Read Online Undersold by B. B. Hamel - Free Book Online Page B

hand. That simple gesture made me stop talking as if he had touched me. Before I could say anything more, he was moving around the table. I lost my train of thought as his body filled my vision, and he stooped down to kiss my lips.
    It took me completely by surprise, but I melted into his kiss. The hunger was back, and our mouths opened to let our tongues run against each other. I felt his smooth, soft lips against mine, and his hands ran through my hair. The kiss felt like it lasted an hour before he pulled away.
    “Ah,” was all I could say. He crouched down in front of me.
    “I have to apologize to you again, Amy.” His eyes were clear and serious, and there was a sadness to him I couldn’t place. He was brooding and dark, and I wanted to crack him open and to drink whatever secrets he had hidden away.
    “What, that? I liked that,” I said, head still swimming.
    He grinned. “Not the kiss. I’m not sorry about that.” He shifted his body and moved closer, and took my right hand between his fingers. “I’m sorry that I gave you the impression that there was somebody else. There is nobody else.”
    “I don’t understand. You’re not seeing anyone else? You’re not embarrassed of me?”
    He looked like I had punched him in the gut. “Embarrassed of you?”
    “I mean, you’re gorgeous, rich, and powerful. I’m just a normal girl from Levittown.”
    “Listen to me. I feel drawn to you in a way that I can’t explain. You make me want to break my rules. More than that, you’re brilliant. How many apps did my company buy this year?”
    “You guys bought three, including mine. As far as I know, at least.”
    “Exactly. Two others. And those two were built by teams of programmers and developers and marketed heavily. You’re the first software developer we’ve ever bought out who created and implemented her own designs. It’s amazing.”
    “I don’t know,” was all I could say.
    “I do know. Listen to me. What I said at dinner, it was to protect both of us. I thought you understood that, and that’s why I assumed you wanted to remain professional. There’s nobody else, and I am far from embarrassed.”
    Things were starting to click for me. He never did mention anyone else, and his story was always the same. His need for privacy was his main motivating force, and his desire to protect me from the spotlight came second. And he did choose me, he did buy my app, and he was actively working with me to create and develop my product. Even without the promise of sex, he wanted to work with me.
    “I want you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”
    He leaned in and kissed me again, hard, and I felt myself beginning to melt. I was dizzy with confusion and emotion, and his body so close to mind wasn’t helping at all.
    “I want you too,” he said as he pulled away. I leaned in after him and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him again. All I could feel or think about were his muscles underneath my hands and his mouth moving against mine, and the sound of his breath. I felt like I was losing myself in him, and it felt good.
    We broke apart and he looked me deep in the eyes.
    “Let’s try this again,” he said.
    “I’m up for that.” My words came out in a whisper.
    “Alright then. Tonight at my place. I’ll cook you dinner and we’ll have a proper, private date.”
    “That would be perfect.”
    “I’ll send my car for you at seven. Does that work?”
    “That absolutely works.” I couldn’t manage a more complex sentence.
    I couldn’t believe this man truly wanted me the same way that I wanted him. I couldn’t believe that I was the only one. My mind was a buzz of desire and disbelief.
    “What about your rules?” I asked.
    He smiled. “I’ll tell you about those tonight.”
    I had no idea what they could be, but I nodded. I could feel excitement building in my chest.
    “Tonight then. For now, let’s pretend we just had a productive business meeting, shall we?”