled. "Ten."

  Clara's face was red at this point and Matthias cleared his throat. "No need. The Christmas party is this weekend and I want it to go smoothly; we don't need any delays. Clara, you can leave now. Titus and Logan, I need to discuss some business with Ms. Castro. I'll meet you guys downstairs when I'm done."

  "Cool." Titus rose up, while Logan pushed off the wall and gave Matthias a quick nod in acknowledgment. The two of them walked up to me.

  "Nice meeting you, Ms. Castro." Titus winked and headed out the office.

  "See you at the party, Ms. Castro." Logan gave me a smile and headed out after Titus.

  Clara was staring daggers at me, making me wonder how someone could hate you when they’d literally just met you. The hate was far too strong in her blue eyes to be normal.

  Jeez. Never met the bitch in my life and she’s acting like I stole her men. Not like she's dating any of them. I have to ask Jenica and YumYum to find out some more details on her. After the party.

  "I'll be leaving and will bring another set of updates by the end of the day," Clara announced.

  "No need. You can give the updates to Jenica. I'm leaving early today," Matthias noted, moving from where he'd been leaning to walk over to the windows. "I'll review it tomorrow."

  "Yes, sir," Clara replied. With a glare in my direction, she was out the door, slamming it behind her. I sighed and wasn't able to stop myself from eye rolling.

  "Jeez. Who pissed her off? She's lucky I'm in a good mood," I grumbled, giving up on my professional stance.

  Matthias smiled wide. "Sometimes seeing your competitor can make your mood go south."

  Competitor? Is he referring to me?

  Matthias lifted his hand to gesture to his desk. "Can you lock the door, Ms. Castro, and come to stand over here for a moment?”

  "Of course, sir," I replied, feeling a bit nervous by his request.

  Oh shit. I'm in trouble, aren’t I?

  After locking the door, I walked over to his desk, moving to stand where he'd directed me, which was where his leather chair should have been.

  I stood straight and watched his gaze slowly descend my body as if he were undressing me with those blue orbs of his. I licked my bottom lip while trying to keep
my heartbeat steady. My breathing was steady, for now, but our close proximity was making it difficult to think straight.

  He approached me and I took a step back, my ass pressing against the smooth marble surface of his desk. Those blue eyes looked darker than usual, and when he reached where I stood, I had to look up to continue our shared gaze.

  His hands rested upon the top surface of his desk, each arm just a centimeter away from brushing my thighs. I was mentally cursing myself for wearing dress pants instead of my usual pencil skirt, but I guessed it was a blessing because I wouldn't be able to hide how wet I was.

  It was hard enough standing still and not pressing my legs together to tame the achy pulsation between my legs.

  "Mr. Felton," I whispered. "If...you're going to fire me, you—"

  I paused when he lowered his head, so our lips just barely touched. The scent of his cologne made me want to moan just from its aroma, and the sexual tension between us was hard to resist, especially when we'd had a hell of a night yesterday.

  Fuck...why is the attraction between us so fucking strong? How am I supposed to think straight?

  Before I could think, I allowed myself to be sucked into Matthias’s sensual aura, closing the distance between our lips. It was the complete opposite of last night when he'd kissed me, having lost his patience waiting for me to decide what I actually wanted.

  Or waiting for my mental decision on whether kissing him would get me fired.

  He responded immediately, kissing me back and taking control while he took a slight step so that our bodies pressed against each other. I took the risk of lifting my hands up to lay them against the smooth, expensive surface of his dress shirt, needing to touch his body, and he rewarded me with a quiet moan.

  The way he kissed told me this man knew how to please a woman, and I'd already experienced how amazing these lips could be, the love bites left on the nape of my neck still visible on my flesh but thankfully covered by the collar of my frilled dress shirt.

  We pulled back, the sounds of our exhales reaching my ears.

  When did things change? I never saw Matthias as anything but my boss. How could drawing his name out of a hat for Secret Santa lead to me hooking up with him at the club, being introduced to his two best friends, fucking him in the washroom, enjoying a pleasurable night with all three of them, and now us kissing in his very office during work hours? Is this how fate works?

  "Mr—"

  "Elle." Matthias's voice did its effect on me, goosebumps appearing up my arms. I gave him a sheepish smile and whispered, "Matthias."

  He smirked then and nodded his head for me to continue.

  "You're not going to fire me? After last night, I mean?" I inquired.

  "Why would I do a silly thing like that?" he mused, and tenderly kissed my lips. "Anything done outside of work can't be used against you here."

  His lips left mine and I trembled at the touch of his fingers as they unbuttoned the first two buttons of my shirt. He pulled the collar back, exposing the hidden love bites from last night's bathroom love session. They were most likely still purplish-red, and when his fingers trailed the surface ever so slightly, I moaned quietly.

  Replacing his fingers with his lips, I let my head fall back and gasped at how sensitive the area was and the way Matthias's lips sucked at my flesh.

  "Matthias." My breathy exhale made him chuckle.

  "I love the way my name rolls off that tongue of yours." After complimenting me, he returned to kissing me, leaving a fresh line of hickeys.

  "What about things like this? Can they be used against me?" My voice held no real worry. It was only the tiny bit of logic pulsing through my brain that was motivating me to make sure this wouldn't be used against me later.

  My gut told me Matthias wouldn't and that his actions were actually pure, but until I heard it with my own two ears, that hint of doubt would linger within me.

  Removing his lips from the side of my neck, Matthias placed his right hand on my left cheek while his left arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me to press my body against his.

  He stared into my eyes and I could tell he was struggling to not kiss me again and to answer the burning question that hovered in the air.

  "Nothing will be used against you, Elle. As to why I'm doing this, I'll let you know at the party."

  With those words, he gave me one last deep kiss that made my toes curl and pulled away.

  "I have a few meetings and calls I need to make to ensure I get the weekend off. Please make sure the alcohol order is placed. I have enough confidence in your work ethic, Elle, so feel free to butt in if Clara isn't meeting my standards."

  He gave me a wink and leaned in to whisper in my ear. "And I can't wait to see you at the Christmas party. Red looks really good on you."

  Leaning back, he gave me the perfect boyish grin and moved to the door.

  "I'll see you later, Elle. You have my cell if you need me."

  The sound of the door unlocking made me slowly look over my shoulder, and I watched Matthias leave, closing the door behind him.

  Using the desk as leverage, I took a few deep breaths as what had just happened began to replay in my mind over and over again.

  I didn't know what the hell I was going to do in terms of the party, let alone what I was going to wear.

  I was confident about one thing, though:

  Matthias Felton is dangerous to my body, heart, and soul. And my mission at the party? To avoid him at all cost for the sake of my sanity and new lingerie.

  "Girl, who are you trying to kid?"

  I finished the cup of coffee in my Christmas-themed mug, glancing at YumYum, who was drinking a generous amount of her taro bubble tea. She finished chewing the tapioca before she continued.

  "You are in the most perfect, body-shaping red dress I've ever seen, which I chose because I'm just amazing, and with those glittering shoes, eye-dazzling purse, and that beautiful sparkling red lipstick that's still on your lips after your third cup of coffee, you are a TARGET for attention. If you really think you're going to be able to escape Matthias’s radar, then you better reach into the back of the fridge and grab some Hennessy, because you’re crazy."

  "You're far too savage this morning. Did Devyn piss you off?" I countered, placing my mug in the sink of the private lounge and turning my attention back to YumYum.

  "If he shows up without a Christmas tie, I'm suing him. He's so damn stubborn. Telling me buying a Christmas tie would be a waste of money and space in his TIE drawer. A full drawer of ties. I'm sorry, but there are only so many damn colors you can have that will fill an entire drawer, to the point he can't get a Christmas tie to match my outfit. Not to mention he's a rich web designer making a website for them celebrities, but too poor to afford a holiday-themed tie. I cannot believe this."

  Jenica, who was checking the standing mirror in the corner of the room, began to laugh. "You should have just bought it for him. Knowing you, all you'd need to do is sit his ass down on the couch and sit on his lap. A kiss here, a suck there, and he'd wear that tie all night long."

  "I so should have done that. Ugh. I bet I would have thought about that if that damn Clara bitch hadn’t interrupted my train of thought. I was enjoying my debate with Devyn, which I was winning FYI, and she called ranting about needing me here early and shit. Well, who's now sitting in the lounge waiting for her late ass to show up? Moi. I could have enjoyed a nice sex session to aid in my holiday cheer. I'm going to hide coal all over her office."

  "Now you're just being petty," I noted with a grin.

  "No one messes with my man time. I missed riding the D because of her," YumYum argued.

  "You can do that tonight," Jenica brushed off.

  "Not when I'm wasted. This girl right here just finished a book deadline yesterday so I'm drinking until I see everyone as unicorns," YumYum stressed.

  "Poor Devyn." Jenica shook her head. "Can you guys just go back to being a couple? You basically are."

  "Um, n
o. Not until he’s ready to commit."

  "And how about you? Aren't you going to commit?" I asked.

  "I'm going to commit to our relationship. I never said I'd be exclusive.”

  "You are the most complicated individual I've ever known." Jenica laughed.

  "Yes, but you both love my complicated, savage, over-the-top, unicorn self. Plus, I give good advice when I'm sober. Like how Elle cannot hide from Matthias to save her life. Red highlighter in the house," YumYum praised.

  "Thanks." I sighed, lifting my hand to run through my hair. I paused, remembering it was in curls and was perfectly set in place. "Guess I better go."

  "Don't forget your sex pack," Jenica teased and YumYum began to laugh.

  "Sex Pack 101. All the essentials to have a good fucking time!"

  "Again, I question why we're friends," I groaned, moving to grab the red gift bag that held Matthias’s gift.

  "Because we're amazing promoters who want our best friend to get banged nice and hard! Please tell me you're wearing red lingerie?" Jenica asked.

  "Yes. I had no choice because SOMEONE put all my lingerie in the washer right before I got home."

  YumYum began to whistle as she stared at her phone. "I was on cleaning duty and decided to take it upon myself to clean your clothes."

  "Specifically, her underwear," Jenica snickered. "You're evil."

  "I'm a saint," YumYum replied. "Be free, Elle. Free!"

  "Oh goodness, what piece of lingerie did you leave her?" Jenica asked.

  YumYum leaned in to whisper but it was still loud as fuck.

  "You know those really nice ones with all the lace and diamonds and there's a slit in the middle for easy access—"

  "I'm leaving!" I strolled to the door like I was taking the walk of shame. YumYum was roaring with laughter and Jenica was snickering.

  "Have fun, Elle. If you don't see either of us, I can assure you I'll be enjoying my alone time with Brad while YumYum will probably be riding Devyn on the Uber ride back to his house."

  "We aren't dating," YumYum whined.

  "Sure." Jenica and I said together. I looked at Jenica with curiosity. "Don't tell me you actually got Brad."