While Nicole was coming to terms with loss of control versus impetuous desire, Rafe was giving instructions to Aleix.
“Miss Parrish has agreed to see you, but she’s skittish, so be scrupulously polite. And she prefers seeing you alone. You know I’ve never done anything like this before, so whatever you do in terms of an exam”—he took a quick breath—“keep it as brief as possible.” He held the young fair-haired doctor’s gaze. “Can you do that?”
Aleix’s eyes were amused behind his gold wire-framed glasses. “I’ll try not to look. Is that what you mean?”
Rafe exhaled a long slow breath. “I don’t know what I mean. Just be nice, okay?”
“I’ll treat her like a nun.”
“Good.”
Aleix concealed his shock. He’d been kidding; Rafe wasn’t.
“You’ve brought the health reports?”
“Right here.” Aleix took some stapled pages out a small leather bag and handed them to Rafe. “Should I explain to her that you’re conscientious about condoms?”
“I already did, but sure why not?” Rafe nodded to Simon. “Aleix won’t be long.” Then he waved his doctor forward and as they reached the stairs, asked, “How soon will you have the results?”
“By morning.”
Rafe’s gaze flicked sideways. “That long?”
Running to keep up with Rafe’s swift, long-legged ascent, Aleix glanced up at the man he’d only known as the most casual sexual partner to a great many women. “When do you want the results?”
“An hour ago.”
Another startling response. “I’ll see what I can do. I can’t promise anything. It depends what I find.”
“I don’t want you to find anything,” Rafe said a little impatiently.
“But then I’m not certifiable like you right now.”
Rafe sighed. “Sorry. Do what you have to do. But quickly. That’s all I ask.”
“She must be something special.”
“You’ll see for yourself.” Rafe shot him a grin. “And I should know.”
“No argument there,” Aleix agreed, having witnessed an unending succession of beautiful women passing through Rafe’s life.
Rafe paused at the bedroom door. “Now just the minimum of tests. I don’t want her upset.”
Aleix smiled. “I got the message. You’re crazy and I have to accommodate you.”
“Good,” Rafe said, no smile. “We’re in sync then.”
A moment later, they walked into the bedroom and after a quick scan of the empty bed and room, Rafe saw Nicole standing on the balcony. Stark naked. “Give me a minute.” Quickly easing Aleix back into the hall, he quietly closed the door.
Dropping his health report on a chair, he walked into his dressing room, randomly selected a robe from one of the closets, returned to the bedroom, and moved soundlessly on bare feet to the balcony. “We have company.”
Nicole turned and glanced past him.
“He’s waiting in the hall.” Rafe held out the white seersucker robe. “I don’t know about you, but I find I have a prudish streak after all,” he said, forcing his dick to behave at the sight of her world-class tits, curvaceous hips, and legs that went on forever. “Put this on before I let Aleix in.”
A trace of a smile fluttered across her mouth. “He’s going to see me anyway.”
“Not all of you. Humor me. I don’t like to share.” This from a man well known for group sexual amusements. Taking her hand, he slid it through one sleeve, pulled the robe over her shoulders, and, turning her slightly, slipped the other sleeve up her arm. “It’s a little long. Just as well,” he said under his breath, and a second later looked up from the fabric puddled at her feet. “Lift it out of your way when you walk.” A definitive statement, brisk with authority.
For a fleeting moment, Nicole almost said no, just for the hell of it. But she’d enjoyed his barely audible comment. Was there a woman in the world who didn’t like a little male jealousy? And watching him carefully overlap the robe to cover her breasts, knot the tie at her waist, then tug the neckline tighter made her smile. “Relax. The doctor isn’t interested in me other than as an exam subject.”
“I’m sure,” he said drily. “Just don’t take off the fucking robe.”
“Yes, sir, whatever you say, sir.” She cocked her head and looked up at him with a playful lift of her brows. “So long as I get rewarded.”
He laughed. “You can count on it. And I apologize for my new prudish streak. Aleix called me certifiable just now. I probably am. You make me crazy.” His smile was one of ineffable charm. “I mean that in the nicest way.”