"You don't think you're any man's fantasy?"
I shrugged. I knew I wasn't ugly, but neither was I a stunning beauty. Not like Caryn. “I know I’m okay in the looks department, but I’m no fantasy—"
"You're wrong about that."
Was he saying I was a fantasy? Pain shot through me and I turned away. "Don't patronize me."
"I'm not patronizing you." All of a sudden, his arm was around me and with a tug, I was pressed flush against his body.
I gasped as I felt the hard ridge of his dick against my belly.
"Now do you believe me?"
I stared up into his eyes exuding frustration. I was confused. What did this mean?
"You’ve been starring in my fantasies since the moment you walked into my office."
What?My body flooded with desire at his words. My hands pressed on his chest, my fingers curling into his shirt, holding on. I wasn't sure if it was to keep from melting or to keep him from backing away because I could tell by the annoyance in his eyes and the frustration in his tone that he wanted to. He didn't like feeling whatever he was feeling toward me.
"Then why are you trying so hard to ignore me?" I asked.
"Because I promised you I wouldn't touch you." He quickly released me and stepped away as if he'd only just realized he was doing exactly what he said he didn't want to do.
I felt the loss like a rejection, but mostly, I was confused. "If you're attracted to me, wouldn’t that be a benefit to pulling off this fake marriage? I mean, I know attraction isn’t love, but—"
He put his hands on his hips. "It's distracting. When we’re in situations in which we don't have to fool anybody, it’ll be better if I keep my distance. I can't lose focus."
It was probably wrong that my ego inflated from his words. It was like he couldn’t help himself. What woman didn’t want to hear that a man was helpless around her?
"In the end, I am still your boss. Even in this deal, I am the boss.”
I wanted to argue that we were partners, but I suppose technically, he'd hired me and was paying me to pretend to be his wife.
"I'm not one of those assholes who would take advantage."
Just like the other time in his office when he said something respectful, my heart did a soft little roll in my chest. He was trying to be good. He was trying to do what was right.
Even so, I found his attitude frustrating. "It's not one-sided, you know." Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that, but I couldn't stop myself from saying the words. He could be difficult and grumpy, but he lit a fire inside me that I didn't want to go out.
His eyes flashed with heat. "That's all the more reason we should be hands off."
"Why?" I worried I sounded like I was begging. But every fiber of my being ached to have a man as intense and passionate as James to touch me. It was scary even as it was exciting.
He was probably right, and it was an urge I should probably fight against, but hadn't I made a vow to live my life fully? To experience all the things? If I truly lived full-throttle, there would be consequences, good and bad. It was a price I was willing to pay to be with him.
He ran both his hands through his hair, swearing again. "What do you want, Reyna?"
I shrugged. "It sounds like I want the same thing you do."
He looked at me, and I swore I could see a tug of war going on in his eyes. Which side would win?
My answer came when his hands were on the side of my face and his lips were fused against mine. An inferno blasted through me as his mouth parted and his tongue invaded to dance with mine. I moaned as my body flooded with desire.
A growl rumbled through his chest as one of his hands slid down, covered my ass, and pulled me closer to him. He ground his erection into me.
Yes, yes, my body cried as every neuron fired. I wondered how long it would take to get naked so I could see him, feel him?
His hands came to my hips, pushing me back. He stalked away from me to the door. It took me a moment to realize the change. I blinked, trying to get my brain to engage.