“Try me.”
He’s probably going to toss me out, but I can’t mourn a job I never really had. “Fine. I’ve been looking for a way to tell you that Marcus Hunt is trying to screw you. He and Hennessey are colluding to steal money and launder it while ‘exposing’ you as the perpetrator of the scheme. That document Marcus wants you to sign so badly, that I’ve stopped him twice from shoving in your face? They’re calling whatever that is their insurance policy. It sets their scheme in motion. I’ve been wracking my brain for some way to convince you to believe me since it’s my word against his.”
“Is that all?”
What else was he expecting me to say? “Yes.”
A giant smile breaks across Mr. Force’s face. “You’re fired.”
Though I expected those words, cold dread fills my belly. “Of course I am. I knew you wouldn’t believe me. But at least I tried. I’ll get my things and go.”
As I turn away, he grabs my wrist and tugs, pulling me back into his body. “You’re fired until morning. Tonight, sweetheart, you’re mine.”
Breathlessly, I search his face for answers. “What are you saying?”
“I liked everything about your résumé the moment I read it. A few minutes after meeting you, I knew you had that intangible something I need in my organization. I told Marcus I intended to hire you when I texted him this afternoon to bring your supplies.”
Seriously? “I’d barely been here an hour.”
He shrugs. “I’m decisive. But I needed to know if I could trust you. Now that I know you’d actually stick out your neck to protect me, I have no doubt I can.”
“So the ‘scheme’ with Marcus and Hennessey was a setup?”
“It was a litmus test—and you passed perfectly. In fact, you’ve exceeded every expectation since you walked in the room.” He pulls me closer. “Wanting you, though, shocked me. But I can’t shake it.”
“Mr. Force, I—”
“If you’re going to spend the night in my bed, you should start calling me Chad.”
I blink. “A night in your bed?”
“Are you going to lie to convince me you don’t want me as much as I want you?”
It goes against my grain to be dishonest. Sure, I’ve told an occasional white lie. I’m human. But pretending I’m not interested in burning up the sheets with him would be a colossal whopper. “No, Chad. I won’t lie. I wanted you the minute I laid eyes on you. But that doesn’t mean us having sex is a good idea.”
“You’re right; it’s probably terrible. But it won’t stop me.”
If I’m being honest, it probably won’t stop me, either. But… “I came here for a job.”
“No matter what happens tonight, you’ll have a formal offer tomorrow. A good one because you have a bright future with Force Financial. Tonight, however, you don’t work for me…”
He’s got a point, even if it’s a technicality. He doesn’t date, and I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Maybe we could do this tonight, consider it an itch scratched, then carry on with our professional lives.
I wriggle closer. “Point taken. When are you going to kiss me?”
His low, wicked laugh as he cradles my face sends a shiver up my spine and anticipation sizzling my blood. “This fucking instant.”
Before I can even draw in a breath, he settles his lips over mine. Chad doesn’t bother with testing, teasing, or probing. As he does in business, he swoops in with decisive, measured action designed to inflict maximum devastation to my senses. His big hand snakes through my hair, tugging at the scalp until he positions me exactly where he wants. Then he delves deep into my mouth as if he owns me.
His commanding hold makes me melt. I cling to his broad shoulders, my head drowning in his musky male scent. When his tongue brushes mine, I throw myself—and all caution—into the kiss, sliding, curling, entwining with him. Keeping my wits proves impossible when his free hand slides from my cheek, down to thumb my hard nipple through the gossamer nightgown in a barely there touch. It’s so unlike his ravenous, animal kiss I can’t process the avalanche of sensations.
Everything about this man unravels me. Sure, he’s hot. But he’s also smarter than hell and he speaks my language—ambition, money, passion. He’s unapologetically a shark…but he’s also got a core of honor. I’m not looking to fall in love or anything, but his kisses make me witless and his touch makes me damn glad I’m a woman.
With a flick of his fingers, he slides one of my spaghetti straps down my arm. His lips follow, blazing a path across my skin as he tugs my breast free of the nightgown. Cool air sweeps across the sensitive tip before he envelops it in the brutal heat of his mouth.
My legs turn unsteady, forcing me to cling to him for support. “Chad…”