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Damn it. All this secret snooping was supposed to be Ryker’s area. Braden and Mac were more the powerhouse guys who ran everything smoothly and kept a few cops and federal agents on their payroll to keep their reputation clean.
“I’m sorry.” Zara let out a soft laugh. “I didn’t mean to get all nostalgic and sentimental on you.”
Braden reached out, placing a hand on her knee. Her body stilled beneath his as her eyes widened. “Don’t apologize for talking to me. We’re more than employee/employer at this point.”
Zara’s actions betrayed her as her gaze darted to his mouth, then back up. She may have been stiff beneath his touch, but she couldn’t hold back her emotions. Those striking eyes gave everything away.
She pulled in a deep breath. “What happened last night—”
“Wasn’t nearly enough,” he finished. “The pace we set is up to you, but the end result is inevitable.”
Zara shifted her knee and turned to face him, mirroring him. His hand fell away, but he stretched his arm along the back of the chaise as he waited for her to offer up some excuse as to why they shouldn’t explore this chemistry.
“I need this job.”
He smiled. “And you were the best candidate, that’s why I hired you.” Well, one of the reasons. “Your job has nothing to do with what’s going on between us.”
“Nothing is going on,” she all but yelled, throwing her arms wide. “Nothing can go on. Not while I’m working for you.”
Braden shrugged. “Fine. You’re fired.”
Zara tipped her head, glaring at him from beneath heavy lids. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I always get what I want, Zara.”
“And you’re that desperate for a bedmate?”
Leaning forward, his fingertips found the side of her face, stroking down to her neck where she trembled. “No. Just you.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“Why not?” he retorted.
The pulse beneath his hand jumped as he leaned in a bit closer. Her warm breath tickled him, the flare in her eyes motivated him and her parted lips begged him.
His other hand came up to cup the side of her face. His thumb stroked over her full bottom lip. Never once did she take her eyes off his, and while the power appeared to be completely his right now, this woman, who had him in unexpected knots, could flip that role at any moment and bring him to his knees. And the fact that she had no clue about her control over him made her even sexier.
He continued to stroke her lip as his other hand slid around to cup the back of her head. His fingers threaded through her hair, massaging as he went. A soft sigh escaped her, and Braden’s entire body tightened in response.
“You’re not thinking work right now, are you?” he whispered against her lips. “You’re concentrating on my touch, on how you want more.”
“What are you doing to me?” she asked as her lids lowered.
“Proving a point.”
Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, brushing against his thumb, instantly flipping that control. His completely snapped with that simple move.
Braden captured her mouth beneath his, not caring for finesse or gentleness. There was only so much a man could handle. Zara’s hands came up and fisted the front of his shirt as she moaned...music to his ears.
Tipping his head slightly, Braden changed the angle of the kiss. When Zara leaned into him, he wanted to drag her into his lap and speed this process along. So he did.
Gripping her around the waist, without breaking the kiss, Braden shifted to sit forward as he placed her over his lap. Instantly her legs straddled his thighs, and her hands slid up over his shoulders as the heated kiss continued. Braden hadn’t wanted a woman this bad in a long time...maybe never. Zara was sexy, yes, but there was more to her than anything superficial, and he wanted more. He wanted all she would give.
His hands slid beneath the hem of her sweatshirt. That smooth skin beneath his palms could make any man beg. He was near that point. Who knew he’d actually find a weakness in his life? He prided himself on being strong, being in control.
Just as his thumbs brushed the silk on her bra, Zara jerked back, pushing against his shoulders.
“Wait,” she gasped. “We—we can’t do this.”
Scrambling off his lap, she held her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes. Was she trying to keep that sensation a while longer? Was she still tasting him? Braden waited. She was seriously battling with herself.
