“I just didn't get much sleep last night,” I explained. I wasn’t about to go into the details of my fantasy with Dylan.
“Would it have anything to do with Steve Drucker’s campaign?”
I felt the horror of my embarrassment. My eyes flashed to his. “You know about that?”
He nodded. “Don't worry. I signed an NDA. All the guys did.”
“All?”
“Yeah. There were a group of us who were candidates. I guess that's what you would call us. The unmarried unattached guys.”
I reached for the corner of my desk to steady myself, but I missed. Instead I ended up tumbling forward and landing in Isaac’s arms. I looked up into his eyes as his hands wrapped around my waist. I felt tiny and small. I didn't want to move. I wanted to say there while he held me as the warmth of his hands spread through the fabric of my silky thin shirt.
“Gotcha.”
“I-I can't believe that happened. I’m mortified. How many? How many of the players were there?” I hadn’t thought about how I would feel if other people knew the plan. It was worse than I could have imagined. What had Steve gotten me into? My reputation as a professional woman was ruined with these guys.
Isaac didn't let me go. In fact, his grip grew tighter. His fingers circled around my waist, winding until they locked at the small of my back.
“Don’t worry about the number.”
I shook my head. “I’m so humiliated.”
“Don’t be,” he whispered.
I was lost in the dark smolder of his eyes. I should protest. I should demand he release me.
“What are you doing?” I asked without much force. I was content to be wrapped against him. It felt good. He felt good.
His lips parted. I realized I had been too focused on his eyes. His lips were firm and shaped like a bow. They su
ddenly looked completely edible.
“There is something I want before I watch you be engaged to another man for the entire season.”
“There is?” I asked softly.
“Hell yes.”
I didn't ask him what it was. I didn’t have a chance. Isaac’s lips crashed into mine, taking complete control of my mouth.
I’d never fallen into a kiss like this. His tongue twisted along mine, sliding and grinding, claiming my lips and my mouth. I felt the roughness of his stubble graze over my skin as he pressed harder, burning my lips with pressure and delicious possession. His hand slid along my chin, turning my face upward. I groaned as he bit tenderly on my lower lip.
The flames started to kindle in my core. I could feel them smoldering between my legs as his lips moved along my throat. He kissed my neck. Behind my ear. His hands coasted over my body, grazing my breasts through my blouse. I sighed when he cupped my bottom with a rough squeeze before working his way back up my spine.
He found my lips again. This time his tongue plunged in my mouth with hunger. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t breathe. All I could do was inhale this man. A man who was everything masculine and strong. A man who could hold me and kiss me until I was senseless. Until I forgot I was ownership. Until I forgot he was a player. My player.
My eyes opened.
“Why? Why did you do that?” I blinked, trying to catch my breath. My heart pounded. My veins pulsed with electricity. My lips burned.
“What do you mean?” Isaac smiled. He didn't look like he regretted a single second of that kiss.
“Why do you think you have the right to kiss me? You can't do that. That’s not appropriate work place behavior.” I stumbled for words to make me sound like I had an ounce of authority.
“I can’t kiss you? You're getting ready to take on a fake fiancé. I don't think you're the one who should be handing out moral codes,” he mocked.
I was irritated. Annoyed that I liked the kiss so much, and furious that I wanted another one. I wanted to lock the door and pretend I didn’t have a mountain of problems waiting for me on the other side.