“No. They’ve always been very magnanimous. Ramon says it was his mistake because he allowed me to introduce Gilbert to his children. But it wasmymistake.Idated the man.Ivouched for him.” She turned to stab between her breasts. “I couldn’t stay with them after that. And I didn’t want any footprints leading back to them, either. I moved to Australia and asked Killian to give me a new ID and school records, so I wasn’t Dorry Whitley anymore. I kept a low profile, worked my butt off for top grades and got this job on my own merit. That actually means a lot to me. Ilikebeing Siobhan Upton.”
Joaquin leaned his hip on the desk. “That’s not the only reason, though, is it?”
“For what?”
“For changing your name. You don’t want to be Dorry because you’re mad at her. You’re punishing her.”
“No.”She scowled into the middle distance, mouth twitching sullenly. “Maybe. I deserve to be punished. It was a horrible, dangerous mistake.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself.”
“You’re entitled to your opinion even if you’re wrong.” She looked to the side.
He snorted and moved close enough to catch her gaze. “I’m never wrong. Like you, I’m perfect. Never make mistakes.”
She frowned, mouth pouting. “Can you please—” she cleared her throat “—not tell anyone who I am?”
“I won’t say a word,” he assured her.
“Thank you.” Her shoulders relaxed. “I just don’t want people to…”
“I understand.” It was a lot to carry. He was annoyed that Henri had put that much pressure on her, but he also had the impression she put a lot on herself.
Dios, her scent went to his head when he stood this close. It wasn’t bold enough to be perfume. It was a subtle combination of shampoo and hand cream and the summer peach fragrance ofher. He searched for its source, gaze tracking into her throat then back to her cheeks.
She tilted her head back and her gaze tangled with his. She licked her lips.
He was a man, not a machine. With temptation this close and the nip of jealousy still in his blood, his resistance to her all but vanished. He hooked his finger in her belt and tugged, inviting her closer.
She flowed into him so he was able to slide his arms around the soft column of her. His mouth found hers and her taste washed through him. Lust flexed its claws deep into his skin, fueling his hands in their quest to map her shape and meld her to his front.
“Joaquin,” she moaned as he sought the fragrant skin of her throat. Her arms climbed behind his neck so it was no effort at all to hitch her hips onto the back of the sofa and push her skirt up, exposing her thighs in thin black leggings to his restless hands.
This was where he had longed to be again. He pushed deeper into the V of her thighs until he felt the heat of her against the ridge of his erection. Until her mouth was firmly under his again so he could devour her.
The wrinkled suede of her boots pressed erotically against the backs of his legs, urging him to press harder. The gorgeous weight of her breast filled his hand, her nipple pebbled firmly enough he could feel it through the knit. He set his other hand on her tailbone, the bar of his arm keeping her from falling to the cushions while he ground himself against her.
She said something. It could have been a demand or a plea. He didn’t know. All he knew was that he was starving and needed this.Her.
As lust began to overwhelm him, compelling him to claim her, he drew her back onto her feet and turned her to face the back of the sofa.
She gasped and thrust her ass against his fly, crushing the ridge of his erection in the most delicious way. He dragged her skirt up and caught the waistband of her leggings, starting to drag them down, revealing her round ass and the midnight-blue lace that cut across her cheeks.
He followed the dark line of color with his fingertips into the crevice of her thighs, seeking the heat. The dampness. The welcoming clasp of her sheath as he delved into paradise.
She moaned in a way that stroked him like velvet and arched her back. Inviting him to explore deeper. To take.
Condom, he thought and glanced around, only then seeing where he was.
He cursed crudely and pulled his touch away too roughly, pulling back from her so abruptly, she gasped in shock and clung to the sofa while she sent him a wild look over her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?”
She was nearly irresistible with that sensual flush and her heavy eyelids and her pupils shot wide with passion.
“I didn’t lock the door.Thisis a dangerous mistake, Siobhan.” Sheworkedfor him.
She gasped and yanked her clothes back into order, mouth taking on a bruised pout, eyes wide with speechless hurt. Her ankle wobbled and he tried to steady her, but she disdainfully pulled from his touch.
