He plucked her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it between the pads of his fingers. “We’re good together.”
A full-body tremor shook her, and she whimpered, the sound going straight to his dick.
“But, Kade, I need this job.” She pushed him with both hands, and he stepped back immediately.
“I respect that.” He met her gaze, trying his damnedest not to look at her puffy lips, red and swollen from his heated kisses. “Nothing that happens between us will affect your work here,” he promised her.
She raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “That’s naïve, and the one thing you, Kaden Barnes, are not is naïve.”
“No, I’m determined.” To have her in his bed and in his office.
In the short time they’d been together, she’d been a model assistant, despite him being an obnoxious ass. Her predecessors had walked out sooner with less provocation. He intended to keep Lexie happy on all levels.
She sighed, folding her arms across her chest, a move obviously designed to hide her full breasts and prevent him from staring. He glanced down, but that view didn’t help, her sexy skirt not a deterrent to the places his mind wanted to travel, and reminded him of when he’d slid his fingers up her tight skirt and played her body until she came. Hard.
He forced himself to refocus on her objections and ways around them. “When … if … things between us end, you’ll have a choice whether to continue working for me or move to another position here. Same salary, same benefits, no hassle from me,” he promised.
Not that he could imagine her leaving his employ. Or him.
“Make no mistake, no matter what, I intend to pursue you, Lexie. To make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to walk away.” He swept his hand through her hair, tugging as he pulled his fingers through the long strands. “So?”
She looked up at him with wide blue eyes. “You’re a hard man to say no to,” she murmured.
He felt himself grin. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
“So what’s next? We get to work?” She hopped off the desk and began adjusting her clothes, her cheeks pink and adorably on fire.
“We do, but one more thing. There’s a benefit I have to attend Saturday night, and I don’t want to go alone. Blink is a major donor, and I’m doing the representing at this particular gala.”
He and his partners took turns at various charitable events. Kade never brought a date and had shocked himself by asking Lexie now. But he was coming to realize that his feelings for her were stronger than the internal battle he fought with himself over letting someone in.
“What is the benefit for?” she asked.
“MHA of NYC,” he said, bracing for what she’d ask next.
“What does it stand for?”
“Mental Health Association of New York City.”
She sucked in a startled breath. “Is this coincidence? Me telling you about my mother and you asking me to attend a benefit for mental health?”
“It is.” They had more in common than she realized. Maybe not the same classification of issues, but they each understood mental health better than the average person.
“It’s also a cause that means something to me,” he said, leaving it at that. He wasn’t ready to share his reasons with her. He might not ever be ready. “I’ll pick you up at eight Saturday night.”
She blinked up at him. “You’re moving awfully fast.”
“I always do when I want something.” And he’d decided he wanted her. “Do we have an understanding?”
She ran her tongue over her lips, and he hoped like hell she was tasting him, because he sure as hell still savored her.
“We have an understanding,” she said at last, allowing Kade to breathe easy for the first time since she’d walked into the room.
* * *
Lexie knew how to live in the moment. It was the only way she could get through life as she knew it. So she put Saturday night out of her head and went about her week, planning to keep things business as usual. Except there was nothing usual as Kade stepped up his game.
Tuesday morning, he brought her a hot cup of Starbucks, handing it to her at the same time she brought his coffee into his office.
“Thank you,” she said, surprised as she accepted the white cup with green writing.
He watched, a hopeful look in his green eyes as she took a careful sip of the hot brew, sampling the extremely sugary drink. “Mmm. What is this?” she asked, licking her lips for another taste.
“White chocolate mocha latte with whipped cream. You like it?”
“It’s delicious. How did you choose the flavor?”
A pleased grin lifted his sexy lips. “Because it’s sweet. Like you.” He crooked a finger, silently beckoning her to join him.
She couldn’t resist and slowly made her way around the desk, swaying her hips as she walked over. His darkening gaze let her know he hadn’t missed the deliberate show. She stopped close to him and inhaled his potent masculine scent.
“Thank me,” he instructed.
“I already did.” And she didn’t appreciate being told to do so.
“The right way. The way you would if we weren’t in the office.”
She narrowed her gaze, admittedly confused. “I don’t understand.”
“Kiss me,” he said, elaborating more fully.
She blinked in surprise and had no doubt he didn’t think she’d comply. Not here, with his office door open.