Page 14 of Silver Fox's Christmas Scandal
"Thank you." She took it with both hands, using it as a shield between us. "I should get dressed. Find my clothes."
The nervous energy radiating from her was almost amusing. This was the same woman who'd whispered filthy suggestions in my ear just hours ago, who'd ridden me with abandon while I'd gripped her hips and watched her come undone above me. Now she acted as if I might pounce on her at any moment.
Which, to be fair, I might.
"The trains aren't running yet," I said, leaning against the counter. "Snow emergency was downgraded to Level 2, but public transport won't resume for another couple of hours."
"Oh." She sipped her coffee, staring into the mug instead of meeting my eyes. "I'm really sorry about last night. I don't know what came over me. I don't usually drink that much, and being stuck here, and you were so… I mean, I shouldn't have?—"
"Tessa."
She stopped mid-ramble, finally looking at me.
"Do you regret it?"
She chewed on her lip, and I watched a shoulder bob up and down.
Then I watched emotions flicker across her face—embarrassment, confusion, and underneath it all, heat. When she spoke, her voice was barely audible.
"No."
Her response brought me measured relief. For now, some of my fears were unfounded. "Good. Because I don't either."
"But it was completely inappropriate. You're my boss, and I practically threw myself at you?—"
"Pretty sure the throwing was mutual." I chuckled, moving closer, backing her against the kitchen island.
She set down her coffee with shaking hands. "Lucian, this is?—"
"Complicated. I know." I placed my hands on the counter on either side of her, trapping her without quite touching. "But it doesn't have to be."
"How can you say that? You're my boss. People will think I slept with you for special treatment or job security or?—"
"Did you?"
"What? No! Of course not." The horrified expression on her face made me want to kiss it away. It tugged at my heart in a strange way and I felt protective over her for a second.
"Then what people think doesn't matter." I leaned closer, and our skin didn't touch, but my stubble brushed her cheek as I whispered in her ear. "I usually get what I want, Tessa. It's how I built this company, how I've gotten everything I have. And I want you."
I was out of control and I knew it exposed the ruthless ambition that had cost me a marriage and my children's respect.
But with Tessa, that drive felt different somehow, less about conquest and more about genuine desire. Or maybe I was confusing the two. I just couldn’t stop myself. She was so alluring.
She swallowed hard, her pulse fluttering visibly at the base of her throat. "This could ruin both our careers."
"Only if we let it." I reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, gratified when she leaned into the touch instead of pulling away. "Sit. We need to figure out how to handle this."
She perched on one of the bar stools, still ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. I took the seat next to her, close enough that our knees brushed.
"When Daniel asks about last night," I said, "tell him the truth. We came here to get the wine. You got caught in the storm and I offered you my guest room rather than let you risk traveling in dangerous conditions. Professional courtesy, nothing more."
"And if people ask where you were?" Her hand trembled a little as she brought her mug to her lips and sipped.
"I'll handle that. The important thing is acting normal at the office. No guilty looks, no awkward behavior, no special treatment that might raise eyebrows. Can you do that?"
Her spine straightened with that stubborn determination I'd come to admire. "I've never asked for special treatment."
"I know. It's one of the reasons I respect you."
