Page 18 of Guarding the Doctor
“I’m not picky,” I said. “I’ll eat almost anything.”
Growing up as a military brat, I’d lived around the world and learned to eat what I was given, no matter what it was.
“You are too skinny, I will make you meat,” Yuri said decisively.
I wouldn’t call myself skinny, but it was true that the combination of being on my feet for ten or more hours a day and rarely having time for more than a protein bar at work helped me stay slim.
An hour later and freshly showered, I joined Yuri and Darla for dinner. My eyes widened as I saw all the food waiting for us. The bear had made roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots, bacon wrapped scallops, rice, biscuits, a tray of cheese and fruit, and an enormous salad.
“Wow, this is quite a feast,” I said, taking in the overladen table. “Who’s going to eat all this?”
Darla laughed, the sound light and sweet. “The best thing about going undercover with the bears is the cooking. Enjoy it while you can.”
As we ate, Yuri and Darla talked about the case. Apparently her teammate Wanda was working hard to hack into Dr. Xi’s files to learn more about what she was doing and who was paying her.
“Wanda says Xi has stronger encryptions than the federal government,” Darla said. “And she would know, she’s hacked them before. Off the record of course.”
At Yuri’s blank look she said, “Not officially.”
He nodded. “Is not easy to get that kind of technology. Maybe government is involved,” he said slowly. “If not U.S.A., then enemies.”
Darla looked thoughtful. “That’s a good theory, Yuri. I don’t know which would be worse – knowing our own government is experimenting on its citizens, or finding out another country has infiltrated our medical research program.”
“I will share this theory when I do the Face Time with brothers tonight,” the Belarusian said. “We will use our contacts to do some investigation. After I tell them good news about finding mate of course.”
After an enormous meal, Yuri insisted on loading the dishwasher before heading to his bedroom to call his brothers. Darla and I decided to watch TV for a while to unwind. Locating a streaming service, we flipped through some shows before landing onModern Family.It was one of the few TV shows Darla was familiar with, and she was thrilled to see we could stream some episodes.
Somehow we wound up sitting on adjacent cushions, Darla sitting in the middle of the couch with me on one side. As we sat there, I felt a sensation akin to electricity running up and down my body, my skin practically buzzing even though I wasn’t touching Darla.
I glanced at my bodyguard out of the corner of my eye, but she seemed to be engrossed in the show. Shifting, I crossed my legs, hoping to release the pressure building in my core. I’d never gotten turned on before simply by sitting next to someone. Maybe it was the stress? I shifted again and Darla’s head snapped in my direction.
“Do you want me to get you off?”
Darla
Iwatched Kathryn shift in her seat again, catching another wave of her arousal. My vampire was clawing at me, demanding I touch our mate. Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out,
“Do you want me to get you off?”
Kathryn’s eyes widened comically.
“Um. What?”
“I can tell you’re aroused.” I tapped the side of my nose. “I smell it scenting the air.”
If I thought she’d be embarrassed, I was wrong. I guess being a doctor took away the typically human embarrassment about biological functions.
“I’ll be fine, but thanks for asking.”
She said it like I’d just offered her a cup of tea instead of an orgasm. Damn it, I should have played that different.
Truth be told, I was just as aroused as she was. Being so near my mate was torture, especially when we were alone like this with nothing to distract me from how much I wanted to taste her. The scent of her arousal was driving me crazy.
“I don’t mind,” I offered, trying again. “I know you’ve had a couple of very stressful days. Getting off will help.”
That was the understatement of the century.
“Well gee, as romantic as that offer is, I think I’m good.”
