“I thought you understood. I’m barely out of my marriage, and I’m dependent on you for where I live. So no, I’m not ready for a relationship. But I don’t see why that means I have to deny us what we both want.”
On the surface, he understood her point. He, too, wanted her to be the self-respecting woman he knew she could be. And would be soon. But she was demeaning what he felt for her… what they could be together. And yet again, he understood.
Still, he ought to be offended that she was turning to him for sex… but he wasn’t. The fact was, Maxie was feeding herself a line of BS. They already were in a relationship. If you defined one by confiding in each other, sharing meals, sharing living space—and once they crossed this next line, they would be sharing a bed. He’d see to it. To him, that was a relationship.
If she wanted to delude herself into thinking they were just having sex, he would let her go on thinking that—hence his use of cold words—until she was ready for more.
There was just one more box he needed to check off in the non-relationship/relationship department, at least in his own mind.
“This sexual relationship has to be exclusive. That’s nonnegotiable.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
He held back a grin. She didn’t know what to make of his responses, and that was good. She was off-balance. Unable to think too clearly. She’d come here wanting to take that next step, but their conversation hadn’t left her in seductress mode.
Fine with him. He had no problem taking over.
Chapter Seven
Lucas’ wolfish expression was enough to cause a near-orgasm, his grin and the yearning in his gaze were that potent. Everything about the man was sexy, from his smile to the tattooed, muscled forearm peeking out from his tee shirt to how good he smelled.
She wanted nothing more than to be in his arms, but her head spun from their conversation about sex. She’d intended to approach him and hopefully seduce him again. She hadn’t expected such a frank talk, nor had she anticipated somehow hurting his feelings when she expressed her desires.
“Maxie?” he asked.
She blinked at the sound of his voice. And yeah, that, too, was hot. “Yes?”
“Quit worrying so much,” he ordered. “And come here.”
“I’m that obvious, hmm?”
&nb
sp; He nodded, that grin widening. “But it’s cute.”
She blushed at the description. “I’m not sure that’s the word I was aiming for.”
He crooked a finger at her. “Get over here and let’s seal our deal.”
Now that she could do. “With pleasure.”
She stepped closer, not realizing her arms were folded over her chest until he grasped her elbows and pulled her against him, his lips coming down hard on hers.
She gasped and wound her arms around his neck, her legs wrapping around his waist. With a groan, he spun her around and backed her against the desk, his groin hard and thick against her sex. She wriggled against him, attempting to get even closer, letting the waves of desire wash over her as his cock hit just the right spot.
“Lucas,” she murmured, the sensations rolling through her.
“I’ve got you,” he said, setting her down on top of the cool desktop. He stepped between her thighs. Meeting her gaze, he cupped her face in his hand. “You want sex?” he asked.
She couldn’t let him go on thinking that’s all there was between them, but she couldn’t get involved any deeper. “I want you.”
“I want you too, beautiful.” He stood her up and undid her skirt, sliding it to the floor.
“There are people in the office,” she squeaked.
“And I locked the door from the inside.”
Privacy was all she needed. When he hooked a hand in her panties and drew them down her legs, she shifted her hips to help him, then kicked the skirt and panties to the side, struggling as they caught in the heel of her shoe.