Page 7 of One Night Forever
The tension between us is palpable, electric. I can see her pulse racing at the base of her throat, her chest rising and falling rapidly. God, I want to touch her so badly.
"You didn't seem to object to my style that night," I say, my voice low and husky.
Her eyes widen, a mix of desire and anger swirling in their depths. "That was different. That was..."
"Magnificent,” I say. “The best I’ve ever had.”
Bella's breath catches, her lips parting slightly. For a moment, I think she might give in, might admit what we both know is true. But then she takes a step back, shaking her head.
"It doesn't matter what it was," she says, her voice trembling slightly. "It can't happen again. I won't jeopardize my career for a fling."
Her words sting, but I can see the conflict in her eyes. She wants this as much as I do, she's just too stubborn to admit it.
"Who said anything about a fling?" I growl, closing the distance between us again. "I don't do flings, Bella. I told you that."
She swallows hard, her eyes darting to my lips before meeting my gaze again. "Then what do you want?"
"You," I say simply. "All of you. I want you to be my assistant, you’re good at what you do. But I also want you in my bed andin my life. I’m forty years old, Bella, forty. I’ve never met anyone like you. So no, it’s not a fling I want, it’s a fuck of a lot more than that.”
Bella's eyes widen, a mix of shock and yearning flickering across her face before she quickly masks it. "Mr. Thorne, I?—"
"Tanner," I interrupt. "Call me Tanner, Bella. At least when we're alone."
She shakes her head, taking another step back. "This isn't appropriate. We can't?—"
I close the distance between us again, backing her up against the wall. "Can't what? Can't admit that there's something real between us? Can't explore this connection that's driving us both mad?"
Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her breath coming in quick gasps. "It's not that simple," she whispers.
"It can be," I murmur, bringing my hand up to cup her cheek. "Just say yes, Bella. Say you want this too."
For a moment, she leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. I can feel her resolve weakening, the tension in her body softening. My thumb traces her cheekbone, and I hear her breath hitch.
"Tanner," she whispers, and the sound of my name on her lips sends a shiver down my spine.
I lean in, my lips barely grazing hers. "Say yes," I murmur against her mouth.
She trembles, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. For a heartbeat, I think she's going to push me away. Instead, her fingers curl into the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer.
"I want to," she breathes, and then her lips are on mine.
The kiss is explosive, all the pent-up tension between us finally unleashing. My hands slide down to her waist, pulling her flush against me as her fingers thread through my hair. The kissdeepens, our tongues tangling. I press her against the wall, my body molding to hers as if we were made for each other.
Bella moans softly into my mouth, the sound driving me wild. I trail kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat. Her head falls back, giving me better access as I suck gently on her pulse point.
"Tanner," she gasps, her nails scraping lightly against my scalp. "We shouldn't... not here..."
I pull back slightly, my forehead resting against hers as we both catch our breath. "You're right," I say, my voice rough with desire. "Not here. Come home with me tonight."
She hesitates, conflict clear in her eyes. "I don't know if that's a good idea.”
I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. "Bella, listen to me. We've been dancing around this for too long. I'm tired of pretending, of holding back. I want you in my life, in every way possible. Come home with me tonight, and let's see where this leads."
She bites her lip, uncertainty warring with desire in her eyes. "What about work? The company? If this goes wrong..."
"It won't," I say firmly. "I won't let it. We're both adults, we can handle this. And if anyone has a problem with it, they'll have to deal with me."
Bella searches my face as if looking for any sign of doubt or deception. Finding none, she takes a deep breath. "Okay," she says softly. "Okay, I'll come home with you."
