I haven’t stopped thinking about him. Not for a second since I drove back home Sunday afternoon. Not when I climbed into my own bed for a nap and remembered everything we did and said, every touch and look.
Alastair messages me Sunday evening.
Alex. Can you provide a quick update?
I read his text and sigh, wishing I could simply ignore it but knowing that’s the last thing I should do. I don’t want to be telling on Kit. I’m falling for him. I’ve grown to admire his business sense. But what we’re doing together probably wouldn’t go over well with Alastair. At all. I feel like an awful person, and I don’t want to deal with it.
But I can’t deny that he’s still the top dog—even if semiretired. And that I have Helena and her studies to think about, too. So I dial him up and give him the briefest debriefing possible. That Kit gave me some markups on the new design and we’ve been applying the changes.
“So his suggestions were to your liking?” Alastair asks, sounding pleased.
“Very much. We’re taking it out on a test run this week after Kit gives his final approval of the design,” I say.
“Excellent! Excellent!” Alastair sounds very pleased. “I knew you’d pull through for me, Alex. I know he’s a tough one to handle but you can do it.”
“He’s...stubborn, yes. But not entirely hopeless,” I admit, smiling fondly as I think of him.
“Good. Anything else?”
“Nothing at all,” I quickly say.
There’s a silence, then Alastair says, “Right. Oh, and Alex?”
“Yes?”
“There was a reason you were always my favorite. I know I can always count on you.”
“Thank you, Alastair.”
I hang up with a pain in my chest. I’m such a fraud. I’m betraying Alastair’s trust, sleeping with Kit. I’m betraying my own sense of what’s right. I’m becoming one of Kit’s groupies. I can’t help but wonder if I’m going to regret what happened...but how can I when every inch of me burns with yearning for it to happen again?
* * *
I’m nervous when I arrive at work on Monday. Kit needs to approve the final design, and I don’t know what will happen when we see each other. Was it a one-night stand? Has he been thinking about me the way I’ve been thinking about him?
I try to push my personal feelings and concerns out of my mind as I arrive. After I set down my purse and portfolio, I clap to get everyone’s attention. “Good morning. Kit is stopping by today to approve the final design. Let’s take a look at it, shall we?”
We gather around the long table. “Is Ben here yet? I called the meeting—”
“I’m here,” Ben calls from the door, walking forward with a smile.
I return the smile with one of my own, grateful that we can move forward from what happened.
Ellie sidles up besides me. “Did something happen?” Her voice is low, only loud enough for me to hear.
I pretend to be surprised. “Why do you ask that?”
She taps a finger to the corner of her lips as a smile appears. “Only because you blushed when you said Kit’s name. And you never returned my messages this weekend.”
“You’re hallucinating. I was busy getting this ready,” I mutter, briskly grabbing the wall screen remote to display the final design.
I’m dying to talk to someone—anyone—about what happened at Kit’s place this weekend. But a part of me is still too cautious about this whole thing to want to get my hopes up. And another part of me is rather concerned that I’m developing feelings for my boss. I’ve slept with my boss.
I never thought I’d ever be this kind of girl.
I’m trying to measure how much to tell Ellie when there’s a wave of restlessness in the room.
“Good morning.”
My head snaps up at the sound of Kit’s low masculine baritone. He heads into the room while Angela titters and the team shuffles excitedly around the table.
He looks...edible. Black suit. Perfectly knotted tie. I can’t believe this is the same guy I met only mere weeks ago. He looks like the real deal.
“Good morning. Miss Croft.” His amber eyes meet mine, and my breath goes short.
Because in that piercingly intimate gaze I can see every bit of what I did, what we did together reflected back at me.
“I trust you all had a good weekend.” Kit looks around at my team, but I sense he’s directing the question to me.
“A marvelous one, actually,” I reply in my most businesslike tone. “We’re starting off the week with good news—the new design is ready for you to approve.”
Kit comes to stand next to me while I motion toward the final design.
We’re keeping the same font we used previously, but we’ve added an actual double arrow on the last letter—the W—of Cupid’s Arrow. The double arrow means that not only was Cupid busy shooting his arrow at one person—but both actually felt the sting.
I can’t help but wonder if that’s what’s happening here.
I feel Kit’s body heat; he’s standing so close, our shoulders are almost touching.
Kit shifts back and crosses his arms as he runs his eyes over every inch of the wall screen. The charcoal background and shimmering gold lettering really pack a punch. The design looks timeless, elegant.
“I added the arrows last minute. Do you like that?” I ask.
“I do. I like what I see. Very much.” Kit turns and fixes his gaze on me. “Excellent job.” It takes him a moment to direct his gaze to each of my team members next, repeating his praise.
The relief at his words is suddenly palpable in the air. For the next half hour, we discuss beta testing, launch plans and navigational details we’ll need Ben to sort out.
Once the meeting is done, Kit reaches out and seizes my hand at my side, gently squeezing. “Well done.” I blink and glance up at the others. Praying that nobody noticed. I exhale nervously when I realize most of them did.
“Walk with me to the elevators?” Kit asks as he turns to leave.
I nod briskly, aware of Ben hovering nearby. Is he following us?
“See you tonight at my place,” Kit says as he pushes the up arrow, turns and smiles down at me. My heart leaps in joy.
My eyes widen when I realize Ben has overheard. “Yes, tonight, for ah, our business dinner...?”
Kit nods, and I smile and watch him board the elevator, my heart thudding faster and faster at the prospect of seeing him again.
Ben clears his throat. “So I guess you’re friends now?”
“Yes. It’s a good thing. We should all get along.”
“Of course.” His expression is friendly, and I’m once again glad we’ve been able to move past what happened.
That was easily resolved. I just wish what’s going on with Kit and me was as easy to figure out.
* * *
I’m all abuzz as I work from my private office. I can’t help it, but every time I remember Kit’s invitation, my body tingles a little more. I try to focus on sending the design files to the tech department so they can get everything ready for the launch.
At three o’clock, when I haven’t heard anything else from Kit, I decide to send him a text to fish out some info about tonight.
What’s the plan for tonight? When/where should we meet? I type nervously.
My place? 7ish? Bring your swimsuit. Or nothing at all ;)
You are too forward, Mr. Walker.
A guy can hope, Ms. Croft.
I grin and push my phone back into my bag, anticipation making the rest of the day go by fast.
That night at my place, after I shower, I apply my most delicious-smelling pear and vanilla cream all over my body. Then I grab my swimsuit and pack it into a small duffel. I wonder if I should pack my pajamas, too. No. No way, Alexandra Croft. It would be too obvious. You still don’t even know what’s going on.
I quickly blow dry my hair and comb it in a loose style, then put on a simple but flirty white sundress. Satisfied that I look good and determined not to overthink this, I lock up my apartment and head to Kit’s place.
Kit is on the phone when I arrive. He’s still in his slacks and white button-down shirt, his jacket discarded on the back of the living room sofa. Kit spots me as I peer inside, his eyes flaring at the sight of me.
Yep. I’m glad I went for the white dress.
“Dad, I’ve got to go,” Kit murmurs into the phone, motioning me forward. “Something’s come up. I’m glad you like what we’ve done so far.”
Alastair seems to ask something that makes Kit bring the phone closer to his ear. “Miss Croft?” Brows slowly rising, Kit eyes me leisurely, his gaze trekking up and down my body. “We’re getting along splendidly.”
He smiles and hangs up.
“Hey there.” He approaches almost tentatively, as if shy about this whole thing. He shoves his hands into his pockets, smiling down at me. “Shall we hit the pool?”
“I’m up for that. Is there somewhere I can change?”
“Guest bedroom. The pool cabana. Or...my room.”
Again his smile is almost nervous, but mischievous enough that I’m nervous, too.
“Pool cabana is fine.” I carry my duffel outside and walk into the cabana, changing into a little black bikini with red ribbon ties. I eye myself in the mirror for a whole three minutes.
“Okay, Alex. Relax. It’s not a life or death situation here. Just go out there and have a good time,” I say to myself. So why does it feel like it’s a life or death situation?
Because he’s my boss?
And the son of my boss?
Maybe we should talk about this.
I step out, blinking against the setting sun. Kit is on a lounger, his gorgeous bare chest on display, a pair of turquoise swim trunks hugging his lean hips and waist. His hair is getting deliciously rumpled by the wind. He’s wearing sunglasses, which I regret, because I really wish I could see the look in his eyes.
I stop at the edge of the pool, unsure of what to do.
“Well, Walker?” I taunt, suddenly desperate to cover myself. “Are we swimming or are we swimming?” I don’t wait for his reply; I simply leap in the pool, cannonball style.
Not very sexy.
But at least I’m no longer on display before his discerning gaze.
I’m barely surfacing when there’s a splash, and I open my eyes underwater to see Kit’s athletic form in a dive that brings him easily to the middle of the pool. He reaches me, his arms coming around me under water, as he pulls us both up.
I gasp as we surface, laughing. Kit slicks back my hair, a smile on his lips as we look at each other. He then dips his head in the water, slicking his hair back from his face.
His gorgeous face.
He’s so close. I make out the rivulets of water on his lashes, his nose, his eyebrows. I want to kiss each one. Lick each one. Sip each one.
“Hey again,” he rumbles in that British accent of his.
I smile. “Hey again,” I say back. Shy. Nervous. Happy. Lusty.
On impulse, I splash some water on him. He evades it, then chuckles. “Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be?” He quirks an eyebrow before he attacks me like a shark, and I swim as hard as I can to keep him from catching me.
He’s too fast for me. He pins me against the pool ledge, leaning his head to mine.
Our lips connect. His tongue strokes mine. I shiver, but I’m not cold.
He slants his head then kisses me harder, as if he’s been waiting all day to do it.
He eases back, his voice a rasp. “I’ve needed to do that for hours.”
“Since when...?” I have to know the answer. I crave it like air. Like I crave another kiss. Like I crave Kit.
He strokes a wet thumb down my wet cheek, leaning down to part my lips again. “Since I first met you, Miss Gorgeous—” lick “—feisty—” lick “—Croft.”
I moan and let him kiss me for a little while longer.
We spend the evening stealing more kisses. Swimming. Resting on the loungers and holding a diving contest, where we rate each other’s dives. My competitive streak comes to the surface, and I bring my best dives into play. He seems surprised that I can pull a mean dive, not just a cannonball. Take that, sexy Kit Walker! Ha.
Still in the pool, we sip on drinks he brings us from the outdoor bar, and talk about the app. The launch date. During a lull in the conversation, Kit pulls me a little closer to him and starts kissing me again.
“What are we doing, Kit?” I ask, breathless.
“What do you mean?” He regards my lips as if he plans to feast on them, again.
“I mean...what are we doing? Does this have a name? We can’t date. Not really, not without everyone finding out. So what are we doing?”
“We can date, Alex.” He frowns in confusion, as if not liking the idea that I feel like we can’t. “To bloody hell if they don’t like it.” He cups my face, his expression fierce. “We’re grown adults. We don’t have to let this interfere with business.”
“It’s not that easy, Kit. Plus, say we dated. Then what? What happens when we tire of it? Will you fire me when you’re ready to discard me?”
“What makes you think I’d tire of you...” Kit glances away, his jaw clenched as if the thought bothers him, then he looks at me, and ducks his head to nudge my nose with his and force my gaze to his. “I want you, Alex. I want you more than bloody—” He exhales, his nostrils flaring as his intense male gaze drills into my very heart. “I really want you,” he concludes, tipping my face back.
“I want you, too. I want this. I’m just...afraid.”
“Don’t be. Not of me. Or this.” He scoops me out of the pool and sets me down on the lounger.
Our hands are wet as we touch each other. Kit expertly peels off my bikini.
“God, Alex, look at you,” he rasps, stroking his hands down my body.
“Kit,” I moan, arching to get closer. Too desperate for him to wait, I sit up and start kissing him, pushing him back onto the lounger so that I can straddle him. In one motion, I push down his swim trunks and impale myself on him. Just like that.
He groans as I have my way, moving furiously over him, unable to get enough. Unable to quench this thirst, this need, this desire for him. Unable to decide whether this is the smartest decision I’ve ever made—or whether giving myself to this man is something I will one day come to regret.
Right now, I’m too undone by his kiss and touch to care.
Kit finally brings me up to his room. As I dry off one last time, Kit stands there with his towel wrapped around his hips, studying his phone. “We’re supposed to beta this thing.” He motions to the app as he stands at the foot of the bed, watching me climb in—fully naked.
I nod and reach for my phone, and open the app as Kit types something. His message stares back at me.
You look beautiful right where you are.
I look at him. He smiles, raises a brow and types more.
Like you belong there.
My throat constricts with emotion. I meet his stare head-on. “I feel beautiful. And like I could get used to this. That’s what scares me,” I say out loud.
He tosses his phone aside and moves forward as he whips open his towel. I don’t know who moves first, but both of us are suddenly aligned, his hair in my hands, my hair in his, our bodies flat and touching everywhere. We kiss in silence, our bodies doing the talking.
Every heated whisper sears me. He tells me I feel just right. That he can’t get enough of me. There’s yearning in every word and caress, in every kiss, every groan of his, every moan he coaxes out of me. And in this stolen moment when nothing else exists but him, me, us, I could swear that Kit Walker is falling as hard as I am.