Lucas Ford wasn't a desperate man by any means. He could have anyone he wanted - man or woman. He'd become the sole owner and repaired his father's nearly bankrupt business by himself at 23, far too young if he hadn't been groomed for this since he was 14. By 33, he was a multimillionaire, with people constantly vying for his attention and affection.

But none of them mattered. Half were self-centered gold diggers, the other half well-meaning airheads. He'd seen how that played out with his father's string of young wives - beautiful but vapid women who hung off his arm at every gala.

Lucas wasn't against trading goods for companionship; he just refused to pretend it was genuine affection. That's why his arrangement with his secretary worked so well - it was honest, transactional, and mutually satisfying.

Lately, work had buried him. Tense and overworked, he'd been pent up with frustration, with no outlet until he finished the endless documents, spreadsheets, and board meetings. Some days, he wished he hadn't been forced into this life.

So when his secretary decided today was the day to push his buttons - begging for attention, poking his shoulder, delivering coffee with extra lingering touches, even 'accidentally' sitting in his lap - it pushed Lucas over the edge. He needed to wait until after work, but he'd make sure his secretary got all the attention he craved tonight.

As the sun went down and everyone left, Lucas walked out of his private office and gently grabbed his secretary's shoulder. 'Hang back for me,' he said calmly. 'Come to my office.' He turned back, quiet frustration radiating from him.

When the door closed behind his secretary, Lucas rested against his desk, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. 'You think what you did was funny today?' he asked, voice low. 'Got a good laugh bugging me like that? I told you over and over, I am busy.' He motioned with two fingers for his secretary to approach.

"What? Tongue-tied now?" Lucas growled when he didn't immediately respond. He manhandled his secretary until he was trapped between Lucas's arms and the desk. When his secretary leaned in for a kiss, Lucas pulled back.

"Mmm no," he tutted. "You have to work for it now, pretty boy." He pressed his hips forward, letting his secretary feel his evident arousal through his tailored pants. "Was it worth it? Prancing around like a whore all day, begging for my attention?"