The other guy narrowed his gaze, his face flush with embarrassment as he fixed his shirt, brushing out wrinkles. “Relax, man. If she’s yours, keep her on a leash,” he muttered and walked away, which was smart because Jason was still raging with anger that another man had touched her.

“Are you happy?” he asked Faith. “Did you get what you came for tonight?” Because no doubt she’d wanted a rise out of him after being ignored … and he’d given her one.

A sad expression crossed her face. “Not at all, Jason. Your mother wanted to come. Once I was here, I just decided to have a good time. I haven’t been out like someone my own age in over a year. It had nothing to do with you.” Turning her back to him, she started for the bar.

“Faith.”

She spun back.

“Like hell it had nothing to do with me.” He paused, knowing they needed to have this out, even if it was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even if people were watching. “I needed space, so sue me.”

She braced her hands on her hips, her gaze narrowing. “I needed fun. So sue me.” She took a step away.

He grasped her around her waist and flung her over his shoulder, striding back toward the private area upstairs.

“Hey! Put me down!” She smacked his back.

He merely braced a hand on her lower back and ass and walked faster, pounding up the stairs. Once he was in the joint office space, he slid her to her feet. Ignoring her outrage and yelling at him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward his private office.

“Where are we going?” she asked, but she was no longer fighting but rushing after him.

Desire pulsed through his veins. It had been there since he’d looked down and seen the swell of her breasts in that sexy dress. The fury he’d been feeling since she challenged him, picking up another man, burned in his veins, changing into a pulsing, beating need inside of him. Putting distance between them? Taking his space? He’d never stood a chance.

But he’d hurt her, he knew. And that had never been his intention. So if she didn’t want him now, he’d let her go.

“We’re going somewhere we can be alone.” He paused, meeting her gaze. “Any objections?”

The seconds that passed felt like long, painful ones. She stared at him, a myriad of emotions racing across her expressive features so fast he didn’t try and decipher them all. Instead he waited, his cock throbbing inside his slacks.

“Faith?” he asked because she had to agree.

“What are you waiting for?”

His hand wrapped more tightly around hers as he rushed them into his office, slammed the door, and locked it behind them. He walked her to the desk and met her gaze, pleased to see her eyes dark with yearning.

“Panties off, dress up,” he instructed.

Her eyes opened wide but she didn’t hesitate. She wriggled the dress up and slid her sexy underwear down and off her legs.