As for his own sins… That dreadful burden wasn’t going to shift and there’d be a reckoning eventually, he knew. But for now Greer needed more and so did he.
‘Conall? Are you talking about needing me in the office, or…?’
He watched her swallow, the movement jerky. Her hands twisted. The sight of her so tentative killed something inside. He’d always admired her confidence, her willingness to take on any challenge.
Even him.
‘I’m talking aboutyou, Greer.’ He stepped closer, unable to keep away. ‘I want you as a man wants a woman.’ Her sharp indrawn breath sliced the air. ‘I’ve wanted you from that first day you came to my office, trying to hide your nerves about taking a job you felt you weren’t right for.’
Her eyes bulged and, despite the tension racking him, Conall felt his mouth twist in stark amusement.
Yes, for him it had been that quick.
She’d worn similar clothes that day. A straight skirt and tailored jacket over a pale blouse. No doubt she thought it made her look professional, as if he wouldn’t notice the firm thrust of her breasts and the way her skirt outlined her hips, buttocks and thighs.
Heat shot through him, a stroking flame, and he had to shove his hands into his trouser pockets, clenching them against the fierce urge to grab her and not let go.
He was breaking a promise to himself by admitting his need. But the one promise he wouldn’t break was to let her decide what happened next.
He watched as she considered his words, looking for hidden meanings.
Nothing was as sexy as Greer turning things over in her mind, that tiny half frown on her forehead and the hint of a pout on her lips. From the first her incisive mind had challenged and provoked and beckoned until he was all but slavering for her.
How many times had they sat in a meeting with him hard as a rock, trying not to respond to her allure because she worked for him?
‘You want me…sexually?’
‘I do.’ Still she looked unconvinced so he gave the unvarnished truth. ‘I can taste you. Even now I can feel your body against mine. The need for you has been humming in my veins so long, I can’t remember what it’s likenotto want you.’
Her mouth gaped but instead of respecting her shock, the devil in him urged him closer. That open mouth was an invitation to glorious intimacy.
Except, he owed her a choice in this.
Who was he kidding? If he had any scruples he’d have found a way to manage the situation without confessing how much he needed her.
He stepped back.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Trying not to crowd you.’
Her head tilted to one side. ‘And that would be a bad thing because?’
‘Because…’ His voice seeped out between gritted teeth. ‘You haven’t said how you feel about that.’
She’d wanted him that night in her apartment but maybe she regretted that now. Perhaps she’d just turned to him because she was feeling overwhelmed about other things. He couldn’t blame her for that.
He grimaced, remembering everything she’d gone through. It tore at something deep within, a terrible rending sensation. It was something he’d only experienced since Greer. Her pain was his.
‘Conall, what is it?’
He shook his head. ‘You know I want you, but how do you feel about me, Greer?’ He was desperate to know.
She slicked her bottom lip as if preparing to speak, then paused. He forced his gaze away from her mouth and saw her hands work, her thumb rubbing a finger in a nervous habit that always undid him.
‘If you weren’t my boss, I’d say I want you, so badly it keeps me awake at night.’
A huge breath he hadn’t known he’d held escaped in a rush. Aching muscles in his neck and shoulders eased. After so long in purgatory maybe things would be all right after all.
