Charlotte made Tom wait a good while. As he sat behind his desk, listening to his other colleagues filter out of the office, his fury felt as if it was solidifying into something toxic inside him. 

By the time Charlotte appeared in his doorway at well after seven that evening, he could barely contain his rage. She adjusted her glasses and folded her arms over her chest, her face revealing nothing.

"Come in and close the door behind you," he said quietly.

As soon as she obeyed, Tom rose to his feet and advanced upon her. He slid his palms over her skirt, examining the pockets through the fabric.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"Making sure you don't have your phone." His smile was a mere flash of teeth as he added, "Just to keep you honest."

Indignation flared in her eyes when he seized her arm, but she didn't struggle. 

"You tell me everything, right now!" he growled, his fingertips burrowing deeper into her skin. "What does David know?"

She opened her mouth to reply but instead released a faint cry of pain. Immediately, Tom loosened his grip, yet he refused to let go entirely.

"He doesn't know anything!" Charlotte hissed. 

"Bullshit!" He couldn't resist the urge to give her a shake. "He comes sniffing around here, practically falling all over you, and you expect me to believe nothing's going on?" Pulling her even closer, he said, "I swear to God, if you've brought Victoria into this—"

"I haven't, you fucking idiot!" Charlotte looked as if she wanted to scream from her own fury. "You're the one who ruined everything! I heard you. What were you thinking, making that insinuation to David?"

Tom shook his head, refusing to believe a word. "You've been fucking him, haven't you?" All afternoon, unbidden thoughts had invaded his mind, each one a torment. He imagined David's huge body beneath Charlotte. Did she ride his cock with the same eagerness? Did she beg for his cum? 

Charlotte averted her eyes, giving Tom his answer. 

"You little whore!" he spat. "What were you doing, fucking each of us in turn, trying to decide whom you'd fare best with?"

She delivered a stinging slap to his face. Before he could regain his composure, her words continued striking him. "I always knew I'd fare better with David! He treated me with far more respect than you ever have. And still..." As her voice weakened into a whimper, tears filled her eyes.

It was those tears, even more than what she'd said, that made Tom grow rigid with alarm. Never before had he seen his assistant so distraught. "Charlotte," he whispered, "what have you done?"

She yanked free of his grasp, then stormed over to the chair in front of his desk. Though he was right on her heels, he made sure not to touch her. Her entire body trembled with barely subdued emotion.

Slowly, carefully, Tom waited for her to sit. Then he grabbed another chair and pulled it close to hers. Taking a seat, he leaned forward, hands clasped before him. "Talk to me," he urged.

She wouldn't look at him. "When I took those photos of the messages between you and Victoria..." Her stare dropped to her lap. "It wasn't the first time I'd gone through your phone."

That confession breathed fresh life into his anger, yet his voice was even as he asked, "When was the first time?"

Still avoiding his eyes, she said, "A few months ago. My... attraction to you had become a kind of obsession, and I thought maybe I'd lose interest if I learned more about your personal life." Her laugh was devoid of humor. "Instead, I discovered your scheme to get rid of David. And I figured out you'd fallen for Victoria."

"I haven't—" Tom started, then realized it was no use trying to convince Charlotte. And his feelings for Victoria weren't the issue here. "How did you become involved with David?"

Finally, she met his stare. "At Taylor's retirement party, just like he said. I'll admit that I was out to get him. I thought if I could help you with your plan, you'd see me as something more than a secretary." She looked wretched with guilt. "I waited until he had a minute alone, away from everyone else. I told him how much I admired him, and we started talking about the company, and the new software." Her words were followed by a shuddering intake of breath. "I pretended to be a little tipsy, and he offered to drive me home..."

Tom felt a fierce ache in his chest at the sight of Charlotte's face crumpling. Somehow, she managed to hold back her tears. 

"He's not a bad man," she went on in a soft voice. "He's lonely, and this job... it's his entire life. It wasn't difficult for me to seduce him." She stared down at her hands as if they could grant her absolution. "He's always been so kind to me, and after a short time, I gained his trust."

Tom didn't want to hear any of this. He didn't want to believe he was the cause of Charlotte's deception. Desperately, he blurted out, "You told me at the hotel that it had been a while since you'd slept with anyone."

She jutted out her chin in defiance. "I didn't say how long of a while."

"But it was almost as if you were in pain when we first—"

Her sigh was one of utter exasperation. "Do I have to spell it out for you, Tom? You're larger than what I'm used to, okay? Now, do you want me to keep flattering you about your cock size, or do you want to hear what I have to say?"

Though the situation was too dire for him to derive much satisfaction from her revelation, he had to fight back a ridiculously pleased smile. "Go on," he coaxed. 

"David and I kept seeing each other in secret; we've been as careful as you and Victoria. One evening, I was at his house, and he, um..." She looked around the room, as if seeking help. "He had trouble performing. I assured him it was fine, but he felt mortified about it. He'd been drinking quite a bit, while I allowed myself only half a glass of wine. As we were lying in bed..."

Tom involuntarily flinched, though he knew he had no right to be upset. If Charlotte noticed his reaction, she chose to ignore it. "He started talking about work," she continued. "Up to that point, everything he'd told me about his job was mundane, useless. But that night, he mentioned that he'd fucked up."

Leaning even closer, Tom struggled to suppress a twinge of guilt. He felt sleazy, as if he were eavesdropping on a private conversation, but he knew his eyes were hopeful.

Gazing at him, Charlotte appeared helpless. Helpless to resist Tom. Helpless to protect David. "He said he really shit the bed with a certain acquisition."

"Which acquisition?" Tom asked, far too quickly.

Charlotte turned her face from him, as though to hide. 

Then she said a name, a name Tom instantly recognized.

"Holy shit," he breathed. 

"David told me he'd managed to temporarily hide the damage, but it's only a matter of time before someone discovers it. After that, he fell asleep. I don't think he even remembers what he told me, because he's still so trusting, so..." The rest of the sentence got caught in her throat. Instead of saying more, she climbed to her feet, bumping into Tom in the process.

He quickly stood as well, reaching for her. "Charlotte."

She held up a hand. "I hoped I wouldn't have to tell you; I hoped the problem would take care of itself. In the meantime, I was determined to have one night with you before your big promotion." Again, she took an unsteady breath. "But I saw David's face when he left your office today. He sees you as a threat, Tom. Not only to his job, but also to me. You need to make your move now."

When she started toward the door, he grasped her arm, far more gently this time. "You obviously care for David, so why tell me this now? Why hurt him like this?"

A single tear betrayed her, slipping past her glasses to roll down her cheek. "You're right; I do care for David. But there's only one problem."

Tenderly, Tom stroked her tear-stained face. "What's that?"

Charlotte nestled into his touch, just for a moment. "He's not you," she replied with a bitter smile. "I always said you taught me well."

With that, she pulled away. This time, he didn't follow, for he knew she wouldn't stay in his presence a second longer. 

Once she was gone, Tom stood in the middle of his office, staring down at the floor. A war of conscience waged within him. Over and over, he asked himself, What kind of man am I? What kind of man will I be after tonight?

The answer became clear only when he picked up his phone and called Victoria. 

"How did you get this information?" she demanded, her voice low and urgent. 

"I can't say," Tom responded. "I'm sworn to secrecy."

"Tom—"

"I'm sorry, but I can't." Closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead in an attempt to soothe the lingering ache behind his skull. As much as he trusted Victoria, he would never betray Charlotte. And of course, Victoria would never suspect his assistant of possessing such damaging intel about the company CEO.

Victoria's sigh made her disappointment in him clear, but when she spoke again, the excitement in her voice was unmistakable. "I'll do some digging tomorrow and find out more about that acquisition. I never thought David would be so sloppy."

"He's obviously slipping." Tom took no joy in this conversation, for Charlotte's last remark still troubled him: you taught me well.

"If what you've been told is true," Victoria went on, "I'll take it to the board."

His pulse quickened to a dizzying speed. "It's enough?"

After months of waiting, she finally said the words he ached to hear: "More than enough, Tom. The job will soon be yours."

*****

By the time Tom stepped out of his office, it was after nine, and even the most dedicated employees had finally gone home. 

All of them but Charlotte.

He stopped short upon seeing her. With most of the overhead lights switched off, she sat in the shadows. Her computer monitor had grown dark, yet she stared vacantly at the screen. 

"Charlotte," he said quietly. 

No response. 

Tom approached slowly, giving her ample time to tell him to fuck off. When he stood at her side, she allowed him to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Charlotte, will you come back to my office? We need to talk."

He expected her to refuse. Instead, she rose from the chair and wordlessly followed him. 

Tom didn't bother to turn on the light. After drawing her deeper into the room, farther into the darkness, he pulled her close. Silently, he rocked her back and forth. How small and fragile she felt in his arms then. As he knew all too well from his own experience, the guilt now eating away at her would eventually dissipate, leaving a wound slow to heal. 

Or it would utterly consume her.

Tom would be damned if he let that happen.

Lowering his lips to her hair, he whispered, "It was just a matter of time. You could have protected him for only so long."

"I know." Tears grated at Charlotte's voice, but she didn't shed any. 

"I promise no one will ever learn the part you played in this," he went on in a soft, soothing tone. "Now that Victoria knows where to look, she'll uncover his mistake quickly. He's just waiting to be caught at this point." 

Charlotte shook her head. Growing agitated, she struggled against him. "I don't want to talk about this. I don't want to know anything more about it."

Tom let her go. He felt Charlotte's stare on him as he moved to turn on the desk lamp. After shutting the office door, he closed the blinds, giving them as much privacy as possible.

Finally, he turned back to her. Soon, they would have to discuss her future role with the company. 

But not tonight.

Across the short distance separating them, their eyes locked. Tom offered a tender smile. "Haven't you missed me at all?"

Charlotte impatiently swiped at a strand of hair which had come loose from her ponytail. "Of course I have, you arrogant asshole."

"Then come here."

Extending his hand, he waited. Always, it seemed he was waiting for her.

With slow, deliberate movements, she took off her glasses and placed them on a nearby chair. Each step she took toward him was purposeful. 

And when she was just within reach, Tom gently drew her to him. Cupping a hand against the back of her head, he gave her a kiss full of the same fervent hunger as the one they'd shared in that hotel elevator.

Only now, it wasn't an act on his part.

"That Sunday morning, you left so quickly," he murmured against her lips. "I thought you'd already grown tired of me."

"Never," she said. "I had to get back home so I could meet David later that afternoon."

Stroking her cheek, Tom knew that without her glasses, she couldn't see him as clearly as he now saw her. But then again, she didn't need to. 

And maybe he didn't need to say it, but he felt it was only fair to be completely honest with her. She needed to be fully aware of all her options. "Today, David seemed totally smitten with you. Even if he's burned his bridges with this company, he's far from ruined. You could have a very comfortable life with him."

Charlotte seized him roughly by the chin. He felt the threat of her nails burrowing into his flesh. "Has it ever occurred to you," she said, "that I don't want a normal relationship? I don't want marriage and a goddamn mansion in the suburbs."

Grasping her hand, Tom pressed his lips against her palm. "Then what do you want? Do you want to move up in the company? Whatever it is, I promise you'll have it."

"I want the same thing I've always wanted." In the lamp's glow, her gaze held a vulnerability he'd never seen before. Not even during their most intimate moments at the hotel. "I want you." With her customary boldness, she stroked him through his pants. "Not as a husband. Not even as a boyfriend. Just... keep me close."

"I swear I will, Charlotte. Always." His breathing quickened as she brought him to full hardness in record time.

Unable to restrain his need, Tom lifted her onto the desk. His desire proved contagious, for she worked at his pants, eager to free his cock.

While yanking up her skirt, he lowered his mouth to her neck. Her skin was warm and soft against his tongue. "I can't stop thinking about you," he confessed.

Charlotte had his cock in her hand now, pleasuring him with an expert touch. "Is that right? You've thought about fucking me, Tom?"

"Countless times!" Sliding a palm along her inner thigh, he inched toward the heat of her sex. To his delight, he discovered she was wearing stockings instead of pantyhose. A needy moan emerged from her throat when he worked his fingers into her panties, which were already wet. 

Her mouth again sought his. The kiss they shared was one of tongue and teeth, and of the passion he'd come to crave. His cock pulsed and twitched in Charlotte's grasp until he groaned, "I need to be inside you!"

"But we need to maintain professional boundaries," she teased. 

"Fuck professional boundaries." Tom lifted her skirt even higher, then started tugging at her underwear. At this late hour, the danger of being discovered was low but far from nonexistent. Someone could return to the office for something they'd forgotten, or a member of the janitorial staff could knock on the door. 

It was a risk Tom was willing to take. Once he'd removed Charlotte's low heels and stripped her free of her panties, he lifted the plain cotton fabric to his face and breathed deep. His tongue darted out to lick the damp crotch of that undergarment. The taste and smell of her arousal brought their night together rushing back, exciting him so much that Charlotte had to collect a strand of precum dangling from the tip of his cock. 

The sight of her licking that essence from her fingers was more than he could bear. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her ass to the edge of the desk. His hands were all over her. Lowering his head, he licked and suckled at her nipples through her blouse, leaving the fabric damp with his saliva. 

In the grip of her own excitement, Charlotte readily spread her legs. A guttural sound, far too loud, escaped his lips when he finally entered her. That penetration, gentle yet insistent, sent a fierce shudder through her entire body. 

"God, yes!" she moaned, gazing downward to witness him take her pussy. 

"Look at me," Tom demanded.

Charlotte lifted her head, her face a question. As Tom began moving his hips, he repeated the words he'd spoken during their first night together: "You're mine now. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Her features twisted as if she were in pain, but Tom knew better. "Fuck, don't stop!"

He grinned to see her in such a state. "This won't stop, Charlotte. I'm going to keep you close, just like I promised. And I'm going to keep giving you my cock."

She seemed wild with lust, her teeth bared while she fought back a cry. Again, her stare settled between her thighs, and Tom lowered his gaze as well. His cock, relentless in its thrusting, was coated with her juices. When the scent of sex wafted up toward him, he greedily breathed it in. 

Already, Charlotte had begun her tell-tale quivering, and Tom braced himself for the first round of contractions. Keeping one hand planted against the desk, Charlotte used the other to rub her clit. He watched, transfixed, as her fingers worked at a punishing speed. The curls of her pubic hair were matted, completely saturated.

"Come for me!" he urged. "Just let go, sweetheart!"

When Charlotte reached that peak, she opened her mouth as if to scream, but the only sound that escaped her was a low, helpless groan. Tom sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, trying to last while her muscles tightened around him. Possessed by an instinctual drive, his hips resumed their pumping.

Charlotte quickly withdrew her hand from between her thighs, as if her own flesh burned. Tom knew her clit had grown too sensitive for more stimulation, but her hot, slick cunt was another story. 

Still shaking, she focused her full attention on their coupling. "I'll never get enough of this." Her revelation was issued through a sob. 

In that moment, when they were so intimately joined, Tom glimpsed the agony of Charlotte's obsession. For years, he'd unknowingly held such a powerful influence over this woman. Perhaps she'd resorted to blackmail in order to wrest some of that power back. 

As Tom's own orgasm quickly approached, the confession spilled from him unbidden: "And I'll never get enough of you."

Charlotte snapped her head up. Maybe she heard the truth in his words, or maybe his suspicions were correct, and she could read his mind, for a blissful smile formed on her lips. That smile remained even while she succumbed to another climax. 

Only after the spasms ebbed could she find her voice in order to plead, "Come inside me!"

His body grew taut, and a powerful tremor overtook him as he reached his own release. It was impossible to suppress a loud groan. Too far gone to care about possibly being overheard, he could only revel in the intense pleasure of surrender. Inside Charlotte, his cock throbbed. She gasped, her eyes widening from the sensation of his seed bathing her inner walls.

Tom didn't pull out right away. Instead, he slipped his arms around Charlotte and kissed her mouth. She was relaxed, almost limp in his embrace, but her tongue was as eager as ever.

"This is all I need," she whispered. "You can keep fucking Victoria; I promise I won't cause problems for either of you."

"Charlotte, you deserve better," he insisted. "You deserve someone who can give you more than I'm able to. Someone who will—"

She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing his protests. "Remember our agreement, Tom." Her voice was quiet but firm. "No bullshit."

Epilogue

Months later, Tom sat in the corner office he'd always coveted. The blinds were still drawn, for it was just after seven in the morning. Beyond his closed door, the building's top floor was quiet.

And tucked away beneath his desk was Charlotte. On her knees, she gazed up at him while swirling her tongue around his cockhead. 

Just last night, she'd been in his bed, yet she refused to stay once he'd made certain she was well-fucked and satisfied. Always, she returned to her own apartment, no matter how late the hour. 

They were usually the first to arrive at the office, and this morning was no exception. Before he could get to work, Charlotte made it clear she wasn't quite through with him. 

His desk had plenty of legroom, and plenty of space for a petite assistant. Now, he let his head fall back against the chair. A barely audible moan escaped his parted lips. 

"Ah, fuck yes!" he sighed as she suckled his tip. Though she tried to be quiet, her own moans delivered an exquisite vibration. 

Closing his eyes, he gasped to feel her licking his sac. Experience had taught him that she wasn't at all squeamish about any part of his body. The first time she'd worked the tip of her tongue into his ass, he'd almost come from that alone. 

Gently, he stroked her hair, whispering encouraging words. "Such a good girl. That mouth of yours is incredible!"

Charlotte had just begun to bob her head up and down when there was a knock on his door. Immediately, she pulled off and retreated farther beneath the desk. Tom scooted in his chair, making sure his hard cock wasn't visible. 

"Come in," he called.

Alison stuck her head inside the office. "Good morning! I'm sorry to bother you."

Alison was always needlessly apologizing for something. Tom gave her a smile. "No bother at all. What can I do for you?"

As he spoke, Charlotte fondled his cockhead, the pad of her thumb gliding over his slit. 

"I was looking for Charlotte," Alison said. "My computer is acting up, and I figured if anyone can fix it quickly, it's her."

Tom briefly closed his eyes, trying to suppress a whimper. Charlotte was back to nuzzling his balls, her tongue caressing each one in turn. "Uh, she's taking care of something for me right now." He was astonished at how even his voice sounded. "She should be finished soon. I'll be sure to let her know you need some help."

Beaming, Alison thanked him. As soon as she closed the door, he eased his chair back a little, giving Charlotte more room. She didn't need to be told that they were running out of time. With a clear resolve, she doubled down on her effort to make him come. Once or twice, she gagged a little from taking him too deep, but her recovery was almost instantaneous, enabling her to try again.

The inevitable tension gripping his muscles made him want to thrust. "I'm about to..." 

His warning, only half-spoken, prompted Charlotte to slide her lips far down his shaft. A guttural sound escaped him just before he came. Thank God she'd practically drained him dry the night before, and he wasn't yet able to give her another big load. He heard her throat working as she swallowed his seed, avoiding a mess.

Finally, Charlotte pulled off again, breathing fast. Tom watched her lick him clean. When she was finished, she planted kisses along his softening length. 

He helped her to her feet, then put away his cock and straightened his clothes. "Thank you for that. It will certainly be the highlight of my day." 

"Mine, too," she replied with a grin.

Tom kissed her, tasting a trace of his cum which lingered on her tongue. Unable to stop himself, he teased her left nipple to hardness. 

Reluctantly, she broke the kiss. "Get to work, and I'll go see if I can help Alison."

"I don't know what I'd do without you," he murmured, smoothing a stray lock of hair back from her face.

Her gaze was tender, almost adoring, as she regarded him. He planted one last kiss on her mouth before she left. 

Later that morning, Victoria strolled into his office. Tom looked up, giving her a welcoming smile. "Victoria! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She sank into a chair in front of his desk, her own smile one of satisfaction. "You've settled in quite nicely."

"I certainly have." Tom glanced around the room, and at the windows which offered an amazing view of the city. "And I take it you're still enjoying your new role here?"

Just as Tom had promised, he gave Victoria everything she asked for once he became CEO. She had plenty of influence with certain members of the board, and he'd taken David's place largely due to Victoria's willingness to vouch for him. Of course, the timing of that project which had caused him so much stress, and which he'd presented flawlessly, was serendipitous. It earned him accolades while also positioning him as the prime candidate to take over for David. 

"I couldn't be happier," Victoria now told him. "And while I know you and I haven't had a chance to spend much time together outside the office, I do want to be certain you're presented in the best possible light as head of our company."

It was true that their affair had fizzled out. Tom was putting in more hours at the office than ever, and when he did have a free moment, it was usually spent with Charlotte.

Clasping his hands before him on the desk, he gave Victoria his full attention. "I'm grateful for any suggestions you may have."

"Good. Let's talk about your assistant. I realize she's been helpful to you during this transition, but I think you need someone more capable—"

"She's perfectly capable," Tom interjected. 

"Someone more polished, then." Victoria lifted an eyebrow. "Come on, Tom. That girl isn't cut out to be the CEO's executive assistant."

As a silence settled between them, Tom couldn't help but think of how he and Charlotte worked to oust David. They'd both wielded the knife that severed his ties with this company, and the depth of their deceit ensured he never suspected a thing.

"I disagree," Tom finally said to Victoria. "In fact, I think Charlotte and I are perfect for each other." When Victoria opened her mouth to argue, he held up a hand to stop her. "I'm afraid you can't change my mind about this."

Her eyes flashed with disapproval. He knew what she was thinking: it wasn't like him to disregard her opinions so swiftly. 

"Sometimes," she said in a dangerously quiet tone, "I wonder if I made a mistake recommending you for this position. Maybe I should have given it more thought before stepping back and practically handing everything to you on a silver platter."

Tom's smile never faltered. "Well, what's done is done. And seeing as how the company is more successful than it's ever been, I think the board is quite pleased with my performance so far."

Victoria didn't attempt to return his smile. Instead, she rose to her feet and started toward the door.

"Victoria," he called after her.

She stopped and turned to face him once more.

"Just remember, after all you and I have shared, our fates at this company are forever linked. If I succeed, then you succeed. And if I fail, well..." He left the threat unspoken, but the way she bristled let him know she fully understood.

"Wonderful to see you again, Tom." Now, she did force a tight smile before exiting the office. 

Tom glanced at the clock and saw that it was noon. Rising from his desk, he went to find Charlotte. 

His assistant was in her private office, typing furiously, but as soon as Tom appeared in the doorway, she paused.

"Ready for lunch?" he asked.

Her eyes brightened at the invitation, giving him all the answer he needed.

"What are you in the mood for?" she asked while grabbing her favorite cardigan, the one that looked like it came from a thrift store.

He waited until she stood at his side before saying in a low voice, "You choose the meal. For dessert, we'll have cake."

Charlotte tried and failed to suppress a sly grin. As they walked down the corridor, he fought the impulse to place a hand on the small of her back. It took effort not to touch her in front of their colleagues.

Yet as fond of Charlotte as Tom had become, he never lost sight of the fact that her need for him was an obsession. He knew it was dangerous to feed such a desire, and to promise he would always keep her close.

But it was far more dangerous not to.