Authors: Julie Valentine,Grace Valentine
Seven a.m. was rather early to come in to the office, but if that was the time that Tony requested, Hart decided she would go with it. She wanted to make sure she did her job to the best of her ability and that her boss would be happy with her performance.
Hart thought that since their time together was winding down, she would give Tony a break. There was no need to brow beat the poor man. After all, if he wanted to remain a spoiled brat, who was she to tell him that he had to live differently?
After today, he would not be her problem anymore. Hart could get back to work and not have to worry about Tony. Sure, he would probably be seen around the office from time to time, but there was no need to worry about seeing him more than on a few instances here or there.
Hart arrived a few minutes early as usual. At seven o'clock, there would be no one there but the two of them and security. No one arrived in the office until well after eight o'clock. They were sure to have plenty of time to go over anything and wrap up his training early. She jumped at the opportunity to come in earlier thinking that it would get him out of her hair.
As she unlocked her office door, she heard footsteps in the hallway. Hart turned back to see Tony, hands full.
"Can I help you with any of that?" she offered.
"No. Just getting the door will be enough help. Thank you."
He entered the office with fresh coffee and a bag from her favorite nearby bakery.
"I thought that since we were here so early, I would bring a little something. Plus, it is my last day here with you, so I wanted to show a little appreciation."
"My stomach thanks you. Come on in and close the door."
Tony immediately set the food up on the table where they had eaten their lunch a few days ago.
Hart glanced at him out of the side of her eye. Tony was diligent, quietly setting the table. Not once had he turned to look at her.
She set up her laptop and threw her purse in the drawer.
"What do we have here?" she asked, approaching the table.
"Some fresh coffee. I brought sugar and flavored creamer. Not knowing what flavor you like, I brought a few. Then I got a few assorted muffins and croissants. Since we are here so early, I thought that we would work better on a full stomach."
"Great idea. And it looks like you hit some of my favorites head on. Blueberry muffins and cheese croissants. I will take some of that salted caramel creamer too please."
Tony smiled. "My pleasure."
They fixed their food and took a seat.
"I want to give you another apology and tell you thank you for all of your time and effort dealing with me this week, Hart."
"Not a problem." She sipped her coffee, trying to dismiss another heart felt apology. "I have moved on from there
and I hope that you have as well."
"Duly noted."
Hart looked as Tony bit his lip. She could tell that he was nervous about something. It was actually quite endearing to see.
"Cat got your tongue?" she asked.
"I wanted to know if you would go to dinner with me."
Hart had to sit her coffee down. She nearly choked on the hot liquid.
"Dinner?"
Tony narrowed his eyes, almost looking a bit offended. "Yes. Dinner. You have to eat don't you?"
"You want to take me out to dinner?"
His nostrils flared as he turned his coffee cup around and around. "Is that so surprising? Hart, I have been flirting with you since the day I laid eyes on you. Did you miss that fact?"
"I did not miss it. I just thought-"
"What did you think?"
"Nevermind. What I thought is not of any importance."
"So?"
Hart swallowed her coffee. Obviously, he was not going to let up on his invitation.
"Where are we going?"
Tony rolled his eyes. "Can I assume from the fact that you asked me where we are going that you are accepting my invitation?"
"Depends on what you have planned."
"Hart Jacobs, I am very much traditional in the sense that I plan the date. At all times. So all I can say is that I want you to show up, look gorgeous, and bring a change of clothes. One set should be something semi- formal and one set should be something comfortable. When you go out with me, you never know what I have planned."
"Interesting. Then I accept your invitation to dinner."
Tony's face lit up like he hit the jackpot. He stood up from his chair and came over to her. She watched as he held out his hand to her.
Hart hesitated for a moment and then put her hand in his. Once she pushed her chair back, he pulled her to him quickly.
"This may be completely out of order for the office place, but you are a high powered executive who makes most of the rules. I am the son of the man that definitely makes all of the rules. I think that I can do this."
Tony pulled Hart to him, holding her close to his chest. The gesture floored her, not leaving her time to protest. One hand on her waist, the other on the small of her back, he held her there, gazing in to her eyes.
"I have wanted to do this since the day I met you. If I don't do it now, I will kick myself with regret."
His soft lips touched hers. The kiss was soft, feathery and sweet at first. That was all that was needed to ignite the flame. His tongue found hers and the kiss became a dance, a play for passion. Hart felt a side of her heat up that had never been on fire before. Tony's hands massaged her body as his kiss touched her mind, body, and soul.
The connection was explosive, leaving her wanting more. He would not let her up for air, holding her right where he wanted her. It was as if he was telling her that he was the one in charge and Hart had no problem with that. She felt woozy, her knees felt weak. Her sane mind told her that if she did not back away from his clutches, she would make love to him right there in the middle of the office. Her heart told her that everything about the kiss and being wrapped in his arms was right.
When he released her, Hart had to close her eyes to stop the room from spinning.
"I hope you don't mind, Hart. I had to do it."
She was breathless and could not find the right words to respond.
"I could not walk out of that door without kissing you. I had stared at those lips for way too long."
He caressed her hair, gently massaging the back of her neck.
"All you are asking for is dinner?" It was the first thing that she could think to ask.
Tony shook his head. "I never said that. Dinner is just the first on the list."
He held both sides of her face and kissed her lips once more.
"Hart, I want you and I am a man that is used to getting what he wants. There is no way I'm taking no for an answer on this one."
Tony tilted her face up and their eyes met. "And there is no way that you can tell me that you did not just feel what I felt. I'm not going to let you tell me that."
Hart ran her fingers across her forehead. "What time should I expect you for dinner?"
Grinning, Tony kissed her on the lips softly. "I will have a car pick you up around six. And it's the weekend, Hart. I hope that you are prepared for what it is like to be with a man like me. Have a good day, Hart Jacobs."
With that, he was out the door. Hart did not know what just happened. Tony Ciarelli, the son of the man that she worked for, had just waltzed in to her life unexpectedly. There was no way that there would be a simple dinner date with a man like him. She had to be prepared for the unexpected. But she had not done so well with that thus far. She had not seen that kiss coming.
The man was an heir to a billion dollar fortune and he wanted her. That part, Tony made extremely clear. Now the ball was in her court and she had to make sure that she played her cards right.
The entire situation was exhilarating. She had never had a man come in and in one quick moment, sweep her off of her feet. That kiss told the tale of what was to come. Hart knew that Tony Ciarelli was more than what she bargained for. But she was most definitely up for the challenge.
To be continue…
COMING JUNE 13
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