I knocked once and twisted the door handle with confidence. “Good evening, Mr. McCullen. I have your report.”

He looked up, gazing at me with those blue eyes piercing straight through me.

Get a grip, Robin. He’s unavailable.

“Oh. Right. Have a seat.”

He returned to his computer. “Give me a minute, will you.”

I nodded, my thoughts spiraling with an image of him and Millicent together. I frowned.

“Done,” he declared, closing his laptop and rubbing the nape of his neck. “You can leave it on the desk.”

I did, and stood up almost immediately… too quickly to leave, striding across the room toward the door.

He crossed the room, just in time, and caught my arm before I could make it out.

“Leaving so soon?” he purred, his voice raspy and sensual.

“Yes. I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Wait. Don’t leave.”

He traced his bottom lip with his tongue, sending tiny shivers of molten heat spreading through my entire body. I turned my face away from him, flushed and throbbing at the right places. GET A GRIP!

“Look at me.” He held my chin and tilted it up, forcing my eyes to meet his. “You’ve been on my mind all week. I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Robin—but I intend to find out.”

His hoarse voice was laced with a seduction I wasn’t prepared for, and I wanted to moan in response.

Oh God!

This was sinful. I spent every day scorning Mason for his betrayal, yet here I was, my mind twisting against me and craving another woman’s man in ways that made me shudder and ache all at once.

I pulled away from his touch. I couldn’t do this.

“Mr McCullen—”

“Jack. Just… call me Jack.”

He said, taking slow, cautious steps toward me.

“Jack,” I said evenly, backing away. “I don’t know what you think is happening here, but I’d like to stay away from drama.”

He strode forward, closing the gap, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lip. He thought this was funny?

“I’m not imagining this, Robin. I know you feel this too.” His fingers brushed my lips slowly and I shut my eyes in anticipation. I was dead.

“I’ve thought about touching you and kissing you all week.”

“Please stop.” I whispered, my heart throbbing in my chest, his intense gaze doing nothing to soften my wrecking body. I needed to LEAVEEE!

“You want this.”

I stood helplessly staring into his blue eyes, unable to look away as he hypnotized me. He leaned in, lifting me effortlessly from the ground until we were eye to eye – his gaze devouring me. I was a finished woman.

“You’re too beautiful, Robin” he murmured into my ears, brushing his lips gently over my earlobe. “I don’t know how I controlled myself for this long.”

A rush of shivers broke across my skin, every nerve ending prickling and standing at attention. He had so much effect on me, I felt weak.

He brought his face closer, pressing his forehead against mine – then at once every reason to end this madness escaped. The world narrowed to the space between us, leaving me motionless and drunk. I instinctively lifted my hand to his face, tracing the lines of his jaw with my fingers.

Everything shattered.

He pressed his lips against mine in a slow pace, my mind going delirious with all sorts of emotions piercing through me at different angles. His lips were warm, soft, and pillowy against mine, allowing my tongue to slip gently into his mouth – feeling the soft tickle of his breath beneath my nose, his fingers carding through my long thick hair as we breathed each other in. His intoxicating fresh water and mint scent with a hint of oud infiltrated my senses. My breathing hitched, our bodies pressing together against the wall, heat building between us as our lips moved in a slow, hungry rhythm.

God, I have to stop this. He has a girlfriend… Oh God.

I ran my fingers slowly through his curls – so soft, so silky. Nothing about this felt wrong; we both wanted this, we both needed this, and I was going crazy with want. Yet…

I needed him. Stop. He’s taken…

God. This wasn’t right. I was defying my own rule — never to get involved with a man who was already committed. Yet every sensible thought was thrown out the window, and I was hopelessly undone by the pull of him.

He cupped my cheek and kissed every inch of my face, consuming me piece by piece, leaving no part of me untouched, no space for reason to survive.

My mind screamed restraint, but my body was overcome with desire, trembling under the towering weight of this man. Intoxicating me with a want I couldn’t name, yet couldn’t resist.

“No—Jack,” I gasped, jerking away from him. Gathering myself up, I gingerly pulled my clothes back on, feeling ashamed — my thoughts far less composed.

“You’re not leaving, Robin,” he said, his hands inching to hold my waist. “Not now.”

“I can’t do this.”

I withdrew, my legs buckling uncontrollably beneath me, betraying every shred of control that remained. My purse and phone sat forgotten on his swivel chair.

Shit.

I fled — leaving my purse, my phone, and my dignity behind.