She gave a shaky laugh. ‘And that’s a good thing?’
‘Forcing me to examine them is a good thing. Learning to forgive is another...’ He felt her stiffen but she felt too good in his arms for him to question her reaction. ‘But perhaps I can try to understand the reason why people act the way they do.’
When she tried to pull away, he reluctantly let her place several inches between them.
‘I should get back to work.’
Sakis frowned. He didn’t want distance. He didn’t like the threat of tears in her eyes. But already he could feel her withdrawing.
Belatedly, he remembered where they were.
But so what? They were alone in his inner sanctum. No one would dare breach it without incurring his wrath. Besides, both his door and hers were shut. And all he wanted was a quick kiss. Well...he gave an inner grimace...he wanted way more than that but...
He focused to find her halfway to the door. What the hell...?
In swift strides he reached the door and slammed his hand against the heavy polished steel-and-timber frame, the feeling that he was missing something fundamental eating away at him. She jumped, her wide-eyed gaze swinging to his.
‘What’s the matter?’ he demanded.
‘Nothing. I’m just going back to my desk, Mr—’
‘Don’t you even dare think about calling me that!’
‘Okay.’ She licked her plump lower lip. ‘Sakis...can I go back to my desk?’
His ire grew along with his hard-on. He grasped her waist. ‘After what just happened? No way.’
She eyed the closed door with a longing he wanted transferred to him, preferably with single-minded devotion to the granite-hard part of his anatomy. ‘Please...’
He tracked back over their conversation and sighed. ‘I can’t change who I am overnight, Brianna. Forgiveness comes easily to you, but I’m going to need time.’
Her eyes widened even further with alarm. ‘I don’t want you to change...not unless you want to. I mean, I’m not invested in anything here...with you. Certainly not enough to warrant you going out of your way to make those sorts of reassurances.’
Those words spilling from her lips sent him into the stratosphere. With a snarl born of frustration, anxiety and piercing arousal, he locked the door, caught her around the waist and swung her up in his arms.
‘Sakis!’
‘Let’s just see how invested you are, shall we?’
‘Put me down!’
Ignoring her demand, he carried her to the desk she’d straightened so efficiently minutes ago. Setting her on the edge, he slashed one hand across the polished surface, sending the papers flying.
‘I seriously hope you don’t expect me to clean that up!’ Her colour was hectic, her breath coming out in pants as she glared at him.
Yes, this was what he wanted: her fire, her spirit. He hated the sad, frightened, achingly lonely Brianna. He hated cool, calm and distant Brianna even more, especially after last night. Not after seeing the generous heart and fiery passion that resided beneath the prim exterior.
‘If that’s what I desire, then you shall do it, no?’
Her chin rose and his senses roared. ‘In your dreams. My job description doesn’t include cleaning up after you. I’m not your chambermaid.’
He caught her hands and planted them on his chest. ‘As of last night, your job description includes doing whatever pleases me in the bedroom.’
Despite her protests, her fingers curled into his chest. He nearly shouted with triumph and relief. ‘We’re not in the bedroom. Besides, what about what I want?’
His hand fisted in her hair, sought and found the hidden clasp and tugged. Vibrant golden hair spilled over his arm. Using it, he pulled her close until his jaw grazed her soft cheek. ‘Call this mutually beneficial therapy. Besides, I’m a quick study, glikia mou. I know exactly what you want.’
Her breath caught, making him laugh. He pushed her back, using her slight imbalance to swiftly undo the single button of her jacket. It was off before she could take another surprised breath.