by Beverly Rae
Meg saw Chance raise his hand from the same corner booth they’d used the night they’d met. She nodded, waved at Tom who’d called to her from behind the counter of The Sundowner, and strolled in Chance’s direction. Taking time to greet several male admirers along the way, she forced herself not to peek at Chance to see his reaction. Not that she was trying to make him jealous, but it couldn’t hurt for him to realize that other men found her attractive.
A bevy of beautiful women sitting at a corner table called to Chance. Meg turned toward him, needing to see how he’d respond. He smiled a greeting in return, then brought his attention back to Meg. Their eyes met, then she pivoted, putting her side to him to greet Luke Paulson with a laugh and a touch on the shoulder.
Okay, maybe I do want to make him jealous.
As she pulled away from a protesting Luke, her thoughts came back to Chance at Wesley Ward. She’d thought of him as “the good doctor” simply by using the old-fashioned term, but after seeing him with the elderly patients at Wesley Ward, she knew the term fit him perfectly. She’d seen a side of him he’d hidden behind a wall of witty cockiness, and she wondered if he realized that the nurturing caregiver part of him made him even sexier.
Meg slid into the booth, bumping into him to make him scoot across the seat. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself.” He repositioned himself so he could look directly at her. “Seems I’m not the only one who likes sitting close.”
Meg fumbled for an answer for why she hadn’t chosen to sit across from him instead of putting her body in close contact with his. She didn’t want to admit the truth; that she’d wanted to feel his energy, his heat, the chemistry between them. Instead, she shrugged and greeted Tom as he brought her usual drink to the table. Saved by the Tom.
“Why did you follow me today?” Chance’s dreamy gaze met hers, warm, yet challenging.
Uh-oh. “I told you. I was visiting my great uncle.” Afraid he could see the lie in her eyes, Meg broke their connection to take a sip of her drink. The fiery liquid helped wash down the lump in her throat.
“Oh, right. Rupert Stanley.”
“That’s right.” She took another sip and forced herself not to squirm under his scrutiny.
“There’s no Rupert Stanley registered at Wesley.”
She started to object, to try another lie about hospital paperwork, then saw his smug smile and realized it was hopeless. She was busted and they both knew it. “So?” Yeah, Meg, great comeback.
“So why don’t you tell me the real reason you followed me.”
She sat back against the seat cushion. “Okay, fine. I was curious, that’s all. Plus, I wanted to confirm my point in the game.”
Chance skimmed his fingertip along her shoulder, setting off a myriad of sensations. Her skin ached for his touch, ached for him to touch her all over her body. His one touch did more to her than all the attention she received from other men. She shifted in her seat and hoped he wouldn’t notice how she’d inched closer to him.
“See? Was that so hard to admit?”
“Well, you did dash out of my apartment without saying goodbye. Even before you could tell me how much you enjoyed the show.”
A glimmer of regret flashed across his face, and for a moment, Meg felt the same regret. Did he think less of her now? After all, she’d only followed the rules of the bet. She frowned and wished he’d tell her how much he still liked her. Her frown deepened. Had he ever really liked her? Or was it all just a game? When had she grown so interested in his opinion of her?
Chance took a drink of his beer, glancing away as though he didn’t want to look at her. “You fulfilled your part of the deal. Like I said, I guess that puts us neck and neck.”
He seemed remorseful, almost sad. Was he worried about losing the bet? Or was there another reason for the way he sounded? She blew out a breath, trying to ease the sudden ache in the middle of her chest.
“Yeah.” Meg tried to keep her voice light but failed, bringing Chance’s focus back to her. “What did you want to discuss about our bet?” An image of Chance sucking Stephanie’s breast hit her, making the tightness in her chest even worse.
He appeared confused by the question, but recovered. “I just wanted to make sure you still wanted to go through with it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, wondering if he had a trick up his sleeve. “Why? Are you wanting out?”
The ache in her chest eased a little. Would she get lucky with him calling off the bet? Then she wouldn’t have to see him with anyone else. Sure, watching him with Stephanie had been sexy as hell at the time, but did she want to see him with another woman? Would watching Chance with someone else bother her as much as the memory of Stephanie and Chance having sex did now? The idea of playing voyeur as he made love to another woman made her more than a little uneasy. Uneasy and jealous. But what choice did she have?
“No, no.” His eyebrows shot up and he adopted an eager expression. “Unless you want to stop.”
Meg’s hope for a quick end to the competition fell flat, and the ache returned with full force. But back out now? She’d never backed down from a challenge, and she wasn’t about to start. “Nope. I’m in it for the long haul.” She shot him a sultry look. “Not that I think it’ll last much longer. You got lucky with Stephanie. I’m sure you’ll get rejected next time.”
Stars and moon, Meg, just tell him you want out! Instead of following her heart, she gritted her teeth and held on to her stubbornness. Ache, be damned!
“Why would I?” The cocky doc was back and baiting her.
Because I’ll use magic if I have to. Anything to have you lose. Not to mention keeping another woman’s hands off of you. Instead, she quipped, “Trust me on this one, Doc. You’re going down.”
He glanced at her crotch, then yanked back to her eyes. “Whatever you say.”
Heat born of desire flashed through her body to meet the pink coloring her cheeks. If he wanted to explore her nether regions, she wouldn’t stop him. Hell, she’d lead him to them. She swallowed, unnerved by how much she wanted him. If she got any hotter, she’d grab him, jump on top and take him right in the booth. Changing the subject was imperative. “Tell me, Doc, why do you visit patients on your day off?”
He relaxed next to her as though simply mentioning his patients made him feel better. His arm touched hers, setting off another round of warmth. “I like senior citizens. They have the best stories and give us a wealth of wisdom. Providing we take the time to listen.”
Meg couldn’t help but smile at his words. Caring just didn’t say enough about the man. She didn’t resist the urge to place her hand on his leg and was pleased when he covered hers with his. “You’re very good with them. You’re supportive without acting like a know-it-all doc.”
His laugh warmed her, and she noticed how his gaze slipped to her cleavage. “Know-it-all? You mean like how I am here at the club?”
“Your words, not mine.” She leaned into him, wanting him even closer.
“Do you like the doctor side of me better?”
She couldn’t tell if he was playing her or if he really wanted to know. Nonetheless, she opted to be upfront with him. “I thought about that and I decided I like both sides of you. Maybe a little more doc than cock would be nice, but I wouldn’t want you to be a total goody-two-shoes either.”
“I see. Then you like a bit of the bad boy in a man.”
“What girl doesn’t?” She thrilled when he reached out to push a strand of her hair over her shoulder. Once again, his touch was electric against her skin, and she wanted more of it. More, and in intimate places. If only he’d let his hand move lower…
“You’re an intriguing woman, Meg Tristan.”
“I’m thinking that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely a good thing.”
Almost as though a switch had been flipped, Meg sensed urgency within Chance that matched the heat burning inside her. Her lips parted in anticipation, her pulse pounded in her ears
as she laid her head against the seat and reached out to place her palm on his chest. She couldn’t have made her invitation any clearer if she’d handed him an embossed card saying “come and get me”.
His gaze swept over her, turning her insides to liquid fire. Cupping her cheek, he moved in, then stopped centimeters from her mouth. She could feel his breath on her face and inhaled, drawing in the intoxicating scent. The table squeaked as he pushed it out of the way and pivoted to hover his body over hers. Needing to have him next to her, she wrapped an arm around him and tugged, but he resisted, tearing a groan from her.
“God, I want you.”
“No more than I want you.” Meg answered in kind, but she meant more than his body. She wanted him.
Chance moved an inch closer, and she shifted so that they both sat with one shoulder against the back of the seat, their bodies facing each other. He glanced at the crowd, some of whom were taking interest in what they were doing. “Not here. It’s cliché to say, but how about my place?”
Meg fought to keep her tone level, her breathing regular, but knew the battle would be lost soon. She shuddered from the tantalizing feel of his thumb skimming over her lips. “Too far.”
The corners of his mouth tipped upward. “But you don’t know where I live.”
“Anywhere more than a few feet from here would be too far.”
He chuckled, then pulled her to him. His lips grazed hers, gentle at first, until he slipped his tongue inside and demanded to taste her. She moaned and pushed her breasts against him. Luxuriating in the long-awaited kiss, Meg forgot where she was, no longer caring about anything other than Chance.
Had any man ever made her feel this way? Had her body ever reacted to a simple touch the way hers reacted to his?
“Hey, you two, don’t you think you need to take it somewhere else?”
Chance’s breath puffed from him as he broke the kiss, leaving Meg breathless. She touched her fingertips to her lips and glared at Tom. “Can’t you see we’re busy?”
Tom’s bemused expression was full of meaning. “I sure can and so can everyone else.” He darted his glance between Meg and Chance. “How about taking your, um, discussion to my office?”
Chapter Seven
The door to Tom’s office slammed behind Meg and Chance as they stumbled toward the couch, groping for each other’s clothes. Chance’s silk shirt fell to the floor, leaving his hard chest exposed for Meg’s wandering hands. He was all flesh imitating rock under her fingertips. She soon dropped her hands to the waistband of his slacks to unhook the button, then run the zipper down.
She inhaled, aware of his masculine scent, the mix of heated hormones with his musky aftershave. Every nerve in her came alive, her senses reveling in his look, his touch, his smell. She ached for him like an addict long denied a drug and, for a moment, she was afraid. She paused, her breathing quickened not only from being near him, but because she felt he was different from the others. More important than the others. If she continued whatever their relationship was, would she be risking her heart? For the first time, she was ready to take that risk.
Chance freed her of her blouse in record time, then slipped the straps of her bra down her shoulders, trailing kisses along their path. Her bra followed his pants to the floor, and, picking her up, he tossed her onto the couch. He stopped her giggles as his mouth found her belly and he tugged her jeans to her ankles, then onto the floor.
Cupping her breasts, he paused, his gaze flowing down her like a molten stream of lava. Meg reached for him the second after he tore off her thong. Her fingernails dug into his broad shoulders, careless of the marks she left. In fact, she hoped she left deep, possessive marks.
Diving to her breast, Chance sucked her nipple into his mouth. The tender bud hardened along with the other one he stroked with his thumb. Meg arched her back, needing to be closer than humanly possible. His body lay against hers, just heavy enough for pleasure. She lifted her leg to skim it along his thigh, encouraging him to take what he wanted.
Meg was wet, hotter than she could ever remember. She caressed his shoulders, then dug into his skin again. Her heart pounded against her chest, threatening to break free. She closed her eyes, letting the sensations rush over her. She trembled as though it were her first time.
Mumbling words she couldn’t understand, he moved down her body, showering her with soft kisses. He ran his hand along her raised leg to push it outward so he could trace a path down her inner thigh with his lips. She threw her head to the side, soundless in her cry for him to take her, to drink from her until she dried up and blew away. She tried to reach for him, to touch him somewhere, anywhere, but could only grab the hand that kneaded her breast. Her other hand clutched at the nubby material of the couch.
“Tell me how you like it.”
She inhaled at the harsh rush of his breath against her mound. “Please. Taste me. Lick me. Suck on me.”
He shoved her legs wider, hooking one over the top of the sofa, the other dangling off the side. Spreading her folds, he slid one hand underneath her buttocks and blew a breath against her nub. She cried out, the simple contact of warm air against her inflaming her to a higher pitch.
Chance nipped her, making her jerk. “Do you like that?”
“Oh, yes.”
He slipped his tongue over the sensitive spot. “And this?”
“Yes, yes.”
He chuckled in that sexy way of his, amazing her that a voice could drive her insane with need.
“Maybe this?” He was a master with his tongue, probing, slipping, tasting until she was afraid she’d pass out. Lights flashed behind her eyes in cadence with each new tremor that broke free from her orgasm. Her body betrayed her, squirming to get away from him yet fighting to stay.
Again, he dipped over her, pleasuring her with his tongue and hands. She cried out, unconcerned with who might hear her. Another release ripped through her in a strong rush, shaking her from her core outward. She sobbed, sure she couldn’t take any more. And still he drank from her.
Her body tingled, tensing only to let wave after wave wash through her. She struggled to breathe, fought to reach him and failed. She bucked against his mouth, her legs tensing. The air filled with her fragrance. At last, she did the only thing she could. She let go and gave herself to his complete control.
Chance lifted Meg, flipping her over onto her stomach, then moved her to her knees. Sliding his hand over the small of her back, he urged her lower until her forehead rested on the couch. She panted against the cushion and cried out, unable to move and praying he’d go on.
“Your ass is amazing. So round and firm.” Chance flattened his tongue in her butt crack and pressed his mouth against her to suck.
She started to answer but her words fled. Instead, she froze, then let out a huge breath as the tortuous sensation overtook her, shaking her legs, sending an earthquake that took the rest of her body and tore it apart. On her elbows with her head against the sofa, she lowered her head and looked between her breasts to the soft curls between her legs.
“Damn, but you taste good.” He darted his tongue into her anus, his hands spreading her wide. A slap to her butt cheek startled her, adding to the excitement, renewing her strength.
“Slap me again, Chance.”
He paused, then slapped her other cheek. “Meg.”
Her name sounded like a song coming from his lips. Another slap led the way to his leaning forward, his oh-so-erect shaft coming to rest against her bottom. Reaching around her, he fondled her breast and rubbed his rod into her crack.
“Do you want me like that?” She didn’t care how he took her, just as long as he did.
“From behind? In your ass?”
She heard the exhilaration in his voice and smiled. “Take me any way you want me, Chance.”
He took so long to respond, continuing to rub against her, to fondle her, that she pivoted around to look at him. His sex-fogged eyes found hers, then he shook his head. “Not today. Today,
I want you another way.” His sexy grin spread. “But I’ll take you from behind another day.”
She licked her lips and rejoiced when his eyes widened. “Just as long as you do.”
Again he lifted her as though she weighed nothing to cradle her against his chest. His arms circled her, one under her bottom, the other around her back so that his fingertip grazed the side of her breast.
“What are you doing? Don’t you—”
But her question was gone the moment he set her down on top of Tom’s desk and took her face in his hands.
“Meg?”
“Yes?” Please don’t stop. But why would he?
“Do you think Tom will mind our using his desk?”
Relieved, she giggled and shook her head. “I don’t know, but I guess we’ll find out.”
Chance grinned, but the grin was soon gone. “Damn. Hang on a minute and let me get a condom from my wallet.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Meg snapped her fingers once, then opened a small box on Tom’s desk. When she upended the box, a condom package fell to the desktop. “Got one.”
“How did you know it was there?”
Because I just made it appear in the box. The lie, however, came quickly. “Because I know my sister and brother-in-law.”
“Oh.” Relief filled Chance’s voice.
She slapped his chest, half-joking. “Oh, come on. I may have had sex with a lot of men, but I don’t mess with my sister’s man. Or any married man either.” She froze. “Please don’t tell me you’re married.”
“No. I’m as single as they come.”
Ripping the package open, Meg slid the condom over his shaft, using the motion to press against her breasts and plump them up. She laced her fingers behind his neck and let him wrap her legs around his waist. “Speaking of coming…”
Her vagina pressed against him. Chance took her mouth, crushed his body against hers, then slid inside her. He was huge, thick and wide and throbbing. Her vaginal walls enveloped him, each nerve ending pulsing with pleasure. She flattened her hands on the desk behind her and arched her breasts, her hair dancing against her shoulders and back. He took her nipple with a groan, his hands on her ass to steady her as he pounded deeper and deeper with each thrust.
