by Zrinka Jelic
“Can’t do either, but a bath would help relax you. Careful not to get your nose wet.” He grinned at the sight of his bath covered in dust and hair. First, he’d give it a good scrub before she got in there.
“Sounds good.” She unplugged the sink and turned toward the tub. “What can I clean it with?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll do it, just give me a sec.” He opened the cupboard under the sink and extracted a cleaning cloth.
“I’ll be right back.” She left the bathroom.
“Do you need any shampoo or bubble bath or a towel?” he called after her, while running water filled the bottom of the tub.
Holding her gym bag, she reappeared at the door. “No, I always keep my travel size toiletries here in case I decide to shower at the gym. And a towel. Often, I wait until I get home.”
“You don’t use the gym’s?”
“No, sorry to tell you this, but they smell.” The corners of her mouth dipped.
He ceased scrubbing the tub and straightened. “I suspected it too, but only one person complained, so I figured it wasn’t a problem. It’s time I do away with costly towel service. Or get the girls from reception to do it. They won’t like it, but I see them stand around with nothing to do.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Just don’t tell the girls I put you up to it. I don’t want anyone else to hate me.”
“You’re not putting me up to anything I haven’t thought of already. Well then,” he said, glancing at the spic and span tub filling up. “Enjoy your bath. I hope the water’s to your liking.”
She nodded, but didn’t say a word.
“Holler if you need anything.” He tapped her shoulder on his way out of the bathroom. Maybe he would surprise her with a nice cup of coffee.
He brewed a fresh cup and carried it up the stairs. Thankfully, she hadn’t fully closed the door. The water ceased running and she’d stepped out of the p.j.’s. She tested the temperature by dipping her toes then slowly lowered into the tub. Bubbles covered the swells of her boobs while she lazily traced her fingers through the foam.
Holy smokes she was gorgeous. He shouldn’t be peeping in on her like some perv, but couldn’t move from his spot. Tag whined behind him, Mark pressed his finger to his lips and shushed the dog, but her eyes popped open, her gaze directed at the ajar door.
“Go away, Tag.” She slid down the tub, water reaching her neck. “You too, Mark.”
Damn, busted all because of a whiny dog. “I was just getting Tag out of here.”
“I’ll be out in a few. I’ll enjoy this nice soaker tub a little longer.” Tilting her head back, she dipped her hair and sat up with her now wet tresses clinging to her pale skin.
Damn, he wanted to sit behind her, wash her back and front, and run his fingers through her caramel colored hair. He often wondered if it was her natural hue, but snatching a glance at her nakedness before she stepped into the tub, confirmed it, the trimmed tuff of her mound matched the shade on her head. “Okay, I’ve got you a cup of coffee.”
“That’s fantastic. Leave it on the nightstand.” Water dripped as she rung out her long hair.
The doorbell had him turning his attention to the unexpected visitor. Unless it was his mother, but she wouldn’t be up and ready to face the world this early. He scurried downstairs, opened the door and came face to face with Dave. “What brings you in on this fine day?”
“My patient.” He stepped around Mark without being invited inside. “How is she doing?”
“You’re doubting I can take care of her, aren’t you?” Mark closed the door shutting the loud sound of heavy downpour.
Dave greeted Tag in the foyer. “Hey, there big fella. My boys are missing you. Tell your human to bring you in for some playtime with your buddies.” He turned to Mark. “I am positive you’re doing a great job, but I’ve done this type of surgery before to know the second day is worse. Plus, she’ll need to have the packing changed.”
Only now, Mark noticed a black doctor’s bag in Dave’s hand. So he was here to ease some of Neri’s discomfort. In that case, he could stay. “She’s just finishing up her bath. Don’t worry, she’s careful of the cast. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Two please, and can I have them to go?”
“What am I, a coffee shop? Why do you need two?”
Dave cleared his throat, but didn’t answer.
“You have someone waiting for you in the car. Why didn’t you bring her in?”
“What makes you think it’s a woman?”
“Who or whatever gender he or she is, shouldn’t be waiting in the car on this rainy day.” Mark stepped into his rubber boots and grabbed an oversize umbrella from the coat closet. The things he’d done for Dave never ceased to amaze him.
He approached Dave’s sedan parked at the curb in front of his house. The tiny receptionist’s silhouette was outlined through the rain-streaked passenger’s window. He knocked on the glass, startling the girl. The window slid down.
“Good morning, Doctor Warren.”
“Call me Mark, please. No point sitting here alone. Dave will be a while, come inside.” He opened the door, holding umbrella over the car.
“Thank you, Doc…I mean, Mark.” She got out of the car and walked in step with him, but paused by the door. “You must be thinking I’m stupid for getting involved with my boss.”
Mark expelled a breath of frustration. Why would she assume he thought the worse of her and his friend? “Not at all, I’m glad you two are together. I can see it on his face. He smiles and didn’t get drunk in over a week. It’s a progress. Give him time.”
“Thank you for that. I needed some reassurance.” She smiled and nodded for him to open the door.
Tag greeted them in the foyer.
She cooed. “Ooh, you’re a big guy. Bigger then the two of Dave’s. Mind if I use your bathroom?”
“Second door to the left.” Mark pointed at the hallway.
Neri was coming down the steps. Overhead lights glistened on her freshly washed hair.
Mark wished to bury his face in that mane and smell her essence.
Her eyes darted toward Dave seated at the dining table. “Doctor Thomas, you shouldn’t have driven all this way, I was gonna come to your clinic on Monday.”
Dave chuckled. “I guess Mark didn’t tell you. I live up the street. We stopped on our way to the clinic. How’s your nose? Let me have a look.”
Mark eyed his friend. “Since when are you working on a Saturday?”
“Have some paperwork to catch up on.” Dave slipped his latex gloves on.
“Ah, so do I. That never goes away.” He would be damned to spend this day cooped up in his home office, wading through the paperwork. No, Neri would have his undivided attention.
She sat in the chair Dave pointed at and he cupped her face, gently pressing his thumbs over her nose. “Well, is healing fine.”
“Why do I have this awful feeling as if a razor wire is getting pulled through?”
“That’s the healing sensation. I know it’s hard to put up with it, but there’s no getting around it. Let’s replace your packing.” Dave glanced at Mark. “I’ll need your help here.”
“What do you need me to do? Hold her down?”
“Exactly.” The sincerity in Dave’s tone left no room for doubt. “Make sure you got a good grip on her head while I pull the packing out.”
Mark placed his hands over Neri’s jaw and tilted her head back, then kissed her forehead. “I hate to do this to you, but if I can promise it, I’d say it’ll be over quick.”
She nodded, closing her eyes, but he still caught a bit of fear in them.
“Of course, you can promise her. It’s me who’s doing it after all.” Dave retrieved a curved forceps from his bag, then proceeded to slide the tip inside her nasal cavity.
Not in the mood to explain to Dave the meaning behind his remark, Mark just huffed. Yes, the numerous praises his bud had gotten on his surgical work had turned him in
to a snob, but then there was no shame in being proud of one’s abilities.
“You’ll feel a bit of discomfort. Try not to squint, you’d be narrowing your nasal passages and I need them as open as they can get. Ready?” Dave slid the disposable cup under her chin.
She nodded, and sucked her bottom lip in, flaring her nostrils.
“I was asking Mark.” Dave looked him square in the eye. “Are you holding her tight? I can’t have her jerking back.”
“Yes, man.” Though he tried to hold her as gently as he could, if she moved her head, her nose could start bleeding again.
“Here we go.” Dave smoothly removed the packing from one side, then the other. “You can let go off her head now.”
Mark loosened his grip and kissed the top of her head. “You did great.”
Dave brought out his suction unit and nose rinse solution. “You’ll have to do this a few times a day, but it looks like you won’t need new packing. I’ll leave some with Mark just in case. I still need you to come in on Monday so I can do x-rays, but you’re out of woods for now.”
Neri took in a long breath after Dave cleared out her nasal passages. “Oh, I can breathe through my nose. I feel invigorated.”
“Well, we’ll get our coffees to go and head out.” Dave packed up his stuff and placed his hand on his girlfriend’s shoulder. “I hope that didn’t make you too squeamish.”
“Shoot, the coffee.” Mark turned to the counter and set the brewer to work. “It’ll only take a minute.”
He handed the first brew to the Dave’s girlfriend.
She took the offered cup from Mark’s hand and nodded to Neri. “The coffee smells divine. We’ll see you Monday then, take it easy.”
“Will do, thank you.” Neri waved to her, her eyes drooping. She looked ready for a nap, but with no sign of rain stopping, the day was meant for coffee and relaxing.
Mark placed a cup of freshly brewed java in front of her and massaged her shoulders. Her head rolled from side to side and she let out a soft moan. Once he got her under him, she would be all but quiet. At least he hoped she loved to express her pleasure as loudly as possible. “There, now you just need to get a nice dress to go with your pretty face and you’re set for the wedding.”
“I have lots of dresses,” she said without opening her eyes. “All black, that button up to my neck with a white round collars.”
“Jeez, you just need to put your hair in two braids and you’ll complete the Wednesday Adams’ look. That’s okay, I can dress up as Gomez in that case.”
She burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re bad. It’s a wedding, not a Halloween night. But if you’re dressing up as Gomez, I’d much rather be Morticia than Wednesday.”
“Ooh, I’d like that.” He cooed, smoothing her hair. “I think we’d make quite a couple, everyone would stare at us.”
“In disbelief, no doubt.” If her light tone and smile was any indication, she toyed with the idea.
“Let’s do it. Let’s be silly and embrace our weirdness. What do you say?” He leaned over her and placed a kiss to her lips the way he meant to kiss her the first time. Deeply and fiery, he invaded her mouth, seeking her tongue and drawing her closer. She mewled, but returned his hard kissing with equal vigor, spurring him to go for more. He slid his hand to her chest and ran his thumb over her breast, finding her hardened nipple under her shirt.
He broke the kiss to give her a moment to catch her breath. Then he would move her to the couch and finish her just as it always played in his fantasies, quick and dirty. With some luck, she’d be up for a slow and sensual round two in his bedroom. The round three in the shower he’d have to forgo due to the cast on her nose, but he would think of something else.
Neri sat up straight and looked him in the eyes. “Oh, my God! You’re serious about me, about everything.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Time stopped as Neri gazed into Mark’s eyes, seeing nothing but warmth. The silence between them unnerved her. Oh God, just say something, anything. She wanted to speak out, but she became afraid she would start rambling she bit her lower lip.
He drew in a long breath and took her hands, then exhaled. “Did you think I was kidding about everything? You asked me not to make any promises, so I’m showing you that I’m serious. Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Of course it is. Confusion spun in her head. Whenever a man went out of his way to please her, it was only for show, until he’d gotten into her pants, or rather her out of them. Mark had a different motive and aside from needing her to be his wedding date, his intentions could be sincere. Hopeless fool for love she was, but what was she supposed to do? Stay home every night and wait around for mister right? No, she couldn’t throw her life away like that. Taking chances was all that anyone really had. “I don’t know what to think anymore. I mean, I…”
He pulled her into a tight hug. “I understand. Someone, likely my predecessor, shook your trust and you’re cautious. I’ve been there. Not a fun place, believe me. The thing is, this is life and living it by always protecting your heart is not living. When life hands you lemons, freeze them and throw them at those who treat you like crap.”
She burst out laughing and wrapped her arms around his neck. The fresh scent of his body wash still lingered on his skin. She would do anything to stay in his embrace forever. Oh, she wanted him and he seemed willing to be all hers, and if only for a while, then so be it. What the heck, he was right. Giving up on love because love gave up on her was a one way ticket to loneliness. No, she would not live fretting. It was time to let her guard down and allow love back in her life. “Well, it isn’t just my busted nose that wouldn’t let me get a goodnight’s sleep.”
A soft smile bloomed on his lips and he swayed her. Her yearning must’ve reflected in the way she gazed at him. “What else caused you grief?”
“Being so close to you, yet you never felt so distant.” She glided her hand over his chest. Just as she’d predicted, rock solid.
“It was hard on me too. You were not in the best mood or shape last night, but now that you’re obviously feeling better, I’m honored to fulfill your desires, but first…” He reached for the elastic holding her messy bun and pried it out. The cascade of her hair fell on her shoulders. Leaning closer, he pressed his face to her strands and inhaled. “Soft, silky and smelling wonderful.” In a fluid motion, he scooped her into his arms, placed a kiss to her lips and carried her out of the dining room. He passed the stairs leading to the bedrooms.
Where could he be taking her?
They entered the living room, and he lowered her onto the massive two piece sectional sofa in front of television, then laid next to her. “I’ve got to ask, did we ever make love in your fantasies?”
Her breathing sped up. She was about to have sex with a sex god himself, for real this time. On any day, he’d been hard to ignore, but after spending a night with him in his bed trying to quench her hunger for him, there was no way she’d do or say anything to kill the mood. The fabric of his t-shirt stretched over his impressive pecks and hugged his athlete’s body; it was her undoing. “You bet we did. How about in yours?”
“Hell, yeah.” His husky voice caused her lower abdomen to contract. He leaned into her and pressed a kiss on her neck. After scooping her hair over her shoulder, he placed his lips back where they were, leaving a trail of kisses and mounding her breast through the thin fabric. He reached for the tiny buttons of her shirt. “I want you naked. I wanted to touch you all over.”
His warm fingers eased inside her shirt, her belly contracted and her breath caught. Heat pooled between her legs. Not counting her fantasies it’d been a long while since she felt the euphoria of lovemaking. She turned to face him, wanting to kiss him, but he was faster and leaned his head in, capturing her lips. A faint taste of coffee lingered on his tongue. He kissed her as if starved for her, nipped her with his teeth and she responded the same, twining her tongue with his, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.
Bef
ore she realized, he had her pull her arms out of the sleeves. He broke the kiss, shucked her shirt over her head and quickly replaced his lips on hers. Could he be extremely confident, cocky or teasing her? Perhaps all three. The thought caused a flutter in her midriff and she squeezed her thighs.
He turned his efforts to removing her bra by sliding straps down her arms, releasing her breasts. He sucked in his breath, and cupped her boobs.
The moan that escaped him fed the need winding though her. Oh, yes, they are yours.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fantasized about holding them.”
“Do they live up to your fantasies?” Her words came out broken up in gasps as ecstasy built up inside her.
“Not at all, they are much better.” He smiled with sexy deviance just before he dove into her cleavage and trailed his tongue to one nipple, giving it a soft bite, then treated the other the same.
“Remove your clothes,” she whispered, dragging her fingers down his back.
“I’m undressing you. It’s only fair that you do the same for me.” He brushed his thumb over her top lip. Her mouth opened slightly and he slid his finger in. Like a good girl, she closed her lips around it and wrapped her tongue, giving him a satisfying suck. He pulled his thumb out of her mouth, took her hands and placed them on the waistband of his shorts. “Don’t be shy.”
“Undress you?” she gasped. She never thought her dream of peeling his clothes off would come true. Her hands trembled. The only time she’d pulled the pants off a guy was when her ex passed out drunk on the couch.
Mark must’ve sensed her unease. He leaned closer and whispered, “Let go of all inhibitions. Be as wild as I know you are.”
Could she do that right on their first time? Why not? She yanked his pants down his hips and over his taut butt, his cock sprang up to full mast. Oh God, he wasn’t wearing any underwear. She reached for his thick shaft. “Be careful what you’re asking for, big boy.”
