Page 40 of Merrick

He was silent for a while and had her wondering if she had gone too far.

“The mission of the company is ‘Finding a cure at a cost’. That has been the way of it since my great grandfather founded it and we have tried to maintain the quality.” His expression became sober.

“We are not a perfect corporation and there have been some hiccups over the years, but we are determined to make it more about caring for people and trying to do our part in healing the sick. Making more people comfortable. Giving the best we can.”

“Medtech has been a sponsor of various cancer research over the years.”

He nodded. “Unfortunately, we are still trying to come up with a cure for several illnesses.”

She trailed a finger over the hairs on his chest and felt her skin quivering when his muscles flinched in reaction.

“And the rumors about illegal drugs being funneled through the company?” She asked casually, watching his face closely.

And saw his jaw tightened.

“Just rumors and ones I am not going to talk about.”

“I’m sorry…”

“No,” he blew out a breath and forced a smile. “I’ve worked too damn hard to see the company dragged through the mud.” His expression softened as he stared at her. “Shall we talk about something else?”

“Like what?” She asked lightly, knowing she could not afford to stay on the topic.

“Like how much I would love you to come and live with me.”

Her head snapped up sharply as she stared at him in shock.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m beginning to think so.” He had not meant to jump right in. He had been thinking about it and thinking had turned into words that had just flown out of his mouth. “What do you say?”

“I say that you are certifiable.”

“Will you think about it?”

“No.” She started to move away when he flipped her onto her back and covered her body with his. “We only just met…”

“And I already know that I want you in my life.”

“This is crazy. You know that right?” She was trying to keep the panic from showing on her face but was afraid she had not quite succeeded.

“I know I am crazy about you.”

Panic and excitement vied for supremacy and had her closing her eyes and willing herself to be rational.

“It’s just sex,” she insisted.

He simply brushed his lips on hers and had her vibrating. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?”

“Look pal…,” the rest was swallowed as he seized her lips in a kiss that had her clinging to him.

She spent the night at his place and as soon as they had arrived, he fed her and then they went straight to bed.

She was going deeper and deeper into a place where if she was not careful, she would not be able to come back out of. She loved being with him. It was not just the sex, even though she did not quite know how to describe it.

She loved talking to him. For the first time in her life, she felt safe with a man. He takes care of her, and she was finding that it was becoming addictive.

Her gut was telling her that he was not in the wrong and she had always trusted her instinct. But she needed solid proof in order to cross him off. Her gut was also telling her that it had to be a member of his family and several key people in his R&D department.