Doctor's Delight(56)

Feeling like she was floundering in a sea of hot tides, Cherry blinked and struggled to say something witty. Anything. Anything at all. All she could manage was a croaked, “Well…”

“I just bet your cheeks are red right now.” Rick’s voice was a soft growl in her ears that made goose bumps spring deliciously over her arms. “I bet those little nipples I like to suck are hard and peaking against your blouse. Am I right, Cherry?”

She was so out of her depth that she didn’t know what to say. Say something, numbskull! “I um…I don’t…it’s cold.”

He laughed, making her close her eyes and almost shrivel in embarrassment. Thank God he couldn’t see her face!

“Ah, Cherry, my little innocent,” he murmured, amused. “You know how to make a hard day suddenly a lot brighter.”

“I do?” Mentally chastising herself, she amended, “I mean, thanks. I think. Hard day at the office?” She kicked herself. Surely to goodness she could think of something sexy to say, something witty, something— “Does Dr Discipline need a visit from Nurse Naughty?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she could have died. Right there. On the spot. Just curled up and died!

Horrified, biting her lip, she stared unseeingly at the far wall.

There was silence on the other end of the phone, and she had visions of Rick grimacing at her clumsy reply. Oh God, she wanted to die right now!

“I’m coming right over,” Rick said, and hung up.

Cherry leaped to her feet. “Hello? Rick?”

There was no answer so she put the phone down with trembling hands. Placing her fingers to her mouth, she glanced around the room. He was coming here? After what she’d said, Rick was coming here? To play Dr Discipline and Nurse Naughty? Oh God, surely not. No no no. She didn’t know how to role play, she didn’t – please, don’t let him bring the speculum!

She had to ring Susie for advice. No, she didn’t. Maxie? No. No way could she ask her friends how to role play for sex games.

Biting her lip, she wrung her hands. Oh boy, how did she get herself into this position? Could she say no to Rick? Did she want to say no? Did she want…she shivered…discipline?

Racing to the bathroom, she checked her appearance. Same old Cherry, just that her eyes were a lot bigger – fear - and darker – fear - and her cheeks were flushed - fear. Or was that desire? Were the shine in her eyes and the tremble in her fingers desire or fear?

Hells bells, she didn’t know. Her nerves were jangling, her stomach fluttering, and her pulses leaping in her wrists.

Going to the kitchen, she downed a glass of water, then dashed back to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She didn’t know what to do next. Change her clothes? Try and appear sexier? Scratch that, she decided, no way she could look sexier even if she had a team of fashion experts at her beck and call.

She was still wringing her hands when the decisive knock on the door had her jumping into the air. Stepping into the hallway, she stared at the door.

Dr Discipline had arrived. For an insane second she wondered if she should go and put on her clean nurse’s uniform.

The knock came again, and to her it sounded definite. Deliberate.

Swallowing, she walked to the door, wiping her palms on her pants. Reaching out, she unlocked the door and swung it open.

Standing there, his thumbs hooked into his front pockets, Rick looked down at her. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his slacks were wrinkle-free, and his stance was relaxed. A lock of dark hair fell rakishly over his brow. His twinkling gaze swept over her face and settled on her hand where it was wringing the heck out of the bottom of her blouse. “Nurse Naughty feeling a little nervous?”

“No,” she squeaked.

Throwing his head back, he laughed uproarisly.

She felt like a fool.

Looking down at her again, Rick continued laughing, hooked his arm around her waist and drew her against him. Lowering his head, he rested his forehead against hers and looked her directly in the eyes. Grinning, he said softly, “You were nervous, love, admit it.”

With his arms around her, she suddenly felt warm and safe, and her jangling nerves started to ease. The blush on her cheeks didn’t, though, but she met his gaze gamely. “Okay.”

“I love teasing you.” His eyes continued to twinkle merrily. “I love seeing that blush in your cheeks.”

“I’m glad to provide you with amusement,” she said tartly.

“Sugar, you make me smile and laugh.”

“I felt a fool.”

“You make me hot and hard, too. So very hot and hard.” The sudden heat in his voice and the darkening of his eyes had her nerves starting to jangle again. Just as fast and disarming, his tone and eyes softened. “You make me feel a whole range of emotions, Cherry. You make my day worth living.”