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“Can we go somewhere and talk?” I ask.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She lowers her head and grips her left elbow.
“Why isn’t it? That was the plan, right? To meet and talk?” I debate, staring her square in the eye.
“That was before I knew who you were.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re my boss, Kade. The fucking CEO. You don’t think that’s a major factor in whatever this is?”
“No, it shouldn’t matter at all.”
“It does to me.” Her voice rises to a high pitch. She flinches before looking around to make sure no one’s near. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout. But it matters to me. I can’t date my boss. I’m trying to make a name for myself here and I can’t afford to search for a new job. I don’t want my coworkers thinking things about me.”
“It’s none of their business, Jessica. I don’t set fornication policies, because it’s not my place to dictate how and when someone finds love. As long as the relationship doesn’t interfere with work, it’s not a concern of ours. So we aren’t doing anything wrong here.”
“We may not be doing anything wrong, but what happens months down the line when I’m up for a promotion? Am I going to get the job because I’m the most qualified or will it be because I’ll be sleeping with the owner?”
“You’re thinking too much into this, sweets. The only thing either of us should be concerned about is whether or not we care for each other. All that other stuff is hypothetical, and I don’t run off theories. I’m as shocked by this as you are. Don’t let this ruin what we’ve built. I want you more now than I did this morning.”
I step forward, sealing the gap between us and hoping this time she doesn’t reject me. When she doesn’t, I grab her hand and pull it to my lips, placing a kiss on each knuckle. Her hand relaxes in my palm.
“I don’t—”
“You promised me you would have an open mind about us. Did your feelings change all of a sudden? I don’t believe they have. Mine surely haven’t.”
“Of course they haven’t changed.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I know we hadn’t labeled this, and it’s probably presumptuous of me, but I can’t be with my boss. I want too much for myself here and doing…things with you takes that away from me.” She slowly takes a step back, trying to distance herself from me.
Not having it, I move forward, stopping her from separating us. “I’m not your boss. You work for Lauren. I don’t even sign your checks, sweets. The CFO does,” I add, pressing her into the nearest wall.
“You know what I mean.” With nowhere to go, Jessica stares at me, the conviction showing in her eyes.
I know she wants me, but her stubborn, overanalytical ass is getting in the way. She needs to know I’m not letting her walk away this easily. Not after the month I’ve spent falling for her. I can’t say if it’s love, I’m pretty sure it’s not. But I want to explore every option. I shift my gaze to her quivering lips. She’s cute when she’s conflicted. I lick mine, thinking about the way hers would taste.
“I’m not letting you walk away from me, Jessica. You need to know I want you like no other. And not because you’ve let me into that sexy little mind of yours. But because you make me feel things I’ve longed to feel for a quite some time.” I cup her cheek while searching her face, my gaze landing on the little cluster of beauty marks around her left eye. Rubbing my thumb over them, I look at her, admiring the color of her irises, a warm honey brown that complements her beautiful skin.
The rapid heaving of her chest shows me she wants this more than she’s trying to let on. Is it odd to feel like I know her? Every pulsing nerve in my body tells me she belongs to me. The way our bodies react to each other is electrifying. Maybe it’s her reluctance, or maybe it’s been that damn long since I’ve desired the touch of a woman this badly. But I need to feel her, have her—taste her.
“God, you’re so beautiful!” I say, trailing the backs of my fingers down her collarbone before taking her necklace between them. As I do this, I study her features, noting how cute her nose is and loving the way her short, blunt bob frames her face.
Jessica melts against me, closing her eyes briefly then gazes up at me. We never talked about how tall she was, but she falls right under my chin. I press my forehead to hers and inhale her scent. It’s sweet and stirs the arousal within me. The front of my pants stiffens, and I try to compose myself.
“I’m going to kiss you.” I pause for permission, and when she doesn’t protest, I lean in. I pull her close, I devour her mouth, enjoying the way our tongues dance against each other. “You taste so sweet.” I moan without breaking our grasp.
She grabs my face, deepening our endearment, and I lose myself. Pressing her to the wall, I run my hands along her curves before moving my lips to her neckline where I nibble and suck her softly. My dick strains to be released, but I know I can’t have her yet. Not here, not like this. I want her in my bed—or hers—naked and waiting for me. I groan thinking of all the kinky things we shared this past month.
“Say you’ll give this a chance, sweets,” I plead through hushed breaths but retain my hold on her waist.
Jessica’s body straightens, and she looks away, letting out a disappointing sigh. With both hands, she gently pushes them onto my chest, forming a wedge between us. My muscles tense when I realize this isn’t going the way I had hoped. That kiss, as passionate as it was, did nothing for her. The look of despair on her face crushes me.
“I’m sorry, Kade. I can’t.” Jessica tears from my grip and rushes down the hall to the exit.
“Sweets,” I call out, wanting to chase after her, but my feet won’t move. “Fuck,” I yell as she disappears from view.
It takes a moment for me to fully register, and when I do, I race outside but I know she’s probably long gone by now. I reach the exit to find a taxi cab pulling away from the hotel. I toss my hands in the air, letting out a frustrated roar, not caring who’s around to witness my breakdown. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. We should be enjoying each other and making promises for some sort of future together. Things were good, so why the fuck am I standing in the cold after begging the girl of my dreams to choose me?
Gathering my composure, I straighten my jacket and head up to my room for the night. Along the way, I take out my phone to speed dial Jessica, but each call goes unanswered. I meant everything I’ve said to her tonight. She’s electrifying, addictive. Fuck, I can’t explain it. This whole thing between us makes me feel alive. Jessica will be mine, and if she thinks for one second this is the last she’s heard of me—she’s crazy.
