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Darina sat behind her desk rubbing her hands up and down her cold arms. All she wanted was to feel warm again. She frowned when her eyes stayed completely dry.

I can’t even cry over him anymore.

A raw emptiness filled her until getting out of her chair seemed like too much effort. She sighed and leaned her head against the back, staring blankly at the dark ceiling.

Now what?

The pale ceiling tiles held no answer. She took slow, even breaths until her pulse calmed to normal and contemplated leaving her office. A noise sounded in the hallway but she couldn’t even muster the strength to care who it might be. It was most likely the cleaning crew anyway. It wouldn’t be Marc, of that she was certain. No way would Heather allow him out of her sight. A small relief in itself.

The door opened and she sat up just as the lights came on. The sudden illumination made her squint and all she could make out was a large shape in her doorway.

What the hell?

"Ms. Tanner, are you all right?"

The deep voice sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it. It also sounded sexy as hell and she rubbed her eyes in the hopes of getting a better look. She blinked and had to look up a ways before reaching the concerned gaze of the security guard from downstairs. He stood well over six feet, with broad shoulders and well-defined muscles in his dark uniform. His thick, black hair looked just long enough to run her fingers through, though it didn’t touch his collar. She frowned as her addled thoughts returned to his question.

"Uh, yes…"

"Solon," he replied at her slightly embarrassed pause. "My name is Solon, Ms. Tanner, but everyone calls me Sol."

"Oh. Um, yes, Sol. I’m fine."

His dark gaze met hers for a moment before slowly sliding down her body. It lingered at her breasts, where the tops were slightly bared from one too many buttons coming loose when she’d massaged her neck. She followed his gaze and her cheeks burned when she realized what a view he was getting from his impressive height, but she resisted the urge to cover herself.

At least he seems to like what he sees.

Marc had stopped looking at her with lust in his eyes months ago, the first sign of trouble. A shiver raced up her spine from Sol’s obvious interest. She tried to relax against the chair more, thrusting her breasts out a bit as her nipples hardened under his attention. Sol’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed and stepped farther into the small office.

"I know you usually leave by six, Ms. Tanner. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay up here," he said, his voice huskier than before.

She smiled and he appeared to clench his teeth. It gave her a perverse thrill to know she affected him this way, to know she could affect him at all. After Marc threw her away she’d had her doubts, but Sol’s hot look blew them away and made her blood boil with sudden recklessness.

I must be losing my mind.

She turned her chair slightly, pulling her legs from beneath her desk and into Sol’s line of vision. Then she slowly raised one to cross it over the other, causing her skirt to inch up and expose a bit of thigh. His breath stuttered loudly in the quiet room before he cleared his throat and shut the office door behind him.

Oh my.

Sol’s breath left him in a rush and his heart damn near stopped completely. Not only was Darina not crying but she was flirting…with him. Suddenly he was the luckiest man on earth and wondered what he’d done to deserve such a treat. He stepped toward her desk warily, expecting at any moment for her to come to her senses and order him back downstairs.

Baby, please don’t ask me to leave.

She sat up a little straighter as he approached and he stopped beside her desk, a mere two feet of space separating them. He stood looking down at her, admiring the sight of her beautiful cleavage, golden skin appearing soft as silk, begging for his touch.

"I’m fine, Sol. I was going to leave but…"

She stopped and a flash of doubt crossed her face. He quickly went to one knee before her, snagging her gaze before she could shut him out completely.

"I know, Darina. I saw them," he said quietly.

He was taking a big risk both in using her first name and in admitting watching her heartbreak unfold. She could easily react in anger and possibly cost him his job after all. If so, he vowed to find Marc and beat the hell out of him to gain some kind of satisfaction.

Darina gasped slightly and lowered her head, her lower lip quivering for a moment. When she looked back up at him, there was moisture in her eyes, but she smiled.

"I guess hiding in here must seem foolish," she said quietly.

Sol shook his head and placed his hand over hers.

"Not at all. I know the bastard hurt you. I wish I could hurt him for you in return."

She looked startled by his admission and he cursed himself silently for saying too much.

"You do?"

He nodded and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.

"He was an idiot to think he could find anyone to take your place, Darina. You’re so beautiful."

She blushed and let out a slight laugh, lowering her head again. Sol reached up with his other hand and raised her chin. He met her gaze and ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

"It’s the truth. I’ve thought so since the first time I saw you."

She sighed and closed her eyes, her warm breath caressing his thumb. The sensation raced through him, straight to his quickly filling cock. He stifled a groan and prayed it wouldn’t be too obvious when he stood.

"I think he prefers blondes," she whispered.

The pain in her admission called to him and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to ease it.

"I don’t," he whispered as he leaned in and slowly pressed his lips against her tempting mouth.