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Raph backed me against the car, pressing himself into me. The hard length of him strained against my belly. My body responded immediately, slick and aching to know him better. He groaned when I flung my arms around his neck.
I saw hunger and desire painted in his eyes when he finally dragged himself away. He held me still, staring like he couldn’t believe his eyes. Like he was trying his hardest not to lose control.
“Are you that girl?”
I gasped. Did he mean what I thought he meant? Did he remember?
Or was it about what was happening between us?
That made more sense.
I dragged in a shaky breath.
“Do you mean—I’m going to be committed to the project. Nothing will change that, no matter what happens here. I will maintain professionalism and commitment to Experience Shoreview.” I motioned to him, then to myself.
Raph sighed and grabbed the back of his neck as he took a distancing step away. “Good, but there’s nothing between us except a working relationship. You’re my designer. I’m sure that would be best.”
I stared dumbfounded. Sure, that made sense and all. But wasn’t he the one who initiated? He offered to drive me home. He was walking to my door. He kissed me. I didn’t start this.
But oh, what a kiss. I had forgotten what kissing felt like, and it was better than I remembered.
My whole body tingled long after the fact. Finally kissing someone after the longest hiatus, I wasn’t ready to let it go. But I didn’t have a choice. I groaned inwardly and squared my shoulders.
“I agree. It will be best if we keep this relationship completely professional. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just beautiful design work in six weeks. You got it. See you tomorrow afternoon Mr. Teresse.”
On that note, I spun on my heel and walked into my building, swaying my hips. Tears threatened as I walked away. I should celebrate, not mourn the loss of his proximity. This was the pivotal moment for my career. A sexy fling was the last thing I needed in the mix. Especially if said sexcapade was with my new project employer.
He’s definitely off limits.
So what if I had literally dreamt of this man the better part of my life? I could totally handle it.
Totally.
Chapter Seven
Lia
Iclosed the door behind me and leaned against it, completely thrown. That searing kiss blew my mind. It was far better than I imagined. His clean masculine scent invaded my senses and made me weak. It clouded my mind, making it hard to think straight. But the rehearsed speech about keeping things professional downplayed the passion and intensity we had shared to the point of depression.
After the passionate outburst, I didn’t know what to think. I got caught up in the heat. But as fast as it sparked, it was snuffed.
The apartment was quiet for eight. Shell was probably out for the night at some club or other with some group of beautiful people or other. She had the ineffable magnetism gorgeous people possessed. I was unsurprised by my solitude, but disappointed nonetheless. I needed a friend.
I put the kettle on for tea and sat down at the kitchen counter. My head spun with a mix of capacious desire and foggy confusion. If this is what the man did to me, I had a long six professional weeks ahead.
Tonight had been a glimpse at the project ahead, but it was also a taste of what it might be like to experience Raphael in the flesh. His mouth was hot and possessing, tender yet demanding. Even though it was only a kiss, I felt the white-hot burn from my mouth to places far less innocent. Nothing I had with anyone else came close to being so all-encompassing. My previous encounters were lukewarm at their fieriest.
Things in college were okay. Fine, even. My time with Russel was fine, but he was nothing like Raphael Teresse, mentally or otherwise. He didn’t have heat like the warmth I felt as Raph’s mouth slanted over mine or as he gripped me with intensity.
Oh, well. At least mind-blowing sex won’t be complicating, or worse, undoing my promotion. Fantastic.
The sound of a key twisting in the lock interrupted my pessimistic spiraling.
Thank God.
“You don’t even wanna know about the guy I just left in the bathroom,” Shell began with a smile, throwing her clutch on the counter. “Is there enough water in there for two?” She motioned to the kettle.
“Yeah, sure is. And same here, sort of,” I said as I grabbed a second mug from the shelf.
