Page 68 of Doctor I Do

Tasting the chocolate drink, I can’t help but moan. “Yum.”

“Good, right?”

I lower the cup and face him, noticing his blue eyes are now a shade darker. “This is really good.”

His hand reaches out and his thumb dusts beside my mouth, grazing my bottom lip. I freeze from the warm touch.

He clears his throat to explain. “You had some on your face.” Removing his hand, he picks up his cup and drinks.

“Oh. Right. Okay. Thanks.”

I roll my lips and pick up my own drink. Neither of us say another word.

Later that night, I’m lying in bed, wearing my nightie. My back is to the door. I hear my door open and the bed dips beside me. A tingle runs over my body at him coming into my room like this. I don’t want to turn over because of the nerves freezing me.

One of his arms comes around my middle. He’s holding me. I don’t know what to think about this.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Truthfully. I don’t know. But I couldn’t stop myself.”

With his honesty, I can’t help but blurt out, “I want you.”

He exhales deeply, and I expect him to pull away. So I’m surprised when he pulls me closer and his hand moves to touch the outside of my leg. His hot fingers skim my thigh, causing goosebumps to pop along my flesh. My body is coming alive from a single touch. On the next stroke, he moves to the inner thigh, almost touching my core. His fingers run along the edge of my panties, and I shiver with need.

“Fuck. You feel so good,” he growls into the back of my neck, where his hot breath tickles my ear. His hand still caresses my inner thigh in a tease that makes me wriggle with a crazy need. I expect him to glide his hand inside to find me hot, achy, and ready. But he only runs along the edge, slipping in the smallest amount and bringing me to the edge of desperation.

I suck in a sharp breath and reach around to touch him. I want to encourage him by making him join me on the edge of desperation. My hand meets his hot skin, and he lets out a feral hiss. I’m thinking he’s giving me the green light.

He sighs and grabs my hand, bringing it in front of me as he squeezes my middle, then mutters against my neck. “I’m sorry. I want you. I really do. But we can’t.”

The nearness of his face annoys me. “We can. You’re choosing to say no.” I turn angrily to face him.

“Fuck.” He wipes his face with his hand roughly. “It’s not that. I just. Fuck, I can’t.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because there’s something wrong with me. Can we just drop it?”

He leaves me gasping for air and wondering why. I’m still clueless what’s wrong with him. I should tell him to get the hell out of my room, but the words won’t leave my throat.

He kisses the back of my head before reaching out to touch my hair as he whispers, “I want you. But you’re too fucking good for me.”

Of course, with him here caressing my hair in soft, soothing strokes, I reluctantly find myself relaxing into him. His hand then wraps around my waist and holds me tight. I squeeze my eyes shut. I want to argue. But the words won’t come out. Knowing I can’t change his mind, I soak in this moment of comfort he gives because, truthfully, I want this. I want whatever this growing thing between us is.

He nuzzles his nose into my hair, and our bodies press together so tightly we’re almost fused together. And I know in this moment, I’ll sleep better with him here.

Chapter 24

Tahlia

“I can’t wait.” Mom turns in her seat to give me a side glance and a full smile.

We have both finished work. Today I learned all about spec sheets. How to fill the technical document in and how to measure each product with its functions and specific features. It’s been my favorite thing to learn so far.

Now I’m in the car with her and the wedding planner, on our way to the florist. When she told me this morning, it wasn’t like I could turn her down. I’m getting married in two weeks, so things like this need to be chosen and booked. I’m grateful she didn’t insist Alex come. Right now, I need some space. He’s consuming my every thought. I’ve never been this worked up over hooking up with a guy.

“Me too,” I muse, but my voice lacks conviction, because in the next couple of days, I’m due to try dresses on. The thought makes my stomach flip with nerves. I’ve never tried a wedding dress on. Heck, I haven’t even looked at one in person. But lately, I’ve scrolled online and envisioned the style of dress I’d like. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed it would be happening so soon. But here we are, having a wedding, all for me to have a career.

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