I wonder for a moment what Carter means by raising money? Isn’t it too early to start thinking about re-election?
"Don't looks so dubious," he says, noticing my pensive gaze. "Although, you look awfully cute when you're deep in thought." He flashes a disarming smile.
"Very funny."
"No, I mean it."
I watch as Carter takes a few steps toward me and I notice the distance between us is shrinking. He's so close now that I can practically feel the warmth emanating from his body. The look on his face has changed, and a pregnant silence fills the air.
He clears his throat. "Can I be honest with you?"
"Of course. You can always be honest with me."
He brushes his hand up against my own. I immediately recognize how big and strong it is. "It's women like you who cause global warming."
"Oh yeah? What's that suppose to mean?" I smirk and roll my eyes. But inside, my heart starts beating faster. It’s like I want to believe him and fall into his arms, you know? I want to see where this is going.
"You're so hot you've raised the temperature of this room at least 20 degrees."
"Is that the best you've got?" I roll my eyes and sigh again. But I’m smiling. Ear to ear.
"What's going on between you and Liam?"
Oh. My. God.
The question catches me off guard. "What do you mean?"
"Come on. Don't think I haven't noticed. What are the secret meetings about?"
"It's nothing. Honestly."
“Sex?” he asks me.
I bristle. “Listen, to me, Carter Andrews,” I say, taking a step forward and placing my index finger on his lips. “If I didn’t tell that Communist bitch Tina about my sex life, what makes you think I’m going to tell you?”
“Because you’re going to be having sex with me in about five minutes,” he says, his eyes boring down into me.
He thinks I can’t hold out five minutes?
OK, babe, I know I can hold out for three. I think we should try and do six.
He's standing so close to me that his cologne is clouding my judgment. The smell is classically masculine, and confident, with a hint of spice and the airiness of the Mediterranean—Sandalwood, juniper, sea salt, and citrus. In other words, it's the kind of scent that makes you want to lean right in. I look at the computer on his desk and notice his open browser. I touch his arm softly and say, "You still use Internet Explorer?"
"Observant. Do you always look on people's computers?"
"I guess that means you like things nice and slow, huh?"
"Sometimes, I'd say so." He leans in and drags his fingertips across my cheek. Our eyes are locked on each other and my pulse quickens.
"I suppose," I say, "But sometimes you need to think outside of the box."
"I'd like to think inside of your box," he says with a smile and reaches over to run his fingers through my hair. His touch sends a shiver down my spine and it takes all of my resolve to not quiver under his strong fingertips. He senses this and drags his fingers gently across my lips. His hands then move down to my shoulders. He traces my collarbone and slowly runs his fingers down my bare arms. My entire body is tingling. I hook one of my own fingers on his belt loop and pull him into me. He gives me an intense gaze and everything that happened before—with Tina Ling and Liam Jeffries—melts away. The only thing that matters is this moment. Carter's touch sends a jolt of electricity through my core that makes me want to stay with him in this office forever. I reach up and rake my fingernails through his hair, and he reciprocates by placing his hand on my head. Suddenly, he grabs a chunk of my hair and pulls it back, exposing my neck and mouth, and he leans in, pressing his lips against mine. Our mouths open as we take each other in, our tongues pressed up against each other, twisting and flexing. I pull back slightly and nibble on his bottom lip. “More,” I say, "Don't stop." Without a word, he grabs my hips and leans into me as he presses his mouth against mine for a second time. I feel an unconscious moan escape from my body as he brings his hands down to my breasts, cupping them in his palms. As he gives them a squeeze, my mind is reeling.
I look at the clock real quick before surrendering myself to him.
Four minutes and thirty seconds.
I hate it when he’s right.