"You're being so stubborn," Miles hissed in frustration where he stood with Maria behind the trailer the Fleet team was offloading into.
Maria flinched.
She hadn't meant to stress him out, but she wasn't going to let him drop her off this time.
After the drama at the arena, Maria had tried to get a cab, but there was a surge and none were available for now.
It was probably due to the wave of teenagers leaving the Minchstone event.
It was night now.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said. "I just don't want the extra stress on you. I can join the fleet team. They're going my way too."
Maria watched his jaw clench beneath the streetlight about six or seven feet away, its pale glow falling across his face.
His perfect face turned slightly to the side, hands buried in his pocket.
They both knew why she didn't want him to drive her home.
She had managed to take a picture of one of the scholarship slips. The small queue she'd joined hadn't gone far before that silly teenage boy had started his antics.
Maria sighed. Even if it was chaotic, she was grateful Jake had stood up for her—even though they had only met today—and that Miles had managed to control the situation, even if he had warned her not to go there in the first place.
Her eyes wandered down Miles' chest beneath the company shirt he wore.
She missed his strong arms, she couldn't—perhaps wouldn't—refuse them whenever he pulled her against him.
"I think they'll be ready to leave soon," Maria murmured, lifting her gaze back to his face.
His eyes met hers—dark and unreadable—but she recognized the look.
Maria bit her lower lip nervously as she stood before him.
Her mind noted the environment.
Quiet.
The back of the trailer stood open behind her.
The fleet team were clearing out in the main arena.
The place where the trailer had parked was a close.
No cars.
No people
"I have a headache, Maria," Miles said.
"Oh! I have an aspirin, sir," she replied quickly, turning to reach for her bag inside the trailer.
She grabbed it and zipped it open. Miles's cologne surrounded her as his palm dropped on either side of her, caging her where she stood.
"And you're making it worse."
His voice came next—low and dangerously close to her neck.
Maria's breath caught. Her hand gripped her bag as her body tensed.
"I'm sure an aspirin would make you feel better," Maria managed.
The warm air of his breath brushed against her neck—a small proof that he was only an inch away from closing the distance between them.
Even without seeing him, she knew exactly where his eyes were.
"I'm not certain," he whispered.
Maria's fingers found the aspirin in her bag but she only held it, unable to move.
Too aware of his closeness…and his restraint.
"If you insist, sir."
Maria leaned forward to drop her bag into the trailer, deliberately shifting her hips back.
Just enough to push lightly into him.
There was no hesitation.
Miles' hands seized her waist instantly, pulling her buttocks firmly against him.
Maria straightened with a startled gasp.
**
Miles nearly threw his head back as he felt the softness of her body press into his groin.
He had had enough of her teasing.
All the restraint he had built up crumbled from the moment she closed the distance herself.
Maria trembled in his hold, bracing her palms against the trailer floor.
"You should know by now I don't back down from a challenge," he whispered.
One of his hands slid higher along her waist, drawing her fully into his body until her hands lifted off the trailer floor.
"B-but sir," she whimpered softly, tilting her neck as she squirmed slightly. "You said you didn't want the aspirin."
Miles inhaled slowly.
The faint trace of vanilla clung to her skin.
He enjoyed the way she leaned into him even as she tried to squirm free.
His headache dulled.
"We both know it's not about that,"
"I'm not that kind of person sir," Maria said, her voice hazy.
Her words made him study her properly.
His shadow shielded her from the streetlamp as their eyes met.
"Definitely not a hypocrite," he murmured.
Maria flushed and bit her lip again.
When she tried to straighten, the arm at her waist tightened, anchoring her firmly against him.
His other hand slid higher, cupping her breasts through her shirt, the weight of them supported along his arm.
She gasped and turned her face to his.
"I will make one thing clear today, Maria," he began, determined to shatter her thoughts of independence from him.
"My attraction to you on the outside is just as much as it is on the inside," he continued. "I am no saint who pretends otherwise. I am not a coward either."
His thumb pressed slowly into the soft curve resting on his palm.
"I see what I want."
His voice lowered further.
"And I take it whichever way I like."
"I didn't…" Maria whispered, turning her eyes away.
"This project goes nowhere without me," he said, forcing her gaze back to him. "And I won't allow it to go anywhere without you."
His mind drifted back to the feel of her body pressed against his.
The fullness beneath his hands.
The generous curves of her hips shifted slowly against his groin as his hand began kneading the soft swell beneath them.
Maria's eyelids lowered.
Her breathing softened into faint sounds as her body leaned more willingly into him while his hands explored the lush curves of her figure.
"I'm a man who knows exactly what to do with a woman like you," Miles said, his breath wavering as his control slipped.
He wanted to bend her over the trailer floor and bury himself in the warmth waiting between the supple curves pressing against him.
The hardened tips of her nipples pushed against his fingers through her bra and shirt as a soft moan escaped her lips.
A jolt of heat surged through his trousers.
He forced his wandering hand to stop before it slipped further between her thighs.
But the more she pressed back against him, the closer that hand drifted toward the space between her legs.
He was still savoring the slow movements of her body when her soft palm closed over his hand on her thigh, his fingers teasing lightly against the sensitive center of her body.
The distant noise of the fleet men returning broke the moment apart.
Miles stepped back, waiting while she adjusted herself, avoiding his gaze as if she were innocent of what had just happened.
"As long as you're on the project Maria," Miles said quietly, "That is permission enough for me to have you."
Then he turned and walked away just as Jason and the other fleet team member carried the mini cooling fridge toward the trailer.
**
Maria waved at the fleet team as they dropped her off.
The traffic had been terrible and her limbs ached from sitting in the trailer for nearly an hour.
She opened the door and paused when she saw Crystal sitting on the living room sofa in her pajamas, staring blankly ahead.
Maria closed the door behind her.
Crystal jolted slightly as if just noticing her.
She quickly wiped her face with her palm and forced a smile.
"Welcome, Maria. Sorry, I was distracted."
She had been crying.
Maria sensed her discomfort immediately.
The week was almost over and Crystal still hadn't heard from her insurance company.
Maria had watched her try to remain positive during the wait.
Now it was the weekend and there had still been no call.
Maria slipped off her shoes and walked over, dropping her tired body onto the sofa beside her.
"Is everything ok? You don't look so good."
Crystal smiled weakly, her lips trembling as tears filled her eyes.
"I promise I'm fine. I ju…"
She broke into sobs.
Maria moved closer and wrapped her arms around her.
"I didn't plan for any of this," Crystal cried. "I promise I didn't.
And it's so embarrassing because the city has been so cruel."
Maria rubbed her shoulders gently.
"There, there. Everything's going to be okay."
"Work is much harder," Crystal continued through tears. "They don't even care that I just lost most of my properties and I'm still struggling with the insurance."
She lifted her tear-streaked face.
"I'm sorry, I was supposed to be gone by now, but I'm still stuck looking for a hotel I could at least stay in for at least a week without running out of the little money I have left."
"It's alright, Crystal," Maria said softly.
Maria had wanted Crystal to leave eventually—but not like this.
They might not have had the best history as friends, but Crystal had made her life easier with her cooking and the company that distracted Maria from work pressure and drama.
"You can stay here if you need more time," Maria added.
Crystal froze, staring at her hopefully.
"Really,"
Maria smiled.
"Yes, Crystal."
Crystal hugged her tightly.
"Thank you! Thank you! thank you!"
Maria laughed softly and rubbed her back.
"It's nothing. We're both trying to grow. We should help each other."
Crystal pulled back with a broken expression.
"I was a terrible friend to you, I know I don't deserve this."
Maria squeezed her hand.
"No more talking of the past."
Then Maria stood.
"There was a lot of traffic. I desperately need to freshen up."
"Oh, okay," Crystal said with a nervous smile. "I made dinner…if you're interested."
"Great," Maria replied as she headed upstairs to her room. "I'm definitely not passing that up."
Already having food prepared despite everything made Maria grateful.
She shut her bedroom door and slowly walked to the bed before collapsing onto it.
The secret source of her light mood returned to her mind.
Her body replayed the way Miles had explored her…and where his fingers should have gone instead.
Then his words followed.
Her self-proclaimed morals about never being the woman who traded her body for favors.
Maria sat up.
Miles had made it clear to her.
The choice between her dignity…and the already ongoing project.
Which meant indulging the project also meant indulging Miles.