Power and Possession(34)
“No offense to whoever that is, but not now.” She sighed, her eyes half-closed. “I’m still floating somewhere in space.”
“Soon, then. Aleix’s one of my doctors.” A man on a mission, Rafe quickly stripped off the condom, leaned over the edge of the bed, and discarded it in a wastebasket. Rolling back, he propped himself up on one elbow and gazed at the woman who’d shattered all his preconceived notions of priceless. “The sooner we see Aleix, the sooner we can dispense with condoms,” he said. “Your call, of course.”
Softly exhaling, she forced herself to think. “No condoms is risky,” she finally said, her blue gaze wide open now and direct. “Like seriously.”
“You got that right.” His shoulder lifted in a small shrug. “But fuck it. It’s not every day”—he winked—“the earth moves.”
Conscious of his eyes on her, she stared at the coffered ceiling and went through a swift list of pros and cons again before she met his gaze. “This really is irrational.”
“Agreed.”
“Have you ever done this before?”
“Never.” He ripped off the elastic holding his hair back and tossed it on the nightstand.
“Really? No bullshit?”
“Really. No bullshit.”
“You can guarantee your health screen is genuine?”
“Jesus. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Okay, then. What do I have to do?”
“Aleix will take a blood sample, do a quick exam if that’s all right with you. And in a couple of hours, we’ll both have the stamp of approval. No need for Russian roulette.”
“Hmmm.”
“Is that a yes?”
She hesitated a second more, then nodded.
Not about to prolong the conversation when he had what he wanted, he asked, “Do you want me to hold your hand with Aleix?”
She shook her head.
“Embarrassed? Don’t be.”
Nicole smiled. “I’m not embarrassed. I just prefer doing it myself.”
Leaning over, he kissed her gently. “Whatever you want. And thanks.” Then he sat up and reached for his phone. “Not that I’m anxious,” he said with a grin, punching in a number. “But let me tell Aleix I’m coming down to get him.” He paused, blew her a kiss, and when someone answered, said, “I’ll be down in a minute.” Dropping the phone back on the nightstand, he turned back to Nicole. “Need anything?”
“You back in bed.”
He sucked in a breath. “No shit.” He grinned. “Seriously. You’re going to have to be the one who says enough.” He leaned over and kissed her again, and this kiss wasn’t gentle at all. It was all pent up lust and feverish desire and they were both panting when he finally rolled away. “Fuck, I gotta go,” he muttered, leaping from the bed. “We need Aleix ASAP.”
“You could call and say you’ll be a little late.” Gazing at his splendid erection, she looked up and smiled. “It wouldn’t take long.”
He blew out a breath. “I’m going to be the adult here, get the hell dressed, fetch Aleix, and see that this screening gets done. How’s that for sane and rational?”
She touched her pulsing clit. “Knock before you come back in.”
“Don’t you fucking dare,” he warned, stepping into his shorts. “I own that clit for the next month.”
She stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me. Keep your hands to yourself,” he growled, zipping up his shorts. “I’ll be back in two minutes.” He frowned. “And I’m not going to knock.”
Chapter 11
Nicole briefly debated whether two minutes was enough to get herself off, or whether she minded if she had an audience. Probably not and probably, she decided with a grumbly sigh. Still—she disliked orders. From Rafe or anyone. Although maybe having him tell her what to do turned her on just a smidge. Or maybe more than a smidge. She shivered, remembering the hard, solid feel of him, the fluid strength, the explicit challenge she found so enticing. Damn, everything about the beautiful, golden-eyed Rafe Contini was incredibly hot.
Sliding off the bed, she quickly crossed the room and walked out on the balcony, needing to cool her fevered senses, control her lust. Talk herself into a more rational frame of mind. She prided herself on being sensible; she’d never been the flighty type.
So craving Rafe like some teen rock star fan was a huge freaking change. Probably slightly demented as well, considering he viewed women as disposable. Then she suddenly grinned. But in terms of gratification, he was dynamite, so screw it—literally.