Page 44 of Storm's Embrace

Of course Eli had insisted she call Tyler Simmons’s cell as soon as he had gotten in the office that morning, saying he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his patients until she had taken care of telling the other man she wouldn’t be working for him after all. Needless to say, her almost new boss hadn’t been too happy with her decision to decline his offer, although he’d said he wasn’t surprised.

Eli had also been pretty vocal about who Miriambelongedtoo as he’d had her put the call on speakerphone. Mr. Simmons had laughed, saying, “I never doubted it.” In the end, before they’d hung up, the other man had offered his congratulations and a parting request of, “Be sure to invite me to the wedding.”

Eli hadn’t corrected Mr. Simmons’ assumption, and Miriam had been left with not only a body still feeling the effects of their previous night, but a heart so full of love and hope she’d had the urge to pinch herself to make sure this truly was her new reality.

Now all that was left to deal with was Ms. Bennett and any trouble she might try to cause. Eli had said he wasn’t too worried about her, but Miriam couldn’t help but think the other woman wasn’t going to let it go. She just didn’t strike her as a forgive and forget kinda woman. So she wasn’t going to be surprised if she or Eli—or both—ended up facing some sort of reprisal. It was just a question of how, when, and where.

“Miriam?”

She swiveled her chair around to find Eli leaning out of his office door, his brows drawn down and his mouth set in a straight line.

“Yes?”

“Can you come in here and take a look at something on my computer?”

She chuckled and stood from her seat. “What did you do this time?” she asked, walking through his open door. It quietly snicked shut behind her as she headed to his desk while noting the blinds were closed, which was strange for him. “Please tell me you didn’t lock yourself out of the joint hospital system again.” She went around his desk and leaned over to click on his mouse, and then frowned when the screen opened and nothing looked amiss. “What—“

“No,” he said, coming up behind her and pressing his hard body into her behind while his hands ran up her sides and cupped her breasts, sending a shiver racing over her skin. “But I’ve had the desperate need to touch you now for hours.”

“We… Ah…” She couldn’t think with his fingers thrumming over her sensitive nipples through her clothes and the evidence of his need pushing into her. “Eli…” she panted out, and then took a deep, cleansing breath, which, of course, pressed her chest further into his large hands. “Um, we shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Everyone’s gone.” He squeezed while rolling his hips. “And I don’t know about you, but having you within my reach all morning and not being able to do anything about it has had me needing some time alone.”

She had to admit the thought of being in Eli’s arms again had crossed her mind a time or two—or twenty—namely each time he’d gone in and out of his office. Or when she’d spied him walking between exam rooms. At those times he’d look up and catch her eyes on him and give her a knowing smile that sent heat flushing through her body. Last week, having him catching her staring at him would have embarrassed her. But after their night together, it had only ramped up her anticipation of the next time they could have each other to themselves.

“Well.” She moaned and hung her head and braced her hands in front of her as his hands left her breasts and trailed down her sides to her hips.

“Well, what?” he asked on a small chuckle, as he gathered her skirt—the hem going higher and higher until cool air brushed over the tops of her thighs.

“I have no idea what I was about to say.” She tilted her head as he nuzzled into her neck and kissed his way up to her ear as her whole skirt bunched around her waist.

“You don’t need to say anything. Just let me make you feel good,” he said as the sound of his zipper opening filled the quiet of his office. His hands urged her upper body to rest on the uncluttered surface of his desk.

Note to self. Next time you walk in and his desk is completely cleared, you might be in for a good time.

Her legs trembled as his hands went to her panties and worked them down to her ankles.

“Step out.”

Eli’s gravelly voice sent her heart racing and pulse fluttering as she did what he had all but commanded. Then she lay perfectly still with her cheek pressed to the cool surface of his desk, holding her breath as she waited for him to do something—anything—as he went to his knees.

“Beautiful.” His low whisper and hands kneading over her ass had her wishing she could see his face. But soon those thoughts were replaced with nothing but want and need at the touch of his fingers spreading her open right were all the heat in her body had centered.

Oh my, is he going to—

A low moan left her as his warm breath caressed over her exposed flesh. Then at the first swipe of his tongue, the heat intensified and all she could do was feel as her eyes drifted closed and she let herself be taken away—away to a place where it was just the two of them.

He loved her thoroughly—each intimate kiss and tender touch of his fingers leaving her body shaking until she finally, blissfully, shattered. And Eli was still there, easing her down with warm laps of his tongue over her sensitive flesh. It was almost too much for her to take.

“Eli,” she groaned. “No more.”

One more shiver-worthy swipe of his tongue was his answer before he rose and blanketed her body. “But I’m not done with you yet,” he whispered close to her ear. And then unbelievably she wanted more as he entered her in one smooth stroke that brought her to her tiptoes and had her seeking some kind of purchase.

She finally just reached out and gripped the front edge of the desk as he filled her with slow, even thrusts, while murmured words of love and commitment filled her ear—words so intense they went straight to her soul. But slowly his words changed to low grunts and harsh breaths before she lay helpless as he pounded into her while her fingers dug hard into the wood where she held on tight.

And though she didn’t come again, a pleasant buzz coursed through her body as he pulsed inside her. It was…

Perfection.

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