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.“You act as if you’ve never been in a man’s arms, which we know isn’t true.” He led her down the hall, into a dark room.She didn’t dare dispute him.He didn’t bother to close the door.Releasing her and walking over to the desk, he lit a lamp.Still breathless, Elysse saw three beautifully wrought black-and-orange tea chests on the credenza behind the desk.He straightened, looking at her, his gaze blue smoke.Her heart thrummed heavily now.“I am very happy for you.” She meant every word.“Really?” He was staring at her décolletage, at her waist.His gaze lifted.“Are you happy for Thomas Blair, too? His interest rates are high.”She tensed.“I don’t want to discuss him.Surely we are not going to fight.”“Of course you don’t.” He laughed, without mirth.“I have no intention of fighting with you tonight,” he said, very softly.Her heart leaped.He almost sounded as if he had a seduction on his mind.“You look well, Elysse, in spite of that ‘doe being trapped by the hound’ look in your eye.Do you feel trapped? Do I make you feel trapped?” He seemed to relish the idea.She had never been as nervous.She was aware that nothing stood between her and the door, which was open behind her.She could rush out at any time, but she had no intention of doing so.“You are acting differently than you used to.”He slowly smiled.“I wonder how many men tried to gain your attention this afternoon.I see that you met Janssen.”“It’s been six years, Alexi.In case you have forgotten.”“I haven’t forgotten a thing.” He settled his narrow hip against the desk.It felt as if he was toying with her, the way a mighty lion might with a poor, frightened mouse.He wasn’t welcoming or husbandly, but he wasn’t rude or dismissive, either.She couldn’t decide if he remained angry with her or not.“Six years is a very long time,” she tried.He made a harsh sound.She hesitated.“I haven’t forgotten, either.”He launched himself off the desk.“I don’t want to discuss the past.” In a stride, he closed the distance between them.“I want something…else.”“But I do!” she cried, as his hands closed on her shoulders.Her heart slammed.“Too bad,” he said roughly, and before she could blink, she was drawn up against his shockingly hard body, every inch of which was muscle.“What are you doing?” she gasped.“Are you inebriated?”“Like a sailor,” he said, with a harsh laugh.“You know exactly what I’m doing.” Roughly, he tilted up her chin with his thumb.“God damn it,” he said slowly.“I had truly forgotten how beautiful you are.”His words might have exhilarated her, for hadn’t she wanted him to notice how attractive she was, all those years ago? She had never seen so much raw lust, ever.But she saw that he was very angry—and that was frightening.She didn’t know if he intended to passionately kiss her, or far more.She didn’t know if she wanted more, not just then, without even a discussion of the past six years.Alarmed, she started to back away.His response was to pull her into an uncompromising embrace.“Alexi!” It crossed her suddenly frantic mind that he was going to seduce her.But before she could protest, his mouth covered hers.Elysse went still.His mouth was possessive and fierce, hot and hard.His arms tightened, making it clear that there would be no escape.She could no longer breathe.She clenched her fists against his chest.He kept kissing her, and in spite of the alarm, his strong arms felt so terribly right.It was Alexi’s chest she was pressed against; Alexi, whom she had always loved….She felt her mouth soften and yield to his.“Kiss me back,” he demanded harshly.“You know you want to.” Breathing hard, he began kissing her again, but now his lips were softer and coaxing against hers.“Kiss me, Elysse,” he whispered.He was right—she wanted to kiss him back.She was a woman now.It had been six years.Her body quivered uncontrollably, melting against his.He was angry—and so was she—but she didn’t want to resist him.Instead, she grasped his shoulders, moaning.Her knees buckled and her body throbbed more acutely.His erection pulsed against her hip.She shifted instinctively against him.“Elysse,” he rasped.The hurt had dulled.The anger seemed gone.There was only the powerful man in whose arms she stood, his body hard and restless against hers.She needed him desperately now.Elysse caught his broad shoulders more tightly, clinging to them, and did as he had ordered.As she tasted his lips, he went still.She tasted salt and champagne and man.She swept her tongue into his mouth and he grunted.As he pulled her more tightly against his hard frame, slowly reclaiming their kiss, emotion burst in her chest.She still loved him so much.For one more moment, he kissed her gently, slowly, as if savoring a great delicacy.Then he came to life.His mouth tore at hers.Their tongues entwined madly, and it didn’t matter to her if they made love now, without any discussion of the past.She kissed him back even more frenziedly.“Hurry!” she cried.His head lifted and his blue eyes were wide and stunned.Suddenly he turned her and pushed her down on the desk.She went willingly, eagerly, and the lamp crashed to the floor loudly, glass shattering.And then Alexi’s weight settled on her.Their gazes met—his flaming hot.“I want you,” he groaned, sliding his hand into her hair.He came down fully on her, accidentally pushing her partly off the desk.Realizing what was about to happen, she tried to warn him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]