Chapter 5 #2
Oh, he was sure it would be. But he had to check they were on the same page. ‘You’re interested in just sex? And you’re OK with me not being able to offer anything more?’
‘Just sex.’ She nodded. ‘Another… favour… between friends.’
Damn, that was a favour he wanted to give. Or accept. Or both. ‘And you’re good with just fucking and still being friends. Just a mutual scratching of itches.’
She didn’t wince at the deliberately crude word.
‘I’d insist on it. I’m not losing you as a friend, Aiden.
Not over a one-off event. However much fun it would be.
But I will remind you I’m a healthcare professional.
If you have itches in any of those areas, I strongly suggest you book an appointment with one of my colleagues. ’
He watched her for a couple of seconds, struggling to keep a straight face before creasing up laughing. He had to cough a couple of times to clear his throat enough to speak. ‘I’ll have you know I’m sensible… I always wrap my banana.’
This time Mia was the one struggling to keep a straight face. ‘Those poor, abused bananas.’
He laughed again before sobering up. ‘Are you serious about this?’
‘No. Not in the least. Isn’t that the whole point?’ The smile she gave him was so hot that it melted through all his arguments and sense to settle low in his stomach.
‘Mia, do you—?’ The shrilling chimes of the shop phone interrupted, and he cursed. ‘Can we come back to this in a minute? Glimmers and Sparkles, Aiden speaking. How can I help?’
After a few minutes that felt like ice ages, Mia stood and brushed off her skirt, waved apologetically and rushed out through the store.
Clearly whatever spell had been over them had been broken, which was probably – almost definitely – for the best. Aiden knew his rules were there for a reason, and none of those had changed.
It was definitely for the best.
His phone pinged a few minutes later with a message from Mia. He braced himself mentally before opening it, already planning a heartfelt apology, and scratched at his shoulder blade.
Sorry about the quick exit. I have clinic this afternoon.
That was less bad than he’d expected – and probably deserved.
He hesitated in his reply when Mia’s dots reappeared…
A local address flashed up on his screen, but nothing more.
He watched as the dots appeared then disappeared, then reappeared again, and was running out of patience when the next message pinged through.
My address. In case you wanted to finish our conversation. I usually get home about six on clinic days.
Fucking wow.
Mia sighed as she shut her front door and kicked off her shoes. She checked her phone again… Yup, she really had sent those messages, and she really had had that conversation with Aiden. But his simple reply – See you then – hadn’t told her what he thought of them.
She wasn’t sure if she knew what she thought of them herself, and she’d written them.
She shook her head, laughing as she headed through the little kitchen and into the bathroom.
She’d just washed her hands to remove her lenses when she heard a knock at her front door.
She grinned at herself in the mirror: it was time to let her hair down, both literally – she pulled out the clip that had been holding it up for most of the day – and figuratively.
She ran her fingers through her hair, shaking it out into a wavy mess as she headed back to the front door. A frisson of heat shuddered through her when she saw Aiden’s tall shape shadowing the stained glass, and settled low in her stomach.
‘Hello.’ She felt almost shy. ‘I wasn’t sure if you’d come.’
‘Neither was I,’ he admitted quietly, before flashing a cheeky grin at her. ‘But even if you’re worried your skills are a bit… rusty, I’m confident enough in mine to make sure we both do!’
‘Make sure we both…?’ It took Mia a few moments to work it out, and then laughed before thumping his chest. She let her hand rest where it had landed, thumb rubbing over the leather of his jacket.
‘I’m dreadful, I know.’
‘Maybe a little, but you’re good fun too.’
‘Mia.’ He covered her hand with his, long fingers reaching down to wrap around her wrist. ‘Being totally serious now – I don’t want you to think that I’ve come here with any expectations of you.’
‘Really?’
‘Honestly.’
The easy openness in his gaze evaporated any hints of doubt she might have had and sparked the wickedness he so often brought out in her. ‘That’s a shame.’
‘It is?’ His hand tightened around her wrist, and his thumb stroked over the back of her hand, producing far more intense sensation than such an innocent gesture should have been able to manage.
‘Yeah.’ She pressed her hand more firmly against his chest, pushing him backwards a half-step. ‘Because I have expectations, Aiden. After all your talk, all your teasing… I have big expectations.’
This time his grin was slower, and had a predatory edge to it that sent her pulse rocketing while heat fluttered through her and flooded her core.
She didn’t know who reached for the other first and it didn’t matter, because his lips were hot and hungry against hers, his beard rasping against her skin as her fingers tightened against the leather to pull him closer.
He filled her senses – warm and solid against her, smelling deliciously of something woody and spicy against the heavy smell of leather. His mouth scorched heat through her and melted all thoughts from her mind except for the feel and taste and smell of him.
Then his hands were on her hips, dragging her against him – hard – so she could feel everything, and it still wasn’t enough.
Her fingers fumbled against the leather, searching and scrabbling for the cool metal zip to shove the heavy jacket out of her way so she could tug at his shirt and reach his bare skin.
‘Mia.’ Her name was a plea on his lips, driving her higher and hotter.
She scraped her fingers down his chest and over his stomach, feeling the muscles tense.
Then his mouth was on her neck, kissing, nibbling and tasting while his beard left pinpricks of pleasure against her skin, drawing soft whimpers from her.
She arched against him, groaning when he hit an extra sensitive spot.
It was delicious and decadent and made her ache as he chased hot goosepimples over her flesh, following the path of the zip on her uniform. ‘You know, I’ve always had a bit of a fantasy about a naughty nurse.’
His words tickled and shocked a laugh from her. ‘Don’t all men?’
‘Probably. But it was never this hot. You’re stunning, Mia.’
‘Oh.’ She let her head drop back while he kissed and licked hungry patterns over her skin, sending flames racing through her, making it hard to think about anything except how much she was aching for more.
‘I can’t… I need…’ She couldn’t find the words, so dug her fingers into his hair and pulled him up so she could fasten her mouth on his again.
She dragged her teeth over his bottom lip, making him groan and tighten his grip – so she did it again, harder.
He growled, the sound sending shivers of desperate hunger down her spine, and shoved her against the wall, shocking a strangled yelp from her.
‘Sorry. Too much?’ He stroked her cheek, eyes burning into her.
‘Not even nearly.’