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He really couldn't blame her either. The thought of settling into an office job made him shudder. Magnus knew he would miss the fast-paced tension of the kitchen. As much as people complained when it was busy, he knew that was when he was in his element. He assumed that bartending would be much the same.
It sounded like the relationship she had with her parents was contentious. She tried to make light of it, but he could see that she wasn't happy with the strain. Not that he could blame her. He didn't think anyone truly wanted to be a disappointment to their parents.
It was almost five in the morning when he finally walked Caroline down to her car. He could already feel the sun coming up. His skin was tight and itchy. Though he wanted her to stay, he gave her one final kiss goodnight and then watched her drive out of the parking lot again. He looked forward to the day that she didn't.
Chapter Four
“Caroline,” Magnus asked, his voice startling her enough that she gave a slight jump in her desk chair. “Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, love.”
She looked up from her monitor, her hand over her heart, to see him leaning against the doorframe of her office. Christ. He was heartrendingly gorgeous. She let her eyes drift over his lean form in appreciation for a moment before she said, “I was in the zone. No worries. Was there something that you needed?”
He grinned at her. He clearly knew exactly what was going through her mind. He crooked a finger, calling her out from behind the desk. “There are a great many things that I need right now, Caroline. None of those things are appropriate to discuss in the work place, though.”
A grin of her own, she stood and slipped out from behind her desk. Closing the space between them, she urged, “Don't let that stop you.”
In the two days since they'd spent the early morning on the roof, they'd essentially been passing ships. Friday and Saturday night had both been brutal for them. Both the bar and restaurant had been slammed non-stop. Other than a brief, stolen kiss in the supply room the other evening, there hadn't been any contact. She hoped that was going to change soon.
When she was close enough that he had to look down at her, she asked him, “So, what can I do for you, Magnus?”
He tilted her chin up and lowered his mouth toward hers. When his lips almost grazed hers, he said, “This.”
She felt the first gentle brush of his lips against hers and then she swayed into him. Her heart pounded in her chest as he placed light, gentle nips against her lips. Caroline brought her hands up, running them along the firm planes of his chest and then locked them behind his neck.
He made a low noise of approval and sucked her lower lip into his mouth, gently running his tongue along it. She leaned into him and gave in to the leisurely kiss. Magnus made no attempt to deepen it. He seemed utterly content to nibble at her lips.
The kiss went on for some time, slow and careful, like he was trying to memorize the taste of her. When she eventually sighed against his lips, he took advantage, sweeping his tongue boldly into her mouth. While their lips melded and their tongues explored, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her body flush against his.
Magnus made another low moan of approval as his hands swept over her curves. It was silly, but the longer that the kiss drew out, the more it felt like he was making love to her mouth. By the time his mouth gentled on hers, she was dizzy with desire. Need coursed through her, and if the bulge pressed against her stomach was any indication, then she was certain that it coursed through him as well.
“Well,” Lilly's voice dryly interrupted the moment. “I guess I don't need to ask if you two are getting along okay.”
Caroline made the attempt to step back, but Magnus simply broke off the kiss. He didn't release her. “I don't suppose you do,” he answered for them both, his eyes never leaving Caroline's face.
Lilly smirked at them and said, “That's one way to settle your differences. But seriously, let's keep it PG in the halls, okay? Come see me when you get a moment, Caroline.”
“Sure thing,” she agreed, her face flaming. Without another word, Lilly waddled down the hallway.
“Christ,” Caroline muttered, leaning against him. “So embarrassing.”
“Embarrassed to be seen with me, then, love?”
“Your tongue was in my mouth. That was a bit more than being seen with you,” she corrected. “But no. I just feel bad because it was a little inappropriate for work.”
“Mm,” he said, leaning in to press his mouth against her neck. “That brings me to my next question. I know you're off tomorrow night. Are you busy?”
Caroline tilted her head and asked, “How did you know I had off work?”
“I have my ways. I thought maybe we could finish the menu and be inappropriate at my place.”
“Your place?” she asked.
“Unless you'd rather me come to your place?”
She studied him for a moment and then confessed, “I have an electric stove.”
He gave a quick grimace. “That won't do, love,” he said, leaning back in to brush his lips against her jaw line.
“I thought as much. I'll come to your place. Besides, it'll give you a chance to show me your etchings,” she teased.
