Legally Not Yours

The Fight

POV: Leah

“Good pick-up line, Connors. How many women fall for that?” I tried to sound unaffected, keeping my tone casual as I stepped back.

But underneath the surface, my body was still buzzing with that feeling. The one I refused to admit he could provoke so easily. Jared’s casual smirk never fading as much as that glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes.

“You’re the first, darling. Are you in love with me already?”

I felt a surge of heat flush through me and wished to fly my fist straight to his jaw, to knock that cocky grin off his face, so he could get a taste of reality.

“I think you’re the one who’s falling for me, judging by the grip.” I glanced down at his hand, still resting on my hips.

He chuckled, the sound low and dark, and I could feel it vibrate through my body.

“One day that mouth will get you in trouble, Leah.”

His words hung in the air, lingering like a challenge, and it pushed me over the edge. I wasn’t going to let him control this. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he could make me lose my mind.

He thought I was weak because I wanted him? Fine. Let’s see how he handles me wanting him.

When I leaned forward, my breasts brushed against his chest, pressing further to him.

I heard him suck in a sharp breath. Just barely, but it was there. The moment he reacted, my heart raced and I looked up at him from under my lashes, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“Something wrong?” I asked, my voice sweet, almost innocent.

He didn’t answer right away, his jaw tightening as he struggled to maintain control. “You know what you’re doing.”

I let my smile widen just a fraction. “Of course I do.”

I touched his shoulders, my fingers brushing against the fabric of his shirt and I could see the way his muscles tightened, the way he was holding himself back.

“Relax,” I whispered, my breath soft against the air. My fingers trailed down the back of his neck, feeling the tension coil tighter with each passing second. “You look tense, Connors.”

“I’m fine.” His voice was strained, but I could tell he was fighting it.

I leaned closer, my lips nearly brushing his ear. “You’re not fine. I can feel it,” I murmured, my fingers gliding down his chest.

I could hear his breath hitch, feel his pulse quicken under my touch.

“You’ve been bossing me around like I’m yours,” I whispered, my lips close to his ear. “Maybe it’s time you remember what that really means.”

His body was rigid, hands gripping my ass and when he opened his mouth, probably to say something, I was already reaching for his tie.

The fabric had loosened earlier, and now I took the opportunity to pull it free from his collar. Slow and smooth I pulled the tie free, letting it dangle between my fingers.

“Leah—” His breath hitched again.

I pressed a finger to his lips. “Shhh,” I whispered, my hands now working to tie one of his wrists with the tie. He could’ve stopped me at any point, but he didn’t.

“Don’t tease,” he muttered, his voice rough and desperate.

I smirked, reaching for his silk handkerchief next. I couldn’t help but savor the moment, knowing he was at my mercy.

“Tense men,” I murmured, “need to be restrained.”

I could feel his gaze on me now, burning, desperate, and unblinking. I moved with care, tying his other wrist to the armrest, slow enough to drive him insane.

“You like this?” I asked, my voice low, teasing.

His laugh was short, broken. “Fuck, yes.”

“Like to lose control?” I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against his ear, my breath sending a shiver through him.

“With you?” he rasped, his voice full of need. “Always.” I grinned, feeling the power shift between us.

I leaned in, my lips brushing just the edge of his jaw, then dragging my hand down his chest, moving lower, until my palm hovered just above his hardness beneath the pants. He bucked against me, unable to stop the movement.

“Leah,” he whispered, his voice raw.

“Mm?” I responded, leaning closer, teasing.

“I need you to…” He cut off, his voice breaking.

I tilted my head, the corner of my mouth curling into a smile. “To what?”

He groaned, his head falling back against the chair, frustration and need blending in his voice.

“Please,” he whispered, the word so desperate it sent a thrill through me. “Please touch me.”

I didn’t move. “Say it again.”

“Leah, please,” he begged, his voice lower, more frantic. “I need you to do something. Anything. I—God, I can’t… fuck!”

I dragged my fingers down his dick beneath the pants, just enough for pressure. He moaned, the sound raw and full of need and then, just as quickly as I’d gotten so close, I pulled away.

I stood up, straightening my blouse, watching him, helpless and bound.

“What—what are you doing?” His voice was shaky, uncertain.

I leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. “Just showing you how much I hate losing.”

I turned on my heel and walked out of the room, the door clicking shut behind me.

***

The elevator doors opened just as Carlson stepped through the lobby doors. His friendly wave caught my attention, and he smiled as he approached. “Hey. Already leaving?”

“Yeah,” I said, brushing my hair back as if nothing had happened, as if I hadn’t just walked out on his brother two floors up, leaving him tied up, rock hard and begging.

“You alright?” Carlson asked, concern lining his voice.

“Better than ever.”

He smiled, falling into step beside me. “I was heading to see my dad, but I thought I’d check in. People are talking.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh, I’m sure they are.”

“You’re kinda famous.” He glanced at me, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “You and Jared... whatever it is you two have, it’s loud.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, a small, bitter sound escaping me. “It’s exhausting.”

“I bet.” He smiled. “If you ever want a ride to the office or anywhere, I don’t mind. I’m usually passing by anyway.”

“That’s sweet of you.”

“Just offering.” He shrugged casually. “And for what it’s worth... I like you more than I like him.”

I blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah! I think you’re cool, Leah. You’re really easy-going and my dad tells me that you’re very smart.”

“Well, he’s exaggerating.” I chuckled.

“No, seriously…” He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “We should hang out more. You can teach me some of your knowledge. Who knows, maybe I can even beat Jared one day.”

I laughed at the idea. “I will consider your offer since you said you want to beat Jared. I hope you do because he’s an asshole. Someone should definitely teach him a lesson.”

“I got you,” Carlson grinned. “Besides, Jared’s always been the fire. You? You’re... fireproof. We need to team up against him to take him down.”

I smirked at the thought, the idea of taking down Jared with someone on my side strangely comforting.

“Okay,” I said slowly.

“Seriously. I’d rather be on your side than his. And I mean that.”

My heart softened at the sincerity in his words. “Then we’ll get along just fine,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.

I walked out into the cool evening air, my head held high, pride pulsing through my veins. Jared Connors may have tied me up on paper—but I’d just tied him up for real.

And he begged for it.