This space,his, precise and controlled, belonged to her now.
She innocently set the bag on his desk.
Like she hadn’t knocked the air out of him by existing.
“Figured you wouldn’t come up for air,” she said. “Thought I’d be nice.”
He studied her, jaw tense. “You’re not being nice. You’re baiting me.”
“Would I do that?” She was grinning, and he knew the answer.
She watched him watching her.
And he waswatchingevery inch of her.
“You’re staring, Blackwell.”
His voice dropped an octave. “And?”
She shifted slightly, and the motion nearly undid him. The curve of her hips. The unapologetic strength in her stance. The way her shirt clung to the sharp line of her waist. She knew what she was doing.
And he loved her for it.
He stepped in, his hand curling around her waist with quiet claim. The desk was at her back, his mouth near her ear.
“You think my obscenely gorgeous girlfriend can walk in here looking like that and expect me to keep my distance?”
She quirked an eyebrow, then recovered. “I thought you might be hungry.”
“I am… but not for lunch.”
Her breath slowed, but she didn’t flinch. She never did.
And that was what killed him.
He lifted her onto the desk in one smooth motion. Papers scattered. Her legs parted to welcome him.
The kiss landed hard, deep and unrelenting. His hands framed her face, pulling her in. Her fingers tangled in his shirt, dragging him closer. Their mouths moved with intent, urgent and hungry.
She gasped when his lips found her neck, his breath skating along skin that flushed beneath his touch. She clawed at his shoulders, trying not to melt and failing.
He’d barely heard his own voice when he rasped, “I should lock the door.”
“You should.”
Knock
The sound cracked through the haze. Dan.
Arden bit her lip, grinning. “You could ignore it.”
He groaned, resting his forehead to hers. “You have no idea how much I want to.”
Knock.
“Gideon, you in there? The call with Paris is in five.”
Then Penny’s voice. “Ooooh, Paris.Fancy.”
