Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys) by Carly Phillips

his barriers and his brain were functioning again, and he couldn’t let any woman get inside his head.
    No matter how much he liked Lexie, he couldn’t allow himself to forget hard-won lessons. Women screwed him over.
    “She’s not like her,” Derek said, interrupting his thoughts.
    “Who’s not like who?” Kade asked. Because he had so many women who’d betrayed him in his background, he actually had his pick.
    His mother, the woman who was supposed to take care of him but had walked out on him instead. Lila with her date rape accusation. And Angela, his girlfriend just as Blink was gaining popularity, who’d enjoyed the money his father sent him and the things Kade bought her but was selling them for cash instead … stealing from him at the same time she was pretending to be in love.
    Derek rose to a standing position. “I was going to say Lexie’s not like Lila, but since you obviously have them all on the brain, she’s not like any of the females in your past. She’s a woman who needs a job, is capable of putting up with your shit, and knows how to handle you.”
    “Maybe.” He ran a hand over his short hair. He’d like to think Derek was right about Lexie. “But I can’t take the risk.”
    Derek groaned. “You are a fucking hard nut to crack. Okay, fine. Have it your way. Are you coming to work today?”
    “Yeah.” Even if he got nothing accomplished, he’d rather keep himself busy there than be alone here with too much time to think—about Lexie, why he couldn’t take things any further, and what in the hell he was going to do about her now.
    *     *     *
    I kissed my boss and I liked it. The refrain had run through Lexie’s head ever since leaving Kade’s apartment. Running from it, actually, without looking back. She knew Derek would take care of his friend, and she’d needed to get away, but that kiss had followed her … home and into her dreams.
    She fell asleep with the feel of his lips on hers, the cherry taste of his mouth lingering, and she dreamt of much more than a kiss—her entire body was engaged, her hands dragging up his shirt, molding over his hard chest and defined ab muscles. Her breasts were heavy, her nipples hard because he was tweaking them with his hands. Big hands, large enough to cup her heavy breasts, palm them, and make her feel heaven with his touch.
    She woke up aching and empty, her panties soaked with evidence of her desire for a man she shouldn’t want. Couldn’t have. And had to face this morning.
    She chose her wardrobe like armor today, picking a pair of loose trousers that didn’t define her curves, a man-tailored blouse, and a pair of medium heels. Nothing sexy about it, she thought as she sat at her desk, waiting for the ding of the elevator and a glimpse of Kade’s dark hair.
    Dark brown hair she dreamed of running her fingers through, though in reality it was too short for that. When her nipples started to tighten, she wrapped her hands around her cold bottle of water, hoping to stop any further hot, inappropriate thoughts.
    As if she could.
    It was almost a relief when he stepped off the elevator and she could put the awkward first hello behind her. She rose and immediately made his coffee, only to find they were out of the strong brew K-cups. She grabbed the Breakfast Blend, knowing it was a lighter flavor, and hoped for the best, mixing it exactly the way he liked it.
    She stepped into the doorway of his office. Holding her breath, she knocked once to catch his attention.
    He turned, meeting her gaze with a cool look that didn’t bode well for her. Obviously he didn’t want to face the intimate moment they’d shared any more than she did. Well, that was okay. Maybe they could pretend it hadn’t happened and go on with their day. A girl could dream, she thought.
    Stomach fluttering, she walked into the office. The sun streamed through the window, showcasing a breathtaking view of the city. Unfortunately for her, she couldn’t