Читать книгу In Bed With Her Tall, Sexy Handsome Boss: All Night with the Boss / The Boss's Wife for a Week / My Tall Dark Greek Boss - Natalie Anderson, Anna Cleary - Страница 7

LISSA had just reached the railing when she heard the footsteps behind her. Quickly turning, she sat on the bench in the shadows, hoping she couldn’t be seen, just wanting five minutes’ cool-down time.

She watched the approaching figure knowing full well she wasn’t invisible and that he was heading right towards her. She didn’t recognise him. She’d been at Franklin and Co. for five months now and knew everyone. Long legs wrapped in navy denim casually strode out with a grace that signalled a natural athlete. He was tall with dark hair. With the only light on the balcony being the thin streams escaping from the boardroom windows she couldn’t see much more. She sighed, her heart sinking. Gina must have sent her friend Karl out to sit with her. Why was it that people thought set-ups were a good idea?

Unable to take her eyes off him she decided to ignore the tightening in her stomach and her promise to Gina to be ‘open to possibilities’. Instead she would just get it over with. Tell it to him plain and then she could have some space again.

‘Did Gina tell you I was out here?’ She used her most decisive, not-to-be-messed with tone.

‘No.’ She caught a flash of white teeth as he smiled in the darkness. He sat down next to her with a companionable nod, setting his glass beside him. He’d positioned himself across from her, at right angles. His face was in shadow and he was close, too close. His presence radiated out, his legs near hers and she caught a faint citrus scent. Lemon, fresh and cool.

‘Look, I’m sorry,’ she began, trying for kind yet firm. ‘I don’t know what Gina told you, but I’m really not interested.’

‘Oh.’ He paused. ‘Really?’ He sounded quite surprised.

She took a deep breath and ploughed on, the words tumbling over each other in their rush to get out. ‘It may seem hard to believe, what with everyone else so keen to get it on, but I’m really not looking for a bit of fun. I’m sure you are a great guy and all and you’ll have no trouble finding someone else. Especially in there.’ She emphasised by waving wildly at the window. ‘After all, Gina says you’re an amazing flirt.’

His sharp burst of laughter surprised her. Even more surprising was the way it resonated within her. It was deep, warm and dry.

‘Does she? How nice of her.’ He took a careful sip from his glass. ‘But you know I don’t think I want anybody else. Especially not “in there”,’ he mimicked her tone.

Her fingers tightened around the cool glass. She still felt hot and bothered and this interruption wasn’t helping.

‘Please yourself,’ she said in resignation. ‘But let’s get one thing clear. It’s not going to happen so we’ll just chill, right?’ She winced a little at her crabbiness, not intending to have spoken quite so baldly. She snatched a deep breath, trying to overcome it, but breathing properly seemed more tricky than usual when seated next to this guy.

‘Suits me.’ He was agreeable. ‘Are you always this blunt?’

She frowned, her cheeks heating. ‘Mmm. I’m sorry if you thought I was rude. I don’t mean to be, but I don’t want to have any misunderstandings.’

‘OK.’ He laughed, a shade too heartily for her liking.

She glanced at him, thinking he was pretty relaxed about being rejected from the outset. She could see a broad smile, an inviting smile. The kind of smile that made you want to smile right back and move closer to its warmth. She looked back to the windows and watched with cynical amusement as two consultants vied for Gina’s attention. Lissa flicked a quick look sideways at Karl again, wishing Gina had warned her he was the most physically attractive man on the planet and not just a super flirt.

‘Now that we have that settled,’ he said easily, ‘why not tell me something about yourself?’

‘What do you want to know?’ Lissa asked. She’d just shot the guy down before he’d had a chance to start his engine, she didn’t need to be totally rude.

‘I don’t know.’ He stretched out a leg. It crossed in front of hers, a barrier between her and the door. ‘How about where in Australia you come from?’

‘The South Island of New Zealand,’ she replied coolly, trying not to admire the long leg before her.

‘Sorry,’ he chuckled. Again the sound reverberated within her, tingling her insides. ‘Will you ever forgive me?’

She shrugged off the mistake and the sensations. ‘It’s OK. I’m not one of those Kiwis who has a fit at being mistaken for an Aussie.’ She took a sip of her drink. Despite the chilly air she was no closer to cooling down. She sat for a minute and then leaned towards him with a conspiratorial smile. ‘To tell you the truth, I still can’t tell the difference between Irish and Scottish accents.’

‘How shocking.’ He leaned in towards her and for a moment she wondered what he was going to do. What she was going to do. His proximity knocked her breathing. ‘Which am I?’

‘Um…’ She was taken aback. He didn’t sound much like either. He sounded pretty BBC to her. ‘Scottish?’

He inclined his head and sat back. ‘Indeed.’

She was feeling a little unnerved by the effect he was having on her. Unnerved by the fact she was sorry he’d just sat back. It was a dark, cool night and she felt warm and wobbly.

Gina popped into view again and Lissa watched as her face lit up as an unfamiliar man walked towards her.

‘Oh, that must be the infamous Rory.’

Karl turned his head sharply and looked back through the window. ‘Where?’

‘With Gina.’ Rory stood absorbed by Gina as she talked, her arms gesticulating wildly with her effervescent enthusiasm.

‘Well,’ said Lissa practically, ‘I don’t think she’s going to have too much trouble, do you?’

‘Trouble with what?’ Karl looked back at Lissa.

‘Rory,’ she replied impatiently. ‘She must have told you about him. He’s just landed after a stint at the New York office. Come back as the youngest consultant ever to be promoted to partner. He’s due to start tomorrow but there was a chance he might look in tonight. She’s wearing the blue top specially.’ She watched the couple for a while longer.

‘I can’t believe she thought she didn’t stand a chance. I thought she hardly knew him. But he’s obviously interested, don’t you think? And so he should—she’s amazing.’

‘If you like that sort,’ came the noncommittal response.

Lissa turned to him startled. ‘She’s a petite, natural blonde with amazing blue eyes and is totally vivacious.’ She paused before adding with perverse pleasure, ‘The only sort that doesn’t like that doesn’t like girls.’

‘Ha!’ he laughed softly. ‘You think? I think many men might prefer tall, willowy types with big brown eyes and hair like golden honey.’ Before she could stop him he reached out and touched a strand of her hair.

She stared, unable to move. Felt him gather a lock and tug gently. Crazily she wanted him to run his hand the length of it. What he’d said finally registered and she bit back a smile. She tried to ignore the tantalising quality in his voice. He’d just, very flatteringly, described her.

‘Willowy?’ she asked, amused.

‘Uh-huh. Very graceful.’ His fingers twirled the strands of hair.

She took a deep breath. She was feeling no more comfortable. The whole purpose of her stroll onto the balcony was being sabotaged. He sure knew how to trot out a line. She pulled her hair free and decided to reiterate the position. ‘I told you. You needn’t bother.’

‘It’s no bother.’

He was watching her intently. She crossed her legs away from him and wiggled her foot. ‘You know, he doesn’t look anything like I imagined.’

‘Who—Rory?’

‘Hmm, I thought he’d be taller and more noticeable.’ Her attention was wandering back to the presence beside her. He was definitely noticeable. She became acutely aware of his knee pressing against her leg. He must have moved nearer. It was warm and hard. She fidgeted and recrossed her legs.

‘Why? How did she describe him to you?’

‘Apparently, he’s like God’s gift.’ Grateful for the diversion, she laughed and ticked the items off on her fingers. ‘Tall, dark, handsome, great body, a tough boss, but one that they all admire.’ She made a face. ‘Sounds too good to be true doesn’t he? This is the Gina version, of course. But the clincher is, and I’m quoting here, “when he looks at you, it’s like you’re the only person in the world. Amazing eyes.”’

Her attention snapped to Karl beside her. She couldn’t see his eyes at all clearly. The colour was impossible to tell in the shadow. Gina hadn’t described them, she’d been more concerned with impressing on her that he’d be a lot of fun. Lissa had the feeling he’d be more than fun and that was dangerous.

She switched back to her description of Rory. ‘Apparently he’s Mr Hard-To-Get. According to office legend, he has never had even the teeniest brush with any of the crew.’

‘And that makes him hard to get?’

‘Well, you know what this place is like, they’re all over each other.’ The flirty nature of the management consultancy where she was temping was legendary. It was staffed by about forty-five bright young things who were all athletic, artistic, intelligent and gorgeous—fun after hours was standard.

‘It’s not that bad, is it?’

‘No, probably not.’ She giggled. ‘It just seems like it. They’re all such shocking flirts. Office affairs never end well. Too complicated.’ Complicated being an understatement—it was something she well knew, thanks to Grant. ‘Then with Gina trying to set me up with you…’ Her voice drifted.

‘And what did she say about that?’ He sounded very amused now.

She glanced at him and opted for the truth. ‘That you were a gorgeous player who knows how to give a girl a good time.’ Lissa felt a needle of guilt for so blithely repeating Gina’s description but, sod it, Gina had meant it as a compliment and, frankly, the way things were going, she was absolutely right.

‘And you’re a girl who needs a good time?’

‘Gina obviously thinks so,’ she answered giving a rueful laugh. ‘But actually no. When I want one, I’ll find one myself, thanks all the same. She was concerned about you because you haven’t been dating the last couple of months. She thought we’d be great for each other.’

‘What, you haven’t been dating either?’

She’d been thinking about it—trouble was the only people she met were co-workers and after Grant that was such a no-go. Precisely why Gina wanted to set her up with Karl for a farewell fling before she left the country. But Lissa was adamant the last thing she needed was to go out with a well-experienced flirt. Playing with fire and being the novice she was, it would only end in carnage. Slow and steady when someone safe appeared, that was the answer.

This guy wasn’t safe. His knee was pressing against hers again and she could feel the warmth of him. She had the sudden desire to sit even closer to him, feel the length of his leg press against hers, not just his knee. That would be warm, she thought. Who was she kidding? It would be hot. He seemed to read her mind.

‘Are you getting cold? We’ve been out here a while.’

She shook her head and answered quickly, ‘I’m fine. Don’t let me keep you, though, if you want to go back in,’ she said sweetly, half hoping to get rid of him and half hoping he’d stay. He was amusing, and she had to admit she was quite enjoying the light flirtation. Nothing wrong with a little practice was there?

‘No, I’m enjoying being out here. It’s very refreshing. What is it you’re drinking anyway?’ He was looking at the contents of the glass dubiously.

‘I’m not quite sure.’ She studied the colour in the light. ‘I think it might be an apple flavoured one.’

‘An alcopop?’

She could hear the yeuch in his tone. ‘It’s nice. Sweet.’

‘And it’s also lethal if you drink it too fast. How many have you had?’

She sat straighter. ‘It’s my second.’

‘And have you had dinner?’

She bristled. She turned to face him full on. Both her knees knocked against his. She ignored the thrill shooting up her thighs and the naughty urge to part them. She tipped her head back instead and challenged him. ‘Are you leading up to an invitation or are you implying that I’m tipsy? Either way, the answer is no.’

He turned and leaned forward, looking right back at her, their faces inches apart. She sucked in her breath sharply; the light from the window was full on his face and for the first time she could see him properly. Peripherally she took in a strong jaw and straight nose, but it was his eyes that captured her attention. They were the most amazing emerald green. She stared—had never seen eyes so vivid. It was some time before she remembered to blink. They were the kind of eyes you could drown in, wanted to drown in. Brilliantly coloured, glittering and warm.

‘Is that so?’ he drawled, a smirk lifting the corner of his gorgeous mouth.

Fascinated, she watched as his lips curved upwards. They were full and inviting. She became aware that she had leaned towards him further and abruptly pulled herself up. She swung back to face the window. Hell, maybe she was a bit tipsy, she certainly was feeling a bit dizzy. Impossible. She hadn’t had much to drink, so it must be lack of food.

‘Yes it is,’ she said with asperity. ‘Don’t think you can bully me into a date because of anything Gina said.’

He leaned forward on the seat, put his head in his hands and laughed helplessly.

‘Oh, stop,’ she said witheringly, watching him half in disgust, half in amusement. ‘It wasn’t that funny. You’re trying too hard and, I’ve told you, there’s no point.’

His laughter didn’t stop and she began to wonder if there was something in the joke she was missing. He was finding her just a little too amusing. Enough. She was finally starting to feel quite cold and experiencing urges she needed to control. Urges to get closer to a guy she knew to be a player. Summoning her dignity, she stood.

‘Are you going to go back in now and party?’ He smiled, rising as well.

She realised then just how tall he was. She was no midget—in these heels she was almost six feet—yet he was a good couple of inches taller again. She had to look up to try to see into those fabulous eyes. Catching them looking at her so warmly, she immediately felt it best to look away, fast.

‘Actually I think I’m going to go home.’

‘Good idea,’ he replied blandly.

She glanced back up at him. There was no condescension apparent in his face, but her hackles rose regardless. She needed to get away from here. Correction, right away from him. Had she underestimated Gina’s ability to matchmake or what? This guy made her pulse beat.

‘It was nice to meet you at last, Karl. Have a good night.’ She nodded at him politely and, without thinking, held her hand out to shake his. As soon as he took it she realised her mistake. The physical contact sent a bolt of electricity surging up her arm straight to her heart, causing it to contract. His grip was firm. His skin warm and dry. Another tremor ran through her. His grasp tightened and they stood linked, staring at each other. Her pulse picked up and she felt the flicker of excitement in her belly. She saw the recognition in his face. She jerked her hand out of his instantly, muttered a barely intelligible ‘goodbye’, and headed for the door.

He watched her step away from him. Should he have told her? Probably, but the temptation had proved too hard to resist, was still too hard to resist. He glanced down the now empty corridor and slipped inside, not turning towards the party as he ought, but heading for the stairs as quickly as possible. An attack of the lusts. Hadn’t had one this severe in…well, ever, he didn’t think. Five minutes back on home soil and he was utterly tempted by a foreign Venus. He hit the ground floor unable to stop the smile as he stepped into the foyer.

Lissa breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t do ‘a little fun’, as Gina had urged. Now was definitely a good time to escape. Deep in thought, she marched out of the lift and straight into the figure standing before it. Firm hands grasped her upper arms and her nose was sore from bumping against the hardness underneath the wool jumper, which was all she could see ahead of her.

‘Oh, I’m so—’ She stopped short as she looked up at whom she’d just cannoned into. Mr Green Eyes himself. She frowned deeply as she watched his smile widen with quite obvious amusement. ‘What?’ she asked, unable to stop the rude bite. He nettled her, put her off balance.

‘I’m going to drive you home.’ The easy note of authority irked her more.

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Yes, I am.’

She frowned at him again. ‘You can’t drive; you’ve been drinking.’

‘I’ve had one drink the whole evening and had food earlier. I’m fine to drive.’

Her frown morphed into a glower. ‘My mother taught me not to get into cars with strangers.’

‘I’m not a stranger. We’ve just spent the past half-hour getting to know each other.’

She thought about it for a moment, knowing she was weakening. Gina knew this guy well, and quite frankly, the idea of a ride home in a car was appealing. It would beat a crowded tube and ten minute walk at the other end. The strappy shoes weren’t great long distance, not even medium distance.

Even more tempting was the idea of spending another ten minutes in his company. Just a little more practice? Sharpen the flirt claws?

‘Besides,’ he continued to persuade—she knew he could sense success, ‘you’ve made your lack of interest very clear. So you’ve nothing to fear.’

Have I? she thought. Damn. Seeing all of him properly for the first time in the lit foyer, she realised her instincts had been right. He was one sexy animal. She stood staring up at him, her mind refusing to compute as quickly as usual. All she could seem to focus on were those fabulous green eyes. She saw the amusement in them. Why it didn’t bother her, she couldn’t say. Rather she simply felt the urge to lean in and share the joke. He stepped closer and held her arms tighter. The contact broke through her clouded mind.

‘Well, if you insist.’ She attempted a laconic drawl.

‘I do.’

She raised her eyebrows slightly and allowed herself to be guided back into the lift. She looked at him in query.

‘There’s a car park in the basement.’

Leaning back against the lift wall she avoided his gaze and speculated on his choice of car. It would definitely be fast and flashy. Hell, probably a convertible with heated leather seats.

He took her arm again as they exited the lift and steered her through the line-up of closely parked cars. She tried to ignore the sensations that his thumb and every one of those fingers were causing. They were needles of electricity, points of awareness pressing into her. She pulled her lips into her mouth and pressed on them hard.

She wasn’t at all prepared for the slightly dented, giant maroon people carrier that he stopped beside. The seven-seater was obviously used to being full. There was the unmistakable smell of infants. An assortment of papers and candy wrappers was scattered on the floor and two of the rear seats were fitted with child restraints.

‘Are we expecting anyone else?’ she asked blandly.

‘No,’ came the equally bland response. She sat down and made to fasten her seat belt. Suddenly she stopped. Reaching underneath her, she pulled out a half-eaten pack of now very squashed raisins. Wordlessly she passed them to him.

‘Oh, good,’ he said, taking them with a pleased smile. ‘I was wondering where they went. Supper.’

She couldn’t help but glance at his left hand resting on the steering wheel. No ring, no obvious tan mark. Beautiful long fingers, neatly trimmed nails, a broad palm. She shivered and looked away. This was Karl wasn’t it? The incorrigible flirt? Confirmed bachelor and man about town? This definitely didn’t go with the image.

‘It’s my sister’s car.’ He finally offered an explanation. ‘Mine wasn’t available and so I borrowed hers. She has three kids. Messy ones.’

‘Oh, nice for you.’ She clicked her seat belt into place. ‘So what kind of car do you usually drive, then?’

‘What do you think?’

‘Oh, I dunno. Some sporty thing. Fast, flash, something to wow the ladies.’

‘I don’t need to rely on a car to wow the ladies,’ he said suavely.

‘Oh, really?’ She couldn’t help laughing.

He shook his head at her, laughter lighting his eyes so they glowed, burning into her.

‘So what?’ she asked with tart humour. ‘You just rely on your dashing good looks, amazing physique, rapier-like wit and charm?’

‘D, all of the above.’ He nodded seriously.

She bet he did. He had all of those attributes in abundance.

‘Now, where are we going?’

She looked at him in confusion before realising they’d been sitting there a couple of minutes and he hadn’t started the engine yet.

‘Oh, St Katharine’s Dock, Tower Hill.’

He looked at her with raised brows, turning the key in the ignition. ‘I thought it would have been Earl’s Court or Shepherds Bush. Isn’t that where all you Kiwis and Aussies hang out?’

‘Maybe.’ She shrugged. ‘I’m not into that scene.’

‘Avoiding your country folk?’ He edged the car out of the garage and into the line of traffic.

‘No, but if I wanted to spend all my time going to antipodean pubs and hanging out with other New Zealanders I wouldn’t have bothered leaving New Zealand in the first place.’

‘Running away from something?’

‘Running to something,’ she corrected. ‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like New Zealand, I love it, but I wanted to travel and experience London. It’s such a great city.’ She sighed happily.

‘So you chose St Katharine’s Dock?’ They were driving along Embankment, and she couldn’t help but enjoy the famous buildings as they slid past.

‘Yeah.’ She smiled. ‘Not in one of those amazing waterside warehouse conversions though. There’s an old estate just at the back of them. I have a teeny flat there. It’s fantastic. You know, I walk past the Tower of London every day on my way to work and every time it just hits me: I’m in London! It’s awesome.’

‘It’s really such a dream for you?’

‘Oh, yeah. It’s all those years of having to watch Coronation Street, I guess.’

‘Coronation Street?’ he echoed blankly. ‘But that’s Manchester!’

She giggled. ‘Oh, Eastenders, then, whatever. All those royal variety shows; we get them all, you know.’ She turned to look at him, wanting him to understand. ‘It’s so great here. Anything you want to do you can do in London, everything is here for the taking.’ She gestured widely with her hands.

He looked at her and smiled straight back into her eyes, and her breath caught, he had the most magnificent smile. Her heartbeat accelerated alarmingly. She looked away, hurriedly dampening the attraction raging in her.

‘You sound like such a tourist, all that fresh-eyed enthusiasm,’ he teased.

‘What’s wrong with that? It’s good to have some passion.’ Flirt alert—she willed serenity to return to her mind and body.

‘I agree. Are you as enthusiastic and passionate in other areas of life?’

She threw him a mock-evil look knowing she’d asked for that one. He grinned wickedly back at her.

She took a breath and played safe. ‘I love walking past the Tower each day, laughing at those other tourists getting ripped off by the most expensive ice-cream man in the world!’

‘Really?’ He laughed.

She nodded. ‘He has his van there by Dead Man’s Hole. The most shocking prices.’

‘Hmm. But I bet he’s not as expensive as the gelato man by Ponte Vecchio in Florence.’

‘Really? In Florence?’ She sighed longingly. ‘I didn’t make it there. I’d love to go.’

‘It’s beautiful. I’ll take you.’

She raised a brow at him, hoping her façade was as cool as her insides were hot. ‘Will you, now?’

He nodded. ‘You have to see Botticelli’s Venus. You’re a dead ringer.’

There was a silence as she absorbed the compliment. Botticelli’s masterpiece hung in the Uffizi gallery. His depiction of Venus was one of the world’s most famous works of art. Generation after generation admired the beauty of her. Lissa was amused, ‘incorrigible flirt’ was definitely the way to describe this guy. The trouble was, she couldn’t help but enjoy it.

‘Oh, you are good,’ she cooed.

He smiled back winningly. ‘And is it working?’

Yes, she thought, most definitely. ‘That’s for me to know…’ she began.

‘And for me to find out,’ he finished. ‘Good.’

What did ‘good’ mean? Had she just issued the man a challenge?

They entered St Katharine’s Dock and she directed him to her building. Part of her wanted to escape the car as quickly as possible, but a good half of her wanted to stay and explore ‘possibilities’ with Karl as Gina had suggested. Then again, he might not really be interested. He might just have been working on his ‘rapier-like wit and charm’. She glanced at him and realised he was watching her, an amused smile flitting around the corners of his mouth.

She stiffened. Had her internal debate been written all over her face? Probably. She strove for dignity. ‘Thanks very much for the ride home. It was very kind of you.’

‘No problem. It was a pleasure.’ He replied equally formally.

She undid the seat belt and opened the door, sliding out. Surprised, she saw he was mirroring her actions. He walked round to stand beside her.

‘I thought I’d see you to your door,’ he explained. ‘I wasn’t sure you could manage the stairs.’

She looked up at him, amazed. ‘Of course I can. What do you think I am? Blind drunk?’ Far from it, but she had to admit she did feel wobbly. Food, she reasoned. It was lack of food, not the proximity of the male in front of her.

‘No, but maybe a little tired.’ He laughed. It had the effect she was getting used to, making her meltingly vibrant. ‘Aren’t you?’

He was standing too close. She stood looking up at him, mesmerised as he came even closer.

‘If you’re quite sure you can manage, I’ll leave you,’ he said softly, still coming nearer.

‘Uh-huh,’ she replied, rooted to the spot. He was gorgeous. Tall, sexy, fun. She knew she should be marching straight up those stairs pronto, but she just couldn’t seem to get her legs to work. She stared up at him spellbound.

He reached out and stroked her hair gently. ‘Bye, beautiful,’ he whispered. Then he slid his hand down to the back of her neck in a loose caress, bent his head and kissed her.

It was the merest touch, light as a feather. Soft, warm, sweet, his lips just grazed hers. Then he broke the contact. She drew a sharp breath, her senses kick started and just when she knew she wanted more he returned, stealing the initiative, with full pressure. Firm, insistent, delightful. His hand cradled the back of her neck, his thumb stroking gently. Small sweeps upwards that had her softening, leaning closer, wanting yet more. She felt the weight and warmth of his other hand as it came to rest on her lower back. She wanted to touch him. She couldn’t help but kiss him back. Her mind wouldn’t focus on the fact that this was a really bad idea. It was only interested in the sensations he was stirring.

The hands she had raised in a defensive gesture didn’t push him away. Instead they slid up his chest, feeling the soft wool jumper and the hard muscle it sheathed, and reached around his neck. It was warm and smooth. He stepped closer so their bodies touched, length to length. The impact was so pleasurable she gasped. Opening her mouth to his she tasted him. Their tongues met and entwined and her mind blanked out completely. Her body reacted instinctively, her breasts tightening, tensing, her mouth softening, ripening, wanting him in. Eyes closed, she breathed in the faint lemony scent that was so heady and delicious. Her fingers curled into his hair and she held him to her. Her toes curled in her sandals and tension swelled. The magnetism, their hold, was unbreakable. The simple goodnight kiss became something much, much more.

His hands stroked down her back, pressing her against him. She loved the feel of his hard body against hers, all of it. She melted, her curves fitting to him. She worked her fingers through his hair and pressed herself against him as much as he did against her. Breathless, she trembled and gloried as he tightened his grip in answer. She felt his hands slide down over her skirt, holding her hips to his. Her bones liquefied and an almost intolerable heat washed through her. His hands stroked lower down the length of her skirt, slid under and back up her legs. His fingers encountered the top of her lace stockings and traced over and onto bare flesh. Skin on skin, incandescent. She heard him groan against her mouth as she moved her hips restlessly.

It was the alarm bell she needed. God, what was she doing? She tore her mouth from his and stepped back. Shocked and embarrassed about the ferocity of the kiss, she was unable to meet his eyes. Instead she looked across at the block of flats, begging her body to calm. She feared that if she looked at him again she would throw herself back into his arms.

He had let her pull back and said nothing, but she was aware of his deepened breathing. Her body clamoured for more of that kind of action. That had not been some chaste farewell kiss, it had been the ignition to a passion that would have led to an explosive encounter with only one conclusion. She was not about to have a one-night stand with her best mate’s friend. Especially when she knew him to be a flirt, a good-time guy. No wonder he was such a phenomenal kisser. He had plenty of experience. Attraction turned to anger, more with herself than at him. He was just doing what came natural; her response hadn’t been. No way could the depth of feeling from that one kiss be natural.

‘Goodnight,’ she muttered. She walked away from him, fossicking in her bag for her key as she climbed the stairs. It was not until she was up on the little balcony on her floor that she dared look down at him. He was leaning against the car, one leg resting over the other, his arms crossed, staring up at her. Although it was hard to tell in the gloomy light from the streetlamp nearby, she was sure he was grinning. He waved up at her casually. Agitated, she turned and miraculously got the key in the lock first time. She opened the door and slammed it behind her, not chancing another look back.

Five minutes later she tilted her head to let the hot water beat down on her neck as she showered. She couldn’t help but smile as his teasing lilt rang in her ears, couldn’t help the inner glow as she remembered his smile, couldn’t suppress the shiver as she relived that kiss.

Oh, boy.

Big mistake.

Temptation whispered in her ear. It was Karl. Gina’s friend. She didn’t work with him—it wouldn’t be an office affair. What harm could come from a fling? It had been so long. Basic, carnal lust, of lethal magnitude. Touch an element that hot and you were bound to get burns. Third degree.

And she was leaving in two months’ time. It would be madness to embark on something she sensed could be so strong when who knew how out of control things could get? No fling—not with him. Slow and steady with someone safe, remember? That was what she wanted.