Chapter 8
Daisy woke in the middle of the night and couldn’t remember where she was until she felt David breathing under her and his arms tight around her.
They’d fallen asleep wrapped up in each other in the darkness that was offset only by the glow of the TV.
She reached for the remote and turned off the power.
She knew she should wake him so he could take her home, but she didn’t want to be anywhere other than in his arms, tucked up against him as he slept.
So she returned her head to his chest and listened to the strong beat of his heart under her ear.
“We fell asleep, huh?” The rough, sleepy rumble of his voice made her smile. She loved the intimate feeling that went with knowing what his voice sounded like when he woke from a sound sleep. Now she wished she’d left the TV on so she could see his face, too.
“Looks that way.”
“Do you want to go home?”
“Not really. The accommodations are much nicer here.”
His lips skimmed her forehead and his fingers slid through her hair, making her sigh with contentment. “They could be better.”
“How so?”
“There’s a really nice bed in the other room.”
The suggestion made her heart beat faster as the idea of being in an actual bed with him sent all her hormones into a frenzy. “That sounds good.”
They disentangled from each other and stood up.
Daisy waited for David to turn on a light before she followed him to the bedroom, where he produced a T-shirt for her to sleep in. “Thanks.”
“Go ahead and use the bathroom first.”
“You don’t have an extra toothbrush by any chance, do you?”
“I think I do.” He went into the bathroom to rummage around in a cabinet.
Daisy took advantage of the opportunity to take a closer look at his bedroom, which was sparsely furnished with a dresser and a king-size bed covered by a navy-blue comforter.
“Here you go,” he said when he returned, holding a toothbrush that was still in the package.
“Thanks. I’ll be quick.”
Daisy went into the bathroom, removed her dress and hung it on a hook behind the door. She debated whether or not to leave her bra on, but decided she’d be more comfortable sleeping without it. She tucked it behind the dress on the hook, donned the T-shirt and quickly brushed her teeth.
“All yours,” she said when she stepped out of the bathroom to find that he’d turned down the bed.
He held up the covers for her. “Hop in so you don’t get cold.”
“Which side do you prefer?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
As he went into the bathroom and closed the door, Daisy felt giddy about her sleepover with the sexy doctor. There was something so special about sharing the bed that smelled like him, of sleeping next to him, of seeing his most private living space.
He came out of the bathroom wearing a T-shirt and boxer shorts and slid into bed next to her, leaving the bedside light on. “Comfortable?” he asked.
“I could be more comfortable.” Daisy surprised herself with the brazen reply.
“How so?”
“If you were a little closer.”
He scooted over an inch. “Better?”
“Not yet.”
Another inch. “How about this?”
“Getting warmer, but not quite there yet.”
He moved so he was right next to her and put his arm around her. “How’s this?”
“Perfect,” she said with a sigh of pleasure.
“It could be better.”
“How so?” she asked, borrowing his line.
“If you turned toward me.”
Daisy did as he asked. “Like this?”
“Just like that,” he whispered as he kissed her.
He tasted of toothpaste and sexy man and David. His arms encircled her as he worked his leg between hers.
The rough texture of his hairy leg between her thighs was an instant turn-on as his tongue thoroughly explored her mouth.
His hand dipped beneath her T-shirt, caressing her back in slow movements that made her nipples tighten in the hope that he might move to the front.
But he kept his hand stubbornly anchored to her back.
Daisy decided to do some exploring of her own, slipping her fingers under his shirt to feel the rippling muscles of his belly and drawing a gasp from him when she slid her fingertips down to the waistband of his shorts. She tugged on the T-shirt. “Take this off.”
He released her long enough to do as she asked, and then he was kissing her again, even more intently than before.
She ran her hands over his chest, discovering each contour and making him tremble in the process. Encouraged by his response, she scraped her thumbnail over his nipple, which caused him to startle and then curse under his breath.
Laughing, she said, “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I am sorry.”
“I still say you’re not.”
“Okay, I’m not. In fact, I might even do it again.”
“Please do.”
“Only if you return the favor.”
“Daisy,” he said, groaning. “I’m trying so hard to go slow, but you’re making me nuts.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not usually so forward. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t apologize for asking for what you want. I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t say what you’re thinking to me.”
“You’re bringing out a whole new side of me.”
“What side is that?”
“The hot and bothered side.”
“I love that side of you,” he said, laughing as he kissed her.
“So what’s the verdict on my shirt?”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I could be better if this pesky shirt wasn’t in my way.”
“In that case…” He helped her to remove it and then wrapped his arms around her, breathing deeply as her breasts pressed against his chest. “God, that feels good. You feel so good.”
“So do you.”
“I haven’t felt this good in a really long time,” he whispered.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good.”
“Daisy…” He devoured her with his lips and tongue as he cupped her breast.
She cried out from the shock of his thumb and forefinger closing around her overly sensitive nipple.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, sounding alarmed.
“No, not at all. It feels incredible.”
“You feel incredible. I want to touch you and kiss you everywhere.”
Daisy let out a nervous laugh. “Don’t let me stop you.”
He kissed her and caressed her and made her crazy with his fingers on her nipples, but that was all he did.
Daisy tried to reach between them to stroke the erection that pulsated against her leg, but he stopped her.
Groaning, she hovered somewhere between frustration and arousal, wanting more but knowing he was determined to take his time. While she respected his scruples, she hoped he would lighten up before she lost her mind from wanting him.
“All in good time, honey,” he whispered as he linked their fingers.
“How much time?”
“Why? Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m going slowly crazy.”
“I’m right there with you.”
“Then why—”
He kissed the words off her lips. “Trust me?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“I’m honored that you trust me. That means more to me than you could ever know. I really like you, Daisy, and I like what we’ve got going. I don’t want to mess it up by moving too fast when you’re still recovering. I promise that when we make love, it’ll be well worth the wait.”
“I just feel so…”
“What? Tell me how you feel.”
“Frustrated.”
His gentle laughter drew a reluctant smile from her.
“It’s not funny.”
“I know it isn’t. I feel the same way.”
“Could we maybe, you know, do what we did before?”
He dragged his hand over her thigh to press against her center. “Do you mean this?”
“Yes,” she said, breathlessly. “That.”
His fingers moved over her underwear, using the fabric to abrade her most sensitive area. He had her on the verge of explosive release with just a few passes. “Feel good?”
“It could feel better.”
He pressed a bit harder. “How’s this?”
“Still not as good as it could be.”
“You’re a rather demanding woman, Daisy Babson.”
“You told me I should ask for what I want.”
“And what is it that you want?”
“Your fingers.” She felt dizzy and light-headed, which was when she realized she was barely breathing. “Under my panties.”
He did as she requested, running his fingers lightly over the outer lips of her sex. “Like this?”
“David!”
His lips were curved into a smile when he kissed her. “Patience, my sweet.”
“I’m fresh out of patience at the moment.”
“The lady is sounding more and more aggravated by the second. I’d better tend to her before she exacts her revenge.”
“You’re a wise man, Dr. Lawrence.”
He gave her exactly what she wanted, his fingers focusing on the areas that throbbed for him, sliding into her in a motion that mimicked intercourse, driving her to a powerful full-body orgasm that left her sweating and panting and throbbing under the fingers he continued to press against her.
“How was that?” he asked after a long period of contented silence.
“Pretty damned good.”
“I’m relieved you didn’t say it could’ve been better.”
Laughing, she said, “It’s never been better. Do I get a turn now?”
“You need sleep more than I need favors.”
“Please?”
“Hmm, I’ve got a hot sexy woman in my bed, begging me to let her have her wicked way with me. What am I to do?”
“You really think I’m hot and sexy?”
“This isn’t proof enough?” he asked, placing her hand over his erection. “You’re very hot and very sexy, and I feel very lucky that you’re in my bed.”
“I feel lucky, too.” She pushed at his shoulders until he was lying flat on his back and went up on her knees to lean over him, peppering his chest and belly with soft, openmouthed kisses that had his muscles quivering in no time. Tugging on the waistband to his boxers, she said, “Take them off.”
“Daisy…”
“You’re doing what you’re told, remember?” Despite the brazen words, her hands trembled with nerves. Although she knew this was David and he’d never harm her in any way, the memories of another man and the constant fear of angering him were never far from her mind.
He removed the shorts and let his hands fall to the mattress, curling them into fists that Daisy fixated on. Tuning in to what had caught her attention, he flattened his hands on his belly. “I’d never, ever, ever hit you, Daisy. Ever.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Do you really? Do you know there is nothing you could do or say that would ever make me want to hurt you that way?”