“I’m sure the salary is higher in the alcohol-beverage industry. Are you happy at Incentive?”
No, not really, but... “This conversation is silly.”
“It’s not. At least let me set up an interview so you can see what you’re missing. More benefits and more opportunities.”
I put my hand on my forehead, rubbing out the wrinkle that developed there. It was hard to imagine the future, to see past tomorrow right now. But he had that same look from the lunch in New York, the one that said he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d get his way.
“Okay, yeah, whatever. When this is all over, if you want to set it up, fine.”
“Promise me,” he commanded. When I didn’t respond, he added, “Please.”
This order, issued in typical Shawn fashion, annoyed me like it always did. “I said I’d do it.”
The victorious smile on his face was sobering, like I’d just made a deal with the devil. “So, you’re feeling better?”
“I’m fine, thank you. How are you?” My voice was heavy with sarcasm.
He didn’t reply.
“What?” His silence was unnerving. “What’s wrong?”
He seemed to be evaluating me. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please.”
“You think I’m lying?”
I said exactly what was on my mind. “I don’t know how it could be true.”
“It is.” He took a step toward me, so he was close enough he could reach out to touch me if he wanted. If I’d allow it. My resolve was softening with every moment I stood under his heavy gaze. Was he aware that he wielded an enormous amount of power over me?
“I don’t understand,” I said, my voice faltering. “You got what you wanted.”
“What makes you say that?”
I shot him a look. “We had sex.”
“Believe me, I remember.” He took another subtle step closer and his voice fell to a hush. “You think that’s all I wanted?”
I couldn’t breathe. He was too close, his eyes too intense. Like the plane, this room was too small to contain him. When I tried to back up, his hands stopped me.
“What is it you want?” I asked, my lips trembling.
He gave me a smile, an even mixture of sweetness and longing. “Everything.”
My legs almost crumpled beneath me. What he wanted was so much worse than sex. So much harder for me to give. After Paul, I was sure I wouldn’t be able to find another man to trust. To care about. Certainly not to love.
“You can’t have that,” I said.
“I know.” But he kissed me anyway. My traitorous body leaned into it, enjoying his mouth on mine. It sent a jolt through me. My heart wanted to leap from my chest. This couldn’t happen. I wouldn’t let it.
“I’m sorry about what I said last night.” He whispered it against my lips.
What had he said? Why, exactly, was I mad at him again? His addictive kiss disoriented me. He brushed the hair back out of my eyes, his hand settling on my cheek.
“But I’m not sorry about what happened between us. Not in the slightest. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but that wasn’t one of them.”
This kiss put the others to shame and made the earth’s axis shift.No, my brain screamed.Too much. He’ll take you over just like you let Paul do.You’ll become nothing.
