“I won’t,” I promise. “It can be our little secret.”
“I like that.” He smiles. “I like secrets.”
Damn, he needs to pull it down a notch, or I might just throw myself on his bed.
I glance out the French doors to the patio. There’s a fire pit surrounded by curved outdoor sofas. I wonder if he ever spends anytime outside. I walk closer to the doors. “You have an amazing patio.” I’d seen the front end, but never this back part. “Mine is very small.”
He shrugs, and buries his hands in his pockets.
“It pays to own the place, I guess,” I joke.
“So this concludes the tour,” he says. “This is it.”
I walk around and peek at the ensuite bathroom, very similar to the kids’ one. My eyes are greedy when I walk by the walk-in closet. It’s stunning, all glass doors and sleek shelves. A round tufted purple ottoman sits at the center and is topped by a glamorous light fixture. A tall mirror and chair are tucked in one corner. I walk slowly in and marvel at how everything is so perfectly organized; shirts pressed, jackets and shoes perfectly aligned, clothing folded impeccably.
“Amazing,” I say, jaw still on the floor. “I’d love this closet.”
He smiles. “I’m sure it would be more colorful if it were yours.”
“It definitely would be. I love color.”
I stand in front of his impressive collection of ties, each one more fabulous than the previous one. They are folded neatly into a series of small square cubbies, every pattern in the book; plaid, paisley, stripes, solids, flowers and even polka-dots. “This spot is quite colorful.”
I can feel him as he inches closer behind me. My body stands to attention, in anticipation of his touch. I desperately want him to reach out. I know he wants to. I can feel it in every cell of my body.
We both stand for the longest time, drinking in the delicious moment. Neither one of us dares to move. Finally, he places a hand softly on my arm, leans into me, and presses his face very lightly against the back of my head, just under my high up-do. He’s being a gentleman, not crossing the line. “Your hair smells amazing.”
I close my eyes, wanting more. Every woman has a sweet spot, and mine is the back of my neck. Donovan knew this and he always kissed me there. I haven’t been touched there in over two years. All I can think about is Weston’s soft lips on my skin. “Kiss my neck,” I whisper, the words shocking me and sending my heart into overdrive.
Weston doesn’t utter a single word. Doesn’t move. I desperately want to take the words back. Three little words. What was I thinking? Did I cross the line? Did I mess everything up?
8
Finally, he glides his mouth down and presses a slow soft kiss on the nape of my neck. I’m a puddle. I can’t feel my limbs. I’m nothing but a heartbeat and oozing desire. I slowly turn to face him, and when I do, his gaze is full of emotion; curiosity, lust and… pain. He slides his cheek against mine, and I’m completely frozen under his touch. He sweeps his mouth down my cheek and plants another soft kiss on my collar bone. The warmth of his soft lips and the feel of his five o’clock shadow sends chills down my spine.
I want more.
I reach for him, taking his face in both my hands, and draw his mouth to mine. Our lips meet for just a second before he pulls away. A pained expression etches his features as he tells me we can’t do this.
My heart sinks. My pussy screams in protest. My brain is fuzzy.
“We can’t do this, Gretchen,” he tells me again. “Given the circumstances. I am your employer, and you are my employee. This kind of behavior is highly inappropriate.”
“I don’t care,” I say, oozing desperation. “I don’t mind at all. I want—”
He takes a few steps back. “You don’t understand. We are not in the same positions here. As your employer, the consequences of these actions are much more severe for me than they are for you. I have much more to lose than you. We are not equal in this scenario.”
“Oh…” I say. “I know. You’re my boss, Mr. Rich and Important, and I’m just a lowly employee.” I spin away from him, and head out of the closet. “I get it. Please forget anything ever happened. I’m very sorry.”