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Jay had been expecting the question. No-one could have missed the chemistry between him and Norah, even when they were just discussing a business project. So far their relationship had been strictly business — friendly business, for sure, but Norah had made it clear she wanted to be judged on her merits — not as the CEO’s latest fling.
Except the more he got to know her, the more they worked on projects together, the closer they got. She could finish his sentences, know what he wanted before he asked, and their shared sense of humor — silly, irreverent— meant whenever she said goodnight, it felt like a bereavement.
“No, I’m not sleeping with her.”
Sloan looked away for a moment and he was surprised to see something in her eyes he hadn’t expected. Relief.
“Sloany…” He reverted back to his childhood name for her, wanting her to open up to him. Sloan met his gaze, something in her eyes hard and unfriendly.
“She never works late Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even if she does stay a little late, it’s never as late as other days. Odd, don’t you think?”
Jay shrugged. “I hadn’t noticed, actually.” Because every moment he was away from her was like a torture.
“Maybe you’re not the only man in her life.”
The jealousy and pain that ripped through him at her words made Jay flinch. “None of our business, Sloan.”
“Say that like you mean it, James.”
He stomped back to his office and slammed the door. He saw his secretary, Kirk, start and waved an apologetic hand at him through the glass. The thought of Norah with another man made his stomach hurt. She’d never said anything about dating someone else; in fact, they never talked about their personal lives at all. It was as if neither of them wanted to break the bubble of ‘them’ they had created with just that one kiss. God, he wanted to kiss her so badly it was painful; every time their fingers would brush, or she would lean across him to grab a pencil, anything. He would breathe in her scent and she would look at him, her cheeks pinking up and they would gaze at the other for a beat. He knew he shouldn’t pursue her but…He looked at his watch. Ten of five. She would be in the tiny office she’d seconded now, shoes off, legs tucked under her, hair spilling out of its clip messily.
He was at her door in less than a minute. “Hey, you.”
She looked up and her smile took his breath away. “Hey, boss. I was just going to call you…we have the data from the focus groups now and—”
“Have you eaten?” He interrupted her with a smile, and she blinked before shaking her head. “Good. Let’s go.”
She was about to object then shrugged. “Actually, I’m starving, thanks. But can I ask two favors first?”
“As long as neither have to do with you working late today.”
She smiled gratefully, reaching over to grab her shoes. “No…just, can I go home and change first…and can we grab something somewhere…how can I put this…not too exclusive? I need to slob out and relax.”
“You read my mind. Pizza and beer?” He held his hand up so she could high-five it. “Come on, let me grab some clothes and I’ll give you a lift home.”
***
Norah shoved the last piece of pizza crust into her mouth and sat back, chewing and moaning happily. Jay grinned at her as she rubbed her belly. “Good?”
She swallowed her mouthful and sighed. “Very. Sorry you had to witness that feeding frenzy.”
“It was rather like watching Jaws with a bucket of chum.”
She giggles. “It’s how I maintain my sylph-like figure.”
Jay’s eyes moved slowly up and down her body in a way that made her cheeks flush and her breath hitch and falter. Abruptly, the atmosphere between them changed, became charged with electricity. The pizza place was emptying out now, the evening crowd moving onto the bars and clubs. Jay slid next to her and she began to tremble at the look in his eyes. Desire.
Jay pulled her body close, his huge arms wrapped around her waist, his fingers splaying on her back, tangling in her hair.
“God, I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he groaned and was rewarded by her arms tightening around him. His mouth covered hers hungrily, wanting to sink into her. She was breathless when they broke apart.
“Jay…”
He shook his head, locking his gaze onto hers. “Norah….don’t say anything except one word…yes or no. I want you to answer honestly and whatever your answer, I will respect that. I want to take you home, back to mine, and peel every piece of clothing from that glorious body of yours and take you to bed, kiss every inch of you, make love to you. Right now, Norah. Yes or no?”
Inside him, there was an explosion of emotion, want, desire, exhilaration as she looked up at him from beneath those thick, dark lashes, a deep pink flush in her cheeks, her lips dark crimson and sore from his kiss and said one word.
“Yes.”
