Page 70 of Unleashed

Michael’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Were you anticipating office sex? Did you want me to seduce you during office hours?”

My face flushed again, but I met his gaze with a mixture of challenge and curiosity. “I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”

Michael chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. “Well, let’s just focus on today’s brunch and see where the day takes us.”

We finished our meal without and further talk of sex. Even with the alcohol I was wound up like a top. By the time Michael dropped me off at my apartment, I was in desperate need of some relief and my only outlets were Slade or getting myself off. I chose to do it myself since my relationship with Slade was a bit tense at the moment.

CHAPTER 14

The end of the day had come, and I still hadn’t heard from Michael. Apparently, he’d been buried in back-to-back meetings all day. I busied myself with plans for a small project and spent lunch with Stanley and Brian, who, despite my initial reservations, were starting to grow on me. It wasn’t until I was washing out my coffee cup in the quiet of the kitchen that I felt the air shift. The door clicked shut behind me, the sound barely registering before I spun around, my pulse quickening.

Michael stood there, a presence that filled the room without a word.

“Well, hello,” I said, the tension creeping into my voice. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

Without responding, he crossed the space between us in three swift strides, his hands finding my waist as he pulled me against him. His lips crashed into mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. My mind fogged over, thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind as his kiss consumed me. When he finally pulled back, my knees felt weak.

“Now I feel better,” he murmured, his breath warm against my lips.

I tried to catch my breath, pressing my palm to his chest. “Do you?”

He gave me a half-smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Not really. I’d rather hold you longer, but I don’t want the employees talking.”

I glanced at the closed door behind him, my heart racing. “You’ve already shut the door. They’re probably already suspicious.”

Michael leaned against the counter, his gaze never leaving mine as I finished drying my mug. The moment was broken by the sound of the door popping open. Two women from accounting stepped inside, their eyes widening at the sight of us.

Michael’s expression shifted, turning serious in an instant. “Once you finish the Banker project, I want to see the plans. Are we clear?”

I blinked, catching on quickly to his act. “Yes, sir. I’ll show them to you tomorrow.”

“See that you do, Miss Kincaid.” He didn’t spare another glance, walking out with an air of authority.

The women exchanged sympathetic glances as I sent them a weak smile, my heart still pounding. I slipped out of the kitchen, scanning the hall for Michael. He was already seated at his desk across the office, his sharp blue eyes locked on me. A shiver ran down my spine, the intensity of his stare making it impossible to look away. I focused on gathering my things, but the weight of his gaze followed me all the way to the elevator.

As the doors closed,my phone buzzed in my purse.

Wait for me in the lobby.

I rolledmy eyes and typed back.

And if I don’t?

The response came almost instantly.

Humor me.

With a sigh,I found a bench near the glass doors and sat down, pulling out a small compact to check my makeup. A few minutes later, Michael appeared. How could someone look so put together at the end of the day when I felt utterly drained? His black suit clung to his lean, muscular frame, every inch of him commanding attention.

“I’d like you to have dinner with me,” he said, his voice low and smooth.

I raised an eyebrow. “Where? The Blue Room?”

“No,” he replied, his gaze holding mine. “My home.”

I bit my lip, hesitating. “Your home?”

His expression softened, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Is that a problem? I promise I don’t bite.”

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