Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Myers,” I groaned as she dug her fingers into my shoulders.
The slam of a door in the hall brought our passion to a startling halt. I straightened, meeting her panicked eyes.
What the hell was I doing? Ravishing my assistant—in my office during business hours. Jesus, I was her boss. Her superior. I needed to get a grip.
Sadly, I drew a finger across her cheek, rubbing my finger on her wet lips.
I stepped back, tugging her off the sofa.
“That was inappropriate. I apologize.”
She stared up at me, eyes large, lips swollen, and her hair in disarray. She had never been more lovely to me.
She reached up, touching my cheek. I captured her hand and kissed the palm.
“Inappropriate? No. Interrupted. Yes,” she whispered.
Then she left.
I missed her before she even shut the door.
Chapter Nine
MAGNOLIA
Bane was on my mind all night. Every time I shut my eyes, I remembered what it felt like to be in his arms. The weight of his body pressing into mine. The feel of his mouth working mine.
I had been kissed before. Many times. But not by Alexander Bane.
His mouth on mine was magic. He licked and bit at my lips, nipping the bottom one and soothing it with his glorious tongue. The lips that could spout such venom were soft and full against mine. He explored me, his tongue seeking every part of my mouth. He went deep and passionate. Light and sweet. Dipping, teasing, touching. Taking, sucking, demanding. His embrace was tight, and his hand wound around my hair felt divine. We were a flame, drawing heat from each other. I never wanted it to end.
Until we were exposed to a harsh reality. He was right to draw back. To put an end to what was happening. The office was still open, people coming and going.
It wasn’t the time for us to be coming with each other.
But it would happen. I knew it as sure as I knew my own name.
Which I totally forgot when his mouth was on mine.
I was up early, unable to sleep. I baked more muffins and made sandwiches. I boarded the bus, absently digging through my purse for a mint. My fingers encountered a small bag, and I recalled the bridal shower I had been at the previous week. All the guests had been given one. The bus was fairly empty and no one was behind me or beside me, so I opened the bag, peeking in. It held some candy, a gift certificate to an adult shop, a tiny bottle of lube, and a lipstick. Curious, I took off the top, realizing too late it was a mini vibrator. I giggled as I put it back in the bag. I dug in the bottom, my eyes going wide when I saw the candies were actually rainbow-colored condoms. One was labeled “glow-in-the-dark.” The others were pink, purple, and green, and I dropped them back into the bag with another laugh.
Maybe I would be able to use them one day. Soon.
I walked into the office, already hearing the printer going. I knew Bane wanted this done today, and although I hadn’t told him I was coming, I wanted to help. I had stopped and gotten coffee, and after tapping on his door, I went in.
“Morning,” I said with a smile.
He looked up from the printer, surprised. “Myers,” he said with a quizzical smile. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I thought I could help. I brought coffee.”
“Muffins?” he asked, his voice sounding hopeful.
I held up the bag. “Yes.”
He crossed over, stopping short of me. He lifted his arm then dropped it, but he smiled. “Come in, then.”
We had coffee, and he ate his muffin with no remarks about store-bought this time. “What’s in the other bag?” he asked.
“Sandwiches.”
“You’ve already been to the deli?” he questioned.
“No. I make the sandwiches.”
He stopped eating, frowning at me.
“You make the sandwiches,” he repeated. “The ones I eat every day?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Deli meat has all sorts of nitrates and preservatives. My dad’s doctor told me how bad they are for you. All that stuff is linked to Alzheimer’s and other diseases. I roast the meat, and I make all his sandwiches.” I shrugged. “And I make yours.”
He studied me. “That’s what all the meat in your freezer is for?”
“Yes.”
“How are you getting paid for these sandwiches?”
“I’m not. Really, it’s not a problem. I make them for my dad. I make one for myself every day. One more is no big deal.”
He stared, not speaking. Then he shook his head. “It is to me.”
Our eyes met and held, his gaze warm and direct. I had never seen his eyes so blue. They were always intense, but the way he looked at me, they were lit up. A burning cerulean, so clear, they were bottomless. I felt the warmth flow between us, circling and strong.