ela

e to fall away just enough to show the smooth curve of my thigh. Gary's sharp eyes flickered down for the b

words so drizzled with playful tea

of smirks tugging at one edge of his lip-but in his brown eyes, everything about him remained shut down tig

read across my lips. "That's because I didn't think my father

in its crisp white restraint like some animal's warning,

simple arrangement. You needed someone to fool your father and

as I moved closer to him. "It doesn't have to be co

he space between us. He was clinging to that control, holding on tight to

radiating onto my skin. "A job as my assistant benefits, an excellent salary,

ess. "You make it sound like

d up to catch his gaze.

, I could see the war in those depths, the part

that I didn't quite place. "You are so convincing Angela, but I

ention: "That sounded like a challenge." His lips merely twitch

een us. My fingers barely brushed against his arm, resting and staying

it, though," I whispere

to my lips then ro

nger to his lips. "Shh," I whispered. "L

ll packed in that one big bundle of a kiss as my lips claimed his, tasting hesitation and

gainst my mouth in that

g them one by one with practiced ease. His skin was warm against mine, his chest

e easily onto the desk, the cool surface sending a s

he growled low, his vo

eath warm on his neck. "I don't

und his waist, and for a moment, there was no world outside this

d slower, more deliberate. And I lost myself to the feel of him, to the way h

us. I traced lazy circles on his chest, my cheek against his shoulder. Gary's

, my voice sleepy, "yo

softly. "And

ng on my lips. "Because you'd be crazy not to. Besides," I a

all, almost imperceptible smile on h

y was still at my side, sleeping, with his arm laid lazily on my waist. I

e was as strong as ever. "I want you to go get the m

settled upon me. "Of course,"

room to find that Gary was now awake, lying on th

he mutter

eaning in against the door frame, and

ssion froze in that hybrid of incredulity and a

o stand before him. "I told y

s, exchanged faintly amused glances when the clerk congratulated

. I turned to him, then back to the no longer importan

" I muttered, s

e, his lips quivering with

g my arm through