Page 66 of Wild For You

His mouth devours mine, mirroring my own hunger for him. His tongue slow dances with mine, tangling and untangling.

I’m breathing so hard, my lungs are threatening to explode from the sheer effort to draw oxygen.

But he’s the only oxygen I need now.

His touch is all that my body craves.

My core catches fire, and a deep moan escapes my lips. I’m sure if he were to touch me down there, he’d find me soaking wet, and so very ready for him.

It has been too long, that’s why I want him so much.

Oh, who am I kidding?

Even if I had been with another man the previous day, I know I’d still want him.

Cash tenses a moment before he withdraws from me, looking as dishevelled as I feel. Realizing that this is slowly turning into something much bigger than a little crush, I supress a giggle.

“Erin,” Cash whispers. “There’s another reason why I’ve been hiding from you. I’ve never felt so attracted to anyone in my life.”

I wet my lips and nod, unsure where the hell he’s going with this. But it sure feels like a direction I want him to take…just not now.

I want to kiss him. Feel him. I want him inside me.

“It’s hard to explain,” Cash continues, oblivious to the urgency gathering deep inside me. “But when you were lying on the ground, unconscious, I thought I’d lose you.” His hands cup my face, his eyes two bright dots that betray their depths even in the darkness surrounding us. “You’ve come to mean something to me. I don’t know why. I don’t even know how. I just know that you’re the first woman who’s made me feel more…and we haven’t even had sex yet.” He shakes his head slowly and smiles. “I didn’t think it would ever happen. First, I blamed it on not having fucked anyone for so long. But it’s something else. Something that scares the shit out of me.”

I freeze, suddenly sober as all alcohol seems to evaporate from my veins.

Is this a dream because there’s no way he’s saying what I think I’m hearing.

“You have feelings?” I whisper.

“Not just feelings. I have this strange desire burning for you. I find myself wanting to know everything about you while feeling the need to push you away so we don’t get too involved. I care for you.”

Oh.

I blink once, twice. Stupid me for building a castle out of sand only to watch the tide roll in to see it all crumble to dust.

“That’s normal.” It takes all my willpower to keep my voice controlled, but disappointment still manages to crawl in.

“It is?” He frowns.

I turn to the window, pretending to watch the soft light of the lantern shining on the veranda. Tears prick my eyes, which is such a strange reaction for me. I clear my throat to get rid of the strangled sensation in my throat.

“Many patients develop feelings for the therapist.” Usually, it doesn’t happen the other way around. But I guess there’s an exception to every rule. I shake off the thought. “So far, three patients have proclaimed their undying love for me. Many mistake gratitude for love. It happens.”

“Did you get involved with any of them, like with me?”

I turn to regard him, surprised by the seriousness in his voice. “No.”

His eyes are hard, demanding the truth I’m more than willing to give him. “Did you get attached to them?”

I shake my head. “No.”

My heart pounds against my ribcage, suddenly afraid of his next possible question. He can’t ask me whether I feel anything for him, not least because I don’t think I could lie.

A soft breeze wafts past, carrying the scent of the nearby woods.

It takes him a long time before he poses the question. “Did you get attached to me?”

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