Page 58 of Love In Hiding

She got up and walked past him and shut the door. Not that she expected anyone to come in. Paris wasn’t due back for close to an hour.

Rather than sit behind her desk, she leaned against it, almost in front of him, her arms crossed.

He had to look up at her. She was looking down at his blue eyes.

“Do you or don’t you want me? Yes or no?”

His gaze swept across her body as if he were trying tomeasure every part of her. That alone should have given her the answer, but she wanted the word.

“Yes.”

She smiled. “Finally. Then why did you act that way last week coming home?”

“What way? The one where I was trying to be professional? The one where during working hours I was trying to clear the air? The one where I didn’t have to worry about being accused of sexual harassment?”

Oh shit. Why hadn’t she thought ofthat?

“I know how it works. My father’s an attorney. What we did was consensual between two single adults. At least I’m assuming you’re single.”

“I am,” he said. “You?”

“I told you how long it’s been since I’ve had sex.”

“No, you said you didn’t want to think of it.”

“Well, when I’m with someone, I have a lot of sex.”

The pink that covered his cheeks said her words hit home with precision. “Now you’re bragging.”

“I don’t need to brag. Just stating a fact.”

“Well, whether I find you attractive?—”

“No, youwantme. Say it.”

He put his tongue in his cheek. The one she remembered in her mouth. She wanted it there again. “I want you. But whether or not I do doesn’t mean we have to act on it.”

“Maybe I want to. Unless you don’t. And if you don’t, say it. Then we will forget about this conversation for good and I won’t have to worry about you claiming sexual harassment on me.” He laughed, but didn’t say a word. She put her wrist in front of her face. “You’ve got thirty seconds to say it.”

They sat there in silence. Thirty seconds went by.

Then another.

Neither of them was saying a word.

She got the point.

She dropped her arm, but he reached for her hand, then tugged her toward him.

She caught herself on the arms of the chair, their faces just inches apart.

“If you want it, then you can kiss me.”

Their eyes stayed locked. Their lips were just a whisper away from each other.

She leaned down to do it, but stopped before they touched.

“I want it, but not here. See, I can be professional too.”