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She didn’t want to lose that. Not yet. Not until she had to.
And so she found the courage to say what she really wanted to say.
‘I could stay here and check out other investment prospects online until you head back to the city. Unless you really want me to leave today?’
His eyebrows lifted, and she could see he hadn’t expected the question. Then his brows flattened, his gaze becoming even more intense as he studied her... And a part of her—a big, empty part of her—immediately wanted to take the suggestion back.
What was she doing?
What if he said no?
How compromised would she feel?
Why was she giving him the power to reject her?
What was she really hoping to achieve by staying?
But before any of those misgivings had a chance to come out of her mouth, or even really queue up in her brain, his lips quirked on one side in that devastating half-smile—so hot, so confident—that she had become completely addicted to, and he said, ‘I don’t want you to leave today.’
Her heart leapt in her chest.
She didn’t have to go. He wanted her to stay. Sort of...
So she gave herself permission to go with her gut again...for the first time since Friday night.
‘Then I’d be happy to stay until the weekend, too,’ she said. ‘If you’re okay with that.’
His eyes flashed with something so hot and fierce and possessive she was surprised it didn’t burn her.
‘I’m more than okay with that...’ His smile sharpened as he reached out and hooked her hair behind her ear, the touch light but devastating, and added, ‘On one condition. No work while you’re here. This is a vacation. And we’ve got more than enough things we could be doing to occupy the time,’ he said, the passion in his gaze making it crystal-clear exactly what those ‘things’ might entail.
Need throbbed at her core, but somehow she clung to the last remnants of practicality...and professionalism.
‘But I have to work on an investment report that doesn’t include Broussard Tech for Temple...’ She began, but he pressed his finger to her lips to silence her.
‘How long have you got before your trip finishes?’ he
asked.
‘Until next Friday,’ she said, her breath catching when his finger trailed down her neck to drift across her collarbone. She couldn’t think when he was looking at her like that... As if he might jump her at any minute... As if he wanted to do things that would make her moan...
‘That’s heaps of time. I know some great start-ups ripe for investment. I’ll put you in touch with them once we’re back in the city. Okay?’
She found herself nodding, still mesmerised by the desire and purpose in his eyes. When had any man ever looked at her with such hunger...such promise?
‘Okay...’ she managed, because he seemed to require some kind of answer.
‘But no talk of Temple or your job for the next five days? Understood?’ he murmured, and that caressing finger dipped to circle her nipple through the sweater.
She choked off a sigh as he plucked and played with the turgid peak.
‘Understood, Cassandra?’ he demanded, still watching, his smile sharpening with devastating intent.
‘Yes, absolutely...’ she said, not even sure what she was agreeing to any more as need exploded at her core.
‘Good girl,’ he said. ‘We’re gonna have a great vacation,’ he murmured, lifting his caressing hand to circle her neck and draw her closer. ‘As long as you understand, cher, that when we leave here it’s over.’
It was what she’d assumed—what she’d always known to be true. All he’d done was say what she was already thinking. This connection between them wasn’t about love, or anything romantic. It was more prosaic. It was about need, and desire, and maybe—for her—about changing priorities which had held her prisoner for too long. It was about going with her instincts, giving herself permission to live a little... Heck, to live a lot.
