Page 12 of The Surgeon's Secret

Catherine’s whole body tightened, and then—release. She cried out, the sound of her orgasm echoing off the tiles and into the night air. Waves of pleasure rolled through her, flooding every inch of her body. She’d never experienced anything like it.Her body shuddered uncontrollably as Lexi held her through the aftershocks, her fingers drawing out every last bit of Catherine’s climax until there was nothing left but the delicious hum of satisfaction.

Catherine collapsed into Lexi’s arms, her breath ragged and her heart racing. She nuzzled into Lexi’s neck, feeling the warmth and comfort of being held and cared for.

Lexi pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Catherine’s head. “Good girl,” she whispered softly, stroking her back. “Good girl.”

Catherine closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the moment, into Lexi’s embrace, feeling more at peace than she had in a very long time.

7

LEXI

Lexi tortured herself with guilt over what she’d done with Catherine in the pool. Sleeping with a married woman was one thing, but having sex with her in a rooftop pool at a hotel while they were both supposed to be at a charity hospital gala was another. What on earth had come over her? Lexi had no idea. All she knew was that when she’d seen Catherine in that blue silk dress, nothing else mattered. Nothing was going to come between her and Catherine that night. She had to see her naked, had to have her right then and there. She’d entirely let go, rushing after her desire rather than thinking rationally.

As perfect as Catherine had been both sexually and in every way, pursuing her was a really, really bad idea. And as Lexi held her afterward, the full weight of what she’d done overwhelmed her. She’d helped Catherine out of the pool, and they both leaned over the barrier separating them from the ocean, looking out over the water in comfortable silence. All kinds of thoughts were whirling through Lexi’s head.

What about her husband?

What about her being straight?

What about my massive issues with Josephine?

What about my father, who I still haven’t met?

Am I going to get fired? Will anyone find out about this? What if she tells her husband?

Their bodies dried in the warmth of the evening, but Lexi’s panties were still soaked, and she imagined Catherine’s were as well. She stripped hers off to dry completely, then turned to Catherine.

“Need a hand?” Lexi had asked, and Catherine nodded coyly. Lexi had slowly slid the waistband of Catherine’s lacy thong down over her hips, thighs, and off one foot at a time. Oh God, how she’d wanted to go down on her—right there, so close. She wanted to take her again and again, savoring every part of her. But somehow, Lexi had managed to hold back. She knew that was a really, really bad idea.

Lexi had helped her dress, and they both put on their clothes without their panties and returned to the elevator. Lexi had two pairs of soaking wet panties in her bag, and she couldn’t stop thinking about having Catherine’s panties with her. She hoped, underneath the chlorine, they would still smell like her.

Lexi had snuck them out of the hotel via a fire escape and called two Ubers. She’d wanted to call just one and take Catherine home with her so badly. But at least part of her had been thinking sensibly, so she put Catherine in a separate car. She wasn’t sure how Catherine was feeling after what they’d done in the pool, but she knew the sex had blown Catherine’s mind. And while that was a good thing, Lexi worried about where it might lead. Straight women getting their first taste of really good sex—really fucking good sex—often came with a world of drama.

Catherine had been quiet as they looked over the ocean, quiet as they descended the stairwell, and quiet as Lexi helped her into the Uber. There’d been a connection between them in theirmovements, but also a distance, as if they were both thinking about the reality of what lay ahead.

At work the morning after the gala, Lexi parked her truck in the lot, made her way through the main entrance, and headed up to the surgical floor. This was just another day. She had surgeries to prepare for and patients to deal with, but all she could think about was Catherine. Stupidly—or sensibly—Lexi had Catherine’s thong in her pocket. It was dry now. She’d brought it with her under the pretense of giving it back, but now that seemed ridiculous. Handing back a thong at work? She thought about keeping it. Shewantedto keep it.

But what was she going to do when she saw Catherine? What would she say? Lexi had no idea. She couldn’t continue whatever this was between them. The last thing Lexi needed right now was a secret affair, and as much as she wanted Catherine, that’s all it would be. And it was very, very clear to everyone around here that Catherine was Dr. James Spencer’s wife. Messing with that was undeniably a bad idea.

Lexi was barely ten minutes into her shift before her pager went off: Neuro consult in the ER. She let the surgical reception know.

“Hey Kate, I’ve got a consult in the ER. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but my morning surgery might be delayed.”

“No worries, Dr. Bond. I’ll have one of the residents inform the patient,” Kate replied, efficient as ever. Lexi appreciated that.

Heading to the ER, she wondered why they needed her for just a consult. Surely anyone from neuro could handle that.When she opened the curtain, she found herself face to face with the patient—and Dr. Catherine Spencer.

Catherine’s hair was tied up in a ponytail, its rich chocolate color gleaming under the harsh lights of the ER. Her face was as beautiful as ever, and her amber eyes flicked up to meet Lexi’s. Lexi’s gaze drifted lower, noticing a faint love bite on Catherine’s neck.Oh fuck, Lexi thought, spotting another one on Catherine’s collarbone as her shirt shifted slightly.

“Dr. Spencer?” Lexi said, her voice carefully neutral.

“Dr. Bond,” Catherine replied smoothly, her voice as silky as ever. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

That’s what I thought last night, Lexi thought to herself, forcing back a grin.

“This is Sophie Ashton, twenty-two. She’s fallen off a horse and has some abdominal bruising. I want to get a scan. She’s also got a cut and bump on her head—I thought you could take a look,” Catherine said. Lexi knew a doctor of her caliber wasn’t really needed for a bump on the head, but with Catherine here, she didn’t mind.

“Right. Sophie, is it? Let me take a look at your head,” Lexi said. “Are you in much pain?”

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