He didn’t step away. Instead, he lingered there, close enough that I could feel the faint heat radiating off him. My hands stayed on the armrests, steady, though my chest tightened.
“What are you doing?” I asked quietly.
Ryan tilted his head, like he was deciding. Then, slowly, deliberately, he lowered himself onto my lap, knees bracketing my thighs. His gaze never wavered.
“If you love your job and your wife,” he murmured, “you’ll keep your mouth shut. Got it?”
I clenched my jaw and stayed silent. He chuckled, shifting on my lap. He wasn’t heavy, about the same weight as my wife, and that realization made my heart stutter.
What the hell.
My hands stayed still on the armrests as he leaned in, heat radiating through the small space between us.
I shouldn’t let this happen, not here, not with him. But I’d already broken the line when I slapped him. The moment I let it get physical, I created this chain of reaction.
He leaned in until we were nose to nose.
His eyes were shining, flecks of hazel framed by long lashes.
Closer still…his lips just inches from mine.
This isn’t right. This isn’t right. This—
I looked down. His mouth curved into a grin, his pink tongue sliding over his bottom lip.
His hands reached behind me, pulling me in until we were breathing the same air. The sharp sweetness of spearmint gum filled my head, and all I could see were his eyes, bright and fixed on me.
“You’re so serious,” he murmured. “I bet you’re a good kisser.”
What?
Before I could react, he yanked me closer, his breath ghosting my ear.
“Relax… you’re not the one in charge.”
Then his lips found mine.
Soft. Warm.
I tried to push him off, gripping his waist to pull him away, but he only settled closer, grinding lightly against me.
Fuck. The jolt went straight through me, and he caught it, biting his lip.
“Don’t worry. Your wife doesn’t have to know.” He leaned back just long enough to say it before kissing me again.
His teeth caught my bottom lip. I wasn’t going to give in to his blackmail or his hands on me, but he was dominating the kiss, forcing his tongue into my mouth.
I tightened my grip on his waist, my head spinning as he kept taking.
No. I can’t. I needed to stand my ground.
But nothing about this made sense. Had Ryan been waiting for this all along? He’d carried himself like a good kid; earnest, maybe a little pushy, but harmless. Now… I wasn’t so sure. Part of me wanted to believe he was just acting out, that this was some misguided attempt to get my attention. But even I knew there was only so far optimism could stretch.
He moaned soft, almost needy.
I shouldn’t do this.
Then his lips softened, brushing mine more hesitantly, almost like he was inviting me to take control.
