The lift dinged. The doors slid open and closed again. Then there were two of them. Two adults and the audible hum of awareness buzzing between them.

With no rationale to his thoughts, no premeditation to his movements, he did what he had to do. Stepping forward, he pushed a button. The lift ground to a halt somewhere between the seventeenth and eighteenth floors.

What the hell are you doing?

Even the silent question his defenses yelled at him could not penetrate the need to be alone with this woman. He didn’t have an answer. All he knew was he was following his instincts.

Her briefcase slid from her hand, landing on the floor with a soft thud.

Her perfume permeated his senses, clouding his good judgment further.

“The lift…?” She glanced at the control panel and back at him.

He waved away her concern, stepping closer. “Earlier, in the lobby, you touched me.”

“Oh… Uh, yes. For balance, when you caught me.”

“No. After.”

“Ah.” She released a shaky breath. “You mean…like this?” Her hands trembled as she raised them and smoothed her fingers over his shirt, just above his waist.

His stomach muscles contracted involuntarily—like they had in the lobby.

He nodded. “You took me by surprise. I didn’t expect you to do that.”

“And I didn’t expect you to respond,” she said in an awed whisper.

Christ, what had she expected? That she’d brush her hands down his shirt, and he’d whistle a merry tune?

“Did you expect me to respond this time?”

“I didn’t expect there to be a this time. Although I’d hoped,” she added quietly.

“And I’m responding this time, too.” AJ wasn’t sure he was making sense, but with his entire life force concentrated in his dick, it was near impossible to hold a rational conversation.

The color in her cheeks deepened. “I can see.”

Of course she could. He had a massive erection. If they’d taken separate lifts, she’d be able to see it. A bead of perspiration trickled between his shoulder blades. He shuddered with the need to touch her.

She must have noticed, because she smiled again. A tempting, womanly smile that played havoc with his self-control.

Damn it. He was the master of control. Control meant predictability, and his life needed to be predictable. He did everything in his power to avoid the unexpected. Unfortunately, experience had taught him some issues couldn’t be manipulated—no matter how hard he tried. But whatever he could influence, he did. Women were no exception to the rule.

So why did the curve of her throat make all logic take flight?

Her chest rose and fell unsteadily, pulling his attention to the top of her tailored navy blouse. He glimpsed the full swell of milky skin beneath a wisp of black lace, and had to bite back a moan. Her eyes widened in question, but her lips softened invitingly.

Incapable of denying himself a taste, AJ gave in. He sank a hand in her hair, his fist clenching around the silken curls. Ever so slowly, giving her time to pull away if she chose to—half of him hoped she would, while the other half loathed the thought—he drew her closer. His eyes fixed on her full upper lip as it parted from the lower one. The puff of air from her mouth warmed his, and he inhaled it seconds before his lips touched hers.

Then her mouth was on his, applying a subtle, prohibited pressure. His stomach muscles jerked once again as her body curved into him.

Her lips parted beneath his tongue, and he allowed himself a languorous minute of exploration, discovering the smoldering secrets she hid behind those succulent lips. She tasted like dessert, wine, and imported chocolate. Sweet, with a touch of exotic spice. Cinnamon, perhaps.