*****

Lucas knew the second she entered the room. Her steps didn’t make a sound on the soft carpet, but her sensual scent drifted over, slowly surrounding him. Lucas felt the air shift as she quietly sat in the chair across from him; the only sound was that of her legs crossing, the slight hiss of her nylons rubbing together.

His eyes were locked on the computer screen while he blindly punched buttons on the keyboard, having no clue what he was doing. For all he knew, he could’ve given away millions of dollars in the space of a few seconds. What scared him more than that, though, was the fact that he didn’t even care if he had.

He knew he had to make a comment to start their meeting sooner or later, but he was still too close to pulling her from her chair and making her forget any other man but him. His imagination ran wild as he pictured her spread out on his desk as she opened to him and he plunged inside her, finally ending both of their suffering. He could brand her his, and she’d never want another. The clear picture in his head of her lips crying out his name almost broke his restraint.

“Did you finish the Nielson report I emailed?” He finally spoke and was satisfied to see her jump at the sound of his voice. For some unknown reason, her reaction relaxed him. Knowing she was just as tense as he was brought back his control, made him feel like he was in charge. He wondered what else would make her jump.

Lucas stood up, walked around his desk, and sat on the edge of it, his leg nearly brushing hers. He watched as she sat up even straighter, shifting restlessly in her seat.

After what seemed like hours, but was in fact only seconds, Amy handed him the file, having anticipated that he’d ask for it. He took the folder, making sure their fingers brushed. He noticed goosebumps appear on her arm.

His mood immediately lifted as he got comfortable in his element. He was in control — as he needed to be. He pretended to read the file, taking his time, enjoying her proximity. “Very good.” She once again jumped, as if she’d forgotten they were sitting so close together.

He knew she was too strong to admit he was making her squirm, and there was no way she’d cry mercy. He’d learned that much about her from the first day they’d met. If she looked upset in any way, he would’ve found the willpower to pull away from her. He might be lusting after her, but he didn’t cross the line of stalking. He knew it wasn’t him she was afraid of, though; it was herself. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. The passion simmering in her eyes was undeniable, though she tried to hide it.

Her breath was coming in soft pants, making her breasts rise and fall quickly beneath her blouse, and he could see the trace of her hardened nipples pressing against the fabric. He wanted to bend down and feel her pulse pounding beneath his lips. Her arousal was a complete aphrodisiac.

Lucas shifted his weight, causing his leg to press against hers. She remained frozen as her quick breathing hitched for a heartbeat. She could pull away at any moment, but she sat stiffly in the chair, refusing to budge.

It was a game of wills, and he really didn’t know which of them was going to break first. He was testing his endurance to the very limit; that was for sure. He knew the smart thing would be to back off, send her from his office, but he couldn’t do it. If she asked to leave, he’d let her go, but he hoped she wouldn’t. He liked their game. He knew it was coming to an end soon.

He was getting way too hot sitting so close to her, so he gave them both a break and started pacing the room. “Very good work,” he finally said, regarding the file. They got into a comfortable routine after that and worked well together the rest of the afternoon. Time quickly slipped away as it often did when he was with her.

He didn’t want to let her leave. He was enjoying the intoxication of her smell. He took pleasure in the way her eyes darted to him before quickly looking away. Her seductive curves made his body tighten, and her voice washed through him.

It was time they ended the torture. A night together, that’s all they needed. He tried reasoning with himself that it wouldn’t hurt anything. If it was awkward between them after they were both mutually satisfied, then he’d just set her up in another division of the company, so no harm done.

The thought of her leaving the offices left an unpleasant feeling inside him. He struggled with what to do, a first for him. He never moved forward without a plan, and he never messed up.

*****

Amy fought her own emotions as she spent the day with Lucas. One minute he was barking orders at her, the next pacing the room like a panther, getting a little closer with each pass he made. She really didn’t understand her attraction toward him. Yes, he was handsome, but that had never mattered to her before.

Many women liked strong, alpha males who thought the world should bow to them. She didn’t. She’d always been turned off by the he-man-type males she’d encountered during school. So why was she continually having to remind herself she couldn’t stand Lucas’s type?

She didn’t need, or want, a man to make her whole. She liked her life just fine and wanted no one to step in and tell her how to live and what to do. Lucas was just another guy, like so many other men she’d been around.

If she were to actually break her rules and get involved, it certainly wouldn’t be with someone like her egotistical boss. It would be with a warm, caring and nurturing man, someone who wanted a dozen kids and brought her flowers at least once a week. Sex lasted only minutes; a relationship lasted a lifetime. She could live with bad sex; she couldn’t live with a jerk for a husband.

Liar. You want excitement. You’ve been on autopilot since you were barely walking, afraid to disobey, afraid to talk back, afraid to ask for anything. Now, you see this man, this dominating, gorgeous man, and you want him to take control. You want him to force you out of your shell. You want…him. More importantly than that, you want him to want you, to take the choice from you.

Amy sat paralyzed as she fought an internal battle with herself. Her carefully controlled mind fought with her locked-up heart. She’d win the fight; she just didn’t know how many pieces she’d be in when it was over.

At five that evening, a knock sounded on the door before the knob turned.

Tom bounded into the room. “Hello, Mr. Anderson,” he said before turning to Amy. “You ready to head out? I got the phones switched over, and I’m dying for a Bloody Mary and hot wings.”

Amy started to rise from her seat when Lucas spoke. “We have too much work to finish tonight, Tom. Amy will have to miss out on happy hour,” he said, rather rudely in her opinion.

“It’s okay, Tom, I’ll catch the bus home tonight. I appreciate the ride in today, though. I’ll see you on Monday.” She gave him an apologetic smile before going back to work on her laptop.

“Okay, darling, see you Monday,” he said with a wink.

“Have a great weekend, Mr. Anderson.” Tom breezed out as quickly as he’d arrived and, once again, Amy was alone with Lucas. She stared after Tom for a few minutes with longing in her eyes. She’d love to get out of the offices, away from the tension, and sit down to have a drink with her best friend.

Lucas’s mood deteriorated after Tom left. “Why didn’t you take your own car into work today?” he finally asked, ending twenty minutes of awkward silence.

“I don’t have a car. I usually ride the bus to work, but Tom doesn’t live too far from me, so the last couple of days I’ve been riding with him. I have no problem riding the bus, though.” She resented having to explain her situation to him.

“I’ll give you a ride home tonight since I’m keeping you late,” he said, as if the matter were settled. He didn’t expect anything but her compliance.

She sat for a moment before replying. “I don’t need a ride home. I told you I’m used to riding the bus. I’ll be fine,” she said between clenched teeth. She knew that wouldn’t be the end of the discussion, but she wouldn’t let him walk all over her, boss or not.

She was tired of fighting herself and him. If she didn’t get away from him soon, she was afraid she was either going to get up and kick him, or even worse, rip his shirt off, preferably with her teeth.