Chapter 26
Chapter 26
“Last question,” she said.
Marcus looked at her. Really looked at her.
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She was beautiful. Sitting there on his couch with her legs crossed. Wearing his t-shirt like it was hers. Hair
glasses perched on her nose.
falling loose around her face. Thos
She didn’t even know. Didn’t realize how adorable she was. How sweet she sounded when she talked like this. Relaxed. Guard completely down. So soft. So feminine.
My God. She’s adorable.
“Why do you have so many cakes and sweets in your freezer? Do you have a sweet tooth or something?”
“It’s for my sister.”
Her eyes widened. Genuine surprise. “You have a sister?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know that.” She shifted on the couch, pulling her knees closer. “Actually, I don’t know anything about you.”
Of course she didn’t. To her, he was just some asshole who wore expensive suits to work and had too much ego. An impossible boss who made her life hell for three years.
Well, that was kind of his fault. He’d made sure she only saw that version of him. Keep the walls up. Kept everything professional and cold.
But now she was here. Sitting on his couch. Crossed legs. Eating his snacks. Laughing at terrible reality TV. Looking like she belonged in his space.
And he’d let her.
That wasn’t part of the agreement.
He’d picked her because she was desperate. Same as him. Just a business contract. Two years. Clean and simple. No complications.
Now they were friends. Spending late nights together. Talking about nothing. Laughing at stupid things.
When did that happen?
Marcus turned to look at her again. She was smiling at the TV. Some contestants were crying about burnt cake. A little strand of hair had fallen across her face. Those glasses again.
God, she was sexy.
12:04 Fri, May 8
Chapter 26
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Every time she talked. Every time she rolled her eyes at something he said. Every snarky comment.
He got harder.
Not emotionally. God, that would be pathetic.
Down there. Lower. Rougher. Hungrier.
He kept wondering what she’d taste like. Right now. She had nothing under that t-shirt. He was sure of it. No bra. The way her nipples were pointing against the fabric made that obvious. No panties either, probably. Just skin.
He imagined her breathless. Gasping his name. Him pinning her against the wall like he’d done in the fire exit. But slower this time. Taking his time. Her legs wrapped around his waist. That t-shirt pushed up. His mouth on her neck. Between her thighs. Everywhere she’d let him.
Elara.
Light. That’s what her name meant.
And damn, this woman was shining.
She wasn’t just beautiful. Every inch of her made him want to drop to his knees. Put his mouth on her. Worship her properly. Make her forget every other man who’d ever touched her.
If you know what I mean.
Marcus took another drink of wine. Tried to focus on the
. Failed completely.
She shifted beside him. Yawned. Rubbed her eyes behind the
“I’m so tired,” she mumbled.
“Go to bed.”
“Too far.” She curled up on the couch instead. Pulled her legs
her. Rested her head on the armrest.
Marcus watched her fight it. Blinking hard. Trying to stay awake. Losing the battle.
Then her breathing slowed. Even, Steady.
Asleep.
Still sexy.
The t-shirt had rolled up when she’d curled into herself. Her thighs fully visible now. Smooth. Perfect. Begging to be touched.
Marcus set his wine glass down harder than necessary.
He was annoyed. At himself. At this whole situation.
12:05 Fri, May 8
Chapter 26
It wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
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He didn’t need temptation lying on his couch wearing nothing but his t-shirt and those damn glasses.
Two years. That’s how long he had to keep his hands to himself. Keep this professional. Keep the lines clear.
And if she kept walking around like this? No bra. No panties. Just that sleepy voice and those legs and that mouth?
He wasn’t sure he’d last two months. Let alone two years.
Marcus drained the rest of his wine in one angry gulp. Set the glass on the table. Looked at her again.
She was still there. Still asleep. Still making this harder than it needed to be.
This wasn’t about feelings. Let’s be clear.
It was just sex.
Need.
Men had wants. Physical wants. That’s all this was.
She wasn’t special. He was just horny. That’s why he was thinking about her this way. Why he couldn’t stop imagining what she’d sound like moaning his name.
That’s all it was.
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Plus she’s in the wrong place at the right time. Depending on how the universe decides to punish me tonight, I’ll probably sleep with bad waist pain tonight.
Could have easily called one of these his girls to come sort him out tonight. But then the contract, shit he was the one who even added that silly clause of not seeing any one else while the contact runs.
So means no sex for two years? That’s torture!!
Marcus stood. Grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch. Draped it over her carefully. Tucked it around her shoulders.
She batted her lashes. Parted her lips slightly. Made a small sound.
But she didn’t wake up.
This was going to be torture,
Not because he’d fall for her. That was pathetic. He wasn’t that naive.
It would be torture because he wanted her and couldn’t have her.
Not yet.
12:05 Fri, May 8
Chapter 26
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The ink on the contract hadn’t even dried. They’d barely made it through week one of living together. The wedding was in two days. And she still looked at him like he was the devil in a suit. An asshole boss she was stuck with.
But one day. Maybe. She’d look at him differently.
And then he could have her.
12:05 Fri, May 8
