But now Greer discovered that was just the tip of the iceberg. In Conall’s embrace she came alive. These last few weeks she’d been going through the motions, working, completing chores, holding conversations, yet through it all there’d been an air of unreality. As if she were separated from other people by a glass panel. She felt of the world but notinit. Physically near people but not connected.
Not anymore. Now everything was so vivid it overwhelmed her. Her fingers dug into warm flesh and crisp hair. She tasted his growl of pleasure, swallowing it as she kissed him back desperately, inhaling his rich, male scent.
Stretching taut against his tall frame was at once paradise and pain because though her body cleaved to his, it wasn’t close enough.
Even the way he held her, dominant yet supportive, tapped into a longing she’d tried and failed to stifle.
She shifted her weight, trying to align her achingly empty pelvis with his, and felt her shoes drop as he hoisted her higher.
Something snaked through her then, an uncoiling thread of rapture that made her breasts swell and her muscles clench.
The kiss changed, Conall lifted his mouth a little but before she could protest she felt the nip of teeth against her bottom lip and something exploded in her brain and deep, deep inside her body.
‘Greer.’
His voice was almost unrecognisable but the wanting she understood.
His palm moved from the back of her head, down her back, over her hip and lower. One large hand fastened around her thigh, lifting, drawing her leg up over his hip, leaving her open to all that lovely hard heat.
Conall bumped his hips forward, pushing them together and Greer melted inside.
‘Conall, I…’ They felt so perfect together. She stopped and had to clear her throat because her larynx had seized up.
Greer looked up into the darkness that was his face, outlined against the exterior light outside. Neither of them had thought to close the door. She wished she could see him properly. Did she imagine a change? Did his head pull back?
Yet his hands were firm on her body, one at her waist and one now on her buttock, holding her against his erection so only their clothes prevented the ultimate intimacy.
‘Greer.’
Just one word, but again invested with so much feeling. Regret? Or could it be embarrassment? Shock dowsed her.
There was no question about his meaning though as he lowered her to the floor, large hands anchoring her as he stepped away.
Bemused, it took a second to realise her hands still clung. She forced them to drop, her sawing breath so sharp and deep, pain pierced her chest. Even then hope was slow to die because his hands remained, warm on her body.
As if reading her mind he took them away. Pride alone kept Greer standing tall, chin high.
‘We shouldn’t be doing this.Ishouldn’t be doing this.’ His voice was one she recognised from negotiations. His final word on the matter. Conall had made up his mind and nothing would change it.
‘Why not? We’re consenting adults.’
You know why. You’re his assistant. He pays your wage. What working relationship could you have if this went further?
Yet Conall surprised her by not mentioning that. ‘You’ve been unwell. You need looking after, not…’
His hand lifted but instead of reaching for her, he ploughed his fingers through his hair in a gesture so familiar it made her stupid heart clench.
Was that what this was? Her clinging to him out of familiarity? Wanting more of Conall because he was the one sure, steady thing she knew in her life? Because she was scared of the blank space where her memories should be?
Even as she thought it, she knew tonight had been about far more than that.
‘What don’t I need, Conall? You weren’t seducing me. I wanted that kiss.’ She wanted a whole lot more than a kiss. ‘What happened? Were you trying to make me feel better and went further thanyouwanted?’
Though it had felt as if he wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. She shook her head, confused and upset.
‘I only want what’s best for you, Greer.’
Her hands found her hips. ‘And you know what’s best for me?’
