Chapter 15

Mona

I climbed out of the shower slowly. Had he really seen me like this, totally naked? I hoped he didn’t think I left the door hanging open intentionally. I was sure I had closed it, but either I was wrong or it had swung open on its own.

My head spun as I dried myself and I quickly slipped into my pajamas. The fabric was thick flannel, cozy, and I was able to forget for a second that my boss had just seen me completely naked.

My stomach rumbled. I was starving, and I couldn’t stay in here forever. Placing my hand on the door handle, I felt as though I might explode with nervousness. I just needed to breeze by this. I was a professional, and nothing that happened would change that.

I opened the door and Oliver was waiting outside, standing at the opposite end of the room, as though placing as much distance between us as possible would somehow shield us from any more uncomfortable situations.

“The food’s here.”

He gestured to the food spread bountifully on the table in front of him. There were a couple of salads and a steaming plate of something.

As I approached, I caught a waft of sweet, heavenly cinnamon, and my mouth began to water. I tentatively approached him and realized that the lights around us were low, the soft glow softening his features and creating a romantic atmosphere.

I wanted to reach out and slip my arms around him, to let him know I didn’t mind him looking at me. In fact, I wanted more. But I knew that I had to remain professional. I was here because I had proven to be an invaluable part of the project and I couldn't jeopardize the deal when we were this close to signing the contract.

I took a seat, pulled one of the salads toward me and began to eat.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing to the small ramekin in front of me. It was steaming, and the sweet, fruity scent was amazing.

“Apple crumble,” he replied as he took his seat opposite me and began to eat his own salad. “I had it in London before, and it’s really good. Just what we need on a night like tonight.”

“Sounds perfect,” I agreed.

We continued to eat in silence, and I wondered if we were going to acknowledge what had just happened. I certainly wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up.

“So, when’s the meeting tomorrow?”

I finally broke the silence, forcing the words out just to get rid of the awkwardness.

“Eleven, I think,” he replied, glancing at his watch and frowning. “I need to catch up to local time.”

“I’m surprised they didn’t put your watch forward on the plane,” I teased. “They had everything else covered.”

“Yeah, except getting the rooming arrangements right,” he grumbled. “I’m so sorry about this.”

“I mean, we did give them the impression that we were married,” I pointed out through a mouthful of food.

The salad was delicious, and I didn’t even want to think how much the meal in front of us cost.

“Good point,” he grinned. “I guess we should make the most of this place while we can, then.”

“Agreed.” I nodded, reaching for my dessert. “I suggest all room service, all the time.”

“Maybe we could swing dinner at the restaurant downstairs one night,” he suggested. “I read up on it, and it’s meant to be amazing.”

“As long as I get to eat fish and chips at least once while we are in London. I’ve heard it’s the best in the world.”

“I think it’s more a street food than the kind of thing you’d see served at a fancy restaurant,” he replied with a chuckle.

Things were beginning to feel normal again between us, the shower incident successfully blown over.

“Well, then, I’ll just have to roam the streets until I find some,” I replied loftily.

I took a bite of the dessert, and even though it was so hot it burned my mouth, my eyes practically rolled into the back of my head with pleasure.

“Mmm, that’s so good.”

I finished up and stacked the plates carefully on the cart and then wheeled it out into the hallway for housekeeping to take away.

“I should get some sleep,” I said through an exaggerated yawn.

Sliding into bed, I pulled the crisp, heavy comforter over me and closed my eyes. It was colder than I was used to here, and getting under the warm covers was really nice.

“I guess I’ll sleep on the couch, then?” Oliver remarked, and I realized what I’d just done.

Without meaning to, I’d more or less told him I was having the bed.

“I don’t mind,” I blurted out.

“Don’t mind…?”

“I don’t mind if you sleep in the bed with me,” I replied, eyes drifting shut. “I don’t want to get out, but you don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

I yawned again, and my eyes watered with sleepiness, but I felt a jolt of excitement dance through me as he sat down on the bed next to me.

“Are you sure?” he asked cautiously, and his voice was soft.

“I’m sure,” I promised. “Let’s get some sleep. Okay?.”

“Okay,” he agreed, and it was clear that either he was too tired to make a good case for why this might be a bad idea. Either that or he was just as happy as I was to be sleeping together in the same bed.

Yes, it was crossing the line, but I didn’t care. I wanted him near me, even if I couldn’t act on my feelings. It was a bittersweet torment.

He vanished into the bathroom, and I peeked one eye open when he returned to the bed. He was wearing nothing but a pair of pajama pants, and he was so hot I thought I might combust at the sight of him. I closed my eyes as he got closer, and smiled to myself as I felt him climb into bed next to me.

The bed dipped a little and he let out a small sigh, something between comfort and relief. I wanted to turn over, to look at him, and to let him know that if we were going to do this, there was no better time than now.

But I knew I shouldn’t. Not now. Not tonight.

Still, I could smell him, the aftershave that had driven me crazy only a few days before was filling my senses once again.

He was in bed with me. In bed with me! If anyone back at the office knew what was happening, they would have told me I was crazy. If his old assistant could see, she’d be furious. All I knew was I liked this. I could easily get used to it.

Even though I was exhausted when I climbed into bed just a few minutes earlier, I felt as though every muscle in my body had awakened the moment he laid down next to me.

We were so damn close to each other. I could just reached over and lay my hand across his chest.

I craved him. It was visceral, more powerful than any desire I’d had for anyone in my entire life. Maybe it was because I knew that I couldn’t have him that I was so obsessed. I was addicted to dancing around the edge of what was appropriate.

What would happen if we just went for it? Here, in London, so far from the scrutiny of the others at the office that we could almost pretend they didn’t exist. What was the worst that could happen? We could hook up, get it out of our systems, and then be done with it, once and for all.

Or… maybe it would blossom into something more. Maybe that chemistry that seemed to spark off of us at every turn would lift us through and carry us into a real and lasting relationship.

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, at the thought of it. He could meet my family, my friends, and I could enter into his incredible world of success and reward. If I could just turn over now, just find the nerve to touch him…

I heard him snort and shift lightly, and I knew at once he was asleep. I let out a breath and wasn’t sure whether it was more disappointment or relief. Then, to my complete surprise, I felt him shift toward me in the bed.

Before I knew it, he was behind me, his arm snaking around my waist as he pulled me close. His breath was warm on the back of my neck, and his cock stirred against my ass. I stayed completely still, knowing that if I moved I would wake him up, and he would pull away and apologize for his transgression.

No, I would lie here for a little longer and let myself get lost in the comfort and excitement of his touch.