Desire Part Two (The Desire Series Book 2) (3 page)

“Thank you,” she responded.

He nodded then seated himself.

“The soup smells good,” he sighed.

“I hope you like it. It’s a simple fare. I wasn’t expecting company,” she said.

“This is fine. I am a simple man. And don’t think of me as company. I want to be your friend,” he said. “I know things did not start off well between us. But I’m hoping that will change.”

Maddie looked in his clear grey eyes. They actually were brilliant silver in coloring and it seemed that they were shimmering with sincerity. She felt that she could believe him. That he honestly wanted a real friendship between them. And she wanted that as well; despite being booted out of her office. And he had offered her an incredible career opportunity. That had to be worth something. And besides, it really wasn’t in her nature to be antagonistic and mean.

“I’m willing to start over if you are,” she said.

Whit smiled. She had extended the olive branch and no way would he not take it.

“I am,” he smiled in return.

They spoke of a variety of things; music, food, travel and sports. Whit was a good conversationalist. He was funny, intelligent and well-versed.

“So you are good friends with Jules. How did the two of you meet?” she asked.

“We met in college and immediately became great friends. After graduation we joined the Navy,” he explained. “He’s my best friend; more like a brother actually.”

“The two of you share a special bond. That’s wonderful,” she smiled.

“Just like you and Jaime. I could tell the two of you were special when I saw you at her wedding,” he murmured.

Maddie became thoughtful.

“You’re right. Jaime is my best friend. We’ve been friends since first grade. I would be lost without her,” Maddie said softly.

He saw the gentle, loving look in her eyes when she thought of her friend. He wanted that same look in her eyes when she looked at him. He knew he needed to be patient. Too bad patience was not one of his virtues. She stood and began stacking the dishes. She picked them up and moved to the sink. He picked up the remaining plates that she had left behind and followed her. He stopped close behind her and reached around her to set the plates on the counter. He did not back away after setting the dishes down. Although he wasn’t touching her, Maddie felt that he had effectively imprisoned her with his body. She was pinned between the sink and his large frame with no escape. She gripped the sink tightly, waiting for his next move. For moments he did nothing. He was motionless but she could hear his labored breathing. His breathing was erratic. Why? She couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

“Whit?” 

“You’ve finally said my name. It sounds good on your lips,” he whispered.

He could smell the light apricot scent wafting from her hair. He pressed his nose into her thick mass and breathed deeply. Dear Lord, how he wanted her. His penis had taken on a life of its own and there was no way of controlling it. It strained against the material of his pants, demanding to spring free. He knew that if she turned to face him there was every chance that she would notice his erection. But he couldn’t hide it. He’d left his suit jacket in the car so he had no way of covering it. So be it. He needed to touch her. He couldn’t resist the temptation any longer. He lifted his hands and laid them lightly on her shoulders. His fingers trailed across her shoulders then circled her neck. Slowly his hands inched their way down her chest and slid under her pajama shirt. His fingers itched to reach the tips of her breasts.

“Whit!” Maddie exclaimed as she whipped around to face him.

His face was inscrutable. His eyes were dark pools of stormy deep blue waters. Their intensity was startling. She shifted her gaze downward to break visual contact only to see his penis protruding outward, seeking release. She gasped. Whit grasped her by the waist and pulled her against him.

“There’s no getting around it, Madison. I want you…badly,” he growled.

She liked the way her name sounded when spoken with his British accent. It sounded romantic and intimate. It seemed the things she liked about him were mounting. His lips descended upon hers in a devouring kiss. There was nothing gentle or circumspect about his caress. His mouth covered hers and he immediately pushed his tongue into her mouth; seeking and claiming what he wanted. And she responded. She couldn’t help herself. She’d known she was attracted to him from the moment she met him. He had infuriated her but he had also ignited something sexual and primal within her. She wanted his kiss as much as he wanted to give it. He cupped her face as their tongues danced together in perfect rhythm; neither of them seemingly able to get enough of each other. Maddie encircled his waist and reveled in the feel of him. He was muscular and well-toned. She could only imagine what he must look like without clothes. Her hands drifted down to his buttocks and she squeezed. He jerked in response and grinded against her. He took a step backward, pulling her with him. He took another and another.

“Madison?”

She knew what he was asking. He wanted to have sex with her. But did she? Maddie wasn’t a prude or a virgin. Yet she hadn’t indulged in sex on a regular basis. Maddie lost her virginity to a man she thought she was in love with when she was twenty years old. But he’d been older and smarter and had disappeared when he’d gotten what he wanted. That callous treatment had hurt her deeply and now at twenty-three she was mistrusting and cynical of men. And if she were not emotionally involved with the man, she did not sleep with him. But for some reason Whit made her want to break her rules. She certainly was not emotionally attached to him. But she desired him beyond belief. The temptation to sleep with him was overwhelming. He picked her up and supported her bottom as she wrapped her legs about his waist. Although Madison wasn’t sexually active she was still taking birth control pills. At this moment she was glad that she was protected. He began walking out of the kitchen. They crossed the living room and rounded the corner.

“Whit! Wait,” she exclaimed.

He stood stock still. They were in the hallway that led to her bedroom. He was breathing heavily and she could feel his chest pumping furiously.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

He groaned and pushed her against the wall. He ducked his head into the nook of her neck.

“Are you sure?” he asked hoarsely.

Maddie sighed heavily.

“Yes. I’m sure,” she whispered. She cupped his face and kissed him deeply. When she pulled back she looked into his smoldering blue eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s just too much too soon.”

She dropped her legs to the floor.

“It’s okay, Madison. I understand; although my penis doesn’t,” he said wryly as he grinded against her. “It wants what it wants.”

“Down boy. I think a cold shower is in order,” she smiled.

He pulled back from her slightly.

“I want you to know that this wasn’t what I had planned when I came over,” he said softly. “You are one sexy lady and things got out of hand. But seducing you was not my intent.”

“But you would have had I been willing?” she asked.

“Yes, I would have. I’m not going to lie. I want you, Madison McClain. I’ll make no secret about it,” he said firmly.

He was certainly direct. Maddie adjusted her pajama shirt as she stepped away from him. She needed to put some space between them. He wanted to bang her. That much was quite obvious. But although her actions probably said the same thing she was not going to verbalize how she felt.

“Perhaps we should work on a platonic friendship before jumping into deeper waters,” she said quietly.

“I’m an excellent swimmer,” he quipped.

Maddie shook her head sadly.

“I am not,” she whispered.

Maddie walked back into the living room. Whit watched her closely. She’d been hurt—very badly and her guard was firmly in place. Who was the jackass that hadn’t recognized the gem he’d held in his hand? He’d been a bloody fool to let her slip away. Well, that idiot’s loss was his gain and he intended to capitalize on it. He followed Maddie into the next room.

“I’d better get going. It’s late and we will have a busy day tomorrow preparing for your trip,” he said.

Maddie was standing in front of the bay window. She turned to face him.

“Alright. Thank you for the Edelston job. I won’t let you down,” she said earnestly.

“I’m not worried that you will. You’re an excellent designer, Madison. Edelston could not be in better hands,” he responded.

He moved to the door and held out his hand to her. Maddie hesitated then moved to join him. She grasped his outstretched hand. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. He gently suckled it for a long moment; his eyes never leaving her glistening green orbs. Maddie caught her breath at the gesture. Never in her life had a man kissed her hand in such a manner. He finally lifted his head and smiled.

“Goodnight, Madison,” he said gently.

“Goodnight, Whit,” she whispered.

He opened the door and was gone in an instant. Maddie put her hand to her chest and covered it with the other. She cherished his farewell and could feel the excitement mounting in anticipation of seeing him in the morning. She turned off the lights and went into her bedroom. As she settled into bed she eagerly closed her eyes. Maddie readily welcomed the dreams she knew she would have that night.

*****

Maddie walked into her cubicle and stopped short. At first she thought she was in the wrong cubicle. She looked around the tiny office in confusion.

“It looks good, doesn’t it?” Tina said admiringly. “It seems that Whit has a softer side after all.”

“I don’t understand. Did Whit do all of this?” Maddie asked in awe.

Tina nodded her head affirmatively.

“The rumor mill says that he had workers here before the rooster crowed to transform your office. You must have made a huge impression on him,” Tina said knowingly.

Maddie ignored the innuendo and walked further into the office. It was triple its original size with a draft table, a round conference table and a comfy sofa. But it was the desk chair that Maddie was irresistibly drawn to. She moved to it and sank into its cushiony comfort. She leaned back into its tan leather comfort and sighed contentedly. She couldn’t refrain from putting her feet on the corner of the desk. Tina laughed and clapped her hands.

“No one deserves this more than you,” Tina said excitedly. “I felt so badly for you when he kicked you out of your office. But he has redeemed himself nicely.”

“This is pretty cool,” Maddie grinned.

“All you need is an office door,” Tina exuded.

“I’ll put an order in for one.”

Tina spun around at the sound of Whit’s cool British tone as Maddie quickly removed her feet from the desk. Whit stood in the doorway, formidable and imposing. He was such a tall and muscular man; dwarfing every man in the office. And when you add his handsome magnetism to his physical attributes, no other man could compare or compete. 

“I’ll be happy to place the order for you, Whit,” Tina offered sweetly.

“If you would,” Whit said amiably. “Check with the contractor, Jake for the measurements on your way out.”

Tina knew that she had been dismissed. She nodded.

“Right away,” she said as she scurried out of the office.

Maddie knew that within seconds the gossip mill would be turning. But she didn’t care. She adored her new office and was very grateful to Whit for his kindness and generosity.

“Whit, this is phenomenal,” she said breathlessly.

“Do you like it? I took a page from your home design to configure this space. I hope the color scheme is to your liking,” he said.

“I love it. It’s wonderful. Thank you. I never dreamed that you would do this for me after—

She stopped abruptly. 

“After I tossed you out of your office?” he questioned. “It’s the very least I can do to make amends.”

“Well, I’m not one to carry a grudge. Consider the matter closed. And I really do like what you’ve done here. It screams Maddie,” she smiled radiantly.

Whit caught his breath at the sight of her smile. She truly was gorgeous. 

“I thought it suited you as well. I felt you would like the pale green and cream color accents. But I couldn’t be sure until you saw it. I’m glad you like it,” he smiled. 

“I do and I can’t wait to start working here. There’s so much to get done before I leave for Aruba,” she said.

“The workers are still coating the windows in the office. It will be some time before they are done. You are welcome to work in my office until they are finished,” he explained.

“Okay. Let me grab a few things and I will meet you there,” she said.

“Alright,” he replied.

Whit left her office and quickly crossed the room to his own. It was true that the workers were coating the exteriors of the office windows but he had an ulterior motive for wanting Madison in his office—it had a door and a lock. And he intended to close it immediately upon her entering the office. Last night had been a hellish night.  He had quickly sought his shower when he got home but the cold water did little to temper his raging need. He was surprised and frustrated that the freezing spray had not cooled his ardor. It had always worked in the past. He left the shower with his penis just as erect and pulsating as it had been when he entered. He got in bed and determined to jack off. He had but it had not been satisfying. He needed Madison. She was the only one who could give him the fulfillment that he craved. As soon as they were alone he intended to kiss her to delirium.

“Hey there. I may have forgotten a few items. It’s hard to collect everything when you’ve recently changed offices,” she chattered. “You’re not sure where everything is.”

Whit closed and locked the door while she talked. As she placed items on the conference table he quietly approached her from behind. He slid his arms about her waist. She gasped.

“Whit! We can’t,” she exclaimed.

He began kissing her neck.

“We can,” he countered.

“Someone could come in,” she protested.

“I locked the door. No one will have the balls to knock,” he whispered.