She had exactly what she wished for. So why did she feel so empty inside? So lost?
Frowning, she stood and started shoving everything into her suitcase. It didn’t matter if it was folded or not, all her clothes were going in there. Piled on top of each other, pairs of socks falling to the floor. She bent over and grabbed them, tossing them one after the other.
There wouldn’t be a trace of her left in this place. She wouldn’t allow it. If he couldn’t so much as say more than one stupid sentence to her when she told him she wanted him, then she couldn’t stay. The man was in complete denial, stubborn beyond belief. He made her so angry she wanted to smack him.
And then kiss him.
Emitting a frustrated little growl, she went to the top drawer of the dresser and yanked it open, pulling out a pile of underwear and her only other bra. She’d stay tonight, go to her interview tomorrow morning and hopefully they would offer her the job on the spot. She had a good feeling about it and believed that could definitely happen.
Then she’d hole up at a small hotel and stay until she started at her new position. She had enough money saved so it wouldn’t be a hardship, paying for a motel. Matteo not only gave her a terrific salary, but she got free room and board, which enabled her to save plenty of money over the months she’d worked for him.
Sadness filled her and she shook her head. Only months she’d known Matteo, and look what he’d done to her. Would she ever recover? Would she encounter another man who drew her as much as he did?
Probably not.
A rapid-fire knock sounded on the door just before it was pushed open, startling her. She shrieked, her panties falling all over the floor, directly in front of her very sexy, very contrite-looking boss.
Cheeks burning, she knelt down to gather them up, mortification filling her when he did the same, his big hands clutching at her lacy underwear as he grabbed them. “Give them to me,” she whispered, holding her other—very empty—hand out.
If the floor could open up and swallow her whole, she wouldn’t protest. The day kept getting worse and worse.
He dropped the lacy panties in her hand, his palm settling over hers, his fingers curling around her. She tried to jerk her hand out of his, keeping her head down so she wouldn’t have to look at him. Her underwear was crushed within their grip and she felt like the biggest fool.
“Paige.” His voice was so dark, so deep, she risked glancing up, caught his espresso brown eyes scanning her face, as if memorizing it. Caressing her with his gaze. “I reject your resignation.”
Shock coursed through her and she shook her head, her hair sliding all over her shoulders, making her aware that she wore only a tank top and thin cotton pajama bottoms, though he’d seen her in far less. “You can’t reject my resignation.” She tried to pull her hand from his but he wouldn’t let go.
“Well, I am. You signed an agreement. A contract that specifically states you have to give at least two weeks resignation prior to your finding another job.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “Please, Matteo. Have some consideration. You know this is the right thing, me leaving. It’s best that I go.”
“I don’t want you to go,” he said, his gaze sliding over her, drinking her in.
Her skin tightened at his blatant perusal. He seemed…different. Freer. “Then what do you want from me?”
Matteo remained quiet, not giving her an answer and never loosening his grip. Slowly he tugged, pulling her closer, pulling her into him, and she acquiesced. Oh God, she let him reel her in when she knew she shouldn’t, but his force, his strength was an irresistible draw.
“That’s an excellent question. One that’s been burning through my mind all night, so tell me—what exactly do you want from me?” he asked, his voice so low it seemed to rumble straight through her, settling between her thighs.
“You know exactly what I want.” Her gaze dropped to his full lips. If she couldn’t have him, if he forced her to leave, then fine. But she could at least make this one last desperate grasp. It didn’t matter anymore if she humiliated herself. She’d be gone tomorrow. Never have to face him again.
That thought alone made her heart hurt, but she ignored the pain. Focused instead on the handsome, virile man before her, his mouth so close to hers, she could lift up the slightest bit and they’d be kissing.
She really, really wished they were kissing.
“You want to leave me,” he murmured, his gaze fixated on her mouth, as if he too couldn’t think of anything else but kissing her.
Perfect. The feeling was one hundred percent mutual.
“It’s for the best,” she reminded him, though deep down she knew it wasn’t true. She was trying to do what was best.