Page 30 of White Collar Rancher

She sat up with a gasp. Since she’d kicked the blankets off, she had to scramble to find a sheet to pull over her torso.

“Justin,” she hissed.

He was sprawled next to her. The man took up as much of the bed as possible. A guy used to sleeping alone. She wouldn’t think about the satisfaction that gave her.

He wasn’t wearing any clothes either. They’d had sex until only a few hours ago. The delicious stiffness in her muscles and the faint taste of condom on her tongue would attest to that.

Her first thought was…he’d promised to clean the sheets this morning. All because he knew it would be on her mind otherwise. She liked clean sheets and the doctor in her liked body fluids in their place. He had intuited not only her preferences, but that it had been a sore spot her previous boyfriends picked at. Now she wasn’t as embarrassed about it as she used to be.

Her second thought was how magnificent he looked. Like…damn. She’d never been an admirer of genitalia. Privates were her job and in real life, on real people, they looked nothing like what Hollywood or any magazine portrayed. Penises were just not a mouthwatering body part.

Then there was Justin. His half-flaccid dick was draped across his thigh as he slumbered, and it was impressive. She knew the science behind morning wood, but it didn’t diminish his appeal. Or the fact that she could stare at him all morning.

The knocking came again. Along with a female calling for Justin. Was that his sister?

Mortification swamped her. She shoved Justin’s side. “Justin.”

His eyes popped open. The alarm drained away and a lopsided smile graced his face. “Hey.”

“I think Brigit’s here.”

He blinked and looked around. The mornings stayed dark longer this time of year, but the sun was up outside. “Did Isaiah sleep through the night?” His worry was back and he shot up. “Is he all right?”

They both peered into the baby monitor screen. Isaiah was wiggling around in his crib, letting out a small squawk every now and then.

The doctor in her had to reassure the frantic dad. “He’s just fine.” What a night to pick to sleep through, kid.

The creak of the front door resonated into the bedroom.

“Yo, Justin,” Brigit called. “You home?”

A man’s voice mumbled something. Caleb was here, too?

She wanted to dissolve into the bedding. Did everyone else get an audience when they finally decided to do something so out of character? And Justin’s family, no less.

“No.” Brigit sounded scandalized. Priya barely heard her whisper. “You think?”

Justin’s chuckle was weak and his look apologetic. “Caleb must’ve spotted your car.”

“Or my clothes all over the living room.” The only time she didn’t pick up after herself!

“Be right out,” Justin called. He put a hand on her shoulder. She must look like she planned to dive out the window into refrigerator temps. “Do what you need to do in here. Help yourself to any of my clothes. I’ll go talk to them and get Isaiah’s bottle ready.” He caught her eye. “We don’t have to go into detail. They don’t know it’s your car and they won’t tell anyone.”

She inhaled a long breath. When she’d helped Justin with Isaiah’s colic, she’d usually been gone before Brigit showed. She and Caleb shouldn’t know whose car that was. But would it be so bad if people knew they were sleeping together?

Yes. She was sleeping with Maisy’s ex, a patient’s ex. Her clientele was 100 percent women. She’d lose their trust faster than it took to do a pelvic exam.

“They can’t know I’m here.” Her voice shook. “My job…”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. “I’ll go out, grab your clothes and phone. Once they’re out working sheep, I’ll text you when it’s all clear. Wait in here as long as you need.”

She nodded, anxiety churning in her gut. He rolled out of bed and grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms off the floor. Once he ducked out of the room, she collapsed back.

What a fine mess she’d gotten herself into. She almost—almost—regretted staying so long. But after all those orgasms, it was hard to. This benefits thing might have something to it. She’d never been so comfortable with a partner while at the same time being so exposed. Her legs had been twined around his head, his shoulders, his waist. She’d gone down on him with her ass in the air. And he’d insisted on having the light on. He liked to watch her.

Her belly flipped as she recalled the mix of intensity and wonder in his gaze. It made a girl feel powerful.

Had he been like that with all his exes? She’d always understood Maisy’s infatuation, though she hadn’t supported the obsession, but this uncovered another layer. And that other woman who’d used him? Perhaps Priya had her own obsession with him. After all, one night together and she was sitting in his bedroom naked, risking her job.

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