Free Up Close and Personal by Magda Alexander

finger against my lips. To silence me.
    “You’re so much kinder, sweeter, softer.”
    In the shadows, his big, powerful hands explore me, mapping the nooks and crannies of my arms, caressing my throat. Before I can draw breath, his lips mold themselves to mine again, stealing my breath, my will. I’m trembling like a leaf from the way he makes me feel.
    He picks me up, swings us around. “The chaise lounge is in front of us?”
    “Yes. About three feet.”
    He takes three steps and settles me on the couch. I shiver from its velvet softness.
    Vibrating from the nearness, the sheer size of him, I can’t help but wonder what he finds in me. A man as powerful as Sterling MacKay could have any woman he wants, that idiot ex-fiancee of his notwithstanding.
    “I want to taste you.” His voice thrums with need.
    “Kiss me, you mean?”
    “Something like that.”
    “I’d like that too.” I shyly confess.
    His hand travels up my stockinged leg and pauses when it discovers my undergarment, the naughty one I chose for tonight. “You’re wearing—”
    “A garter belt.”
    Light from the full moon out tonight streams through the glass window, illuminating him. He doesn’t know it, but I can see his face. His smile resembles that of a young boy’s who’s found some hidden treasure. “Is that what you bought with my money?”
    “Yes.”
    “You shouldn’t have paid me back,” he says kissing my thigh.
    “Why not?”
    “Because I will be keeping it.”
    As his mouth roams up, trailing heated devotions along my skin, I moan. “You like trophies.”
    “Yes.”
    He unsnaps the garter belt while I run my hand through his hair. I love his smell, that expensive cologne and that spicy scent of his. The stocking rolls off in his hand before he does the same to its twin. And then gently, so gently, he raises the dress hem until I’m exposed to the chill of the library. Not that I feel it. Not with my body burning up as it is.
    His finger teases the edge of my panties. “What color are they?”
    “White.”
    “Of course they are.” He’s amused, going by the smile in his voice. I never dreamed my choice of undergarment would be a source of laughter to him.
    He kisses my calves, my knees, my thighs. I’m not a virgin. I told him the truth about that. But my college boyfriend had never given me much pleasure. He only liked a quick fumble in the dark. But now with Sterling’s mouth on me? Sweet God. I didn’t know such joy existed. I’m on the verge of something, something I’ve never experienced, a pleasure like no other.
    And then my conscience rears its ugly head. What am I doing? Am I really going to allow him to seduce me, here on this couch? He’s my boss. I’m his employee. Bottom line, he’s paying my salary. Did he hire me so he could do these things to me? “Stop, please stop,” I cry out.
    His head jerks up. “What’s wrong?”
    I scoot off the couch. Embarrassed to my core, I cover my face with my hands. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—I can’t do this. I just can’t.”
    He stands, tall and powerful, to tower over me. “Why not?” His strained voice demands.
    How did I get myself in this mess? “I work for you. But this is not part of my duties. At least it shouldn’t be.”
    His hand vibrates with repressed tension as it roams up my arm, across my shoulder. Encircling my throat, his thumb pushes up on my chin so I’m forced to look up at him. He may not be able to see me, but I can clearly see the anger in his eyes. “I never required this as part of your job. You came willingly, remember?”
    My chest pumps air in and out of my lungs. He’s right. I did. “I shouldn’t have. Let me go. Please,” I whisper. Just that one word. Nothing more.
    “What are you afraid of, Caitlyn? Of someone finding out? There’s no one here but the two of us. No one would know.” He rests his forehead against mine. He’s trembling with need, with hunger. For me. Something I find hard to