"I'm not playing, Joseph. I don't want you," she replied, her breathless voice betraying her words.
He smirked knowingly as he took a step toward her. She pressed her back as far against the wall as humanly possible. If he touched her, it was all over. She knew she was on the edge of the cliff, and just the slightest whisper of wind would push her over.
"Do you truly believe that, my Katherine? Are you lying to me, or to yourself? This has been inevitable – it has been from the first moment I spotted you at the dance. We haven't finished our song yet."
His words were pure seduction, melting her. Her legs shook, and her lips parted as air rushed in and out of her lungs. She tried telling herself it was only a game to him, that he'd grow bored as soon as he caught her, but her brain function was short-circuiting. She couldn't bring herself to deny him.
With a last ditch effort at survival, she set her shoulders and tried her hardest.
"You don't always win, Joseph. You don't always get what you want. I don't want you," she snapped, though, the breathless quality of her voice betrayed the tone she'd been going for.
"You are correct, Katherine. I don't always get what I want. But you're also wrong. You do want me. Need is burning in your eyes, desire for me."
He hit the emergency stop button, bringing them to a halt. Then he stepped up close, his body only an inch from touching her. She refused to look him in the face, and in turn chose to pour all concentration on the emerald green of his tie, such a pretty color …
She tried distracting herself, anything to keep from reaching out and running her hands along the thick muscles of his biceps. She had to fight her mind not to think of him lying next to her, his chest bare for her to explore.
His hand reached up and cupped her chin, forcing her head to lift. She wanted to be stubborn, to try and fight the movement, but she was no match for him, and they both knew it. Her head tilted and her eyes met his, intense desire burning hot, leaving her breathless.
The look of power, confidence, and desire was her undoing. She knew the kiss was coming. She also knew she was powerless to stop it. She only had so much willpower – and she'd reached her limit for the day.
It had always been him and always would be and he was destroying the carefully guarded fortress she'd dedicated to building around her heart. When she had a moment to think, she'd fall apart. She just hoped she was alone when it happened, then he wouldn't get to glory in his true victory.
"I'm going to kiss you now, Katherine. I'm only warning you because I'm close to losing my sanity at the moment. You may not have figured it out, yet, but I'm powerless with you. You control this. You have the power. One touch from you has my body in flames. One sigh from your lips and my heart quickens. I need you like I've never needed anyone. It's almost a violent compulsion. I feel I can't survive if I don't take you with me to the ends of the world and back," Joseph said, his voice deep, dark, and utterly devastating.
Suddenly she found herself pressed between his solid frame and the back of the elevator. He was crushing her in the best possible way. Before she had time to think, his head leaned down for his mouth to claim her.
He was done talking, he was done seducing. He was claiming her in the oldest way known to man.
She couldn't fight him anymore. She gave up trying, and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him have her, relinquishing all she had, his mission now accomplished.
Katherine didn't know how much time passed, she didn't care. She didn't even know where she was anymore.
"This is Anderson Security. Is there a problem with the elevator?"
Katherine jumped as Joseph lifted his head, his eyes glazed.
"Hello, please pick up the phone to the left of the door. Do we need to call the fire marshal?" a voice spoke over the intercom.
Joseph swore as he took a step back. Katherine looked around, praying there wasn't a camera witnessing their behavior. She knew the staff and would be utterly mortified to come back into work knowing they'd seen her acting so wantonly.
With an angry growl, Joseph released the stop button, ignoring the phone. The elevator started its downward motion again. Only a few floors to go.
"Come home with me, Katherine," he commanded as he turned back to her, the fire having dimmed, but still shining in his eyes.
"Joseph … " she said. She'd come out of her fog.
Intensity was pouring off of him, urging her to continue.
"You want me, Katherine. Quit fighting yourself," he demanded as he stepped toward her again.
The elevator doors opened, surprising him long enough for her to skirt around him. Katherine rushed past him and didn't hesitate for even a fraction of a second. She knew she'd have to build much stronger walls to keep him out the next time they met …