‘Sorry, I was in the shower.’
His agitated pacing brought him closer. He stopped a couple of feet from her. But the distance meant nothing because she could feel the heat of his body reaching out, caressing her, claiming her. Tendrils of damp hair that had escaped the knot clung to her nape, sending tiny rivulets of water down her back. Supremely conscious that she was naked beneath her gown, she tried to take a step back but her feet were frozen on the carpet.
His gaze traced over her and stopped at the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She watched his fists clench and release as stark hunger transformed his face into a mesmerising mask.
‘I’m sorry to have disturbed you,’ he rasped, but nothing in his tone or his face showed contrition. Instead, his stare intensified, whipping the air around her until a helpless moan escaped her lips.
Abandoning reason, Brianna stepped closer, bringing her body flush against his. Knowing she risked betraying her very soul, but unable to stop herself, she cupped his jaw. ‘You ordered me to stop working. I didn’t think you’d need me tonight.’
Her breath caught as his gaze moved hungrily over her lips.
‘No, Brianna. Far from it. I need you. More now than I’ve ever needed you before. You’re the only one who makes the world make sense to me.’
‘I...I am?’
‘Ne. I didn’t like it when I couldn’t reach you.’ His head dropped a fraction until his forehead touched hers. ‘I can’t function without you by my side.’
‘I’m here now,’ she whispered, her throat clogged with emotions she couldn’t give name to. No, scratch that: it was desire, passion and compassion all rolled into one needful and relentless ache. That visceral need to connect with Sakis that she’d never felt with anyone else, not even her own mother. ‘Whatever you need, I’m here.’
One hand fisted her damp, precariously knotted hair, pulling it back almost roughly so her face was tilted up and exposed to his. ‘Are you?’ he enquired roughly.
She gave a shaky nod. ‘Yes.’
‘Be very sure, glikia mou. Because this time I won’t be able to stop. If you don’t want me to go any further, tell me now.’ His eyes searched her urgently, his need clearly displayed in the harsh whistle of breath that escaped his parted lips.
The hard body plastered to hers made thinking near impossible but Brianna knew one thing—this could be her one chance to be with Sakis. After Friday, she’d be out of a job—one she would be sacked from or have to resign from.
From a purely selfish point of view, this could be her last chance to experience the fervid promise of bliss she’d felt in the gym last night—to be bold enough to reach for something she’d once dared to crave.
‘Brianna?’ His fierce tone held a hint of vulnerability that struck deep.
Sakis needed her. And she...she needed to blank out the heartache the future held.
‘Yes, I want you...’
He swallowed the words with the savage demand of his kiss. The hand at her waist lowered to grasp her bottom and he pulled her into stinging contact with his groin, giving a low groan as the force of his erection probed her belly.
For an endless age, he devoured her mouth with a hunger born of desperation. Brianna gave as much as she got, her hunger just as maddeningly urgent. When his tongue curled around hers, she opened her mouth wider to feel even more of it.