she read more Delaney letters, occasionally glancing at the great-great-grandson, continuing to wonder how he could care so little about his history.
The next morning the crutch had disappeared. Zach remained professional and slightly remote. She noticed he hobbled around and kept his foot elevated when he was seated.
On Thursday afternoon she dug inside one of the open boxes of memorabilia and picked up a small box and opened it. Yellowed paper was inside and when she pushed the paper away, she gasped when she discovered a beautiful pocket watch.
“Zach, look at this,” she said, turning to take the box to him. He stood by a file cabinet. Today his T-shirt was navy, tight and short-sleeved, revealing firm muscles and a lean, fit body. Dark curls fell on his forehead. As he came around his desk, she handed him the box. Their fingers brushed, sending ripples radiating from the contact.
“This is beautiful,” she said. She looked up from the watch, meeting his gaze, ensnared, while tension increased between them. She could barely get her breath. It was obvious he felt something as he focused on her. His attention lowered to her mouth. Her lips parted, tingled while her imagination ran riot. How long before he kissed her?
“Zach,” she whispered, intending to break the spell, but she forgot what she had been about to say. He shifted, a slight closing of the space between them. His hand barely touched her waist as he leaned closer. She couldn’t keep from glancing at his mouth and then back into crystal blue that held flames of desire.
The air heated, enveloped her, and the moment his mouth touched hers, she closed her eyes. His lips were warm, firm, a dangerous temptation. Her insides knotted, dropping into free fall. Protests vanished before being spoken. Her breath was gone. His lips settled, opened her mouth. His arm went around her waist tightly, holding her close against his hard body.
She spun away, carried on his kiss. A dream kiss, only it was real, intensifying longing, burning with the impression of a brand that would last. Her hands went to his arms, resting lightly on hard, sculpted muscles.
As his tongue probed and teased, her heart pounded. Passion swamped her caution. She wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him in return. Standing on tiptoe, she poured herself into her kiss. His arm tightened and he leaned over her, kissing her hard and possessively, making her light-headed. She wound her fingers in his hair as she kissed him, barely aware he was tangling his hand in her own hair.
It was Zach Delaney she kissed wildly. The reminder was dim, but gradually stirred prudence. “Zach,” she whispered, looking up at him. Her heart thudded because the look in his eyes scalded, sending its heat to burn her. His mouth was red from kisses, his eyes half closed. His expression held stormy hunger.
“Emma, you like this,” he whispered, winding his hand in her hair behind her head, pulling her head closer again.
She wrapped both arms around his neck, holding him and kissing him back. Her heart raced as she gave vent again to desires that had smoldered since she met him.
Their breathing grew harsh while he slipped his hand down her back to her waist.
Again, she grasped at control and raised her head. “I wasn’t going to do this.”
“I’ve wanted to since the first minute I saw you,” he declared in a rasp. His blue eyes darkened, a sensual, hot look that melted her and made her want to reach for him again.
Instead, she stepped away. “I came over here for a reason,” she whispered, unable to get her voice. Her gaze was still locked with his and he looked as surprised as she felt. His kisses had shaken her. Desire was a white-hot flame. She wanted him in a manner she had never experienced before and the attraction shook her even more than that first day she had met him.
“Zach, I should quit this job right now,” she whispered. He gave her a startled look and she could feel her face flush.
“Over a few meaningless kisses?” he asked.
She didn’t want to answer him. He stood there looking at her in that sharp manner he had while she struggled to get the right words.
“The kisses—” She paused. She didn’t want to admit more to him, but he wanted an answer. “Kisses weren’t like others. This was different. We have something—” She waved her hands helplessly.
He inhaled, drawing deeply, his chest expanding as longing flared again in his eyes.
“Common sense tells me to walk away now,” she whispered. “You have a reputation for never going out with an employee.”
“I never have,” he answered. “That doesn’t mean I can’t.”
“That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I want this job.”
“We’ll do something,” he replied, his voice raspy and quiet. “Don’t quit. We’ll try to stick to work.”
She shook her head, looking at his mouth and feeling her pulse speed as they talked. “I can’t. I’m quitting. I don’t think you need more notice than that. You can find a wonderful, efficient secretary soon enough.”
“No,” he replied, jamming his hands into his pockets while a muscle worked in his jaw. “I’ll double your salary and you stay.”
“Double my salary?” she repeated, shaking her head.
“You don’t need to pack and go because we kissed. We’re adults. If we kiss, it’s not that big a deal. There’s nothing between us—no history, no ties. If you don’t want to get involved, we can both exercise control. With my offer, you’ll earn twice as much. Don’t walk out on that over a few casual kisses.”
Exasperated and stung over his dismissal of kisses that had shaken her, she stared at him. “There’s no relationship between us. There’s not even any emotional bond. We’re practically strangers. But those kisses weren’t casual to my way of thinking,” she whispered.
She stepped close, put her arm around his neck and placed her mouth on his, kissing him with all the heat and fury she felt over his dismissive attitude. After one second that probably was his surprise holding him immobile, his arm banded her waist and he returned her kiss. Fully. He pressed against her, his tongue going deep while she kissed him, trying to set him on fire. In seconds she broke off the kiss and looked up with satisfaction.
“I’d say your body’s reaction isn’t casual.”
With his eyes darkened, his breathing was ragged. She had felt the hard throb of manhood against her and his heart pounding.
“Okay. Kisses damn well aren’t casual, but I’m trying to get us back there,” he said. A muscle worked in his jaw. When his attention focused on her mouth, she stepped back.
“Do you still want to double my salary—or do you want me to go?”
“I’ll double your salary,” he replied, grinding out the words.
“You’ll double my salary to get me to continue as your secretary. You know I can’t turn that down.”
“I hope not. You’re a good secretary,” he answered in a more normal tone of voice.
Inhaling deeply, she promised herself she would exercise better control.
“Against
