“I know I would be,” I say with a confident smirk.“That’s not the issue.”
He lets out a huff and stands up, looking genuinely disappointed as he drops into the armchair across from me.His lips press into a line, and I recognize his sulking expression.The one he thinks makes him look brooding and mysterious but really just reminds me of a frustrated puppy.
“Are you seriously pouting right now?”I ask, unable to keep the amusement from my voice.
“I’m not pouting,” he mutters, even as his lower lip protrudes slightly.“I’m contemplating.”
“Contemplating what?How to change my mind?”I laugh.“Because that’s not happening.”
He folds his arms across his chest.“Maybe I’ll just find a different director then.Someone who isn’t so stubborn and unreasonable.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.“Go ahead.Hire whoever you want.I’m still not working for you.”
“You’re impossible,” he grumbles.
“I know,” I say with a grin.“But you love me anyway.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, but he’s fighting the smile.His blue eyes are stormy with frustration, but there’s something endearing about how much he wanted this to work.How much he wants me in his life, in every way.
I push myself off the couch, and cross the small space between us.His eyes follow me, curious and still a little grumpy, as I carefully lower myself onto his lap, straddling him.
“You know,” I say, running my hands up his chest and looping my arms around his neck, “just because I won’t work for you doesn’t mean we can’t find other ways to spend time together.”
His hands automatically find my waist, steadying me.“Is that so?”
“Mmhmm.”I lean in, brushing my lips lightly against his.“In fact, I think having separate workplaces might be better.That way, you get to miss me all day...”
“Which is torture,” he interjects..
“...And then we get to have very enthusiastic reunions every evening,” I finish, nipping gently at his lower lip.
The sulky expression disappears, replaced by something much more heated.“I do like the sound of that.”
“I thought you might.”
This time when he kisses me, there’s nothing gentle about it.His hands slide into my hair, angling my face to deepen the kiss, and I melt against him.I can feel his heart racing under my palm, matching the erratic rhythm of my own.
When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard, and his eyes have that intense focus that makes my stomach flip.
“See?”I whisper against his lips.“Much better than being my boss.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he concedes, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below my ear.“Though I’d never admit that to anyone else.”
I laugh, tilting my head to give him better access.“Your secret’s safe with me.”
And as his lips trace a burning path down my neck, I silently congratulate myself on winning this particular battle.Because with Caleb Wilder’s arms around me, it definitely feels like we’re both winning the war.
My head tilts back as he worships my neck but his mouth finds mine in a slow, heated kiss.
As his hands roam up my sides, sliding under the thin fabric of my shirt, I feel his palms cup the soft swell of my breasts.A low chuckle rumbles from his throat against my lips, breaking the kiss just enough for him to murmur, “No bra?You’re making this too easy for me, aren’t you?”
I shiver under his words, my nipples hardening instantly from the cool air and his teasing gaze.“I was relaxing, not planning to be groped.”
“So now I’m groping you,” he laughs, stealing another kiss.He circles one peak with his thumb, rolling it slowly, deliberately, watching my face flush as I bite my lip to stifle a whimper.
“Eve, look at you,” he continues, his voice dropping to a husky growl, “already getting worked up just from a little attention.I bet you’re soaked down there, aren’t you?”
The taunt ignites something fierce in me.I surge forward, capturing his mouth in a hungry, aggressive kiss, my tongue plunging past his lips to tangle with his.My hands fist in his shirt, pulling him closer as I pour my need into the embrace, nipping at his lower lip hard enough to draw a surprised grunt from him.
