And as I stood there thinking about all the things she might be guessing, she pressed a hand to my chest. It was warm and gentle, and I jerked my eyes to hers in reaction.
“Is the painkiller kicking in? You’re a thousand miles away.”
I shook my head and covered her hand with mine. “I’m right here. With you.”
Her smile softened, and her gaze showed longing. Or maybe I just saw what I wanted in her eyes. Either way, I took my chances. I leaned in and kissed her. Slow and sweet, asking as much as taking when I slipped between her lips.
She opened up to me. She went slowly, because she never rushed. And I found that I liked adjusting to her tempo. It lengthened the anticipation, drew out the moment until each touch seemed precious, and let me really savor the taste of sugar on her lips and the hum she made at the back of her throat.
But I made a mistake when I drew her forward. I wrapped my arm around her back and pulled her in, but the motion tugged at my ribs. I tried to hide it, but she noticed everything. And so the moment I flinched, she broke away.
“You’re hurting.”
My laugh was a half groan as I dropped my head to hers. “You’re killing me, Ellie. And for the record, blue balls are painful, too.”
She chuckled and grabbed my hand. She led me to my bed which was a great idea. Except I knew she meant to leave me alone there.
“How soft is your mattress? You might do better sleeping on the floor.”
“It’s as hard as a rock, but quite lonely.” I sat down on the bed and pulled her between my legs. Her breasts were right in front of me, and I ached to take one in my mouth. But first, I had to pull off her clothes. So I slipped my hands beneath her Bobcats jersey and stretched my fingers up the smooth expanse of her back.
She sighed in delight, and it was the most wonderful sound in the world, because I knew she was giving in. I could persuade her to stay. At least for a bit.
“Come on, Ellie. Russell knows you’re here. He’ll tell the press if you leave too soon.”
She stilled. “Russell?”
“The security guard.”
“Your security guard tattles to the press?”
Well, no. In fact, that was one of the conditions of his employment here. He’d get fired if he spoke about any of the residents.
“I thought not,” she said, even though I hadn’t spoken aloud. Then she dropped her forehead against mine. “I’m trying to think of you,” she said. “How would it look if you made your injuries worse because of something we did?”
I chuckled. “Like I was enjoying my time on the disabled list.”
“Jake—” she argued, but then stopped as I unhooked her bra. “This is not a good idea.”
“Neither was our last one, but I still liked it.” I slid my hands around until I was cupping her breasts. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned forward as her head dropped back. She had really sensitive nipples, and I loved the way she gasped when all I did was roll my thumb across her tight peaks.
God, she was beautiful. It was the way she looked when she was enjoying herself. Her head was tilted back, her lips were slightly parted and curved into a smile, but best of all was the way her hands gripped my shoulders. Like I was her only support in the world. Like she’d never let me go.
I shifted my hands and pulled off her shirt and bra. I wasn’t sure she’d let me do it, but she did. And then I could finally put my mouth on those dusky peaks. I could swirl my tongue in a circle, then suck while she gasped and trembled in my hands.
“I want you to say yes to me, Jake,” she said, her voice husky.
Like I’d ever say anything else?
“Will you lie back, Jake?” she asked.
I didn’t even answer, but let her push me backward onto the bed. I sank in and yes, the pain in my ribs eased. But while I shifted, I pulled her over with me, enough that I could keep sucking on her nipples while she climbed onto all fours above me.
It was awkward, especially as I began to nip with my teeth. This was something that required care, and with the way she was moving above me, I had to stop for a moment to let her settle. Except she didn’t do that. She looked down at me and said, “I expect you to lie as still as possible while I undress you. Agreed?”
It was my job to say yes tonight. To whatever she wanted. So I smiled and said, “Of course.”
She started with my T-shirt. She crouched lower over me, giving me a great view of her breasts as they swung tantalizingly before me, then she worked her hands under my shirt. Actually, it was pretty impressive the way she stripped me. Quickly, efficiently, and clearly part of her nurses’ training. My shirt came off with minimal adjustment on my part as she rolled me from side to side to maneuver it. Then she unbuttoned my jeans, and the zipper came down mostly on its own. That’s how hard I was. She smiled as she saw it, then pulled my pants down off my hips. I helped there, even though I wasn’t supposed to. I didn’t want her tugging things unexpectedly.
