Melt (Steel Brothers Saga #4)(11)

When I had to pause for another breath, he dragged me to him, whispering, “My God. Melanie, my God.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said again. “So very sorry.”

He pulled back slightly again, and I met those blazing dark eyes.

“Why are you sorry? I’m sure not.”

I took advantage of my position and pushed him hard, so his back hit the wall by the door to my office. I gasped. The office door was still open. Where was Randi? I looked out the door toward the reception area.

“No one’s out there,” Jonah said. “That’s why I knocked on your door.”

Randi had a dental appointment this afternoon. I’d forgotten. “Right. She left early.”

Jonah smiled at me. God, he was gorgeous.

“I, for one, am glad she’s not here.” He came toward me.

I held up my hand. “No.”

“Why? Aren’t you enjoying it?”

I’d never enjoyed a kiss more. That wasn’t the point. “It’s unprofessional. I’m your therapist.”

He smiled again, and my heart nearly melted right onto the floor.

“We can take care of that. I can find another therapist.”

He was temptation personified. Such a beautiful man, so strong, so virile. I could have him. His erection was apparent beneath his jeans, and perspiration was slick on his skin.

But I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t.

“After this, you probably need to find another therapist regardless. This was completely unprofessional behavior on my part, and I hope…” My lips trembled. “My only excuse is that I was looking at papers when you came in, some papers from a former patient. I was overly emotional, and I—”

He walked forward and covered my lips with his finger. “Shh. You don’t need to explain anything. You’re an amazing kisser, Melanie.”

I warmed from my scalp to my toes. I looked down. My blouse was mussed, and my nipples were protruding right through my bra and the silky green fabric. I quickly crossed my arms over my chest. “Please, this is not something I normally do. I’ve never kissed a patient before.”

“Do I look like I’m complaining?”

“Professionalism is very important to me, Mr. Steel.”

“Now we’re back to Mr. Steel?”

“Uh…Jonah.” His name left my lips as a soft caress. Jonah. What a beautiful name—a rugged, masculine name for a rugged, masculine man. “Please, I need you to accept my apology.”

“Fine, if it makes you feel better. I accept your apology. And I’d love to accept another kiss.”

God, so would I. But that wasn’t going to happen. I fussed with my blouse a bit, willing my nipples to soften. I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. Why did you come back?”

He stalked toward me, a feral look in his dark eyes. “My cell phone seems to be missing. Otherwise I would’ve called you before I barged back in.”

I nodded. “Go ahead and have a look.”

He headed toward the chair where he’d been sitting, and sure enough, a few seconds later, he held up his phone.

I shook all over. More than anything, I wanted him to kiss me again.

His eyes were so full of fire. So full of want and need. The air between us was thick with lust. Or was it my imagination?

All I knew for sure was that if he didn’t leave my office this instant, I would launch myself at him again. I dug my feet into the carpeting, forcing them to stay where they were. Turned out it was futile, because he came toward me.

“Melanie,” he said.

My name from his lips sounded beautiful. A verbal caress. Still, I forced my feet not to move.

“No.” I held up my hand. “Stop right there. Don’t come any closer to me.”

Still, he stalked forward. “Why? Why do you want to deny whatever this is between us?”

“I… You’re a patient. You’re not available to me. And even if I wanted you to be available to me, I’m not in any state to begin anything with anyone.”

“I told you before. I’ll find another therapist.”

“Jonah, you’re not hearing me. I’m a mess. And I’m not looking for a quickie on my desk.”

“Who said anything about a quickie?”

“I… Just the way you’re looking at me.” Visions of him swooshing the disorganized papers from my desk and thrusting into me atop it littered my mind. My nipples puckered, and again I throbbed between my legs.

How long had it been for me? I hadn’t had any kind of relationship in over five years, and other than a few one-night stands, which I wasn’t particularly proud of, I hadn’t had any sex either.

A quickie with Jonah Steel wasn’t the worst idea.

But not now. He was a patient. His brother was a patient. It was just all too wrong.

As he closed the distance between us, I crossed my arms over my chest again, wishing I formed a more imposing presence.

“You just stop right there. Don’t come any nearer to me. I swear to God, I will scream.”





Chapter Five





Jonah




I stalked toward her. “Who’s going to hear you? You said yourself the secretary is gone for the day.”