I stare at my notes, brow knotted. I have to get this solution pinned down and make sure it’s all replicable. It’s one thing to stumble on the solution in the middle of the night, but another for a production line to get it right every time. So, double and triple checking my work should be my next and only priority.

But first of all I need to stop thinking about him …even though I’m working on his drone, which he designed. In his lab, in his building, for his company. Right next to the very spot where we first had sex. And we did it again last night. An image of him standing in his shirt, sleeves rolled up, leaning one hip against the kitchen counter, looking confidently at me. His eyes, his body, his stand, even the air around him vibrated with his power. The man oozed power. I think of him, tall, confident as he strode over to me—and what we did afterwards.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I hate dominating, controlling men. God preserve me from Alphas, no matter how hot they may be. I’d rather die than play the part of barefoot, pregnant wife.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath to center myself, and of course, I fall short. Just as I’ve been falling short all morning. Every time I hear footsteps outside the door, I’m sure it’s him. I’m certain he’s about to come in and challenge me as to why I ran out on him last night. The thing is, I don’t even know why myself.

Why did I run?

Maybe I was afraid of how much fun I had yesterday with him and Maddie. I had far, far too much fun. The sort of fun a girl could get used to. Feeling like I was part of something. A family. Anyone looking at the three of us as we wandered through the fair, our hands clasped, would’ve definitely thought we were much more than we are.

The scariest part is realizing it wouldn’t bother me at all if somebody mistakes us for a family. I want that. Jesus, I want that.

And then, the sex. The incredible, unbelievable sex. I’ve never come so hard, so fast, so long. And I’ve never lost control like that. There’s no such thing as control when he’s involved, which is terrifying. I’ve always been able to draw a line, command respect, be the one who says no. Now, I’m spreading my legs before he even asks.

Ugh, he probably thinks I’m a slut. He’s my boss. I hate to be one of those women who sleep with their bosses. I always thought I was better than that.

Oh, my God! What would my father say?

“Stop this,” I whisper, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt.

I reach for the prototype and start assembling it according to the plans as I laid them out. I have to approach this as a complete stranger, someone unfamiliar with the work I’ve slaved over the last couple of weeks. My hands are almost shaking. I take a deep breath and steady them before starting.

Thirty minutes later, the drone is assembled according to my altered plans. I start it up, the way I’ve done so many times, and monitor the diagnostics as it runs. Just as it did on Friday night, the temperature levels out at temps far lower than they were before. Low enough and for long enough that I’m beyond reasonably certain this solution is replicable.

I clap my hands and whoop, even though I’m all alone in the lab. I’m used to it and I always preferred it this way, though a little part of me wishes Lincoln were here to share in my happiness.

I print off the final dimensions, prouder and more relieved than I’ve ever felt in my life. Even if I didn’t have any feelings for Lincoln, I would have to tell him right away, so it’s not wrong for me to scoop up the papers and hurry down the corridor to his office.

I tell myself, it’s normal. I’m just excited over scoring a major win and want to smooth things over with him, even just a little. But in my heart I know, I’m just looking for an excuse to see him again. For the time I worked on the drone, I managed to keep him out of my head, but other than that, I can’t get him out of my head.

I get the feeling he needs a win, too. And judging from the way he looked at me last night as I just about broke my neck to get out of there, he might not mind knowing there aren’t hard feelings between us.

My heart jumps as I hurry up to his office with the printed plans in my hand. I smile politely at Erica.

“Oh good. Drone plans. He’ll be happy to see those,” she says checking out her mini switchboard before pressing a button and lifting her receiver. “Miss Harper is here to see you.” She looks at me and waves me in.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and close it behind me.

He leans back in his chair, and looks, oh God—delectable. Yesterday, he looked casual and sexy. Today, he’s wearing an immaculate dark suit. And he looks edible. I want to unzip him and taste him. Fit my mouth around his cock and suck it.

“What can I do for you?” he drawls, fingers tented under his strong chin.

Ooops, he’s in professional CEO mode. “You can congratulate me,” I reply.

One eyebrow arches as his eyes trail down my body. “Why’s that?” His voice is suddenly pure sex.

It makes the hairs on my hands rise. I ignore the sensation, the coiled tension in the pit of my stomach. I’m quaking on the inside. I want him bad, but I also need him to listen to me, to take me seriously. This is exactly why our being together in a physical way is a terrible idea. I want to be treated as an equal and I want to be fucked until I’m sore. “Because,” I announce, “I managed to replicate our solution according to the altered plans.”

A slow smile starts on his face, distracting me. Jesus, Sam. Get a hold of yourself.

I clear my throat and carry on. “I took it step by step from the beginning, like a total newcomer, and made it work just as well as we did over the weekend.”

I expected him to be pleased.

I expected him to congratulate me.

I didn’t expect him to launch himself from his chair, sweep me up into his arms, lift me high over his head, and twirl me around, as if I weighed no more than Maddie. I’m so taken aback, I can’t even catch my breath, let alone ask him to let me go.

Not that I want to. It is the most delicious feeling to be held up by strong arms. The warmth of his hard body and the pressure of his arms as they hold me up feels heavenly.

“You’re a little genius, Ms. Harper!” he shouts with a laugh.

Transfixed, I stare down at his laughing face, and then I too, begin to laugh. It is the most amazing feeling in the world to be so in tune with someone. So exactly matched in feeling. The rest of the world stopped existing for us at that moment. It’s now just us, taking big gulps of pure joy.

When he sets me on my feet, his strong arms don’t unwind from around my waist. “I wish I had champagne in here. I’d pop the cork right now. We need to celebrate.”

“And I would accept.” I laugh. My knees are weak with a sense of achievement. Or it could be that they’re weak because I’m so close to him, and he’s so deliriously happy. We both are, but he behaves as if I’ve actually come in and announced that I’ve negotiated a stay of execution for him.

His eyes stare deep into mine, our eyes lock. My heart begins to race faster than ever. Our bodies move closer. It an involuntary thing. Completely out of my control. Like magnets. In seconds, our bodies are pressed together tightly. My head is spinning, and I realize I’m breathless.

I couldn’t break away from him right now if my life depended on it.

Oh, damn… I’m falling at the first hurdle. Again.

“What did I ever do without you?” he whispers, his breath hot on my face.

Oh, my Lord, I can’t breathe. I can’t even think. He’s doing it to me again, and I like it. I might even love it.

This time, it’s me who leans in for a kiss. He catches my face between his warm palms. Then his tongue plunges into my mouth. My knees buckle. He’ll have to be strong enough for the both of us, since I simply can’t support myself. Not when his tongue is sweeping along the inside of my mouth. Not when he takes my bottom lip between his teeth and bites it before sucking, hard.

I draw in my breath with a sharp gasp, on the thin line between pain and pleasure. But the pain doesn’t last long, and the pleasure deepens almost unfathomably. I’m almost excruciatingly aroused already, wetness pooling between my thighs, soaking through my panties as we grope and kiss more frantically with each passing second.

His tongue is like a trail of liquid fire on my neck. He stops at the point where my pulse flutters frantically. “This is your heartbeat, Sam.”

I moan helplessly.

He licks the sensitive skin, making me shudder. “God, I can taste how goddamn much you want me,” he whispers, as he pulls away and our gazes collide.

Hypnotized by his scent, his touch, his words. I look into his eyes, heavy lidded, and dark with passion. It’s just like last night again, only even more forbidden. Beyond that door are people. I didn’t lock the door.

“Why did you run away last night?”

I lick my lips. “I don’t know.”

“Liar,” he snarls, and pushes me back, making my butt fall back on the desk.

I look up at him.

He looks dangerous as he stands in front of me, breathing fire.

“You scare me…I want you too much,” I whisper.

“Show me how much you want me.”

My nerves dance and jump with excitement. “Erica could come in.”

“If she did, she’ll know to turn around and go right back out.”

It’s like a light bulb goes on in my head. I’m galvanized into action. Like a crazed woman, I fumble at his belt and fly. Once his pants are at his ankles I lift my hips and allow him to slide my panties down and over my shoes.

Instead of straightening up and plunging into me, the way he did the last two times, he drops to his knees and with a tortured groan, buries that sinfully gorgeous mouth between my thighs. I gasp and close my eyes, completely lost in ecstasy. My head is rolling back and forth, as he laps at my wet folds.

“Fuck, Sam. You taste like a fucking ripe fruit,” he growls, as he reaches my aching clit. He teases it with a series of quick strokes that send me over the edge. My thighs clench around his head as I come, shuddering and shaking.

I don’t even know where he gets the condom from. My whole body is still quivering from the great rush of pleasure, when I notice him sheathing himself. Without giving me a chance to recover, he thrusts his massive cock straight into me.

“Oh, fuck.” I gasp and start building again. My muscles clench tight around him, making every stroke even more blissful. Fire races through me as we take each other hard and fast.

It’s over too soon, both of us fighting to keep ourselves silent as we struggle to catch our breath. He leans against me, hands on the desk, and I allow myself to revel in his nearness for another few moments before we become two separate people again.

Why should I bother fighting this? It’s all so good, so natural, the two of us falling into each other’s arms every chance we get. We’re good together. Our chemistry is phenomenal. And as evidenced by the accomplishment we made in the lab, we make a good team.

It’s as though we’re meant to be.

Why should I keep arguing with myself then, every time we’re together? Isn’t it easier to accept what’s clearly growing between us?

He kisses the side of my throat then my cheek before straightening up and pulling away to fix up his clothes.

I hop off the desk, my knees still a little weak as I pull my panties on. “Do you think Erica heard anything? I did everything I could to be quiet.”

“I think we’re good. I have soundproofing on the walls.”

I’ve noticed it before, but there was never a reason to mention it. It makes sense, with the conference room adjoining his office. It wouldn’t do for sound to filter back and forth.

“We should celebrate,” he announces as he slam dunks the used rubber into the small trash can and straightens his tie. His eyes twinkling.

“Didn’t we already celebrate, just now?” I whisper.

He chuckles. “I mean an actual celebration. Lunch. A long one. What do you say?”

I freeze, feeling for all the world like a deer in headlights. I want to say yes. The word “yes” is right on the tip of my tongue. I want to prolong whatever is happening between us. And it feels damn good to know we’ve made such progress. Not to mention the joy of knowing I’ve made him so happy. But…

“I can’t,” I whisper, wincing. “I’m sorry. I made plans for lunch today.”

A storm cloud rolls through the room, or maybe it only rolls across his face. His eyes go stormy.

Just like that, the moment’s over. Like it never happened at all.

“Right.” His voice is flinty.

“I’m sorry,” I babble, feeling like he’s slipping through my fingers. And I had him, too. I had him right in the palm of my hand. And vice versa. If anyone told me a week ago that I’d ever be in a position where I’d want Lincoln the way I do right now, I would’ve laughed myself sick. Now, I’d do anything to get him back to where we just were a minute ago.

He shrugs and slips his belt thought its hoop. “Hey, it is what it is.”

“If I hadn’t already said I’d go to lunch, I’d go with you in a heartbeat.” I feel small, terribly small, like I’m shrinking by the second.

He’s pulling away. Jamming the buttons of his shirt through the holes opposite, almost violently.

I want to explain that it’s not what he thinks it is, that I’d rather be with him, but…

My father is waiting to have lunch with me. And it’s complicated. I never expected his call, to put it mildly. Not after the scene I made, during dinner on Friday night. I made it plain then that I never wanted to step foot in that house again, and he seemed all right with the idea. He seemed perfectly fine with it, in fact. Maybe a little too fine. Maybe I wanted him to put up a small fight, just enough to show me he cares. I should know better by now.

But then, he called.

It’s so unlike him to try to make up for anything he’s done, or didn’t do. Curiosity got the better of me, I suppose. Even though I wanted to reject him the way he’s rejected me so many times before, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m still his daughter and he’s still my father. However, I’m certain things just don’t dissolve so easily. No matter how much we want them to.

“It doesn’t matter. It was just a thought,” Lincoln mutters, sitting down in front of his computer, his eyes locked on the screen.

Will I ever win with him?