Chapter 263
**Sara**
Tom pulled back, his expression genuinely confused. "Planning? I'm not planning anything."
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "Because you were talking about getting an office in my building this morning, and now you're suddenly considering a mansion. It feels like you're up to something."
He laughed, shaking his head. "I swear, I'm not plotting some grand scheme. The office was just an idea, a way to see each other more. And the mansion... well, that's mostly Leo's doing. He's been on this kick about family image and all that."
"So, you're not secretly planning to whisk me away to some fancy estate where you can keep me locked up like a princess in a tower?" I joked, only half-serious.
Tom's eyes darkened, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. "Now that you mention it, the idea does have its appeal. You, locked away, dressed in nothing but silk and lace, waiting for me to come and ravish you..."
I shoved him playfully. "You wish."
"I do, actually." He caught my hand, pulling me closer. "I wish for a lot of things. Most of them involve you naked and moaning my name."
I laughed, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through me at his words. "Dream on, Professor."
"Oh, I do. Frequently." His thumb traced circles on my palm. "Though reality with you is far better than any dream."
"Sweet talker." I pulled my hand away, putting some distance between us before his touch could short-circuit my brain further. "But you're deflecting. What's with this sudden interest in property investment?"
"Can't a man want to expand his horizons?" His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Think bigger, aim higher?"
"Wake up from your little fantasy world, Tom. You don't need a mansion."
"But I could have one." He leaned back, stretching his arms across the couch. "I could have the mansion, the office, everything. Picture it - we could have breakfast meetings."
"Absolutely not." I crossed my arms. "Buy your mansion if you want, but cancel those office plans. I need to maintain professional boundaries at work."
"Even from me?" He pouted playfully.
"Especially from you. My career matters to me. I won't let anything - or anyone - interfere with that."
His expression softened, pride replacing the teasing glint in his eyes. "That's my girl. Always focused on professional development. I taught you well."
"I'm not your student anymore." I threw a decorative pillow at his head, which he caught easily. "And don't get smug about it."
"No?" He tossed the pillow aside, moving closer. "Then perhaps I should give you a different kind of lesson..."
"Tom!" I scooted away, laughing. "Be serious for once."
"I am serious. Dead serious about teaching you all sorts of valuable skills."
I burst out laughing, shoving him away. "Oh please, what valuable skills could you possibly teach me?"
"Well..." His fingers traced up my arm. "I could demonstrate proper asset management."
"I already know how to manage assets."
"But do you know how to handle..." His hand slipped under my skirt. "Liquid assets?"
I slapped his hand away. "That's it. I'm leaving." I stood up, smoothing my clothes. "Clearly, you've lost your mind."
"Wait." He caught my wrist, eyes dancing with amusement. "Don't go."
"Then behave yourself." I tried to look stern, but his boyish grin made it difficult. "Or I swear I'll walk right out that door."
"Empty threats." He tugged me back onto his lap. "You wouldn't leave."
"Try me." I squirmed against him, which only made his grip tighten. "I mean it. One more terrible finance pun, and I'm gone."
"But I have so many good ones." His lips brushed my ear. "Like how I'd love to examine your growth potential..."
"That's it." I pushed off his lap. "I'm out. Have fun with your mansion and your terrible jokes."
Tom pulled me back, laughing. "Okay, okay. No more puns. Promise."
"And no more talk about offices in my building?"
"But-"
"Or mansions?"
He sighed dramatically. "You drive a hard bargain."
"That's right." I settled against him, victorious. "And don't you forget it."
His hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer. "About that mansion, though..."
"Tom!" I twisted in his lap to face him. "Are you serious?"
"Maybe." His fingers traced lazy circles on my hip. "The one Leo showed me has this incredible master bathroom. Double rainfall shower heads, a tub big enough for two..."
"Of course, that's what caught your attention." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Not the location or investment potential, but the sex potential."
"I'm a man of simple pleasures." His lips found my neck. "Besides, imagine the possibilities. That huge shower, steam rising around us, your back against the marble..."
"It's your money." I tilted my head, giving him better access. "Buy whatever mansion you want. Just no office in my building."
"For now." His teeth grazed my skin.
"What do you mean 'for now'?" I tried to pull back, but his grip tightened.
"Exactly what I said." His hand slipped under my blouse. "For now, I'll respect your wishes about the office."
"And later?"
"Later..." His fingers traced the edge of my bra. "We'll see how you feel about maintaining those professional boundaries when I'm fucking you against my desk."
"Tom!" Heat rushed to my cheeks. "You can't just-"
"Can't what? Can't tell you how I'd bend you over my desk? How I'd hike up your skirt and take you right there?"
"Stop it." But my body betrayed me, pressing closer as his hands roamed freely.
"Make me." His voice was pure sin against my ear. "Tell me you don't want it. Tell me you haven't thought about it."
I bit back a moan as his thumb brushed my nipple over my bra. "That's not the point."
"No?" He shifted, pressing his growing hardness against me. "Then what is the point?"
"The point is that I need to keep my job and not get distracted by... this."
His fingers traced my collarbone, sending shivers down my spine. "So, I'm a distraction now?"
"A major one," I admitted, breath hitching as his thumb brushed my nipple over my bra. "But a girl has to have priorities."
"I can be a priority." He leaned in, lips hovering over mine. "I can be your main focus."
"You know how important this job is to me."
"I do." His lips brushed mine, teasing. "And I also know how important you are to me."
"That's sweet," I murmured, melting a little against him. "But it doesn't change the fact that we need boundaries."
He pulled back, his face showing both frustration and amusement. "You're really going to make this difficult, aren't you?"
"Someone has to keep you in line." I tapped his chest playfully.
Tom leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, you win. No office in your building. I want you to focus on your career without any complications."
"Why do you sound like you're agreeing under duress?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "Like someone's holding a gun to your head?"
"I do not. I'm being completely sincere in my support of your professional endeavors. No ulterior motives."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart." He traced an X over his chest. "Though I reserve the right to send you distracting text messages during boring meetings."
"I can live with that." I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, savoring the warmth of his smile against mine.
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