Filthy Rich Alpha - Virna DePaul Page 0,34
him away in a heartbeat if you come back to bed.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed, pulling on her suit jacket. “That’s blackmail.”
He shrugged. “Whatever it takes.”
She came over to where he sat and leaned down so that her lips met his. “I’m going to use your bathroom and then sneak out while you keep your guest busy.”
“I’ll only need a few minutes with Alex. Wait for me and I’ll take you.”
“I live down the street, so I hardly need an escort. Plus, I still need to shower and get ready for work.”
“I’ll forgive you if you’re late.”
“But Mike won’t. Your new office manager has us all scared. And despite what I said yesterday, I don’t want people—well, any more people than necessary—talking about me. I’d prefer we be discreet about what happened.”
He caught her wrist in a tight grip and held her in place. “What’s going to continue to happen, you mean.”
When she said nothing, he drew out her name warningly. “Cara?”
“I’m just thinking,” she said swiftly. “Last night was amazing. Of course it was. But…”
He stood, and with no concern for his nudity or the fact he had a friend on his way up, placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
“But nothing. I want to see you again. Dinner. Drinks. Trips to the opera. But mostly naked. In my arms. Taking me deep inside you. Shaking and shuddering as I make you come.”
God, that sounded great. More than great. A part of her hungered to be wanted so intensely, but a part of her pulled away. She could see why she was so attracted to this man, but why was he attracted to her? “Why?”
He frowned. “Pardon?”
“Why me? Even with everything that’s going on? The gossip and the video…”
“You’re amazing. Strong. Beautiful.”
“I’m not as beautiful as Deena.” Oh, God. She wanted to clap a hand over her insecure mouth. This hesitation on her end wasn’t about her being jealous, was it?
He dropped his hands and bit out a laugh. Stepped back. Reached for the robe that hung on the back of the bedroom door and put it on. “That’s ridiculous. You have nothing to worry about with Deena.”
“Yet you just pulled away and dressed when I mentioned her.” Like he was feeling guilty and wanted to hide it.
Her instincts had to be right—he was hiding something; of that she was certain. But what?
His mouth twisted, humor appearing there. Humor about Deena, or was he laughing at her obvious jealousy? “I repeat—you have nothing to worry about. You’re damn gorgeous. You want me. I want you. That’s all that matters.”
She groped for yet another excuse. “But for how long?”
His eyebrow rose.
Her cheeks flushed hot. She hadn’t wanted to sound like one of those clingy, demanding women, but somehow jealousy and insecurity had laced her words ever since he’d inferred he wanted to continue their adventure from the night before. But it was too much. Too intense. She couldn’t go there—not with someone like Branden. Someone passionate, intelligent, amazing in bed, and intense…and with a hidden past. She needed someone safe.
But she hated boring.
“That’s not what I’m suggesting. I—I—” she stammered, then added, “Forget it.” She turned and headed to the door, but she didn’t make it before he caught her.
“Calm down. Tell me what you meant.”
“You’re my boss. What happens when this ends? Or when you get tired of people speculating about us?” She jutted her chin out but wouldn’t look him in the eye. “And I’m not talking about a relationship—I’m talking about my professional reputation. Last night I was willing to take a risk, and, God—” she swallowed hard “—that risk was so worth it, but you know what they say about the cold light of day. Things look a little different now.”
He turned her in his arms. Gently lifted her chin so she would look at him. “No matter what happens with us personally, I will always do right by you as far as your job is concerned. I promise, Cara.”
Someone rang the buzzer on the door and she jerked. Looked down. “Fine.”
He growled in frustration. “Not fine. Look into my eyes. Tell me you believe me.”
Reluctantly, she stared into his eyes. Saw the truth there. Something inside her melted a bit. “Okay. I believe you,” she admitted.
“Thank you.” After kissing her softly and slowly, as if he didn’t care that Alex had just buzzed again, he pulled back. “I’ll see you later.”
She didn’t confirm his assumption, and instead simply said, “Distract him so I can