Billionaire's Contract Engagement (Kings of the Boardroom #3)(34)

“I would very much like to have lunch with you, Celia.”

Her forehead wrinkled in indecision. She nibbled at her bottom lip. He took advantage of that moment to move closer until he crowded her. Before she could take a step back, he grasped her arm.

Alarm flared in her eyes, and she broke the contact, stepping hastily away as she stared wildly in all directions.

“For God’s sake, Evan, not here,” she hissed.

Her hand trembled as she raised one to smooth her hair. Instead of repairing the knot, she only managed to work more strands free. They fell down her neck, calling attention to the slim column. He was reminded of all the time he’d spent nibbling at that sweet flesh.

He raised an eyebrow at her vehemence but kept his distance.

“Lunch?”

“All right. Let me get my purse. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Her dismissal rankled him. He was used to calling the shots when it came to women and relationships.

Hell, now he was thinking of her in terms of a relationship? The only thing he should be thinking was how quickly he could get her back into bed so that hopefully this time he’d get rid of the burning ache he felt when she crossed his mind.

Crossed. What a funny word, one that denoted an occasional, unintentional meeting. She lived in his

mind. He didn’t like it, didn’t particularly care for the implication, but he was powerless to rid himself of her assault on his senses.

He stared at her for a long moment, and only because he was convinced she was ready to bolt, did he acquiesce.

“All right. I’ll call my driver around. Oh, and Celia. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

Celia spun around before she exploded. She wished she could blame it all on her anger and his arrogance, but she’d been flabbergasted when Shelby had rushed into her office to tell her Evan Reese was here and he wanted to see her.

The giddy thrill that sizzled down her spine annoyed her. And then his arrogant presumption that she’d drop everything to have lunch with him. He didn’t like to be kept waiting. Who did he think he was?

She sighed as she collected her purse. Where to even begin? He was an important client. The most important client of her career. And then there was the fact she’d acted as his fake fiancée, and oh yeah, she’d slept with him. Repeatedly.

A hot blush shot up her neck and nearly burned her cheeks off as she remembered just how often they’d had sex. They’d re-enacted all his fantasies and some of hers, too.

They’d been insatiable.

Hell and damnation but she’d expected several days to recover from the weekend before she had to see him again. In her utter befuddlement and not to mention being blown over by the sex, she hadn’t even mentioned the season opener to Evan.

It was as good an excuse as any to accompany him to lunch. At least then she could pretend it was all about business.

After a quick wave to Shelby, she rode the elevator down to the first floor. She passed the busy American cuisine restaurant with the lunch crowd lined up at the door and exited the building.

Evan was standing at the curb, one hand resting on the open door to the backseat of his car, the other shoved into his pocket. He looked positively arrogant. Like he not only belonged in the world but owned it.

He nodded as she approached and motioned her inside the car. Then he slid in beside her and shut the door.

“I thought we could eat at this restaurant I know across town. It’s small and not so well-known, but the food is excellent and it affords privacy.”

He looked at her almost like the last was a challenge.

She tilted her chin up and stared coolly at him. She hoped that she looked as unruffled as she wanted to portray.

“Is this business, Evan? Why did you come to my office today?”

His mouth tightened briefly before he relaxed and eyed her with thinly veiled amusement.

“We slept together, Celia. I don’t think lunch is that scandalous given that fact.”

She curled her fingers into tight fists. She wanted to close her eyes and moan her dismay. No, she doubted he’d understand why it was so important to her that there be no hint of impropriety between them. He was the type who’d never let what others thought rule his life. She hated that evidently she was the type. Hated it but couldn’t change it.

“Evan.”

She stopped when her voice cracked. She felt like the worst sort of idiot. Around others she had no problem being blunt—and forceful when the occasion called for it. But with Evan, she was ridiculously tongue-tied.

“Yes?” he prompted.

He wore a curious smile, almost as if he found her and the situation amusing. It made her angry.

“We can’t do this. We simply can’t. This weekend was a huge mistake. I don’t want to be one of these women who say no, no, no, and then yes, yes, yes and then spend the next week castigating myself for my weakness. I shouldn’t have slept with you. I swear, I left my brain behind when we went to Catalina.

I knew what I was getting into. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame you or think you manipulated me into having sex with you. I’m a big girl and I knew full well what I was doing. It doesn’t make me any less stupid, mind you.”

Evan simply hauled her into his arms and stifled her tirade with a kiss. Not just any kiss. He devoured her whole. She melted—positively melted—in his arms. She went limp against him.