‘Are you playing some sort of game?’ Emotion coloured her voice. She sounded fed up. ‘Are you sure a tall, blonde aristocrat will meet your needs—’
‘Why, Ms MacIain? Do you think a medium height brunette from Australia might be a better fit for my needs?’
Her gasp was loud in the thrumming silence. She shot to her feet, eyes flashing pure silver, hands curling into fists beside her. ‘If you’re implying—’
‘I’m not implying anything, just pondering.’
And, despite his better judgement, enjoying the fact she was no longer treating him like a professional challenge. He much preferred her honest emotions, though he wouldn’t accept such insolence from anyone else.
The air sizzled with the energy she radiated. Salim felt it like a shower of sparks peppering his skin. And in the heavy weight settling in his lower body. The strain of clenching muscles.
‘I’d never...’ She shook her head as if words failed her, but not for long. ‘No,you’rethe one sabotaging this process.I’mthe one trying to keep it on track.’
She dragged in deep breaths, her breasts rising against her blue dress. Valiantly Salim refocused on her face, flushed and vibrant.
‘That’s the problem. This project isn’t on track at all. It’s going off the rails.’
It was his fault for agreeing to have her here. He should have known better that night when she’d stalked into his office as if she owned it, demanding to know what he was doing there. That stirring excitement hadn’t left him since. He’d been on tenterhooks, trying to do the right thing, curbing a reaction to her that was as undeniable as it was inconvenient.
She hiked up her chin, at the same time cocking her hip and planting her hand on it in an attitude of pure, feminine provocation that was impossible to resist.
‘Okay. I’ll bite. Why, in your opinion, is it going off the rails? Tell me straight. Don’t waste any more of my time.’
‘Why? Because of this, of course.’
Salim took a single stride that brought him right up to her. He saw her narrowed eyes widen but not, he saw, in dismay. He slipped one arm around her waist, drawing her against him, and cupped the back of her head with his other hand.
For an instant he was lost in the white-hot flare of light in her eyes, then he bent his head and his mouth met hers.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ROSANNAHADSENSEDthe kiss coming in the static charge that made every hair on her body stand up. In the elation that had ramped up the longer they were together. She’dseenit coming, Salim’s head lowering towards her in slow motion as if daring her to push him away.
Yet she hadn’t done a thing to avoid his kiss.
She hadn’t turned her head or pushed him back or said a word in protest.
How could she when this was exactly what she’d craved all these months?
Instead she’d grabbed his shirtfront and watched, breathless, as those dark eyes came closer and she tumbled into their midnight depths.
Finally, as his lips covered hers, it hit her. The most overpowering relief. As if she’d waited all her life for this moment.
Despite the energy running through her, Rosanna sagged a little, knees giving way and legs trembling with reaction. All because she experienced again the taste of his mouth on hers. As if she’d hungered all this time for the indefinable flavour that was pure Salim.
But even that weakness brought its reward as his hard frame pressed against her, his hold enveloping her, and joy burst free.
Salim’s fingers moved, pulling her tight bun free and channelling through her hair in a bold caress that was sumptuous and delicious.
Almost as bold and delicious as the way he kissed, knowing and satisfying, yet full of promise.
They were like lovers parted too long. Lovers who knew each other intimately. Salimdidknow her intimately. The stroke of his tongue, the angle of his mouth and the hard but not too hard pressure aroused and captivated her. As if he knew exactly what she wanted.
Rosanna squirmed closer, pressing herself against him, revelling in the contours of his body, his powerful thighs wide around hers. And all that glorious heat.
Salim caressed her scalp, gently tugging her hair so her head tilted backwards, giving him better access, and she couldn’t prevent a muffled groan of pleasure.
Instantly his grip around her waist tightened, pulling her so close she registered his arousal, potent against her abdomen.