Page 58 of The Bossy One

My pulse seemed to slow down, like a predator who’d spotted a weakness. “Olivia. What do you mean by ‘he wasn’t you’?”

She jerked upright and blushed. “I didn’t say… Well, I didn’t mean… I mean, I did, but I work for you, so it’s not appropriate…” She swallowed. “It’s not appropriate to want—”

I cut her off with the kiss I’d been holding back for far too long. My mouth found hers a second before I backed her into the door, andfuck,she was sweet. Her lips parted for me with the softest gasp, and then her hands were in my hair, and she was kissing me back. Giving as good as she got, like she always did.

I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, and she shivered.

“Fuck appropriate,” I growled. “If you want it, it’s yours.”

I didn’t quite dare say whatitwas. My body. My time. Maybe even my heart. I didn’t know how hot this thing between us would burn, or how long it could last, I just knew I was done trying to fight it.

Olivia’s head fell back against the door as she looked up at me, eyes dark with desire. She looked so good, I had to kiss her again, and then I had to trail my lips over the soft skin of her neck, until I found a spot that made her moan and clutch my shirt, arching into me.

My hands found her hips, pressing the softness of her body against my hard cock.

“Oh,” she gasped. And then a smile fluttered across her face in a way that was sweetly, deliciously feminine.

I was on the verge of ordering her to take off the dress so I could give her all the pleasure she wanted, and then some. Until she couldn’t think straight. Until she couldn’t think about anyone but me.

I knew she’d say yes, even if she regretted it in the morning, when the weight of our professional relationship came crashing back on to us.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, when someone knocked on the door.

Olivia jumped, ducking away from the door and me.

“Olivia?” Molly called from the other side of the door.

I swore and turned to yank open the door.

“Oh, hey, Declan,” Molly said, completely unfazed by my scowl. She leaned around me, holding up a phone for Olivia to see. “You left this in my car.”

“Oh my gosh! Thank you,” Olivia said, stepping forward to take the phone.

“Yes, thank you,” I said, trying to close the door on her.

“Actually, can I use the bathroom while I’m here?” Molly said. “I think that last beer just hit me. Also, Olivia said you have the fanciest bathroom she’s ever seen.”

I sighed and opened the door wider, giving in to the inevitable. Olivia pointed her toward one of the bathrooms.

And then Olivia and I were alone again.

“Well. Um. Goodnight,” Olivia said, and turned to go.

I caught her arm. “Oh no you don’t. We have unfinished business.”

She bit her lip. “Don’t you think it should stay unfinished? Would a one-night stand really be worth the risk of messing things up between us?”

Yes,I thought. But something about the idea felt off. Insufficient.

I wanted more than one stolen night, I realized. I wanted to be the one taking Oliva out, making her smile and laugh for hours. I wanted her to come to my bed without regrets. And I wanted her to stay there, for as many nights as she’d give me.

I eased my hand down her arm, trailing my fingers against the back of her hand. “Let me take you out tomorrow, Olivia,” I said. “On a proper date. One that doesn’t end with you hiding in a pub with Molly.”

She arched a brow. “And where does a ‘proper’ date end?”

I moved closer, lowering my lips until they hovered a hairsbreadth from hers. “Wherever you want it to,a ghrá.”

She leaned into me, restless and eager, and I felt a surge of masculine victory.

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