Some might see it that way, but Callum suspected that wasn’t really her objection. “We have no HR policy against employees dating. Danvers, our CFO, is dating one of the sales managers. Would you call them unprofessional?”
“I-I…” Tori opened her mouth, but no other sound came out.
Cal knew he’d trapped her neatly. If she said yes, she insulted a man she often worked with. If she said no, she opened the door to a romance between them.
“What’s the real objection? Your feelings for my brothers?”
Even in this lighting, he saw her face flush. “I realize that’s not normal here in London. Maybe I’ve spent too much time in Bezakistan. And I know it’s wrong, but…”
Was it? Really? Again, he pushed the thought aside.
He leaned in, breathing over her plump lips. “I’ll make you forget them. I’ll show you I’m the right man for you.”
“I’m not here for romance. I don’t want it.”
The hell she didn’t. Her pounding heart and hitched breaths said otherwise. “Kiss me, Tori. Kiss me once. And if it isn’t as good as I think it’s going to be, if you don’t want more, I’ll walk away.”
It was a lie. There was no chance of that. He wanted her far too badly to ever give her up, but she needed the comfort of that small fib.
“You won’t tell them I lied?” Her voice all but pleaded.
“Not if you kiss me.”
She took a shaky breath. “All right. Just this once.”
His whole body leapt with anticipation. This was the start of his life. One kiss. One woman. Forever.
He waited as she rose on her tiptoes, her hands brushing against his face. She studied him as if memorizing the moment. Fingertips moved along his jawline before her thumb skimmed his bottom lip.
“I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Tori.” He wasn’t going to play around or pretend he wasn’t in love with her. She should know that during every moment of her life, from this day on, he would be thinking about her, wanting her.
“And I think you’re crazy. I’m taking the dress and the jewelry back.” She brushed her lips against his.
He scowled as she pulled back. “No, you’re not and that wasn’t a kiss.”
“Hush, I’m not done.” Again, her mouth briefly met his. “And yes, I am taking them back. That’s not negotiable.”
“You think this is a negotiation?”
“Isn’t everything?”
“No, love. Some things aren’t up for negotiation. Some things require dominance, and it’s time I show you what I mean.” He cupped her nape, fingers clamping around her delicate neck, and lowered his mouth to hers. She’d used the word conquest before. He was going to show her what it really meant.
* * * *
Tori’s heart raced as his head dipped lower and his lips crashed over hers. She felt a rush of arousal burn through her veins. She didn’t need to be more aroused. She hadn’t been thinking clearly from the moment she realized she was alone with Callum and that he wouldn’t play politely anymore.
He knew she’d been lying about her engagement. She looked like a fool, but he wasn’t laughing at her and telling her she’d never needed protection against him. No. He was proving her point by invading her space and making her whole body come to life under his touch.
His mouth covered hers, heat flashing across her skin like a lightning fire.
She’d been kissed before but never like this. Softly at first, but Tori felt his leashed strength. When he kissed, he didn’t just move his lips. His whole body engaged, teasing her to slide against him. With big hands, he drew her deeper into his embrace, caressing her back, down to cup the curves of her hips. Seemingly of their own volition, her arms wound around him, her breasts crushed to his hard chest.
Tori lost herself in his scent and taste, in feeling both desired and adored. She shouldn’t kiss one of her employers, shouldn’t encourage this man. But they were alone; no one would see them. It was only a kiss, and she owed him for his silence. She didn’t have to give him more. She certainly didn’t have to give him her heart. Why couldn’t she just bask in this one moment?
With a sigh, she surrendered to his embrace. The instant she did, everything changed. The predator in him pounced, as though he scented her submission. Too late, Tori realized she and Callum shared far more than a mere kiss and she was in danger.
As he pressed deeper into her mouth and his tongue touched hers, she couldn’t seem to care about the reasons giving into him was a terrible idea. She could only feel.