Why did he have to be so kind? Why did this man, whom she had known for such a short time, have to treat her with so much care? Make her feel seen? Say all the words she wanted to hear? Why did they have to come from the most temporary person in her life?
Emma looked away from his intense gaze. He was making her feel things, and that wasn’t what she wanted. Especially not now, when she felt vulnerable.
When she let her eyes meet his again he lowered his lips towards hers, hovering above them, waiting for a sign to say she wanted this too. She closed the gap between them, ignoring any warning that his kiss might mean something more. She didn’t need or want that. All she wanted was the distraction.
Alex pulled her against his body as he stepped backwards, reaching behind him for a chair that he dragged out. His lips left hers as he sat down. His eyes, though, were unwavering in their steely focus on her. She straddled his lap and his arm locked around her, the other brushing her hair back. He took her lip between his, gliding his tongue along it, and her breath left her in a sigh.
This was what she needed. To be so consumed that she had no room to think about anything else.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ALEXCOULDN’TSTOPthinking about what Emma had said. Every instinct had screamed at him not to get involved. Not to ask her what was wrong. But seeing her so deflated made something flare within him. A protective instinct he hadn’t felt before for anyone other than his family and his company.
And that kiss afterwards. Another mistake. He was fully aware that he was breaking his own rules. The funny thing was that he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. He’d wanted to kiss her and he wasn’t going to deny himself any part of Emma. That was why he’d asked her for more time. Once their time was up there would be no reason to see any more of each other, so he was going to savour every kiss and touch he could with her.
That was why he had arranged this evening. Emma had had a trying day that he had done his best to make her forget. Now he was taking her out to dinner so that they could have a good time. It would be a good memory for her and it meant nothing more than that. He was convinced of it.
The dress that was laid out on his bed was there so that she would have something to wear, not to make her feel special.
Alex took a sip of the whisky in his hand, watching the lowering sun.
Emma stood by the bed, her fingers caressing the diaphanous fabric of the pale green dress. All Alex had told her was that they were going out for dinner tonight. By the looks of the garment on the bed she could only assume it was somewhere special. Apart from their brief adventure in the city, it would be the first time they were leaving the apartment in days.
The thought made her blush.
A small smile played on her lips. Whatever Alex had planned would be fun, and after all that had happened she needed it.
Not knowing what the next day would bring, Emma was determined to enjoy tonight. She picked the dress up and stood by the long mirror, gliding the smooth, silken fabric over her body. Fastening the straps behind her neck, Emma examined her appearance.
It was a beautiful dress, falling like a waterfall to the floor. It made her feel sexy and powerful and so very feminine. She buckled her strappy heels in place and was ready to go.
The breath was knocked out of her when she stepped into the lounge.
Alex slowly pivoted from the window, his searing gaze devouring her whole. In a suit several shades darker than his eyes, he looked like a builder of empires—or someone who could just as easily tear them down.
He extended a hand to her, and as if instinct alone drove her Emma crossed the room to take it. He pinned her hands behind her back, making her thrust her breasts out, her body pressed against his. Light as a feather, his lips trailed down her neck.
‘Right now, I want to say screw dinner...but the car is waiting downstairs.’
His gravelly words had electricity firing in her core. He kissed her hard and quick, a promise for later, and with a warm hand on the small of her back led her out of his apartment.
The driver waited beside a black limo, opening the door the moment Alex and Emma appeared through the glass door.
‘Pulling out all the stops, aren’t you?’ Emma laughed.
Alex simply shrugged with that smile she adored. He helped her in, then settled beside her, pulling her against his side with an arm wrapped around her.
The last time they had shared a back seat he’d wanted his hands all over her. It took a monumental effort to look away from her, so that he could control the temptation. Now it was different. Emma had agreed to be with him until they’d both had their fill of each other, which meant he could touch her to his heart’s content.
‘Where are we going?’ Emma asked as the limo pulled away from the kerb.
‘To dinner,’ he said with that secret smile, and he pressed a button that had the privacy screen shut firmly in place.
‘Yes, Alexander, but where?’
‘You’re not very patient, are you?’ He draped her legs over his lap and whispered in her ear. ‘Maybe I just need to occupy your mind with something else.’
He slipped his hand under her dress.