<div class="floatleft">(http://i2.listal.com/image/437775/300full.jpg)</div>He tasted strawberry. A subtle flavor, but there was no mistaking its cajoling influence. How curious.<br/><br/>Michael prided himself on knowing people. Especially women. Habits cataloged. Quirks memorized. indulgences noted. Patterns discerned. He had risen to the repute of an industry leader through a simple matter of knowing things. Things that he should know got him promotions, things that he shouldn't but knew anyway got him power. Very little escape his attention, even less fail to spark his interest.<br/><br/>That she actually brought food was a demonstration of her cheekiness. And the repeated references to it could be a ploy to rile him up. Ellie was a very different person when in his company. Her inhibitions melt away and instinct takes control. He knew what a tease she could be. Indeed, he had been nurturing that part of her for months now. Safe from the scrutiny of her mother and sister. A very private, very intimate, very wrong and altogether wonderful affair.<br/><br/>But her eyes...<br/><br/>They seemed to have been taken hostage by anxiety. Then there was the kiss itself, including the lipgloss he was currently inspecting. Michael wasn't averse to the whimsy of a teenager, but in his experience, diversions from comfort zones merit investigation. So he annihilated the distance between them and held the girl by her bottom lip.<br/><br/>"Don't you usually wear Peach?" his simmering eyes informed her of the need for a convincing reply.<br/><br/>His desire for another kiss propelled Eliza, whom he still thought to be Ellie, into the fiber glass window with a small thud. One hand roamed the flesh of her inner thigh, seeking the treasure that lay at the apex. But just as he was plotting a course to that sweet destination, there came an undeniable distraction. Two, in fact.<br/><br/>He had just spotted Maggie down on the street, making a beeline to Mario's, and almost in concert his secretary announced that Eliza had left a message.<br/><br/>"This is just not our day..."<br/><br/>