Page 61 of All Yours

‘I hope so,’ Robyn replied, ‘because one baby was enough for me, let alone two at once. Plus Riley in the mix.’

‘It’s hectic, isn’t it, when they’re little.’ Fox was always so open to talking about family things, it hurt Robyn’s heart. She pulled up her collar as they walked in the glow of the orange street lights, thinking of Willow asleep in her cot.

‘Are you cold?’ Fox asked, already shucking off his coat. She knew he was going to offer it to her and she put a hand on his arm to stop him.

‘Don’t take it off. You’ll freeze,’ she said, watching the breath plume from his lips.

‘But you’re shivering.’ He was determined but she shook her head.

‘We can share?’ All she wanted was to be closer to him. Fox considered her for a moment, then opened up his arm, wrapping the coat around her like a cape. Robyn tucked under his shoulder and the heat of his body against her lit her up inside. She wound her arm around his waist to keep steady and they continued to walk, falling into an easy step. Suddenly the air felt electric, charged with tension. She knew she should probably put some space between them, to keep that professional distance. But she didn’t. She wanted to enjoy it while she could, knowing that nothing could ever happen between them, it wouldn’t be right. He might be in party mode tonight, but he was still her boss. She was realising there were many sides to Fox, and not just the seriously hot lover she’d experienced the first time they’d met. He was also the dedicated games designer, the caring dad, the good friend. And she liked them all.

All too soon they arrived home.

‘I’ll walk you over,’ Fox said, not letting her go. He steered her to the path from the main house that led to hers.

The path turned to gravel and right at the last minute, as they rounded the corner, Robyn tripped and stumbled forward. Her hands shot out to save herself but Fox got there first. He moved reflexively, catching her under the elbow, and holding on as she regained her balance.

‘Sorry,’ Robyn said. ‘You can tell I’m not used to wearing heels!’

‘Have you hurt your ankle?’ She could hear the concern in his voice.

‘It seems fine,’ she said, straightening up.

‘Let me check.’

Fox crouched in front of her and encircled her ankle in his hand. The pressure of his fingers sent a current of electricity through her as he gently ran his fingers over the joint and over the top of her foot. His hair brushed the front of her thigh as he concentrated. She bit her lip to stop herself making a sound. He was tantalisingly close to her, and her heart was banging in her chest.

‘Flex for me,’ he said, and she pointed her toe up and down. His fingers gave a final assessment, leaving her skin on fire.

‘It’s all good. But put some ice on it when you get inside.’ From his kneeling position, he turned his head up to her and caught her staring. Their eyes locked, her foot in his hand. Slowly, he unfurled until he was at full height, and very, very close to her. She now had to look up at him, just slightly, positions reversed.

‘You don’t know how much I want to kiss you right now.’ Fox’s voice was low, deep with wanting. Robyn could feel the rise and fall of her own chest as her breathing deepened. ‘But it wouldn’t be right.’

‘What if I wanted you to?’ Robyn said, her own voice husky. His eyes widened and she watched him trying to keep control of himself.

He growled, a sound that hit the pit of her stomach, and gave a tiny shake of his head.

‘I’m your boss. We can’t.’

Robyn bit her lip for a second, then went for it. It was time for some fun.

‘Then I quit,’ Robyn said. ‘Just for a minute.’

She caught him by the belt buckle, as she had been wanting to do all night, and pulled him to her. Their bodies touched like they had on the dance floor and her breath caught. There was a moment, just a moment, when their eyes met, questioning, uncertain, then she was kissing him. Her face lifted to his, their lips crashing together, his tongue hot and sweet with tequila. Her fingers wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting more. His arms encircled her, pinned her to his chest. Fox caught a handful of her hair in his fist, holding her where he wanted her, moving her to better own her mouth, taking full control of the kiss. She gasped into him, feeling the want in him. The authority of it. The hot hardness of him against her belly. She felt her body give into him, melt against him, surrender to the force of the feeling, before they both came up, gasping for breath.

‘God, Red,’ Fox uttered. ‘You’re not making it easy for me.’ He let out a quiet laugh into her hair. ‘In fact, you’re making it very, very hard.’

She let out a shuddering breath.

‘I could get used to unemployment,’ she whispered.

The kitchen light turned on and they saw Millie inside, washing up a coffee cup at the sink, checking her watch.

‘Right then, back to business. You’d better go,’ Robyn said, loosening her arms around his neck. His breath juddered against her hair.

‘You go first.’ He nodded at her house. ‘I’ll see you in.’ She stepped away, reluctantly. The cold air rushed between them and although he nudged her gently to go, she could feel his eyes on her all the way to her door. She lowered the handle, before looking back at him.

‘Night, Fox,’ she called over her shoulder. He was in the same place, his eyes glued to her.