He leaned forward. “Can’t it be both? Can’t you have it all?”
The flutter soared in her belly. She nodded. She could have it all. She deserved it all.
“I-I guess I could go.”
She didn’t have the willpower to tell him no. Not with those eyes and lips. Not with large hands that could hold her close. Her lips practically parted, begging for him to kiss them. She knew she had officially lost her sanity.
He was pulling her in with that look. She knew it, but there was no lifeline to drag her back to reality.
“I promise you’ll never forget Vegas, sweetheart.”
Hunter rose from the couch to escort her to the door. He pressed his hand into the small of her back. It was as if he seared her skin through her blouse.
“Congratulations,” he leaned to whisper in her ear before opening the door.
She looked up at him. She didn’t know whether to stay or to run. To say thank you, or screw you. She was filled with hope and regret. Confusion was pouring in from all sides.
The door closed behind her and Alison was in the foyer to Hunter’s office. She was free.
Twelve
Drew
Alison was hunched over a drawing board in the corner of her office when he walked in the room.
“Hi.” It looked as if she wanted to smile.
“Hi,” he answered. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“I still can’t believe it.” She looked up from her drawing. “I won.”
He nodded. “You sure did. And I hear you are going to Vegas with us for the weekend.”
He saw the blush on her cheeks. He wondered how that conversation transpired between her and Hunter.
“I am. It seems like the right thing to do to keep the integrity of the project.”
He grinned. “Of course.”
She leaned over the desk again.
He wanted to walk behind her and push the skirt to her hips. He wanted to sink his fingertips into her flesh while he explored every part of her from behind. His mouth went dry. What was this girl doing to him?
“That’s good to hear. Are you ready for the trip? I wanted to let you know we leave in the morning.”
He walked beside her, curious to see what she had drawn. She quickly scurried in front of him, bumping against his side. Her ass rubbing into this thigh as she covered her artwork.
Her heard the gasp from her lips when his hands rested on her waist to steady her. It was a spontaneous reaction, but he didn’t want her to fall. His fingers lingered, pressing gently into her hipbones. Alison leaned into him for a second. Long enough he could feel the heat of her body pressed against his chest before she abruptly wiggled free.
He grinned, but she was turned away from him. Everything in him told him to pull her back toward him. She would take a little more. Give a little more. But she stepped toward her computer, putting something solid between them.
“I’ll have Douglas pack your things.”
“I can pack for myself.” Her green eyes fired.
“There are several events, including dinners, cocktail receptions, and the official launch presentation. Douglas will pack for you.”
“I’m free now. You and Hunter don’t have to do things like that anymore.”