Burned Deep (Burned 1)

Don’t think about it, Ari. Just unpack.

I retrieved the yoga suits and other items I’d brought along and tucked them away. Dane stripped down, changing into another pair of loose black pants and a black tank top that fit him sinfully well, displaying his bulging biceps and conforming to his chiseled chest and abs.

He held me spellbound as I removed my jacket and he gave me an extra hanger for it.

“Thanks,” I murmured, completely captivated by him.

I fumbled with the small pearl buttons on my French cuffs. He grinned when it became all too apparent that my now-trembling fingers weren’t because a snake had terrified me but because of how Dane excited me. So easily. He stepped forward and helped out, our gazes locked.

He slipped the little orbs through the holes on the flap of my blouse and slid the material down my arms. He hung up the garment, then moved behind me to unzip the back of my skirt, easing it to my ankles so I could step out of it. My shoes followed.

I opened a drawer again and skimmed my fingers over my clothes, none of them holding much appeal.

“You want something of mine?”

I glanced up. “Yes.”

Rounding the bureau to his side, he pulled out an oatmeal-colored long-sleeved Henley.

“This one’s comfortable,” he said.

I unhooked my bra and put it in the drawer before shutting it.

“Or maybe forego the shirt altogether.”

I smiled softly. “Something tells me you still have work to focus on. It’s not even five o’clock yet.”

He grimaced. A sexy expression like every other one coming from him. “I do have a Board of Directors conference call for a nonprofit that I need to prep for.”

“Then prep.” I stretched on tiptoe and gave him a kiss. “What’s the organization?”

“Children’s group homes.”

My brows knitted. “Orphanages?”

“They don’t really call them that anymore. They’re privately held and funded group homes.”

“And you donate your time and money to them.”

“Yes.”

“Huh.” Warmth oozed through me. “That’s pretty amazing.”

He lifted the shirt above my head. “You’d better cover up or neither of us will get anything done tonight.”

I slipped into the Henley and he whisked my hair from inside the collar, fanning it out over my shoulders. The buttoned neckline dipped between my breasts and he didn’t bother to fasten me up, just left the material open so the rounded swells filled the gap.

He seemed to admire me for several seconds. Then his head dipped and he kissed me.

I clung to him, loving the nearness of him, the way he engulfed me with his entire sexy presence.

When he broke the kiss, he kept me in his strong embrace and whispered, “What happened to you today scared the hell out of me.”

“Dane—”

“Just listen.” His voice was strained, tattered. “I’d be worried and fuming over any employee or guest finding themselves in that situation. Possibly getting hurt. But the fact that it was you…”

His arms tightened.