Page 10 of Her Heart's Desire

Was she watching me? Something deep down warms with the idea that she's keeping tabs on me. Needing to get my own answers, I rush to the door. "Wait, Silas, where are you going? We need to talk about this," Randall yells after me.

I ignore him. No, we don't need to talk about this. I'm not changing my new policies. I need to get to Kimberly. Running down the hallway, I see the back of her as she speed walks toward the elevators. She's trying to look unassuming. But what she doesn't understand is she can't. When she walks into the room, all eyes go to her. When you are near her, you're drawn to her. I'm still a few feet behind when the elevators open as if they're waiting for her to get on. I run a little faster, hoping to close the distance. The doors start to close. "Wait!" I yell as I push my hand through the small gap, preventing the doors from closing completely. They bounce open and I step inside. When I meet her eyes, the electricity between us crackles.

Memories of the past slide through my mind. How caring she was whenever the subject of my wife would come up. Or how patient she was with Smith, even when he was being rude to her. The way she would smile at me and everyone else would fade away. I wasn't ready for her then, but I am now. No matter what the consequences.

I don't stop. I can't. Closing the distance, I grab the back of her neck. Her pouty lips are begging me to kiss them, so that's what I do. Crashing my lips down on hers, she gasps and I use that opening to slide my tongue into her mouth, massaging hers. At first, she's stiff, but quickly she melts under me. And I love it. The way her body feels against mine. I need more.

The ding of the elevator brings us back to reality. The doors open but no one seems to be waiting to get on, after a beat they close once more, giving us privacy once again. Pulling back from her, I can't help but drown in her dark brown eyes. "Silas, I need to go back to work," she whispers, pleading with me to let her go. But that's not happening.

"Go to dinner with me."

She shakes her head. "Silas we can't."

"Kimberly, it's just dinner. I'll pick you up at seven. You know I won't take no for an answer."

She shakes her head once more, though she knows that I'm telling the truth. I've just thoroughly reminded her how relentless I can be. "Fine. I'll go to dinner with you."

Knowing that I've won this battle, I step back, and allow her to slip past me. When the elevator dings once more, opening up to another floor, she steps off the elevator.

As the doors close, I call out, "Remember, seven."

Now it's time for her to learn. This time she will be my queen.

Chapter 8

Kimberly

After my encounter with Silas, I floated through the rest of my day. Nothing was getting me down. Going to dinner with him is like a dream come true. After I had overheard another nurse talking about the board meeting and knew that Silas would be there. My body ached, knowing that he was so close and not seeing him. I was just going to sneak up there and get a glimpse.

What I didn't expect was for him to see me and follow me. But that kiss. Plopping down on my bed, I trace my fingers along my lips, remembering how he took control of my body. It felt as if I was hovering over us and watching from above.

I never thought that this day would come. But would if it's all for nothing? If Smith finds out and doesn't accept this, then am I still doomed to be alone? Glancing at the clock, I shake the thoughts of heartbreak trying to form and get dressed.

Silas never said where we'll be going tonight. As I look through my clothes, I spy the little black dress, I've been saving for a special occasion. It's perfect. Sitting right above my knee, it's wouldn't be too short for a sophisticated place. It also has a lace-covered cutout on my back, giving it a sexy feeling. Silas is going to love it. There is no way I could wear anything else but this on the first date with the man I've been obsessed for the past seven years.

As I'm putting on my makeup, my phone rings. "Hello."

"Hey. I heard you're getting ready for a date." Allison's voice comes over the speaker. That's the thing about us girls. Not only do, we all know each other's secrets, but we support each other no matter what.

"I am. Silas asked me out this afternoon."

"Is this a new guy? Colleen just told me you had a date." Her teasing tone makes me smile.

"Silas is not new. Remember how I told everyone about the guy I was casually seeing but was attracted to his dad?"

"Mmhmm," she says, encouraging me to continue.

"Well, that dad is the same guy who now owns the hospital. When we ran into each other earlier, he asked me out. Hopefully, this time, it will all work out." I start to explain the feelings of doubt trying to take root. Thankfully Allison speaks before I can put too much weight into them. "So, this is the guy that you've been obsessed with?"

"Yeah," I breathe out. We know each other's secrets and what make us crazy, Silas is mine.

"Well, I'm happy for you, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't tell you that you should be careful. What if his son doesn't approve and you're in the same position as before?"

"I know. That's what I'm most worried about," I admit to her. "But I won't know unless I go for it."

"I'm here, if it goes south. Just text me and I'll be there in an instant."

Smiling, I look over at my phone as if she was standing there. "Thanks." My doorbell rings, and I see it's seven.

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