Heating Up the Holidays 3-Story Bundle(13)

He looks down at my finger and then his gaze lifts, but there is no anger in his face. There is something else, something I can’t identify. “I got you cleared, but—”

Relief is instant, and I cut him off. “That’s all the talking you need to do.” I try to turn away, intending to gather my things, but he shackles my wrist, more heat ripping up my arm and over my chest.

“Let go,” I snarl, hating a man I barely know who has put me through hell. It’s like I’m a masochist. Why else would I be drawn to yet another powerful *?

His lips thin, and I wish I didn’t notice how sensual and perfect they are. “We have to talk.”

“No,” I assure him. “We do not.”

“We’re going to talk.”

“You aren’t my boss anymore, which translates to the end of all conversation.”

His eyes glint hard steel. “What does that mean, I’m not your boss anymore?”

“I quit. Find someone else to treat like crap.”

“I had no choice—”

“There’s always a choice. I just want out of here.”

“You’ll regret this later.”

“I’ll take that risk.”

“You’ve had a rough twenty-four hours, Ms. Miller. You aren’t thinking straight.”

I all but growl at him. “Let me guess. I’m a woman and my emotions must be controlling me.”

“Because you’re human.”

“Why do you even care if I stay?” I demand, and I don’t know how or why, but the air around us shifts and thickens.

“Because I do.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I want to know you.”

I swallow hard. “Well, I’m sure you’ll know every piece of my DNA after seven hours of being trapped here. Goal achieved.”

“Ms. Miller—”

“Stop with the Ms. Miller. I’m not your damn employee anymore. Let go of me.”

He doesn’t let go. His gaze flickers to my mouth, then lifts. “I won’t let you quit.”

“Call Natalie. I’m sure she’ll come back.”

He tugs me close, his hard body aligned with mine, and I can barely breathe. “What do you know of Ms. Duncan?”

“If you mean Natalie, she was in HR when I was.”

“There were circumstances.”

“Yeah. I get that. Believe me, I get it.”

“No. You don’t. She has nothing to do with you or us.”

Us? What does he mean, us? And why is my hand on his chest? Why can’t I move it? “I’m done. Let me go.”

“You won’t change your mind about quitting?”

“No.”

His fingers tangle into my hair, dragging me closer. “Then why would I let you go?”

Both of my hands have now found the wall of his chest, and I intend to push him away, but I just … don’t. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing? Finding out if you taste as good as I think you do.” And then his lips are on mine, his tongue licking seductively into my mouth, sending erotic sensations spiraling through my body. I tell myself this is insanity. To push away. We barely know each other. I don’t even like him. Except I know it’s a lie. I know that in the short time we’ve known each other, every shared moment, every mutual look, every touch and tangled word exchange, has been leading to this.

Another lick of his tongue and I am unable to hold back a moan or the desperate need to be closer to him. I arch forward, desperate to feel him against me. Desperate to have him naked and touching me. Me touching him. Desperate to be naked and have him inside me. He is a drug, a wicked, wonderful drug that will finally be the end of my sanity if I allow him to be.

That idea sends a burst of panic and adrenaline through me, and I shove at his chest. “Stop. We can’t.”

His mouth leaves mine, and I am one part relief, one part painful need to pull him back. “Why?” he demands, and his voice is rough, affected.

“You’re my boss.”

“You quit.”

“Right. Which means I leave now.”

“You want to leave?”

No. “Yes.”

His eyes darken to deep pools of green fire and stormy torment, telling me he knows this is a mistake. He knows. I know. Why are we still here? “Tell me you really mean that and I’ll let you go,” he vows. “But just know this: If you stay, I absolutely will f*ck you senseless and then do it again.”

“I … you … we can’t …”

“We can. I’m going to kiss you now, Kali.”

“Kali?” I whisper, unbelievably aroused by my name on his lips.

“Yes. Kali.” And then he is kissing me, his tongue caressing into my mouth, seeming to touch every intimate part of my body, stroking deep, and burning through me. Sensations roll through me, teasing my senses, torturing me with how much I want him and how wrong I know this is. But then his hand caresses my backside, pulling me closer, hard against his hips, his thick erection pressed to my belly, and I can’t remember why exactly it’s wrong. I am lost. Lost in him. Lost in what I feel, and I don’t want to let anything else in. Not the past. Not the last few hours. I don’t care anymore.