Beckett remained stiff. His sensual mouth didn’t open under mine. His tongue didn’t plunge between my lips. I slanted my head, kissing his full top lip before turning my attention to the plump bottom. He stood like a statue, allowing me to kiss him but not participating or giving back.
I pressed against him, flattening my breasts against his chest, tangling my hands in his hair. Still no response. It was maddening, especially since we were standing so close that I could feel the bulge in his jeans. I knew he wanted me.
His mouth ticked up in the corner, and he reached up and pushed his glasses up his nose.
“Frustrating, isn’t it?” His voice was smooth as velvet, unaffected by me. “When you give someone everything and they don’t reciprocate?”
He pried my arms from around his neck and took a few steps back. The air between us vibrated with heat, but Beckett’s eyes were ice cold.
My throat constricted, and my palms went damp. Our eyes clashed, and the words crashed inside my head. Three words. I knew the ones I should say. I knew Beckett wanted them. If I said them, this would be real. It was like flinging myself from a cliff. A soft landing was impossible.
“I’ve given you all of me. I told you my secret, and you told the world.”
His words sliced through me. A chill ran down my spine. His voice was so cold, so empty. I’d done that, and I couldn’t take it back. Nor did I want to. The world deserved to know Beckett’s talents. He’d left that door to his office open for a reason. He wanted me to know.
I straightened my shoulders and found my voice. It came out soft but steady. “I’m not sorry.”
Beckett’s eyes went wide.
I took a step closer and grasped another thread of courage. “I was wrong to tell your secret, but I’m glad I did.” Another step. “Because I believe in you.” Another thread. “I’m in awe of you.” The final step. “I’m in love with you.”
Beckett’s hands came to my shoulders. He yanked me to his chest so fast that the air whooshed from my lungs. His mouth crashed down on mine with a force that made our teeth clash. He punished me with his mouth, claiming me with a kiss so electric I felt like I’d been struck by lightning.
He used his tongue ruthlessly, plunging against mine in an ancient rhythm that made my blood heat and my belly flutter. His hands spread over my back, caressing and molding my body to his.
I hooked my leg around his thigh, my long dress rucking up around us. I wound my arms around his neck and climbed him shamelessly.
When we came up for air, our panting breaths echoed down the long hallway. Beckett’s glasses rode crookedly on his nose. I reached up to fix them.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.” I brushed a hank of dark hair back from his face. “I should have told you sooner. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid. I thought if I said the words aloud, then everything would change. That—”
He fisted the hair at the nape of my neck and gave a sharp tug. “Say it again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not that.”
I cupped his face, blinking back tears. “I love you.”
A smug smile crept over his mouth. “I knew you’d come.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“Hell yeah, I am. I hated you for about twenty-four hours, and then I realized I still loved you. There’s no one like you on this Earth. No one who cares as much as you do about ugly mutts and melancholy girls and books.” He cupped my cheek. “No one who listens to me like you do, who’s sweet and naïve and trusting. I can’t stop loving you. Believe me, I tried.” He bent to kiss me.
I pressed my finger to his lips, stopping him. “Wait.” There was something I needed to know. “What about the necklace?”
His eyebrows drew together. “You want a necklace?”
“Sally said you gave it to her as a parting gift. That I’d be getting one too. When you dump me.”
He backed me up against the hard wall and pressed his body into mine. “Does it feel like I’m dumping you?” His erection strained against his jeans, hot steel encased in denim.
“Did you give it to her?”
He nodded. “After we hit the USA Today Best Seller list for the first time.”
I bristled. “That was you hitting the list. All you.”
