One Chance(2)

At first, I didn’t think it had worked. He kept his head down for a long time. But then he very slowly set his pen on the desk and lifted his eyes. His beautiful, blue eyes looked so tired and sad.

“Why didn’t you tell me, William?” I ached to hold him, or even just to touch him.

“I was trying to protect you.” He let out a breath. “I wanted to keep you out of this mess.”

“That’s why you ended things.” I remembered standing in that very office when William said it was over.

William got up and walked over to the window. His office had an amazing view of the city and Lake Michigan. It was the tallest building around so the view was unobstructed. “I tried. I sent you away, thinking that would be the end of it. But I couldn’t stand the idea that I had hurt you. And I couldn’t even begin to imagine my life without you in it.”

“That’s why you came to my place that night.” My voice sounded very small. After William had broken up with me, I had turned to an old friend for comfort and eventually more. Though we had stopped just shy of crossing the line, William had shown up at exactly the wrong time.

“I wanted you back. I had only just sent you away, but I already wanted you back.” William leaned his head against the clear glass. “I needed you to be mine again, Livy.”

“You never lost me. I was always yours.” I was still his. “What you saw that night, it wasn’t what it looked like. I didn’t sleep with Thomas.”

“You don’t have to explain it. I had ended it. You had every right to move on.” William straightened when he sensed me moving closer to him.

“But I didn’t move on, William. I still haven’t moved on.” I was close enough that I could touch him, but I refrained. “You’re all I think about. Every day, all day.”

William turned around, looking tortured and irresistible at the same time. “She’s naming you in the lawsuit, Livy. Everyone is going to find out about us.”

“I don’t care.” The words surprised me as much as William. My biggest fear since getting involved with William was that our relationship would become public. I was afraid of the judgment and the gossiping. Women who slept with their bosses tended to have very short careers. But given a choice between being with William and having a successful career, I would pick William every time. “Let them talk.”

“Olivia.” William was trying not to look hopeful. I had said the exact thing he was dying to hear but was unwilling to allow himself to want me to say. “It could get ugly. I don’t want your entire career ruined over this.”

“If that happens, I’ll just find another career.” I smiled at him. “I’m a woman with many skills, remember?”

William allowed himself a small smile. “I remember. I remember everything, Livy.”

“It doesn’t have to be just a memory,” I said. I moved my hand very slowly so that William would have time to stop me if he really wanted to. When I rested it lightly on his chest, he sighed.

“You aren’t playing fair,” he said, inching forward. I felt his hand on my hip as his head lowered toward mine.

“I’m not playing at all.” I could feel William’s heart beat faster against my hand. As he pressed his forehead against mine and I stared into his eyes, my pulse picked up as well. I was certain he wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer. But then he pushed me away and marched back to his desk. He slammed his hands down and leaned forward, his body heaving as he took several deep breaths.

“We can’t.” His voice cracked. “We shouldn’t.”

I couldn’t bring myself to look at him so I moved closer to the window, placing my hand on the cool glass. It was a surprisingly sunny day considering how cold it was outside. A flash of movement on the glass pulled me back inside the room. William was behind me now.

“Why is it so hard to stay away from you?” he muttered. I found his reflection and our eyes locked.

His hand settled at my side, a soft caress. I didn’t dare move. He found the hem of my shirt and slipped his hand inside. His skin was smooth as it passed across my stomach. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck.

I sucked in a breath as his hand moved beneath the waistband of my skirt and underwear. He headed south quickly, twirling his fingers in my hair before moving on. My body was already beginning to pulse with anticipation. My breath hitched as his finger slipped between my lips. He waited for me to relax into his hand before he pushed himself inside. I bit hard on my lip to keep from moaning.

“William.” His thumb circled over my clitoris and this time I couldn’t keep back the moan of pleasure. I tried again. “William, you said we shouldn’t do this.”