She was still only an arm’s length away and stood playing nervously with her hands. He had expected her to be looking away but her beautiful eyes were studying him intently. She was taking in him and the situation completely.
“We can’t do this, can we?” she asked softly. “Not with what’s going on.”
“Screw them,” he said, and he meant it. It was an instinctual reply, but his stomach began to knot when he heard the words out loud. There’s no doubt that an office relationship would bring his integrity into question, and furthermore, the integrity of the company.
“You say that, but I saw your face just now. The mess with the company isn’t going away. And you being with an employee...” She trailed off and then punctuated her sentence with a shrug. “It’s the exact opposite of what you need.”
“But it’s not what I want.” What he really wanted was to rip her clothes off and resume what he had started until she was moaning in his arms again.
“It’s not what I want either.” She bit her bottom lip and looked up at him.
He didn’t speak. Silence felt like the only appropriate reply. He turned and looked out the big office windows, wishing that he could fly free like a bird right out of them.
“So, what do we do?” she asked. “How fast do you think those lawyers can get a settlement and everything out of the papers? Maybe we can just wait until then.”
“Not soon enough.” The lawyers on both sides were getting paid by the hour, so naturally neither party was inclined to move quickly. Realistically, he knew it would be months before they finished.
Even if the lawsuits were settled tomorrow, the press wouldn’t forget it so soon. His publicist had stressed that this was going to last for at least a year. Maybe more.
Her big eyes drew her in. Desire still flickered in green depths and her lips were moist with their kiss. He couldn’t wait a year. Someone else would see how beautiful and wonderful she was and would steal her away. He couldn’t ask her to wait a year for him.
“I want to see you again,” he said and waited in anticipation for his stomach to turn, but it remained calm.
“I’d like that.” Her face loosened with the hint of a smile. “But I don’t want to jeopardize your job.”
He got a devilish smirk on his face. “We’ll just have to keep it quiet.”
“I completely understand,” she replied softly and then bit her lip. It was almost as if he felt the biting tingle more than she did. It made his pulse race. He loved when she did that. “I mean, are you sure? It’s a big risk for you. I’m not really all that special.”
God, she really is amazing, he thought. An uncontrollable smile grew on his face, and he made no effort to tame it. She was unlike any girl he could remember. Most women were far too captivated with his success, only seeking an opportunity to get into his pockets and take advantage of his wealth. But not her. She was undaunted by any sort of selfish anxiety. Her concern was for him.
“Liar,” he said. She was special. He’d known that from the moment he saw her. He could tell that he caught her by surprise, but she quickly smiled. Her face was warm and zealous again, and he was glad.
“How do you want to do this?” she asked.
He chuckled at her question. You mean like lying down? Standing up? Doggie style? Missionary? I think we should do it every way possible.
He harnessed his wandering mind. “We go slow. We start out discreet.”
“I can do discreet,” she replied. “But I’m not exactly on your schedule. It took months to arrange this meeting. Won’t it be suspicious to suddenly have me around all the time?”
He turned and picked up her proposal. “This project is a great reason to have you come see me on a regular basis. Perhaps we need to schedule some business dinners?”
“I like business dinners.”
“Good,” he said. He knew his smile matched hers. Excitement fluttered in his stomach, dancing with joy that he didn’t expect.
He reached for her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it. She was so smooth and soft. He wanted to feel more.
“I’ll have my secretary call you,” he told her, not letting go of her hand. “To set up a meeting.”
“I hope it’s soon.” Her smile filled the room with light.
“Count on it.” With one hand he pulled her closer, and with the other he held the edge of her chin as he kissed her once more, this time appreciating the delicacy of her lips over her hand.
Slowly and regretfully he let her go as the intercom began to buzz again.
With their faces still only inches away and her eyes still closed she licked her lips. The motion was intoxicating, instantly driving him insane with memories of what that mouth could do.