The Office Summer Picnic (Force Me) Read Free Page A

slip into her mouth or seek to enter hers, but dove in, forcing its way inside. Even if she’d wanted to deny him, it simply wasn’t possible. He was too strong, too seductive. Kisses obviously meant to punish, to show her who she belonged to, were like an aphrodisiac to a woman like her. No. More than that. They were drugging, intoxicating. The more she had, the more she needed.
    Like a starving woman, she clutched at his shoulders, letting her nails bite into the thin, starched material of his shirt. If she didn’t, she was afraid she’d simply fall back and spread her legs for him right there on her desktop. Yes, the thought was humiliating, but she couldn’t remember just why at the moment. All she could think about was his lips and teeth and tongue taking her so thoroughly. She wanted this, wanted him. She’d missed him so badly, she couldn’t think with needing him.
    In the space of one heartbeat, all her resistance flew out the window. She knew she’d never be complete without him, but it also hurt to know he didn’t feel the same way. Couldn’t feel the same way, or he’d have insisted on something more permanent than just sex with her. The realization hurt and strengthened her resolve more than she’d thought possible. On both counts. If she was ever to have any shred of self-respect, she had to end this. Now.
    She let go of his shoulders, laying her palms against the crisp linen of his shirt, intent on pushing him away. But the heat from all that masculine flesh beneath seared her palms. Her instinct was the opposite of what it should have been. She wanted to dig her nails into him and clutch him to her for dear life. Her mind was screaming at her to shove with all her might. Get him away from her so she could think rationally about this.
    Then his lips were at her neck, his hand in her hair pulling her head back to more fully expose the long line of her throat. She thought he’d kiss or lick her again. Or maybe even bite her skin. But he didn’t. He held her gaze, his intense, light blue eyes staring at her in an unbreakable hold.
    “You have today and tomorrow to make up your mind to stay. After that, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands. Since you’re in charge of the catering at the picnic Saturday, I know you’ll be there.” He raised an eyebrow, obviously wanting her to confirm his statement. Shenice couldn’t help the barely perceptible nod of her head. “If you haven’t withdrawn your resignation before that and come home, you will after that picnic.” He paused three heartbeats before adding. “One way or another.”
    They stared one another down for several moments before he saw whatever he was looking for in her face. With a half smile that could only be described as wicked, he stepped back, pulling her from her desk and straightening her clothing with fingers that were far too steady for Shenice’s liking. Hell, she was shaking like a leaf! He seemed to be completely unaffected. Which just proved to Shenice she was nothing more than a possession to him. Like his car or his house. He didn’t love her. If she left, it would only be a hit to his massive ego, not a heart-rending experience like it would be for her.
    She definitely had to find a way out of the picnic. Now.

Four
     
    Leaving Shenice’s office without confessing his love for her had been the hardest thing Alistair had ever done in his life, not to mention a huge gamble. The hurt she felt was palpable, and yes, she needed for him to confess how he really felt about her. However, she should have come to him with her concerns. She should have felt free enough to talk to him about what she was feeling. It stung that she hadn’t. It wasn’t that he wanted her to crawl to him, but if she needed the reassurance, if she was worried or concerned, all she had to do was say so. By now he would’ve hoped she’d realized if she needed something from him he would provide it without hesitation. Shenice need to learn to