Read As Tears Go By for Free Online Page B

in
light of the circumstances it was probably best I left.”
    “You
think so?” he asked, voice expressionless, leaving her clueless as to whether
or not he agreed.
    “I do.”
She swallowed breathlessly.
    Oh God.
His shoulders shifted as he pressed away from the door and slowly approached
her, his motions purposeful yet languid like a large jungle cat. His arms
dropped to his side and he didn’t stop until he was directly in front of her,
forcing her head to tilt back so she could keep her eyes on his.
    “I
disagree,” he whispered, voice low and gravelly. His larger form crowded her
until she dropped into a conference chair, but that didn’t make him back off.
His strong hands pressed into the arms of the chair, long fingers coiling
around the metal as he leaned close.
    Their
mouths were only centimeters apart. His breath was a warm caress over her lips
as he spoke.
    “I
think this is the universe’s way of telling us our association’s far from over.
We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other over the next few months, angel.
This is a big deal for both of us and neither of us can afford the distraction
of sexual tension, which I know you feel too. I propose we call it what it is
and work as professionals when our jobs require it, but maintain a…friendly…relationship
after hours. You were running the other day, but it looks like I caught you,
Becca. I think we should finish fucking out all this chemistry so we can get
the job done right.”
    She
swallowed and rasped, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    He chuckled.
“Yes, you do. I’ll put one hundred bucks on the table that your panties are
soaked right now. By the way, you left your other ones in my couch.”
    Her
chest lifted as she drew in rapid breaths. How could he know that? “I’m afraid
you’re wrong, but I won’t take your money—”
    Her lie
was cut off as his mouth crashed down on hers. Her head pressed against the
back of the leather chair as he bullied his way past her lips and stole her
kiss.
    The
punishing force of his tongue gentled, and she melted as he licked at her lips,
pulling them between his and nibbling softly. Every kiss she’d ever experienced
paled in comparison to this man’s kisses. His mouth was meant for kissing.
    Braydon
pulled away slowly and studied her through hooded eyes. “Now, what were you
saying?”
    She
needed to give the deal to someone else. She’d just tell Nikki what happened
and her friend would surely understand.
    Turning
away, she quietly confessed. “I know we’re attracted to each other, but doing
business together is only another reason we can’t carry on like this.”
    “Why?
No one has to know.”
    “But
they will know. Nikki’s my boss, Braydon. And I have other responsibilities I
need to consider. Having a torrid affair is so far from the top of my priority
list I can’t even begin to make you understand. I think it’d be best if we just
forget the past and started fresh, two associates, nothing more.”
    She
mentally patted herself on the back. That little speech came out better than
she expected. There was no arguing with such logical, well-expressed reasons.
    His
eyes narrowed. “No.”
    Or
maybe there was. She scoffed. “No? Um, you can’t make me sleep with you again.
That’s against the law.”
    “You’ll
come to me willingly. I guarantee it. It’s only a matter of time before the
sexual tension gets to you. Don’t pretend to be cold with me, angel. I know how
hot your blood runs.”
    The
tension was already getting to her, but that didn’t mean she should give in.
There were other things to consider. Things Braydon knew nothing about and
never would. Her personal life was private and she needed to have her wits in
order to function without drowning in the difficult moments.
    There
was no doubt he could torture her with meaningful looks, innuendos, and other
sex strategies she was clueless about. There was no time for that. She’d
offered him one night