Page 20 of Dante (Members From Money Season 2. #153)

She had to stay over because of the late start to his day and was on pins and needles the entire time.

But to her relief, he was all business and was courteous and polite throughout the meetings.

And he watched her overtly. She would be taking notes when she would look up and meet his eyes.

The smoldering quality of his gaze sent nerves shivering throughout her body.

"I have an early morning meeting tomorrow and would appreciate you helping me to prepare. The zoning commission is being a pain in the ass about the Penn Street situation, and I must be well prepared."

"I thought all the store owners were all in agreement with the sale."

He went behind his desk and sat. "They had, but the people living in the surrounding neighborhood have a problem with progress."

"Perhaps they see the development as an intrusion."

He stared at her with lifted brows. "The mall will be tasteful and provide employment for thousands. The neighborhood is rundown and has become a haven for drug dealers and prostitutes."

"All I'm saying..."

"How are you?" His voice had softened, sending thrills running all over her.

"I'm fine." She looked down at her device. "You have..."

"Who's your OB?"

She sent him a frustrated look, tamping down her impatience. "No one you'd recognize."

"I have some friends. The Wellbeing Clinic a few blocks from here has benefited from the company's generosity. I could give Dr. McKenzie a call. She's an excellent OBGYN, or so I'm told."

Her eyes glittered. "I'm fine with the one I have. But thanks."

"I want to help."

Her chin lifted. "In what way?"

He shifted the paperweight between his fingers. "Financially."

Her temper spiked and she had to take a deep breath to level it down and remember that under it all, he was her boss, and she really needed this job.

"I will forget you just said that." Her voice was prim and frosty, and he had to smother the urge to chuckle. Righteous indignation was emanating off her in waves.

"I did not mean it as an insult."

"Exactly what did you mean it as? We had sex and you feel sorry for the poor pregnant employee and you what, decide to offer a handout?"

His amusement fled and switched to anger in a snap. "That wasn't what I meant, and you know it."

"What did you mean, Mr. Livingston?"

His eyes kindled dangerously as he shoved away from his desk. She had to force herself to remain where she was as he marched towards her. Reaching down, he hauled her to her feet and clamped his hands on her arms. And shook her.

"Damn you." His voice was soft and dangerous. "I'm not used to this and I'm trying to..." He shook her again. "I am attracted to you in the worst possible way and it's something I cannot shake."

"Try harder."

"I want you in my life." He continued as if she had not spoken. "And damned if I know how the hell this is going to work." He muttered as if talking to himself. "I want to be there for you and if that means taking care of you and the child..."

"Who is another man's seed."

His eyes smoldered. "Do you love him?"

"What?" She blinked.

"The bastard who left you hanging. Do you love him?" His fingers were digging into her arms, but neither of them seemed to notice.

"No." She whispered. "And I know that sounds awful. I was... my biological clock was ticking, and I thought we could be a family." She shook her head and pressed her lips together. "Anyway, none of it matters. This between us must stop."

"How?"

"What?"

"Give me a solution," he invited.

"I..." She floundered as his eyes bored into hers. "You have to see that this is not going to work. I'm just a novelty and it will wear off."

"I don't think so. I want you all the time.

Now, I want you now and I have no idea what to do about it.

" He drew her closer and she did not stop him.

Instead, she leaned in, her head lifting in anticipation.

Her heart was pounding, her skin clammy with heat.

His eyes searched her face and settled on her parted lips.

Smothering a groan, he touched his lips to hers softly, rubbing his lips over hers.

His hands wandered down her back, until he was molding her against his body.

One hand drifted up to the back of her neck and angled her head for his kiss.

One that he deepened. The passion built swiftly, sweeping them along until he was devouring her.

She clung to him, her fingers gripping his sweater as she leaned into the kiss.

Her participation fired his desire, sending the madness blazing throughout his body. Lifting his mouth from hers, he stared at her with passion-filled eyes.

"Let me have you." His voice was thick and unrecognizable.

"Come home with me. I want to love you properly.

" He felt as if a fever was raging inside him.

"I want to explore your body and do it all over again.

" His hands raced up and down her arms before gripping her throat.

"I've never felt this way about anyone before. I must have you. Please."

Without giving her a chance to respond, he bent his head and took her lips.

Courtney was helpless to resist and felt as if a storm was sweeping her away. She was overwhelmed, the passion burning a path inside her. She sagged against him weakly. Sensations on top of sensations tumbled over and over until she felt as if she was being dragged through the eye of a hurricane.

She buried her hands in his thick hair, feeling the softness there. Her mouth opened to accept his as he dragged her further.

Ending the kiss, he put her away from him, his entire body shuddering. The control was teetering on the brink, and he knew if he continued, he was going to drag her to the carpeted floor. She deserved better.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself, his eyes glittering. "Will you come home with me?"

She knew she should say no. Gripping her arms, she cupped her elbows as tremors shook her. Her insides were like jelly, and she could not think straight. But she knew that if she did not make love with him, there was no rest for her. So, she nodded, unable to find the words.

The relief at her assent stunned him. For a few seconds he could not react.

"Good."

"The reports..."

"Can wait. Let's get out of here."

His apartment was an elegant showpiece that stood back from the road and was situated in front of a lake.

She had seen photos of the place in several magazines.

Dante Livingston was an epitome of the American dream and everything he did made the news, which was bothering her and had her turning back to go home.

This was a complicated affair, and affair was the right term for what they were involved in.

She had no business going to his place and repeating what was surely a mistake.

She had also lied to her brother, telling him she had to work late. When she was on her way to her boss' apartment to have sex with him.

Shaking the troubling thoughts away, she concentrated on the solitary beauty.

The place was neatly landscaped and surrounded by thick oak and redwood trees.

Despite the cold weather, vines climbed and clung to the weathered bricks.

He had no neighbors and did not have a doorman, which was a relief to her.

Waiting for her to park, he crossed to her and took her hand in his.

They made their way across the crushed stone driveway.

Entering a series of complicated numbers, he ushered her in when the glass door swung open to spill into what must surely be the foyer.

The space was lofty, with a high ceiling and more potted plants everywhere.

"I love living things," he murmured, noticing her interest.

"They're lovely." She had to do something to take her mind off what was about to happen.

"I'll give you the tour later." Taking her hand again, he guided her to the elevator.

Like the one in his office building, the car took them up to the second level in a split second.

The doors opened to a wide hallway where there were more plants and silken wallpaper of the palest pearl gray.

He uncoded a deep burgundy oak door and stepped into a foyer that defied description.

The space was wide. The carpet was a lush dull gold color.

The wallpaper here was like burnished wood and priceless arts were on the walls.

She recognized a Rembrandt only because she had seen it in a magazine she'd read.

Trying not to appear gauche and uncomfortable, she swung her gaze away and connected with an intricate artwork of double staircases that branched off in both directions. The difference in their lifestyles hit her like a ton of bricks and had her pausing at the foot of the staircase.

"What is it?"

"I cannot do this."

His hand tightened on hers. "You're here."

"I cannot do this." Tears burned the back of her eyes. "I have a baby to think about and no matter what the scientists say, it's a baby. My baby. And I cannot pretend that I'm less than who I am, or ignore who you are."

"I don't want you to." He drew her up the stairs and she followed.

"Dante..."

"Oh Christ!" he whispered and stopping just at the top, he turned her into his arms and laid his lips on hers.

The kiss was gentle and demanding at the same time and had her clinging to him helplessly.

She was lost, she realized. In a few days, she had become tangled with this man, and it was not just her body, her emotions were teetering on the brink.

She was vulnerable to him and in danger of falling in love. The impact of that hit her hard.