LITMIR.BIZ

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she scolded herself soundly, she couldn’t help the prickle of heat that crept through her, couldn’t prevent the surge of sheer lust that forced her inner muscles to clench involuntarily. It was a turn-on to know that she was capable of arousing an attractive man without even trying. And while she had a whole list of problems with this particular man, there was no denying he was gorgeous—he had a body like a Greek god and he knew exactly how to use it. All of it. His mouth, his tongue, those hands and especially—

      No! She squirmed in her seat.

      “Is your lunch okay?” Kirk asked with a curious expression on his face.

      “Great,” she said, taking another bite, this time with less audible enthusiasm.

      She’d have to eat more carefully in the future, she decided, if enjoying her sub had this effect on him. And if his reaction had the same domino effect on her. So she’d have to remember to control herself. That couldn’t be too hard, could it? She had no plans to eat with him again after this, did she? In fact, she had no plans to spend any more time with him than their jobs absolutely required.

      For some stupid reason, that thought caused a pang of something deep inside—something she didn’t quite want to define. He lied to you, she reminded herself. By omission, yes, but keeping his true identity from her that night had been deliberate, and she still had no idea why he’d done it or what he’d hoped to gain by it. So ask him, the little voice at the back of her mind said pragmatically.

      Maybe she would. But that would mean spending more time together, wouldn’t it? Besides, referring to that night would bring back the memories of how she’d behaved so uncharacteristically. Of what they’d done—and of how it had made her feel.

      Darn it! Maybe it was hormones, she thought. She’d never been the type to play sex kitten. In fact, she’d always been slightly embarrassed and a little uncomfortable when the girls around her in college, and even sometimes here in the office, ever discussed their sexual activities. But there was something about this guy that opened sensual floodgates she hadn’t known existed. She’d always thought that maybe she was just slightly different from the other women she knew—less passionate, less sensual. But maybe she’d just been waiting for the right man to come along.

      Except he wasn’t the right man, was he? He was her boss. He was a sneak. And yet he was the best lover she was ever likely to have in her lifetime.

      She sighed and put down her now empty wrapper. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t even realized she’d finished the sub.

      For the next several hours, Kirk chaired a discussion between Sally and her team on the best way to begin implementing the proposal. By the end of the workday, she didn’t know if she was energized because she was so excited about seeing her spark of an idea being set on the road to fruition or exhausted at the thought of all the work ahead. She did feel a deep sense of satisfaction, though, and she’d begun to see Kirk in a new light.

      He had that rare talent of listening—and listening well—to what her team had to say. And when he injected his own thoughts and ideas, he was gracious about accepting criticism if those ideas were challenged. A part of her wished she’d never met him that night, that instead she’d had the chance of meeting him in the normal course of work and of seeing whether the attraction that crackled between them like static electricity might have grown naturally over time rather than exploding all at once in the accelerated fling they’d had.

      But now they were linked by a baby. Her mouth turned dry as sawdust. While she wanted to have as little to do with Kirk as possible, she would never deny her child access to their father. The very thought was impossible to her, especially when her own relationship with her dad was such an integral part of who she was. But how could they coparent a child when there was still so much tension between them?

      Maybe she was getting ahead of herself. She had plenty of time to think about all that. Plenty of time to work out adequate coping strategies and discuss this situation they had found themselves in like rational adults. People did that all the time, didn’t they?

      But did they spend half their time fighting a magnetic pull so strong she felt like a helpless tide being influenced by a supermoon? She didn’t want to think about that right now. She’d have to put it on the back burner for as long as she could. But, judging by the quick glances flung her way by the man sitting next to her, that wouldn’t be very long at all.

       Seven

      The meeting finished and Kirk hung back, talking to Nick, as Sally gathered her things together and stopped to give instructions to a handful of people. He liked watching her in action. Hell, he liked watching her, period. As if she sensed his perusal, she looked up and caught his eye. And, yes, there was that telltale flush of color on her cheeks. He was finding it more and more endearing each time he saw it.

      Finally she was ready to leave, and he fell into step with her as she headed to the elevators.

      “Feeling okay?”

      She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, seriously. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

      “You’re carrying my baby,” he murmured close to her ear. “I think I’m entitled to be concerned.”

      She stiffened at his words. “So, what? You want to monitor me twenty-four-seven? Is that what it is?”

      The idea had merit.

      Sally huffed an impatient sigh. “Look, it’s still early, and I can assure you I will do whatever is in my power to stay healthy and to ensure that everything goes as it should.”

      Somehow that didn’t satisfy him. For reasons even he didn’t understand, it just didn’t go far enough.

      “I’m sure you will,” he agreed. “But you have to admit, sharing that responsibility has its advantages, too.”

      “What do you mean?” she asked as they stepped into the empty elevator.

      “I don’t know if you’ve been sick yet, but what if nausea does occur?”

      “Then I’ll deal with it,” she said grimly and crossed her arms over her body. “I’m a big girl, Kirk. I’ve been looking after myself for a good many years now. I think I can cope with a pregnancy.”

      “I’ve no doubt. But I’d really like to be a part of things. I know this news has come as a shock to both of us, but I’d like to think that together we can get through it. Look, can I see you home so we can talk about this in a more private setting?”

      Sally rolled her eyes at him. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I agree, are you?”

      He didn’t want to leave her alone at all. The thought came as a shock, but it felt right at the same time.

      “I like to get my way,” he conceded. “But I’d feel happier if you conceded that this is something we should iron out sooner rather than later.”

      “Oh, of course, your being happy is so very important,” she said with a touch of bitterness. “Okay, then. You can take me home. Benton will be waiting downstairs for me. I’ll have to let him know.”

      It was a small victory, but Kirk was happy to take it. Benton was waiting in the elevator lobby of the parking garage, and Kirk stepped forward to introduce himself. The man looked him over as if he was a potential threat before relaxing an increment when Sally stepped forward with an apologetic smile.

      “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you notice of this, Benton. Mr. Tanner and I need to extend our discussions, so he’ll be taking me home this evening.”

      “Whatever you want, Ms. Harrison. I’ll see you in the morning, then?”

      “Yes, thank you.”

      Kirk walked Sally over to his SUV and helped her in.

      When they arrived at her apartment building

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