Page 29 of Tempt Me Forever

"I've got them in my office. I shower here too."

He looked down my body and then back up slowly. There was no mistaking the heat in his eyes.

"Usually, I don't bump into anyone here. No one likes the stairs."

"Lucky me," he said.

"Oh yeah. You're so lucky to get to see me dripping with sweat and having runner's hair and a case of severely frozen cheeks."

"You look fucking sexy." His voice was almost a growl.

With a shock, I realized he was serious. My body perked up. My nipples were already peeking through my Spandex shirt and had turned to hard nubs. Heat gathered between my thighs, and I fought the urge to cross my legs, but my perky nipples were right in his face; he couldn't ignore them. He swallowed hard, looking at them. A feeling of intense need gathered low in my belly.

"You tempt me, Kimberly. Every second of every day."

"What are you talking about? You barely look at me."

"Because you tempt me so damn much." He stepped closer, taking in a breath.

"To what? What do I tempt you to do?"

"To want you. I need to kiss that sexy mouth, that sweaty skin. To peel off those clothes and explore every part of you. You know what you do to me?"

"No," I whispered.

"You kill me, Kimberly. You test my self-restraint, my honor, my resolutions, every rule I set for myself."

"Good," I murmured, proud that some of my sass was still in my voice. I hadn't turned to mush after all. Yet. "I have no clue what rules you've got for yourself, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like them."

"Kimberly." Another growl. He leaned even closer, putting his left hand over my right shoulder and the right palm over my left shoulder, pressing me against the wall.

"Drake," I replied.

"I don't do this," he said. "Ever."

"What?"

"Give in to my instincts. Follow them."

He threw his coat on the stairs and kissed me the next second. I knew instantly that this kiss was different from any I'd had in my whole life. It was deep and hard and desperate. He explored my mouth as if he needed me right now more than anything else in this world.

And I kissed him right back with the same fervor.

Unable to keep my hands to myself, I reached for him, touching his torso over his shirt. A jolt shook me while my fingertips explored his muscles; even covered by his shirt, they were impressive. I moved my hands upward on his chest until I reached the wool scarf. He hadn't shaved this morning, and his three-day beard felt absolutely delicious against my lips, my chin, and my cheeks.

I moaned against his mouth, and that seemed to snap him out of it. He pulled back just a fraction of an inch; I could still feel his breath on my cheek. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw that his palms were pressing against the wall, his fingers bunched as if he was trying to dig them into concrete. He was fighting to maintain his control. I got so aroused at the realization that I didn't know what to do with myself.

"Drake," I whispered.

"You go up first," he said. "I need a few minutes to get my composure."

I nodded. "That sounds smart."

The second he stepped back, it was as if I’d woken up from a dream. What was I thinking, mauling him like that in the stairwell at work? He was the general manager who Travis and I had worked very hard to bring into the company. I knew better than to shit where I ate. Why did I never learn from my mistakes?

He watched me intently. I needed him to break eye contact or I couldn't even move. All I wanted was for him to come close again and kiss me like that once more.

"Kimberly." His voice sounded dangerous, like an animal on the prowl.

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