“But I do want some ground rules in place first.”
He’d expected nothing less. “Name them.”
She kept her gaze on his now and not on the bulge demanding attention. Hopefully he’d get some soon.
“For one thing, I don’t want our relationship public at work. I have the guys’ respect and I don’t want to blow that.”
He was tempted to remind her that Ian, her boss, had met his wife at work and nobody had had an issue, but he kept his mouth shut.
He respected what she was saying and had no problem with the request. “Agreed. No PDA at work.”
“Good. And it can’t be like last time. It’s not a relationship. We’re … getting each other out of our systems.”
On this he had a problem. A few, actually. “Permit me to modify your rule. First, we’re exclusive or no deal,” he said.
“Agreed,” she answered immediately. “It’s not like I want you bed-hopping while you’re with me.” She wrinkled her adorable nose in disgust.
“And you know better than to think I would.” He was not, nor had he ever been, a cheater, and she knew it.
She blew out a breath. “Good. Now that that’s settled–”
He shook his head. “I’m not finished.” She wasn’t going to like his next demand. And along with the no cheating rule, it was nonnegotiable.
Eyes narrowed, she folded her arms across her chest and waited.
“I want you to promise to keep an open mind about us. I want you back, and I’m going to do my damnedest to prove it to you.”
She started to argue, and he placed a fingertip over her soft lips before continuing. “I need to know you’ll be open to my overtures. Let those walls down a little and see how good we can be together.”
“That sounds like you’re demolishing my second rule!” she said, ignoring his lingering finger, which he quickly removed.
He shrugged. “Because I am. Take it or leave it, sweetheart.” Maybe it was arrogant, but he believed she’d accept his terms.
“You’re turning down the offer of easy sex?” she asked in disbelief.
After she had her fit, he thought, suppressing a grin that would get him in trouble. “You bet I am, because I want more.” He wanted it all, but that wasn’t something she was ready to hear. “Well?” He reached a hand out toward her, wanting her to accept the gesture.
She bit down on her lip, and he could almost hear the debate in her mind before she placed her hand in his. “I’ll try.”
“That’s all I can ask. Now come here and kiss me.”
Next thing he knew, she was in his arms, her mouth on his. Bracing his hand on her face, he consumed her, finally tasting her and knowing it was just the beginning. He thrust his tongue into her eager and waiting mouth, the flavor of mint exploding inside.
She’d brushed her teeth in preparation. She’d come here knowing she wanted to be with him. The thought did something for him in a deep and primal way.
He slid his hands to her ass and hauled her against him, and she moaned, the sound going right to his dick, but before he got her into his bed, he wanted to make this moment last. To remind her that there was so much more to them than just sex, and devouring her mouth in the hottest, wettest kiss showed her there was no rush to the end result. His cock disagreed, and the way she writhed against him, so did she.
She slipped her fingers into the waistband of his boxer briefs, cupped his ass in her palms, and held him tightly against her until she was rubbing her sex against his rock-hard erection.
He wasn’t sure he could hold out, but he damned well intended to try. He lifted her shirt and broke the kiss to toss it over her head only to discover she was braless, and it was his turn to groan.
Cupping her breasts in his hands, he tweaked her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, remembering how sensitive they were and how she could get close to climaxing from that sensation alone.
She shuddered and leaned forward, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, kissing and licking his skin, all the while grinding her sweet pussy against the hard ridge of his cock, covered by too many clothes. Her soft hair tickled his cheek, the arousing scent of coconut invaded his nostrils, and his cock throbbed harder.
He needed them completely naked. Now.
“Strip,” he said.
“You, too,” she ordered as she kicked off her slip-on sneakers and unhooked the button on her jeans, then met his gaze and waited.
With a grin, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of his boxer briefs and pulled them over his straining erection before sliding them down and off.
She stared at his cock, desire filling her gaze. “I will admit I missed this.” Reaching out, she wrapped her hand around his shaft and slid her palm up and down, swiping her thumb over the sensitive head.