Jacked (Trent Brothers #1)(85)
Erin gazed at the floor. “Good question.”
“I don’t know how things work with hospital administration, but unless I hear it directly from my commanding officer, it’s usually just rumors. People running their mouths.”
She rubbed her forehead. “And I just talked to Doctor Wilson about it a few days ago.”
“Doctor Wilson?”
“My boss,” she said. “Review committee isn’t supposed to even meet for another few weeks, that’s why I’m so confused.”
I nudged her back, getting her to lean on me. “Sound like that nurse or whatever was feeding you a line of bullshit.”
Erin nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“I usually am.”
She rolled her eyes. “Doctor Wilson will be in on Monday. I’ll just have to wait until then, I guess.”
I grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and shook it open. “Good. Then you’ll get answers on Monday. So for now, just relax. C’mere.” It took a tiny bit of coaxing, but she relented pretty quickly. I pulled her down, curling her body into my chest, feeling her warmth seep into my aching soul. I wasn’t sure who needed who more here. Her or me?
I tossed the blanket over us, making sure she wasn’t going anywhere, not while I had her finally in my arms. I twined my fingers with hers and placed a small kiss on her shoulder. It felt so natural. “Rest, babe. It will all work out. I promise.”
FOR THE FIRST time in a long time, I couldn’t remember my dream. I wasn’t sure if I even had one beyond feeling as if I’d been floating on a cloud; the sweet nothingness was such a relief. The large flat screen TV was on, though the volume was very low. I tested my unwilling legs, giving them a needed stretch, feeling something rigid underneath my feet.
A warm body stirred behind me, a pair of legs shifted with mine, and I remembered I was far from alone. I didn’t feel that private ache deep within my heart, either—that hollowness that stemmed from wondering if I’d ever be here, like this, within the tender embrace of someone special.
His deep exhale was followed by a large hand tensing on my ribs and sock-clad feet brushing over mine; and though I couldn’t see him yet in the soft light and the haze of my unfocused eyes, it sounded as though he was waking up along with me.
When I laid my head down on this pillow, I knew I’d be safe and cared for, despite the troubles that plagued my mind.
Adam’s arms were holding me just tightly enough to let me know that the man behind me didn’t want me to go anywhere.
I tried not to think about anything else but the incredible body pressed against mine, the slow hand sliding over my stomach, the unsaid messages he was conveying with a careful touch.
That little voice of doubt most women harbor tried to remind me not to read into this too much, not to get my hopes up, for I knew how quickly the presumed bliss could turn to cold abandonment. I tried to squash her, that annoying niggle, because the soft kiss he’d just placed on my exposed neck was enough to engulf me.
I ran my hand over the top of his, feeling the warmth of flesh and the roughness of his manly skin and a million tiny impulses of our growing connection, and as if he could read me, our fingers slid together, his thicker digits curling around mine.
Could I dare to allow myself to hope once again?
Adam’s cheek nuzzled my hair, his lips brushed the edge of my ear, and my entire body tingled to life. I needed to see him, to know if he was real and not just some very vivid fantasy concocted in my lonely brain.
Sleepy milk-chocolate eyes greeted me, and his gaze was so focused, so sincere, so filled with what I could only hope was desire, I was lost in that sense of falling.
His hand softly brushed my hair back while he just looked at me, and I felt stripped bare and open to the possibilities and wondering if this amazing feeling could last a lifetime.
I wanted him to kiss me and was thinking about making the first move, but he beat me to it. Just the mere thought of his amazing mouth on mine took my breath away.
His kiss was light at first, full lips coving mine, but it was enough to pull me under his spell. His soft suck on my upper lip, a wordless call, made me open my eyes. His eyes were opened too, speaking a thousand silent messages just for me.
Before I could capture my next breath his lips were back on mine, hungry—starving actually—just like mine were for him.
My fingers threaded through his short hair, tickling my skin, while the rest of my body lit on fire. His tongue was hypnotic, luring me to plot how I could get more of him inside me without appearing like an easy piece of ass.
Part of me didn’t care.
The part of me that had been starved for this passionate affection wanted to pull his shirt off and wrap my legs around his hips and take my fill.
My mother’s ancient words of buying cows and getting milk for free and lectures of never cheapening myself swirled about, making that ridiculous girl inside my thoughts question how far this might go. I hated that my insecurities chose this moment of all moments to make an appearance and dampen the overpowering lust swirling about.
Adam’s hand slid over my hip, cupping my rear.
I could feel his erection in his jeans; it was hard and ready and probably pulsing in time with my heart. His fingers found the opening where his T-shirt separated from my stomach and just the simple touch sent jolts of awareness right through my body.