Molten Chocolate (The Hollens Book 2) ✔️

Chapter 16: Ring This

Jasmine's POV

"I didn't know you knew Bradley Pittsburg," a voice quipped from behind me and startled me, briefly, before I turned around in my chair and saw Mr. Hollen leaning on the closed door, hands inside his pants pockets, looking at me with raised eyebrows.

"Umm, yeah... I've known him since college," I answered.

His grey eyes locked on me, burning me to my soul. He twitched his bottom lip as if he had a distasteful substance in his mouth. He straightened his posture, and his suit, and I couldn't help but to see how damn sexy and even more handsome he was; but he was upset about something. I knew he was having a hectic day but he was looking at me like he wanted to send me to my grave.

What did I do wrong this time?

"So you two were close?" he asked, coming over to my desk.

Mr. Hollen had never been interested in my personal life, or even asked about it, but now here he was asking about Bradley.

What's up with that?

"Yes, we used to date," I answered and turned back to the computer and began typing again.

"For how long?" he asked.

I couldn't believe how inquisitive he was becoming about me and my ex-boyfriend.

"Umm... a year and a half," I answered truthfully as I blushed at the fact that he was actually asking me something that was not work related.

Was I finally getting his attention because I went out with another man?

"So the two of you are reconnecting again?" he asked.

I couldn't help but let the smile be visible on my lips. I wasn't smiling at the thought of reconnecting with Bradley, I was smiling at the world's strictest boss becoming so nosy suddenly.

"I'm sorry but that's kind of personal, don't you think?" I asked him, facing him again.

My response had lit the flare in his eyes even more. I had never seen him act like this.

He nodded his head and walked into his office.

After I had finished typing, my phone line rang. I picked it up.

"Get in my office," his voice commanded.

He sounded like my boss again.

I got up and went into his office. He was sitting laid back on his chair and he was staring hard at me. He got up and walked towards me.

"You know something, Miss Blackman," he began, his breath was minty and his lips were up to my ear. I shivered under his close presence like always.

"What's... that Mr. Hollen?" I managed to let out.

He held my chin up so that my eyes were on his-- I was five feet six, and he stood six feet tall. His damn eyes were melting my bones and he did the most unbelievable thing.

His lips smashed onto mine with authority and possession over them. His hands traveled to the arch on my hip and he pulled me even closer to him.

I couldn't process what was going on. I just stood there, caught off guard and lost in his world. I knew this was what I wanted from him; I wanted his attention. But now that I was finally receiving it, I froze.

I pushed him away from me. Don't ask me why I did it.

"Mr. Hollen, what are you doing?" I asked innocently, as if I didn't want it to continue.

Every joint in my bones and every nerve in my body were itching to push myself onto him and let him have his way with me on his desk or in his private bathroom or anywhere in this powerful office. My chest rose and fell from the heavy breathing and the rapid beats for my heart.

Mr. Hollen looked at me and bit his bottom lip. He raked his fingers through his hair and heaved a sigh. He always did that when he was frustrated.

"I'm sorry," he said finally and sat back down in his chair.

I knew the moment was ruined but I was still dumbstruck by all of it. When I had woken up in his bed some weeks ago, he made it clear that it was a mistake and that it wouldn't happen again. I was hurt but I did understood the circumstances. We both had too much to drink that Friday and were drunk out of our minds. One thing led to another and we ended up in his bedroom. We had no recollection of what happened between us that night; although we both woke up almost naked next to each other.

"You said that something like what happened the last time, wouldn't happen again," I recalled.

He gave a sympathetic look. Something was on his mind and he was too prideful to say it.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

He just kept on apologizing, which I didn't want. I wasn't interested in hearing the words 'I'm sorry'. I was interested in what was really on his mind and I wanted the truth.

I opened my mouth to confess my actual feelings to him but I was stop short by a voice saying, "Darling!" from outside the door.

He got up and unlocked it and Jessica walked in.

"Oh baby, I just got it picked up. It fits so perfectly. I love it!" she squealed and flashed the huge diamond ring on her finger in my direction. She hugged him and they kissed.

What the fuck! A moment ago, he had his tongue down my throat and now Jessica walks in with a ring and they're kissing? Oh God, he's engaged to Jessica.