Chapter Five

Her reply angered him. How dare she tell him no when he was offering her a ride. For the first time he could ever remember, someone was telling him no, and he found he didn’t like it at all. How could she possibly prefer riding the bus to accepting a ride from him? Was his company so repulsive she couldn’t stand to be in his presence for even a moment longer than she had to?

Not wanting to say something he’d regret later, he decided to say nothing. If she believed he was going to allow her to ride the bus, then she wasn’t as smart as she appeared.

She might be stubborn, but he could certainly outdo her in that department. He was used to people bending over backward for him. It was a bit of a shock, but not all that unpleasant, to find someone willing to argue with him. He found he liked Amy a bit more each time she challenged him, but there was no way the tiny vixen was going to get her own way on the ride situation, not when it was an issue of her safety.

He could see she was getting tired, but he kept piling work on her. For one thing, he was still angry that she refused to ride with him, and second, he just wanted to be in her company.

After his initial anger diminished, he got involved in his own tasks, used to burning the midnight oil as he finished projects. He lost all track of time.

“Mr. Anderson, I don’t want to complain, but it’s eleven o’clock. Can I come in tomorrow if this really needs to get done that badly before Monday?” she asked with fatigue evident in her voice. He felt guilty that he’d let his temper override his good judgment. He would’ve never normally made her stay so late.

“I didn’t realize the time, sorry. Everything else can be done next week,” he said. “Let’s get out of here.” He put placed his weekend work in his briefcase and walked her to her office. He stood by the door while Amy put her work down and gathered her purse and coat. She glanced up, and he could see she was surprised he was still standing there.

“Okay, Mr. Anderson, I’ll see you Monday.” She tried to exit quickly by making a beeline to the elevators. He grinned, enjoying the edge to her voice. He found it comical that she thought he could be so easily dismissed. Usually, women were chasing him. He found it refreshing to be the one doing the chasing and he really liked the cat and mouse game they were playing.

He very much anticipated his capture of her.

Amy pressed the elevator button, and when the doors opened, they both stepped inside for the long ride down. Neither of them spoke, both lost in their own heads.

When they reached the lobby, he followed her out of the cramped space and walked with her toward the front doors.

“Hi, Amy. You’re sure working late tonight. There aren’t any more buses running. Would you like for me to call you a cab?” the night guard asked.

“That would be great, Paul,” she said as she gave him her best smile. “How’s that beautiful little girl of yours doing? Did she make the basketball team?”

“Yes, she made varsity and has been prancing around the house for two days now. I’ll show you the pictures as soon as my wife gets them developed,” he said with a big smile. “Good night, Mr. Anderson. Have a safe ride home,” he added, as if just realizing Lucas was there with the two of them.

“Paul, Ms. Harper won’t need that cab. I’ll give her a ride home,” Lucas said, confident his word would be taken with no questions asked. Paul looked from her rigid face to his boss’s unyielding expression and decided he wasn’t getting in the middle of whatever was going on. He was a smart man.

“Okay, then. Enjoy your weekend.” He turned and walked back to his desk.

Lucas pulled Amy through the front doors, gripping her arm. He knew she wouldn’t want to cause a scene in front of Paul, so she came without a struggle. He was anticipating the explosion he knew was coming as soon as they were out the door.

He’d been holding back for a month, and the built-up tension was at the boiling-over point.

As soon as they were outside, she turned toward him, fire in her eyes, obviously ready to unleash on him. Damn, she was amazing in anger. He wanted to rip the bun loose and sink his fingers into her silky hair.

“Look...” she snapped, but he didn’t give her time to complete her sentence. He couldn’t take it anymore. Reaching out he pulled her into his arms, crushing his lips onto hers.

She stood rigid for about three seconds while he sought access into her mouth. He knew the moment of her surrender, when all of the anger, frustration, and building attraction between them gave way with sweet release. Her arms reached around his neck, and her lips opened in invitation, allowing him full access to her mouth.

Once he had her surrender, his lips softened, began coaxing instead of demanding. His arms slid seductively up and down her back, molding her body to his. He couldn’t get close enough to her, their clothing feeling like a wall of separation. He needed more, much, much more.

Lucas was ready to take her right there on the sidewalk. He started reaching below the bottom of her blouse, forgetting they were standing in full view of anyone who cared to walk by. He needed to feel the weight of her full breasts spilling into his hands.

Amy stiffened as she snapped back to reality. Before he could think past the fog of desire in his head, her hand came up and he felt the sting of her fingers as her hand connected with his cheek in a resounding slap, pushing away the last of his lust-filled haze.

She stood before him, breathing heavily, her eyes rounded to twice their normal size. Lucas couldn’t tell if she was stunned from the kissing, slapping him, or both.

She was flushed and disheveled, causing him to take a step back so he wouldn’t grab her again. He somehow managed to regain his control, but only because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she’d be his. He had to claim her in order to break the spell she had over him.

“I’ll allow that one for free, but be ready to face the consequences if you slap me again,” he said, rubbing his jaw. She’d really put her body weight behind the hit. She certainly wasn’t a helpless female who couldn’t hold her own.

“How dare you,” she spat. “You don’t just go around kissing anyone you feel like. You may be rich and good-looking, but you don’t own me. I’m your employee, not your whore.” With those words she spun around and started walking away.

Lucas allowed her about five steps before he grabbed her arm and spun her around. “I don’t know what kind of a game you’re playing, Amy, but you gave just as much as you took back there,” he snapped.

His body was still on fire, and her hot and cold was playing havoc with his insides. He wanted to throw her up against the building wall and take her in one swift thrust. His unending desire for her shocked the hell out of him.

“I’m sorry about that,” she squeezed out, obviously having a hard time apologizing. “I lost my head for a moment, but if you think I took this position so I could sleep with my boss, then you have another thing coming. Forget this night happened. I know I will. I’ll see you on Monday, Mr. Anderson.” She looked pointedly at where his fingers were gripping her arm.

Her words were escalating his temper. It was like she’d thrown a cup of ice-cold water in his face. She’d forget about what just happened? Like hell she would! He was close to reminding her of their explosive chemistry. Somehow, he managed to stop himself.

He wouldn’t be forgetting about her anytime soon, and he realized he didn’t want her to forget about him, either. He was sorely tempted to call her bluff, but he knew he didn’t have the strength to stop twice in such a short time period. When they started their next steamy encounter, they’d be somewhere it could be finished.

Instead of kissing her like he wanted, he turned, pulling her along behind him. She fought him each step of the way, but he guessed she knew her words would do no good because she remained silent. He reached his car and swiftly unlocked the doors with his keyless entry. He wasted no time tossing her in the front seat, and then walking around to get into the driver’s side.

He turned the car on and pulled out of the parking lot.

“Where do you live, Amy?”