Worth the Risk by Karen Erickson Page B

swallow the words and make them disappear. They stared at each other silently, regret hitting her full force and she pressed her lips together. She should’ve never said that. Why did he always push her so much? Of course, she wasn’t over him yet. Couldn’t get over him, as loathe as she was to admit it.
    Damn him.
    “I don’t regret it,” he whispered harshly. “If I had my choice, it would happen again.”
    “Why?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. This was crazy. They were playing with fire and she was the only one who would end up getting burned. She was putting everything at risk. Her job, her emotional state, her future…all of it for a man who could charm her panties off with a few sexy words and a smile that made her burn.
    “Why? I don’t know why. I can’t explain it. When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about.” She opened her eyes at that revelation. “And when I’m with you, it takes everything inside of me not to just reach out and do this.” He swooped in.
    And kissed her.
     
    Christ, she tasted good. Like sweet, honeyed woman and lush, sensual promise. It was a big mistake, pissing her off, pissing himself off and then kissing her. He’d promised he would leave her alone.
    But seeing her with Marcus had set a fire deep in his belly that couldn’t be denied. And thinking she’d actually encouraged Marcus’s flirtations? That had nearly sent him into a full-bodied attack on a man he considered his friend.
    Hunter couldn’t dwell on it now. He had Gracie where he wanted her. Their mouths connected, their tongues tangling. He hadn’t even touched her yet, kept his hands firmly on the arms of the chair and he nearly collapsed to his knees when she pressed forward and wound her arms around his neck.
    It was a sign of acquiescence. That she wanted him and wasn’t going to deny herself any longer.
    Thank Christ. He’d been silently begging for this since she slipped out of his bed early that Sunday morning after the most momentous night of his life.
    “Hunter.” Hearing her sweet voice whisper his name sent a bolt of lust straight through him that settled in his hardening cock. “We shouldn’t do this.”
    “You want to.” He kissed her, then pulled away, watching with satisfaction when she followed him with a tilt of her head. “Just as bad as I want to.”
    She didn’t deny it, allowing him to kiss her again. “Don’t talk, baby,” he whispered against her swollen, damp lips. “Just feel.”
    The agonized moan that sounded from her tore at him, drove him on. He fell onto his knees with a hard thud and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as he could get her. Attacking her throat, he licked and nibbled the elegant length of her neck, pausing at the open part of her shirt, breathing in her delectable scent.
    Floral and a hint of sultry promise, her scent drove him wild. He tore at the buttons of her shirt, undoing them with shaky fingers. Whipping her shirt away from her torso, he drank in the beauty of her clad in only a pale cream bra. The garment was simple, no lacy adornments, no little pearl or stone accents or bows made of silk. Just creamy satin lovingly cupped her beautiful breasts.
    He tugged the cups down, exposing her to his gaze. Pretty pink nipples came into view, hard little points that begged for his touch and he gave in. They were eye level and unable to resist, he drew one into his mouth, sucking it deep, swirling his tongue around her aroused flesh.
    “Oh God.” She sunk her hands into his hair and held him there. Opening his eyes, he glanced up at her, meeting her gaze. She watched, her lips parted, her eyes glowing in the dim light of his office. He released his lips’ hold on her nipple, then darted out his tongue and circled once. Twice. Slow enough to draw a breathless whimper from her.
    His cock strained against his trousers, and he reached with one hand for his belt buckle, undoing it with a quick flick of his