Grant ran an agitated hand through his close-cropped hair.“Jesus,” he whispered and closed his eyes.“Woman, you’re driving me crazy already.”
Jennifer laughed at the harassed tone of his voice, which earned a scowl.
“I’m really not trying to.”Her face turned serious.“Grant, I really need to go.”
“What about the presentation?”Grant let his hands slide up and down her arms, his gaze intent on hers.
“I can’t do that anymore, especially when you dragged me here.I can’t imagine what everyone is thinking,” she whispered as the blush on her face darkened.
“I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks, and you won’t either.”
Jennifer cringed.“You can’t force me not to worry.”
“Like hell.”
“Grant,” she said with clamped teeth.
“Jennifer,” he mimicked.
They stared at each other for a moment until Grant’s eyes heated, and he leaned forward to take her mouth.She wedged her arms between them.
“What did I say about pushing away from me?”He clenched his jaw.
“I’m sorry, but we just met, for God’s sake.I don’t know you at all.I also can’t understand why you’re even paying attention to me,” Jennifer whispered against his chest.
“Just listen to me.”He kept his voice firm but soft and waited until he had her full attention.“We’ll get to know each other better.I already know a lot about you, and you seem to understand me better than anyone else ever has.You’re not afraid of me at all, which I find interesting and amazing, and we want each other.I’m paying attention to you because I’ve never wanted a woman more than I want you.”His hands gripped her shoulders, and his gaze pierced hers.“Is that true for you, Jennifer?Do you want me?”He continued when she only watched him.“Do you want me more than you have ever wanted a man before?I need you to give me an honest answer, baby.Because if you don’t want me, I won’t continue to pursue you.”
Jennifer stared at him.
“Jennifer?”Grant warned.
Jennifer’s heart twisted at the vulnerability she saw.“Yes, I want you.”
He tightened his hands and let out a silent sigh of relief.
“More than any other man you’ve had?”Just the thought of her with anyone else spiked his blood pressure.He gritted his teeth against the irrational anger.
“I haven’t ever wanted a man more than you.”
He relaxed his grip when he was able to take a deep breath.
“But I’m not going to your apartment, and don’t even think about going to bed with me.I am not ready for that.”
Grant chuckled.“We don’t have to wait until we find a bed.My desk will do just fine.”
Jennifer gasped.Her eyes widened as her gaze went to the desk and then back to him.“But...”
Grant watched as a red tinge crept across her face, and he chuckled.She was so damn sweet.
“I know.It’s too soon.Besides, the first time I take you, I want you on a comfortable surface, like my bed.”He smiled when her blush deepened and she stood before him mute.He was afraid she’d burst into flames if her face got any redder.“There is no reason you can’t go ahead and do the presentation ...stop it,” he growled when she shook her head.“Goddamn, you’re stubborn.”
He stared at her silently for so long that Jennifer started to fidget.“Okay, how about this?You give me, just me, the presentation ...Jesus Christ, woman.Why the hell not?”
She stopped shaking her head.“Because I’d feel sleazy trying to take money from you now.You kissed me.I mean, isn’t that the way prostitutes make a living?”
Grant snorted back a laugh.“I don’t know too many prostitutes who’d sell themselves for puppies.Besides, I haven’t gotten you under me.Yet.”
Jennifer gasped at his arrogance and then narrowed her gaze.“And you might nev—”
