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“Oh no, you don’t,” he said with a chuckle and held tight, refusing to let her take it from his hands.
“But those are just old pictures. Nothing you’d like to see.” She stepped around the table, determined to retrieve the source of her embarrassment. Some of the photos in there were so terrible the man could blackmail her with them if he wanted.
“Oh, but I do,” he said in a teasing tone and slid the book away from her and onto the seat beside him. Clearly, he was determined to keep flipping through the pages, leaving her open to more and more humiliation. Well, it wasn’t going to happen.
Before he could guess her intention Serena dove for the album and snatched it up into her arms. She was turning away, determined to get the book as far away from him as possible, when she felt hands like bands of steel wrap around her waist. With one tug he pulled her off balance then she was falling backwards, unable to stop herself from landing squarely on his lap.
Roman laughed out loud as her bottom landed on the hardness of his jean-clad legs. “Where are you going, little girl?”
She gasped, still hugging the photo album close to her chest. “I…I just wanted to…” She stopped, not able to go on. The words fled from her mind and all she could think about was the feel of his hardness through the fabric of her jeans. It wasn’t just the firm muscles of his legs that had her squirming. Right where the curve of her hip rested on his groin she could feel the solid rock of his arousal.
Now Roman’s smile was gone and in its place was a look of passion so deep, so intense that Serena clutched the album, her shield, even tighter. But he was having none of that. With strong fingers Roman pulled the book from her hands and laid it on the table. Then he turned his attention back to her.
Dear Lord, what was he going to do now? It was a stupid question. The thumping of her heart and the tightness in her lungs told her she already knew. Roman was going to kiss her and she wanted it so bad. Her nipples hardened in anticipation.
As Roman lowered his head Serena closed her eyes and when his lips touched hers she sighed. She’d been waiting for this for so long. God, how she wanted him.
As she melted in his embrace Serena felt Roman’s hand slide up to cup the back of her head and then he was in total control, his masterful kiss making her gasp in response. Soon she was kissing back, giving him as much as he gave, all her caution thrown out the window.
He slid his lips away and she gave a soft moan which became a mewl when he began to nibble her ear. Christ, when his lips moved lower to tickle her neck she had no power to resist. Eyes closed, she tilted her head back all the better to give him access.
Roman needed no further encouragement. His lips feathered over her skin then paused at the valley between her breasts, warming her already heated flesh. Serena slid trembling fingers through the silky thickness of his hair, pressing him into her, wanting the sweetness of his lips on her body.
Roman seemed to sense her desperate need because, with one hand, he began to loosen the buttons on her blouse. Within seconds he had it wide open and only the lace of her bra separated his skin from hers. Without hesitation he moved the cups away, pushing them down until they lay under her breasts which now thrust upward to meet his gaze.
He dipped his head and captured her right nipple between his lips then sucked it deep into his mouth, making her gasp out loud. He nipped at the bud then soothed it with the silky smoothness of his tongue until her toes curled from the sensuous caress. When she felt she would swoon from the pleasure he switched to the left breast and there he continued his sweet assault.
By the time Roman lifted his head Serena was lost in the passion of the moment. She slid her hands around his waist and pulled till she got the fabric of his polo shirt out of his pants. She lifted it up, exposing his muscled torso to her gaze. Fascinated, she ran her hands over his stunningly beautiful body.
Encouraged by an involuntary groan from his lips she slid both hands up until her fingers grazed his nipple. They hardened in response. Now she wanted to give him the same pleasure he had given her. She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his chest, covering one nipple with her mouth while she rolled the other between her fingers. And just like he’d done to her she sucked on the sensitive part of him, nipping then caressing, until another groan escaped his lips.
Serena shifted in his lap, intent on driving him over the edge. She slid her hands down his sides, never once releasing his nipple from her lips, then moved her hands across and down to the buckle of his belt. There was a boldness that surged through her, one that she had never felt before, and she wanted more of him…to see him, to caress him, to know every inch of this man who had captured her mind and her soul.
She was pushing at the belt strap, trying to get it through the buckle, when Roman’s big hands covered hers. Her hands stilled and she lifted her head and looked into his eyes, so dark and intense.
“No, Serena. We can’t.”
“W…what?” Was she hearing right? Did he want her to stop? He could not mean that. Not when she was weak from wanting him.
He gripped her upper arms and shifted, sliding her off his lap and on to the seat beside him. He dragged his shirt back into place then leaned over and, as cool as you please, began to button her blouse.
Mortified, Serena ripped her shirt from his hands. “I can do it,” she said, her voice sharp with humiliation. Then more softly, in a dejected whisper, “It’s okay. I can do it myself.” She turned her back to him and quickly straightened her bra then redid the buttons on the blouse. She could not believe he was rejecting her yet again. What was it about her that turned him off? She gave an involuntary sniff, the pain of his dismissal like a knife in her chest.
“Are you alright?” Roman reached out a hand to her.
She shrugged him off then got up and crossed the room. She wanted to get as far away from him as she possibly could. She wanted him but he did not feel the same. That much was very clear.
Roman got up and finished tucking his shirt into his trousers. Then he looked over at her and sighed. “I’m sorry, Serena. That should never have happened. I think it’s time for me to go.”
Serena shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but inside her heart was crumbling like a sand castle in the rain.
Without another word Roman walked to the door and opened it. For just a moment he glanced back at her. Then he was gone.
When the door clicked shut behind him Serena went back to the sofa and collapsed in a dejected heap. What an awful way to end a beautiful day.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Going to work that Monday was one of the hardest things Serena ever had to do. How could she face the man who had made her feel so low? Ever since she had joined the company weeks before her life had been turned upside down. Where had her Van Buren swagger gone? She didn’t even feel like herself anymore.
She heaved a sigh as she switched on her computer and pulled out her chair. Thank God she had more than enough work to keep her busy and her mind off her awkward situation. She had the agency file to go through and several spreadsheets to prepare for a meeting with the budget manager. Now all she had to do was keep her nose to the grindstone and stay out of Roman Steele’s way.
It was almost lunchtime when Serena was interrupted by a low voice. It was Theresa.
What now? Had the woman come to summon her to Roman’s office? Would this be the dismissal she’d been working so hard to get? Instead of filling her with elation the thought made her heart slow with anguish. Her spirit fell at the thought of never seeing Roman again. She did not think she could bear it. Despite her distress Serena put on a brave face and gave Theresa a tight smile.
“I just stopped by to let you know that Mr. Steele left this morning for New York.”
“New York?” Serena stared up at her, stunned. He’d spent most of Saturday with her and he hadn’t mentioned a trip to New York. Was this something he’d come up with at the last minute to avoid her? “I see,” she said, her voice low and controlled. “Did he say when he would be back?”
“The meetings go until Thursday but he’ll probably be out all week,” Theresa said. “We might not see him till next week.” She laid a folder on Serena’s desk. “He asked me to make sure you got this. While he’s meeting with the Consumer Research Company he wanted you to get started on the work with the local focus groups. Apparently this project has a tight timeline.”
Serena nodded and opened the folder. It was thick, full of what looked like response sheets from hundreds of surveys. It would take her days to tabulate and analyze this information to create a meaningful report. Still, there was nothing like work to take your mind off your troubles. She didn’t even flinch when Theresa produced a second file.
“There’s this, too, but if you like I could hold on to it till you’re done with the first project.” The woman actually looked guilty.
“No, not at all. I prefer if you give me everything all at once.” She took the second file and gave Theresa a confident smile. “I guess I’d better get started.” Theresa took the hint and departed, leaving Serena staring at her sad and lonely computer screen. Or maybe it was she who was sad and lonely. She shook her head. Come on, Serena. Roman or no Roman you have a job to do. And no man was worth pining over. Certainly not one who felt he was too good for her.
