Without her realizing, without her even being aware of it, he had moved in on her. His body was closer to hers now, shielding her from the doorway on the far side of the room that led back to the reception. There was no one else here; it was just the two of them. She could inhale the scent of him, that mix of masculinity and aftershave. She could feel the heat of his body – the heat of her own, as her skin flushed.

"Don't-" Her voice came on a faint breath. The panicky, jittery feeling was shivering though her, her breath was shallow.

"Don't?" There was mockery as well as questioning in his voice. And taunting two- she could hear that loud and clear.

She could feel his breath fanning her face; hear the husk in his voice.

"They tell me you're cold, Max, as cold as the snow. But you're not – I can feel it- here…"

His fingers pressed lightly, oh, so lightly, against the pulse in her throat. It leapt at his touch, flushing blood through her already heated veins. She was gazing up at him, eyes dilating. Watching, breathless, helpless, as his mouth descended.

"I can feel it here," he murmured as his lips took hers. They moved with slow, leisurely movements across her lips as his fingers splayed out across her throat, imprisoning her. Blood drummed through her, blood and faintness and a sensation so blissful she wanted it to go on and on, as his mouth moved on hers.

It was a different world, another universe. Never, ever, had any man kissed her like this. She did not like being kissed much- even by those few men she had liked enough to let them do as they please.

This was nothing like she had ever experience. This kiss was cool – with possession, with casual tasting, with an assumption of intimacy, of pleasure, that dissolved the very bones in her body.

He let her go, lifting his moth from hers, slipping his fingers from her skin, and she stood here, swaying, blinded, dazed. He dropped his hands away from her face two her bare arms and put her away from him. She would have stumbled had it not been for his hold, steadying her. He stood looking down at her a moment, his hands still around her arms, surveying her, his eyes lit with amusement. "You seem warm to me."

The heat in her skin flared, and she realized suddenly, horribly, just what had happened. Alec had kissed her. A man who was the biggest pain in her ass- a man, who treated a woman like a conquest, had kissed her. Stomach churning she turned to head to the stairs. Her breath was coming and going sharply and she had to fight down her emotions, slam the lid down on them and make her escape as soon as possible. However, she had come here to do a job and it had to be done regardless of Alec's actions.

Emotions chewed through her. Outrage at what he had just done so supremely casually, helping himself to her. But worse, far worse, that the stinging outrage, was melting, dissolving weakness that was still echoing through her body, a physical memory of what she had just experienced.

Then overlaying both, a new emotion thrust up into her. Blind panic. Alec, the Alec, her partner in crime, kissed her and she let him. What could this mean? Damn Logan for having sent her to steal a stupid disk from a billionaire. Out of all the times it could be done, it had to be during a gala. So of course she would have to have an escort. And of course Alec had to be the first choice, and he had to look drop dead gorgeous in that tux. What am I thinking? This is Alec…focus. She had to run, had to get away from him. She refused to become another notch on his bedpost. She had to think about Logan, the man she was in love with, right?

Sensing Max was about to run Alec quickly grabbed her arm pulling her back to him. He reached a hand out to her. Lightly he drew the backs of his fingers along her cheek she jerked away.

"Don't touch me!" There was panic in her voice.

Long lashes swept down over his eyes. "But you want me to touch you, Maxie. I can see it in your eyes. And I want to touch you. Very much…"

He leant towards her. She could not move, she was trapped in those eyes. Her eyes fluttered shut.

His mouth moved on hers, long fingers tilting up her face to his. That slow dissolving lava was molten in her veins. She tried to summon anger, tried to want to push him away, shout at him, or and slap him. But she couldn't, she could only stand there, responding to him, her body dissolving at his touch.

He pulled away dimly, very dimly; she became aware that they were not alone. He drew a finger across her swollen lips. Her body was trembling. His eyes were dark, so dark. Alec brushed his cheek along hers and whispered, "Sorry, Maxie, it had to look real."

Alec pulled back and surveyed the area. The men were gone. He smirked, "All clear, how bout we grab the stuff and get outta here?"

Max numbly nodded and followed after him. He kissed her for show. He was acting the whole time, he didn't want her. He didn't have feelings for her. This was a good thing, right?

Author's note: This is just the beginning guys so please review tell me what you or didn't like or hope to see. You're awesome. MA all the way!