IT’S PAST CLOSING TIME, and I’m the last one at the office.

The library is quiet except for the hum of the vacuum as the janitor cleans.

My last appointment, Mrs. Vincent, is due to call at any minute. Since she’s such a huge client and refuses to use my cell, I have to wait until she gets back from the club to talk with her about the annual Spring Fling Fashion Parade.

Not only does it benefit the surrounding community, but all the models in it are special needs children who normally wouldn’t get to model. Mrs. Vincent does this because her only child was Downs, and she wants as many children as possible to have the opportunity to look their best.

Aiden knocks on my office door. “Came to see if you needed a ride home.”

A little unsure of where we stand since he said he loved me last night and I lied about plans with Paige, I nibble on the tip of my finger. Then realize how stupid I probably look, and rub my diamond clasp instead. “I drove.”

“I can still drive you, if you want.” He holds out his arms to me. “C’mere.”

I leap up from my desk and all but run to him, hugging his neck as soon as I get close enough. “It’s been one of those days.”

What I don’t mention is that I got an email today letting me know Joe moved up the stupid proceeding to late tomorrow morning. He doesn’t want to wait any longer. Since the house has sold, there’s no reason for me to wait any longer as well.

As stupid as it sounds, I’m dreading it. I’m dreading having to say I’m divorced. I never realized how much power a word could have over me. How easily it makes me feel like a failure.

“I bet I can make you feel better.”

“You don’t have to.”

He shuts the door behind him and locks it, turning the blinds so no one can see inside. My heart speeds up.

“What are you doing?” I back away as he stalks me across the room.

“Giving you what you need.” He wriggles his dark brows at me. “Take off your panties and show me how wet you are.”

Hands shaking from excitement, I sit in my chair and pull up my skirt, then slowly do as he says. Once I kick my panties at him, I spread myself and wait for his approval.

“That’s fucking gorgeous, LT.” He gets down on his knees for me. “You know I’ve always wanted to fuck you in here.”

“You have?”

He nods, then proceeds to lick me. “Oh yeah. Huge fantasy of mine.”

“I thought guys only had that fantasy about their offices?”

“Not the ones who are comfortable with their ego.” He sucks on my clit, and I whisper-shout his name. He adds his fingers, pushing them deep. “Show me your tits, sweetheart. I’ve been dreaming about them.”

I try to smile seductively as I unbutton my shirt, but it takes too much effort. I shove the cups of my bra down, and put myself on display for him.

“So fucking fine.” He stands, pulls me out of my chair, and spins me around. “Hands on the desk. Ass in the air... and remember, it’s not my birthday yet.”

Like always, he manages to put me at ease while twisting me up so tight I don’t know how to do anything but what he says.

I hear foil tearing and bump against him, feeling his hand as it rolls the condom over his erection. My pussy clenches in excitement.

The phone rings.

“Answer it.” He lines himself up and slides in, again and again, while the phone rings and I try to keep from screaming.

“Answer the phone, LT.”

I grab at it, answering at what has to be the last second.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Price. This is Gloria Vincent.”

“So nnnice of you to call.” Oh, my Lord.

“Thank you for staying after hours. Like I was sharing with you the other day, I...”

Closing my eyes, I try to concentrate on what Mrs. Vincent is saying and not the delicious friction created by Aiden’s insistent thrusts.

His big hands come around my front, cupping my breasts and playing with my nipples.

I cradle the phone against the desk, panting heavily. “You’re making this hard.”

“Pretty sure I’ve been hard since you took off your panties and showed me your pussy.”

“Are you there, Ms. Price?”

I all but moan as his thrusts go deeper. “Almost...”

Aiden chuckles. “Yeah, you are.”

“You sound in distress. Shall I hang up and call 9-1-1?”

I snap out of my lust-induced haze to glare at him over my shoulder, but he smacks my tail and pinches a nipple in response, and I forget what I’m so irritated about.

“Tell her it’s a bad connection,” he orders.

“It’s a bad connection.”

“Oh. How about tomorrow, same time?”

“Say yes.”

Aiden’s fingers find my clit. “Yes. Perfect.”

“Hang up the phone, LT,” he orders, his voice deep and commanding.

“Bye now.” I slam the receiver down and push up on the desk, meeting Aiden thrust for thrust.

He runs his hand down the middle of my back, then grips my hip, slamming into me so hard that my desk moves. It’s on a thick rug and shouldn’t be moved so easily... but Aiden’s not being easy with me.

“I’m going to come all over your ass.” He leans over me, biting the side of my neck. “You need to come now, or I’ll pull out on the count of five.”

“No.” I rub my clit frantically and stop moving against him so he has all the power.

“Five.”

Thrust.

“Four.”

Thrust.

I explode, muffling my scream with my arm.

He pulls out. Scant seconds later, warm liquid splashes on me.

“I shouldn’t let you clean up for being so fucking hardheaded.” He grabs tissues from the box on my desk, and then wipes me down. “Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.”

I right my skirt, and turn around to tuck my panties into his pocket. His eyes flare hot. “Next time, huh? You are sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

He pulls me to him, capturing my lips in a kiss so hot that my toes curl inside my shoes. “Hope your day gets better,” he tells me when I break our kiss.

“It already has.” I can do this. I can have a relationship with Aiden and be all adult about it. There’s no reason to confess my love, or—my eyes widen.

I am not in love with him.

I can’t be.

Yes, he makes me feel wonderful.

Yes, I adore everything about him—from his grumpy nature to his giving ways.

Yes, he makes me feel like I have nothing to fear.

Yes, he’s my rock, but...

Feeling suddenly crowded by him, I push at his chest. “You have to go now, or I won’t get anything done.”

He gives me a look. “I didn’t come here to put pressure on you.”

I snap. “Then why did you come here?”

“To fuck with you.” He rolls his eyes. “Kingston said Joe sped up the divorce proceedings, and I was worried.”

With a glare, I cross my arms over my chest. “Worried I might change my mind?”

“No, I was worried you’d start thinking about your past,” he says patiently. “And start acting like this.”

“I’m not acting like anything.” The words pour from my mouth before I can dam them up. “I want to be left alone.”

“No fucking problem. You don’t wanna see me, consider me gone.” He moves to the door. My soul screams at me to grab him, to tell him I do need him. But my stubborn head isn’t listening. “But when you’re ready to be an adult, I’m here. Until then... I’m done with your bullshit.”

“I didn’t ask you to put up with anything. All I wanted was a good time with someone I trusted. That’s it,” I insist, trying to protect myself and make him see the truth.

He rounds on me, putting his finger in my face before he steps back. “You sure as hell didn’t complain when we were fucking. You might not have gotten happily ever after, but you got a happy ending, princess.”

“I didn’t ask you to give me a happily ever after. Furthermore, I’m not your princess and you’re the last person on earth I’d call a prince. You’re not even in my fairy tale.” I clamp my hand over my mouth in horror, then grab his wrist. “I’m so sorry, Aiden. I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t... you... I... I’m sorry.”

Tears fall freely, but he’s not moved by them.

He pries my fingers from his arm. “Coming from anyone else, I wouldn’t care where they thought I belonged, but you, Layton Price, have the honor of making me feel lower than the scum my old man would make me scrape off his shoes.”