Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The New Arrangement

Blake's coffee maker hissed as it finished brewing, filling his office with that rich smell Avery had come to love. She knocked once and walked in, closing the door behind her like she had every morning for the past three weeks.

"Right on time," Blake said, pouring coffee into two mugs. He'd bought the expensive machine just for these moments, though he'd never admit it.

"You know I can't function without caffeine," Avery said, taking the mug he offered. Their fingers touched, and she felt that familiar spark shoot up her arm. After all this time, he still affected her like that.

"I know a lot of things about what you need," Blake said, moving closer. His voice dropped to that tone that made her stomach flutter. "How did you sleep?"

"Terrible," she admitted, taking a sip. He made it exactly how she liked it, strong with just a touch of cream. "Someone kept me up way too late last night."

Blake's grin was pure satisfaction. "Good. I want you thinking about me when I'm not around."

"Trust me, that's not a problem."

This had become their thing after that first crazy Monday. Every morning at eight, she'd show up at his office. Officially, they were discussing his schedule. Really, they spent twenty minutes talking, flirting, and building up the tension that would have to last them through hours of pretending to be just boss and assistant.

"So what's on the agenda today?" Blake asked, settling into the chair across from where she'd made herself comfortable on his couch.

"You tell me. You're the one who asked me here." Avery set down her coffee and looked at him directly. "The Morrison account is fine, your ten o'clock is confirmed, and lunch with the board is still on. But we both know that's not why I'm here."

Blake laughed, the sound low and genuine. "You caught me. I just wanted to see you before the day started. Sue me."

"I might," she teased. "Twenty minutes isn't enough anymore, is it?"

"Not even close." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I want more time with you, Avery. More than these stolen minutes."

The admission made her chest tighten in a good way. Over the past few weeks, this thing between them had changed. It wasn't just about the incredible sex anymore. She actually looked forward to talking to him, hearing about his day, sharing her thoughts about things that had nothing to do with work or getting each other off.

"Speaking of time," she said, checking her phone, "you're free until ten. Marketing meeting, then that call with Seattle."

"Cancel the marketing meeting."

"Blake..."

"I'm serious. I want to spend more time with you." His eyes were intense, focused on her face like she was the most important thing in the world. "Thirty minutes instead of twenty. An hour if we're lucky."

Before she could answer, his assistant's voice came through the intercom. "Mr. Carter? Patricia from HR is here to see you."

Blake's expression darkened. "Shit. Send her in."

Avery jumped up, smoothing her skirt and trying to look professional. Patricia walked in like she owned the place, her sharp eyes taking in everything. The two coffee cups, the way they'd been sitting close together, the slight flush Avery could feel creeping up her neck.

"Good morning," Patricia said, her voice cool but not unfriendly. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Just going over today's schedule," Blake said smoothly. "What can I do for you, Patricia?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk to Avery." Patricia turned those hawk eyes on her. "There's a position opening up in marketing. Senior content strategist. Blake here thought you'd be perfect for it."

Avery felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. She looked at Blake, who was suddenly very interested in his coffee mug.

"That's... that's very flattering," Avery managed. "But I'm happy where I am."

"Are you?" Patricia raised an eyebrow. "Because Blake was quite insistent that your talents are being wasted as an executive assistant. His exact words were that you're too smart to be fetching coffee and scheduling meetings."

The words hit like a slap. The suggestion that she was wasted in her current job, that she deserved better. It felt condescending, like he was trying to manage her career.

"The salary bump would be substantial," Patricia continued, clearly enjoying this. "Thirty percent increase, plus equity options. Benefits package. Your own office. Real creative control."

"I appreciate the offer," Avery said, her voice tight. "But I need to think about it."

"Of course you do." Patricia's smile was knowing. "Blake can fill you in on all the details. I'm sure he has plenty to say about your... qualifications." She paused at the door. "I'll have the formal paperwork on your desk this afternoon. Take your time deciding."

The silence after Patricia left was deafening. Avery stared at Blake, who was still avoiding her eyes.

"So," she said finally, her voice deadly calm. "You think I'm wasted here?"

"It's not like that..."

"Then what is it like?" Avery set her coffee down carefully, like she was handling explosives. "Because from where I'm sitting, it sounds like you want me gone."

"That's not..." Blake stood up, reaching for her. "Avery, you're overreacting."

"Am I?" She stepped back, crossing her arms. "Let me get this straight. We've been sleeping together for weeks, and suddenly you think I need a career change. That's not suspicious at all."

"It's a good opportunity. You're overqualified for what you're doing now."

"Right." The word came out sharp and bitter. "And I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that we're fucking."

Blake flinched at the crude language. "Your work speaks for itself. This isn't about us."

"Bullshit." The word exploded out of her. "You're trying to get rid of me. Move me to another department so you don't have to deal with the mess we've made."

"That's not true." Blake moved toward her, but she held up a hand.

"Don't. Just... don't." She grabbed her purse from the couch. "I need to get back to work."

"Avery, wait..."

But she was already at the door. "Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Carter. And the career advice."

She walked out, leaving him standing there looking like she'd just torn his heart out. Good. Maybe now he knew how she felt.

The morning was torture. Every time her phone buzzed, she expected to see Blake's name. But he didn't call, didn't text, didn't even walk by her desk. The silence was worse than fighting.

She barely touched her lunch, pushing a salad around her plate while her mind raced. The promotion offer felt like betrayal, like he was trying to get rid of her. Was Blake getting tired of her? Was this his way of creating distance without having to break up with her directly? The thought made her stomach hurt.

The formal offer arrived at three, just like Patricia had promised. Impressive numbers, better benefits than she'd ever had, her own office with a window. Under normal circumstances, she would have been thrilled. Instead, she shoved it in her desk drawer without reading the fine print.

By six o'clock, the office was mostly empty. Avery sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen without really seeing it. The anger that had carried her through the day was fading, replaced by something worse. Hurt. Deep, aching hurt that Blake would try to push her away right when things were getting real between them.

She heard footsteps and looked up to see Blake walking toward her desk. He looked tired, rumpled, like he'd been running his hands through his hair all day.

"We need to talk," he said.

"I don't think we do."

"Conference room. Now." His voice had that tone she'd learned not to argue with, the one that reminded her he was still her boss.

"Fine." She saved her work and stood up. "But make it quick. I have plans."

She didn't, but he didn't need to know that.

The conference room felt huge and empty with just the two of them in it. Blake closed the door and turned to face her, his expression serious.

"You're pissed," he said.

"Wow, really? What gave it away?"

"The promotion is real, Avery. You deserve it."

"Do I?" She crossed her arms, defensive. "Or do you just need me out of your hair?"

Blake's jaw tightened. "Is that really what you think of me?"

"I don't know what to think anymore." The words came out smaller than she'd intended, more vulnerable. "This feels like you're trying to push me away right when things are getting serious between us."

She saw understanding dawn on his face. "You think I'm trying to get rid of you."

"This is about you trying to manage me like I'm some kind of problem that needs solving."

"You're not a problem." Blake stepped closer, his voice softening. "You're the best thing that's happened to me in years."

The words hung between them, raw and honest. Avery felt her anger waver, confusion taking its place.

"Then why?" she asked. "Why the promotion? Why now?"

Blake ran both hands through his hair, looking more rattled than she'd ever seen him. "Because I'm falling for you, and it scares the shit out of me."

The confession hit her like a physical blow. "Blake..."

"I suggested the promotion because you deserve it," he said quickly. "Not because I want you gone. But also because this thing between us is getting complicated, and I don't want your career to suffer because of me."

"What if I don't want the promotion?"

"Then you don't take it." He reached out, cupping her face with gentle hands. "I won't make decisions for you, Avery. I should have talked to you about this first instead of going behind your back."

The touch, the sincerity in his voice, broke through what was left of her defenses. "I'm scared too," she admitted. "This is happening so fast."

"We can slow down if you want."

"Can we?" She looked into his eyes, seeing the same hunger that had been there since that first elevator ride. "Because I don't think either of us knows how to do slow."

Blake's thumb brushed across her lower lip. "You're probably right."

That broke the last of the tension between them. Avery went up on her toes and kissed him.

Blake responded immediately, his arms coming around her waist and pulling her against him. The kiss deepened, weeks of careful control spilling over in the empty conference room.

"I'm sorry," he said against her lips. "I should have talked to you first about the promotion."

"I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions," she replied, her hands fisting in his shirt. "I should have given you a chance to explain."

"You had every right to be suspicious. Going to HR without talking to you first was a stupid move on my part."

"It was. But I understand why you did it."

They kissed again, softer this time but no less intense. The emotional honesty had added something new to the physical attraction, making everything feel more real, more important.

"We should get out of here," Blake said, his voice rough. "Go somewhere we can talk without worrying about who might walk in."

"Your place?" Avery asked.

"My place. I'll cook dinner. We can talk about the promotion, about us, about whatever you want."

"You cook?"

"I have many hidden talents."

She laughed, feeling lighter than she had all day. "Okay. Your place. But I'm driving myself. I don't want to give Patricia any more ammunition."

"Deal." Blake stepped back, straightening his tie. "Meet me there in an hour? I'll text you the address."

"An hour," she agreed.

They gathered their things. The anger had burned away, leaving something deeper and more honest in its place.

The elevator was empty when they reached it. Blake pressed the button for the garage level, then turned to look at her.

"I meant what I said," he told her. "About falling for you."

"I know." Avery looked up at him, seeing the vulnerability he usually kept hidden. "I'm falling too."

The admission hung between them as the elevator descended. But instead of relief, Avery felt her pulse quicken. The emotional honesty had somehow made the physical attraction even more intense.

Blake seemed to feel it too. His eyes darkened as he looked at her, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

"Avery," he said, her name rough on his lips.

"I know." She stepped closer, drawn by that magnetic pull that had been there since their first encounter. "I feel it too."

Blake reached past her, his hand hovering over the emergency stop button. "Here?"

"Here," she confirmed, her voice barely a whisper.

He pressed the button, and the elevator jerked to a halt.

Blake's hands came up to frame her face. Then, he lowered his mouth to hers.

This kiss was different from all the others. Deeper, more tender, but somehow more desperate too. It brought the terrifying realization that they were falling in love.

Blake's mouth suddenly became hungrier, more demanding, and Avery responded with equal passion. They pulled at each other's clothes with desperate need, buttons popping as Blake pushed her shirt off her shoulders.

"God, you're beautiful," he breathed, his hands cupping her breasts through the black lace of her bra. "I can't get enough of you. I don't think I ever will."

Avery's head fell back against the elevator wall as Blake's mouth found her neck, sucking and biting at the sensitive skin. "Blake," she gasped. "Someone could..."

"Everyone's gone," he murmured against her throat. "It's just us. Just you and me."

His hands worked at the clasp of her bra, freeing her breasts to his hungry gaze. "Perfect," he said, lowering his head to take one nipple into his mouth.

Avery cried out, her fingers tangling in his hair as he lavished attention on her sensitive flesh. The contrast between the cool elevator air and the heat of his mouth sent shivers through her entire body.

"I love the sounds you make," Blake said, switching to her other breast, taking it into his mouth. He sucked hard, twirling his tongue around her nipple, then released it with a plop. "Every gasp, every moan. I want to hear them all."

"Blake," she moaned, her hips pressing forward, seeking friction. "I need..."

"What do you need?" he asked, straightening to look at her. "Tell me what you want."

"You," she said simply. "I want you."

Blake's eyes darkened with desire. "You have me," he said, his hand sliding under her skirt to trace the edge of her panties. "You've had me since that first night in the elevator."

His fingers slipped beneath the lace, finding her already slick with need. "So wet already," he observed, his voice rough. "Just from kissing me?"

"Just from you," she confirmed, then gasped as his fingers found her clit, circling it with perfect pressure.

"I want to taste you," Blake said, his voice dropping to that gravelly tone that made her knees weak. "I want to make you come with my mouth."

Before she could respond, he was dropping to his knees, pushing her skirt up around her waist. He hooked his fingers in her panties and dragged them down her legs, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Blake, we can't..." she started, but her protest died as he lifted one of her legs over his shoulder.

"Yes, we can," he said firmly, his breath hot against her sensitive flesh. "I need this. I need you."

The first touch of his tongue made Avery cry out, her free hand flying to his hair for support. Blake worked her with lips and tongue and gentle teeth, alternating between broad strokes and focused attention on her clit.

"Oh god," she gasped, her body trembling. "That feels so good."

Blake hummed against her, the vibration adding to the incredible sensation. He slipped two fingers inside her, pumping slowly while his tongue continued its relentless assault on her senses.

"You taste incredible," he said against her flesh. "I could do this for hours."

The combination of his mouth and fingers was devastating. Avery felt her orgasm building rapidly, her body tightening around his fingers as pleasure coiled low in her belly.

"Blake, I'm going to..." she warned, her voice breaking.

"Come for me," he commanded, then sucked her clit firmly into his mouth.

The orgasm crashed through her with stunning force, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure washed over her. Blake didn't stop, working her through every pulse of her climax until she was gasping and boneless against the wall.

"Beautiful," he murmured, pressing gentle kisses to her inner thighs as she came down from her high. "So fucking beautiful when you come."

He rose slowly, capturing her mouth in a kiss that tasted of her arousal. "I love watching you fall apart," he said against her lips. "I love that I can do that to you."

Avery's hands moved to his belt, desperate to return the favor. "My turn," she said, working at his buckle with shaking fingers.

Blake helped her, his breathing harsh as she freed him from his pants. He was already hard, his cock thick and ready in her hand.

"Jesus," she breathed, stroking him from base to tip. "I love how you feel in my hands."

Blake groaned, his head falling forward to rest against her shoulder. "Avery, if you keep doing that..."

"What?" she asked, tightening her grip. "You'll come all over my hand?"

"Fuck, yes," he gasped.

"Good," she said, increasing her pace. "I want to see you lose control."

But Blake caught her wrist, stilling her movements. "Not yet," he said, his voice strained. "If you keep doing that, I'll come all over your hand."

"Maybe that's what I want," she said, but he was already shaking his head.

"I want your mouth," he said, his voice rough with need. "I need to feel your lips around me."

The raw desire in his voice sent fresh heat through her. She grinned, pushing him back against the elevator wall.

Blake slumped against the wall, his legs spreading as Avery dropped to her knees between them. She looked up at him, meeting his hungry gaze as she wrapped her hand around his length.

"I love how you look at me," she said, stroking him slowly. "Like you can't get enough."

"I can't," Blake admitted, his voice hoarse. "I'll never get enough of you."

Avery smiled, then lowered her head and licked the tip of his cock, tasting the bead of moisture gathered there. Blake's hips jerked at the contact, a groan escaping his lips.

"Fuck, Avery," he breathed as she circled the head with her tongue. "Your mouth..."

She took him deeper, her lips sliding down his shaft as her hand worked what wouldn't fit. Blake's hands tangled in her hair, not guiding but just holding on as she worked him with lips and tongue.

"Just like that," he encouraged, his voice strained. "God, you're incredible."

Avery hollowed her cheeks, sucking firmly as she pulled back, then took him deep again. She could feel him throbbing against her tongue, hear the way his breathing became ragged above her.

"You taste so good," she murmured against his tip, then took him back into her mouth, deeper this time.

Blake's head fell back against the wall, his control slipping as she worked him with increasing intensity. "Avery, I'm close," he warned, his voice breaking.

She didn't pull away. Instead, she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his as she took him as deep as she could, her throat relaxing to accommodate his size.

"Fuck," Blake gasped, his hands tightening in her hair. "I'm going to come."

Avery hummed around him, the vibration pushing him over the edge. Blake came with a groan, his release filling her mouth as his body shuddered against the wall. She swallowed everything he gave her, working him through each pulse until he was gasping and spent.

Only then did she pull back, pressing a gentle kiss to his tip before rising to her feet. Blake pulled her against him immediately, capturing her mouth in a deep kiss that tasted of both of them.

They held each other for long moments, both still breathing hard.

"That was..." Blake began, then trailed off, unable to find words.

"Yeah," Avery agreed, understanding perfectly. "It was."

Slowly, they straightened their clothes, making themselves presentable.

"So," Blake said as he reached for the emergency stop button. "Still want to come to my place?"

"More than ever," Avery confirmed, then smiled. "I want to see where you live when you're not being CEO Blake Carter."

Blake's answering smile was soft, genuine, and completely unguarded. "I'd like that too."