A Little Harmless Submission(15)
She stopped at her door and glanced back over her shoulder at him. “You didn’t have to do that. I understand what’s expected of me.”
“Really?”
She fought back the irritation. “I’ve researched it. I would never suggest this if I didn’t know what I had to do.”
He nodded but still looked skeptical.
“I can play the role. You didn’t have to pull that stunt.”
He studied her for a moment, no expression on his face. Then, he placed his hand on the wall next to her head and leaned closer, as he did in the elevator. Gawd, he smelled good. Earthy and sensual, and all wrapped up in a dominant package of a man. She shouldn’t want to attract him, but everything in her being was telling her to do anything to get him in her bed.
“What stunt are you talking about?”
For a moment, all she could do was look at his mouth as he spoke. His lips were full, sensual, and utterly irresistible.
“Callahan.”
She shook herself and tried to remember what they had been talking about. Great, now she had to embarrass herself with an explanation. She didn’t want to do this. She understood she wasn’t attractive to men like Rome. That she could live with. Having to admit it to him out loud was more than a little awkward. Talk about humiliating.
“I understand that a woman like me would never attract you—“
“What do you mean by that?”
She glanced up and realized he looked genuinely surprised.
“Nothing. Just understand I can play a role, and I won’t get all sappy on you. I want this guy as much as you do.”
Again he was silent. She hated that, hated the way he looked at her. It was as if he was completely perplexed by her. “Play a role?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her keycard out, not able to look at him anymore. She was damned tired and ready to collapse. Add this embarrassment to the mix, and she just wanted to crawl under the covers and forget most of the day.
“When we’re out of the public eye, I understand. You don’t have to play the role of my lover behind the scenes. It’ll be easier if we have parameters.”
“Callahan.” His voice was quiet nevertheless commanding.
“What?”
“Look at me.” The order was soft but definitely not to be ignored. She couldn’t if she’d wanted to. His deep, resonate voice wrapped around her senses and forced her to do his bidding.
When she finally made eye contact, her whole body went hot again. The intense look had her trying to swallow, but she found her mouth dry. He slipped his free hand up to cup her jaw. Without saying a word, he bent his head down and brushed his mouth against hers. She could feel the heat of him through their layers of clothing.
He leaned even closer, and she could feel his erection. There was no mistaking that. Just feeling the hot, long length of him had every hormone in her body jumping to attention, ready to serve. When he pulled back, it took a few moments for her to open her eyes again.
The fire in his eyes was still there. His cheeks were flushed, and she could tell there was a little more than just playacting involved.
“Just so you know. Guys like me can be attracted to women like you.”
She nodded.
He kept his eyes opened this time as he gently brushed his mouth over hers. Just that little touch had her circuits going crazy.
“Go in your room so I can leave.”
She did as he ordered, without thinking about it until the door was shut and she was listening to his footsteps recede in the hallway. Dammit. What the hell was wrong with her? Her head was still spinning and her body humming. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her out-of-control libido. The man was going to be a problem. She didn’t get involved, it was a rule she’d had. Sure, there were a few one-nighters here and there, but they mostly didn’t last, even if she wanted them to. Yearned for them more than she was willing to admit, even to herself.
She brushed that thought aside. She had learned the hard way that relationships and her just did not mix. Sitting down on her bed, she pulled off her shoes and started to unbutton her shirt. Her room phone rang.
She picked it up. “Hello.”
“Having fun with locals?” Masters said, amusement in his voice.
Shit. “How long have you been a Peeping Tom, and does Gloria know about this?”
He chuckled. “I was wondering if you wanted to go over a few things since I’m heading out tomorrow.”
She sighed, glanced at the bed. “Sure. Let me get something more comfortable on, and I’ll be over.”
“I’ve been wanting to hear that for years.” He made kissy noises before he hung up. She was smiling when she put the phone back in the cradle. She’d realized that she’d misjudged Masters. He was an ass, and well, he didn’t like many people. But he was the easiest partner she’d worked with at the bureau. Of course, he wasn’t looking to make a name for himself. He was nearing twenty years in and ready to retire out of the FBI and do something else. He went through the motions and did what he had to do to make people think he was in for the long haul. And he respected her, although he did give her a hard time. Sort of like a big brother.