"Two spa certificatesand dinner at Axel compliments of the hotel," I tell my assistant. "Tom and Irene Clarkson. I want that set up within the next hour."
I end the call as I watch Maya round the corner from the corridor that leads to the private elevator.
I held back as she said her goodbyes to the Clarksons. I didn't want to crowd her. Her job is to sell this space. Mine is to give her the room to do that.
"Shit," she mumbles under her breath as she comes to an abrupt halt near the kitchen counter. "Goddamn it."
I laugh. "What's the problem?"
She lifts her left foot inches off the floor. "The strap on my shoe came loose again. I keep meaning to drop them off to get fixed, but they're one of my favorite pairs of sandals and I don't want to be without them."
I close the distance between us in measured, heavy steps before I drop to one knee in front of her.
She gasps. "Julian, get up. What are you doing?"
I reach forward to grab her foot. I rest it on my thigh. "I'm having a look at your shoe."
She tries to pull her foot away, but I cup my hand over the back of her calf. "Maya, please."
I feel the shiver that courses through her. "Julian."
My name is a whispered threat. She's warning me. I should heed that, but I don't. Instead, I slide my hand further up the back of her calf. "It will only take me a minute to tighten it, Maya. You need to hold still."
She reaches down to balance herself with a hand on my shoulder. "I'll stay still."
I get to work on the strap, pulling it taut before tucking it under another strap and looping it through. "It'll stay in place."
"Thank you," she says softly. "You can get up now."
I can. I should, but I don't.
Instead, I look up into her sky blue eyes and those lips. The beautiful pink lips that have been tempting me since I first saw them in Falon's studio.
I hold her gaze as my hand begins a slow path back up her leg. Her skirt is short. It's short enough that I could flip it over easily and rest my mouth against the front of her panties. One sharp twist and her panties would be gone and she'd feel my tongue sweeping over her core.
"You're an incredibly beautiful woman, Maya." I inch my hand higher until it settles at the back of her thigh. Her skin is smooth and warm.
"We shouldn't." She stares down at me.
I made her a promise that I wouldn't push her to break that fucking rule about not dating a man who just went through a breakup.
If she only knew how many nights I've fucked my fist since I first met her. I lost track months ago. Coming alone in my shower while thinking about her became more fulfilling than an actual fuck.
I carefully move her leg and stretch back up to my feet. I look down at her. I see the same thing in her eyes that I feel inside of me.
"Thank you for the dance, Maya." I reach forward to glide my lips over her cheek. "It was the highlight of my day."
I stop when I feel her hand reach for my shoulder once again. She takes a deep breath. "Julian."
My name is a plea this time, an unsheltered need for more. "Show me, Maya. Show me that I'm worth breaking your rules for."
She does. Her lips move to mine and when I cup my hand behind her head and seal my mouth over hers, I know that it's a kiss that will change me forever.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Maya
He holdsme in place with a firm hand on the back of my head. It's just as hot as the way he took over the kiss. His lips are soft. His breath sweet and when he slid his tongue over my bottom lip, I invited him inside. His tongue is thick and hot as he lashes it against mine, trying to coax more from me.
