“You don’t know what I want,” he said through gritted teeth, his scowl as black as night.
“I do know, you sadist. You want to make me suffer-” Serena gasped as Roman got up and in two strides was right in front of her, his large frame towering over her. “What-”
“This is what I want. I’ve wanted it ever since I laid eyes on you.” His arm snaked round her waist and he pulled her body into his, so close that she could feel the powerful muscles of his suit-clad legs and the hard ripples of his chest through the cotton of his shirt. His other hand cupped her head as he pulled her even closer, bringing her face up to his, forcing her to stand on tiptoe.
She put her hands up, clinging to his broad shoulders for balance, and he pressed firm lips to her gasping ones, taking full control, kissing her until she melted in his embrace. As his tongue explored her she responded willingly, eagerly, wanting this too, more than anything in the world. Had he known she wanted his kiss from the very first day they met? Had he seen the desire in her eyes? She would not ponder any of that. For the moment she would wipe everything from her mind and revel in his kiss.
Too soon he lifted his head, withdrawing his lips from hers, leaving her panting. Slowly, he withdrew his arm and set her back on her feet.
Still feeling like she was floating on air Serena opened her eyes and peered up into Roman’s face. What she saw there made her step back in dismay. The scowl on his face was even darker than before. Was he totally unmoved by the kiss?
Roman gripped her upper arms and set her away from him. “I suggest you leave my office now,” he said, his voice a harsh growl, “or else I won’t be responsible for my actions.” Then, with a look of disgust he released her arms and turned back towards his desk.
Serena did not wait to see what he would do next. Smarting from the blow of his rejection she turned and marched to the door. When she went through it she pulled it shut none too gently. She was fuming. She was mortified. She was…she didn’t know what she was. She’d never been so humiliated in her life. So she disgusted him, did she? And yet he refused to release her from her bondage? Well, she would just see about that.
******
Roman dropped into his chair and let his breath out in a whoosh. He shook his head, hardly believing what had just happened. What the hell had he done? Serena Van Buren was an employee, for Christ’s sake. On the job for all of two days. The daughter of his associate, a girl entrusted to his care. And what did he do? He’d done a damned good job of playing the pervert, taking advantage of the girl right there in the middle of his office. Jesus, what was he thinking? He was so disgusted with himself he could not sit still. He got up and began to pace the room.
What had he gotten himself into, offering to mentor and train Serena Van Buren for six months? He could not even keep his hands off her. Damn! He was in big trouble.
CHAPTER SIX
It was almost a week since the incident in Roman’s office and Serena was finally getting over the shock of his kiss. Thank goodness he’d left for California the next day so she hadn’t had to face him again. After the incident she’d felt ashamed and somewhat bewildered. The man had practically thrown her out of his office. She couldn’t understand his reaction after what she thought had been a passionate, earth-shaking kiss. She’d spent days reliving every moment of that kiss and each time her heart would thump and her breath would catch in her throat. It had been absolutely magical.
Today, though, she would have to get her emotions under control. Roman was scheduled to be back in office this morning and, as much as she thought she was not ready to see him again, she knew the meeting was inevitable. How would she handle their first encounter after that kiss? Maybe for him the whole thing meant nothing but it had practically devastated her defenses. This was the first man she’d ever met who’d knocked her barriers down with just one blow.
The clock on her desk said nine thirty when there was a knock on her door and Theresa entered the room. “Mr. Steele needs you in his office. Make sure you take your notepad with you.” She was formal, as usual, but this time there was more of an edge to the woman’s voice.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing. Just get down to Mr. Steele’s office right away.” Without another word she turned and left the room.
Serena lifted her eyebrows, surprised at Theresa’s terseness, then she sank back into her chair. Her heartbeat had accelerated at the announcement and she took a couple of deep breaths to calm her nerves. “Well, here goes,” she murmured and grabbed her pen and pad.