Despair spiraled through her as his mouth remained unmoving under hers. She’d miscalculated. Badly.
Pulling back, she stared up at him in what must have been a mix of horror and embarrassment. The cozy camaraderie they’d built up, the laughter and the wine, had all caused her to make an epic mistake.
She tried to find the words to apologize when a slow smile spread across his face.
Before she could voice a word his mouth was back on hers.
…
The perfect Allison Reed had kissed him.
He should have pulled away. Or hell, pushed her away. But what did he do instead?
He kissed her back
This time he was no idle participant. Darian took charge of this kiss, dragging her out of her chair and onto his lap. One hand captured a thigh while the other slid up her back in a sure touch. She felt so damn good. All soft curves and willing moans.
Her fingers delved into his hair, using the dark locks to pull him closer. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted someone with the desperate need that now shook his body.
His tongue traced her lips, demanding entrance. She tasted of chocolate as he claimed her mouth in a masterful touch.
What are you doing? his brain demanded. This was Ali. Plain, dependable assistant extraordinaire.
But right now he couldn’t imagine how he’d ever thought she was plain. No, the woman in his arms was passionate and sexy. Completely irresistible. And by some twist of fate, she seemed to be as hot for him as he was for her.
With a last brush of his lips over hers, he drew back.
“This is a bad idea,” he said.
“Terrible,” she agreed.
“It could ruin everything.”
She nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve no use for a man following me around like a lovesick puppy.”
His laugh was soft. “Not exactly the outcome I envisioned.”
“Oh?” She arched a brow. “And what do you think will happen here, Darian? Sex with you will be so amazing it’ll ruin me for any other man?”
“Way to make me sound conceited.”
She nuzzled against his throat. “Let me make one thing clear,” she said. “I’m fully capable of having Olympic-level sex tonight without losing my heart.”
He definitely liked the sound of that. “This is only one night. Come Monday everything will be back to normal.”
“Exactly. You’ll be back to your modelesque blondes and I’ll go back to the men in my life.”
The thought sent a growl rumbling through his throat. He couldn’t even picture another woman, and she was eager to get back to her other men?
Challenge accepted. He’d make her forget all their names.
He cupped her face, guiding her back until he could look in her eyes. “I don’t want anything to jeopardize what we have, Allison.” Incredible sex was one thing. But he’d rather stop right now than lose his perfect assistant.
“You never call me that,” she murmured.
No, he didn’t. Right now, though, they needed things to be very clear. “We can stop now, no harm no foul.”
“Is that what you want?”
His cock twitched in protest. “No.”
With a smile, she leaned closer and brushed her lips over his. “Stop trying to talk me out of taking my clothes off.”
His breath left him in a hiss. “Was that what I was doing?” he asked. “My abject apologies.”
“I know how you can make it up to me.”
Oh, he had enough ideas all on his own, so long as they were on the same page. “This changes nothing,” he told her, cupping her face.
“I won’t even grace it with a note in my diary,” she agreed. “Mutual lust. Nothing more.”
“I’m not a relationship kind of man.” He couldn’t be the boyfriend she probably wished for. It wasn’t in him to appreciate commitment.
Her nails raked his scalp. “I’m not interested in forever.”
“So long as we’re clear.”
“Crystal. One night is all you get.”
He grabbed her thighs and stood, taking her with him. Allison eagerly wrapped her legs around his hips, pressing her mouth against his once more as he walked her across the kitchen.
“If you’re sure, Ali, then we’d better make tonight count.”
…
She wrapped her arms around him as he carried her.
Under normal circumstances she’d complain that she was too heavy for such behavior, but Darian had stripped away those inner criticisms. If he didn’t object, who was she to ruin the moment?
Instead, she reveled in the feeling of leaving everything in his hands. Of letting him lead the way. He’d been clear about what he desires, and now it was her turn. If one night was all she’d ever have of him, she needed to make every moment count. There was no room for inhibitions here. For just one night, she could leave the perfect assistant behind and simply give in to her lusts, just as Gillian had been urging her to. She wasn’t going to let any hesitations or insecurities ruin a night she’d be remembering for the rest of her life.