Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress. Kate Hardy

That made her open her eyes and look at him.

      ‘You’re right. It shouldn’t have happened. We’re supposed to be colleagues.’ He smiled wryly. ‘I’ve already made a mess of this. I can’t make it much worse, so I might as well be open with you. I can’t take my eyes off you,’ he admitted. ‘And I think it’s the same for you. Every time I’ve glanced at you for the last two days, you’ve been looking at me, too.’

      Lydia flushed. ‘Um. I was trying to be discreet.’

      ‘Me, too,’ he said wryly. ‘I’m normally so in control. But I lost it, just now. And I think you did, as well.’

      She swallowed. ‘Just so you know, I’m not in the habit of—’

      ‘—leaping into bed with someone you haven’t been dating,’ he finished. ‘I know. I don’t, either. But there’s something about you that makes me…Ah, I don’t know.’ He raked his hand through his hair.

      Lydia felt desire pulse through her again. She’d just bet he had no idea how sexy he looked with his hair all messy like that—all tough and Viking marauder.

      ‘There isn’t an easy way to say this.’

      ‘But this was just one night and can we just forget it happened?’ she suggested.

      ‘Is that what you want?’

      She couldn’t read his expression at all. Surely he should be looking relieved that she was letting him off the hook so easily? Or did he want this to be the start of something else?

      This was crazy.

      She knew what she ought to say. Yes, this was just one night and we’ll forget about it. But something entirely different slipped out. ‘I don’t know.’

      ‘So your head’s saying yes and your body’s saying, you want more?’ he asked.

      Oh, this was bad. ‘You could’ve warned me you’re a mindreader,’ she muttered, splaying a hand over her face to hide her embarrassment.

      He laughed, took her hand and raised it to his lips. Kissed the back of her hand, and kept it cradled in his own. ‘I’m not. I’m just saying what I’m feeling.’ He grew serious as she looked at him. ‘But I need to be fair with you, Lydia. Whatever this thing is between us—and I can’t explain it either—I can’t offer you a future.’

      ‘You’re committed elsewhere?’

      ‘Absolutely not.’ He shook his head in emphasis. ‘I’d never cheat. I’ve been single for a while, now. No strings, no complications. You?’

      ‘No. There’s nobody.’

      ‘So there’s no reason why we can’t have a mad fling and blow each other’s minds for the next few days. Well, apart from the fact that I’m your boss, and ethically that makes this completely wrong.’

      But at that precise moment he couldn’t give a damn about ethics.

      The only thing that filled his head was the need to touch her again. To ease his body into hers. To see her eyes widen with pleasure as he brought her to climax—and feel her body tightening round his, tipping him into his own release.