Page 14 of Strictly Business

He looks at me, his eyes searching. "Genesis, I..." His gaze is intense, almost like he's trying to decipher a puzzle.

"Was it actually your brother who kept you up to date on what I've been doing in my career?" I find myself asking, my voice trembling slightly.

Reece cocks his head, scrutinizing me with a look that's both curious and unsettling. "Surprisingly, when I asked Talon about you, he said you two hadn't been in contact much," he reveals, adding an unexpected layer to our conversation.

I nod, confirming his statement. "That's true. We lost touch while I was overseas." But then it hits me, "Wait, you asked about me? Why?"

A slight smile plays on his lips, and he leans in closer. "I told you, you intrigue me, Genesis Jones. You always have. And you said you wanted to learn. I always wanted to be the one to teach you...in more ways than one." His gaze drops to my lips, sending a shiver down my spine.

Instinctively, I bite my lower lip, a gesture that seems to catch his attention even more. "Don't do that, Miss Jones. That's exactly what got us into the situation the last time... That damn lip bite..."

I can't help but challenge him, "Oh, you like when I do that?"

Reece doesn't back down. "I'm not going to lie. I've often wondered what would have happened if my brother hadn't walked in that night."

The air around us is charged with unspoken words and lingering questions. "I guess we'll never know," I reply, trying to maintain a semblance of control in my voice.

He raises an eyebrow. "Never?"

I stand my ground. "A lot has changed since then, Mr. Forrester—"

"Such as?" he prods.

I assert, "I don’t need you to teach me anything."

His response is a slow, low growl. "Is that so?"

"Mm-hmm," I affirm, feeling a surge of confidence.

"Care to give a demonstration, Genesis?"

My eyes involuntarily drop to his lips, and I'm tempted to show him just how much I've learned over the years. The tension between us is thick, each of us aware of the unspoken attraction that's been simmering for years.

Suddenly, something inside me snaps. I want to shut him up, to prove my worth, to claim what I've secretly wanted for so long. I close the distance between us, stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.

His response is immediate and intense. His lips are soft yet commanding, inviting me into a dance of desire and defiance. His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and I feel the contours of his body against mine. Every fiber of my being responds to his touch, and I lose myself in the moment.

Our kiss deepens, and I feel his tongue dancing with mine, igniting a fire that's been dormant for far too long. In this moment, all the years of longing, of unspoken desires, are unleashed in a whirlwind of passion.

As we break apart, I'm left breathless, my heart racing—the reality of what just happened sinks in. Reece Forrester, the man I've harbored feelings for over a decade, is not only my boss's boss, but also a man who's just as affected by our connection as I am.

The complexity of our situation is not lost on me. But for now, I let the thrill of our forbidden encounter wash over me, unsure of what the future holds but certain that whatever it is, it won't be simple or uncomplicated.

ChapterSeven

Reece

Standing in my office, I watch Genesis recoil from our kiss. Her hand flies to her mouth, eyes wide with a cocktail of emotions—shock, confusion, maybe even regret. The air is thick with tension, and I'm kicking myself internally. This was a line we probably shouldn't have crossed, but I don't give a damn. I'm glad we did.

I want to reach out, to pull her back, to continue what we started, but her expression stops me. She looks torn, like she's battling a storm inside her. I can't blame her; I'm feeling the whirlwind, too.

"Genesis," I start, trying to find the right words to fix this mess. "I know that was unexpected, but I don't want you to worry about it affecting your job or how we interact at work."

Her eyes flicker to mine, searching for something, maybe reassurance or a hint of the old Reece she knew. "Reece, I...I don't know what to say. This is all so complicated. I did not mean… I shouldn't have done that. It was out of hand."

I step a bit closer, conscious of the space between us. "I understand. But what happened just now was mutual. And it won't change how I view your role here. You're here because of your talent and hard work. Nothing else."

She nods, her eyes still clouded with doubt. "I just need some time to think about all this. It's a lot to take in."