Page 22 of Fierce Storm
My eyes stretch wide and I release her, my sudden retreat halting her words.
“Fuck, Keeley.” I run a hand down my face, my voice raspy as I struggle to process what happened.
What the hell was I thinking?
“We shouldn’t have done that?” Keeley asks when I don’t elaborate, preempting my words as she stands tall.
I shake my head, finally meeting her gaze. “No, we shouldn’t have.”
“That’s a shame because it didn’t feel wrong.” Her voice lacks warmth and emotion, and I can’t decide if that’s because she’s reverting back to professional mode, or protecting her feelings from what she thinks is a rejection. Or both.
I’m about to apologize when her lips curl into a smile. “You’re one hell of a kisser, D’Angelo.”
I’m still reeling, but the smallest of smirks tugs at the edge of my lips. “Have I ever told you that I admire your lack of filter? You always convey whatever’s on your mind.”
“Not always.”
“No?”
“I wanted you to kiss me just now, and yet, I stayed quiet and waited for you to make a move.”
“I know. I didn’t need words. You let me know by other means.”
“Wow.” A laugh bursts out of her but she doesn’t shy away. “Good to know you can read me, Sal. Not many can.”
I smile before my shoulders drop and I force myself to look away.
“The funny thing is, I can read you too,” she says, drawing my attention. “You can save the explanation. I get it.”
“Do you?” I move to be closer to her again before thinking better of it and subtly rocking back. “I’m terrified, Keeley.” I run a hand through my hair, gripping the back of my neck. “I don’t think I could have survived the last year without your support. I’m?—”
“That’s not going to change.” She cuts me off, grabbing my hand to still me. “It was a kiss, Sal. A kiss in the moment during an emotional time. Nothing to worry about.”
Something about her casual tone has me curling my fingers through hers, my hold forceful as I pull her back into me when she tries to walk away. “Just a kiss?”
“Yes.” Her voice comes out breathy. “Just a kiss.”
“So you don’t think it’ll affect us working together?” My heart races as I wait for her response, and when she smiles reassuringly, a little of my panic subsides.
“It won’t. I promise. But I agree we shouldn’t do it again.”
Chapter Seven
KEELEY
“So you don’t think it’ll affect us working together?” Sal asks, stepping forward, his intense gaze boring into mine.
“It won’t. I promise. But I agree we shouldn’t do it again.”
“After tonight.”
“After—" Sal sinks his hands back into my hair, rendering me speechless as he lifts my face to his, his dark eyes holding me hostage, a question in his gaze. He wants this, me, but he’s not going to do anything until I tell him I’m with him.
“After tonight,” I agree and he sighs before his mouth descends on mine, sealing our lips in another intoxicating kiss.
His hand lowers to cup my cheek, and a groan escapes from the back of his throat, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know this is wrong, but when he walks me backward and lifts me to perch on the edge of his desk, I’m too far gone to care.
