Page 19 of Consumed By You

“What are you doing? No, you’re not staying. I’d like you to leave.” I point to the door.

“Hear what, Darcy?”he repeats, grabbing two wine glasses from my cupboard.

“That you would never date someone like me. I get that. But you sitting here, acting like you felt nothing during our dinner, trying to make me look like I’m fucking ridiculous, is just low.”

“I never said I wouldn’t date someone like you. I also never said I didn’t feel anything at our dinner. I said you’re my assistant and it would be stupid for me to get involved with you.” He pours the glasses nonchalantly while I gawk his way, flabbergasted.

I try to shut my mouth as he turns to offer me the glass.

“You’re stunning, Darcy…in every way,” he whispers, bringing the rim of the wine glass to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine. I don’t know what to say, what to do. I’m paralyzed here, transfixed by the large emerald shapes carved into his face, their attention unwaveringly still on my face.

“W-What?”

“I just sat up half the night thinking about you. You beguile me. The way you challenge me, your honesty. It’s very attractive.”

He takes the cup out of my hand and sets both of them on the table and then proceeds to step forward, ending up dangerously close to me. Too close.

Shit. Shit. Double shit.

He lifts his hand to my face and brushes his finger beneath my eye. “You’ve been crying.”

Blushing profusely, I drop my gaze to the floor, unable to handle watching him observe me so intently.

“Please, don’t do this,” I whisper, shaking my head.

“I couldn’t stop thinking of your body. I was lying up, dreaming I could touch you.” He cups my jaw gently and pulls his head down terrifyingly close to mine. His breath smells of mouthwash and wine. It intoxicates me. I’m completely drunk on him. “Feel your lips.” He presses the soft pad of his thumb against my quivering lip.

I’m breathing loudly now, completely at his mercy. There’s no fight left in me whatsoever.

“Kiss you,” he whispers, his mouth nudging mine searchingly. His lips are smooth and naturally plump, perfectly formed. He brushes them over mine, teasing my mouth to open to him before he really dives in, pushing his lips brutally into mine.

Holy fuck. He can kiss.

I open my mouth willingly to his waiting tongue, moaning in acceptance. My arms ease around his warm neck and he drops his to my waist, drawing me in closer.

The evidence of his wanting is pressed hard against my body, and I shiver as he bites my lip and tugs. His experience shows. His hands travel farther down over the curve of my buttocks so he’s guiding me into him provocatively.

I need to stop him.

I shove him away, despite my body’s reluctance, and run to the other corner of the room. He’s breathing heavily, his lips as swollen as mine, I’m sure.

“Oh my god. Oh my god.No.” The realization of what I just did is blowing my mind. He looks at me as though I’m mental, about to lose it at any second.

“It’s okay, Darcy.”

“Okay? Benjamin, I just kissed my boss!”

“So?”

“So I can’t do that!”

He leans against the counter. “Why not?”

“Because you can’t give me what I want! Because I can’t lose my job!”

“What is it you want, Darcy?” he asks, straightening. “From me? What’s keeping you from accepting this?”

He sounds as if he were discussing a business transaction, which flares my frustration. “Well, for starters—monogamy is kind of important to me.”