I smiled. My eyes warmed with emotion. He kept gazing at me. His big blue eyes had this shine about them, as though there was something he needed to say.
“You look beautiful with your hair out,” he said, standing so close I could smell his cologne threatening to turn me into a puddle.
“You’re a stunning woman, Theadora.” He looked indecisive as he rubbed his jaw.
“You can call me Thea,” I said, despite loving how he made my name sound.
His gaze burned on my face, heating my blood. My cheeks fired up, and my nipples stiffened.
Before my next breath, I felt his warm, soft mouth on mine.
His body hard against mine. His tongue running gently along my parted lips.
Despite my head telling me to run away, my pounding heart kept me there.
His lips explored mine, moving slowly. Warm and moist and sensually soft. Our exploring tongues twisted together. His taking the lead as it sucked on mine and then licked it slowly.
My body was on fire. I felt his hardness against me. A huge bulge settled on my stomach.
Fear snapped me out of this hot, sensual haze, and I managed to pull away from those addictive lips.
“I’m really attracted to you.” His voice quiet and a hint of vulnerability coming from his gaze.
His eyes hooded. And then I fell into his firm chest, and again he pressed his lips to mine. It was like a dream. His strong arms holding me firmly against his beating heart. I surrendered myself completely. I can’t say how long we kissed, but it seemed like forever.
Despite the surge of blood-pumping arousal, I broke loose again. Reluctantly. My heart moaning for me to return to his embrace.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you. From the moment you laid on my couch,” he said softly. His breath on my neck sent warm ripples through me.
That comment took a moment to reach my brain.
My brow creased. “From that first night?”
He stepped away from me, which was a relief of sorts. I couldn’t think with him so close I could smell his desire.
“I didn’t touch you. If that’s what you’re asking. But I am a man.” His eyebrow lifted. “I thought about you. I was worried too.” He exhaled an audible breath, as though it had been torturous for him.
Overwhelmed by a burning sensation, I ached for him to touch me. My panties were sticky.
But I needed a job more than I needed to fuck this insanely sexy man.
Speechless, I looked away for a moment, if only to stop myself from falling into his arms again. New sensations swept through me. Surprising given how, before meeting Declan, the thought of a man touching me turned me to ice.
He opened his large hands that I’d fantasised smothering my breasts. “I’m not trying to take advantage of you. I just want you to know I’m seriously attracted to you. I can’t stop thinking about you. And when Reynard came hunting you down, I realised then and there that I don’t want anyone to have you.”
“Have me?” I chuckled nervously. “I’m not a commodity.”
His mouth curved up at one end. “No. Of course not. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I have nothing but this job, and I haven’t enough saved to move. I must finish my degree. I am determined to make something of myself, so that I no longer have to clean bathrooms.”
He smiled sadly. “I’ll make sure you’re protected. And you will do good. I know that. I promise that.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “But why? Why are you offering something like that? That’s a huge promise to make.”
He shrugged. “Because apart from wanting you more than my next fucking breath, I also feel the need to protect you.”
“But you hardly know me, Mr. Lovechilde.”