But she could see me.
Was she looking at me right at that very moment?
I hoped I could keep my dick under control because she had no problem staring at it. It was a declaration of my innate attraction to her. Now that I’d had her, it was difficult for me to view her as just a potential business partner. Now I thought of her in dirty scenarios, of the way she said my name when my dick was buried inside her.
I couldn’t think about that right now.
Her assistant led me inside, and I walked into the large room with the desk near the back. Her long hair was pulled back, and she wore high-rise jeans with a blouse. She was dressed far more casually than usual, so I assumed she’d been doing lab work rather than business at her desk. “Hello, Thorn. How are you?”
I stopped in front of her desk and didn’t shake her hand. She never extended the greeting, so I didn’t either. Despite our attempts at being professional, there was no denying our last interaction. Could we really shake hands after the passionate night we’d had together? It seemed beneath us at that point. “Good. You?”
“I’m great.”
I eyed one table near the opposite wall, which was scattered with papers and tools. “Long day?”
“Just working on a few things. I had a few issues, but that’s what my life is…trial and error.”
I sat down and crossed my legs. “Working on anything interesting?”
All she did was smile and sit down. “I’m assuming your visit means Titan had a change of heart?”
So she didn’t think I was there for any other reason. That was good. “She has. She’s given it some consideration and thinks working with someone with your strengths will only benefit her.”
Now the smile she wore seemed genuine. “That’s great news. I’m very happy to hear that.”
“Titan is looking forward to your collaboration.”
“When she’s back on her feet, right?” she asked. “I can wait until she’s well again.”
“Actually, she wanted to know how you would feel about meeting in her home. She would like to meet you in person. She knows you by reputation, but not by introduction.”
“I would love to. Just let me know when and where.” With the same sultry voice she used before, she commanded my respect so easily. But the tone reminded me of the way she begged me to fuck her, the way she dug her nails deep into my back.
I stopped breathing for a moment, treasuring the memory. Of course, my dick swelled to life when I wished it wouldn’t, but just the sound of her voice turned me on. I liked her casual outfit and the way her hair was pulled back. Something about seeing her work was a turn-on too. I guess I liked a strong woman who called the shots.
That was strange because I liked to be the one in charge.
Now that the business conversation was over, there was nothing left for me to do. All I did was stare at her.
She stared back.
I didn’t want to stand because she was bound to notice the hard rod in my slacks.
Dammit.
“I’ll set it up with her. She lives pretty close to my place.” Autumn knew exactly where I lived because it’s where we’d hooked up. It was the closest I’d ever gotten to mentioning the actual event we were both thinking about.
“Great. Will you be there?”
“Yeah. I’ll be part of the conversation.”
“Great.”
Now the silence was back, her wordless dismissal evident. She obviously had things to do. So did I.
But I didn’t want to stand.
My jacket was buttoned in the front, but that wouldn’t hide all of it. The shaft was so thick it was incredibly noticeable. Normally, I wouldn’t care if a woman saw how hard I was, but I didn’t want to extend an invitation.
Our hookup was over.
I rose to my feet. “Thank you for your time. My assistant will call you.” I turned my body slightly, casually hiding my front so she wouldn’t have a clear view of my package.
She walked around the table, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Her fingers dragged across the desk as she made her way to my side. I could walk away, but her presence commanded my stillness. She stopped directly in front of me and looked up into my face.
Those plump lips. Those bright eyes. Those high cheekbones. Those freckles on her cheeks.
Fuck, I was a goner.
She had so much power over me—and I liked it. I loved her confidence because it didn’t cross into arrogance. I loved the way she owned the room, even if I stood in it. I loved the way her eyelashes were so thick.
This woman was more than most men could handle.
Not me.
Her fingers pressed against my chest, her fingertips stroking down my silk tie. Her perfume smelled of vanilla and summer flowers. She watched her fingers caress me before she looked up into my face again.
Sexy.
“Come over tonight.” She didn’t ask. She only told.
I thought that was even sexier.
But I wasn’t looking for a relationship, even with a gorgeous woman like her. I’d love to fuck her a few more times, but if it led to a conversation about commitment, I wasn’t interested. “I’m not looking for anything serious. The other night was supposed to be a one-time thing. I’m sorry if you misunderstood.”
Instead of softening her eyes in heartbreak or narrowing them in rage, she pressed her lips tightly together as she tried to suppress a laugh. She dragged her hand down my chest until she pulled it away entirely. “Wow, you’re arrogant.”
“Arrogant? I just want my intentions to be clear so you aren’t disappointed.”
This time, she really did laugh.
My eyes narrowed.
“Thorn, there’s only one thing I want from you. The second I saw your toolbar, I wanted to see you use it. You exceeded my expectations beautifully, and it’s nice to be with a man who can make my
