"Fine. Have it your way, Mr.
Rawlings."
If only he could. They
walked silently. He turned, leading her down another hallway, past his
assistant, enjoying Jenna's slight gasp. “Hold all my calls. I don’t want to be
disturbed.”
Outside his office, he released his hold on
Jenna, impatiently waiting for her to enter first. He followed, shutting and
locking the door. He’d never brought a woman into his office and bolted them
inside. God, he envisioned her mouth doing all sorts of things since the night they'd first met.
And now, she was here in front of him. “Imagine
what would have happened if we’d had that drink? I’ve thought about it.” Ruminated was more like. Obsessed even better.
Jenna swung around. “Now, I’m part of your
company. I don’t think us pushing boundaries is prudent. Do you?”
He shook his head, slowly. "I disagree with
your premise."
"Why are you doing this?" She backed
away a step, perhaps she'd realized that was not the best idea for she abruptly
stopped.
Hell, he could have told her in business she
should always stand her ground, letting him know there was no negotiation. Or
was there?
“You see,” he began as he unbuttoned his jacket.
He paused, removing it, thinking of what he could say to get her to understand
her job was not in jeopardy. Jesus, he wanted her to take down that hairdo. He
tossed his jacket over the arm of chair. He came toward her. “This isn’t about
your work. Or mine. Nothing to do with Trident. As a matter of fact, I think
you're ignoring what your body is saying. Isn't that true?”
“For God sakes, how inflated is your ego? You’re
only interested because I’m not situated at your feet. Am I really the first
woman who didn’t fall over when you charmed her? Why can’t you understand, I’m
not interested because you aren’t my type.” Her chest rose and fell captivating
his attention. She must have noticed him staring and covered her breasts with
her arms. "Your ego is whispering to you. Not my body, Mr. Rawlings. You’d
better start listening or I might accuse you of being delusional.”
Jesus, she was a fireball. He’d not considered
her involvement in his company a stumbling block. All he could envision was the
way she'd been semi-clothed on Friday. Decked out in a dress with a slit way up her
thigh. That mockery of a gown had revealed more tempting flesh than it covered.
“Oh, really. And just what is your type? Are you
married?” His glance shifted to the fingers on her left hand. “Or perhaps a
boyfriend? Or do you date so extensively you have categories for men?”
Her brows drew together, a telling sign he was
headed in the wrong direction. “You have no right to question my personal life.
None at all. What would happen if I started to question your personal life? You
might not have one female employee in the whole Trident empire. I've seen you splashed across many a page in your latest conquest. Remember we live in a digital age. Click and publish goes a long, long way.”
Damn her arched brow lit a fire in him. He itched to take hold of her, bending her to his will. To bring her to release, screaming his name, and then have her do things that brought them both pleasure in the end. What he'd give to have her splayed across his desk instead of mouthing off. Hell, he'd gotten himself into this corner. Under her perusal, he tunneled his fingers through his hair, contemplating his next move.
"Ask me anything. Do you actually believe the rumor mills that spin around this city? Just because somebody's got a cell phone doesn't mean the whole truth is captured. You might do well to think on that Ms. Smarty Pants. You work for me going forward as you've so capitally reminded us both. So please enlighten me as to your status."
He crossed the space unwilling to stop. Overpowering was his want of her. To feel her body against
him. He'd take over, owning that mouth of hers that capably returned barb for barb. He
was so close to her, he could make out the tiny silvery flecks in her
mercurial eyes. Light enchanting his very essence in the glittering green she flashed
dangerously at him. Standing next to panels of glass walls, the sun entered into his
office, and he half expected to see chips of ice sheer from her countenance.
But was that really what she was feeling? Only one way to find out.
“That’s none of your business,” she was saying.
He reached out taking hold of her wrist. “I want
to make it my business. Jenna, why are you here and dressed like this? Is this
some sort of masquerade? Did you honestly think I’d not recognize you?”
“I’m nothing to you. And now you’re being a
jackass, Mr. Rawlings.”
“Do you know I’ve wondered about how your lips
would feel and taste? Your whole body has captivated my thoughts.” He pulled her closer to him. “To kiss you. And then we’d
know.”
He’d made the decision, there was no
turning back. Either she’d be willing or she'd make her opposition known soon enough. The outcome was
worth finding out the texture of her lips. The distance between them
evaporated, not giving her an opportunity to think.
His arm pressed around her tiny waist, bringing
her up against him. He repeated, “One kiss and then we’d know if this is a wish gone awry.”
This time she softly moaned. Her eyes widened,
unblinking. He could feel her stiffen, but there was no pushing back. They
stood, hip-to-hip, her breasts crushed against his chest, her bottom under his
fingertips. The hunger for her lips blinded him to anything else.
He moved his other hand, cradling the curve of
her head. Ever so slightly, he pushed against her until she leaned into his
hand.
“Please.” She inhaled, spreading her fingers
around his arms.
He lowered his mouth, savoring the moment when
their lips met. Soft, delicate, and driving him mad. He pressed her mouth open
making way for his tongue. He thrust into her, taking possession of her mouth,
plunging and tasting her sweetness.
Without warning she pulled away. “Stop,” She hissed. Her blazing eyes stared back
at him. “No. This is all wrong.”
“Is it? You in my arms feels very right. You
can’t say I’m alone in this.” His gaze flicked down her flushed face.
“You’re asking me to risk too much.”
“I’m not out to get you. I’ve no intention of
letting this sabotage your contract. Just the opposite. We don’t have to let
our mutual attraction interfere with our day jobs. The nights can be separate. Ours to do as we wish. Give yourself to me. I promise not a moment shall you regret.”
Jenna licked her lips, relaxing millimeters, her
body melded to his. He bent his head, reclaiming her hot mouth. She let him
kiss her at first, unmoving, and then he felt her tongue dance and stroke
against his.
This craving for her exploded. Tore into him. He
hauled her against him, pressing his hips into the soft v-shape of her
incredible body. She whimpered into his mouth, digging her fingers into his
arms.
Victor continued kissing her, devouring
everything she gave. The deeper his tongue thrust, and the harder his cock
became to the point of throbbing.
Her fingers had moved up to his shoulders. Their
kiss had him craving the rest of her body. A feast he’d enjoy for sure. He ran his
hand down her back, all the way to her ass. He rubbed a firm cheek, and then
moved his other hand until he cupped her bottom, dragging her up next to him.
“Jesus, I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone
before.”
“No. Victor. This won’t work out for me.” She
didn’t move away, if anything she flexed her hip, pushing against him.
“We’re having dinner tomorrow.”
“Actually, I don’t see why we can’t meet at my
office.”
“Why? Do you have a bodyguard at your palatial
offices Ms. Tatum?” He cupped her breast, thumbing her nipple.
And then it happened. Slap! The heat from her palm spread over his face. She twisted
vehemently in his arms with a strength surprising him, unlocking his grasp on
her.
“Stop.” She panted, holding up her palm, face glowing, lips
puffy and reddened. This time she held her ground in front of him. “Don’t make
fun of me. Ever again. With all that you have, I’d think you’d not belittle
others. What was I dreaming?”
She pushed away from him in such a fury. Teasing
didn’t go far with her. At least not from him. She shook her head. Shit, there
were tears in her eyes.
“Look, I didn’t mean that. Christ, is it always going to
be a debate each time we meet? I just
want to get to know you so you don't think I'm some sort of cad.”
“Too late.” She reached inside her attaché case
and pulled out a stack of papers. “Here’s my company contract. It's standard in the industry. Nothing a first year law student couldn't muddle through. If you still
want to work with me, then fine. But not like this. I’m not here for your
amusement.” She slammed her case. Without another word or glance she sauntered
to his door. All he could do was watch her walk out his office. He rubbed his
hand over his flaming jaw pondering the event. Jenna Tatum. The first woman
he'd spurned leaving him entirely frustrated—entirely ravenous to possess her.