She looked very much like the day he’d met her. The day she’d fallen from heaven and landed on his lap. All tucked up in her professionalism, she was damn sexy. She'd pulled back her hair, exposing her soft neck. He caressed her cheek, gliding his thumb over her cheekbone.

She lifted her hand to pull his from her. “Zach…”

“I’m the boss.” He took her mouth with his, driving her into a deep kiss that left her swaying against him.

“We had an agreement,” she reminded him as she lifted her hand to his chest to push him away.

“Yes, but we didn’t sign a contract. I only work with contracts.”

She bit down on her lip. “Yes. And the only way I’ll get fired is if I lose you a contract.” Her eyes hazed with something dark, but it wasn’t pleasure or seduction. A tautness around her mouth told him it was anger.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Mary Ellen on my first day. She said you were a softy, but if someone lost you a contract, you’d fire them on the spot.”

He pulled her closer to him, willing the haze in her eyes to turn smoky with lust. “We’d better not sign a contract about kissing at work, then. I’ll have to fire myself for breaking it. I can’t keep myself from you. I love you.”

She stiffened and stepped back from him. But he moved closer. “While my parents are in New York, you and I are going to spend the weekend at their house. Let’s see if you really like Tennessee sprawling land.”

She took a breath, but a knock at the door stopped her. For that he was grateful. He didn’t want excuses, he wanted her.

They had just enough time to step back from each other and look professional before Kirk Peterson pushed open the door and walked in uninvited. “We’ve got troubles in Memphis.”

He held a report in his hands. For the first time in months, he bypassed his normal sleaziness and looked past Regan to Zach.

The Memphis project had been red flagged and could be shut down if inspectors returned and didn’t see changes ASAP. There had never been a Benson, Benson, and Hart project shut down. He sure as hell wasn’t going to let Roger Byers bring down his record.

He’d have to get John Forrester on the project sooner than he’d though. He’d go himself if he didn’t have to focus on the project in Los Angeles. It was worth too much money to let it slip through his fingers. But his current builds were in need of his attention too.

Teleconferences were scheduled with the foreman of each build. Zachary usually ran a tight organization, and he was going to make sure it stayed that way. Somewhere he’d let his watchful eye close and he couldn’t afford to do it again.

Regan had been an invaluable asset in the twenty-four hours since Kirk Peterson had delivered the report to him. She’d arranged his flights, made sure he’d eaten, brought him a clean shirt before his meeting with John, and fielded phone calls from his mother and Simone when his nerves and his time were stretched to the limit.

Exhausted, Zach leaned against the doorjamb of his office, watching Regan as she gathered her things to leave for the day. He’d spent the afternoon with John going over the Memphis project. He wasn’t sure if it was a good sign that his mind kept wandering back to thoughts of making love with her while he was making plans for John to fire Roger Byers and take over the build.

He wished to God that he didn’t have to be on a flight for L.A. in just a few hours.

Regan swung her bag over her shoulder and turned off the monitor on her computer. Whatever she was thinking of put an alluring curve in her lips.

“You have the sexiest smile,” he said.

She turned with her hand to her chest, then caught her breath and stomped her foot. “I thought Mary Ellen said you weren’t to sneak up on us.”

“I never listen.”

“I thought you were still meeting with John.”

“He left while you were away from your desk.” He looked around the office and noticed they were alone, so he clasped her hand and led her through the door, then shut it behind them. “Come here for a moment.”

Quickly he gathered her in his arms before she could realize what he had in mind and push him away. His mouth found hers, and it was soft and warm. He drank her in before pulling back.

“I hate having to go to L.A.” He brushed her jaw with a kiss as she tipped her head back. “I might not be able to survive without my”—he nipped at her lower lip and enjoyed the shiver he produced in her—“wonderful assistant.”

“Well, Mr. Benson, not everyone can have such a wonderful assistant as you have. You really should give her a raise since she’s so good for you.”

His fingers were in her hair, sending a tingle down his spine. “You really think she’s worth it?”

“She’d do anything for you.” The words were breathless as they escaped her mouth.

He held her tight, knowing she’d want to break free after such an admisison. “Would she tell me she loves me?”

She looked down. “Zach…”

“Mr. Benson,” he joked, taking her mouth again. “I guess I’ll get a bite to eat at the airport before I go. I’d much rather ravage you on your kitchen table again, though,” he offered with his brow pressed to hers.

“The kids are there.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll just go to L.A.” He kissed her again, lingering, absorbing her into memory. “I wish I could take you with me. You’ll go the next time, that’s for damn sure.” He stroked his thumb down her jaw. “Can I give you a ride home?”

“I have my car.”

Trying not to feel like he’d been turned down, he gave her a light hug. “Let me walk you down.”

When Regan arrived home, there were three slices of pizza in the fridge with a note that said We love you, Aunt Regan. They had gone to a movie. She had the evening and the house to herself—and no Zach.

Maybe it was for the best.

She ran a bath and dined on her pizza and wine, neck deep in bubbles. Candles flickered all around her, giving the room a golden glow. Bach played on the CD player, and the smell of lavender filled the room. It was exactly what she needed.

When she laid her head back into the water, she thought of Zach. He was in the airplane on his way to L.A. Her heart trembled when she thought of him being so far away. Could she already miss him so much? Yes.