“Tequila!” I shouted, both as an order to the bartender and in response to the catchy song blaring over the bar speakers.

I sipped the margarita in front of me, pushed my empty shot glass toward the edge of the bar, and then glanced around at my fellow businesspeople, all unwinding on Cinco de Mayo after a long day of work.

The past week had been a blur of activity and organization, but I was definitely falling into the swing of things. In fact, a few times, some of my officemates had stopped by my desk to offer their congratulations on my ability to “tame the dragon.”

And after working with Jackson all week, I could definitely see why. His moods were changeable to say the least. Driven one minute and frustrated the next. Sometimes he would fall into a trance so deep that I was sure he didn’t hear me when I spoke. But other times…

Other times, I knew he saw me. His gaze bore into me, and though I’d been careful to wear my drabbest business clothes, I was sure he was seeing right through them. That he could tell the way my nipples still stiffened to a straining peak whenever I set eyes on him. That he knew the way my knees weakened when he spoke. But more than that, I was sure he reveled in it.

A few times, he’d even called me into his office only to tell me to leave again, his question unasked. But I knew what the question was. I could see it in the tick of his jaw when he looked at me or the way he breathed in my perfume whenever I was near.

It had been so hard to leave that night on the rooftop. To walk away and not beg him to do it all over again. But I knew if I didn’t, I’d be in deep. Too deep. He’d made it more than clear he wanted to hook up. A one-night thing and nothing more. Once he’d rocked my world—twice, no less—I hadn’t needed much prompting to head for the hills. If I didn’t and we did that again?

I might have dropped to one knee and asked for his hand in marriage.

Okay, not really, but still. He was addictive. I knew it from one taste. Which meant I had to stay away.

Only now there was no escape, was there?

The bartender set another shot in front of me, and with the memory of Jackson’s dark eyes searing into me, I downed it in one and sipped my margarita as a chaser.

Tonight was not going to be about Jackson Dane. Truth be told, I already spent way too much time thinking about—and fantasizing over—him. No, tonight I was young and single in a new city and looking for someone to catch my eye.

Which, luckily, they did.

My gaze fell on a man staring me down across the bar, his red tie partially undone as he rolled the tip of his finger around his beer glass. He looked like a young professional, complete with the suit and slicked-back hair. The slightest bit of five o’clock shadow darkened his features, and I offered him a coy smile before turning my attention to my drink again.

He was handsome. Slightly out of character, maybe, but I had just enough liquid courage in me to consider crossing the bar and introducing myself.

As it was, though, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and did my best to squish down the fact that all I could think was how he wasn’t quite as good-looking as Jackson. Didn’t have that sparkle. That sexy charm that rolled off him in waves.

Not by a mile.

“Hey,” rumbled a deep voice near my ear. I glanced up to find myself practically nose-to-nose with this new handsome stranger.

“I’m Steve. What’s your name?”

“Oh. Hi, I’m Piper. Nice to meet you.”

My phone blared a loud tinkling noise, and I glanced down to see Jackson Dane blinking across the screen.

I held up a finger, my heart pounding in my chest. “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.”

I rolled off my seat and scuttled quickly to the exit, pushing the door open with my hip.

Stepping outside the bar, I pressed the answer key and then held my phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Piper, I need you to come into the office.” Jackson’s tone was matter-of-fact. As if every boss called their employees at seven o’clock on a Friday night.

“I really…can’t,” I said.

“On a date?” he asked, his tone clipped.

“No, not that it’s any of your business,” I added briskly. “It’s after work hours, and I’ve had a couple of drinks.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t mind, and I need you here ASAP. Won’t take long. I’ll see you shortly.”

The line died, and I stared at my phone for a moment, trying to convince myself that he hadn’t just ordered me around like some sort of indentured servant he’d smuggled here on a ship in the fifteen hundreds.

I shouldn’t go. I shouldn’t let him win.

But even as I thought over all the reasons it was wrong to go back into work tonight, I found myself paying my bill and making excuses to Steve before I hit the sidewalk and marched the two blocks to the dark-mirrored glass office tower where I worked.

I knew it was stupid, but dang it, I actually liked my job. I liked that Jackson needed me.

What else do you like, Piper?

I shoved the mocking voice away and willed the heat from my face. Sure, it was after hours, but I could be professional.

I entered the building after a janitor let me in, and I made for the elevator swiftly, closing my eyes to stop the slight sway of the world around me as I walked. I was one tequila shot away from hiccupping, but Jackson had robbed me of that. Or maybe he’d saved me. I wasn’t quite sure.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped from the elevator and made my way to his office, not bothering to knock before I opened the door and crossed my arms over my chest.

“What was so important that I had to come in on Friday night?”

He looked up at me—almost as if he was surprised I’d actually come—and then offered me half a begrudging smile.

“You look…nice.”

“Oh, I—”

Shit.

I’d forgotten that I’d loosened up a little after work, pulling my hair from its staid bun and letting it fall around my shoulders. My button-down shirt had been unbuttoned to show the slightest hint of cleavage, and I’d changed from my usual slacks into a bright-red skirt that showed off my legs.

“You’re sure you weren’t on a date?” he asked, his laser-beam eyes looking through me.

I shook my head, trying not to read anything into the question. So he was nosy. No big.

“Positive. Once more, not that it’s any of your business,” I added again for good measure.

“I’m glad to hear that. Sit down.” He motioned to one of the seats in front of him, and I took my place carefully, smoothing my skirt beneath me as I sat.

“You’ve been drinking,” he asked, though it wasn’t a question.

“As I said, yes.” I pointed to the glass on his lacquered desk. “Apparently, I’m not the only one.”

“No. I’ve had two myself.” He folded his hands on his desk and regarded me with a thoughtful look. “But I want to make sure you have your wits about you.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Because I have an important proposition for you.” His gaze seared my skin, and I crossed my legs, once again feeling like he could see straight through my thin layer of clothing.

“Go on,” I asked, nerves skittering through me like lightning.

“Before I tell you, you need to promise me you’re sober enough to listen.”

I gave him a single nod, not just because I was curious but because the second I’d laid eyes on him, I’d felt sober, though slightly drunk on him. He had that effect on me—of draining away all other outside forces and commanding all my attention in a way only he could.

“Good,” he said. “Now, your performance here this week has been outstanding.”

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“No, thank you. I’m very impressed with your work. So much so that I am not willing to lose you as an assistant, so please keep that in mind as you consider what I’m offering you.”

I frowned slightly. “Okay.”

“I can’t go on like this,” he said simply.

“Like what?” I asked, blinking back at him.

“I can’t work side by side with you while I have a constant erection.”

I drew back, both surprised and sort of turned on by his forthrightness. “Oh.”

“Every time I look at you, I imagine stripping off your clothes and fucking you right here on my desk. And now that I see you in that tiny red skirt…you have no idea how much I want to cross this desk and spread your legs apart so I can lick the space between your thighs.”

I swallowed hard. “Mr. Dane—”

“Jackson,” he corrected. “Ever since the first time I had you, I haven’t stopped thinking about you, and I have to think there’s a reason you’re here now. I’m not interested in relationships, Piper. I don’t have the time or the inclination. But I want you more than any other woman I’ve ever had. And the way your body fits with mine?” He shook his head. “It’s no accident you’re here, that’s all I know.”

“What are you trying to say?” I pressed, struggling to breathe as I imagined him sinking to his knees in front of me, pushing my legs apart, and having his way with me. Teasing my already aching bud again the way he did that night. Tasting him the way he’d tasted me.

“I’m trying to say that I want you. I want you as my assistant, and I want you in my bed.”

“That’s not possible.” I shook my head, trying to fight back the primal urges willing me to straddle him then and there. To forget about what was smart and do what my body was begging me to do.

“And why not? I don’t see why we can’t keep it professional during the day and enjoy ourselves at night. I’ve put a lot of thought into this, and I know we can handle it, if you’re willing.”

“We’ll be caught,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. If he only knew how willing I was. But God, would this be stupid. Foolhardy. Reckless.

“By whom? I’m the boss here.” He shrugged. “I don’t have shareholders I need to keep up appearances for. All I need to do is follow my own instincts, and all my instincts tell me this is something I can’t ignore. I’ve spent all day thinking about you, even though you’ve been wearing those awful clothes to hide yourself from me. Tell me the truth. You’ve been thinking about me too.”

I let out a shallow breath, nodding despite my better judgment.

Because, really, there was no denying it. I was sure he knew, could feel every time I’d come into his office and imagined splaying myself out in front of him. Every time I’d envisioned bending over the desk in front of me and staring out at the city skyline while he pushed into me over and over until I broke apart at his touch.

“See? So we’re in agreement. We’ll be casual sexual partners during non-work hours, and you will retain your position as my assistant during the day.”

“We can’t,” I tried again, straining to hear the voice of dissent that was growing weaker and weaker in my mind. “What happens when one of us gets tired of the other?”

What I really meant was What happens when you get tired of me? Because I couldn’t imagine ever tiring of him…

“Nothing. I think we’re both smart and mature enough to look at what happened fondly and continue working together. You’re an amazing assistant. Nothing has to change there. But this thing between us? It needs to run its course. It’s meant to be, Piper. Do you need me to prove that to you?” He stood, his height dwarfing even the dark skyline behind him.

I shivered. “I don’t know. I can’t choose right here and now.”

“Then let me give you something to help you weigh your options.”

I should have stood right then and there. Should have gotten up and marched out the door without a second thought. But instead, I uncrossed my legs and stood, waiting as he circled the corner of his desk and crowded me until all I could feel was him—the smell of him, the heat of him, his overwhelming presence.

He was everything.

And I could do nothing to deny him.