"All right, don't panic, I'm here now," I announce upon entering her office, and then I freeze on the spot. F. M. L. Instead of finding a hair-brained Ingrid seated at her desk, our good-looking, heavenly-scented CEO has his ass parked in her chair.

"Miss Newman," he says, sounding like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Or, as my filthy mind hopes, in his pants.

"Mr. Solomon!"

Eyebrows knitted, he crosses his arms over the desk. "Theo," he corrects me.

Theo has his suit jacket off, and his shirtsleeves are rolled up over his forearms. If I thought he was sexy earlier, he is definitely, certifiably doable now. The bright lamp on Ingrid's desk highlights his rippling arms, all covered in ink. A grin spreads across my face. It's Christmas in July. How far do those tattoos go? Full sleeves? All across the expanse of his pecs, under the straining fabric of his shirt? I let my eyes travel up his arm and over his chest. His top two buttons are undone. I narrow my eyes to see if any wayward ink pokes out of the collar. God, what would it be like to lick the thick column of his neck?

The temperature in the room shoots up, and a tingly warm sensation spreads all over my body. I touch the hollow of my throat and suck on my bottom lip, swallowing an appreciative moan. Theodore Solomon is one package I would love to unwrap...with my teeth.

"What are you doing here?"

Two loud heartbeats pass before I realize he's asking me a question. "Ingrid...she...uhm..." I roll my wrist, and try to get my wits together. First, I should stop ogling him. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I shut my eyes and think of the old, fat, balding geezers from my Google search. "Ingrid asked me to help her look for something."

Thinking I'm safe, I open my eyes.

Theo regards me with increasing interest, and that's when I remember I didn't bother changing out of my PJ's...my pink, cotton PJs, sans bra. Luckily, I had enough mind to grab my denim jacket before I stepped out of the house. But I don't look my best tonight. My hair is twisted into a messy bun, and I have zero makeup on. All I want to do is crawl in a corner in the fetal position and hide from shame.

He squints at me, down to my PJ pants. "Are those polar bears?" he asks without a hint of playfulness.

I cross my arms over my chest. My erect nipples rub against my shirt. "Rabbits."

He cocks his head to one side. "What are they—"

"They're fornicating, like rabbits should." I could die right now. "Where's Ingrid?"

My girl pops into her office the second I say her name. I'm so happy for the reprieve that I wrap her in a tight hug. "Talia, you came! Cute PJs."

When I let go, I glance at her sideways. Now isn't the time to point out what she likes about my outfit. "I'm here to help."

"Oh, didn't Teddy tell you? I found it."

Her usual cheeriness grinds on my nerves. "Are you fu—" I take a deep, cleansing breath and grind my teeth.

Ingrid grimaces. "I should have called you. Sorry. Did you drive here?"

I've never thought ill of this girl, but I'm about ready to thwack her on the forehead. "I took the El."

"In your jammies?"

"Yes, Ingrid, in my jammies, because I thought you had an emergency and needed my help. Turns out you don't have any use for me, so I'm gonna go." I don't bother waiting for a response, and head for the elevators, mumbling complaints about how some people don't give a crap about other people's personal time. My personal time!

I jab the down button with a bit more force than I should. Better the button than Ingrid. Lost in my own thoughts once again, I jump when Theo appears at my elbow, offering to take me home.

"Fucking hell! What is wrong with you? You can't sneak up on people like that, especially in a dark office."

"I'll keep that in mind." He folds his suit over one arm, covering his tattoos. Shame.

"And no, I don't need a ride. I can take the El back home."

"It's not safe." Theo hangs his head. I'm hoping he's still not looking at my PJs.

I scoff. "I've lived in this city for a long time, most of it in seedy neighborhoods. I can take care of myself."

He leans against the wall, one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other has his suit jacket hung over his shoulder. Even in the dim lighting, I can trace the contours of his bulging biceps with my eyes. He could give GQ models a run for their money. "I never said you couldn't, but I'll feel better knowing that one of my staff makes it home safe, especially when she didn't have to come into work at all."

I could argue, but I'd be lying if I said that being in an enclosed space with my new boss doesn't entice me.

"What about Ingrid? Won't she need a ride?" To her apartment or yours?

Theo shakes his head. "Henrik will drive her home."

The parking garage is as scary at night as it is in the morning, not that I use it all that much. I'd had to sell my car to afford the first few months of rent when I moved in with Stella. I follow Theo closely, jumping at every noise I hear. The last bang has me clawing my fingers into his inked arm. He lets out a low chuckle. So much for keeping a brave face after stating that I can take care of myself. But he doesn't move away from me or peel my fingers off of him. Under the flickering lights, his smile is slight, but it's there, playing on the edges of his lips when he glances at me.

When we reach his car, my mouth drops and I release his arm. Even in the darkened garage, it's not hard to recognize the car that almost ran me over after lunch. "It was you!" I point an accusatory finger at him. "You almost killed me!"

Theo's stance changes. The playfulness on his lips fades. He widens his legs and crosses his arms, raising his chin, challenging me.

"You crossed a busy street without looking first."

"You nearly ran me over!"

"You dented my car." He jerks his head toward the hood of his Porsche.

Pushing my denim sleeves up, and clicking my tongue, I prepare for an argument. Hands on hips, I let my anger show. "You were going to run over me." It's weak, but it's all I have.

"I didn't." He pauses as though he's about to say more to that effect, but his eyes lower and he nods to his car again. "Get in the car. It's cold."

I frown, and then I follow his line of sight...to my breasts. My nipples are burrowing holes through my pajama shirt from the chill. Furious, I button up my jacket while I sprint back to the elevator.

"Miss Newman!"

I don't bother turning. I fist my hands to avoid expressing my anger with a single finger. I'm so focused on getting away from him that I don't even hear him make his way to me. Theo doesn't press his hard body against my back but all the same, the heat of his skin sizzles mine.

"Get in the car, Miss Newman," he orders in a low, gravelly tone.

I can't talk. All words are trapped in my throat, where my heart has leapt. I shake my head and angrily press the call button.

"I'm not going to ask you again, Talia."

My name on his lips sounds right, like it's where it should be. Goose bumps cover my skin and my fingers are starting to tingle again. There's warmth and wetness on my panties.

"Get in the car."

With my head spinning, I close my eyes and imagine him calling out my name while he's deep inside me. I lean back, ready to meet the hard planes of his chest. Except there's nothing there but cool air. I stumble backwards, but luckily remain on my feet. I turn and see him retreating, nearing his car. Glancing at the lit button on the wall, I clear the webs of confusion and pure lust in my head. As soon as the elevator door swooshes open, I step in, and watch Theodore Solomon's face harden in anger while he glares at me.

***

End of Chapter Two.