“Yes, teasing you.” His gaze raked over. His mouth quirked, as if he were thinking of something intimate.
“What makes you think I ever let down my hair?” Instantly she wished she hadn’t said it, because it sounded as if they really were talking about sex.
“You haven’t so far, while we’ve been together. I want to be there when you do it for the first time.”
Arousal hung heavy in the air between them, like static in the atmosphere.
“I know what you’re thinking” she replied, “and you’re right my office armor helps me feel more at ease in that environment.”
He gave her a slow nod but thankfully he didn’t look smug about it
“You’re pretty sharp,” she added. “It proves you might be the man for the job.”
“Oh I’m your man all right.”
Before she could respond he stood up and walked around the table, sitting next to her instead. He stroked the length of her hair. “I’m glad you’re staying tonight.”
Her fingers clasped the edge of the table, anxiety flooding her body. It was lust but it was rolled up with anxiety about what she was doing. “I doubt I’ll sleep much.”
Why on earth did I say that? she wondered, expecting him to make some smart remark that would make her even more embarrassed.
Instead, he cupped her cheek in his palm, looking at her with a tender expression. “Try not to stress about the project. We’ll get through it together.”
His voice was low and husky and said as much about sexual desire as it did business concerns.
Her heart tripped. “This bit wasn’t in the contract, the kind reassuring bit.”
He smiled. “You know I’m attracted to you, Lara. You knew it from the moment I caught you stalking me.”
He was so direct. It embarrassed her, even though he was right. She laughed. “I wasn’t stalking you. Well, not exactly.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You noticed me looking back though, didn’t you?”
“Yes” Anticipation knotted inside her.
“It was mutual from the beginning.” His eyes blazed.
She nodded. She had to squeeze her thighs together in an effort to control the desire burning inside her. “I can’t let anything get in the way of the project.”
“Of course not.” His gaze was so intense it was unsettling. “We’re off the clock for a while now, surely?”
She nodded.
“I want you,” he stated. His comment was so blatant she stared at him, her skin tingling wildly.
“I see,” she managed to respond.
“I haven’t made you uncomfortable, have I?”
“Not in a bad way.” She smiled, determined to speak to him as an equal despite the overwhelming effect he had on her. Determined also to capture the magic of the moment and the magnetic tension between them. Everything had become more intense, every breath, every heartbeat, every mutual glance.
Meanwhile he looked at her as if he were deciding how he intended to have her. “Maybe I can help you relax?”
They stared into each other’s eyes. She felt as if her entire being was riveted to the moment, afraid to acknowledge how much she wanted him, and yet afraid he’d walk away and leave her on the precipice.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Maybe you can.”
He stood up, stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. He kneaded them, firm but gently. Her eyelids felt suddenly heavy, her body liquefying. A pleasured moan built up inside her and suddenly escaped her open lips, because those magic touches of his melted any final shred of doubt or resistance, stoking the fire between her thighs, making her yearn for more contact. Her head dropped back and she reached up to touch his hand where it rested on her shoulder. “That’s good,” she whispered. “Thank you.”