Page 19 of Seduce Me in Shadow

“Sit.” I pat the sofa cushion beside me.

She settles in, eyeing me as if she can read my thoughts. I repress my urge to squirm.

“The office is always hectic,” I comment.

“We’re in a deadline-driven business. Your point?”

“That doesn’t leave us much time to…get acquainted.”

“You think that will improve our working relationship?"

“Perhaps, but that’s not why I’m here, Sydney. I want to get to know you, as a person.” I purposely drop my voice an octave and lean closer. “As a woman.”

She cocks her head, the wheels in her mind obviously turning. “For what purpose?”

Bloody hell. “Are you always this direct?”

“Are you always this vague?”

My “seduction” is becoming a proper mess. How the fuck do I pretend mild interest for the woman who incites an unrelenting, clawing desire? I have to be flirtatious, but I don’t dare touch her. I’m well aware how magical men instinctively find their mates.

I fear one kiss would be my doom.

“I’m trying to say that you interest me without you filing a harassment complaint.”

That makes her laugh. “Interest you in what way? I’ll tell you if you cross the line.”

“In every way imaginable.” That, I don’t have to lie about. The lingerie she wore earlier tells me without a doubt that she has a gorgeous body I’d kill to touch. She fascinates me, from the wicked arch of her auburn brows to her small, pink-painted toes. The woman brims with intelligence. The way she asksquestions, deduces the truth quickly, yet still carries herself with undeniable sensuality dazzles me. And her zest… Have I ever attacked each day with such passion? Certainly not since serving overseas and being one of the few survivors of my platoon. Perhaps not even since my younger brother’s tragic death.

“So…more than professionally?” she asks.

I shrug, hating the need to be coy. “We work together, so the situation requires caution. I hoped we could…get to know one another first, then see if we wanted to pursue more.”

Her eyes narrow. “This is the first I’ve heard or seen of any interest beyond the professional.”

“I’ve tried to keep unprofessional thoughts to myself at the office.” That’s the truth. Hopefully, it’s enough to satisfy her curiosity.

I should have known better.

“You’ve had them, have you?”

“You’re a beautiful woman.”

“Thank you.” My flattery only sharpens her gaze. “But your interest seems…sudden.”

“I could tell you my first thought after meeting you, but it’s definitely not fit for the office.”

Sydney faces me, tucking one leg under her and anchoring her arm across the back of the sofa, her fingers tantalizingly close to my shoulder. Just her nearness makes my cock swell and throb.

“Is that so? All right, I’ll play along,” she murmurs. “I’ve had similar thoughts.”

“I thought so yesterday. In your office. It was in your eyes.”

“So that’s why you decided to say something now?”

“Yes.” It sounds reasonable, despite the fact I sensed her interest almost from the moment we met.

“So what do you think we should do next?”

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