Page 16 of Landen
“You are herefor four weeks, and I am unwilling to enter into a meaninglessfling.”
“How about ameaningful one?” He tried to tease.
“I am notinterested.”
“You are. I wasinvited to a party on Saturday and would like you to accompany me.”
“I don’tthink-”
“Either
“Or we leaveand go to my place right now.” The determination stamped on hishandsome face could not be mistaken.
“Are you givingme an ultimatum?”
“I am afraid Iam. I am also afraid that I am going to continue to haunt you everysingle day until you say yes.”
“To what?”She asked, dark brown eyes flashing.
“To have sexwith me or attend the party.” His dark green eyes twinkled. “Iam here demeaning myself in ways I never imagined. Pity me, won’tyou?”
She felt herselfgoing limp. She was still wrapped in his arms and could feel the wirystrength of his body against hers. He was weakening her resolve, andshe did not like it.
“Okay, fine. Ifit will get you out of my hair.”
“What are yousaying yes to?” He prodded.
“The party, ofcourse.”
“Of course.”She did not like the gleam in his eyes, as if he knew something shedidn’t.
“Please let mego. I have work to do-”
“I apologizefor keeping you.”
“Let go.”
“First-”His head swooped down again, and she could not avoid the searingkiss. With a moan of surrender, she opened her mouth, almost goingfaint, when he plunged his tongue in and deepened the kiss.
This time, she wasthe one who ended the kiss, her body trembling, her heart racing asshe stood there staring at him.
“You might wantto fix your hair,” he told her huskily. “I will leave youto it.” With another smoldering look at her swollen lips, heopened the door and left, closing it behind him.
Going around herdesk, she sank onto the chair before her weakened knees could giveout on her. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.
Her nipples werechafing against the material of her dress, and she was hot all over.She agreed to go to the party with him, knowing they would probablyreturn to his place. “Oh, Lord!” She whispered. She wasdefinitely in trouble.
*****
He did not stay afterthat. He couldn’t. After having a brief word with Liam, he hadtaken his leave. After letting himself inside, he had gone straightto the liquor cabinet and poured a healthy dose of bourbon, taking itwith him to sit on the leather sofa facing the granite fireplace, hisexpression moody.
He wondered if it wasa good idea to keep pursuing her. What had started as a lark, a spurtof adventure, was turning into much more.
He liked her and wasso fiercely attracted to her that he could barely stand it. That kissin her office had sparked something so violent inside him that it hadtaken him completely by surprise.
He had never wanted awoman that way before, and the evidence was chafing against hisunderwear. He had left the function because if he went near heragain, he would have dragged her out of the bloody place and insistedon her coming here. Leaning back, he stretched his legs out and tookanother swallow.
He had been here foralmost a week, and during that time, he had met a woman he could notwait to be with. The thought of stripping off her clothing andstaring at her body was making him feverish with longing—somethingthat had never happened to him before.