Page 64 of Rude Boss 2

“I’ll bring a bottle of wine. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Essex.”

He pulls me close to him so that our lips are a breath apart, then whispers, “After these meetings, I’m all yours.” He licks his lips, then crashes them into mine while he grabs a fist full of my hair and angles my head in a way that allows his tongue to stretch for my throat.

I gasp, completely at his mercy. If he doesn’t release me soon, I’m certain my heart will jump out of my chest and run to the nearest ER for safety, but for now, I try to match his intensity by holding on to him and willingly freeing myself to absorb everything he has to offer. The feeling is indescribable. It’s ecstasy.

He abruptly ends the kiss and steps back from me, reminding me of his meetings, and then says, “Go to the conference room and hang out for a little while, then if you feel like it, go back to your desk. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay,” I say, but I don’t move. I’m still in shock.

“I’m looking forward to it. I miss you already.”

I giggle and say, “I haven’t even left your office yet, Essex.”

“My point exactly.”

And I completely understand his point because while I know I’m supposed to be heading to the conference room right now, I throw my arms around him again. I don’t want to let him go.

“You should go,” he says.

“I’m not ready yet.”

“Tess.”

“Take off your jacket,” I tell him.

Without questions, he complies. I reach for his hands, undo the cufflinks of his shirt and start to unbutton it. He grabs my wrists and says, “Tessie, what are you doing?”

“I’m taking off your shirt.”

“Why?”

“I want to feel your warm skin. I want to see my handprint over your heart. That’s what you called it, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then let me.”

He hesitates. “I have a meeting in ten minutes.”

“Then I’ll only take five.”

“Okay. You win.”

I take off his shirt. He has one of those white tank tops beneath it. I slip my hand up under it and place it flat on his chest. That’s what I wanted. Like an addict, I need to feel his body heat with mine and bathe in pheromones that have always brought me comfort. I throw my arms around him and press my face against his chest. I close my eyes and pull in lines of his scent. My hand rides the rollercoaster of arm muscles and then I lift his tank top and place my hand on the scar there before I press my lips to it.

He groans. He connects his mouth to mine and devours me, sucking my lips and tongue so much I don’t feel like my mouth is mine anymore. It belongs to him.Ibelong to him. Hadn’t I always?

Before I know it, my feet are off the floor. I feel my butt land on his desk while he stands between my legs, kissing me, tugging at my blouse while he kisses and nips at my neck.

“Ah,” I gasp. “Essex.”

He stops, breathing heavily, forcefully. He licks his lips and says, “I have to get to this meeting.”

“Right.” I watch him slide his arms back into his shirt. He buttons it, expertly put the cufflinks back on, and the suit jacket – looking sharp like he always does. He leaves a kiss on my forehead and says, “I love you. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay.”

I straighten my clothes and we leave his office together, going our separate ways. He goes to the large conference room. I head to the smaller one and when I get there, I smile. I feel so good, I want to hug myself. I feel like the clouds have finally broken up and made a way for the sun to shine through. I’ve suffered greatly without him. Now that he’s back in my life again, I can breathe. I can live. I can love.

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