Page 34 of Fixation

Nodding, he unbuttoned his shirt for her and slipped it down his shoulder. She rounded the bed and came to his other side. She studied the scar on his upper chest for a long moment. When her eyes once again roamed across his body, he was convinced that his doctor was indeed checking him out. Could it be that she too was attracted to him? How very interesting.

Emboldened by that knowledge, he plucked her glasses off her nose.

She gasped. “Why did you do that?”

“I prefer you without these.”

Eyes sparking in irritation, she held her hand out. “Give them to me.”

“No.” He tilted his head to study her face better. “Tak krasivo.So beautiful. I suppose it will be too much to ask you to let down your hair and let me see you once again in all your stunning glory.”

Pink creeped up her cheeks. He liked knowing that he was affecting her so.

“You’re behaving very inappropriately,” she scolded.

“Nothing about our situation has been appropriate,” he said. “There’s something about you… and me.”

“There is nothing, and definitely nome and you,” she stressed.

“Oh, deny it all you want,” he lowered his tone, “But I know you also feel something when we touch.”

“I do not feel anything.”

“Liar.”

She leaned forward to snatch her glasses from him. He shifted them to his other hand and held them further away.

She straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. “I want my glasses back, please.”

“So polite, so pretty,” he smiled. “You said you can see without them. I suppose you don’t need them then,da?”

“Are you crazy? Mr. Oshnov, give me my glasses.”

“Alright,” he began, his eyes on her. “Take my name, and I’ll return them to you.”

Her eyes rounded. She clucked her tongue. “Mr. Oshnov?—”

“Vedant, my name is Vedant. Say it, Reina.”

Her lips parted and a rough exhale left her lips.

“It’s Dr. Singh,” she finally said. “I did not give you permission to use my name.”

“Still so stubborn.” He lifted his jaw. “Reina, take my name.”

She glared at him, and then she suddenly lunged for her specs. With a shriek, she fell, slipping and tumbling across hischest. He sucked in a harsh breath as sudden pain shot through his shoulder. Horror filled her eyes.

“Shit, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, leaning over him. She gently massaged his wounded shoulder and upper chest. Fire burned under his skin, taking away all hints of pain.

“Are you okay?” she asked, sounding worried.

He inhaled and her sharp scent washed over him, reminding him of how she was sprawled against him, her hands on his bare chest. She was so close now that he could see the lighter brown specs swirling in her dark eyes. More heat from her body filtered through to his, lighting him up, igniting a desperate need within him. His gaze fell on her mouth. His finger rose to trace the shape of her lips.

Her eyes met his, and a shiver rolled through her. He was delighted to know he wasn’t alone in this longing he felt. She too felt it. She too was attracted to him. She blinked as if coming to her senses and began to scramble away.

“Nyet. Not so soon,” he whispered, wrapping an arm around her, pulling her closer. She stared at him, her lips parting as he continued to trace the outline of her mouth. His fingers moved to caress her soft cheek, which reddened further. How fascinating.

Swamped by a flood of want, he shifted her to his stronger arm, and then lowered his mouth to hers, slowly, giving her all the time she needed to stop him. When they were just a breath apart, he gazed into her eyes.

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