Trapped by Love(9)

"You love me so much you didn’t stake your claim?" Lori asked in confusion.

"That’s right," he answered. "I knew you wouldn’t be engaged to him unless you really loved him." His eyes seemed to blaze with the intensity of his feelings. "And as much as I want to be with you, I want more for you to be happy."

"You’d have given me up?" she asked.

"I told myself I could, but I don’t think I believed it." He moved her off his lap to the floor beside him and drew her to his side. "I’ve been planning the most important sales campaign of my career. Haven’t you noticed how often we’ve been working late?"

She snuggled against him and answered, "Of course, I’ve noticed. I notice every minute I’m with you. But we’ve been working on the Lawton contract."

"That was a convenient excuse. If it hadn’t been the Lawton contract, I’d have found some other reason to spend time with you." His smile warmed her heart. "I’ve been practicing my ’smooth talking.’ How am I doing?"

"You’re doing wonderful. But I don’t want you to be a smooth talker. I just want you to mean what you’re saying." She took a deep breath before she continued. "Maybe you’re just reacting to the situation of being locked up together in this tiny elevator. You told me one of the reasons you wanted me to be your secretary was that I’d keep my mind on business."

Derek framed her face with his hands. "I expected you to tell me you were already engaged. I hoped you’d tell me you’d just ended a relationship and weren’t ready for another one. That would have given me hope that I could win you over."

Lori shook her head. "I can’t believe it. You won me over a long time ago. But no one would have guessed you wanted to."

"Oh, people could guess, all right, but they didn’t have to. Ask Personnel. Ask my boss. Ask any man who’s flirted with you at the office."

"What do any of them have to do with us?"

"I’ve reminded every Romeo who’s tried to get your attention of the company sexual harassment policy. Then I went to Personnel and to my boss three months ago to be sure it wouldn’t be a violation of the policy for me to date you and eventually marry you."

Lori’s eyes widened and her mouth opened into a surprised O. "What did they say?"

"They said there was no problem as long as we were both interested in a relationship." He looked deeply into her eyes and into her soul. "Do you want a relationship with me, Lori?"

"What kind of a relationship are you talking about?"

"The only kind that matters. I want to marry you and show you how much I love you for the rest of our lives."

Lori snuggled against him and wrapped her arms around his chest. "Then, Mr. Anderson, we want the same thing. My dream is to be Mrs. Derek Anderson."

He lifted her onto his outstretched legs again and soon she was lost in his kisses. Neither felt it when the elevator jerked into motion and slowly lowered to the first floor. They drew apart only when they heard laughter and loud voices. They hadn’t even realized the elevator had stopped and the door had opened.

Two men stood in front of them, one in the uniform of a security company and the other in the uniform of the elevator company.

"Well, I guess you’re safe from a lawsuit," the security guard said to the other man. "Doesn’t look to me like these folks went through any trauma."

Derek flashed a smile that warmed Lori from head to toe. He held her close by his side. "Getting trapped in that elevator was the best thing that ever happened to us. Thanks. Now we’re trapped by love, and I can’t think of anything better. We’ll invite you to the wedding, which will be . . . " He turned to Lori. "Please say soon, darling. I’ve waited too long already."

"Soon. Very soon." Then she was in his arms again. Those lips she’d dreamed about so often were touching hers, and she was lost in the sensations of love.