Alina
I COUNTED THE seconds until Max returned, mindlessly straightening up an already impeccably organized kitchen. What was I doing? Playing with fire, that’s what. I must’ve been out of my mind to allow him inside my home, knowing damn well the man did things to me. Not only to my body but to my brain, scrambling it all up so I could barely think straight. Having him so near was only going to end in disaster, for everyone involved.
My back was turned when he walked up behind me, sliding between the island and the counter. For a moment our bodies were flush, my heart kicking up in my chest at the intimate contact.
“Alina,” he whispered, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as if they were waiting for him to speak. The sexy rasp of his voice, especially when lowered, was even more potent, promising me desires beyond my wildest imagination.
“Don’t,” I warned. “Just don’t.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He retreated and took his warmth with him. “I was just going to ask if I could use your phone after all. It appears mine is dead.”
Silently cursing myself for being so presumptuous, I whirled around, my arms momentarily resting on the edge of the counter behind me. “Oh, sure.” I hurried from the kitchen in search of my purse, which I’d left on the console table in the foyer. When I’d retrieved my cell, I turned back around only to find Max looming in the doorway, his eyes fixated on me in such a way I knew I hadn’t misunderstood the desire in his voice when he’d said my name just moments ago.
His stalked toward me with purpose, every movement of his body orchestrated to drive me insane. Instinctually, I retreated until my back hit the stairwell, trapped and leaving myself open and vulnerable. I struggled between wanting to kick him out of my house and wanting to pull him closer, so close it would be as if we were one.
A few more strides and there would be no turning back. I drew my lower lip between my teeth in an attempt to distract myself, but all I ended up doing was enticing Max.
“You shouldn’t do that,” he warned, edging closer until he stood directly in front of me.
“Do what?”
“Bite your lip. That’s my job.” Max had played around before, teased me to try and garner a reaction with things he’d say, but I knew this was different. He was completely serious. There was no mistaking his intentions.
“I think it’s safer if you leave now.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Safer? For who? You or me?”
“Both of us.”
Instead of taking my half-assed advice, Max planted his hands on the wall behind me, caging me in. He leaned down until his lips were a breath from mine, the air between us melding together.
“Tell me you don’t want me to kiss you. Tell me to stop.” His mouth whispered against mine, so close I felt the tiniest tickle. “Go ahead and lie. Tell me you don’t want me as much as I want you.” As he gently snagged my bottom lip between his teeth, my entire body locked with anticipation. When the tip of his tongue danced over that same lip, I knew the fight was over. The struggle to stay away from him had ended, if only for a brief moment. The one lapse in judgment I’d allow myself.
As soon as a moan escaped from the deepest part of me, he latched on to my mouth and poured all his desire into me. His kiss was all-consuming, awakening me from a sleep I’d been trapped in my entire life.
Our tongues dueled to taste the other, an all too consuming passion the likes I’d never known before. Hands grappled, breaths mingled, hearts pounded fiercely. Reaching up, I ran my hands through his thick hair, grabbing him only to pull him even closer. He moaned, the rumbling vibration tightening the needy ache pulsing between my legs.
No words were exchanged. No promises or denials, just desire in its purest form. Biting and sucking, rough then soft, teasing and tormenting until I could barely stand.
When he pressed his lower body to mine, I bit the tip of his tongue in excitement. I felt his lips curve upward before he reciprocated. But when his arm circled my waist then traveled lower, I knew I was entering dangerous territory. I wanted Max to ravage me, to perform all the dirty acts I’d imagined, but I also knew if I allowed this to go any further I’d be welcoming trouble into my life.
As he began to lift the hem of my skirt, I withdrew my hands from his hair and placed them on his chest, pushing him back a step. Our mouths parted, and I immediately missed him, but I knew it was for the best. Otherwise, I’d end up making a huge mistake.
“We can’t,” I cried.
“Why?”
“You know why?” Averting my eyes, I just couldn’t bear to look at him, knowing he would pounce on me as soon as he saw my hesitancy.
“Because of Harris?” he growled. “You don’t want to marry that guy, and we both know it.”
“So?” There was no point in trying to lie. “We’re still engaged and kissing you is wrong.”
“How can it be wrong when it’s what we both want?” His thumb traced my lower lip before dipping inside, widening my mouth ever so slightly. I bit him, just enough to make him stop teasing me, but it backfired. Snatching his hand away, he crushed his mouth back over mine, holding me steady with a firm grip on my nape. I allowed myself to get lost in him for a few moments longer, but as soon as the need intensified, threatening to pull me under, I pushed him back once again.
“Stop.” My fingertips covered my lips, torn between wanting him to ignore my wariness and hoping he’d respect my wishes enough to give me more space, no matter how hard it seemed for both of us.
“Fine,” he conceded, raking his hand through his hair and taking another step back. “But this isn’t over.” The slight crack in his voice told me everything.
Two days had passed since I’d laid eyes on Max. Either I’d been successful at avoiding him around the office, rescheduling appointments and ducking out early, or he’d been the one hiding out. Although, what I knew of him told me he wasn’t a man who shied away from confrontation, our situation an uneasy one for sure.
Forty-eight hours of solace didn’t stop me from jumping every time someone appeared in the doorway to my office, or when someone called my name as I walked to the ladies’ room or flitted off to the breakroom to pour myself yet another cup of caffeine. Max had me on edge even without being near me, a reaction I found increasingly annoying.
Lost in my daily work, I startled when someone rapped on my door, entering without prompting.
“Hi,” my father greeted, stepping into my office and walking straight toward the wall of windows overlooking the city. Typically, all the associates worked together in what was referred to as “the pit,” but after two years I’d accepted a slice of nepotism, securing my own office away from the rest of the associates. But to be fair, I’d worked my ass off in order to justify the quick jump upstairs, four floors to be exact. I’d been at the top of my class at Columbia, brought in more money than any other associate, even with my pro bono cases, and often helped my father on a case, the most recent being the merger between two huge tech firms.
“Hi.” I knew he wasn’t stopping by to ask how my day was going or for idle chitchat. He barely asked about my personal life unless it had something to do with Chris. When he remained silent, continuing to gaze outside, I cleared my throat before speaking. “Dad?”
Whirling around, he gave me a tight smile before approaching, swiftly pulling a card from the inside of his suit jacket.
“Here. Give her a call.” He tossed the card on the top of my desk, not even waiting for me to accept it. Turning it over, I saw the name Gigi Hallow.
“Who is this?”
“She’s the most sought-after wedding planner in New York. At least that’s what I hear. She’s expecting your call.”
I knew my engagement was real, for lack of better wording, but having my father continue with the charade nailed home just how much he expected me to follow through with his plans for my life.
I wanted to shout at him, tell him to mind his own damn business, but a screaming match, mostly on my part, would do nothing to solve the situation. He was stubborn, unnervingly so. So I told him what he wanted to hear.
“I’ll call her later this evening.”
“Make sure you do. Fall is not far off, and if you want to book The Plaza, you can’t waste any time.” He seemed so blasé about the entire conversation, as if we were discussing where to go for lunch, not marrying his only daughter off to someone she barely knew.
“The Plaza?” I shouted, lowering my voice once I realized he’d left my office door open. “I don’t want to get married there.” Truth be told, I had no idea where I wanted to get hitched, the thought still not completely forming in my brain as reality.
“Then how about The Four Seasons?” My father walked toward the door. “Will that work better?”
Reining in my rising temper, I swallowed the harsh words bubbling up and decided I wasn’t going to have this conversation right then. Besides, I was almost certain The Plaza and The Four Seasons were booked for the next two years.
Please God, don’t let anything be available.
“I’ll talk to Chris, and we’ll make a decision.” I knew placating my father was the only way he’d leave my office, and the more time I spent in his presence, the worse my mood would sour.
“Good. Good,” he repeated, giving me a curt nod before disappearing.