Burned by Passion(17)

“I’m now beginning to understand your low opinion of me,” she muttered bitterly. “I’m feeling the same way about myself right now.”

“Don’t regret what just took place, Kira,” Blake said with firmness. “It was what we both wanted; nothing to be ashamed of. And if you’re worried about catching anything, I’m clean. I promise you that I’ve never acted this reckless either. I’m always careful about condoms, but this is the first time this has happened for me too. There’s no way I’d put you at risk like that. Though as for the possibility of getting you pregnant...”

“Well it’s a good thing then that I went on the Pill since I started dating my boyfriend; just in case...Oh shit,” Kira groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead. For the first time she thought of Terry. Sure enough, she must’ve been crazy. From the second Blake kissed her and pushed her against the wall, she’d switched into a different person even she didn’t recognize.

“Kira, relax,” Blake said softly, reaching out to pull her close. “I’ve got a girlfriend as well and that flew right out of my mind too. I can’t explain what just happened but nothing’s ever felt more right to me than what we just did.”

“Even though we only just met and barely even know each other?” she accused.

“That’s a problem easily remedied,” Blake told her with a rakish smile. “Have lunch with me tomorrow. We could...”

“You’re insane,” Kira bit out disgustedly as she broke away from his touch. “How can you even think I’d want anything more to do with you after...after...”

“What do you mean?” Blake said, anger seeping through his tone for the first time as he grabbed her shoulders. “We had chemistry Kira, right from the start. No one could script that. I felt it; you felt it. Or maybe you’re just more comfortable lying to yourself. Is that it?”


“I don’t know,” Kira burst out with a sob, before wrenching herself from his grasp one more time. She fled from the room, the door slamming shut after her.





***

Outside the library, Kira let out a shaky breath and looked around wondering which way to take to get out of the house without running into anyone. She heard Blake call out for her but she ignored him, certain he couldn’t come running after her in nothing but his shirt which was all he’d had time to put on. By the time he’d manage to get into his pants, Kira intended to be long gone.

She could hear the dull sounds of music still coming from the dining area so she at least knew which part of the house to avoid, thankfully.

How long had they been in there anyway? Time felt like it had stood still once Blake had pulled her into the darkened study with him. It seemed like ages, but it probably was no more than an hour. Now all she could think of was getting away.

The main thing was not to run into her boss or any of the guests – or Terry. Especially not Terry. She couldn’t bear to face him right now, knowing what she’d

done. The unthinkable. Even now she could still feel the slightly throbbing memento within her folds, bringing to mind every purposefully driven thrust Blake had made. Each step she took reminded her of the fact that she’d been thoroughly claimed and she hastily combed her fingers through her undoubtedly now well-mussed hair.

The next door Kira went through opened into a terrace and stalking quickly across she found steps leading to the gardens. Through them she made it to the driveway and only then could she heave a sigh of relief. There were only a few cars left and to her shameful relief she noticed that even Terry’s was gone. Glancing back at the brightly lit house, Kira moved as quickly as she could past the gates. She knew that every second she wasted could mean Blake catching up to her. Kira decided she’d get a cab once she was outside the grounds.

Then she’d be free...





Chapter Seven


If she had a choice, Kira really didn’t want to show up for work on the Monday following the dinner party. But the last thing she wanted was her boss suspecting anything was wrong. She’d simply die from embarrassment if he guessed what happened that night.

Even now, three days later, she had far from recovered mentally from her unthinkable lapse of judgment and self-control. She still felt traumatized over doing something so irresponsible. It was something she’d never have imagined doing; giving in with total lack of inhibition – and to a near stranger! Kira couldn’t blame Blake. Her lack of experience and utter stupidity had made it so easy for Blake to have his way. In short, she’d messed up big time and she didn’t think she’d ever forgive herself.

“Oh God,” she muttered just then, her fingers slipping from her keyboard. She just kept seeing flashing images...Blake and her, from the desk to the couch...His rock-hard abs gleaming in the moonlight streaming into the study and then the dark passion on his face as he’d driven into her again, and again.

Kira’s temples were throbbing so hard she almost didn’t hear the phone on her desk ringing. Inexplicably, she could do nothing but stare at it for a moment. Something told her it would be Blake and she couldn’t bring herself to pick it up. At last the ringing stopped and she heaved a sigh of relief. Only for it to start up again moments later. Sighing in frustration she grabbed it to her ear.

“Hello?”