Company Ink

By Olivia Brynn

Sidney Rhodes has crushed on her boss Grant for over two years. When she finally pushes him to his breaking point, they both end up winning. The fraternization policy their company holds dear means they’ve got to keep their new relationship deep under wraps. Grant knows this could end very badly. He could be charged with sexual harassment, accused of favoritism, or worse–they could both be unemployed. Grant is willing to risk it all to dip his pen in the company ink.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Mountain Books
• Release date: Feb 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465946454

Olivia Brynn

Olivia Brynn is the very saucy alter ego of romance author Alanna Coca. Olivia was the one who lured Alanna into trouble as a child. She also would have been the one to get her mouth washed out with soap. Since controlling Olivia wasn’t as easy as she thought, Alanna decided to set her alter ego free with Olivia’s first book, For a Price, a story about one woman’s journey to sell her virginity. Other books followed, earning five-star reviews and bestselling status. Alanna realized what fun Olivia had writing sexy romances without censor. Olivia writes contemporary erotic romance near a window where the view of the Rocky Mountains beckons her to run naked through the tall foothill grasses. Except when it snows.

Book preview

Chapter 1

You’re such a dear. Carol sat in her office chair, looking around her new work space with a grin.

Sidney couldn’t help smiling back. I’m sorry it’s so far away from your department. You might end up hating it. She straightened a framed photo of Carol’s grandchildren.

Oh, pooh. I could use the exercise. Carol flexed her crooked fingers. I feel better already.

Then it’s already worth it. I’ll send an email out to let everyone know that I moved you.

Thank you so much, Sidney. So very much. Carol’s eyes twinkled with such pleasure that Sidney had to curl her toes in her new Jimmy Choos to resist the urge to hug the older woman. Hugs weren’t allowed at Pritchard and Redland. Not since the last sexual harassment claim five years ago.

You’re very welcome. Now kick out some reports. I need your revised Lawson quote on my desk by five.

Of course. I’ll get right on that. Carol rubbed her knobby hands together and straightened P and R’s Oasis digital devices on her desk. Many of the customer service representatives liked to have the actual device handy when taking calls, but some relied on the computer prompter. Seeing the top-of-the-line technology in the arthritic hands of a grandmother never failed to make Sidney smile.

Sidney turned to leave the padded cubicle. She made it two and a half steps before running into a crisp white shirt. She didn’t have to look up to know who she’d encountered. She recognized the tie as the one he wore during their year-end recap six months ago, and she’d faltered over a direct question when he’d interrupted her daydream of unknotting the red silk with her teeth. She recognized his height. His breadth. His powerful presence. Most of all she knew his scent.

She relished each passing whiff. Although she didn’t have the guts to actually ask him the brand of his cologne, she greedily sucked in lungfuls of the stuff whenever they shared space. Like now. Reluctantly, she stepped back to look up into the eyes of her boss. The man was six feet two inches of sexy. Dark brows shaded dark eyes. His face might have been carved from stone if she hadn’t seen him smile. His smile was the thing that made her knees weakest.

But he wasn’t smiling now.

Something you want to tell me? Grant’s low, rumbly voice sent tremors through her.

Sidney licked her lips. Oh. I moved Carol.

I see that. He raised one brow. Surely he knew how sexy that move was. Surely he did that just to weaken her knees.

I’m sorry, I should have covered this with you first, I just—

He raised one hand. I pay you and the rest of the management team here to make decisions. If I have to approve every move you make, I wouldn’t need you, now would I?

His upper lip thinned to almost non-existent, a clear sign that he was annoyed. Sidney swiped her tongue across her lips again, then she took a closer look at the crinkle in the corner of his eye. He was playing with her, like a big tomcat batting at a tiny mouse. He enjoyed getting under her skin. Every time she squirmed under his authoritative attitude she caught a glimmer of amusement behind those eyes. Crossing her arms, she met his gaze without faltering. She’d worked with him for almost two years, and she knew exactly what put burrs under his saddle too.

No, sir. Two little words, always enough to steal any laughter from his eyes. As predicted, nostrils flared. She tried like the devil to hide her smile.

Follow me.

With pleasure. She walked behind him, with thoughts of the company picnic, when he showed up in a pair of loose-legged jeans that defined his ass with more love than the suit pants she saw him wearing five days a week. At least on Casual Friday he went without a suit jacket.

He led her down the hallway until the carpet changed from industrial to plush, muffling their footsteps as the chatter from the customer service calls faded. He stood aside at the door to his office, gesturing her in ahead of him. Ever since her sex dream three months ago—which began with that very move—Sidney couldn’t stop her libido from perking up each time she entered the masculine space.

Have a seat. He waved her to one of the two leather chairs facing his desk. I’m not saying you made a bad decision, but before your cohorts line up at my door asking about the move, I need an explanation.

Sidney remained standing, and clasped her hands in front of her. Is there a problem?

You tell me. He left her standing, and sat in his huge executive chair.

Doubting that

Reviews for Company Ink

[thebooknerd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good, could have been better. The characters are likable, their chemistry is tangible, and the writing is good quality. The problem is the plot. Yes, this is a novella and brevity is expected. Still, their wasn't much real conflict, and what was there was too quickly and easily resolved, which detracted from the reading experience. Had there been just a little more dramatic tension, I would have happy.