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  His index fingers traced the top of the material. “Nice.”

  She wasn’t sure if he meant the lingerie or her breasts. Either way, there was something primal and raw in his voice. Something that inched beneath her surface and made her heart drum in her chest. God, she wanted him. How many times had she wished for a second night with him?

  Just one more.

  She was going to savor this opportunity, and enjoy him completely.

  She wanted to touch him, and see his naked body.

  Lauren reached for his shirt and tugged it from his pants. She looked him in the eyes, quelling the terrified feeling in her stomach. The one that said she might regret this later. Her resolve was heavy. The meek little good girl inside her would not win. Okay, so she was never meek. But a good girl? Yes. No. Not anymore.

  Not with Matt.

  “We do things even,” she said with only the slightest tremble to her voice. “I lose a piece of clothing, then so do you.”

  A slow smile slid onto his lips. He reached over his shoulder with one hand. In a quick motion, he pulled his polo shirt over his head, flexing his muscles in a delicious way as he did so, and then tossing it to the floor.

  Her teeth found her bottom lip as she took in his broad shoulders, tapered waist, and abundance of rippling muscle. The man was made like he belonged on a calendar.

  “Nice,” she whispered, repeating his response to her.

  He laughed—a soft, sexy sound that disappeared into her mouth as he pulled her close and kissed her.

  Matt soaked in Lauren’s response, kissing her, and absorbing her unique flavor. He loved the contrasting sides to her. So sweet and innocent but not. His fingers trailed the skin on her neck. He could smell roses. Soft and alluring. She was like an addiction, sweet as chocolate, as potent as a drug.

  Anticipating her resistance, he’d been afraid she wouldn’t show up. But he knew she wanted this as much as he did. The fire between them was simply too hot. And now, touching him, her hands all over his body, she was driving him crazy. She seemed bolder tonight. Ready. Her hand slid over his belt and cupped his cock. Then, showing she still held inhibitions, she started to retreat. To remove her hand. He grabbed it and pressed it to his throbbing body.

  “Don’t stop,” he said, pulling back from their kiss enough to whisper against her lips. Lauren’s finger slid along the fabric of his slacks and traced the head of his erection. Hunger drove him to claim her mouth again. This time with urgency he didn’t try to hold back. He explored her body, hands roaming. Palming the lush fullness of one breast and pinching the nipple.

  She clung to him, whimpering in a soft, sexy way that only pushed him deeper into the lust-filled haze of the night. Somehow he unhooked her bra and disposed of it. He pulled back from their kiss, as he filled both hands with her breasts, pinching her rosy nipples and watching them respond.

  She moaned. Not a whimper. A full-blown, hold-nothing-back moan. He loved her sounds. She wasn’t quiet about her pleasure. He liked that a lot. She let him know when he made her feel good. “I love your nipples,” he told her, twirling one with his index finger.

  She didn’t respond. Not that he expected her to. “I’ve had this recurrent fantasy about you.”

  Her eyes went to his. “What?”

  “That’s right,” he said. What he didn’t tell her was how crazy some of his thoughts of her had been. At times, he’d convinced himself she was “the one” who got away. Now, he just wanted to fuck her out of his system. And from what he could tell, she wanted and needed the same thing. They fucked. They got over each other. Simple. It had worked in the past and it would work with Lauren. “I was far from done with you after that first night. Proven by the fact that I still have vivid memories. Do you?”

  He kept playing with her nipples and her hands went to his wrists as if stabilizing herself. “Do I what?”

  “Have vivid memories of that night with me?”

  She visibly swallowed. “Yes,” Lauren whispered.

  There was a flash of emotion in her big, green eyes. A hint of insecurity, yet, she’d been brave and answered with the truth. Damn, she got to him. A part of him wanted to grab her and make sweet love to her. But, this was about sex and games, not tenderness and love. They worked together. It had to be this way. That thought made him push her. “What about fantasies about us together?”

  Her lashes lowered. “Yes.” The word barely came out.

  “Do you have the courage to act out them out?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lauren stared at Matt, looking a bit dazed. Then, without a word, she reached for her skirt. He took a step backward, giving her room to undress as he fingered his hook. Watching her watch him. It took him only moments to rid himself of his clothes but he didn’t want her completely naked. In her tiny white lace panties, thigh-high hose, and black high-heels, she looked like perfection.

  “Leave the rest. I like it.” He gripped his throbbing cock. “Can’t you tell?”

  She wet her lips, looking down at his erection. He sensed her nervousness, yet she stepped forward and replaced his hands with one of hers. Her palm wrapped the width, and then slowly slid to the tip.

  Matt gave into the pleasure, letting his eyes shut as she stroked the sensitive underside of his swollen tip, and then spread his moisture on the sensitive skin. An edgy kind of pleasure built inside. Sensations spiraled through his nerve endings, starting with her touch and radiating like a pulse through the rest of his body. It would be so easy to lose control with Lauren. He had been yearning for this day for so very long. But he couldn’t let things get rushed. Not tonight.

  This was the beginning of a fantasy rather than the end. Of that he was quite certain. Forcing his eyes open, he reached for her wrist. “Turn around.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Turn around,” he repeated. “We’ve done this before. You know what I want. Don’t argue.” Matt loved her ass. Besides, this was one night she needed to be controlled. If he gave her time to think, she’d talk herself out of what they had together. Out of exploring what might be in the future.

  For a split second, Lauren looked like she might refuse. Then, slowly, she did as he said, giving him a view of her damn fine ass with only a G-string between her well-rounded cheeks. Her long brown hair streamed down her creamy white back like a silken veil. It was a sexy as hell vision. He wanted to fuck her just like this, with her ass in his hands. He ran his finger along the thin string, between those lush cheeks, and she tensed. It did nothing to deter him.

  Matt knew what he wanted and he intended to have it. To take her. To let her know he was claiming their passion and that she couldn’t run from it. And if he let her, she’d hide. He knew that as well.

  He palmed one side of her ass and squeezed. “Lean on the bed.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him for a moment, and then turned, pressing her knees to the mattress. “Hands on the bed,” he ordered.

  She did as he said and Matt simply stood there, looking at her—no, admiring her—his cock throbbing with the demand to slide inside her silky soft entrance. He wrapped his palm around his cock trying to ease the discomfort. The demand of his body.

  “Matt,” Lauren whispered with desperation in her voice, leaning so that she could peek at him without adjusting her position.

  “Just stay there, sweetheart. You have no idea how hot you look.” But he stepped forward, not in answer to her plea. Instead, he answered the call of his body. He simply had to feel the slick wetness of her body. Had to. The condom could wait. One hand around his erection, he slid it between her thighs, dipping into the slick, warm proof of her arousal.

  For a moment, he simply reveled in the delicious feel of her body against his. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, sliding his throbbing erection along her lips, pushing her panties to the side. “Want this?”

  “Yes,” she gasped.

  He dipped his sensitive head inside her, fighting the
sensations that drew him to drive into her. Instead, he pulled back out. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, damn you.”

  He laughed and pulled away, smacking her lightly on the ass. “Don’t move.” In a matter of moments he’d grabbed a stash of condoms and started opening a package. He didn’t want to use it but what if she wasn’t still on the Pill? And even if she was, what if she didn’t want to risk what she had in those moments of passion once before? Yearning to be inside her drove him to act fast.

  “Forget the condom,” she whispered. “Just hurry.”

  Thank God. He tossed aside the rubber, and grabbed the sides of her panties, pulling them down her hips. For a brief moment, she turned and stared at him. Her eyelids were heavy with desire. Beautiful and dark with passion.

  But she turned and pressed her knees back into the mattress, telling him without words she was eager for what came next. And, he was more than eager to please. Positioning himself behind her, Matt guided his thick length to the warm calling of her body.

  He’d have liked to tease a little more. To build the tension. But, free to take her, restraint slipped, and he sunk deep. Sweet, blissful pleasure spread through his body, potent in its intensity. Tight and wet, her muscles squeezed his cock with insistence. Begging him to stay. To pleasure her. Finally joined with her, Matt felt both relief and the driving need for more. He liked the buildup forming inside. Liked knowing they would explode. Be pushed over the edge. He leaned forward, wrapping his body around hers, and sliding his hands all over her body, filling his hands with her breasts.

  Then, he stood again, anchoring himself with his hands on her ass, and watching as his cock slid slowly backwards. The image was both arousing and erotic. Several times he slid his full length to her depths and slowly backed out until just the tip lingered. And then, just barely inside her lips, he lunged hard. She whimpered and he did it again.

  Had he ever wanted a woman like this?

  Crazy with need, he wanted to ravish her. To drive into her until they became one. Lauren pushed against him, driving her hips against his pelvis, asking without words for more. Telling him she felt the urgency he did. He ran his hands down the sides of her legs, and up her thighs, and then circled her tiny waist for better leverage. Over and over he hit her core. And with a loud cry, Lauren arched her back and neck, pushing him deeper as her body clenched at him, signaling the start of her orgasm. The feel of her pleasure, of her rippling contractions pushed him over the edge. A roar of absolute wildness tore from his throat as he exploded. It felt like his release was being yanked from the very center of his body, the completeness of the ecstasy like an all-consuming eruption. He trembled and shook and then, finally, stilled.

  When he pulled out of her, he felt regret. A loss. The need to keep her close. This had been crazy, hard sex. And again, he felt the crazy need to make slow love to her. To show her how much he enjoyed her. She crawled onto the bed, and he cleaned up, eager to get back to her. Afraid she would pull away. She sat up and turned to look at him.

  Matt sat down on the mattress, and reached for her, relieved when she came readily. “Come here,” he said, maneuvering so they lay on the bed spoon style. It would be easier to keep things in perspective if he wasn’t looking at her. But he couldn’t stop himself from saying what came to mind. “I’m really glad you’re here, Lauren.” He nuzzled her temple, gently trailing a finger down her neck. The soft, sweet smell she wore seemed to dance along his nerve endings and give him a funny feeling in his stomach.

  Like nothing a woman had ever made him feel. Lauren. She was different. It should make him run. After all, relationships fed complications. And with a woman he worked with there were all kinds of dangers. Yet, since she cared for her career as much as he did his, their affair should be perfect. Simple. Packed with pleasure. He nipped her earlobe.

  “Um,” she murmured. “That feels good.”

  He kissed the spot he’d just teased. “You feel good, Lauren. So damn good.”

  * * * * *

  Lauren woke to the warm feeling of perfection. A feeling she’d known once before—Matt. He was holding her close, big arm around her waist and one leg over hers. As if he meant to keep her from escape. The thought made her smile. He’d been insatiable, making love to her more times than she thought a man capable of in such a short few hours. Yet she didn’t think she would ever get enough of him. She couldn’t see the clock, but instinct told her it was time to go home. It had to be late. Or rather early. She needed to shower and dress for work.

  “If you’re thinking about running out on me while I’m sleeping, it’s too late.” Matt’s voice was low, close to her ear, and packed with a slight tease. With tenderness he stroked her hair.

  Her heart melted right then and there. In truth, it had melted a million times over during their lovemaking. He was so gentle, yet wild and sexual. And so many times the word “love” had slipped into her mind. All the more reason why this had to be her last time with him. Cat had said a hot fling. Love wasn’t that. It was much more. It was risky and career-ending.

  And painful.

  Besides, she hardly knew Matt. She’d been without a man so long she was clearly just hungry for affection. Something she didn’t recognize before and she wished she still didn’t. And Matt was her boss. She couldn’t forget that lethal fact.

  “Lauren?”

  “Um?”

  “What are you thinking about so hard?” He gently shuffled and urged her onto her back. Propping his body up on an elbow, he stared down at her with far too probing eyes.

  She tried to smile. It didn’t work. He looked so damn yummy all she could think about was either kissing him or getting the hell away from him. “Who says I’m thinking and not sleeping?”

  “Lauren.”

  The way he said her name hit her in a strange way. It was almost like a plea, yet she knew better.

  “What time is it?” she asked.

  “Four.”

  “Four!” she exclaimed, and tried to sit up, but he stilled her by, once again, shackling her leg with his bigger, stronger one.

  He wrapped his arm across her body, his mouth nuzzling her temple. “Sleep,” he said. “I’ll wake you in an hour. That’s plenty of time to go home and change for work.”

  “But…”

  “You might as well not argue. I’m not letting you up.” His voice held stubborn, sensual authority, because he was using it to keep her in bed with him. How could a girl get upset about that?

  “Has anyone ever told you how bossy you are?” He answered by leaning close and brushing his lips over hers. “Matt,” Lauren sighed against his lips.

  He answered by kissing her, long and deep. Tenderly. A quite effective way of convincing her to stay. Her resistance was gone. Zilch. A moment later, she found herself turned so her back fitted against his front. Then, he wrapped her snugly in his arms. It felt so good that Lauren couldn’t remember why she had even wanted to leave.

  But in the back of her mind, she knew, she was in trouble. For Matt this was probably standard bed play. For her, it was much more.

  * * * * *

  The last thing Lauren needed or wanted was for Matt to see where she lived…poor. No fancy cars. No doorman. No mahogany elevator. Sitting beside him in his Sports car, their differences screamed for attention. There really was only one option. “Pull over right here.”

  Matt did as she said, and pulled the car into a spot in front of Kenney’s Coffee, her favorite little twenty-four spot. “I don’t see any apartments.”

  “I’m only a few blocks away. I thought I’d grab a cup of coffee and then walk home.”

  He killed the engine and reached for the door. Lauren grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”

  “It’s still dark. I’m coming with you.”

  Panic flared. “No,” Lauren said. “I’m fine. By the time I order my coffee the sun will be up.”

  “I’d like some coffee myself.” His voice held just a hint of challenge.r />
  This was not going how she planned. “Okay.” She forced herself to let go of his arm.

  A few minutes later, they stood at the counter, and ordered their drinks. Matt paid. Not a surprise. He was a macho kind of guy. Even if he wasn’t rich she didn’t think he’d have acted differently. Still, it felt awkward. Money seemed like a divider between them. Like him being her boss wasn’t enough of a barrier.

  Lauren accepted her mocha from Matt. “Thanks.” A long sip later, “Hmm. Next to pizza a good mocha tops my list.”

  He smiled and indicated his drink. “Seems we share a lot of loves.”

  His words hit her like a charge, electric and hot. Looking away, afraid he would see her reaction, she glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. “I need to get home and change for work.“ Besides, it was best this whole incident be put behind them. Forcing her gaze back to his, she said, “Thanks for…everything.”

  His eyes smoldered and for long moments they simply stared at one another. “I’ll walk you home,” he said.

  “The sun is up,” she said so quickly it was almost abrupt. “I’m fine.”

  “I insist,” he said.

  She really needed space. “No.”

  He looked like he would argue, but then said, “Fine. I guess I’ll say goodbye.”

  Relief should have followed. Instead, a dash of disappointment jolted her emotions. Somehow, she managed a smile. “Goodbye then.”

  For several more seconds he simply stared at her. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Lauren watched as he climbed into his car, wishing he’d he look in her direction.

  But he didn’t, which was best. So why did it feel so bad?

  Chapter Fourteen

  At eight o’clock in the morning, Lauren stepped into the elevator of the Carlson building with Celia by her side. Oddly, she felt quite rested after a night—correction, night and early morning—of sex and more sex.