Page 5 of Choosing the right Man

Never in my life have I reacted like this to another man. I’m in a relationship and shouldn’t have any reaction at all. Of course I notice good-looking men. I’m human. To say a taken person doesn’t notice the beauty in other people is ridiculous. But this is so much more than that. This is unexplainable.

My eyes meet his. I can’t tell what he’s thinking as he boldly gazes at me — just as he’d done once before. His eyes meet mine, wanting me to know heseesme. Then they slowly travel down my body. It’s as if his hands are touching me instead of his eyes. He pointedly takes a moment to glance at my bare ring finger. I rub my thumb over the underside of my finger as if searching for a ring, as if needing protection.

I know this man is powerful, know I shouldn’t be alone with him. It’s as if time has stopped. Why is this ride taking so damn long? I want to run more than I did when I stepped into that luxurious lobby at the beginning of the day. Looking at this man is a dangerous path I have no right walking.

His eyes travel up my body and I shiver. My stomach quivers, my core heats. My breasts are suddenly tight, and my nipples feel as if they’re on fire. Why can’t I feel like this when Paul looks at me? Maybe because he doesn’tlookat me anymore. Not the way this man currently is, undressing me with nothing but a glance.

I try to form words, try to break the awful tension, try to do anything other than tremble as he mentally undresses me. My breathing deepens, more air is sucked out of the small space that seems to be shrinking by the second. The lights flicker, and the music stops. Then the elevator halts. A red light goes on, making the area even more intimate. I suck in a breath and hold it. Mr. Alexander doesn’t so much as twitch at our predicament.

Nothing is said as agonizing moments stretch on. This is the longest elevator ride I’ve ever taken. He finally moves. Part of me is disappointed when he turns away and goes to a panel, opening it. He picks up a phone and speaks a few soft words. The command in his voice is so damn delicious. Another shudder wracks my body. I visibly shake as I hold tightly to the bar on the wall of the elevator. I pray the car will start moving again. I can barely stand being in this place without him being mine. I hate this thought as soon as I have it. I feel like I’m betraying Paul with my thoughts even if I can’t seem to control them.

“The power went out,” Mr. Alexander says. I want to tell him that’s more than obvious, but I don’t think he’d appreciate my nervous sarcasm. Besides, I’m not sure I can even find my voice. I murmur something that isn’t intelligible. I feel like such a fool. I clear my throat.

“Do they have any idea for how long?” I ask. My voice is shaky, but at least the words come out. I don’t feel quite so foolish.

He smiles as he puts the phone back, and his attention is once again focused solely on me. He takes a step in my direction and then another. I need to stop this. I need to tell him I’m not available; that we aren’t going to have some lurid tryst in an elevator. This isn’t some stupid romance book where the characters get it on. My life isn’t that lucky. Bad thought. Bad thought. Remember Paul, dammit.

Still, the evil demon on my shoulder is whispering. Isn’t being taken by a sexy billionaire in a dark elevator the fantasy of every woman? Isn’t it a dream we’ve all had? Some sexy stranger gets stranded in an elevator with you and rips off your clothes, unable to stop himself from ravishing your body. It sounds like pure heaven. Maybe, it’s noteveryone’sfantasy, but I’m quickly discovering it’s mine.

He stops, our bodies only inches apart. I can’t look him in the eyes any longer. My chin goes down. I breathe so heavy it’s the only sound in the small space. I need to get out of here, and fast, before I do something foolish like launch myself into his beautiful arms.

His fingers are suddenly on my chin, and he’s raising it, forcing me to look at him. This is wrong, so very wrong. And yet I do nothing to stop it.

“I was wondering...” he whispers, and my entire body shakes. I can’t say a word for several long heartbeats.

“Wondering?” I gasp. I don’t try to add more words. It wouldn’t do me any good. My throat feels as if it’s been stuffed with cotton balls.

“If our first meeting was a fluke,” he tells me. “Or if I’d imagined it.” I gulp. I don’t know how to respond so I say nothing. I’ve wondered the same thing, wondered why I reacted to him the way I did the last time... and now this time.

“It’s good to see you again, Chloe,” he says, the words a purr, causing my legs to clench together. He knows my name, remembers me as I remember him. I’m shocked by this; I don’t know what to say or how to respond. “I’m Mason,” he finishes.

I want to tell him it’s nice to see him again, or give some flippant hello and then laugh at our situation. Nothing inside of me wants to laugh though. I’m burning up. I’m in a state of shock. I’m in a situation I’ve never imagined myself in. Things like this don’t happen to a woman like me.

“Nothing to say?” he asks. His fingers are still holding my chin, but he reaches one sexy finger up to my cheek and caresses it. Moisture beads on my forehead. I thought I’d overheated in the gym. That’s nothing compared to what I feel right now.

My clothes are too tight. I want to rip them away... hell, I wanthimto rip them away. This is a very wrong thought. But I can’t breathe. He takes all of the oxygen from the space. Hemoves a little closer, his body brushing against mine. My heart thunders.

“I noticed you in the gym,” he tells me. He looks down my body though there isn’t much space between us. It feels like he can see right through my clothes, can envision every inch of me. It’s an oddly appealing thought. “You chose an interesting outfit for a workout.”

“I... uh... I thought I was alone,” I say. I don’t know what else to say. I shake my head, which is hard to do with his fingers still holding my chin. But it helps to clear the fog. “I didn’t realize there was a gym until I started work today, and I wanted to get some cardio,” I finally finish.

He doesn’t tell me where he was when he saw me, and I don’t press him to say more. I have a feeling a person doesn’t press this man. I know nothing about him, but one word comes to mind as our bodies are practically entwined... power. This man has it in spades. This man can have whatever he wants.

“There are many ways to get cardio,” he says with a smirk that makes him that much more intriguing. “And with a lot more appropriate clothing... or lack thereof.”

I’m not sure what this means. I have a good idea, but I fight the attraction between us. I need to tell him to back up, to let go of me. But his finger again traces my cheek, and another shudder passes through me; I can’t form words.

He’s leaning forward. He’s going to kiss me. I know I should stop him. He doesn’t know me, doesn’t know I can’t kiss him, can’t do anything with him. I need to tell him I’m not available. But I can’t stop him. As the heat of his breath sears my slightly parted lips, the elevator jerks, the lights flash on, and we’re moving.

His eyes narrow the tiniest bit as if he doesn’t appreciate the interruption. A slow shiver travels up my spine. I wouldn’t wantto be the person who disappoints him. That wouldn’t be a good idea on even the best of days.

“Have a drink with me,” he says. It isn’t a question. It’s a demand.

He steps away from me as we reach the bottom floor. The doors open. Several people are in the lobby, looking worried as one of the security guards holds the doors so they won’t shut again.

“We’re very sorry, Mr. Alexander. It took a moment for the generator to kick in and get the elevator moving.” Mr. Alexander turns to the man, and the spell between us is finally broken. Now it’s time to run. I don’t hesitate as I slip behind him, sneaking into the night before he knows I’m gone.

If I see him again, I’ll calmly explain I won’t be getting drinks with him. I’ll also make sure I don’t get stuck in elevators with him from here on out. This means no more after-hour workouts. If I want to get one in, I’ll have to do it on my lunch break or before my shift begins. I won’t put myself this close to temptation again.

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