Page 58 of Hard Limits

“What about the operations call in the morning? Should I dial in to take notes?”

“What operations call?”

“At ten a.m. You forgot?”

“I have other things on my mind right now.”

“Of course. Your mom. I’m so sorry—I’ll just… I’ll be quiet.”

Slowly, deliberately, Brax leaned forward and rolled up the privacy screen. They were nearly at Meera’s hotel now, and he couldn’t go another night without telling her how he felt. He wanted her in his bed, not sleeping alone ten miles away.

“Meera, look at me.”

She did, those beautiful dark eyes focused on his. He’d practised a whole speech in his head, the reasoning, the justification, the laying bare of his soul, but when she bit that bottom lip, none of it mattered. He fisted one hand in her hair and tilted her head back, giving himself access to that delicate throat. Just a taste…

And that taste was exquisite. Her pulse fluttered as he trailed the tip of his tongue along smooth skin, and the little gasp she gave made his cock harden in an instant.

“Meera…” It was a prayer, a declaration, and a plea all in one.

He pressed with a thumb, feeling the tight little indentations left by her teeth, and when her lips parted, that was all the invitation he needed. She moaned into his mouth as he kissed her, their tongues tangling. With every breathy whimper, her legs fell open another inch as her subconscious gave Brax the answer to his unasked question.

Yes, she wanted him.

He moved a hand to her thigh, inching it upward as he deepened the kiss. Why had she worn pants today? Why did she ever wear pants? What a horrible garment they were. Too much fabric, too many fasteners.

He stroked her through the polyester—ugh, polyester, she should be in silk—and she writhed under his touch. So responsive, his Meera. His queen. His everything. Her hand came to his chest, and he wondered if she’d tear the buttons off his shirt. Hoped she would.

But then she pushed him.

Hard.

“I can’t do this.”

Fuck. “You can. The decision’s final; I’m getting a divorce.”

“Okay, I won’t do this.”

As the car slowed to a smooth halt outside the hotel, her jaw set, and there was that backbone he both loved and hated. The fiery determination.

“Meera, it’s okay.”

“No, it isn’t. I’m not going to be responsible for you losing your business.”

“I’ve come to terms with it.”

“Maybe you think you have, but I’ve seen what the company means to you. In a few months, you’d regret giving up everything for me. I’m not worth it.”

“Yes, you are.”

“If you knew more about me, you’d change your mind.”

“Then let me get to know you.”

“This…this…it won’t work.”

“Tell me one thing—if Carissa wasn’t in the picture, would you be in my bed tonight?”

She wanted to lie. He saw it in her eyes. But she couldn’t, and as she snatched up her bags, she whispered one word.

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