He stared at her. Blinked. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, not really. Actually, I’m thinking about renting some office space.” She looked around the reception area. “This will be perfect.”
Tony’s mouth dropped open. “You really are serious.”
“We can draw up a contract, and I could work with you on a consulting basis in exchange for a desk and use of your office equipment,” she offered.
He squinted at her as if he couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. “You want to work for me?”
“Ah, no. I want to rent some of your office space. No one else would. Now, see”—she walked into an elegant room situated right off to the side of the reception area—”this space is exactly what I need.”
“This is my conference room.”
She looked around and nodded. “It’s the best-looking room in the office suite.”
“It’s supposed to be,” Tony said, walking into the room and heading for the large brown desk. “I don’t want clients seeing how messy my real office is.”
“Where’s that?”
“Through there.” He pointed at the door in the back of the room.
“Perfect. We’ll practically work side by side.”
“This isn’t what I had in mind.” He sat down in an executive chair. Mercer eyed the chestnut-brown leather and intimidating size. Now that was all Tony. It suited him more than anything else she’d seen.
Tony continued to study her as if she was some rare, exotic creature. “I don’t want any criminal activities going on in this office.”
“I wasn’t suggesting such a thing.” She held her hand up as she pledged. “I am a retired thief. I figured I had to give it up if I wanted you in my life—er, bed.” She grimaced, not wanting to scare him off. “I meant bed.”
Something hot and mysterious flickered in his eyes. “Is that right? And what do you plan to do for a living?”
She perched on the edge of the desk, her leg bumping against his knee. If only she was brazen enough to sit on his armrest. In his lap.
Mercer cleared her throat. “Well, I was thinking about that during my long and lonely walk here. And I have to face the fact that I’m only an expert in pickpocketing and jewels.”
Tony rocked back in the chair, and interest flared deep in her abdomen. The chair rocked back. And swiveled. Hmmm…
“I don’t like where this is leading,” he said. “I thought you were retiring.”
“I’m an expert on the jewels that I, uh, allegedly stole. I’m sure some of those items have a finder’s fee. They were big-ticket items. Some had cultural significance.”
Tony held up his hand. “Stop right there. You want to go after the jewels that you stole, steal them back and make money off of it.”
Mercer smiled. “The ideal job, don’t you think? And legitimate, too.”
He rubbed his eyes with the tips of his fingers. “Only you would be ballsy enough to come up with a plan like that.”
She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. “So”—she nudged his knee with the toe of her shoe—”what do you think?”
“You’re not getting my conference room.”
Her eyes widened at the unspoken promise. That sounded like she was going to get her way and get an office. Then again, she liked this room the best. It was the closest to Tony. “But I like it.”
“I use this room, and you’re not getting it.” He sounded firm about the matter.
“Come on,” she rubbed the side of her foot against his leg. “Think of all the fun we can have.”
“Fun?” His gaze focused on her leg.
“Yeah, the two of us, side by side.” She jabbed a fist in the air. “Fighting on the same team.”
He rose from his chair and sighed. “I don’t know, Mercer.”
“Why not?” She braced her hands on the edge of the desk. Tony stood close, towering over her. It wasn’t fair. “You’re the one that made the offer.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think I want to live-er, bed” he said deadpan, “a woman who works for me.”
Excitement burst from her chest, radiating through her body. “First of all,” she said, trying to sound sophisticated as her stomach fluttered, “it’s with you, not for you. And second of all, we’ve never been to bed. You were never quick enough to catch me,” she boasted.
“Do I need to catch you, Mercer?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you still running?”
The sassy comeback died on her tongue. She hadn’t seen it that way, but yeah, she was still running. She was acting brazen and in control, but she kept her distance from Tony. But the chase was over. No sleights of hand or running in circles were going to help her now.
“No, Tony,” she answered, trying to sound carefree and breezy. “I’ve stopped running. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
He rose from his chair and stood in front of her. She never realized how intimidating his size was. Mercer swallowed nervously as she tilted her head to meet his gaze.
She was still trying to appear brazen, but it didn’t seem to do much good. Mercer found it difficult to breathe. Her lungs felt tight, and the urge to bolt was fierce. She flinched when Tony cupped her knees and parted her legs.
“Sorry,” she muttered, hating her telltale reaction as she watched him step between her legs. What was wrong with her? This was Tony. She had faced real danger many times and didn’t blink an eye. Why was she acting like this now?
Because it was Tony. A wry laugh bubbled in her throat as she figured out the answer. He had her now, and he wasn’t going to accept anything less than complete surrender.
Tony kissed her, and the tension squeezed her chest. His mouth gently opened hers, and he darted his tongue inside. He continued to kiss her until she clung to him and the beat of her heart matched his.
She wasn’t the “surrender” kind of girl, but it was more than that. She wanted him more than anything, but now that he had caught her, what if Tony discovered she hadn’t been worth the chase?
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered against her lips. Her vest sagged open in his hands.
“Me? Nervous?” The scoff caught in her throat. “Maybe just a little.”
“Why?” he asked as she unbuttoned her shirt.
She couldn’t remember. Her mind was a blank as she watched his eyes darken with pleasure as each button slid free. It was not unlike the moment when a thief knows he’s cracked the code to a safe. Tony then reached for the bra fastening between her breasts.
Mercer held her breath as he flicked it open. He gently, almost reverently peeled back the lace to expose her tight nipples. She heard Tony’s groan before he took her into his mouth.
She arched back as the sensations zoomed and collided inside her. Mercer went rigid when he laid her down on the conference table. It felt hard and smooth against her back. Her shirt parted, exposing more of her to him.
Tony placed kisses along her ribs and stomach. Her muscles bunched under his touch. Heat seeped inside her, pushing away her vulnerability. She slowly encouraged him to kiss her there, swirl his tongue over there, and press his fingertips—yes!—just like that.
By the time Tony shucked the rest of her clothes, she was beginning to wonder what was taking him so long. Beads of sweat formed on her skin, and she panted with anticipation. Her arms were stretched wide along the table as she wiggled her hips when she heard him draw his zip down.
“Stay like that,” he said softly against the underside of her breast. “Keep your arms out wide.” He skimmed his hands down her bare hips and held her still.
She couldn’t think straight with his hands cupping her bottom. Her knees trembled as he caressed and squeezed her before sliding one finger along her cleft. “Tony—” She said in a gasp.
Heat streaked through her pelvis as he pumped his finger inside. She met each move with a roll of her hips as the wild sensations rippled through her.
Tony withdrew and she could feel the heat emanating from his cock as it nudged her wet slit. She bit her lip as Tony slowly filled her. She rocked against him, and her skin tingled. She swayed her hips, and her world spun.
The white-hot lust drew tighter and tighter. She wanted to grab his shoulders but instead stretched her arms over her head. She knew he wanted to watch her reactions. Show him how she felt without any pretense.
She bucked and rolled her hips against him. Mercer felt dizzy. Alive. Free. Tony’s fingers dug into her bottom as he thrust deeper. Harder. The pleasure exploded, taking her by surprise. It whipped through her body as Tony’s release triggered her own.
She sagged against the table as her body continued to tremble. Mercer glanced up at his face and saw the wonder. She smiled, knowing that look. It was like a hunter finding a long-lost treasure.
Yeah, she thought as she closed her eyes. They were definitely worth the chase.
“So, Tony,” she said some time later, looking down as his head lay on her breast. She threaded her fingers along his hair. It was amazing how much enjoyment she got from having the freedom to touch him. “When can you get your stuff out of this room?”
“I didn’t say yes,” he said as his hand wandered to her side before cupping her breast.
“You will.” Mercer knew her smile was smug.
“I have to admit,” he said as he pondered the problem, absently brushing his thumb against her swollen nipple, “working together would be the easiest way to keep an eye on you.”
“That’s the spirit.” She pulled at his hair and felt his chuckle vibrate against her chest. She still couldn’t believe she had fallen for an ex-cop. Maybe she was rehabilitated. Maybe she was on her way to becoming one of those bad girls gone good.
She inhaled sharply as Tony tweaked the tip of her breast. She immediately squeezed her inner muscles that surrounded him. Mercer felt the moan in his throat as his cock leapt in response.
Naaah…
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