The back of his chair was to her as he faced the stunning view of the city and water. His office was massive. “You’re a hard woman to get a hold of, Miss Harris.”
“Yes, I’ve been busy.”
He swiveled around to face her. Damn, he looked gorgeous in his starched white suit shirt, the top buttons undone. She noted his tie on the desk.
“Or you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Look, why did you send that letter? You can’t actually expect me to follow through on the painting after … you know.”
“A deal’s a deal. We had a verbal agreement. In fact, you were the one to offer, if I remember correctly.”
She sighed. Yes, she’d been lost in the moment, feeling a soul-deep connection because of their shared backgrounds. Now she regretted those words.
“You’re being an asshole about this.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”
Adam got up from his chair and walked around the desk toward her. He was so much taller than her, and it didn’t help she knew exactly what he looked like under those clothes. The man was an Adonis, hard and ripped.
As he approached her, she took a step back.
“Do you know what I think, Alora? I think you’re so fixated on your fantasy of Christmas, your imaginary ideal of family, that you’re afraid to really live.”
She froze. Feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Then huffed.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“If anyone knows, it’s me. You’re so scared of being disappointed that you avoid real relationships.”
“How can you judge me when you’re no different?”
He reached out and grabbed the lapel of her jacket, tugging her closer. “Because that road leads nowhere. I didn’t give a shit until I met you. Now I want it all,” he said. “Shouldn’t we be allowed to have happiness? Haven’t we already suffered enough?”
“Adam…”
He ran the backs of his fingers along her cheek. The way he looked at her, with such adoration in his eyes, warmed her from the inside out. He made her feel wanted, and he was right, it terrified her. Because she didn’t want to lose it.
“Take a chance.”
She shook her head, her heart and head racing. “You’re my boss.”
He frowned. “Another excuse. You’ll always have an excuse, won’t you?”
Adam pulled away, and she regretted her words. It was an excuse. They were attracted to each other, had a lot in common, and he wanted to make it work. What more did she want? Was she going to sabotage every relationship for the rest of her life?
“You’re a billionaire. You could have any woman you want. Why settle for me? Do you have a self-esteem issue?”
He scoffed. “I know exactly what I bring to the table, Alora. I have nothing to be insecure about. You, on the other hand, need to stop trash talking yourself. I’m not sure what you see when you look in the mirror, but I see the sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever met. For God’s sake, you’re a blonde bombshell with curves that make my cock hard in two seconds. You’re the whole package—beauty and brains. Why can’t you see that?”
“Maybe I just need a little reassurance,” she whispered. “I keep expecting the worst to happen, so I like to calm down all my doubts before I commit.”
“You need to trust a little. Trust me.”
What if he broke her heart? She wasn’t sure she could handle more rejection. Her childhood was one disappointment after another. Her adulthood was on her terms. Adam was capable to tear her down, piece by broken piece.
“We could start slow,” she said. Maybe that would ensure she didn’t dive in too deep, too fast.
He wet his lips. “Of course.”
His narrowed green eyes reminded her of a panther, an alpha predator stalking its prey. She held her ground, refusing to rake her fingers down his chest to where she knew that thin trail of dark hair began.
The last thing she needed was his big hand slipping into her skirt—but that was exactly what was happening. He pushed away her panties and impaled two thick fingers deep into her cunt. She inhaled a shaky breath, the instant rush of heat and pleasure taking her by surprise.
“You’re wet,” he whispered against her ear.
She’d been wet from the moment she saw him sitting in his office chair.
Alora closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of his musky cologne. “Please.”
“Let me take care of you.”
He pushed harder, fucking her slowly with his fingers. She sank down against him, needing more. With his free hand, he undid the buttons of her blouse, one by one, then pushed one cup of her bra aside. He suckled her breast, hungrily, his fingers still inside her. She was slipping away from reality, succumbing to the erotic bliss.
“How can you say no to this? We’re perfect for each other,” he said.
****
Adam felt like a horny teenager whenever Alora was around, and he usually had impeccable control of his hormones, especially now that he was in his forties.