Free Can't Touch This by Pepper Winters, Tess Hunter Page B

hands to myself—only to guide you safely into the bath.”
    His voice dropped an octave as desire cycloned stronger. “Can’t be too careful with how woozy you feel.”
    His hand came up—I didn’t know if it was to cup my suddenly aching breast or to hold me steady as I swooned into him.
    Either way, I took a blundering step backward. “Naked is not something you’re going to see.”
    His face darkened. “Ever?”
    I softened. “Maybe.”
    I’m lying out of my ass.
    If I wasn’t sick, I would drag him into that vanilla scented bath with me. I’d had enough of my dry spell and Ryder got to me like cat-nip got to Visa.
    “Is this more of a ‘you show me yours then I’ll show you mine’ kinda deal?” His fingers teased his paint dotted t-shirt. “I’m happy to stand here starkers. Fuck, you’d be doing me a favour if you let me get out of these jeans.” His hand dropped between his legs. “My cock hasn’t stopped throbbing since I saw how awesomely practical you are by bulk buying tampons.”
    I swatted him. “Ugh, you’re unbelievable.”
    He ducked. “And you’re bloody addicting.” Letting the outline of his erection go, he dragged both hands through his hair. “Okay, enough. If you flirt with me anymore, I’m going to push you against that wall and fuck you. And that would be bad because I have morals and seducing a sick vet goes against that code.” He groaned long and low. “Even though I really, really, really want to fuck you, Vesper.”
    My eyes bugged as a rush of wetness filled my knickers.
    Flu or no flu.
    Do it. Take me. Oh my God, just do me.
    Taking a step back, he splayed his hands in surrender. “One last time, do you need help getting naked and into the bath?”
    For a second, I paused. Screw my aching sinuses and cloudy synapses. If he wanted to get it on with a flu-addled, sleep-befuddled, debt-drowning, micro-managing woman, who was I to stop him? But then common sense hit me around the back of the head.
    If I slept with him.
    When I slept with him. I wanted to remember every detail, every taste, every freckle, and kiss.
    Patience was a virtue, even though my pussy and nipples had turned siege on me and become mortal enemies.
    Pinching the brow of my nose, I did my best to ignore my sexual frustration. “ Definitely not required. You’ve done more than enough.” I coughed. “You can leave now. Thanks for everything.”
    Steam curled from the bathroom behind him, reminding me that it’d been over a year since I’d had a bath and that was only because I’d sprained my back lifting a Bulldog onto the inspection table.
    I didn’t know how to…relax.
    Living alone meant I didn’t like to be quiet. It felt lazy. If I wasn’t watching a guilty episode of Netflix, I was researching new drugs, or reading studies online for new treatments.
    There was nothing else in my life but veterinary.
    It’s sad really.
    Until Ryder wise-cracked and insulted his way into it.
    “Okay, then.” Stepping from the small space and encroaching on mine in the corridor, Ryder smiled—unsuccessfully hiding the desire still bright in his eyes. “Let the water run and then climb in. I’m going to see what food you have.”
    Holy crap, he’d almost given me an orgasm just by talking to me, cared enough to overlook my mess and run me a bath, and now wanted to cook for me?
    I need to marry this man.
    Either that, or kidnap him and keep him in my basement so no one else could steal him.
    You don’t have a basement.
    Drat!
    Reaching out, I latched my fingers around his wrist as he pushed off back to the lounge. It was the first time I’d touched him and my fingers erupted with sensation as his pulse thundered beneath soft skin.
    I forgot what I was going to say.
    “You do have food, right?” Ryder asked softly, his gaze flicking from where I held him and back to my eyes. Once again, lust swirled like ribbons, tying us tighter and tighter together.
    Swallowing, I shook my head.