Page 65 of Miss Understanding

My brow arched at her choice of seat. “I have a table and chairs.”

“Do you now?” She took another bite, humor dancing in her eyes.

“I do. Or stools on the other side of the counter.”

“Mm. But this was much more convenient.”

My lips twitched at her sassiness until I realized this dynamic might bleed into the work place. “This is what can’t happen on Monday morning.”

She cocked her head to the side, trying to fight her grin. “You think I’ll hop up on your desk at work. Maybe eat your sandwich?”

“Perhaps I just need some reassurance that you won’t.”

“I won’t.”

She made it sound so simple. Although there was no rule against sleeping with my assistant, it would be a shit show at work should the other partners find out. With a conservative board voting on it, this situation could ruin my chances for named partner.

“If you don’t believe me, Liam, then I should go.”

I swallowed hard, not wanting her to leave. Trying to figure out a way to voice my concerns, I said, “It’s complicated, Kendall.”

“Actually it’s not. You think you’re the only one with something to lose here, but you’re not.”

“What do you have to lose?” I instantly regretted my words when I saw the way her eyes narrowed.

“My heart, you stupid jerk.” She attempted to hop down off the counter, but I was able to catch her, lifting her back up and caging her in for a moment. My arms were on either side of her thighs, her face inches from mine.

“Believe it or not, it’s not only my career I’m trying to protect. I’m not a relationship sort of guy. I don’t have room for one in my life. And I know offering you any less than that would be wrong. It wouldn’t be what you want.”

My gaze held hers.

“Can’t we play it by ear instead of deciding this would be a relationship? I’m not sure why you showed up at the club tonight. Or why you stayed until after closing. But I do know I was happy to see you.”

I leaned closer, inhaling her scent.

She shivered at the contact.

“I showed up tonight because I already missed you. Does that even make sense?” I was completely baffled myself as to how matters had changed. I’d tried so hard to avoid having a personal connection with this woman, but now I couldn’t go more than twelve hours without seeing her.

“It doesn’t make sense. Yet I feel the same way.”

As if she’d given me the green light I’d been craving, suddenly my lips were on hers. There was no going back after this moment. No more restraint. I was tired of fighting it. I needed her. My hands traveled down to her hips, pulling her center against mine. The way she whimpered told me she could feel the evidence of my desire. “Hook your legs around me.”

She didn’t hesitate. No puffy green coat to stop us this time. I handled her weight easily, walking her up to the master bedroom where I set her gently on her feet. Tucking her hair behind her ear, I whispered, “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Her eyes were full of mischief, with a touch of vulnerability. “I’m sure.”

My hands attacked her clothing. I couldn’t get her shirt over her head fast enough. Once she stepped out of her shorts, though, fully naked, I took a step back, hardly able to catch my breath.

Jesus. I’d been with my share of women, but seeing the vision in front of me was a whole new experience. I regarded her from her perky breasts with rosy nipples to her trim waist and flared hips. I about swallowed my tongue once my gaze got to her pussy. Perfectly groomed with just a patch of hair. I could feel myself harden fully, thinking about all the ways I wanted to sink into her. Her legs were shapely and, as the rest of her, perfectly in proportion. But it was the glow of her skin that really got to me, making her appear as if she’d been kissed by the sun everywhere.

When my gaze finally lifted to her face again, I could see it. The self-doubt from my appraisal—as if I’d find her lacking. Then again, why wouldn’t she be insecure given my past stinginess with compliments?

“You’re absolutely stunning,” I whispered, meaning it.

Her face lit up at my words. “And you’re overdressed.”

I was indeed, considering I was still in suit pants and a shirt.