Page 27 of Wild Promise

I moved farther into the room, trying to snag her attention. “Yeah, that’s actually why I’m here.”

“What?” Her eyes finally met mine again.

“I do have a great plan.” Were my palms sweating? Fuck, why was this so difficult? “And it involves you.”

A tiny crease formed between her brows.

“I’m taking you out tonight,” I said. “Thought I’d show you a good time.”

“That’s a little presumptive, don’t you think?”

“Probably.” I smiled. “But to be honest, I’m making this plan up as I go.”

The tension dropped from her shoulders, and she laughed, the sound sparking a fire in my chest. “Okay then, I guess if we’re being honest, I could really use a night out. It’s been a long week.”

“Yeah?” I smiled.

“Yeah,” she agreed, stacking her papers together again before stuffing them away in a file folder. “Why not?”

“Do you have a warm coat and comfortable shoes?”

She swiveled in her chair, sticking her feet out from under the desk, and my eyes followed along the curve of her body, down the trail of her legs, until they landed on her tall leather boots. Even covered neck to toes, she was the sexiest fucking thing I’d ever seen.

“Those should do.” I moved my gaze back to hers before she knew where my thoughts were straying. “What about a coat?”

She pointed to the rack in the corner where her long wool coat hung. “Good enough?” she asked, standing from her chair with a stretch.

Her back arched, shoulders rolled, and her sweater pulled tight across her breasts. Every tiny movement fed the hunger already clawing through me after a solid week of obsessing over her picture like some lovesick psycho.

When I’d promised to show her a good time, I hadn’t meant it as an innuendo. But right now, all I could think about was bending her over the desk. Or pinning her against the wall. Or fuck, at this point, I was willing to pull her down on top of me on the cold floor.

“Zane?”

“Yeah?” I pushed a hand through my hair, fighting off the lust.

“Where are we going?”

Slowly insane.

“It’s a surprise.” I just hoped I could make it a good one.

Chapter Nine

Melina

Zane might not have known where he was leading me, but after sending a quick text to Olivia telling her not to wait up, I followed him anyway.

It was probably foolish. But after another brutal week of work and worry, all I wanted was one night to breathe. One night without thinking about my promotion, my plans, or the constant fear that I was letting everyone down.

Maybe it was a lot to expect from a single night out. Especially since the date itself was one of the things causing me so much stress. Still, I wanted to try.

One date with Zane one-night-wonder Alexander.

What could it hurt? Being careful didn’t mean I couldn’t have a little fun. Right?

Besides, I owed him. The catering company he’d found to fill my staffing needs was local, way under budget, and had completely salvaged the event. The Noma rep hadn’t mentioned pulling their sponsorship again. In fact, they hadn’t complained at all—almost like Becky had made the whole thing up.

A date was really the least I could do to repay him. Plus, I’d given him my word, and as much as I’d second-guessed it, I would never go back on that.