On Her Knees (2 page)

Chapter
Two

The following week

Karina
came into work a little early and went to her desk in the back of the office.
She set her bag down, and saw a red envelope sitting on her keyboard. Picking
it up and opening it, she saw it was an invitation for a work event being
hosted by Mr. Port. Although they had holiday parties, and had one just a few
months ago, Viktor had never had another one so close to a previous one.

Port Industries invites you to a
formal event of dinner and drinks.

She
kept reading, seeing it was some kind of celebratory dinner because of a larger
merger Mr. Port had acquired within the last month. She glanced up at where
Barbara was sitting, and moved around her desk to speak with the woman.

“Did
you get this, too?” Of course she assumed Barbara did, but Karina was basically
an errand and file girl in Port Industries. Wouldn’t these kinds of parties be
held for the higher ups in the company?

Barbara
glanced up, her glasses precariously low on her nose. She looked at the card,
and then back at Karina. “I did.”

“Is
this normal?” Karina wasn’t going to complain about a fancy party, but she
found it a bit odd they’d gotten one, especially for a merger. She knew over
the last year Viktor had merged with one other smaller business, and nothing
had been held for that, so why now?

“He’s
never had a merger party for the staff before, but I’m not one to complain,
especially since I know he splurges for the holiday parties.” Barbara looked at
the invitation again. “This must be a huge merger for him to want to throw a
party for the office.” She shrugged. “Just go with it, honey, and try not to
understand why Mr. Port does the things he does.” Barbara smiled and turned her
attention back to the computer.

Karina
moved back to her desk, staring at the invitation again, and feeling this
tightness in the back of her neck. She didn’t know why holding this little
piece of cardstock felt strange, or why the idea that she’d be seeing Viktor
out of the professional sense felt strange, too. He might have thrown them a
lavish holiday party, but he hadn’t even been present, so it wasn’t like she
had to see him. This merger party made her feel like he would be there, and
that had her nerves a little tight.

Opening
her desk drawer and putting the invitation in there, she focused on work, and
tried to push away that weird feeling inside of her. But she couldn’t lie and
saw the very idea of seeing Viktor in a semi-informal setting, or at least a
setting that wasn’t work related, had that arousal she felt for him rising.

She
was delusional to even think about Viktor, but hey, a little fantasy never hurt
anything, right?

****

It
was already past six o’clock, and since it was only February the sun set
ridiculously early. It was pitch dark outside already, and Karina was just now
finishing the last of her categorizing and filing of the legal documents from
Viktor’s recent conference. They had the main files on hard drive as well, but
Viktor liked having hardcopies just in case. She couldn’t complain because this
was fifty percent of her job, and without it she’d just be running around
getting him lunch and coffee every day.

Once
she was finished she grabbed her coat and purse and made her way out of the
back of the office and toward the stairs. Viktor’s office space was only ten
stories up, and a little exercise was good for her. It was the only exercise
she got, so Karina tried to at least do it a few times a week.

As
she walked out of the office and toward the stairs, she saw a sliver of light
coming from Viktor’s office. She hadn’t known anyone else was in the office,
least of all him. She stepped for a second, contemplating if she should see if
he needed anything, but she found herself indecisive about it.

Her
heart was beating a little harder than normal at the thought of speaking to
him, but she found herself walking toward his office door. Lifting her hand and
hovering over the wood for a second, she finally brought her knuckles down.
When there wasn’t a response, she knocked again.

“I
said come in,” Viktor barked out, and her heart jumped.

She
looked behind her at the stairs, wondering if she should just make a dash out
of the office since he didn’t know it was her, but for some unknown reason she
found herself turning the knob of his door and pushing it open. At first she
just saw his empty desk, and the lamp on top of it on, casting a warm glow
across the polished wood. She took a step inside, looking around.

“Sir?”
she called out, and when she looked at the couch he had to the right she saw
him leaning against it, a half empty bottle of liquor on the coffee table, and
the glass in his hand empty. He leaned forward and poured himself another
glass, and when he was relaxed against the back of the couch again he focused
on her once more. For several seconds all he did was watch her as he drank from
his glass, and she felt the heat in the room intensify.

“Is
there anything I can do for you before I leave, Sir?” Her heart was thundering
a mile a minute, and she couldn’t understand why she was so nervous.

Maybe it’s because it’s just the
two of you left in the office? Or maybe it’s because the way he’s looking at
you seems so inappropriately good? Or maybe, just maybe, your arousal for this
man is going far beyond your control?

Still
he didn’t say anything, and she ran her hands over her skirt, her palms sweaty
all of the sudden.

“Why
do I make you so nervous, Karina?” His voice was slurred, but even if that
hadn’t been an indication he was drunk, she would have been able to tell by the
redness and glossed over look of his eyes. He also wasn’t impeccably styled
like he normally was, but God, did the disheveled appearance look damn good on
him.

He
didn’t have his suit jacket or vest on, and his white collared button down
shirt was opened at the collar. He also had the sleeves rolled up, and she
swore she’d never seen such attractive and muscular forearms.

“Answer
me,” he said deeply, his voice holding the same command it always did.

She
licked her lips and ran her hands over her skirt again. “I don’t know.”

He
didn’t move, didn’t speak, and instead poured himself another drink. “You don’t
know why I make you nervous, or you don’t know how to answer the questions?”

She
should have been annoyed by his comment and his tone, but she wasn’t, and in
fact a part of her grew warm, wet that he was challenging her. “I don’t know
why you make me nervous.”

He
was silent for a second after she spoke, and she swore he had to be able to
hear the sound of her heart beating. To her it sounded like a freight train
inside of her. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and lifted it to her. “Want a
drink?”

She
shook her head. “No thank you, Sir.”

Maybe you’ve had enough, as well?

Of
course she didn’t say that out loud, and instead stood there and watched as he
brought the bottle to his mouth and took a long pull from it. She didn’t move,
although she should have said goodnight and left. Karina had never seen Viktor
drunk, and it was clear he was getting pretty intoxicated.

“I
just wanted to see if you needed anything before I left. I can see you’re set,
so I’ll just leave.” She went to go, but the sound of him rising had her body
tightening.

“Stop,”
he demanded, and she didn’t realize how one word could hold so much power.

Not
moving, but having her back still to him, Karina parted her lips to suck more
air into her lungs. She heard him draw closer, felt his body heat spear into
her as he stopped right behind her, and could practically hear the inhalation
he did right by her ear. The scent of his cologne and of the alcohol he’d been
drinking came from him, making her drunk, aroused, and feeling like she’d lost
her damn mind.

It
seemed like forever that he stood behind her, just breathing in and out evenly,
but she finally felt him touch the side of her neck and move a piece of hair
away. A shiver wracked her entire body, and she stopped breathing, feeling like
this was probably so damn unprofessional and crossing some lines, but not
having the strength to move or tell him that. She liked his touch, even if it
was soft, somewhat innocent.

“You
smell so fucking good.”

Her
heart skipped a beat at the sound of his commanding, deep voice, at the fact he
swore because he either couldn’t control himself, or didn’t give a fuck because
he was drunk.

“You
smell clean, like soap, but sweet like a fucking piece of candy.”

She
felt him move another inch closer, and her eyes widened at the feel of his
erection nudge the small of her back.

He’s hard, for me. Oh, God.

“Sir,”
she managed to wheeze out. “I don’t think this is appropriate.”

“You
don’t think what’s appropriate?” He touched the side of her neck again, just a
brush of his fingertip along the curve of her throat, but it was powerful
enough it felt like flames licked along her entire body. She squeezed her
thighs together, trying in vain to stem off the arousal she felt, the wetness
that was a steady flow from her, it seemed.

“Maybe,
but being inappropriate is so much fun, Karina.”

Holy shit.

She
closed her eyes when he started to slide his hand down her arm, stopping at her
hip, and slightly pulling her back against him. His cock dug into her back even
more, and she couldn’t stop the little sound that left her. Her nerves were
exploding, and despite how much she wanted this, she knew it wasn’t right, not
only because he was her boss, but because he was drunk. Using all her strength,
she took a few steps away from him, and turned around to face him.

Viktor
didn’t move toward her, but he looked feral, yet in control at the same time.
He had his head slightly downcast, but his focus was on her. His eyes looked
glossy and slightly red, and she could see he was so drunk. That made this situation
even worse.

“I
need to go.” Without waiting for him to say anything in response, she turned
and left his office, and then the office building as fast as she could. It
wasn’t until she was outside that she leaned against the brick wall, closed her
eyes, and took a steadying breath. She felt like she was about to fall over a
ledge, and there was no end in sight. If she felt like this with just a small
touch from him, Karina couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to
really
be with Viktor.

Chapter
Three

Karina
stared at herself in the mirror of her bathroom, feeling her heart race, her
entire body feeling like she’d just run a marathon. She didn’t know why she was
so nervous.

It’s just a party. Nothing more.

But
it wasn’t just a party, not really. All she could think about was the encounter
she’d had in Viktor’s office, how her body still felt like it was alive from
his touch, from his warm breath along her nape. It was crazy, but she couldn’t
help it, and kind of hated it all in the same breath. Bracing her hands on the
sink, she closed her eyes for a second and tried to calm herself. The taxi
would be picking her up shortly, and here she was acting like she was going to
her execution.

Dramatic.

Opening
her eyes she looked at her reflection. She had done her own hair and makeup,
and although it wasn’t as formal as tonight probably would be, it wasn’t half
bad. She was wearing a long gown in a deep emerald color with delicate straps.
She’d had to borrow the gown from one of her friends, because aside from a few
black dresses she had nothing that would have been appropriate for tonight.

Pushing
away from the sink she shook her hands, and gave herself an internal pep talk.
She could do this, and act like what happened back at Viktor’s office hadn’t
happened.

He probably was so drunk that he
doesn’t even remember.

She
left the bathroom and her apartment, and knew that tonight would certainly let
her know how things would play out. If he didn’t remember then she was in the
clear, because she didn’t have to worry about things being awkward. But if he
remembered … yeah, it being awkward would be an understatement.

****

The
party was intimate, and held at an exclusive and fancy restaurant downtown.
Karina never been to it because the price tag for the meals was far out of her
budget, and she felt a little out of place here. Despite the restaurant being
exclusive and catering to some pretty high-class people on the social spectrum,
it was never formal as the party was tonight. That made her ten times more nervous
because this was the first time she’d ever dressed so elegantly before.

He must have really scored on that
contract and merger to spring for something like this for his employees.

She
paid the cabdriver and got out, feeling a little weird that she was in this
fancy dress, and going to this restaurant, but getting out of a cab. The car
left, and she stood there for a second, the thick shawl that went with the
dress snugly around her to stem off the chill in the air.

The
sound of a car door shutting had her looking over her shoulder and seeing
Barbara, and presumably her husband, walking toward her.

“Karina,
you look beautiful,” Barbara said, her gown this deep red color.

“And
you, too,” Karina said and turned to face the older couple.

After
introductions the three of them headed inside.

“Can
you believe he sprang for this for us?” Barbara whispered.

Karina
just nodded, because right now she was taking in the elegance of the place, and
realizing she was so out of her element.

A
few more employees entered, and although Karina mainly saw Barbara because they
worked so closely with Viktor, there were several analyzers, attorneys, and the
environmental service aids in attendance. After a while the restaurant was
filled with people who worked for Mr. Port, although the man in question was
nowhere to be seen.

“Here,
honey,” Barbra said, and handed Karina a glass of champagne.

Thank
you.” Karina drank a large swallow and glanced around the room.
Hors d'oeuvres
had already been served, and the
alcohol was flowing in the form of glasses of champagne and an open bar.

“Where
is Mr. Port? This is his party, but I haven’t seen him.” At the thought of
Viktor Karina’s heart started beating harder. She finished off her glass of
champagne and grabbed another when a waiter passed by.

“I’m
sure he’s being fashionably late,” Barbara said, and started chuckling. It was
clear the woman was taking advantage of the free alcohol, what with her rosy
cheeks and personality that was becoming even more open. Karina liked it.

She
finished off her second glass of champagne just as she saw Viktor walk in. Her
body’s reaction was instant: her pulse raced, her palms started to sweat, and
her throat tightened. He wore a tuxedo, the black and white garment molding to
his impressive and muscular body. The bowtie didn’t make him look any less
manly, and in fact she found the sight of him dressed up even more attractive.

He’d be good-looking no matter
what.

All
Karina could think about was being in his office, his hand light on her,
skimming her body, his breath brushing along her neck. A shiver worked its way
through her, and she turned and headed toward the bathroom, needing to get
away, to gather her thoughts.

“Everything
will be fine. He probably doesn’t remember.”

But what if he regrets what he did?
What if he fires you because of how inappropriate it was?

She
shook her head.

He won’t fire you over that.

She
breathed in through her nose and exhaled out her mouth, feeling herself calm
slightly, although she knew as soon as she saw him again she’d feel so
unsteady, so nervous. The sound of someone knocking on the bathroom door
brought her back to reality, and she washed her hands, dried them, and left the
bathroom.

Everyone
was seated for dinner, and she found her table, sat down next to Barbara, and saw
Viktor. He was speaking with one of the attorneys who handled his contracts.
One of the environmental service aides was on his other side. The woman was
gorgeous on regular days, but all dressed up she was stunning. She was looking
at Viktor despite the fact he was speaking with someone else, and it was clear
there was arousal in her gaze.

The
waiters brought out the first course, but Karina was still looking at Viktor.
He finally straightened, and although there was a good amount of distance
between them, his gaze locked right with hers. They stared at each other for so
long she started to shift on her seat, but it was his expression that had her
body lighting up.

He remembers everything.

Yes,
just by his expression she knew he remembered, and it was clear he wasn’t
regretting it.

Or maybe that’s just what you want
to think, want to hope for?

She
broke eye contact and started eating, knowing that even if Viktor wanted
something more with her, it would never work. She would never be anything more
than a piece of ass for a man like him. She’d never heard of him in any kind of
committed relationship. He’d be with one woman, have her hanging off his arm,
but the next week he was seen with someone else.

No,
she wouldn’t be a notch in his bedpost, no matter how appealing that sounded in
the carnal kind of way.

****

He’d
stayed away from Karina all night, and it was taking Viktor all his fucking
control to do just that. The fact was she appeared nervous, and she was just
looking at him. He knew it was because of their encounter in his office, and
the things he’d said and done to her. Oh, he remembered all of it, every single
incredible thing with her. All he’d done was smell her, barely touch her, and
he’d been ready to come in his damn slacks just from that.

And
ever since then he’d been thinking about her, jerking off to the image, the
very thought of her, and he knew he couldn’t wait anymore. She wanted him. He
knew that from her reaction at his office. Viktor might have been drunk, but
he’d known what he’d been doing. He’d practically smelled her arousal, could
feel her heat, and he’d known if she hadn’t run off, and if he’d pushed a
little harder, she would have submitted, given herself to him, in all ways.

He
didn’t need a hardcore BDSM relationship. All Viktor needed was for Karina to
be his, and he knew he wouldn’t stop until she admitted that being with him was
the right thing to do. Did he think fucking her would rid him of his obsession
for her, get her out of his system? He didn’t know, but he had to find out if
being with her sexually was all he wanted, or if Viktor wanted a hell of a lot
more.

But
the party was winding down, and the ones that were still left were nice and
drunk, enjoying themselves, which had been the point—somewhat—of the party.
Truth was another part of him had wanted to throw it to see Karina in a more
personal atmosphere.

He
stood in the back of the room, sipping bourbon from a crystal cut glass, and
watching her. She had switched to water after her fourth glass of champagne,
and right now she was speaking with another staff member, and his focus was
right on the roundness of her ass. It was big, voluptuous, and he couldn’t help
the desire that slammed into him. He’d been fighting it all night long, not
wanting to get a hard-on, but also a part of him not giving a fuck if anyone
saw.

The
people she was speaking to branched off in other directions, and she was left
standing there alone for a moment. But then she left, and he knew she was
heading toward the restrooms in the back of the restaurant. Viktor finished off
his drink and followed her, but he was surprised she was standing in the hall
looking at the framed photos on the walls of the celebrities that had
frequented the establishment.

They’d
rounded the corner, so the rest of the party couldn’t see them with a wall
blocking their view, but Viktor liked the excitement that anyone could walk up
to them and see what he was going to do to her. He moved closer until he was
right behind her, inhaled the sweet, floral scent of her, and couldn’t stop
himself from groaning. She spun around, a gasp leaving her, her eyes widening.
She pressed her back to the wall, and he couldn’t help but move closer to her.

“I’ve
been waiting all night to get you alone, Karina.”