No man had ever made her break her control.
Wayne, a man she’d first despised and now seemed to understand more than ever, was breaking down her walls.
She had to fight it.
Just once, I could be naughty.
I could give in.
His lips were so close, and when he finally claimed hers, she was lost. She moved the hands on his chest up, circling his neck, holding him close.
Chapter Seven
Wayne paced his bedroom later that night. The kiss had been like fire, consuming, and made him ache in ways he didn’t think were possible. Before he’d been able to go any further, Timothy had interrupted them, and Temperance used that as an excuse to escape him.
He knew without even asking that she was torn between taking what she wanted and being professional.
Screw being professional. He got it. She was a good girl who did no wrong, and his respect for her was high, higher than any other woman he’d ever known.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he rubbed his hands together. He should leave her alone. Let her live her life, and ignore this burning desire inside him, but he couldn’t do it. No matter how much he tried to stem the need within him, he couldn’t.
He wanted her.
Both of them were consenting adults.
Fuck, he’d even told her the truth about his own wish from the past he’d long tried to bury. That man was long gone, and yet no matter how much he tried to shake it, there was no getting away from what he wanted or needed.
The clock read eight o’clock. This was the longest day he’d ever spent away from home.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he knew he couldn’t let her walk away.
He left his bedroom and walked the few feet to her door.
She’d already put Timothy to bed, and he knocked, entering without even waiting for her to answer. He stood in the doorway of her bedroom. She’d just gotten out of the shower, and water dripped from her hair down her body. The towel she wore gaped a little at the side, and she clutched it to keep it closed.
Her normally wild hair was tamed with the weight of the water.
“Wayne?”
“You knew this wasn’t over.” He closed the door but made no move to step forward.
“You’re my boss.”
“I don’t care.”
“This breaks every single rule.”
“At thirty years old you’ve followed the rules and look where it has gotten you. You’ve been dismissed from several homes due to jealousy of other women. They want to be like you. You’ve got no family, apart from a roommate who does porn. No boyfriend, no prospects, and just another family waiting to tempt you with the promise of things being different. Is this where you intended to be at thirty years old?” There were tears in her eyes, but they didn’t fall. She merely shook her head.
“You know this isn’t where I planned to be. I wanted more, so much more.”
“And instead, you’re taking care of kids that are not your own. Caring for them, loving them like a mother should.” He stepped closer to her. “Tell me you don’t feel this? That you don’t ache to have my hands on you, and you’re not desperate to see how good it could be between us.”
“You’re not offering me forever.”
“I’m not. I’ll never lie to you, Tempe. I’ll always tell you the truth. I’ll never lie, and I don’t cheat.”
She snorted. “Please, you’re the classic playboy.”
“Don’t believe everything you’ve read. I’ve never cheated on any woman that I’ve been with.” He stepped a little closer, and she didn’t tell him to leave.
“I’m not like you.”
“I know.”
“This is crazy.”
“Then tell me to go.” He stood in front of her. “Tell me to leave your room, and I will not hold it against you. I won’t beg, Tempe. I’ll accept your decision. However, if you don’t want me to leave, then tell me to stay.”
He waited, watching as her gaze landed on his chest. Never in all of his life had he felt so fucking nervous. She did this to him. She made him want. She made him ache and yearn. At the click of his fingers he could have anything he ever wanted, and yet right now, everything he had seemed rather pointless. Nothing that he owned impressed this woman.
In fact, only the truth had impressed her.
His honesty.
It was one thing he’d always give her.
“Stay.” The word was whispered, and for a few seconds, he thought he’d not heard correctly. Glancing down at her, he saw she was finally looking up at him. “Stay.” Her voice was clearer now.
He wanted to fist-pump the air. Instead, he cupped her face, pulling her those last few steps and slamming his lips down on hers. Sinking his fingers into her wet hair with one hand, with the other, he gripped her ass, holding her tight against him.