“Really. And what are we going to get into tonight?”
He liked the sound of her voice, the soft, sexy way she asked that question, almost in invitation. He didn’t think he was reading anything that wasn’t there. He was smart enough to know the difference between a woman who was interested and a woman who wasn’t. And while he’d promised himself he was going to keep it professional, she was the one opening the door now.
“I thought maybe we’d just hang out together tonight. Get to know each other a little better.”
The look she gave him almost made him laugh. She looked tense, maybe even a little horrified.
“Okay, I can tell that’s not what you want to do. Did you have something else in mind?”
She put her glass down again and stood. “Yes. Work.”
He stood, too, came over to her. “No work tonight, Savannah.”
“Then I should definitely go.”
“You’re afraid of me.”
She let out a snort. “I am definitely not afraid of you.”
“So it’s just men in general?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t play me. We had a nice night. Let’s just leave it at that.”
She went into the kitchen and he followed. She grabbed her purse.
“No, really. Is it all men, or is it just me?”
“It’s just you.”
“I make you—what? Uncomfortable? Or do I make you realize it’s been a while since you’ve been with a man?”
Her eyes blazed hot. He liked to see the cool Southern belle spitting a little fire. “You’re presuming a lot, Cole.”
“Maybe I am.”
“Don’t.” He was blocking the doorway, so she laid her hand on his chest to move him out of the way. He grasped her wrist and she halted.
He felt her pulse racing and he knew it wasn’t because she was mad. He could see it in her eyes, the way her pupils dilated, the way her lips parted. And when she took in a breath, it wasn’t so she could spit out words of anger.
She was turned on. So what held her back?
“Look,” he said. “I know we work together, but I’m good at separating the two.”
“I don’t mix business and pleasure.”
He moved in closer. “Have you ever tried it?”
“Cole. We’ve already tried this and agreed this was a bad idea.”
“No. You thought it was a bad idea.” He lifted her hand around his neck, swept his arm around her back and tugged her close. “But you already know I never do the right thing.”
He bent, hesitated, waited for her to object. He didn’t feel any resistance, so he took her mouth in a kiss. He’d been dying to taste her all night. She tasted like sweet wine and mint, her lips as soft as her skin. She melted against him, her hand sliding into his hair.
This time they weren’t outside, weren’t in public, and there was nothing to stop them from taking this further.
Nothing except Savannah, and all he felt from her this time was surrender.
SOMEHOW, SAVANNAH HAD KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO happen. Maybe she’d even subconsciously orchestrated it by planning this dinner at Cole’s place tonight.
Despite trying her best to not put herself in this position, here she was, letting Cole kiss her.
Oh, who was she kidding? There was no “letting” going on here. She wasn’t passive in all this. She was a full-on participant, pressing herself up against him. She’d dropped her purse to the floor and sifted her hands through his hair, holding on like she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go. She was all in on this and nothing was going to stop her from having him. He’d been a fixation since that first night she laid eyes on his sexy body, since the first time he hit her with those gorgeous, sinful eyes of his.
She’d wanted him, and now she was going to have him, damn the consequences.
He waited, tensing as she shifted. Did he think she was going to run? He likely did since she’d pulled back so many times before. But not this time. She moved in closer, sliding her other hand around his neck, tangling her fingers into his hair. And when she released a sound of pleasure from the back of her throat, he relaxed.
He flexed his fingers against her hip and her knees weakened. She loved the sensation of his hands on her and wanted a lot more of it. He let his other hand roam up her back, teasing the bare skin there, before sliding his fingers into her hair.
She tilted her head back, met his gaze. He brushed her hair away from her face and traced her bottom lip with his thumb.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He frowned. “For what?”
“For waiting so long. For pushing you away all those times. I’m not going anywhere this time, Cole.”