I swallowed hard and continued, “My dad was there at my high school swim meets, my drama club performances. He celebrated my good grades and taught me to drive when I got my learner’s permit. And then one day he just wasn’t there.”
My throat tightened. I tried, I really did, but I couldn’t keep talking about how much my dad’s absence had affected my life in every way, including every romance I’d ever sabotaged.
Colin pulled me on top of him, and I sat on his lap, wiping my face. His arms encircled me, allowing him to caress my back and upper thigh.
After a few moments, I tried again. “I want to trust that you won’t disappear again.”
He shook his head. “I won’t, my love. I’m here, and this is where I want to be for the rest of my life. I can’t lose you again.”
My heart soared with the sincerity in his eyes. His words rang true, and I believed him. I put my forehead to his and closed my eyes, whispering, “I love you, Colin.”
“Do you?” It sounded full of longing and hope, matching my own emotions.
“I do. I love you. And I fell in love with you not because of your status or your money, but because you’ve let me see the real you. I see a little more each time I’m with you, and I love it all. You’re generous, strong, and protective.”
His cheeks slightly reddened at the compliments. “I see you too. You’re loyal, witty, and incredibly driven,” he responded.
“Driven?” My voice jumped up an octave.
“I am your boss. I see your results. And that’s only at work. Look how hard you went at getting the truth about Maggie. It’s why I’ve recommended you for her position.”
“What?!” I gave a little jump on him.
“If you’re going to move like that, you better take your clothes off and stop talking about work,” he said, suddenly kissing my ear.
I giggled. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
“I thought I’d wait until after the meeting, when we had the account. But there was just something about you telling me you love me as you sit so nicely on top of me… I couldn’t wait.” His fingers gripped my side. A tingly sensation built up in my core with every word. “I want to tell you everything. No more secrets.”
I caressed his face and traced my finger on his lips. “No secrets,” I agreed. He took my finger in his mouth for a moment, and there was no chance of an early night now.
“Can I tell you another thing I love about you?” His voice was low now… teasing. The back of his hand slid along the length of my arm, up and down, in a feathery motion that left me shivering.
“What’s that?” I settled both arms around his neck.
“I can’t see your body right now, but I’ve been dreaming about it these past two months. You’ve been driving me crazy at the office with your tight skirt.”
I giggled. “I don’t always wear a skirt.”
His lips drifted to the curve of my neck. “I think I like it when you wear pants even better. They make your ass look fantastic.”
“So, you like my body?” It came out sounding more insecure than I really felt. It’s not that I didn’t like my body, but I just wasn’t sure how he saw it.
His mouth traveled up to the hollow beneath my ear, and he hungrily replied, “I’d like to worship every curve of you.”
After that, it was hard to keep my head on straight.
I gave a soft, “Hm,” in surrender to him, and in a few seconds, he made sure my clothes were on the floor. With onlymy bra and panties on, I began to undress him. We were on our feet now, and my fingers were fumbling at his belt.
“Don’t worry about that now,” he said, turning me around. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, and we both watched our reflections in the mirror as his hands glided over my chest, tickling me while I breathed heavily.
I pulled my hair to the side, and he followed my lead, his lips on my neck within seconds. It was tantalizing to watch, but then caught me off guard as his hand slid over my abdomen and down over my hip, toward my thigh.
“I’ve never needed anyone the way I need you.” His voice was husky in my ear.
When his finger slipped under my panties, I gasped.
He stopped kissing my neck, and his gaze met mine in the mirror. He looked fiercely determined, and it was clear what his aim was.
