Page 53 of Beau

He grinned. “That’s totally up to you.”

Her cheeks reddened. “I’m closing my eyes.” And she did.

Beau lowered her legs, and let her body slide down his naked one. His arms remained around her, holding her close until she was steady on her feet.

Aurelie rested her hands on his bare chest and opened her eyes. Making no move to step away, she looked up into his eyes, her lips parting ever so softly.

Electricity zinged through his body from every point where she touched him, making his pulse race and blood heat.

“I just want to know one thing,” she said.

“Yes,” he croaked, barely able to push air past his strangled vocal cords.

Her tongue swept across rosy lips.

At that moment, he wanted to kiss her so badly it was almost a physical pain to resist.

“That kiss…” she whispered, “was it all part of the lie?”

Beau’s control snapped. He bent and claimed those lips in a hard, desperate kiss. One hand clamped on the small of her back, pressing her close while the other cupped the back of her head, bringing her in impossibly closer. He plundered her mouth, pushing his tongue past her teeth to caress hers in long, languorous strokes.

The hands on his chest slid upward, lacing behind his neck. Her body leaned into his.

Time stood still as Beau lost himself in her arms.

When breathing became a necessity, he reluctantly raised his head and stared down at her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. “It wasn’t a lie,” he said his voice gruff.

“That wasn’t just a kiss?”

Beau groaned. “No.”

“I know my father hired you,” she said. “You don’t have to pretend to keep me in line.”

Beau laughed. “Does this feel like I’m pretending?” He pulled her hips against his, his engorged cock nudging her soft belly. “Woman, you do crazy things to me. You make me lose control. And, sweetheart, that can be dangerous.”

Her eyes widened, and her breathing became more ragged. Slowly, she shook her head. “But a man can feel lust without making a deep connection.”

“True,” he said, “but I’ve never lost control with a woman before. Now, either you step away, or I’m going to lose my mind.”

She stared up into his eyes. “I found clean sheets in the closet. I used them to make the bed in the master bedroom.” She left the words hanging between them. When he didn’t move, she added, “I’m not stepping away.”

Beau sucked in a shaky breath. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Even if it doesn’t mean anything. I understand. I just don’t want you to do it because you think it’s part of the job. And yes, we barely know each other, but I don’t care. I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

That was the problem. Beau barely knew this woman, yet he didn’t want to let her out of his arms for even a second. The right thing to do would be to set her on her feet and walk away. Instead, his arms tightened around her, and he turned, strode into the master bedroom and kicked the door closed behind them.

CHAPTER 11

What was she doing? Was she insane?

Aurelie opened mouth to tell Beau that she’d changed her mind. That she’d made a mistake.

Her lips parted but all that came out was a moan.

Beau laid her on the clean sheets and dropped on the bed beside her. He leaned up on his elbow and stared down into her eyes. He brushed a strand of her hair back from her forehead and then cupped her cheek in his palm. “Now, is the time for you to change your mind.” He shook his head and gave her a gentle smile. "Tell me to get lost, and I'll leave this room. Otherwise, I’m going to explore every inch of your beautiful body and then make mad, passionate love to you.” He spoke the words and barely more than a whisper.

Her body reacted instantly, flushing with a heat so profound, she feared she’d spontaneously combust. All thoughts of changing her mind flew out the window. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted a man in her life. Her affair with the married man paled in comparison.