Page 19 of A Powerful Attraction
Alex seemed to be in deep thought as he rubbed a thumb across her fingers. “Not at all. But life is so complicated, and sometimes you do what you think is right, but it creates problems later. I want you to know that I care about you. I have for some time, but getting to know you outside of work has convinced me you’re exactly the kind of woman I’ve been looking for.”
Sherry touched his face, letting her fingertips brush the fine hairs on his jaw. “I know what you mean. You’re exactly the kind of man I’ve been looking for.”
“I’m not perfect.”
“I’m not looking for perfect, and I’m sure you’re not either. We just click, right?” There was something in his eyes, something he wasn’t saying that made her doubt for a minute. There seemed to be a hidden meaning in his words, and though her intuition prompted her to dig deeper, apprehension kept her from doing so.
“Yes, we click. And I want to see more of you. Much more.”
“I’d like to see much more of you, too,” she said softly.
He kissed her then, and this kiss was without passion or sexual undertones. It was more about affection and sealing their words with finality. She wanted him and he wanted her, and as far as Sherry was concerned, nothing else mattered.
* * *
Alex cameout of the bathroom and walked across the floor to the bed. He and Sherry had spent the day together, and he didn’t look forward to the start of the workweek tomorrow, when they’d enter the office and have to pretend they didn’t know each other on an intimate level. She was the first woman he’d invited into his home in a long time, and he already felt she belonged here.
He slid under the covers and slipped an arm around her waist. She moaned and turned into his arms.
“You wore me out,hombre,” she whispered.
He laughed softly. “Hombre, eh?”
“Mhmm. I’m learning Spanish now.”
“Don’t get in too deep. You’ll know more than I do, and then I’ll have to catch up.”
Sherry rubbed one hand up and down the hair on his chest. She was quiet for a moment, and he silently watched her and she watched him.
“I love spending time with you,” she whispered.
There was that openness and honesty again.
“I love spending time with you, too.” He would spend every day with her if he could.
A hand came to rest over his rapidly beating heart. “A lot. I’ve never felt this way before.”
“Neither have I.”
She smiled sweetly and snuggled closer, closing her eyes. “I’m starting to think the best thing that ever happened to me was getting stood up.” Alex stroked his fingers through her soft hair, detangling the strands. “Mmm. That feels so good,” she murmured.
Tell her now.
But he couldn’t. Honesty would spoil the moment. He would lose the warmth of her body against his and the weight of her soft leg thrown over his thigh.
Not yet. He squeezed her closer.
Moments later, her quiet breathing signaled she’d fallen asleep, and Alex eased back to look at her face.
What the hell was he going to do? The longer he delayed, the harder it would be to confess. And how could he? He couldn’t risk the fallout.
And he was starting to think he’d already fallen in love with her.
9
Alex and Sherry worked together in Alex’s office. Laptops, notepads, and a multitude of papers were spread out on the round table, his credenza, and his desk. Many of the Ovation employees postponed their appointments until this week, which meant more meetings this week than during the last two combined.
As Alex plugged numbers into an online program, Sherry brought a printout from the credenza over to him.
