He tugged her shirt up. He pulled off the sealer patches and clicked on the medscope. It also projected a blue light, but it was barely noticeable in the decon room. She watched him work on her, his big hands warm on her skin, his brow creased in concentration.
A shiver snaked through her. God, she’d never wanted like this. Craved a person with every fiber of her being. It was like everything about Niklas Phoenix had been specially designed to tempt her.
“Cold?” he asked.
Unable to form words, she shook her head.
“Nearly there. Ribs are done. You won’t even have a scar.”
She looked down and watched the skin healing before her very eyes. “I have a few old scars.” She held out one arm, and knew he’d see the faint lines up her arm. There were more on her back. Most were from her time in captivity. Whips and chains left nasty marks…especially when they were rubbed with a special compound to force a scar to form. She stomped down on the memories.
“Why not get them removed?” He brushed a finger over the scars on her arm.
She controlled a shiver. “They’re a reminder. Of what I survived, of what I escaped.”
He got that look again, like he was ready to smash someone’s face in.
“You are really handsome, you know that, Dr. Phoenix?” She cupped his cheek. “You must have had all the Institute girls after you when you worked there.”
His eyes widened a fraction. “You really don’t respond well to painkillers, do you?”
“Sometimes I just look at you and I want to bite you all over.” She shot him a goofy smile. “I’d tear your clothes off, first.”
He groaned. “You are going to kill me for this later.”
“Nah.” She brushed her fingers over his lips. “It’s already starting to wear off. I have a very fast metabolism.”
“Come on, then. Shower next.” He slid an arm around her and helped her to her feet. “We’ll get these clothes off you and scrub you clean.”
“You are so romantic.”
He looked down at her with a mock scowl, but a smile was flirting around his lips.
The shower area was completely open with four shower heads along the wall. Soap dispensers were attached to the plas tiles. Niklas helped Nera get her clothes off. She was feeling almost back to normal. Her wound was healed, the painkillers had worn off…and all she was left with was a growing throb of desire as she watched him. Every time he uncovered another part of her, he skimmed his hand along her skin, his face entranced, like he was touching one of those ancient artifacts he loved so much.
Finally, he straightened and flicked on the nearest shower. “Under the spray.”
Nera ducked her head under. The hot water felt wonderful. And this was the real stuff, not the mostly mist they had in the cabins. When she glanced back at Niklas, her stomach clenched.
He was methodically stripping his clothes off. Uncovering inch after inch of bronze skin. She licked her lips. All hers to enjoy.
She filled her hands with soap that had a faintly astringent smell, and started scrubbing. It had the tiniest bit of grit to it and stung a little.
Suddenly, arms surrounded her, big hands sliding down her arms. He started rubbing her skin. “Need to get you clean.”
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy the moment.
He moved to her shoulders, briefly massaging her neck. Then his hands scrubbed her back, kneading her muscles. Arousal sang along her veins. It didn’t seem to matter what he did to her, she liked it.
His hands slid around her front and cupped her breasts. “You are so perfectly formed,” he murmured.
Her breath hitched. “All men say that when their hands are full of breasts.” Even those on the small side.
His hands slid lower, his finger toying with her belly button. “I mean all of you. Not just your breasts.” His hand went lower still, sliding between her legs.
She arched back against him. “I’m so far from perfect…”
“You’re perfect to me.” He slid his finger through her folds. She was already so wet for him. He played with her, caressing, dipping inside, before his thumb found her clit with the amount of pressure she liked.
