She nods and meets the older man’s penetrating glare. My heart races while I watch Oliver and the other men file out. My team leaves after them but I stay seated, Marcus raising his eyebrows at me on his way. Heather remains, her eyes snapping fire.
“I’ll meet you later,” I say to Marcus. My raging erection pulses inside my pants, imploring me to get out of my chair and approach the woman of my desires—despite the inappropriate timing.
I wait for the door to whoosh shut before rising from my seat. “Heath—”
“How dare you!” Her body vibrates with indignation and she’s as angry as an enraged bear protecting her young. “Were you with me just to learn about Parkerson? All the time angling us for a lucrative buyout?”
Shock courses through me, but does little to dampen my arousal. “How could you think such a thing?” I approach her with a hand extended, eager to touch and reassure her that her fears are not the case. “When did I ever ask about your company? Did I pump you for secrets?”
Some of the anger within her dissipates, but not by much. “No, I guess not.” She jerks away from my touch and stalks to the door.
Panic grips me at the thought of her leaving still angry with me. I rush to the door to cut off her retreat. “Oh no, you’re not walking out on me again.”
Surprise fills her face. “Is that what you think I’ll do? Walk out on you?”
I hadn’t realized it, but in the back of my mind, it must have been hanging there. “Well, you did the night we met, again in the stairwell, and then in the shoe store. Seems like a bad habit you have when things get hot.”
I’ve taken her off guard enough that she remains still. I grab her shoulders and pull her to me in a kiss. Our lips touch and the world fades away. All I want is this woman. Nothing else matters. She breaks the connection and pulls out of my hold. “Sweet kisses won’t help. I’m majorly pissed at you.”
My gaze travels lower, to her black blouse, where the tiny peaks of her hardened nipples strain against the material.
“Really?” I ask, stepping toward her. “Your body says otherwise.” I run a thumb over one stiff nubbin of flesh. “Your body wants more of me.”
I lean in and kiss her again, this time with more tenderness. Our tongues taste and tease, inciting more heat with each breath.
“Damn you! I will not be played like this!” She flounces a few feet away, giving me a chance to check out all of her. She’s beautiful in her rage. Her hips sway beneath the flower skirt and her calves are encased in the black leather of the boots I bought. The silver zipper catches the light and glints at me, drawing my eyes up its length, beneath her skirt, to guess where the boots end.
“Come with me to my office,” I say, desire roughening my voice.
“Why?” she demands.
“So we can talk privately. It might be after hours, but this conference room is centrally located in the office.”
“You sure you’re not just walking me to your office for everyone to think we’re in cahoots? God, what must Mr. Sayers think?”
“Shh…” I run a hand down her arm and grasp her fingers lightly. “It’s after six. Most people have headed out for the day.”
She nods, removing her hand from mine, reluctance and annoyance still spilling off her in waves. She stalks to her purse and files, grabbing them and marching around the table. “I’m so freakin’ ang—”
“I know,” I say, cutting her off. I reach for the small of her back and plant my hand in the dip of her spine, guiding her out the door and down the hall toward my corner office. “And you have every right to be. Let’s talk this out.”
“Hmmph.” We cross the threshold into my private sanctum and I shut the door, quietly locking it. “How many guys ever want to talk?” she rants, pacing the width of my large office. “That’s a load of shit, if I ever heard it.”
“I like the boots.” My erection swells to greater thickness behind my fly, belying my words. I don’t simply like those boots on her. I love them. I want nothing more than to see both of her toned legs wrapped around my waist, encased in those boots.
She whirls around and points an accusatory finger my way. “Don’t try and distract me, Tony!”
I hold up my hands in surrender as I ease closer to her. “Meant no harm. Just stating the simple facts.”
She ignores me and waves her arms around. “So, is this what you do? You crush smaller companies and swallow them into the Apollo Enterprise fold?” I wince and she continues. “I’ve heard about you for years! You’re the playboy executive Anthony Carmine who jet sets around the world, increasing Nikko Apostolopolous’s power, while wining and dining every single woman in Manhattan!”