“Sir?”

  He’s breathing harder. A glance tells me that’s not the only thing that’s harder.

  I swallow and try to push myself upright. I can’t kneel at his feet like I’m ready to tear off his underwear and show him a skill I should never contemplate demonstrating for my boss. But my trembling legs won’t support me, especially after he drops his hand to the crown of my head.

  “This isn’t wise, sweetheart.”

  At his soft words, a thrill pings through my body. This thing between us isn’t one-sided, after all. He feels it, too.

  “It’s not.” But still, I can’t move.

  He caresses his way down to my face, trails his fingers across my jaw, then takes my chin in hand, leaving tingles in his wake. “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing professional,” I blurt.

  He trails a thumb across my lower lip. “I’ll bet my thoughts are even more inappropriate.”

  Oh my god. “What do we do?”

  “Tell me to stop touching you and I will.”

  I should. I search for the will to say the words, just like I struggle to find enough air to breathe. “I need and want this job…but I can’t lie to you. I don’t want you to stop touching me at all.”

  He holds out his hand. Breathlessly, I slide my palm into his. In the back of my head, I hear a frantic voice asking me what the hell I’m doing. The pounding of my heart drowns it out.

  Slowly, he tugs me to my feet, banding his arm around my waist and pulling my body against his. No way I can miss how hard he is everywhere.

  “I don’t want to stop touching you, either. But this is a mistake.”

  Even though he’s right, it still hurts. Yet when I try to ease away, his hold on me tightens.

  “Then you’d better let me go.”

  “I don’t know if I can. Give me one reason to believe this won’t end in disaster. One reason to believe you won’t use my weakness against me.”

  “Why would I do that? It’s my weakness, too. I’ve done nothing but try to help and serve you all day, and—”

  “You have. But trust doesn’t come easy for me, sweetheart. You asked why I’ve never married. That’s the reason. Trust is damn hard when there’s money involved, and I have about five billion reasons not to let any woman close. It’s even more difficult now because you have a strike against you.”

  “Because I grew up poor?” He didn’t seem like that kind of snob, but was I wrong?

  “No. Because you’re keeping something from me.”

  “W-what makes you say that?”

  “You’ve been dodging questions and avoiding my stare for hours. Out with it.”

  Wriggling, I manage to work free from his hold. “I’m not planning to swindle you or steal secrets or whatever you’re implying. The exact opposite, in fact.”

  “Then what?”

  This is a really bad time to try to convince him that one of his most trusted executives is plotting to take him down, but if I don’t say something now, I may never get the chance. “I don’t expect you to believe me—”

  “Try me.”

  He’s probably going to toss me out, but I can’t mourn a job I never really had. “Fine. I’ve been looking for a way to tell you that Marcus Hunt is trying to screw you. He and Hennessey are colluding to steal money and launder it while ‘exposing’ you as the perpetrator of the scheme. That document Marcus wants you to sign so badly, that I’ve stopped him twice from shoving in your face? They’re calling whatever that is their insurance policy. It sets their scheme in motion. I’ve been wracking my brain for some way to convince you to believe me since it’s my word against his.”

  “Is that all?”

  What else was he expecting me to say? “Yes.”

  A giant smile breaks across Mr. Force’s face. “You’re fired.”

  Though I expected those words, cold dread fills my belly. “Of course I am. I knew you wouldn’t believe me. But at least I tried. I’ll get my things and go.”

  As I turn away, he grabs my wrist and tugs, pulling me back into his body. “You’re fired until morning. Tonight, sweetheart, you’re mine.”

  Breathlessly, I search his face for answers. “What are you saying?”

  “I liked everything about your résumé the moment I read it. A few minutes after meeting you, I knew you had that intangible something I need in my organization. I told Marcus I intended to hire you when I texted him this afternoon to bring your supplies.”

  Seriously? “I’d barely been here an hour.”

  He shrugs. “I’m decisive. But I needed to know if I could trust you. Now that I know you’d actually stick out your neck to protect me, I have no doubt I can.”

  “So the ‘scheme’ with Marcus and Hennessey was a setup?”

  “It was a litmus test—and you passed perfectly. In fact, you’ve exceeded every expectation since you walked in the room.” He pulls me closer. “Wanting you, though, shocked me. But I can’t shake it.”

  “Mr. Force, I—”

  “If you’re going to spend the night in my bed, you should start calling me Chad.”

  I blink. “A night in your bed?”

  “Are you going to lie to convince me you don’t want me as much as I want you?”

  It goes against my grain to be dishonest. Sure, I’ve told an occasional white lie. I’m human. But pretending I’m not interested in burning up the sheets with him would be a colossal whopper. “No, Chad. I won’t lie. I wanted you the minute I laid eyes on you. But that doesn’t mean us having sex is a good idea.”

  “You’re right; it’s probably terrible. But it won’t stop me.”

  If I’m being honest, it probably won’t stop me, either. But… “I came here for a job.”

  “No matter what happens tonight, you’ll have a formal offer tomorrow. A good one because you have a bright future with Force Financial. Tonight, however, you don’t work for me…”

  He’s got a point, even if it’s a technicality. He doesn’t date, and I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Maybe we could do this tonight, consider it an itch scratched, then carry on with our professional lives.

  I wriggle closer. “Point taken. When are you going to kiss me?”

  His low, wicked laugh as he cradles my face sends a shiver up my spine and anticipation sizzling my blood. “This fucking instant.”

  Before I can even draw in a breath, he settles his lips over mine. Chad doesn’t bother with testing, teasing, or probing. As he does in business, he swoops in with decisive, measured action designed to inflict maximum devastation to my senses. His big hand snakes through my hair, tugging at the scalp until he positions me exactly where he wants. Then he delves deep into my mouth as if he owns me.

  His commanding hold makes me melt. I cling to his broad shoulders, my head drowning in his musky male scent. When his tongue brushes mine, I throw myself—and all caution—into the kiss, sliding, curling, entwining with him. Keeping my wits proves impossible when his free hand slides from my cheek, down to thumb my hard nipple through the gossamer nightgown in a barely there touch. It’s so unlike his ravenous, animal kiss I can’t process the avalanche of sensations.

  Everything about this man unravels me. Sure, he’s hot. But he’s also smarter than hell and he speaks my language—ambition, money, passion. He’s unapologetically a shark…but he’s also got a core of honor. I’m not looking to fall in love or anything, but his kisses make me witless and his touch makes me damn glad I’m a woman.

  With a flick of his fingers, he slides one of my spaghetti straps down my arm. His lips follow, blazing a path across my skin as he tugs my breast free of the nightgown. Cool air sweeps across the sensitive tip before he envelops it in the brutal heat of his mouth.

  My legs turn unsteady, forcing me to cling to him for support. “Chad…”

  “Hmm, sweetheart.” He licks the stiff peak before trailing his lips up the side of my breast. “You are perfect.”

  The appreciation in his voice says he doesn’t just mean I have a nice rack, though he certainly seems to think so when he reveals my other breast with a groan. Ruthlessly, he sucks it into his mouth. I let loose a cry and tip my head back in offering.

  But there’s still too much clothing between us. I have to lose this nightgown now.

  As I wriggle my arms free, Chad shoves the garment down my hips and away from my body. Suddenly, I’m standing in front of him, wearing nothing but a pair of tight pink panties with little black bows at each hip.

  He peruses his way down my body. “I can’t wait to get my mouth all over you.”

  I reach between us, tracing a path down the ridges of his hard abs, then curl my fingers around the stiff, sizable bulge through his underwear. “I’m assuming I’ll be allowed to return the favor. Equal opportunity and all…”

  At my touch, he hisses out in pleasure. “Absolutely.”

  He seizes my mouth again, his kiss ruthless as his hands wander my body. One palm cups my backside and hauls me against him again. The other lifts my nipple to his lips for an impatient pull on my flesh. His dark head bending to me while his lips pluck at me undoes me.

  Under the onslaught of desire, I sway precariously, tumbling onto the bed. He falls beside me, rolling to his back and hoisting me up to straddle his body. I sit back against his erection, and the feel of him, hot and hard against my aching pussy, has me wriggling and whimpering.

  “Look at you.” He caresses my nipples again before he feels his way down to grip my hips and grind against me.

  Another moan falls from my lips. “You’re overdressed, Chad.”

  He sends me a devilish stare. “Lose your underwear and I’ll lose mine.”

  “You think this is a negotiation?” I rock against his erection again.

  Chad hisses as his body tenses and he gets harder beneath me. “Everything is.”

  “You realize I’m on top—literally.”

  His laugh isn’t comforting. “Your position isn’t necessarily an advantage.”

  “Sure it is.” I fit my fingers under the waistband of his boxer briefs and tug, exposing the big, bulbous head of his cock, and thumb the sensitive flesh before shoving the cotton lower and gripping his length tightly. “See? I have the…situation in hand.”

  He drags in a rough breath. “You may think so, but your attempt to take control will fail.”

  “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

  “Henry Ford? You’re quoting a business titan while we’re getting busy?” He seems amused.

  “They’re good words to live by.” I stroke him faster. I nearly have him where I want him.

  Until he proves me wrong by lifting me and dragging me up his body.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Innovating.”

  “What?” I breathe out as he settles my knees on either side of his head.

  An instant later, he shoves my panties aside and stares at my pussy. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

  “Steve Jobs?” I vaguely remember the quote.

  “Yes.” His low voice drips with approval and sex.

  Surrender isn’t in my nature, but when he skims my begging clit, my spine nearly dissolves. I can’t rub two thoughts together. I can only moan.

  Chad settles my pouting flesh over his mouth and rakes his tongue through my slit. The sensations are electric as they zap me with pleasure. I start unraveling with the next stroke of his tongue and sink down, fully opening myself to him. My head slides back. My fingers pluck at my desperate nipples. My desire ratchets up. In that moment, I’m not above begging.

  “No comeback?” he asks as he flicks my aching bud with his tongue again before sucking it into the hot heaven of his mouth.

  “No,” I pant. “God, you’re good at that.”

  “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” He punctuates his assertion with another long, languorous swipe through my folds before settling his mouth directly against my needy flesh.

  Dizzily, I realize he’s quoting Steve Jobs again, but my brain shuts down seconds later and my senses take over. Pressure and pleasure build between my legs. I shouldn’t be shocked at how quickly he’s dismantling me. Chad is a great kisser, and he’s proving he has extra gusto when it comes to heaping me with oral bliss. But there’s something more between us, a rightness I’ve never felt, like two halves of a whole clicking into place.

  I wriggle, my body burning up, seeking a relief only he can give me. I feel my flesh swelling, my need sharpening, my blood racing…and my heart falling.

  I can’t go there. I can’t even think that. Tomorrow I’ll be working for him. Tonight is all we have.

  If I give him everything now, I’ll be ruined.

  By sheer will, I manage to wrest away and shimmy down his body, taking his boxer briefs with me and tossing them over my shoulder. Then I get a good look at his big body under the golden glow of the nearby lamp. And I suck in a breath. God, he’s gorgeous.

  And tonight he’s mine.

  “Wow.”

  He grins. “Is that a good wow?”

  “Yeah.” I wrap my hand around his stiff cock again. “After all, life’s too short to think small.”

  Chad bursts out laughing. “Tim Ferriss?”

  Damn, he’s good—at everything.

  “You guessed it.” I stroke him slowly, enjoying the way pleasure washes over his hard features. “Like that?”

  “Fuck yeah.”

  His low growl of enthusiasm makes me even more eager to please him. I bend and lave the purple head of his cock with a slow drag of my tongue, delighting in the seeping, salty moisture.

  He shoves his hands in my hair, fingers gripping none too gently. “Savannah…”

  I stretch my lips around his girth and take a long pull, loving the way he tugs on my scalp.

  His masculine scent here is strong. As I glide down his cock again, I bask in his musk, inhaling it, getting dizzy from it. My fingers graze their way down to his testicles, and I revel when he sucks in a sharp breath. “Oh, sweetheart…”

  I smile around his thick stalk, then suck my way up again. He’s getting harder, and arousing him is arousing me in a way I’ve never experienced.

  For long minutes, I lose myself in his scent and taste, establishing a rhythm that sends his breathing stuttering and his body tensing.

  “Fuck, sweetheart… Stop. I want inside you. I can’t think about anything else.”

  I lift away with a teasing lick of my lips. “The problem is that God gives a man a brain and a penis and only enough blood to run one at a time. That’s Robin Williams, by the way.”

  He laughs as he pulls me on top of him to straddle his hips, then shoves his thumb under my panties, settling the fondling digit right over my clit. “Lose the underwear.”

  “Or?”

  “I’ll rip them and fuck you anyway.”

  My heart careens because it’s obvious he’s not kidding. “Oh?”

  “Yep. Success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.”

  I tsk at him. “First, Zig Ziglar is too easy to guess. And second, you’re anything but ordinary.”

  “The same is true of you, sweetheart.” He caresses his way down my body with an unexpected reverence. “You’re extraordinary in every way.”

  His words warm me all over. “But you want me naked.”

  “Right now.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Condoms are in the nightstand.”

  “Are you clean?”

  He scowls. “Of course.”

  I wriggle out of my panties, then climb back on top of him and settle myself over his cock, big and throbbing and waiting. “Then there’s no need. I’m on the pill.”

  “Even better.” He grips my hips and begins easing me down, impaling me slowly, groaning the whole way. “You feel so good, it’s insane.”

  The same is doubly true of him. Every inch he slides inside me and opens me to pleasure is another inch of my body that bursts to life in a flurry of tingles and pulses, damn near setting me aflame. He’s big—long and wide—and I feel him stretching me in every way conceivable. But it’s a sweet pain I’d endure again and again for this bliss.

  “Oh, sweetheart…” he groans as he seats himself and pulls me down to his chest until there’s no air left between us. He’s penetrating me so deeply, filling me so utterly, it’s hard to think or breathe or do anything except want.

  “Chad!”

  He answers me by taking my mouth in a thorough kiss, wrapping his hands around my hips, and thrusting up, hitting a spot that has me squealing and keening. I grind down, and the friction on my clit is enough to make me cry out with need.

  “Yes…” he groans as he withdraws so slowly I feel the drag of his flesh against mine, detonating another round of tingles before he shoves his way inside me again with a merciless insistence that makes me ache and burn.

  Is one night with Chad really going to be enough?

  “No,” he growls. “It’s not.”

  “I said that out loud?”

  “You did.” He pulls back only to slam deep again. “One night won’t be enough for either of us. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you crave more, because I’m nowhere near ready to let you go.”

  Fucking my boss isn’t smart. But I can’t stop. I can’t unknow the pleasure he gives me. I can’t unfeel how full my heart is when I’m with him.

  Watch out or you’ll fall in love…

  Already, I feel myself tipping dangerously in that direction. But what’s not to love about this man? He’s handsome, ambitious, brilliant, witty. He’s everything I’d want in a man—if I was looking for one.

  “I already crave you,” I breathe, closing my eyes and losing myself in him.

  Right now, I’m sure I would willingly give up a lot of my favorite things—movies, girls’ nights out, even coffee—before I’d give up sex with Chad Force.

  “Good. Now I want to hear you scream for me. I want to watch you flush for me. I want to see you come for me.”

  His words provoke an answering ping low in my belly. He exploits my weakness by easing me up and lifting his head to suck my nipple deep as he settles a teasing touch over my pouting clit again. The sensations he heaps on me mingle and swell, tugging harder on the thread of my composure, unraveling it until I’m barely hanging on. Against him, I wriggle and writhe, trying to take him impossibly deeper.