Page 2 of High-Rise Heat

I take a long measured breath before walking toward him, forcing myself to ignore the soft way my dress plays against my hips and the tickle of fabric at the back of my thighs. My body thinks it’s on a date and this is the most romantic high-rise in the world—twinkling lights, summer dress, my beautiful boss with soft lips who’s casually leaning against the railing.

“Areyounervous?” I ask, trying to deflect, and he shakes his head before looking out at the city again. Only, the fact that he didn’t answer means he is. I want to put my hands on his shoulders and rub that tension away, to tell him it’s nothing and we’ve got this. But, I don’t dare touch him. I don’t trust my hands to not unbutton his collar first and then the rest of him.

Dom’s troubled expression is out of character. He’s always so sure, always the confident one oozing smiles and charm and able to make even the most boring of Excel charts fascinating. He’s the one who taught me to walk into every room as if the deal is already done, as if I don’t need it, and I’m ready to walk away. That’s what puts you in the power position. And I thought I was ready. Ready to walk into this weekend with that same confidence, making every fantasy I’ve ever dreamed of become a reality. But that troubled look on Dom’s face means I care too much. I can’t make a move. Not right now. Not at the expense of this deal. He’d never forgive me.

“There’s no possible way you—we—can screw this up,” I say. “Our strategy is perfect. The only reason this deal won’t close is ifthey’vebeen leading us on. And we both know they want this as much as we do.”

Dom looks at me and the uncertainty in his gaze is unsettling. His shoulders have locked and his hands are clasped into a tight fist.

“Hey?” I ask. “What are you worried about?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

I call him out on his vagueness. “No lies between us. We agreed on that our first deal together. Day one. We’re only as strong as the truth we share.”

He straightens up and fiddles with the top buttons of his pressed shirt. “Curse the day I said that to you.” He smiles kindly, both of us knowing that pact has only brought us closer and made us a more powerful team. “Tomorrow’s a big deal,” he admits. “Maybe I’m just putting too much pressure on myself.”

“You’ll be brilliant,” I say, leaning against the railing next to him. “Everyone knows you’re the best man for this job.”

“Well…” he smiles, deflecting and pretending to take the compliment. “Youhave to say that. You’re my protégé.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”

His eyes flick to my mouth and linger. Suddenly, the hot air on my shoulders becomes a sauna slicking hair to my neck. The worried crease in his forehead deepens and I start to wonder if it’s nottomorrowhe’s worried about. After all, there’s a whole night for us to get through first.

“You always close the deal,” I say softly. “You always get what you want.”

Dom’s eyes skim down the front of my dress and I bite my lip at the dress’ lack of modesty. The thin fabric barely hides my tightened nipples, which should assure him there’s nothing to be nervous about if his hesitation is about me.

“It was a long flight,” Dom says abruptly, smoothing out his suit and turning toward the suite—a motion that feels like an overcompensating act of politeness. “I just need to sleep.”

“Of course.” I nod, before changing my tone to one that’s more playful. “Yes, well,” I start. “I get to choose the first bed!” I stalk away from him, making a show of stomping my heels along the shiny patio. I do it to lighten the mood, but when I twist around at the door I have to grab the doorframe. Dom’s gaze is completely disarming. He’s even farther away now, but the light from the suite allows me to see the actual heat in his gaze. His eyes skim my body again and it’s laced with a longing I know all too well, shooting a pulse of heat straight between my legs.

I’ve imagined a look like this on Dom’s face before, but it’s nothing like the real thing. My heart races and all of my skin tightens, because your boss isn’t supposed to be looking at you likethat.Like tomorrow’s business merger doesn’t matter as much as grabbing my hips and crushing the air out from between us.

I squeeze my legs together and try to shallow my breath.

Business first.

Acting on this will be sweeter after the deal is signed. Dom’s passion will only heighten when he’s in victory mode and all our hard work can be truly celebrated.

“Goodnight, Dominick,” I say quietly, inching backwards and hoping I don’t trip over the carpet with my bone-less legs.

“Goodnight, Ilsa,” he says back, and he’s too far away for our traditional awkward hug, for which I’m thankful. My body is too awake to feel his hands curl around my back and the whisper of his stubble against my neck. I nod and head back into the suite, grabbing my luggage in the hallway before walking into the first bedroom I can find. I don’t bother to compare them.

The door clicks shut and I force myself to take several deep breaths, leaning my head against the doorframe. We’ve been here a whole—what? Twenty minutes? And I’m already out of my depth. I knew there’d be tension this weekend, but when did my body get so damn strung up?

It was probably the long flight. Thirteen hours from New York to Hong Kong talking strategy and brushing elbows with Dom was bound to get my libido drunk. Or maybe it’s the two years of flirty stares across the board room as I imagined him tearing off my panties in reward for getting our associates to sign on the dotted line. Or maybe it’s the last few weeks of late nights at the office, stress knotting our shoulders as the two of us tried to anticipate every possible thing that could go wrong with this deal. Couple that with the fact that I haven’t been fucked in months, and … yeah, no wonder my body’s on high alert.

The light in the bedroom is off. I haven’t touched the switch. Instead my hand clutches the doorknob as my thumb runs over the lock. Should I press the tiny button in and lock it?

I kick off my shoes and walk to the bed instead. I strip off my dress in the darkness and climb onto the layers of pillows and blankets. The softness is divine as I lie back and allow the plush comforter to mold to my skin. I take several deep breaths, but my whole body is on fire. It can’t forget the fact that Dom is only a few steps away out on the terrace, and I’m in here wearing nothing but my bra and panties.

I think about the coolness of water from the pool and how it would feel against my hot skin right now. How delicious and shocking it would be if I dove in. I think about the normal barriers that stand between Dom and me: our job, our titles, our politeness emphasized by the hallways that have always separated our hotel rooms.Thisshouldn’t be different, but the truth is he’s only steps away and … I’ve left my door unlocked.

It’s reckless, but I run my fingers over my chest. My nipples are hard and responsive through the lace fabric and I have to bite my lip to muffle my ragged breath. I shouldn’t do this. We have a job to do tomorrow and I need to keep my head clear. Yet, my hands slide down my bare stomach to the elastic of my panties where my fingers tease the hem. My fingers swirl over my hip bones, contemplating if this is a good idea or not, my clit throbbing in anticipation.

I’ve been turned on like this by Dom before. I’ve wanted him so badly, and then gone back to my private room all alone to finish the job. It would be so easy to do it again, to release this tension so I can get a decent night of sleep.

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