The delicate slide of cool silver on her tender flesh brought her senses to life. The scent of his cologne, the heat of his body standing so near her own, the steady rhythm of his breaths keeping time with the ticking of the grandfather clock, and the comforting, yet erotic, tone of his voice as he spoke.

“Wear this tonight.” He closed the clasp pulling the choker snugly against her neck. His fingertips grazed the nape of her neck.

Fae fought the urge to lean back against him. She pressed her hands to her heated cheeks. When his touch disappeared, she stepped away, relieved to be physically apart from him. The close proximity wreaked havoc on her mind and body. It had to be a trick of her imagination, this attraction between them.  Why else would he ask her to wear such a lovely piece of jewelry?

“Thank you, Thomas.” Her fingertips drifted over the intricately carved silver, lingering momentarily on the stone nestled at the hollow of her throat. Fae turned to glance in the mirror. The shimmer of the ruby colored gem caught the light perfectly. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I thought of you the moment I saw it,” he said with a nonchalant shrug of his broad shoulders.

Her gaze snapped to his in the reflection. “You bought it…for me?” The rhythm of her heart tripled into a samba.

Thomas nodded, his blue eyes sparkling. He ran his hand across his scruffy jaw.

“Why?” It was a stupid question for her to ask, but she couldn’t stop her lips from uttering the ridiculous word. She stared at him with her soul warring, half hope, half desperation.

“Do I need a reason?” He cocked his head to the side and watched her with avid interest.

“I guess not,” she replied, turning to face him. He smiled, the sight both intimidating and comforting at the same time. She pushed past him and moved toward where her jacket lay on the bed. “We should go before your brothers wonder where we are.”

“Fae.”

Her name slipped off his tongue like a sinful whispered plea to the devil. Oh sweet merciful heavens, it had never sounded like that before, and she’d worked for him for three long years. If she turned, if she faced him, everything she’d worked for would shatter at his feet. The carefully crafted façade of the perfect secretary would crack and reveal her true thoughts. Ones that were best saved for late nights with a bottle of wine, Chinese takeout, and a binge session of cheesy romantic films.

When his hand closed around her wrist, she fought the urge to jerk from his grasp. His fingers traced the inside of her wrist for a moment before falling away. She nearly imploded from relief and frustration as they combined in the pit of her stomach. Reaching for her coat, she swallowed whatever emotion lingered.

“We should go, Mr Darby. Our dinner reservations were for seven thirty, it’s nearly eight.” She moved to put the garment on when he snatched it from her hands and held it for her. “Thank you.” Fae slipped the coat on and walked toward the door. If she looked back, she knew she’d do something she would regret later…like jump her boss, kiss him senseless, and then have her wild way with him until his brothers sent the police to haul her off.

 

Oh, I had no idea where this one was going when I started, but I like it. What do you think? There may be a bit of symbolism going on with that jewelry. Thanks for stopping by!

❤