The Missing Heir(37)

                “It’s not complicated.”

                “It’s Zachary. It’s business. It’s you, and it’s me.” Even as he spoke the words, he asked himself what on earth he thought he was doing. He needed to leave this alone, not ramp it up.

                “There is no you and me.” But her expression instantly shifted, telling him otherwise. Her lips parted, her blue-eyed gaze going bedroom soft.

                Cole glanced at the open door, debating pushing it closed and pulling her into his arms again. But that would be a stupid move. The receptionist, Sandra, would certainly report the closed door to Roth. It would complicate things even further for Amber.

                But she was so enchanting, and his memory of kissing her was so incredibly strong, he couldn’t stop himself. He reached past her and gave the door a shove. Her eyes went wide as it clicked shut.

                Without giving her a chance to protest, Cole pulled her into his arms, bringing his thirsty lips down to hers and kissing her soundly. She gasped, but she didn’t pull away. After a moment, her lips softened. She kissed him back, and her arms wound around his neck.

                He pressed their bodies close together, feeling the sweet heat of her thighs and the softness of her breasts. He teased her lips with his tongue, and she responded, parrying with him, a small moan burbling in the back of her throat.

                His hand went to her cheek, cradling the soft skin, holding her in place while he plundered her mouth. He forgot where they were, forgot everything except the sweet taste and scent of Amber. His other hand moved to her waist, sliding beneath her linen blazer, along her silk blouse, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric.

                Suddenly, she pushed back. “We can’t.”

                Cole sucked in a breath. Of course they couldn’t. What was he thinking? They were in her place of business.

                “I’m sorry,” he said.

                But she shook her head. “My fault, too.” Then she glanced at her watch. “I have to go. There’s a board meeting.” She stopped talking. Inhaled a deliberate breath and took a step back. “That was foolish. I don’t know what got into me.”

                “Amber—”

                “Goodbye, Cole.” She moved for the door.

                “Can I call you later?”

                “No.” She shook her head and pulled open the door.

                From behind her desk, Sandra’s sharp gaze went to Amber, then to Cole. He tried to look casual, innocent, as if nothing more than a brief conversation had taken place between them.

                But it was hard to put his finger on the exact expression and posture that would convey those things. So he simply left the room, bid a brief goodbye to Sandra and took the elevator back to the lobby.

                * * *

                Smoothing back her hair and mentally pulling herself together, Amber reached for the door handle to Coast Eagle’s main boardroom.

                She couldn’t believe she’d kissed Cole again. She couldn’t believe she’d done it in the office. And she sure couldn’t believe she’d enjoyed it.

                She tugged open the door.

                “There you are,” said Max, rising from his seat at the head of the long boardroom table.