Page 49 of Pleasure Control

She climbed from the bed. The hardwood floors felt cool beneath her bare toes. She spotted a pair of slippers near Jay’s nightstand, slipped into them, and pulled on his robe.

Finger-combing her hair, she padded down the hallway. “Jay? Are you here?” She made her way into the kitchen and found a note sitting on the dinette table.

She read his familiar handwriting. He’d left the coffeepot on and fresh fruit and muffins in the fridge. Her usual breakfast.

She ran her fingertips over the words as warmth washed over her. It amazed her how observant he was, how he knew so much about her likes and dislikes.

The phone rang. She followed the sound until she found it.

“Hello.” She pressed the receiver to her ear and began rifling through his cupboards in search of a coffee mug. She really needed to caffeinate before she faced this day.

“Hey, Laura. I didn’t wake you, did I?” The sound of Jay’s voice awakened every nerve in her body.

“No. I was just about to pour a cup of coffee.”

“I’m on my way home and I wanted to see if you needed anything.”

Her heart did a little pitter-patter in her chest. It was the way he said it. Home. It filled her with longing. She took a moment to imagine what it would be like to share a warm, welcoming home with him. To share an intimate evening after a long day at the lab. To fall into bed every night and make sweet, passionate love. She fought down the tug of emotions that swept through her.

Her throat felt tight. “I need to speak to Erin.”

“I’m not at the lab. I’m in the car a block from home.”

Laura nibbled on her lower lip. “Did you take the suppressant?”

He hesitated before answering. “Yes.” His voice sounded strange.

“Did Erin administer it?” She held her breath.

“Yes.”

Oh God!

She tried to keep her voice steady. “How, uh…how do you feel?” He ignored her question and asked one of his own.

“What are you wearing, Laura?” The arousal edging his voice invaded her body with panic. With excitement.

Ohmigod, Erin must have switched the vials!

Her heart rose in her throat and she felt color bloom high on her cheeks. She had to tell him her suspicions. Didn’t she?

“I just pulled into my parking spot. I’m coming up.” He sounded so feral, so on edge.

Laura hung up the phone and ran to the bathroom to freshen up. His scent lingered in the room from his earlier shower. The aroma stirred her senses. Pleasure shifted inside her and her whole body began to moisten with indecent thoughts.

Thoughts like what it would be like to disregard the fact that he’d been given an enhancer. To give in to her desires and make love to him. To have his naked body move over hers and to run her nails over his back while he pushed his length and thickness deep inside her.

Lost in her mind’s wanderings, she didn’t hear his footsteps approaching. Didn’t know how long he’d been standing there watching her.

“Hey.”

She spun around, met his direct gaze, and drew in a quick, sharp breath. “Hey, yourself.”

She recognized that look in his eyes. It was dark, wolfish, and wild, the look of an untamed animal stalking its prey. It was the same look he’d given her just before he’d made love to her with his fingers and his mouth.

She swallowed. Hard. “Are you okay?” Her pulse began to drum and her legs went rubbery beneath her.

He edged closer, until she could feel the warmth of his body. “Not really.” His voice was like a rough whisper.

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