"Then I'll walk with you."
Half of me wants to tell him to get lost. The other half wants to ask him to rip off my clothes.
He wants me too. But this doesn't sound like an invitation to my apartment.
"I don't need an escort. I'm a big girl." I pull my coat tighter. I'm already here. I might as well go for broke. "Unless you're inviting yourself over."
He stops and stares into my eyes. "You don't have any idea what you're getting yourself into."
"Inform me."
Instead of responding, he motions for me to follow him.
I do.
We go straight to the downtown side of the subway station. I tap my toe, trying to feel anything but overwhelmed. Nick is just as imposing outside of the office as in it. He drips power and status.
It's freezing down here. I hug my arms around my chest, a protection from the cold, from Nick's assumption that I can't handle him. Whatever that means.
There's a weight around my shoulders. His coat. I look back to Nick to confirm. Sure enough, he's standing there in his sleek black suit. He's so unreadable. Did it really hurt his feelings when I called him a robot?
It's not a nice thing to say.
I toss his jacket back to him. "If you want to keep me warm, do it with your arms, not your coat."
"Has anyone ever told you that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?"
"Fruit flies are attracted to vinegar." I shove my hands into my pockets. "And that's a stupid cliché. You're smarter than that."
"Is that what you want?"
"Fruit flies? No thank you."
"Do you really want my arms around you? Can you really handle that?"
I swallow hard. "Yes."
"If that's all it is?"
I nod.
"You're lying."
"Prove it."
A metallic whir echoes through the station. Our train is here. I adopt a patient, calm expression as the doors open.
We step inside.
It's empty. We're the only passengers on this particular car. No one goes downtown on a Friday night.
The doors slide shut. The train picks up.
Nick moves closer. His arms slide around my sides and he pulls me into a deep, tight hug. Heat passes through me. It's instant. My stomach, my chest, my fingers, and my toes are warm.
That ache builds between my legs. Nick's arms are around me. It's not enough. I need all of him, every way I can have him.
He smells so good.
Nick steps back. His eyes meet mine. "Do you really want me to tease you, Lizzy?" He unbuttons my coat. His hand goes to the zipper of my dress. "You'll go home even more frustrated."
I press my lips together. No way I'm relenting now. No matter how right he is. "Try me."
He pulls the zipper to my stomach. He drags his fingertips over the outline of my bra, from one shoulder to the other.
He does it again.
Again.
Heat surges through my body.
His eyes are glued to mine. His expression is intense. Captivating. Totally in control.
Every touch builds the ache inside me.
How is it possible I need him more?
I bite my lip to keep from moaning. To keep from begging.
"I'm not frustrated." I press my knees together.
"Don't lie to me again."
I swallow hard. "Or?"
"Or I'll punish you."
"What if I want you to punish me?"
His voice is stern. "Do you?"
"What does it matter if you don't fuck interns?"
"I could snap my fingers and destroy your career." He grabs my wrists and pulls my hands behind my back.
I struggle against his grip, but he holds tight. There's no strain in his expression. It's nothing.
"I can overpower you without breaking a sweat." He releases me.
He can. And it makes my sex clench. It makes me hotter.
He stares into my eyes. "What makes you think it's a good idea to challenge me?"
I step backwards and plant in a seat. I uncross my legs, spreading them wide on my way to crossing them again.
His gaze follows my movements. His pupils dilate.
"I can destroy you right back," I say. "Blake Sterling is obsessed with my sister. He'd do anything for her. If I ask, he'll crush your company."
"You won't ask."
"How do you know?"
"I know enough about you."
I stare back at him. "You won't destroy my career."
"How do you know?"
"You're not petty like that."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. And if not, I don't mind going down as long as I take you with me."
He smiles. "You talking about mutually assured destruction or about oral sex?"
"Either way."
After we get off the train, Nick leads the way to my building. We go straight to the elevator.
Its doors slide together. Except for the camera in the ceiling, we're alone.
Nick turns towards me. He unbuttons my coat. His fingertips graze the neckline of the dress, all the way to the still-pulled-down zipper.
I lean into his touch. My eyelids press together. My lips part. I don't have it in me to suppress my moan. His touch is too intoxicating.
Nick shifts. His hands go to my ass. He lifts me and pins me against the wall. His hold is so tight, I can barely breathe.
I stare back at him. "Whatever point you're proving, I like it."
"And when I leave without fucking you?"
"I'm not a fan of that part, but it's probably for the best. I don't have any condoms."
"You have a smart mouth."
"Yeah?"
"It's a defense. It means you're nervous."
I admit nothing.
The elevator dings. My floor. Nick sets me down. His eyes are on fire. He's hard. He wants this as much as I do.
But he's still resisting.
Why?
I pull my coat over my shoulders as I make my way down the hall.
He follows me inside.
With the lights off, the only illumination comes from the moon and the warm blue of the sky.
I toss my purse on my bed and shrug my coat off my shoulders.
His posture is stiff, formal.
"Can I take your coat?" I offer.
"No."
He's still here, still in my apartment.
I weigh all the variables—the desire I saw in his eyes, the heat in my body, the stern tone of his voice, his excitement about teasing me.
This is a risk, but the upside is worth it.
I hold Nick's gaze as I pull the zipper to my stomach. I shift the dress off one shoulder, then the other.
His pupils dilate. "What are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable." I go to push my dress off my hips.
Nick grabs my arm and holds it tightly. "Don't."
"Or?"
"Listen to me."
I press my hands against my sides. "About?"
"Stop rushing into things. You're being foolish."
"Fuck you." I shimmy out of my dress. It falls at my feet. "This is my apartment and I'll take off my fucking clothes if I want to."
His eyes go wide. Something in his expression shifts. It's rougher. "Are you okay with me leaving?"
"Yes."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Nick wraps his hands around my ass and holds my body against his. He takes two steps forward, pushing me into the wall.
His lips press against my neck. My collarbone. My chin.
I try to kiss him, but he turns his face so my lips make contact with his jawline.
He tugs my bra off my shoulders, one strap at a time. My breasts press against the rough fabric of his suit. It's just enough friction to send a shiver down my spine.
Dammit, he's good at this.
I try to find the meaning in Nick's eyes, but it's not there. When he brings his fingertips to my nipples,
I stop caring where this is going. All I know is how badly I want him touching me.
He can't leave. Not yet.
Heat pools between my legs. I reach for Nick's hair, something to contain the sensation, but he pins my hands to the wall. It's as effortless as it was in the subway. He's much stronger than I am. He can overpower me without breaking a sweat.
He can do whatever he wants to me.
"Nick," I breathe. "What are you doing?"
He responds by rolling my tights to my knees.
Okay. I don't need conversation. I need him.
His fingers graze the top of my panties.
Yes. Almost.
He pushes my thong aside and strokes me.
My sex clenches. My body is on fire with need. I try to kiss him.
With one hand, he holds my head in place. The other teases me.
Almost.
Almost.
He slides one finger inside me.
My body screams with need. Yes. Whatever he wants, yes, now.
His lips press against my neck. My chest. My cheek. They're an inch from my lips, but they're not connecting.
He's not kissing me.