Page 92 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"Of course."

We lag behind, ostensibly so I can show her where a scarf was left in my study.

The moment the door closes behind us, she sags against the bookshelf.

"That was the most stressful dinner of my life," she announces."And I once had lunch with three competing clients who didn't know they'd been triple-booked."

"Fiona can be...intense," I acknowledge, moving closer."She asks a lot of questions."

"Too many questions," Karina agrees, tension evident in her voice."About very specific things."

"Like your academic background?"

She meets my eyes, something vulnerable there."Yes.Like that."

I should press further.

A CEO would demand transparency, especially given how jumpy Karina seems lately.

The inconsistencies in her responses.The way Viktoria jumped in to answer questions directed at her sister.

Instead, I reach for her, drawn by something stronger than corporate concerns."I've missed you."

Her exhale is shaky."Callum, we can't?—"

But she doesn't pull away when I step closer, when my hand finds her waist."Can't what?This?"

My fingers trace up her side, curve around to her back, pulling her gently against me.Her breath catches.

"We agreed this was a bad idea," she whispers, even as her body leans into mine.

"Terrible," I agree, lips finding the pulse point below her ear."Disastrous."

"Someone could walk in?—"

"They're all waiting for the elevator.We have at least two minutes."

She laughs, the sound trailing into a gasp as my hand slips under her dress, finding the heat between her thighs."Not enough time."

"For you?More than enough."I stroke her through the thin fabric of her underwear, feeling her already wet."I've been thinking about this all week."

Her head falls back against the bookshelf, eyes closing as I work her with practiced precision."This doesn't solve anything."

"It's not meant to."I increase the pressure, the pace, watching her face as she bites her lip to stay quiet."Consider it dessert."

She comes apart silently, body tensing against mine before she melts, boneless and breathless.

I hold her through it, cataloging every detail.

The flush on her chest.The way her fingers dig into my shoulders.

The soft, almost surprised sound she makes when she falls over the edge.

"You're trouble," she murmurs when she can speak again, straightening her dress.

“Intentionally troublesome.”I press a final kiss to her hairline."You should go.They'll be wondering where you are."

She studies me for a second.Then two."Callum, about those questions Fiona was asking..."