“Everyone’s ready for the meeting,” Sergio continues, walking into the gym, his focus on the iPad he’s carrying. “Although still no sign or word from…” He lifts his head, eyebrows shooting up at the sight of Anton. “Laurant, what are you doing here?”
“Sergio.” Anton dips his head in a slight bow. “You want a word from me?”
Frowning, Sergio slides a look at me before returning his attention to Anton, pointing a steady finger at him. “Be at the meeting. Ms Madigan doesn’t have time for your ego.”
Anton’s Adam’s apple jerks up and down his throat. “Consider my ego warned.”
Sergio narrows his eyes, part turns, and then looks back at me. Did he see how close Anton and I were standing before he entered the gym? Did he see my wholly unexpected and surprising reaction to Anton? The…the…desiresuddenly consuming me for the man?
My mouth dries. If Sergio hadn’t interrupted us, would I have lost control of myself and succumbed to it?
Because I am ninety-nine-point-nine percent certain I saw that same desire in Anton’s eyes. Which baffles the hell out of me.
He loathes me.
Doesn’t he?
“Everything okay, Chief?” Sergio asks.
Pulse pounding in my ears, I nod.
Sergio looks at Anton again.
Anton smiles. “See you at the meeting.”
Doubt tugs at Sergio’s eyebrows, and then he strides from the gym. Leaving us alone.
Nerves knot in my stomach. Nerves.
What is wrong with me?
Anton lets out a low chuckle, chewing on his bottom lip as he seems to study the world beyond the glass doors. “Charlotte,” he says my name as if tasting it.
Don’t be attracted to him. Don’t. He’s a conceited?—
He turns, blue eyes capturing mine, and all thought vanishes from my mind.
“If you don’t walk away from me right now,” he says, French accent like velvet against my senses, “I am in genuine danger of kissing you.”
My lips part.
His gaze drops to them, and his nostrils flare.
“For the love of God, Charlotte,” he murmurs, studying my lips. “Walk away from me. Before I make a fool of myself and take you in my arms and?—”
I step forward, slide my hand—still wearing the boxing glove—over the back of his neck, bring his head down to mine, and kiss him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Anton
What is this?
I have never experienced anything like this sensation surging through me? It’s base and potent and primitive and undeniable. It’s as if Charlotte Madigan was created to drive me wild with need and hunger and an emotion I am too terrified to contemplate.
I’ve never had such an instant and undeniable attraction to someone.
Ever.