Page 49 of False Pretenses

He strode up and rested his hands on her shoulders. She dared not turn and look into his face.

“Tell me why you’re here.”

The words flowed over her like a caress. A fantasy of him kissing her neck and nibbling at her ear flowed through her mind. She tried coming back to reality and just managed it with supreme effort.

“I wanted to tell you…” She licked her lips.

“Yes?”

“I-If your offer is still on the table…” No way she felt brave enough to admit she loved him. “I want to be your girlfriend.”

He spun her to face him and tipped her chin higher. She gulped. When he stared into her eyes, it was as if he bared her soul whether she wanted it uncovered or not.

“Do you love me, Alyssa?”

Unfair!

“Love?”

“Yes, love.” He stepped closer, and the heat from his body warmed her, exciting desire. “I see something in your eyes, and I dare to believe it’s love.”

She tugged from his touch and moved closer to his desk. Leaning on the heavy wood gave her much-needed support. “Don’t you think it’s a little early to talk about love? I mean, we haven’t been seeing each other that long.”

He remained where he stood and folded powerful arms over an even more impressive chest. She wanted to pant with longing, but held on to her dignity.

“Love doesn’t take weeks of getting to know a person, or even months. It’s a decision.”

She curled one side of her lip. “A decision?”

He grinned, and the sun shone in that room. “Yes, a decision. You make the choice to open your heart, and in an instant—love. That choice might not come until you feel at ease with the other person, but the end result is instantaneous.”

“Funny, I never pegged you for the love-at-first-sight type.”

Now he strode toward her, taking his time, tempting and teasing with just his presence. He held out a hand, and before she realized what she did, her palm lay in his. He drew her to him and wrapped an arm around her waist. His cock hardened, and her pussy responded, moistened and ready.

“I loved you the first time I saw you, Alyssa.”

Her mouth fell open. He kissed the tip of her nose.

“What? That’s not possible. I…We…You met me when I came to the office the first time. That was months ago.”

“Indeed.”

“That’s not possible,” she repeated stupidly.

“And yet, I love you.”

She hung on to his jacket with clenched fingers. “Nathan.”

“I love you, Alyssa.”

“Stop saying that. Wait, no, don’t stop.” Her head spun. “Did you get Trinity to pretend she would go with you to the Cayman Islands only to manipulate me into going?”

“No, of course not. Although it couldn’t have worked out better. I had no false pretenses, but I wondered how I would kiss her when I needed you.” He nuzzled her neck just as she’d wanted to feel moments ago. She dipped her head back and shut her eyes. The craving for so much more overwhelmed her.

“Nathan.”

“Say it again, my love.”

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