to slice through him, but her ability to castrate a guy with her tongue had deserted her. His comments made her breathy, almost pant, and she squirmed a little at the way heat arrowed right between her legs.
The smile came back. ‘I know exactly what you need.’
Max rose, then rounded the desk. He hauled her to her feet by her shoulders, but despite the speed he moved her it didn’t hurt. His palms were gentle cupped around her arms and he pulled her close. A glance down was all she needed to see how hot he was for her. How much he really did want to fuck her. A little wordplay and he was half-mast. Her lacy boy shorts were soaked.
She had to pull back and not just because he was her boss. In the scheme of things, that didn’t matter. Max would know if she faked it. He didn’t seem the type who needed his ego stroked with her moans. His was so inflated with over-confidence she had no doubt he knew how to deliver on his promises. What he was suggesting they do was too tempting.
But it didn’t mean he could get her off. She was strong, despite the way his proximity screwed with her senses. And she had her pride. Maybe she wouldn’t be a pity fuck, but she would just be a tool for him to face off against his ex, or maybe even get her back. Georgia would just be a screw to fill the gap.
Hell. No. Max’s place was solely in her fantasies, where he could almost make her come with just a look. That way was safer: it meant he’d never know how much of a freak she was.
She pushed out of his hold and knocked the chair over as she backed toward the door. ‘Sex doesn’t do anything for me apart from burn a few calories. I work for you, but that doesn’t mean you can treat me like an easy lay.’
His jaw ticked and his eyes flamed in a way that made her want to go to him, drop to her knees and ask for instructions. Maybe unzip his fly, take him into her mouth so hard and fast he’d see stars.
Jesus, what was wrong with her?
‘I’m beginning to think nothing about you is easy.’
She reached for the door handle, needing to get out before she crossed his office and let him do all the things he told her he would. Her body was alive with something hot and dangerous, something that made her want to lash out, give it to him hard, just to see him punished.
Which cooled her off. Where was all the insanity coming from?
‘You’re right, I’m a contrary bitch. Remember that next time you try to tell me what I need.’
Georgia was out of his office before he had a chance to reply. She slammed the door behind her and headed for her hobbit hole, ignoring Lucy’s startled expression. Her legs were shaking, her whole body trembling, and she had a flush like she’d just come down with a fever.
‘He’s wrong, he’s so not what I need,’ she muttered as she stormed down the corridor to her office, scowling at the fact she couldn’t even lie convincingly to herself. She slammed the door of her cubbyhole closed and slumped against it with gritted teeth. Adrenaline ripped through her veins alongside a whole truckload of pissed off. Not to mention the fact her body was vibrating, almost begging to be touched.
Georgia grabbed the hem of her skirt and tugged it around her hips. She wasn’t gentle about sliding her hand into her panties, less so about parting herself and rubbing her fingers over her flesh. She was soaked, burning hot and the little nub had swollen. But all the rubbing, all the building, went fucking nowhere. As usual.
She stifled a scream and righted her clothing. How the hell did she expect any man to make her come when she couldn’t get the job done herself?
* * * *
They both needed time to calm down and Max had given it to her. Two days had passed since he’d contacted Georgia, despite the fact he’d wanted to go straight to her office, lay her down on the desk and teach her a lesson they’d both enjoy.
Again he’d made a mess of asking for this favor, which was seriously screwing up his plan to pay that bastard Marcello back. If he couldn’t convince everyone he’d moved on from Clarissa – despite her rubbing her new relationship in his face, when it came time to drop Marcello the other designers could get antsy and walk. If Georgia could just pretend to be besotted with him for a few functions, that’s all it would take.
The end-of-summer ball his father had organized for his precious designers was fast approaching and the perfect chance to put his plan into action. As he pulled up outside, Briggs decided to use a different approach with Georgia that might get her to agree.
Time to turn on the charm. Something he’d long since lost patience for. Public humiliation would do that to a guy.
On the way through the store, he practiced a little on his staff. The sales women returned his smiles with a chorus of Good morning, Mr. Briggs. By the time he reached Georgia’s side of the building, with a coffee one of the girls had given him on the way, his smile came easier, though he knew he’d have to freeze it in place for this meeting.
Georgia’s door was open, but he didn’t barge in. Just as well since she was bent over an open drawer in the filing cabinet. A dart of heat bolted south and he gritted his teeth. Now was not the time to be appreciating her curvy ass covered in cream silk. Even if he could imagine it without the threads. Blood pounded into his cock and he had to take a deep breath to fight the barrage of arousal.
Shit, had it just been too long since he last had sex, or was it knowing she was available now – at fucking last – that made her more attractive?
Max knocked on the door. She straightened and whirled around. His breath caught as he took her in from head to toe.
Georgia always had an elegant beauty about her that stunned him every time he saw her. Today it was the cream silk clinging to every slender curve of her body, the way her hair, curling slightly at the tips, fell loose around her shoulders, the understated make-up enhancing those huge green eyes, and her deep-red pout that when parted against her wrath could almost bring him to heel.
Maybe it was the fact she dressed like a lady and he wanted to screw her in his office, with her fire and anger and unhidden lust.
Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms across her chest. ‘What do you want?’
Max made sure the charming smile was still in place and stayed right where he was. Any closer and he’d want to touch her. ‘To apologize.’
Her lips parted and for once Georgia Lewis seemed lost for words. His smile was easier to hold as he spoke. ‘I was an ass. I shouldn’t have said those things to you.’
She let her arms fall to her sides, but he didn’t miss the way she squared her shoulders.
‘Before you say anything, I want to clear something up.’
This time he did enter the room, then closed the door. Suspicion tightened her expression, but he only leaned back against the wood, keeping space between them. Last thing he needed was one of the big-mouthed sales assistants hearing this.
‘I didn’t suggest you pretend to be my girlfriend in exchange for sex because I felt sorry for you. I hadn’t meant to say it at all, but the second I read your email I wanted to be the guy to show you what you’ve been missing. Call it my inner caveman taking over my mouth.’
Though she looked bewildered, she opened her mouth to say something.
