His jaw sets. "Thirty-three. Which is far too old for you, isn't it…"

That depends on what he's looking for. Since this has no chance of lasting, maybe it doesn't matter. My fingers squeeze his. "Not at all. I like that you're capable. A take charge kind of guy."

We both freeze, then our gazes gradually shift from our hands to each other's eyes, as we realize what we've just been saying.

"Brooke, you're my patient, and…"

"No, I'm not. I'm just a clumsy girl who was incredibly lucky that a nice guy saved her."

His other hand reaches out tentatively as his fingertips graze along my collarbone before meandering into the back of my hair. My breath stutters as he gently pulls my lips to his.

Oh my…

Wow.

I had no idea.

The featherlight kiss was certainly a test to see if I'm into it. Well, I am. I reach out with my right arm circling his shoulders. As soon as Jonah realizes I've given him the green light, our kiss deepens immediately.

Fire licks up my spine as I try to make sense of the feelings radiating off him. Hunger. Raw, unbridled lust.

Jonah wants me. Badly.

I feel chilled and overheated at the same time as a vortex of new sensations swirls through me. I've had a few kisses before, but this is nothing like that. This is a full body tingling, savage…claiming.

Jonah growls into my mouth, kissing me deeper, harder, as I can feel his barely restrained passion. He's been so reserved and careful up till now that seeing this wild side of him is thrilling. What other surprises could this man have in store for me?

Just as I'm starting to think about how close his bedroom is, and how it feels like my panties are becoming steamy, he reluctantly pulls away. His hands grasp mine as he meets my eyes. "I'm sorry. I need to get to the clinic."

"I get it."

"Sit on the couch and rest. If there's a knock at the door, don't get up, just call out, okay?"

"Sure." Maybe he's expecting deliveries. I bet his parcels don't get stolen from the porch way out here like they sometimes do in Mackton.

My tiny squeal brings a smile to his lips as he lifts me up and carries me to the couch. He arranges a blanket over me, places a pillow against my side to hold me in place, and sets water, coffee, and the bottle of painkillers in front of me.

Then he writes down two phone numbers on a notepad. "The top one is my cell. The bottom one's the clinic. There's a landline in the kitchen. Where are your car keys?"

"In the pocket of my jacket."

He finds them, then gathers a few things together before changing out of his snug t-shirt into a navy button down. My bottom lip sticks out. "Awww, no fair. Now your patients can't admire that chest."

Jonah's lips fall open a second, then he clamps his mouth shut. Have I made him flustered?

"Behave." His voice is deep and growly as he heads to the door. Then he comes back to kiss my forehead. "Seriously, please rest. Take another pill in two hours. Ice your ribs for ten minutes every hour or two. And please call if you need anything at all."

"I will. Thank you."

He pauses at the door. "Don't take this the wrong way, because obviously I'm truly sorry you're hurt, but… I really like having you here, Brooke."

I really like being here, too.

In a gorgeous mountain wilderness cabin.

With a sexy man who kisses me like he never wants me to leave.

5