Finn bends with me in his arms, and I come to rest against a soft surface.I don’t dare move.My legs are like a vise around his waist, and my arms remain locked around his neck.I feel the heavy sink of his big body as it presses down into me.
But he’s propping himself up.I can tell that he’s afraid to hurt me.
I let my arms fall loose and allow my hands to explore him.Immense, powerful shoulders.A rock-solid chest.Upper arms like twisted steel.
I can’t help myself.I hear a blatantly sexual groan rise up from deep in my chest and escape through my mouth.
Finn chuckles like he appreciates it, and I feel the vibration in his chest.
But suddenly, his lips still.His arms tense beneath my touch.And he raises his face from mine.Only then do I dare open my eyes.
Oh, no.Something has changed.The lust is gone, and in its place is horror.And so much pain that it knocks the wind from me.
His head drops and he stares down at his chest.One of his black curls grazes my lips.I feel him trembling.
And then he jumps off me.
I sit up.I’m in some kind of office or dressing room.Saddles and leather straps and lockers line the walls.I’m on a leather couch.And I have no idea what just happened.
He’s got his back to me.One of his hands is raised to his face and he’s rubbing it, hard, like he’s trying to wash me away.
Of course he is.What kind of complete TV-poisoned fantasy world am I living in?Did I really think…?
I can’t breathe.I’m panicked.That little pack on my back has just burst at the seams and every one of my anxieties and fears have dumped out on the floor around me.I raise a hand to my chest and talk myself down.I have to take in some oxygen.
What have I done?
I jump to my feet and head for the door, the one Finn slammed shut with his foot only two minutes ago.My hand’s on the knob.
“Emma, wait.”
I turn.
Finn’s shoulders sag.He looks tortured and his eyes are rimmed in red.“I owe you an apology.That was wrong.I am truly sorry.”
“Wrong.”
“Yes.Another thing that isallon me.I had no right.I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
He looks over my shoulder to stare at the closed door.He doesn’t want to look at me.I guess I disgust him.I turn to go.
“Please.Wait.I’m sorry because I’m your boss and you’re my employee and I… I can’t…”
I spin around to face him again.The next words that come out of my mouth will either save me or take me down all the way.I have to be careful.But I will not grovel.
“I absolutely must keep this job.”
His eyes flash at me.At least he’s looking at me again.
“If I have to choose…” Oh, shit.I’m on the verge of crying, which is the absolute last thing I want to do.“If I have to choose between my job as housekeeper or…” No.I refuse to cry.I clear my throat.“I choose the job, Mr.MacLaine.It’s the best job I’ve ever had, by a long shot, and it’s theonlything standing between me and the street.I wish I were exaggerating.”
Finn’s head snaps back, like I’ve just slapped him.
It’s the opposite.He’s just slapped me.Hard.
I’ve gone from soaked panties to stupid fool.
