Free Mate of the Alpha by Marie Mason Page B

torturous for Lily she tried to avoid entering his office when he was inside. Every time they were together she was struck, weakened by the sensual waves of attraction pulsating between them. The sensations aroused within her were breathtaking, exciting. On each occasion, she exited Ethan’s office feeling shaken, a yearning hunger for more…and so damn horny she was ready to buy a vibrator just to take the edge off.
    Each day that passed, she found herself one day closer to flinging herself in his arms and begging him to take her. She knew the dark passion was not one-sided. Just like the smile and the maneuver to force her to touch his hand, she knew he was baiting her. From the moment she’d walked into his office for an interview, he’d been baiting her. But…why?
    She was not an ugly woman, but she was certainly nothing like the women she knew he dated. She’d never actually met one, but the office grapevine provided plenty of gossipy details and so did the internet. Each of his past girlfriends could have been a runway model, so beautiful and thin they made Lily want to weep with envy.
    C urvy, well-padded, plush, cuddly, sturdy, well-fed, big-boned – she’d used all those words at one time or another to describe herself. Now, she’d accepted what she looked like and knew somewhere was a man who would love her unconditionally. Forever. Even if Ethan could not be that man, she really, really, really, wanted to know what it felt like to be on the receiving end of all the sexual tension swirling between them. She’d had two boyfriends, but only one had been her lover. He’d been a big, fat, zero in bed, and her biggest regret. But she’d been lonely, hungry for a man’s touch.
    She’d been inexperienced when it came to work as well. She’d applied to Wolfe Enterprises straight out of college, the proud recipient of a business degree and wet behind the ears as far as practical experience went. She’d applied for a junior mid-management position but had been offered the job as the CEO’s personal assistant. She’d taken it, needing the income to support herself and her newly divorced sister. It had been the best decision she’d ever made. She’d grown to respect Ethan, both as an employer and a male. He was polite and old-fashioned in his behavior and she’d realized quickly she’d learn more working as his assistant then she’d ever learn climbing the corporate ladder.
    And now. Well, now she di dn’t know if she ever wanted to do anything else.
    Anything else but jump her boss’ bones.
    His teasing, flirty manner was not helping. Neither was his overbearing, protective, caring attitude. Some days she thought he had a split personality. He would make the coffee before she came in or answer his own phone when she was swamped. At those times, she felt cherished and wanted. At other times, when he became cold and insensitive, keeping her at arm’s length with no explanation, she felt like the redheaded stepchild. Or an ex-lover.
    He was driving her freaking crazy.
    Lily placed the folder with the contracts inside on his desk chair and moved to the conference room. Standing by the cherry serving table, she quickly ticked off the tasks already completed by another assistant. Bottles of imported water were on ice. The coffee was ready to brew and the gourmet sandwiches and desserts were scheduled to be delivered at any moment. No five dollar subs for Wolfe  Enterprises’ employees.
    All the materials were ready for the presentation as well. Last night she’d stayed late to finish the folders that she’d placed neatly around the matching cherry conference table. In the evenings, she usually had to babysit for her sister who was taking night classes to finish her degree, but last night had been a school holiday so everything had worked out great. She hated asking for time off for personal reasons. She always felt obligated to explain why she needed the time off. Ethan made her feel guilty without