Page 43 of Dr. Alaska
“At least four and a half stars.”
His brows shot up. “What if I want to get five stars?”
Lee froze, thoughts tumbling through her logical brain. God, she wanted to explore more of… whatever this was with Maverick. The banter, the gentle and sexy teasing, the possibility of more. She stared at him. “I—”
His voice slid over her like a soft, warm blanket. “What do you want, Lee? Don’t overthink it. This isn’t life or death.”
“But.” Her mind whirled with things past and present and future. “You. Me?”
“Let me start. I want to kiss you more if you’re okay with it.”
Don’t overthink it. Lee knelt on the couch, steadying herself on his shoulders and locking eyes with him as he gripped under her butt to boost her onto his lap. “Maybe we can get that extra half star if we continue what we were doing when Kaaktuq tried to fumigate us?” she asked.
He removed the satellite phone from a leg pocket and set it on the arm of the couch. Then he positioned her knees on either side of his thighs and then he lifted his hands. “Be my guest. Literally.”
Her laugh turned into a low hum as their lips met in an air-stealing kiss. Lee wrapped one arm around his neck and fisted her other hand into his shirt, hanging on while he changed angles.
She could have let go completely and the iron bands of his arms snaking around her back and waist would have held her securely against his chest. His fingers pressing into her flesh triggered pressure deep in her pelvis, and she let herself sink deeper onto his hard thighs.
Toying with the strands at his nape, she enjoyed the silky slide of his hair through her fingers. Under her roving hand, the muscles of his neck grew taut, as if formed from metal. An Alaskan mountain man, indeed. All fresh air, ruggedness, and steely strength.
But gentle. He held back the strength. Let her set the pace.
This man could not be any more different than any man she’d known before.
Lee stifled any inner debate. What did she want? The answer was simple. She enjoyed spending time with Maverick. She wanted to experience more of his strength, more of him, up close and personal.
By the growling rumbles coming from his throat and how he clenched his hands on her hips, he shared her interest.
Are we good?the vulnerable part of herself she protected the most asked.
Oh yes. We are good.
The sweep of his tongue over hers tilted the world around her, until she realized that he had eased her back onto the couch and bracketed her head with his hands. Maverick pressed his torso against hers but kept his full weight off of her with a foot planted on the floor.
Lee lifted her hips off the couch, craving the pressure of his body. She shifted restlessly, tugging him down to her, gripping his corded upper arms. She was so warm beneath him, in her outdoor gear.
He continued the sensual onslaught of kisses, dragging his lips over hers, then licking his way down her neck and back up again. His warm spruce and fresh air scent was laced with the hint of aftershave, and she inhaled deeply.
At one point, he nudged her head to one side and nipped at an earlobe—not enough to hurt, but enough to make her squeal. Hearing his rapid breaths and growls so close sent delicious quivers straight into her belly. Everything about him was so intimate, so immediate.
For a moment, Lee froze as a wave of vulnerability shook her limbs. There it was again. Self-doubt paralyzing her.
Did she trust herself to make a good decision?
Lee had to be okay with the current situation, regardless of any long-term plans for either of them. Regardless of her history.
Regardless of her fear.
She breathed deep once, twice. His scent both focused and excited her. This felt right. Safe.
Sexy.
God, Lee wanted to feel good in his arms. Wanted to trust that he would care about her. Careforher.
She wanted to trust that she would choose someone who wouldn’t hurt her. That realization jolted her back to reality.
She couldn’t move.
