he added in a huskier tone.
“Chess and a movie sound perfect. Forget the other possibilities. Stop flirting.”
“We’ll see what the evening brings,” he said, caressing her arm lightly. “And at the moment, I can’t resist flirting.”
“Try,” she said, taking a deep breath. She looked outside again, shivering just because the storm looked icy and hazardous. Once again she was thankful she wasn’t traveling. “I’m glad Rosie and Nigel are off. No one should be out in this. What about your livestock?”
“That’s who is out there fighting the elements and working—the cowboys who take care of that livestock at times like this. Just hope there’s nothing unusual happening with any of the stock.”
She nodded. “I’ll go back to work. I’ve received a text from Mom and all my family is home now except those who work close and they’ll be home soon. Some businesses have closed early.”
“Our Dallas office closed two hours ago. I have a policy with my CEO and with the vice presidents—whoever is in charge when I’m away—I don’t want anyone caught in this getting home. They’ve all had time to go home.”
“That’s nice, Zach,” she said as she returned to her desk.
They worked until five when Zach stood and stretched. “Time to quit, Emma. Actually past time to stop.”
“We’re out of the storm and I don’t mind continuing.”
“I mind. Come on—knock off and we’ll meet back down here for a drink and then dinner. Want to meet here at six?”
“Sure,” she said, shutting down her computer while he turned and left the room. She closed up and went to her room to shower and change. Dressing in a bright red sweater and matching slacks, she brushed her hair and tied it behind her head with a scarf.
Eagerly, she went downstairs to search for him. She followed enticing smells to the kitchen and found Zach stirring a steaming pot. He put the lid back in place. The minute she saw him, she forgot dinner. He wore a bulky navy sweater that made his shoulders appear broader than ever, and faded jeans that emphasized his narrow hips and long legs. He was in the health shoe and his loafer. Tangled curls were in their usual disarray. Zach’s eyes drifted slowly over her, an intense study that had the same results as a caress. Then his gaze locked with hers and her mouth went dry. She was held mesmerized while her heart became a drumbeat that she was certain he could hear. Captured by his look, she remained still while he stopped stirring and set aside the spoon to saunter toward her.
Her heart thudded as she tingled in a growing temptation. “Zach,” she whispered, uncertain if she protested or invited because she wanted to do both.
He reached for her, drawing her to him to kiss her.
Her stomach lurched while longing blazed. His passionate kiss demanded her response. Trembling, she returned his kisses, her tongue stroking his and going deep, exploring and tasting. He smelled of mint and deep woods. His lean body was hard planes against her softness, building her excitement.
Zach reached beneath her sweater, sliding his hand up to flick free her bra and then cup her breast as his thumb stroked her. Pleasure fluttered over her nerves and tickled her insides while she clung tightly to him. Finally, she looked up at him.
“Zach, this is exactly what I intended to avoid.”
“So did I,” he whispered. “It’s impossible. Just plain, downright impossible,” he added before kissing her.
Moaning with pleasure again, she twisted against him. He was aroused, ready to love. He unfastened her slacks, pushing them off, and they tumbled around her ankles. Kicking off her shoes, she stepped out of them.
Tearing herself away from his kiss, she gasped. “Zach, we’re crossing a line.”
“I told you, we crossed that line the day you walked into my office for this job. This was inevitable.”
“So ill matched and not what I want,” she said, looking into eyes that had darkened to a cobalt blue. “A total disaster.”
“You want this with all your being. You can’t stop,” he whispered. His mouth ended her argument. Knowing he was right, she wanted him and she wasn’t inclined to stop. She kissed him even though she’d declared their lovemaking a disaster and meant every word.
With deliberation he held her away to look at her and she stepped out of her pooled slacks. He pulled free her red sweater and her unfastened lacy bra went with it. His seductive gaze inched slowly over her, made her pulse race.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, caressing her breasts. Pausing, he tossed away his sweater and she inhaled deeply at the sight of his chest that tapered to a flat washboard belly ridged with muscles.
His hands rested on her hips as his gaze dallied over her, taking in the sight with measured thoroughness. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered hoarsely. “You take my breath.”
She tingled beneath his sensual perusal. Wherever his gaze drifted, she reacted as if it were his fingers instead of eyes that trailed over her.
He untied her hair, pulling loose the delicate silk scarf, letting the free end slip down in a feathery whisper over her breast before he let go and the scarf fluttered away.
“Your hair is meant for a man’s fingers. I’ve thought that since I saw you get out of your car the first day.”
“Zach,” she whispered, shaking with need as she reached to pull him close. He resisted, catching her hands, finishing his study. Caresses followed with his fingers touching where he had looked.
“Zach,” she gasped, closing her eyes, trembling when she reached for him. He held her away, continuing his sweet torment. His feather strokes started at her throat, moving to her nape and down her back, up her side and then over her breasts, lingering, circling a taut point with his palm. She inhaled and moaned. “Zach,” she protested, tugging on his waist because she wanted to press against him and kiss him, to caress him. “We shouldn’t kiss.”
“Neither of us wants to stop. You want this and I want you. We’ve been headed for this moment from the first. Ah, Emma,” he whispered. His fingers slid over her belly, drawing light circles that tormented and heightened desire.
She throbbed with need. Hunger to love him built swiftly. His fingers slipped up the inside of her thigh and she gasped, spreading her legs. Then he caressed her intimately. Her heart pounded and her eyes flew open as she pulled him roughly to her and kissed him, pouring out her need.
With shaking fingers, she unfastened his belt and then his jeans, shoving them off.
“Your foot?”
“It’s protected by the shoe. Ignore it.” He yanked off his loafer and then his briefs followed.
She drew a deep breath at the sight of him.
His arms held her tightly. His rock-hard muscles pressed against her while his manhood thrust insistently. He picked her up to carry her in front of the fire, lowering her to an area rug. Flames warmed her side, but she barely noticed for looking into hungry blue eyes.
“You’re beautiful.” Kneeling, he showered kisses on her. She couldn’t stop. Couldn’t tell him no. A disaster was blowing in with the storm that raged outside. His hands strummed over her, building need. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to devour him.
As his hands stroked her, her hips arched to meet him. She wanted more, had to have his hands on her. He stretched out beside her, turning her into his arms while he kissed her and his hand stroked her thighs, moving between them to heighten her pleasure.
“Zach,” she breathed, sitting up and leaning over him. She trailed her fingers over the hard muscles, tangling her hand in his chest hair, showering kisses on his shoulder and down over his chest to his belly, moving lower.
As