Page 14 of Takeover-
“You don’t know how many times I’ve heard about an open-door policy, that the CEO wants straight talk.”
“I mean it.” Whether Michael believed or not. “I believe in honesty.” He ignored the voice in his mind that whispered about hypocrisy.
“I’m sure you do,” Michael said, his voice low, almost sensual. He reached across the desk and plucked the cuff link off the surface. “Just like you want me to forget Curaçao.”
It was as if all the air in the room vanished. Sam’s chest tightened, and he focused entirely on the shining piece of metal Michael rolled between his fingers.
“And I wonder,” Michael said, “can you leave that night behind?”
The proof that he couldn’t danced between Michael’s fingertips. Sam’s ass burned for Michael’s hand and his cock was full and stiff. He swallowed, though his throat was desert-dry, unlike his back. That was slick with perspiration, enough so that he’d have to wear his jacket to hide the wetness if he left his office anytime soon. Any ground he’d gained in this tête-à-tête, he’d lost in an instant. It must have showed.
“I thought as much.” Michael set the cuff link down on the desk. “So how do we navigate around it?”
Sam found his voice, though it cracked like autumn leaves. “Professional decorum.” He cleared his throat. “What happened in Curaçao—”
“Stays there?”
“Yes. It has to.” The salt of Michael’s skin, the velvet touch of his lips, the rough sound of his breath when he came… all that had to remain a memory. It certainly had no place here at the office in Pittsburgh. “Anything else would be breaking more corporate policies than I care to count.” And would unveil far too much about Sam to everyone around him.
“I can handle that.” Sam couldn’t tell if that was conviction in Michael’s voice or the knowledge of a lie well told. It too closely mirrored his own voice, his own lies.
Michael stood, and once more, Sam realized just how tall Michael was. “I’m going to hold you to listening, though. And protecting these folks.” He waved at the door.
Sam rose, his legs surprisingly steady. “I’d expect nothing less. I’m glad to have you on board.”
Michael chuffed a laugh. “Let’s see what you say after a couple of manager meetings.”
Sam rounded the desk and walked toward the door. “I may surprise you.”
“You already have.” Michael’s voice took on that smoky quality that sank into Sam’s ears and straight to his balls. Sam couldn’t help looking up into Michael’s face and the amusement that danced there.
Sam held out his hand and Michael took it, his grip firm and his hand warm. Every second they touched, Sam wanted to fall to his knees, unzip those khakis, and go to heaven. Or hell. Everything about Michael turned him inside out. Michael knew the true Sam. Everything he tried to hide.
They let go at the same time.
“Well,” Michael said. “This is going to be interesting.”
Sam croaked a chuckle. He reached for the door handle and opened the door slightly. “We’ll make it work.” There was no other option.
Michael looked down, but his continued amusement was almost catching. Sam followed his gaze.
Sam had been right. Boat shoes without socks.And I know you.His skin tingled.
“Thank you for the straight talk,” Michael said.
“Anytime.”
Michael glanced up, then turned and left Sam’s office.
Sam closed the door with care, then leaned his forehead against the wood. Interesting wasn’t even close to the right word. Having Michael near and not touching him—not begging Michael to touch him—would be sheer hell.
Sam pushed himself away from the door and returned to his desk. He’d deal with all of that later. Right now, he had to get ready for another meeting.
If only his hands would stop shaking. He curled them into fists and shoved thoughts of Michael aside. He couldn’t let one single fuck, a quick fling, get the best of him.
Even if it had been the best night of his life.
