Their server returned to the table and this time they were both ready to place their orders. He popped a basket of bread on the table before retreating again.
“So, Buff, what’s with the name Buff? Your name is Mitchell, right? Cerise told me that the night the tornado hit.” Nadia leaned forward a little, as if she expected him to share a big secret with her.
Hearing her call him by his given name was strange. For the past seventeen years, since he first enlisted in the Army, he’d been Buff. Or Alexander. Mitchell Alexander, the name he’d been bestowed with when he was born, seemed foreign whenever anyone called him that. “Yep, you’re right Mitchell is my given name. Buff was the nickname given to me at bootcamp. One night we were all talking about stupid shit, as new recruits do. I mentioned that I liked the tv show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar was smoking hot and all badass in the show. The guys started to tease me and call me Buffy. The next morning one of the guys yelled Buff as he threw a piece of wood at me, senior sergeants heard it and somehow it stuck. I hardly ever use Mitchell now.”
Nadia looked at him, blinking as if she couldn’t quite comprehend what he’d told her. “You liked Buffy the Vampire Slayer?”
That was what she got out of the story? “Yeah, Joss Whedon created a fantastic show. I’ve got the whole series on DVD somewhere.”
Nadia started to laugh. “You’re called Buff, after Buffy. That’s too funny.”
“Hey, I take my Buffy fandom very seriously.” He frowned at her, which only set her off into another fit of chuckles.
“Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the show too. So tell me, is that how most of you guys get your nicknames? Through weird stuff like that?”
Buff shrugged and picked up his glass again. “Sort of. Sometimes their last name might be shortened. Or their first name. Or they do some stupid shit and get a weird ass name.”
“Do you wish that your nickname was Mitch. That would seem the logical choice to me.”
“Who knows, if we hadn’t been shooting the breeze that night, I might well have been called Mitch, but I’m okay with what I ended up with.”
Their food arrived at that moment and halted their conversation.
“I think Dr. Buff suits you by the way.” Nadia said after the server had left.
He about choked on his steak. He chased the morsel of meat down with a long sip of his beer. “Give a man a little warning before you crack a joke.”
Nadia lifted one shoulder. “Now where would the fun be in that?”
“Where indeed.”
He had no idea how he deserved it, or why, but Nadia had been placed in his life for a reason and he for one, was very glad about it. Buff hoped she felt the same way about him.
Chapter 13
The night couldn’t get much better as far as Nadia was concerned. Conversation over dinner had been fun. Finding out how Buff got his nickname was the highlight for her. She’d wanted to ask him about his sessions but they’d been having such a nice time she hadn’t wanted to spoil it. Sure they’d talked briefly about when they’d phoned each other, but she wanted to know a little more. But she wasn’t sure she had the right to ask him those questions.
Now they were walking around the Riverwalk and the last thing Nadia wanted was for the evening to end. Unfortunately if they were going to head back to Kerrville, they’d have to leave soon.
“It’s such a pretty night,” she murmured as she tightened her hold around Buff’s arm. “I’ve had such a wonderful time and I don’t want it to end.”
Buff stopped and pulled her into his hold. He also shifted them so they were out of the way of other people who were walking along the path. He smoothed a hand over her hair and she sighed at the sweetness of the gesture. “I don’t want it to end either.”
He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. Pleasure rippled through her and she sank into his embrace. Buff’s fingers trailed up and down her spine, eliciting arrows of anticipation at what could happen next.
She brushed her body against his bringing her belly in contact with his hard length. God, she wanted him. So much more than she’d ever wanted a man.
Buff pulled his lips away from hers. “I know this is going to sound forward but I don’t think I can drive you back to Kerrville and walk away. I need you, Boston. I want you so badly that I can’t think straight and I don’t know if you’re going to take this the wrong way, but I hope you don’t.”
Nadia knew exactly what he was going to say and it was what she wanted too. “Yes. Whatever you’re about to suggest, my answer is yes.”
“I need to say the words, Boston.”
“Okay.”
“Nadia, I can’t spend another minute not being able to touch you the way I want to. Will you spend the night with me here in San Antonio?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and strode down the path. She trusted he would take her somewhere nice. Being with Buff, talking to him had only increased her desire to get to know him better. She hadn’t come to Kerrville looking to find a relationship, heck she’d only expected to be there a year and get through each day, honing her skills so she could be a better doctor.
Instead what she’d found were wonderful friends, a great organization to work for and a man she was beginning to care for deeply. Something she never thought would happen when she’d accepted her position at the medical center.
Nadia could imagine coming home every day to this man. Being held in his strong arms. Kissing him. Sleeping with him. Comforting him when he had an attack, because he would never be cured of them, no matter how much help he was getting.
“We’re here,” Buff said gently, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked around and found herself standing in a hotel foyer. Lounge chairs were grouped together for people to meet up with friends and family. A large chandelier hung low creating a golden glow around the area. A low buzz of conversation came from the bar to the left of the reception desks. Maybe a drink would be a good idea. The reality of what she’d agreed to was beginning to sink in. Nerves hit her and she worried that somehow she’d disappoint Buff. Say or do something stupid.
His hand squeezed hers and she looked up at him. His blue eyes were a shade darker, more intense than she’d seen them before. Beneath it all was concern. “I can take you home if you’ve changed your mind. I’m not going to pressure you into doing something you don’t want or aren’t ready for.”
A wave of confidence and reassurance swept over Nadia. There was no way the night wasn’t going to be anything but wonderful with this man. Angling her body closer to his, she rose to her toes, pressing her lips against the pulse point on his neck. “I’m more than ready.”
With their bodies aligned she couldn’t miss the shudder that coursed through him. He bent his head and kissed her. There was no mistaking the intent with the way his mouth moved over hers. He wanted her as desperately as she wanted him. Her fingers clutched his shirt, eager to feel the hardness of his flesh against her fingertips. But not here. Not in the middle of a hotel foyer.
Reluctantly she pulled her lips away. “We’d better get a room.”
He chuckled against the top of her head. “Yeah, we don’t want to get kicked out. Wait here and I’ll get it sorted.” He brushed his lips across hers again, as if he couldn’t walk away without another little touch. She wasn’t going to complain, Buff could kiss and touch her all he wanted—so long as he let her do the same to him.
Glancing around the area, she was pleased to see that no one seemed to be staring at with I know what you’re doing eyes. The fact it was the middle of the week probably helped too. If it was a Friday or Saturday night their hot kiss may have garnered more attention.
A warm arm slipped around her waist. Nadia didn’t jump, the way her skin vibrated beneath the touch informed her of who was holding her. She smiled up at Buff. “All set.”
His blue eyes darkened with desire as his gaze trailed over her, pausing at her lips
and then her cleavage before returning to look directly at her. “Definitely.”
Nadia shivered, and it wasn’t because of the hotels artic air-conditioning. It was from knowing that there was no going back from the steps they were about to take. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Buff took a deep breath, willing his fingers to be still as he attempted to insert the keycard into the slot. The whole elevator ride up, he’d kept Nadia close. As much as he wanted to kiss her, he refrained because once he started there was no way he’d be able to stop with kissing, he’d want to sink into her and their first time wasn’t going to be pushed up against the side of an elevator.
Finally he got the door open and stood to the side to let Nadia go before him, he admired the way the fabric of her dress caressed her ass. He followed her in, not caring that the door slammed shut causing the walls to shake a little bit.
All he wanted was to touch her and now he was free to do it. Free from prying eyes. It was just the two of them and he planned to make the most of their time together.
Nadia stopped at the foot of the bed and he came up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. He bent his head and nibbled at her neck. Her moan arrowed straight to his already hard dick. Buff fiddled with the little ties on her dress, moving until he reached the knot holding them together. As much as he wanted to rip the dress off her, he wanted to taste her more. Feel her shudders as he found the places she enjoyed having touched.
He turned her in his arms, gazing down at this incredible woman who hadn’t runaway when he’d fallen into the trap of an attack. Nadia had come back each time. Been there to help him escape. She’d been his lifeline and, right at this moment, he didn’t want to let her go.
“You amaze me, Boston.”
Nadia ducked her head, as if she was embarrassed by what he said. “I’m not that special. I’m just me.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I’ve spoken to Dirty-D when we’ve been called out. He says you always go the extra mile to make sure your patients feel calm and also when you speak to your patients loved ones your compassion shines through. That’s rare and I don’t ever want to abuse that.”
She smoothed her hands up his arms, his skin tingling in her wake. “You won’t, Buff. I believe that deep inside.”
There was more Buff could say, but stopped himself. Now wasn’t the time. The time was for them to become connected on a deeper, more personal level. Capturing her lips again he lost himself in the moment. The moment where it was just him and Nadia. The moment when everything was right in his life.
Her hands grabbed at his shirt, pulling it from his trousers. He wanted to rip the shirt from his body, the need to have her hands all over him was stronger than anything he’d ever experienced. But he let her go at her own pace. Her fingers worked quickly on getting the buttons undone as if she couldn’t wait to get close to his flesh as well.
A cool breeze from the air conditioning hit him when she pushed the material from his shoulders. Buff didn’t mind letting Nadia take the lead. There would be plenty of other times he would be in control. For their first time together he was more than happy to do what she wanted.
A few moments later his trousers were in a heap around his ankles and her hand was rubbing against his hard length. The fabric of his boxer briefs was stretched in a way they hadn’t been for a long time. He closed his eyes and moaned long when her hand dipped beneath the material and grabbed his throbbing cock. “Boston, you’re going to kill me here.”
“Well we can’t have that can we?” She squeezed him again before pulling her hand out of his boxers.
“I think I need to even things up a little here,” he muttered as he found the knot of her dress. He wasn’t a surgeon for nothing, he was as skilled with his fingers as Nadia was and he had her dress off her in seconds. “Fuck, Boston, you’re really going to kill me now.” He groaned at the sight of her lacy pink lingerie. Her bra cupped her breasts perfectly, as if hands were holding them. They were the perfect size and her nipples pushed against the soft fabric. He licked his lips eager to taste her.
Giving into his basic needs and scooped her up and placed her on the bed. He lay down beside her, his fingers tickling her belly as his lips closed around her tempting breasts. They moaned together as he sucked her nipple hard.
“Buff, that feels amazing. Harder.”
Not one to deny a woman anything, he agreed to her wish and gently bit the peak before running his tongue over it to sooth the bite. While her bra was beautiful to look at, it was hindering his overall experience. Reaching beneath her, he quickly released the fabric. Nadia lifted from the bed helping him to remove it. Her hands went to the thin straps of her lace panties, but he stilled her movement.
“Let me.” Again he pressed his lips against her and the chaste kiss turned into a carnal open mouthed one. Their tongues dueled with each other. Nadia’s nails dug into his shoulders and he welcomed the sting of pain. He wanted to take it slow. Take the time to savor every taste and touch. Learn the places that would have her panting hard, but the need to consume her was overwhelming him and he had a feeling that it was the same for her.
As if she could read his mind, her fingers scraped down his back until they reached the waistband of his boxers. Before she could push them down he lifted himself away and divested himself of his last piece of clothing. Not one to be left behind, and because they’d been equal partners from the second they’d entered the room, Nadia removed her panties and dropped them over the side of the bed.
“I know I keep saying it, but you’re so beautiful, Nadia. I need you so badly.” He placed a hand on her pubic bone, above the strip of hair where his fingers and tongue itched to possess.
“Take me, Buff. I’m all yours.” To prove her point she grabbed his hand and placed it over her pussy. Of their own volition his fingers slipped through her wet folds. Nadia bucked beneath his touch, and because she still had a hold of his hand, she encouraged him to stroke her. Encouragement was the last thing he needed, he was all in.
Reclaiming one of her breasts his mouth sucked in time with the thrusting of his fingers.
Slow. Slow.
Fast. Fast.
Hard. Hard.
Soft. Soft.
The tempo was natural and seemed to work perfectly for them. Nadia’s breathing became more ragged and her soft moans increased in volume until her back arched and a low scream came out of her mouth as her inner muscles clamped around his finger as she orgasmed.
Buff’s body was on fire. He wanted to sink into the warm channel where his fingers where. Slowly he withdrew as fine tremors rippled through Nadia.
He gave her a slow kiss to calm her and him down. He was close to the edge and if he followed through on his need to sink into her, he’d blow his load the second he entered her.
Her hands caressed his shoulders lightly, as if her orgasm had taken the edge off her desire for him. Her hips kept grinding against him, so maybe he’d only whetted her appetite and she still wanted more. Which was fine by him.
Breaking the kiss he pulled away from her. “Where are you going?” she mumbled as he slipped off the bed.
Grabbing his pants he pulled out his wallet and held it up. “Protection.” He pulled out the only condom he had. Damn, he wished he had more than one and maybe it showed on his face because what Nadia said next was the last thing he ever expected hearing from her.
“It’s okay, I’ve got a couple in my purse.”
“I love a woman who is prepared,” he grinned and ripped the packet open. He rolled the condom on quickly and climbed back on the bed, lying over her once again. Their bodies were aligned. Breast to chest. Hip to hip. His hard cock resting between her legs, itching to get inside her like his fingers had been only moments ago.
Their gazes connected and Buff took a few seconds to look at the woman beneath him. Her brown hair spread across the white pillow, soft as silk. Her eyes were slumberous with desire and her lips were plump from his kiss
es. He swore his heart was about to thump out of his chest. He’d never had this type of intense feeling wash over him when he was about to make love to a woman.
Realization struck, he was about to make love to Nadia. He wasn’t about to have sex or fuck. Their connection was deeper than anything he’d ever had before, and it wasn’t because of her help with his PTSD attacks. It was because with her, he could conquer the world. For the first time since he walked away from his Army career he had the urge to get back into what he’d trained for—performing surgeries. There was a long way for him to go. He and his therapist had a lot of work to do, but Buff knew that with Nadia by his side he could conquer anything.
Adjusting his position so that he was nestled more securely against her entrance, he smoothed a hand over her hair. “Boston, I can’t imagine my life without you.” The second he finished speaking he lifted his hips and entered her with one thrust.
His body pulsed at the way her body accepted him immediately. Her inner muscles clenched around his hard length like they had around his fingers. Buff never wanted to move. He wanted to stay joined with Nadia. Stay like this forever.
Forever.
The thought of being with for all of eternity didn’t scare him. If anything it calmed him. Buff started the slow withdrawal out of her, before plunging deep again. The more time he spent in her arms the more he didn’t want to leave.
Her fingers dug into his ass, and she swiveled her hips against his, deepening his penetration. A low tingle began to form at the base of his spine. With every increase of his thrusts, the tingle intensified until his climax was about to burst out of him. But he didn’t want to go alone. Reaching in between them, his thumb found her clit and he pressed down hard on the small nub of nerve endings. He maintained the pressure as he continued his thrusts until her cries filled his ears and his release consumed him. Their bodies shuddered together in contentment.
Fighting For Nadia Page 12
