But her imminent departure wasn’t the reason she’d given Sakis a glimpse into her past.
It was because she’d desperately wanted him to see her—not the ruthlessly efficient personal assistant but her, Brianna Moneypenny, the person who’d started life as Anna Simpson, daughter of a crackhead, and then had taken her grandmother’s maiden name and forged a new identity for herself.
She’d bared herself to Sakis, and now she felt more vulnerable than ever.
His stance on betrayal remained rigid. If he ever found out about her past, he would never forgive her for bringing her soiled reputation to his company.
‘I can hear you thinking,’ he said, his voice a husky muffle against her neck.
‘I’ve just had sex with you on your desk. That merits a little bit of thinking time, don’t you think?’
‘Perhaps. But, since it’s going to be a familiar feature in our relationship, I suggest you get used to it.’
He heard her sudden intake of breath. Rearing up, he rested on his elbows and speared her with a probing look. One she couldn’t meet for long before she settled her gaze on the pulse beating in his neck. ‘The word “relationship” frightens you?’
She willed her pulse to slow, forcing the hope that had no business fluttering in her chest to die a swift death. There could be no future between them. None.
‘Not the word, no, but I think this is going a little too...fast. We only started sleeping together last night.’
‘After eighteen months of holding back. I think asking for restraint right now is asking for the impossible. I’ll need several weeks at least to take the edge off.’
She looked into intense green eyes. ‘You warned me at my interview, conducted across this very desk, not to even dream of getting involved with you.’
He had the grace to look shamefaced, but even that look held a lethal charm that doomed her. ‘It was so soon after Giselle; I was still angry. Everyone I’d interviewed reminded me of her. You were the first one who didn’t. When I found myself getting attracted to you, I fought it with everything I had because I didn’t want that nasty business repeating itself.’
Unable to resist, she slid her fingers through his thick hair. ‘She really did a number on you, didn’t she?’
His smile was wry. ‘I’m not beyond admitting I was blinded to her true nature until it was much too late.’
‘Wow, I’m not sure whether to be pleased or disappointed that you’re fallible.’
He straightened and picked her up from his desk as if she weighed nothing. ‘I never claimed to be perfect, except when it comes to winning rowing championships. Then I’m unequalled,’ he boasted as he started to stride across the office.
‘Modesty is such a rare and beautiful thing, Sakis.’
His deep, unfettered laugh made her heart swell with pleasure. ‘Yes, so is the ability to state things as they are.’
‘No one will accuse you of being a wallflower. Wait, where are you taking me?’
‘Upstairs, to get you therapeutically wet and soapy in my shower.’
‘I think you’re taking this therapy thing a bit far. Sakis, put me down. Our clothes!’ She wriggled until he let her slide down his body to stand upright.