Ellis gasped into his mouth as her sex became more accessible. He held her against him as he thrust his hips forward. A thrilling ecstasy shot through her, and she didn’t think it would take much effort for her to fully climax.
Keele dragged his mouth from hers and kissed over her beard to her throat, where his thumb rested against her pulse.
“I’m sorry about the hair,” she murmured.
“I don’t care about it. I assume you have hair down below, and I believe I’ll quite enjoy kissing that area.” He snagged his teeth on her earlobe.
A rush of heat made her sex throb. “We can’t do this here,” Ellis rasped. Though she was powerless to stop him. She wanted to tear off their clothing and beg him to kiss her everywhere.
“I know. Just one more minute.” He lifted his head and kissed her again, thrusting his tongue into her mouth as he caressed her thigh. His hand moved higher, and she kept her leg wrapped around him. Her breath caught when his fingers pressed against her sex.
A distant sound broke into Ellis’s fevered state. Was that the door?
“What are you doing?”
Roman withdrew his hand from between Ellis’s thighs at the same moment she slid her leg from his hip. He lifted his head and stood back from her, painfully aware that the outline of his hardened cock was likely unmistakable if anyone looked at his groin.
Margot stood in the doorway, gaping at them.
Ellis put her hand to her mouth as her face flushed scarlet. She angled herself away from Margot.
“Come in and close the door,” Roman said, his voice gruff as he worked to quell his lust.
Margot did as he asked, quickly closing the door and standing in front of it. “Well, this makes the reason for my visit much easier.”
Roman moved to stand behind his desk. It didn’t cover his erection, but moving helped pull him from his impassioned state. “What’s that?”
“I came to talk with you about our engagement,” Margot said primly.
Ellis darted her gaze to Roman. “You’re betrothed?” She sounded shocked and perhaps even angry. He noted that she did not bother to disguise her voice.
“Not yet,” Margot replied. “And not ever, I hope, particularly after what I’ve just witnessed.”
“Let me explain,” Roman said.
Margot held up her hand. “There’s no need. I’m actually relieved it appears you have other interests.” She stared at him, her eyes rounding slightly. “Is that why you were hoping for a marriage of convenience with me? Because you don’t care for women, and that is the only kind of marriage you can have?”
“I am not a man.” Ellis exhaled as she briefly closed her eyes.
Roman was surprised Ellis had so quickly revealed herself to Margot. Although Roman wasn’t sure how else he would have convinced Margot that she’d misread the situation. But had she? Though Ellis wasn’t a man, she was someone to whom he was clearly attracted. That seemed to also support a marriage of convenience, or at least a marriage that wasn’t destined to be a love match or perhaps even happy. Roman would never do such a thing, since that was precisely what Clarissa had done.
Margot’s brow creased. “You aren’t?—”
“Look closely,” Roman said. “The disguise is good, but it’s not perfect.”
Margot stepped toward Ellis and narrowed her eyes slightly as she scrutinized Ellis’ face. After a moment, she gasped. “You are a woman. Why are you dressed as a man?”
“Because I wanted to work as a secretary,” Ellis replied wryly.
“Why?” Margot blinked at her in disbelief.
“I needed employment, and I thought I would be good at this.”
“She’s an exceptional secretary,” Roman declared. “I expect you to keep her secret, as I don’t want to lose her.”
“Just because she’s an exceptional secretary?” Margot asked dubiously.
“What you witnessed was a regrettable lapse in judgment,” Ellis said. “Please try to put it from your mind. I know I’m going to.” She did not look at Roman, and he couldn’t help feeling incredibly slighted. He didn’t regret their kissing one bit. But he supposed she was right that it had been a lapse in judgment since they were in his office in the middle of the afternoon. The door had been closed but not locked. Still, Roman hadn’t thought anyone would just walk in without knocking.
