* * *
It’s Friday. Three days and three nights since I left her warm body in my bed. It feels like an eternity.
I’ve wanted to ring her—of course I have—but I also wanted to respect her decision to stick to her review process and the meetings she’d lined up.
I didn’t want to mess with that.
I didn’t want to appear desperate either.
I rake my fingers through my hair and take the stairs to her office, needing to burn off this incessant thrum of energy. I could put it down to excitement at seeing her again, but I know it’s also nerves.
I hoped she’d call me, or at least email. But nothing.
And if I’m honest I’m scared she’s changed her mind. About us, the business...all of it.
But it’s time for our allotted meeting and she hasn’t cancelled to avoid it, to avoid me. That has to count for something.
I get to her floor and her PA spies me before I’m across the room, her smile welcoming.
‘Ah, Mr Waring, it’s lovely to see you again.’ She steps out from behind her desk and offers her hand. ‘Can I get you a coffee?’
I don’t care what she gets me so long as I see Eva soon. I shake her hand with a nod. ‘Thank you.’
She turns and leads the way to Eva’s office; a gentle rap and she pokes her head through.
‘Mr Waring is here.’
I can’t make out Eva’s response and I strain for it. Eager to hear her voice.
‘You can go on through.’
She opens the door wider and I lose all sight of her as I seek out Eva.
‘Lucas.’
She smiles and pushes up out of her seat to walk towards me, I meet her halfway and hear the door click shut as her PA leaves us.
She’s a vision in pink again. This time a sleeveless dress that hugs her frame to the knee. Her hair is in a loose knot at her nape and silver snowflakes dangle from her ears. I itch to reach for one, to reach for her, to embrace her, to kiss her. A thousand wants and I can’t even speak as I try to keep them contained.
She pinches the corner of her bottom lip with her teeth, hesitant, but her eyes are alive. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m just absorbing my first sight of you in three days.’
She laughs softly. ‘Well, in that case, absorb away.’
She gives a little twirl and I’m undone. My hand reaches to cup her waist and pull her into me, my lips find hers.
She feels so good, sounds so good as her startled little whimper ripples through her throat and her hands grip me hard, needy. Her mouth, her tongue—every bit the same. It’s intense and wild, and I realise with startling clarity that I could make love to her now, so easily, and her PA is returning with coffee.
Dammit.
I set her away from me, dragging air into my lungs. ‘Your PA is bringing me coffee.’
Her fingers tremble as she touches her lips, her confused frown so fucking adorable.
‘Coffee?’
‘I may have agreed to have some.’