‘Awww, you brought me one of your plant babies?’
‘For your desk. Figured you could use something to keep you company while you boss everyone around and pretend to work.’
I snatch it from him. ‘Pretendto work? You do know I’m the reason we’re flying business class to South Africa, right?’
He grunts, like he doesn’t believe me. Then his eyes flick to my suitcases. ‘You planning on moving to Cape Town?’
‘I like being prepared,’ I say and lift my chin.
Brodie drops his gaze to my mouth. Before I can throw out another smartarse comeback, he moves. He cradles my jaw, and I barely get a breath in before he kisses me, lips just a little chapped from the wind. He licks into me, deep and possessive, tasting faintly of mint and a whole lot of longing.
‘Not here…’
Brodie cups my breast, rough palm hot through the silk. He squeezes hard enough to make the lace bite, the faint scratch sending heat straight to where I’m throbbing for his mouth. I gasp into the kiss, and he takes it like a promise, backing me into the desk. Then it’s all him – urgent, unrelenting – as he grinds against my core.
He grins, cocky and pleased with himself. ‘Damn, Charlie. You’re so easy to wind up.’
I glare at him, or at least I try to. It’s a bit difficult when his knuckles work my peaks through the fabric. ‘Control yourself, MacRae.’
He trails his mouth down my neck, teeth grazing skin, and his voice drops to a low murmur. ‘I don’t want to. I want you squirming right here, trying not to make a noise. Let’s see how quiet you can be, aye?’
I shove at his chest, but it’s like attempting to move a mountain. He chuckles, pinches my nipple again, and I let out a moan.
‘There’s my girl. I remember her from this morning when she was riding my face before breakfast like a fucking rodeo star.’ Then he draws back. ‘When’s she gonna let me take her out for a proper date?’
‘Brodie.’ My stomach tightens. ‘You know why we can’t.’
He grips my waist with both hands, staring me down. ‘Why the fuck not? You think I’m losing sleep over what other people think?’
I shake my head, trying to break free of that magnetic gravity he has. ‘It’s too risky. The media, the team, your image and career, my agency, the sponsors—’
‘Let them talk. I don’t care.’ His tone goes flat, eyes blazing. ‘I’m done sneaking around like we’re ashamed of each other.’
‘Nobody is ashamed. But if anyone finds out we’re together, it could screw things up. For you, the Rebels. Everything I’m building here. We’ve worked too damn much to fix your image, and I’m not letting it all unravel.’
He glowers at me, but I know he understands. He just hates it.
‘We can’t keep this a secret forever.’
‘I know.’ I trail my fingers through his hair. ‘Let’s wait till the season’s over. Please.’ I hate how small I sound.
‘You’re making it really fucking hard, Charlie Harrington. And I don’t just mean my dick. Not sure how long I can play by your rules.’
My heart slams into my ribs. ‘Yeah. I hear you.’
And I do. It’s just …
Brodie swears under his breath, frustration rippling through him, but he softens when he sees my face.
He pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine. ‘Fine. Have it your way for now. But hear me out, woman.’ His voice is merely a husky rasp. ‘When it’s over, I’m taking you out. A real date. Dinner. Dancing. Fucking karaoke again, if that’s what it takes to get you to see I’m serious.’
He draws back to look me in the eye. His erection pushes against my stomach. ‘And then I take you home, and when I’m fucking you so deep you can’t breathe, I’ll make sure you know it’s not just your body I’m claiming. It’s your smart mouth, your stubborn head, and your fucking heart. Got it?’
‘You don’t like being my sexy little secret?’
‘I want the world to know I’m your sexy big boyfriend.’ He says it low, serious now. ‘I’m not giving you up, Charlie. Not when I’ve just started to get this right.’
I can’t even process how that knocks me in the chest. It’s everything I’ve denied myself to feel. To be wanted so fiercely it’s inevitable.
