Page 29 of Single Mom's Undoing

I shouldn’t have done that. Jace comes over, his stride long and confident. I hold my breath until he’s standing just a couple of feet away from me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“How do you like your office?” he asks, his voice low.

“It’s lovely,” I manage.

“It suits you: light and breezy; tasteful and elegant; colorful, like you,” he says, nodding at the bold red curtains.

I noticed them as soon as I walked in. They’re soft and shimmery, made of layers of fine organza that delicately fall to the floor.

“I’m loving the brass details, particularly on the chandelier,” I say, glancing up at the impressive piece. “Whoever designed this place is good—really good—at combining modern and vintage.”

“Yes, the designers are good, but they’re no longer available for our upcoming projects. I find that to be a blessing in disguise since you came along,” he replies as he inches closer.

I take a step back. “I am more than happy to work with you on a professional level, but after I’m done, I’m out of here,” I say. I’m trying so hard to keep my wits about me but the notes of tobacco and leather in his cologne are messing with my head, his darkening glare turning me on beyond my ability to control my most primal instincts.

“Out of where?”

“Out of Blackthorn Falls.”

Jace’s lips stretch into a slight smile. “You still think you’re leaving?”

“I don’t think I’m leaving, I know I am,” I feebly insist.

“You still don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what, Jace?”

Before I can react, he closes the distance between us. His right arm snakes around my waist, locking me in, and I damn near lose consciousness as I realize what a perfect match my body is to his.

“You’re not leaving Blackthorn Falls ever again, Clara. You got away from us once. We can’t lose you a second time.” His lips are way too close to mine.

“It’s not that easy. There’s a lot you don’t know, a lot you don’t understand.”

“I understand this,” he says, his left hand coming up to touch my face. My heart skips a beat, then another. “You can’t deny this, can you? This thing that’s growing between us. It was growing before you left, and it’s only grown in the time you’ve been away.”

“Jace…”

I pull in a deep breath when he firmly clasps my chin, beckoning me to look up, to face my darkest desire yet. “You keep lying to yourself. Why not just surrender to what you really want?”

“Because it would destroy me,” I whisper.

“Would it? Or would it make you whole again?”

The words hit me like a ton of bricks, echoing in my mind on repeat. Jace lowers his head. I should push him away, but it feels safe and warm in his arms against his hard body, his generous erection wedged against my lower belly.

I should push him away, but the minute his lips meet mine, I’m done for.

“We’re supposed to keep it professional,” I whisper, but he only kisses me harder in response, his tongue slipping through the last of my defenses.

A moan escapes my throat as my arms come up around his neck.

Jace deepens the kiss, his mouth making love to mine as liquid heat pools between my legs. He trails kisses down my jawline and neck; his breathing is ragged, mine erratic.

“Let this happen,” he says, one hand working its way down until his fingers reach the hem of my skirt. “Your body is crying out for me, Clara.”

“Jace, this is so wrong.”

“Is it?” he pauses to look at me, his brow slightly furrowed.