More Than Perfect(18)

 When she was his in the most basic, primal way possible.

 She stood before him, a pale blue triangular scrap of silk shyly preserving the final bastion of her modesty, while three-inch heels coyly taunted him. He wanted her. Wanted her more desperately than he’d wanted any other woman—even Lisa.

 He hooked his fingers in the elastic at her hips, but before he could strip it away, she took a stumbling step backward, staring at him in open dismay. “Damn it, damn it, damn it.” She snatched her dress from the floor and clutched it to her breasts. “You’re my boss. We’ve had too much to drink. And taking this any further is a huge mistake.”

 He couldn’t deny anything she said. It also didn’t change how he felt…or what he wanted. “It would be one of the most enjoyable mistakes we’ve ever made.”

 “It would change everything and I—” Her voice broke ever so slightly, a poignant, telling little break. “I don’t want our relationship to change. I think you should leave and we should forget this ever happened.”

 He couldn’t help but laugh, though the sound contained little humor. “I think it’s a little late for that.” His gaze wandered over her. “I’m afraid there isn’t any way I can forget what you’ve been hiding under those atrocious suits.”

 “Try,” she snapped. She edged away from him, deeper into the living room. “I’d appreciate it if you’d see yourself out.”

 He took a step in her direction. Then another. She held her ground for a brief instant, her chin raised to a combative angle. He could see the desire in her eyes and knew she wanted him every bit as badly as he wanted her. Then he saw the heartbreak and the pride, saw the hint of fear and desperation. Oh, not of him. And not of what he might do to her. No, he could guess what caused those particular emotions. He sensed her desperation to fight the sexual urge burning through her and her fear that she’d lose her job if she didn’t. Or maybe she’d feel obligated to quit, something he didn’t dare risk.

 All he knew for certain was it would cost her, seriously cost her, if he took this any further. To his utter shock, a protective urge swept through him, demanding he do whatever it took to shield her from hurt—even if he were the one doing the hurting. Especially if he were doing the hurting. And somehow he knew with a bone-deep certainty it would hurt her if he took this any further. Hell, he should be grateful that one of them had retained an ounce of common sense. For some reason, he didn’t feel the least grateful.

 “Good night, Angie. Thank you for having dinner with me.”

 “With you and Gabe Moretti.”

 That stopped him cold. “You throw gasoline on a smoldering fire, you’re asking for it to burst into flames,” he warned softly. “Is that what you want?”

 She didn’t answer. Smart woman. Instead, she turned her back on him and disappeared in the direction of one of the bedrooms. It was a more effective response than anything she could have said. Watching that glorious, nearly naked bottom twitch its way across the room on three-inch heels was a punishment worthy of the devil, himself. Lucius managed a grim smile.

 And considering most people considered him Lucifer’s kin, he should know.





How could she be so stupid?

 Angie huddled within the comforting folds of her voluminous cotton robe and stared unblinkingly at the digital clock while it slowly ticked toward 3:00 a.m. What had she been thinking? Oh, now there was an easy question to answer. She hadn’t been thinking. She’d been so caught up in her hormonal response to sexy as sin Lucius Devlin, to knowing in her heart of hearts that loving him was utterly hopeless, it eclipsed everything but that single, driving imperative. To have him in her bed and finally know his possession. The temptation of having just a single night with him had proved so overwhelming that she hadn’t given a single thought to her precious career—the one thing in her life she valued above all else. Hadn’t her mother always warned her to put her career first, that men couldn’t be trusted to stick? No doubt the fact that her father had walked out on them when Angie had been a baby was responsible for that particular philosophy. But then hadn’t Ryan proved her mother correct?

 What would have happened with Lucius if she hadn’t stepped back? If she’d allowed him to sweep her along on that mind-blowing tide of lust? He’d have discovered the truth about her, that’s what. He’d have discovered she was hopeless in bed. Awkward. Self-conscious. Unable to satisfy a man.