“Angel, I’m fine. Just a tender spot. Ain’t nothin’ I can’t handle. Right, Doc?” It hurt but I wasn’t a wuss, and the last thing I wanted was for her to think I was.
The doctor pushed his glasses back up his nose. “Yes, well he’d take it better if he would stop declining the pain medication.”
Her left brow arched into a triangle and her lips turned down. “Hank? Why aren’t you taking the medication? You’re in pain. You just had major surgery two days ago.”
Like I didn’t already know that.
“Look, Darlin’, I’m good. Real good, now that I’m looking at your pretty face.” Yup, I was feeling mighty good today and to prove my point, I cupped the underside of her butt cheek and squeezed. Nice and tight. Just as I suspected. She started to moan then clamped her mouth shut. Just the solid weight of her presence gave me energy.
Her reaction to my touch was more receptive than I expected. Yeah, I couldn’t wait to tap that ass. She was ripe, and I looked forward to riding this filly all night long. I’d tip her ass just right so I could see my cock slide in and out of her from behind. Pull her hair just enough so she’d know who was in charge. I just needed to get the hell out of Dodge and on more comfortable turf. I wanted to be alone with her. Aside from pinning her to the nearest bed, of which I wasn’t capable with this bum shoulder, I looked forward to getting to know her.
Her hand gripped mine and forcibly pulled it off her ass. Her breath was labored and her face a rosy red, either from excitement or embarrassment since the doctor was right there.
I didn’t care. The pain was manageable and nothing was going to stop me from touching her. “Soon, Angel,” I said.
She gasped and her eyes closed and opened then locked onto mine. It was obvious that she was reading me, feeling out my intent. I wasn’t hiding it. I wanted her and she knew it. As I searched those crystal depths there was no denying she felt it, too. The desire was written across her face as if it were a big red X marking off the days of the week on a calendar. Even though I’d only technically known the woman for a couple days, I’d been dreaming about having her for weeks on end. Now that she was here, so close I could smell and touch her, I planned on making good on it.
“So, Doc. When do I get to break out of this chicken coop?” I clasped my hand with Aspen’s and she looked away, a fresh rosy blush spread across her cheeks. She was going to be a challenge, but I liked challenges. She may even be someone I could very easily get used to seeing on a more personal basis.
Christ, this woman had me tied in knots with desire. Now that my mind was clear of the drugs and I was on the mend, all I could think about was bending her over and having my way with her.
The doctor applied some type of salve over the wound, completely oblivious to the tug and pull between Aspen and me. I gritted my teeth at the sting. It smelled like horse manure on a hot day.
“Why the hell does it smell so rank?” I asked. Even the pretty girl standing next me had her nose scrunched up trying to avoid the smell.
“It’s the salve. Don’t worry. The body is doing its job, ensuring no infection. Everything looks good in front. Lean forward.”
Letting go of Aspen’s hand I adjusted and groaned in agony as the doctor worked on the exit wound. Okay, so pressure and quick movements still hurt like hell. Gripping the blankets in a tight fist, the pain shot through my chest in every direction. “Shit!” I growled though clenched teeth.
Aspen’s hands smoothed over my other shoulder, caressing my bare skin. It acted like a balm, diminishing the agony considerably. I looked into her eyes. We quietly stared at one another, our faces so close I could feel her breath against my cheeks. She held me while the doctor finished the bandage change on the back of my shoulder. Her eyes were a vision. The blue and gray mingled together to create the most unusual color. This beautiful woman was going to be trouble with a capital T.
The doctor moved to the end of the bed and wrote in my file.
My angel took that opportunity to lean forward and place a baby soft kiss against my cheek. Adoration forced my eyes to close and enjoy the chaste sensation. Before she could pull away, I grabbed her around the nape with my good arm and pressed my lips to hers. She squeaked in surprise but didn’t pull away. Just the slightest pressure of her mouth on mine sent tingles running in all directions making me feel bold and needy for more. She gasped but I held the kiss for a moment longer, enjoying the feel of just that small bit of flesh melded to mine.
As I pulled away her mouth chased mine, keeping us connected. I wanted to be connected to her forever.
Everything ceased to exist in that moment. The beeping of machines controlling my meds, the doctor scribbling something on his clipboard, it was just me and my angel. I gripped the back of her neck and rubbed my lips against hers with more pressure than before, cementing her to me. As I opened my eyes she pulled away and sucked in a deep breath. Her fingers immediately flew to her face covering the proof of my kiss.
“Thank you. That helped with the pain.” I grinned and wiggled my eyebrows to lighten the intensity of the moment.
She blinked a couple times as if she didn’t know where she was, reminding me of a horse with blinders on. The feelin’ was mutual for sure. She straightened her suit, transitioning business Aspen back into place. Made me wonder if she’d ever truly relaxed.
“Yes, uh, okay. So, you’re better then?” I nodded and she backed away from the bed. “Doctor, when can I take him home?”
She backed into the chair and almost toppled over. Even in those stilt-like shoes she was able to right herself and still look in charge. She smiled as her cheeks pinked. If a bit more than a peck on the lips caused that reaction, I could only imagine what a full blown Hank Special kiss would do. She might even lose some of that professional resolve. I was looking forward to finding out.
The doctor wrote a few things on the clipboard he held. “Tomorrow morning, as long as everything looks good. I’ll need him to come back Monday morning to make sure there’s still no infection. I’m prescribing some lighter pain medications you can take orally, Mr. Jensen. They won’t make you feel loopy but will take the edge off. You need to allow your body to heal naturally and you can’t do that if you’re fighting pain the entire time.” His voice was stern, unforgiving.
“I understand. Thanks, Doc.”
“I’m also going to prescribe a circulating cold therapy system. It will reduce the swelling and pain naturally. You’ll take the unit home with you and refill the ice as needed. Do thirty minutes on and a couple hours off, and then repeat the process. It will speed the healing time.”
“Sounds good enough.”
“I’ll make sure he gets one. If you could have a member of your team write down the make and model of the best on the market, I’ll have it delivered,” Aspen interrupted, phone in hand. “Wait.” Her voice was clipped, directed at the caller.
The doctor’s eyes went to hers and smiled. I was about to decline her offer when she jutted out a flat hand in front of my face, stopping me in my tracks. It was surprisingly as effective on me as it had been on her assistant but for entirely different reasons. Her take-charge voice and demeanor had me and my dick paying attention. She was going to be such fun to break.
“Doctor, anything — and I mean anything — that will help speed his recovery will be provided by me. The cost is of no consequence. Whatever you say he needs, we’ll take care of it.” She handed him her business card then barked orders into her phone. “Oliver, make sure you order whatever Hank’s doctor prescribes.” A few seconds ticked by as she waited. “Yes, any expense,” she said with finality then pressed a button and tossed the phone into her pocket.
“Aspen Reynolds. You own AIR Bright Enterprises?” The doctor’s tone held reverence, his face set into a huge grin.
“Yes, I’m the owner and CEO.” She moved over to her bag and pulled the long strap over her shoulder. Holy hell, she owned the skyscraper my company was adding onto. Did that mean she was my boss? Technically, I guess it must have. It never dawned on me that she had that kind of money. I had figured she was rich, but in order to own a company of that size, she had to be worth a lot of dough. As in billions. Wow. And she seemed so young, too.
“You’re famous!” The doctor continued his adoration.
“Hardly.”
I watched the exchange, fascinated as she held her head high, back straight as an arrow. Professional Aspen was sexy, but I was sad to see my sweet angel had all but left the building. She’d be back. Her softer side intrigued me and seemed to pop up whenever she was touching me. I’d bet good money on the fact that not many were privy to that side of her. Made me a king among men knowing she let me in, at least a little. At some point, I’d have her in every way possible. Over the next eight weeks I planned on familiarizing myself with every facet of Aspen Reynolds.
She headed to the door, bag held firm to her side. The woman was even prettier than a perfect sunset back at my ranch, and I’d been known to let a good hot dinner lose its heat just to see one of those glistening horizons. She was wearing one of her usual black skirts, the ones that hugged every inch of her hips, thighs, and ass. What I wouldn’t give to run my hands up and down that skirt, scrunch it up to her waist, and take her right here. Damn, I had to get my mind out of the gutter or get this woman between the sheets. I couldn’t think straight when she was around.
She turned and thanked the doctor. Her white blouse pulled at the corner, exposing a healthy view of the upper swell of her breast. A purplish black shadow appeared against her creamy skin.
“Aspen, come here.” I squinted my eyes and tried to see more of the purple stain against her flesh.
She adjusted her shirt self-consciously and walked over to the side of the bed as the doctor exited.
“Put the bag down for a second.”
She did. “What’s this about?” Her brows drew together.
I pulled her closer and placed my hand around the fragile, softer-than-silk column of her neck.
She took a deep breath but didn’t move my hand.
Trailing the back of my knuckles down between the small pearly buttons of her shirt I could see the edges of the discolored skin that caught my attention moments ago. With my right hand, I skillfully unbuttoned the top button of her shirt.
A deep inhale shook her small form and her body trembled under my fingertips. Her gaze held mine as my fingers traced the lacey edge of her undershirt and pulled the white satin aside to expose a huge, angry looking bruise. It was about four or five inches in diameter, larger than a softball.
“Jesus Christ, Angel. You did get hurt.”
“No, Hank. I’m fine. You … you’re the one who got hurt. This is nothing. Don’t you see … ”
I shook my head in frustration. All I could see was a giant ugly purple mark that proved just how close she’d been to getting her heart punctured with lead. I was happy it was me and not her. Having this warm, perfect angel in front of me, as if she were sent by God himself was worth it. Almost as if she was meant for me to save, to protect.
Why I felt so strongly near her was astounding. It didn’t make sense, but neither did the energy that buzzed just under the surface. It filled the space around us, bringing us closer to each other. I didn’t even know her, but it didn’t matter. I wanted her. Wanted her to be safe. Wanted her to be mine.
Leaning forward, I placed gentle kisses along the entire surface of the bruise. It was out of line but I couldn’t help it. Her skin drew me in. I wanted — no,
needed
— to make it better. Her fingers twined through my hair as I worshiped her skin with small kisses.
“Hank … ” My eyes met hers, her voice thick with emotion. “That pipe would have pierced through my heart. If you hadn’t been there, done what you did ... ” Her eyes filled with tears, and then large, wet drops ran like a waterfall down her cheeks.
That’s all it took. The need to taste her thrummed heavily through my veins, the tension so fierce it sizzled and popped around us. One-handed, I pulled her against my chest and crushed her lips with mine. She opened eagerly and my tongue, lips, and teeth devoured her like a starving man devoured a steak.
There was no holding back, no room for nice dates and sweet pecks on the cheek. No, this was carnal desire. A man who needed a woman and a woman who needed to be kissed. I had to have her. By the way she kissed me back, her fingers tightening at my scalp holding me to her, she was just as taken.
My fingers tunneled through her hair, over her back, pressing and keeping her near. My mouth slanted over hers and my tongue delved deeper, taking without request. Her pink little lips nibbled and gave just as much as they were getting. Her hands cupped my head on each side, giving her the control. My mouth ripped away from hers, needing air but still needing her.
I trailed wet licks and kisses down the sweet column of her swan-like neck. She tasted like a warm, juicy peach. My right hand clenched her waist, keeping her close. My wounded shoulder screamed in agony against the brutal way I held her to me, but I didn’t care.
Fuck it.
My very own angel was panting and moaning against me. There wasn’t anything that could pull me away from her skin at this moment. The building could catch fire and I’d still be worshiping her with my hands and mouth.
Those plump lips found mine and licked my bottom one before sucking it into her mouth. My dick was rock-hard and tenting the blanket proudly. Her hand brushed against my erection as she leaned deeper into the kiss, mindful of the pressure against my bandaged shoulder. I moaned and she stopped. Our breath mingled as she hovered close. Her fingers traced the ridge of my shaft through the blanket.
My breath hitched. “Darlin’, you better not start something you can’t finish.”
***
His lips were addictive. I couldn’t stop tugging and nipping at the sensual tissue. Pulling back, I smiled and watched his face contort as my hand circled his cock, squeezing rhythmically. He groaned and it sent a wave of heat to my core, desire pooling between my thighs. It made me bold, wanton. Free.