Kyra sighed again. "I wish I could send you out the door to live whatever the hell kind of life you want just as you are right now. That's what you deserve, Captain Elliott. I want that badly for you, but I can't make it happen. Your cybernetic enhancements require you to retain knowledge of how they work. Too much is at stake and the outcome of your healing affects more than just the two of us. But thank you for giving me a glimpse of why putting you through this hell is so important. This moment-it's very humanizing for both of us-to want to be kissed and then actually be kissed. Thank you for sharing this moment with me."
"Man, you sure talk a lot. Still waiting for that kiss, Doc," Peyton said. He was keeping his eyes tight and his mind off how sexy she sounded when she got all philosophical.
Kyra snorted at his chastising. She touched her lips to Peyton's and instantly found her bottom one nipped aggressively between two rows of even teeth. Moaning at the delicate trap he'd set for her, her body tipped forward against his and she had to catch herself on his wide shoulders. Her hands slipped over them and down his chest without her mind questioning the action.
When she moaned against his mouth, Peyton ordered himself to turn loose. After he did, he stared hard at the lip he'd bitten. The woman wanted him. He could taste it, smell it, and damn it he wanted her too. It was exhilarating to feel such pure desire flowing so freely through his cells.
A demand to sate that intense longing came from some desperate part of him that was both familiar and strange at the same time. What the hell was happening to his mind? It was both relieving and like finally waking up after being asleep for too long.
"Climb up here and give me a real kiss, Doc. And don't be so damn stingy with sharing your tongue. I intend to use it to imagine what else I'm going to do when you cut me loose from this freaking chair."
Groaning at how aroused he'd just made her with his sexy declaration, Kyra climbed into Peyton's large lap to straddle him. It gave her better access to his mouth and the chance to indulge just a little more as she eased her hips down on him. She sighed at her nearly out-of-control feelings and touched her forehead to his.
"The only reason I'm doing this is because I know you're going to take great pleasure in ridding yourself of this memory tomorrow. I won't blame you for that action, Peyton. Hell, I think it's the smartest thing you could do."
"Stop whining about what hasn't happened yet, Doc. I'm so hard for you I hurt. It's damn cruel to suggest this instant attraction between us is nothing. Now kiss me like you want to-and damn it, I know you want to. I am a cyborg, you know."
He ordered his processor to store the image of her face just as she caved in to his demand and dipped her mouth to his. Her lips were lush and hot and wet, and her kiss was the most deliriously wonderful experience he could recall happening in ages. Free of leg restraints, he lifted his hips, begging her to ride the hardness she had caused. He watched her eyes close in pleasure at his action, but lowered himself back down to the chair when he saw two tears run down her face. A second later, tears were flowing off her chin in two tiny, steady streams.
"What? What is it, Doc? What's wrong with this? The attraction is mutual, isn't it? We're alone in here just the two of us. I'm wearing too many damn restraints to do much harm to you. Hell, keep the chair restraints in place woman-just be with me before I die from wanting you."
"I can't. I can't take advantage of you, no matter what I'm feeling," Kyra said, lifting both her arms to swipe at her eyes. "Thank you for the sexy kiss, Captain Elliott. It's been a very, very long time since I felt anything remotely close to that level of desire for a man. Even if you wipe this away, I'll never forget it-or you."
Kyra slid reluctantly off his lap and straightened her clothing. "I'm going to release the last of the chair restraints now. Please keep your physical distance so I don't have to use the controller. I've hurt you enough in the last couple days."
She hastily swiped her thumb across both wrist bands and stepped out of reach. It surprised her when Peyton remained seated. She wiped her eyes again as she put more distance between them. The one sleeve got so wet, she had to switch to the other to stop the flow.
"How are your legs now? Can you walk yet?" she asked to distract herself.
"The initial paralysis is gone. However, I have another kind of problem preventing walking at the moment. Give me a moment to... adjust."
Kyra shook her head. Denial was not just a river in Egypt. It was her best coping mechanism.