Sweet As Sin. J. Margot Critch

Alex.

      While the rest of the people at the table chatted among themselves, she noticed how Alex tried to engage in the conversation and ignore her. But whether he wanted to or not, his attention just kept focusing on her. He took a drink from his water, and as her toes traced his rigid length, he coughed, earning him the attention of everyone at the table. He shoved her foot away, and she picked up her wine and smiled at her success behind her glass. Who isn’t interested now?

      “Excuse me, guys, I have to go to the ladies’ room,” Maria said, slipping her foot back into her shoe before she stood and walked away.

      She met Alex’s eyes as she sauntered away, making sure to put an extra bit of swivel into her hips. She knew Alex was watching when she turned the corner where the restrooms were located. She stood there, leaning against the wall, waiting.

      Just as she’d suspected, she didn’t have to wait long. Alex turned the corner, walking stiffly. He pushed his fingers through his hair. She’d frustrated him. “Maria, what was that about?”

      “You didn’t like it?” She looked down at his crotch, and she could see the bulge in his black pants. “It felt like you did. The way you liked what happened between us last night.”

      He ignored her question. “I don’t know what you think happened last night.”

      “What do you think happened?”

      “A mistake. One you’d better forget.”

      She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can.”

      “Maria,” he warned her, his voice dark and holding an amount of malice under all of the frustration. But despite the meanness in his voice, he took a step toward her, closing the distance between them. “You’d better be careful not to provoke me.”

      She squared her shoulders and pushed closer to him. The movement brought her nipples against his chest. They ached; her whole body wanted, needed him. She looked up into his eyes and wet her lips. His eyes followed the movement of her tongue. “Maybe I want to provoke you,” she whispered, putting her hand on his groin, and satisfied, she found him still hard. “It seems as if you might like it.”

      With a growl, he was on her. His hands cupped her cheeks and he pulled her lips to his. He kissed her again. It wasn’t timid or slow. There was nothing shy or tentative about the touch of his lips on hers. Alex’s mouth was hard and demanding, and he tasted rich, like bourbon, cigars, but those flavors were no more potent than the pure taste of Alex. She curled her fingers around the back of his head and threaded her hands in his hair, holding him in place. He pushed her to the wall and pressed his hips against her so that she could again feel his arousal against her stomach, as if she’d had any question of his desires. She wanted him. Wanted to feel his weight on top of her, feel him inside her. And she knew he wanted her, too.

      Maria lifted her leg so that her inner thigh brushed against the outside of his. And he gripped her and pressed into her again. A moan passed from her mouth to his, and it turned into a surprised gasp when he dropped her leg and broke away from her. Stepping back, he put more than a foot of empty space between them.

      “Jesus, I’m sorry.” His voice was a rough whisper as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

      “I’m not.”

      “I shouldn’t have done that.”

      “It’s not like I wasn’t a willing participant.”

      “I’ve got to get out of here. Go back to the table, Maria,” he ordered her through heavy breaths. “Your brother is waiting for you.”

      “You’re leaving?”

      “Fuck, I’ve got to stay away from you,” he said, low, quiet, as if he were talking to himself.

      “That’s going to be hard, seeing as how I’ll be working for you next week.”

      “You won’t be working for me,” he assured her. “You’re Brett’s assistant. Not mine.”

      “Alex, don’t be ridiculous—”

      He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t, Maria.” His whisper was fierce. “This can’t be anything more. I’ve already crossed too many goddamn lines here with you. Just forget it ever happened.”

      “How can I forget it?” she said, pressing against him. “Alex, I’ve wanted you for so long, and now that I know how good it feels to kiss you, and touch you...” She ran her palm against his cock again. “How long and hard you are. It just makes me want more.” She squeezed him through the silky material of his expensively tailored pants, and as he closed his eyes, his groan made her feel powerful. She stepped even closer. “Don’t you want me, too?” she whispered against his throat, her lips skimming his stubble. The scratch electrified her, and she felt the jolt all the way to her core.

      He hesitated—she could see the tightening of his jaw, the clenching of his fists, and she knew that he was trying to fight it. But from the way he exhaled through his flared nostrils, she knew that he was at war. And that between his common sense and libido, she knew which side was winning. He nodded, and triumph surged throughout her. “I do want you.” He shoved her hand away. “But this can’t happen,” he said before he turned away from her and walked back into the dining room.