It’s all I can do not to drag her across the table, lift her skirt, and make her moan for real. Instead, I exchange a glance with Josh. He’s gripping the arm of his chair and staring at her like she’s the answer to every question he’s ever had, like she’s the antidote to every lonely moment he’s ever endured, like she’s the epitome of every dirty fantasy he’s ever imagined.
Shit. If he gets her under him, how the fuck will I resist? I know what I said before, but refusing her, especially if she wants us… I’m not seeing how anymore.
Slowly, she opens her eyes and looks his way. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“More?” I offer her another bite.
Her gaze flits back to mine, now darker. “I really shouldn’t.”
Just like she shouldn’t be attracted to me? Or to Josh? “Live a little.”
“All right. A little.”
Smothering a smile, I extend my cheesecake-laden utensil across the table again. This time, she offers no fight, simply parts her lips to take my fork inside.
Beside me, Josh stiffens. I know exactly what he’s thinking. It’s the same thing I am.
“Oh, that’s so good.”
Her throaty words have me shifting in my seat. I curl my hand into a fist to keep myself from touching her.
As I pull the fork free, her lashes flutter up. She stares at me with glittering eyes. Her cheeks look rosy. Her plump lips part. Does she know that expression is begging me to fuck her? What would she do if I growled my intention to do just that in her ear?
Trying to hold it together, I carve off a bite of cheesecake and fork it into my mouth, the tines still damp from her tongue. I hum out my pleasure. Dessert is good, but I swear I can taste a hint of her cherry lip gloss. It drives me wild.
“Try the mousse,” Josh offers Kate, extending his spoon toward her.
“How good is it?” She eyes the spoon like an addict.
“Enough to tempt you into wanting more.” He grins.
“I might regret this, but…one bite can’t hurt, right?”
“You’ll love it, I promise.” Josh nestles his spoon onto her tongue and watches her lips close.
“Oh…my god. I had no idea it could be that good.”
Her sultry response has me biting back a curse. We need engrossing conversation, or dinner will end with the three of us getting naked and horizontal. After one look at Josh’s face, I know he’s dying to be all over Kate, too. It’s obvious by the way he slides the spoon, fresh from her mouth, into his own and closes his eyes like he’s been assaulted by pleasure.
“So…why Force Financial?” I ask Kate. “I’m sure there were lots of firms that needed your skills.”
“Well, the company’s reputation is pristine. So when they sought someone like me, I applied.” She shrugs. “I was looking for a change.”
“Because of your divorce?” my buddy asks.
We shouldn’t want to know more about Kate’s personal life.
At Josh’s question, she recoils. I see hurt in her eyes. It makes me want to do more than pleasure her. I want to hold and comfort her, too.
Time to stop this chat. “Sorry. That was personal. You don’t have to answer—”
“It’s fine. I was looking for a new challenge, and this fit the bill. But yes, the opportunity to get away from Derrick was something I desperately needed.”
I fucking don’t want to get angry on her behalf. For all I know, Derrick is a stand-up guy and she was the problem in their marriage. It’s none of my business. The warning glance I give Josh reminds him it’s none of his, either.
He ignores me. “I’m sorry you went through something so painful, but I’m sure his loss will be Force Financial’s gain. How long have you been divorced?”