Page 3

He doesn't answer immediately, and in that hesitation, I see the truth.

"Holy shit." I step closer, studying him with new eyes. "You are a shifter."

"Half," he admits, his jaw tight. "On my mother's side."

The revelation stuns me into silence. Evan Blackthorn, billionaire, notorious playboy, corporate shark, is half shifter. It explains so much, his aggressive business tactics, his territorial behavior, his magnetic presence that always made me feel slightly off-balance.

"Does anyone know?"

"A select few. And now you." He steps closer, into my personal space. "Consider it a show of good faith."

I should step back. I should maintain a professional distance. But something keeps me rooted to the spot as he looms over me, and his scent starts wrapping around me like a physical thing. And it makes me want to jump his bones and let him have his way with me.

"I still hate you," I whisper, but the heat behind the words has faded.

"I know." His voice drops an octave, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "But you'll work with me anyway, because deep down, you know I'm right. The cure matters more than your pride."

He's so close now, I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My eyes drift to his mouth without my permission, and his lips curve into a knowing smile that should infuriate me but instead makes my pulse skip.

"What are you doing?" I ask, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

"Testing a theory." He leans in, his breath warm against my cheek. "Do you know your pupils dilate when I get close. Your pulse quickens, and you smell sweet. So sweet, I want to devour you."

"That's… that's just basic human physiology. It's a fight or flight response."

"Is that what this is?" His hand comes up to brush a curl behind my ear, and I can't stop the small sound that escapes me.

His eyes darken at the sound, and then he closes the distance between us until his lips capture mine in a kiss. I should push him away. I should slap him. I should do anything but what I do is grab his shirt and pull him closer.

He makes a low, approving sound in the back of his throat that vibrates through me. His hands find my waist and pull me against him as the kiss deepens. I tug at his hair, harder than necessary, a small act of defiance even as I open to him.

He lifts me suddenly, gripping my thighs as he sits me on the edge of his desk. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, drawing him between them.

"I've wanted to do this since the first time you stormed into my office and called me a 'corporate parasite,'" he murmurs against my skin.

"Shut up," I gasp, tugging his hair to bring his mouth back to mine.

He grinds his hips against me, the hard length of him pressing exactly where I need it, and I moan into his mouth. One of his hands slides up my ribs to cup my breast, and his thumb brushes over the peak through my blouse and bra.

"Fuck," I breathe as he pinches lightly, sending a jolt of pleasure-pain straight to my core.

He makes a growling sound that's decidedly inhuman, and his eyes flash wild. He pushes my blouse up, and descends his mouth to my breast, sucking through the thin fabric of my bra.

"Oh god," I moan, arching my back to press myself more firmly against his mouth. I tangle my fingers in his hair, holding him to my breast.

He brings his hand up to cup my other breast and flicks his thumb over the nipple before he pinches it between his fingers. The combination of sensations makes me cry out, a sound that's half pleasure and half desperation.

"Please," I whimper, rocking my hips against him.

A sharp knock cuts through the haze of desire.

"Mr. Blackthorn?" Oliver calls through the door. "Your two o'clock is here, and your car is waiting to take you to the airport."

Evan pulls back, and he has a murderous expression on his face. "Goddammit," he mutters, then raises his voice. "I'll be right out."

Reality crashes back like a bucket of ice water. I push against his chest and scramble off the desk, tugging my clothes back into place. My face burns with embarrassment and lingering arousal.

What did I just do? Why did I do it? It seemed like I had no control over my body.