Page 20 of Wild Promise

I eased closer and took her hand, lacing our fingers together. “You don’t want me to apologize?”

“No.” Her voice was tight. “I don’t need you to feel bad for me.”

The ache in my chest finally started to ease.

“Good.” I moved even closer, inhaling the soft scent of pumpkin spice that seemed to pour off her. “Because right now, I’m not sorry at all.”

“You’re not?” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and I almost groaned out loud. Fuck, she had no idea the gravity of how she affected me.

“No,” I murmured, running my free hand up her arm and over her slender shoulder. I stopped short of running my fingers over the bare skin of her neck because once I started, there was no fucking way I’d be able to quit.

And if I could keep myself in check long enough, I had a point to make. “The way I tried to ask you out the other day was all wrong, and I shouldn’t have kissed you at work without permission. Still, I’m not sorry.” I hesitated, searching her face for signs I was pushing too hard.

But her fingers tightened around mine, and something inside me clicked.

“I want you. It’s taken me a year to admit it, but it’s true.” My throat tried to close around the words, but I pushed through. “In case you can’t tell, I like you, Melina. A lot. Especially your mouth—the way you kiss is hot as hell. I even like the way you look at me when you’re pissed off. Honestly, I like everything about you.”

Her eyes widened.

“So no,” I said. “This has nothing to do with pity. Or charity.”

“Damn you.” Her ragged breath heated the space between us. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth.”

She sighed, her head tilting back and eyes closing.

“Fuck.” That tiny movement almost finished me.

My body was already strung tight, all my loose edges frayed. Any more of her unintentional seduction and I might break.

Why had I promised not to kiss her?

I needed to stop touching her. I’d called Colin a sadist, but right now, I was the one inflicting the torture. Reluctantly, I dropped her hand, released her shoulder, and forced myself backward until my ass hit the office door.

Her eyes popped open. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, firecracker, that’s it.” I shoved both hands into my pockets. “I thought you should know my intentions, because despite what Becky had to say about me, I’m not a bad guy.”

“I know you’re not. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re my coworker.”

“So?”

“So, this job is important to me. I’m trying to get promoted. You might be above the rules, but I’m not, and I can’t risk going against policy for you. Or anyone. It also means I don’t have time for a relationship.”

My gut coiled tight. “I’m not asking for a relationship.”

“Then what are you asking for?”

“A date.” Two words. Five letters. The simplest thing in the world for most people, and it nearly choked me. “And maybe if it doesn’t end in total disaster, a kiss at the end of the night. That’s it.”

“Even if I wanted to say yes—which I’m not sure I really do—I’ve got too much on my plate. I just learned our biggest client is unhappy with the event I’m planning. I need to focus on that.”

“I can help you with it.”

“How? Are you going to find me the extra catering staff I need or keep Becky from messing up my stuff?”

The knot in my gut slowly untwisted. “Not sure what I can do about Becky, but I can absolutely find you some catering staff. Just give me the details, and I’ll work it out.”