Page 67 of Adam’s Obsession

“Forget your work. We need to talk.”

“My work,” she said, “is my life. Obviously you don’tunderstand that, Mr. Trillo.”

“Don’t call me Mr. Trillo!” He stalked toward her and tookher arms, forcing her to face him. “Kat, listen to me, would you?”

She turned away. “I think you’ve said all there is to say.Now if you don’t mind, I have to go.”

Wrenching herself from his grip, she stormed from his house,leaving him standing there, naked, confused and more than a little bereft.

By the time she arrived at her condo, Katherine had calmeddown enough to think through her dilemma with some element of logic but thatdidn’t make her inner turmoil any easier to stomach.

Despite her adamant insistence that they keep theirrelationship a secret, she had to admit the arrangement was starting to wear onher. At first it had seemed a logical solution to their problem. They couldcontinue to see each other, continue to enjoy long, languorous lovemakingsessions—as long as no one at the office knew.

But the past few days had proven that solution to be awkwardand difficult. For one thing, she didn’t like the leers some of the other womenin the office gave Adam when they thought no one was watching. For another, shehad to constantly stop herself from reaching out to fondle him should he wandertoo close. It was difficult to censor every thought, every word.

And how annoying was it that they could never attend an event,such as this banquet, as a couple? Instead, they would have to arrive alone,pretending to be stag.

How lame was it to date from across the room?

But if they hadn’t agreed to keep their relationship asecret from the others in the office, they would never have embarked on arelationship in the first place.

And oh, she was glad they had.

As hard as she’d tried to protect herself and avoid gettinghurt, as blasé and sophisticated as she pretended to be about it, she’d fallenfor him. And hard. He’d gone from a silly workplace crush to the man of herdreams in the space of a week.

She loved him. Like she’d never loved anyone before.

And he wanted her. He might not love her, might not feel afraction of the raging emotion she felt for him, but she had that at least. He wantedher.

The bottom line was, she had two choices. She could leaveAdam—a thought that chilled her to the bone—or she could leave Trillo–Maris.

Yes, she loved her job but it was just a job. She’d turneddown three other positions when she’d accepted the offer from Tristan. Shecould always find another job. If she had to choose between them, she choseAdam.

Her path was clear.

Tomorrow she would troll through her Rolodex and polish herresume.

As for tonight…

She sucked in a breath and threw back her shoulders. A tinysmile teased her lips.

Tonight she would go to the banquet and seduce Adam.

In front of everyone.

And to hell with the consequences.

Chapter Fourteen

The banquet was held at the fanciest restaurant in the area,perched high in the west-facing hills of the San Fernando Valley. As Katherinepulled into the drive, handing her keys to the waiting valet, she caught herbreath. It was like a fairyland. A quaint pond with a charming waterfallwelcomed guests to the sprawling, cross-shaped restaurant, and all the treessurrounding the building had been decked out with tiny white lights. It wouldbe a romantic night.

If she had anything to say about it.

A thread of excitement shimmered within her at the thoughtof seeing Adam, dancing with him, teasing him, tantalizing him.

Despite her mood and the fight she’d had with Adam thatafternoon, Katherine was bound and determined to enjoy the evening. She wouldlaugh and joke and have fun. She would do her damnedest to seduce Adam, righthere at the banquet.

And she’d made it a point to dress the part.