Shock registered on Marco’s face and Mina felt a jolt of satisfaction that she’d managed to surprise him. Her satisfaction lasted mere seconds, though. Marco spun her in his arms. “Why did you do that?” He asked, almost angrily.
Mina looked up at him, startled by his reaction. “I don’t know,” she stammered, “I guess I was just doing what felt right. Like you said.” She didn’t know what else to say—there were no words, no reasons—just the desire to kiss him.
Passion blazed in Marco’s eyes and he pulled her closer. “It felt right?” He lowered his face until Mina could feel their breath mingling. “Yes.” She nodded slowly and his anger disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, chased away by a dazzling smile, and she caught her breath at how stunningly attractive he was. “Good.”
Any space between them disappeared. Mina heard a whimper and realized it came from her just before Marco’s lips claimed hers. He feathered across her plump lower lip before sliding his tongue across it, tugging it gently until she opened to him. He growled low in his throat as he explored her mouth, deepening the kiss, licking and sucking at her lips as if he’d consume her.
Mina was overwhelmed by the onslaught. Her legs trembled and she clung to Marco’s broad shoulders, helpless to do anything but try to return his kiss. Just as her legs threatened to give way he pulled back, and she could feel her heart beating in her kiss-swollen lips. They stood there, both of them struggling to catch their breath, until she couldn’t bear it anymore. She lowered her chin and tried to turn away, embarrassed, but Marco wouldn’t let her.
“You are embarrassed.” It wasn’t a question, and Mina didn’t answer.
A long finger reached under her chin and forced her to look at him. Concern was clear on his face and she felt even worse about her impulsive kiss.
“I am not embarrassed.” Marco almost whispered the words and Mina shivered as she felt his breath caress her ear. “I am very pleased that kissing me felt right.”
Mina’s heart was fluttering in her chest and she couldn’t help herself as she tilted her head, allowing him better access. Marco planted a tiny kiss at the base of her ear, and another along her neck, until he finally dipped his tongue into the hollow at the base of her throat, sending goose bumps along her skin. She let out a little mew of dismay as he pulled away and he laughed under his breath.
“I believe your team is finished for today,” he said. Mina’s eyes flew open—she’d totally forgotten the movers! The exhibit! She jerked to attention and Marco soothed her with gentle hands.
“Not to worry,” he said. “It is just the elevator. Nothing more.” He bent to feather another kiss along her neck but she pulled away. Mina’s mind was racing—had anyone seen her kissing her boss? Would it get back to the museum? To Dr. Peabody? Marco shook his head as if he could read her mind. “Relax. Your reputation is safe with me.”
Mina wanted to believe him—wanted to throw herself into his arms and let him take care of everything—but she’d made that mistake before. If she was going to enter into this relationship, if you could call it that, with Marco she would do it as an equal.
Or at least as equal as she could manage.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said, hoping he recognized her sincerity. “But I am still the boss on this job and I shouldn’t have let myself get,” she paused and smiled ruefully up at him, “carried away.” A flash of heat crossed Marco’s face and she wondered if he, too, was imagining sweeping her into his arms and carrying her into his bedroom. It was a tantalizing thought, but one that had to be put on hold. For now.
Marco nodded at her and she would swear she saw pride in his gaze. It was as if he knew she could be a good manager but she was proving it, even if she was being faced with unreasonable distraction. Even more, he liked knowing he distracted her. He leaned forward, his voice smooth and seductive.
“Dinner? Later?” He asked. Mina gave it a moment’s thought and nodded. “Yes, I’d like that. Shall I meet you here?”
Marco shook his head. “No. I have a few details to attend to. I will pick you up. Eight o’clock?”
Mina appreciated that he was asking instead of ordering, and smiled. Maybe this could work after all. She gave him a brilliant smile.
“Sounds perfect.”
Chapter Five
This was never going to work. How could she ever have thought he was anything but an insufferable, arrogant bastard.
“You did what?” Three tables of heads turned on a swivel to see what the outburst was about. Mina grimaced in embarrassment, and lowered her voice to a hiss. “You arranged to have my things moved? Now?”