The question was a cover — they both knew it — but the semblance of professionalism felt necessary. They were exposed in the stairwell. Any number of their colleagues or administrative staff could just wander around a corner and come upon them, and the last thing they needed was gossip. Or at least, that was the last thing Deja needed. Alejandro already had tenure and was a man, so he would probably be okay, but she might never recover from rumors that she was getting cozy with one of the university’s most eligible bachelors; that she wasn’t publishing because she was too focused on dating. The fear of becoming grist for the gossip mill should have made Deja say no. She should have smiled and put some distance between them. She should have made this a moment she remembered fondly — and maybe touched herself thinking about every now and then — because walking away was safer than not. But instead of doing the smart thing, Deja nodded slowly, but excitedly.

Alejandro’s mouth curved into a smile, and he tipped his head to the side, urging her on.

Deja stepped into the familiar hallway with shaky steps. The automatic hall lights turned on as they walked past her colleagues’ office doors, which meant no one had walked through here for a while. She released her bottom lip and huffed out a sigh of relief that they were more than likely alone.

She stopped in front of her office door and started rummaging through her bag for her key ring. She could feel Alejandro’s presence, and just knowing he was there, waiting for her, wanting her made it hard for her to concentrate on the simple task. By the time her fingers finally curved around her keys, her hands were shaking.

Deja jumped when Alejandro’s hand closed around the curve of her waist, gently at first, and then his grip tightened.

She shivered when his breath caressed her ear, followed by that sexy whisper again. “Calm down, Deja.”

She’d never heard him say her name quite like that before, and the newness of it made her listen to his direction. She took a deep breath, found the right key, and unlocked her office door in slow, measured steps.

Alejandro pushed her door open and urged her forward with his body pressed against hers, all semblance of reserve slipping away.

Deja had never imagined Alejandro as someone who was ever out of control. In her mind, he was always put together and controlled and maybe even a bit bossy. Right now, he was some odd mix of uncontrolled control, and it made all of her shiver. Her future fantasies were going to have a field day with this new information.