Page 6 of Shadows of Recovery

With that, his lips crashed back onto hers, more urgent this time. They fumbled together, their movements hurried and eager. His hands slipped under her borrowed shirt, caressing the soft skin of her waist, then moving higher to cup her round, full breasts. Sophie moaned into his mouth, her body arching into his touch.

She tugged at the undershirt she wore, desperate to feel his skin against hers. He broke the kiss just long enough to help her pull it over her head. Her fingers explored the hard planes of his muscles, marveling at the strength she found there.

His hands were busy, quickly ridding Sophie of her bra. He leaned down, placing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her neck and down to her collarbone. She gasped as his lips found the sensitive skin just below her breast, his tongue flicking out to tease her.

"Please..." she breathed, her voice heavy with need.

He needed no further encouragement. He took a moment to admire her, his eyes darkening with desire. Then his mouth was on her again, kissing a path down her chest until he took one nipple into his mouth, sucking gently. Sophie cried out, her hands clutching at his shoulders.

Their remaining clothes were discarded hastily, urgency driving their movements. When they were finally skin to skin, the sensation was overwhelming. He pressed his body against hers, the heat of his skin searing into her. He kissed her again, deeper, his tongue exploring her mouth as their bodies aligned perfectly.

His hardness pressed against her thigh, and she arched her hips, desperate for more. He groaned, his hand moving between them to touch her intimately. She was wet, ready for him, and his fingers slipped easily through her folds, finding her clit and rubbing gently.

"Oh God," she moaned, her body trembling with pleasure.

He kissed her deeply, his fingers teasing her clit. Sophie climbed higher, the tension building inside her until she thought she might burst. Then he moved his fingers lower, slipping one inside her, then another. She gasped at the sensation, her hips rocking against his hand.

"You're so ready for me," he murmured against her ear, his voice rough with desire.

"Yes, please," she begged.

He reached for his night table and pulled a trio of packets free. After tearing the seam of one, he rolled the condom down his hard long, thick cock. He positioned himself at her entrance, looking into her eyes for one last confirmation.

She nodded, her eyes wide with anticipation. With a slow, deliberate thrust, he entered her, filling her completely. They both groaned at the sensation, their bodies stilling for a moment to savor the connection.

Then he began to move, slowly at first, his thrusts deep and measured. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, deeper, urging him on. Their rhythm increased, each thrust driving them closer to the edge. The room was filled with the sounds of their passion, the creak of the bed, their mingled breaths and moans.

The tension inside her coiled tighter and tighter until it finally snapped. She cried out, her body convulsing around his as waves of pleasure crashed over her. He followed moments later, his own release spilling into her as he groaned.

They collapsed together, breathless and sated. He rolled to his side, pulling her with him so they were tangled together in the afterglow. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his hand gently stroking her back.

"That was amazing," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

"It was," he agreed, his own voice husky. "You're amazing,"

She smiled, feeling a warmth that went beyond the physical. In that moment, everything felt right. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“I’ll be right back.” He slid from beneath her and headed to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.

She rolled to her back and stared at the ceiling. She had never done anything like this before.

He returned, a damp washcloth in his hand. He slipped into bed beside her, and, pressing the cloth to her mound, he kissed her gently. “Sophie?”

She pressed two fingers against his lips. “My knight.”

She slid from the sheets and hunted for her bra and panties. She quickly slipped into them, followed by his shirt and shorts. She slipped into her shoes and grabbed her phone. “I need to call an Uber.”

He nodded, a small sad smile playing on his lips. “Let me take you home?” He brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Three

Tristan Blackwell sat at his desk, a stack of resumes and referral letters spread out before him. The past few months had been grueling as he worked tirelessly to restructure the emergency room at Waverly County Hospital. As the new Chief of Emergency Services, he was determined to elevate the level of care for the surrounding area.

Patient numbers were increasing, and the pressure to deliver top-notch emergency care was immense. Finally, the county had provided the funding for four new ER doctors, a much-needed relief for his overburdened team. He also maintained his position as the CEO of the Blackwell Institute for Trauma Recovery.

Tristan rubbed his tired eyes, glancing at the clock. His next interview candidate was due any moment. Dr. Sophie Everhart, age twenty-nine, had garnered a solid reputation and glowing referrals. She had worked in the ER as locum tenens during the crisis at Waverly Junction, where their community hospital's power plant sustained an arson fire. Her experience in handling high-pressure situations was exactly what they needed. But he’d never had the occasion to work with her.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and his secretary's voice came through the intercom, "Dr. Blackwell, Dr. Everhart has arrived."

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