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“Well, tough, you don’t get to know.” I take his hand and secure it so I can remove myself from his grip. “This whole thing,” I motion between us, “is not doing anything for me. You really need to work on your bedside manner.” I laugh scathingly. I bet his bedside manner is porn-worthy.
“My bedside manner is impeccable. You’d know that if you stopped arguing with me every time we fucking spoke.”
“Oh, sure. Real impeccable,” I scoff, walking away. “Cain, I really love working here, but honestly, I’m not sure I can work for you any longer.”
“Good. Quit. Then I can finally act on my attraction.” He walks to me with purpose and cups the back of my head. “Is this you finally voicing your resignation?” His nostrils flare, and his eyes light up with the kind of heat I’ve only ever wished to see burning back at me.
“Cain,” I whisper, stunned by his direct approach.
“All I need to know is if you’re resigning and if Matteo touched you?” His eyes drop to my mouth. I bite it, and he hums deeply. His thumb runs along, encouraging my teeth to let go of my lip. “Answer me.” If I resign, I’m giving him more access to me. If he knows all Matteo and I did was share a drink, he will be relieved.
“I’m not resigning. What happened between Matteo and me will stay between us. I don't kiss and tell.” I blink up at him, and his gaze narrows.
His laugh is short. “Funny, he said the same thing.” His thumb is back, and I stare up at him. “I want you, Lauren. I’ve tried to keep things professional.”
It's me who laughs now. “You’ve been a prick,” I tell him.
“I don’t think the good doctor did anything more than kiss you.” He frowns, watching his thumb dancing over my mouth. “Tell me, did he kiss as good as you thought I would?” I gasp, and Cain smiles. “You walked out of Perry’s because it was easier than letting DeLuca down with the truth. You want me.” He adjusts his stance, bringing us into contact, and as his thighs line up with mine, I shiver. Double fuck!
“I don't,” I lie. My chin lifts, and Cain narrows his eyes, trying to fathom if I’m telling the truth as my voice suggests, or lying through my deceitful little mouth. His gaze flicks up, and he smirks at me before pulling my lower lip down as he leans in. I stand, immobile, as he closes the distance.
“Aren’t you going to stop me?” he muses softly, “or are you desperate to know what it will feel like, too?” His eyes glimmer with satisfaction, and when I don’t make any move to stop him, he lowers his mouth to mine in a searing kiss. His tongue sweeps in, and I moan and kiss him back. I want this. I want him, and if I’m really being truthful with myself, I have wanted this man ever since he insulted me that first day. My face is crushed between big hands, and I grip his suit jacket as he plunders my mouth and my lies into submission. I couldn't refuse him if I tried. And no, Matteo wouldn’t hold a light to Cain in the kissing department. For every ounce of pressure I apply into his kiss, I find Cain applying twice the dose back. “Are you ready to hand in your notice yet?” he purrs between a rough kiss. He holds me close, pressing every part of himself into me as though he can’t quite get close enough—as though to adjust my position would be to refuse him something that is fundamental to his being. I shake my head.
“Liar. Don't ever tell me you don't want me as much as I want you.” His thumb crushes my lips. “I wonder what you look like when you come apart.” Gasping, I try to regain my composure, but he is dragging up my skirt and hauls me up his front. My legs instinctively go around his waist. “You’ve been causing me all kinds of trouble, pretty girl.”
Shock spews from my lips in a throaty moan. Trouble. That's what I’m going to get into if this continues, but I can't pull myself away. Don’t want to.
Large hands palm my ass, fingertips dig into the flesh as his mouth works passionately over mine, teasing, seductive, and laden with intent. If we don’t stop now, we’ll be naked and in violation of the fraternisation policy. Scrap that, we already are in violation. I lace my fingers deep into his hair and whimper. I want this more than I dare to admit.
“Cain.” I pull away, sucking in a lungful of air. “I’m due to clock on.”
“We’re in a meeting. You’re technically working.” Bold blues meet mine, twinkly and hot.
“Not helping,” I choke as his mouth finds my neck, and his teeth drag down the sensitive flesh.
“I can help you out of your clothes,” he utters roughly.
A sudden knock at the door has us springing apart. I struggle back to my feet. “That should never have happened. I need to get downstairs.” I press my lips to my fingers as Cain asks for a minute. I’m officially late for my shift. A shift I could very well lose. Cain steps forward, but I dodge his touch. “This was a mistake. I’m not resigning.” My lip disappears behind my teeth, and his eyes squeeze into determined slits.
“You know, I could fire you for what just happened here,” he speaks softly, teasing. It’s not surprising that my boss likes to play dirty. If I've learnt anything about him in these past few weeks, it is that he is cutthroat. That knowledge doesn’t stop me from feeling combustible around Cain, something I’ve never experienced with another man. The irrational, lust-infused side of me wants to quit on the spot, screw any responsibilities and give in to my base desire. The other part of me knows it will only end badly.
“You kissed me,” I whisper, dismayed and annoyed that I can’t tell if he is being serious or not.
“But you kissed me back.” He shrugs, watching my expression. I gasp, shocked, and his face twists in regret. “Lauren, I would never fire you for something I did. I was…fuck, you get under my skin. It was a joke. I’m sorry.”
“But you do want me to quit?” I croak. He wants me and the only way he can have me is if I quit. He grins apologetically and I narrow my gaze, too worked up to see the funny side of it. “If you’re going to fire me, then do it,” I spit. “But the second you do, don’t ever expect to see me again.” Cain removes his arm, allowing me room to move. “And for the record, I find DeLuca very attractive, and no, you don't kiss as good as I thought you would,” I lie. Cain's face snaps into annoyance, and I bolt out of the office and past a prim-looking older woman as I rush down the hall to the elevator. My lips are abuzz with his touch. My heart is screaming a happy dance, even if my head is chaotic and unnerved. Cain Carson-Ivory is so much more than some mega hot-shot hotelier. He’s dangerous and seductive.
* * *
I don't come into contact with Cain again, and by the time Friday comes around, I’m desperate to escape London and be home with my family, even if it means spending the day with my overbearing brother, not to mention putting us all at risk. If word gets back that I'm in town, Henrik will be angered, but he never verbalised I couldn’t visit my parents. My drive is long and slow and allows me too much time to think about the past few weeks. I wonder what it would have been like if Cain had never taken over the hotel. What it would have been like if his assistant hadn't interrupted us.
I cruise down Main Street and find a space to park outside Waitrose. It’s a fairly warm day, so I’ve teamed a maxi dress with my pumps and pulled a knitted jumper over the top to finish the look off. Collecting my bag, I exit my car and make my way inside. Heads twist my way, but I affix a smile and give them the Carson-Ivory treatment. Some smile and greet me warmly, and others look at me with sympathetic eyes. It’s like I never left.
I head for the drinks aisle and select a chilled bottle of wine just as Martin and Kristy turn the corner hand in hand.
So much for missing me. His eyes spring wide, and hers dart away. I only manage to roll mine as Martin unhooks himself and walks towards me, but my mind is back there—back in that room as I caught them betraying any word of love or support they had once professed to have for me. I can still remember asking them how long they had been lying and sneaking around behind my back. Martin had rushed to me then, as he is doing now. Only this time, Kristy grips his hand, and he stops. If I didn’t know him so well, I’d almost believe he was regretful. Three months. It had destroyed me.
“Lauren. Hi.” Martin sounds uncertain.
