Free Desire's Edge by Eve Berlin

somehow. Looking down, she could see umbrellas moving down the sidewalk, the people beneath them hidden away.
    Why did this familiar view look different to her today? Why did she feel so different? Was it that psychological fallout Dante had talked to her about? She didn’t feel bad. Just . . . changed a little.
    She ran her thumbs up the sides of her thick paper cup, enjoying the heat. Remembering the heat of Dante’s hands on her skin . . .
    Her sex went damp, and she crossed her legs, trying to ease the ache there.
    Dante . . .
    She could picture his deep brown gaze, his eyes so intense she could barely stand to look into them, sometimes, but compelled to at the same time. His mouth, which was really too lush for a man. She liked the way it softened his angular features, loved the contrast of it. And those authoritative orders issuing from such a soft-looking mouth . . . It was too good.
    She remembered the way he used that mouth, too. All over her skin, between her thighs.
    She sighed, her body heating. And jumped when her cell phone rang.
    She smoothed a hand over her hair, as if someone could see her, before picking it up.
    “Hello?”
    “Kara.”
    His voice was deep, rich. Sexy as hell.
    “Dante. Good morning.”
    “Yes, it is. How are you?”
    “Tired, but good.”
    “Sore?”
    “Yes, a little.”
    “But you like it.” It was a statement, not a question. She liked that, too.
    “Yes.” She laughed. “I like it a lot.”
    “Good, then you’re still interested in doing it again?”
    “I might be.”
    “Oh, it’s far too late to play coy with me. I watched you come into my hands just this morning.”
    Her body went blazing hot, simply hearing him say it.
    “Dante . . .”
    “You’re slipping down into that space even now, aren’t you, beautiful girl? But I won’t take it any further. I know you have to work.”
    She pulled in a breath, tried to calm herself. “Are you at work now, too?”
    “Yes. First day at the new job. Nice office. I think I’m going to like it here. And there are some great places to eat in this neighborhood. Maybe we can meet for lunch this week. Someplace with a long tablecloth. I have this fantasy about getting you off under the table. Someplace just a little public. What do you think of that?”
    Oh God, she was soaking wet.
    “I think that’s . . . very interesting.”
    He chuckled, sounding pleased.
    “How far away do you work?” he asked. “I’ve just realized I never asked the name of the firm you work for. We were too busy with other things.”
    “It’s—” Her main line buzzed. “I’m sorry, Dante. There’s a call coming in on my work phone. Can you hold on a moment?”
    “That’s okay. I’ll leave you with that thought and call you tonight. I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
    “Okay.”
    “Have a good day. And, Kara. Think about that lunch.”
    “Mmm, I will.”
    They hung up and she picked up her work line.
    “Hi, Ruby. What’s up?” she asked her secretary.
    “I’m supposed to remind you there’s a meeting in about five minutes in the big conference room.”
    “Ah, I’d forgotten about it. I’m a bit slow this morning. Thanks, Ruby. I’ll be right there.”
    She gulped down a little more of her latte, flipped open the compact mirror she kept in her desk to touch up her lipstick, stood and straightened her charcoal-gray pencil skirt. Time to forget about Dante and focus on work.
    She opened her office door and made her way down the hall, her heels clacking on the hardwood floor. The firm of Kelleher, Landers and Tate was in a beautiful, classic brick building with high windows and all the gorgeous old architecture preserved. She appreciated the ornate crown molding, the wide-planked wood floors, and that they always furnished the office in antiques, or at least antique reproductions, making it look like something out of the 1940s, if it weren’t for the computers on every desk. It made for a cozier work environment than the