Page 92 of Opening Strain

Her smile lights up her whole face. “On second thought, I guess it does make sense.

“Then you’ll join me?”

She blinks. “All right.”

Dare I kiss her to seal the deal? Her protests about professional requirements aside, I want to feel her lips on mine again. A moment from Quinn’s movie comes into focus, where she made it clear Darren’s physical therapy had been completed before they got together so as to avoid any ethical issues. This only cements her need to follow every rule to the letter. Which isnotin my DNA.

Time to break her out of the confines. I lean forward and kiss her, savoring every second of her response. Despite not wanting to, I keep my lips closed. I’m rewarded when the tip of her tongue reaches out.

I moan and crush her to my body, my tongue exploring her mouth like a madman. Her boobs flatten against my chest. Breakingapart, I trail kisses down her throat, then fuse our mouths again. My fingers hold her head to mine.

The feel of her lips on mine is more passionate than anything I’ve ever felt before—except for the last time we kissed. I want to make her come again. I want more. I want it all.

A ring bounces off the walls of the basement. It’s not mine. Jenna disengages from me. Eyes downcast but cheeks pink, she says, “My phone.”

I kiss her again. “Don’t answer it.”

Her hair brushes against her shoulders. “I have to. It’s my mother.”

My body seizes, then relaxes. It’shermother, not mine. Still, I don’t like sharing. I step forward again, running my finger down her pert nose. She swallows. The phone rings again. “I gotta take this.” She scampers away from me.

I let her have the conversation. After all, tonight she’s all mine.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Itake another spoonful of the white chocolate raspberry bread pudding. “You were right. This place is fantastic.”

“I’m going to gain a hundred pounds with you, but this dessert is worth it.” Jenna grins around her own spoon, filled with some sort of peanut butter chocolate concoction. For no reason at all, my cock leaps in my pants.

Shifting my weight between my hips, I admit, “I’m so glad I made it through the skater steps this afternoon, so we can enjoy this meal together.” I also plan on enjoying much more with her when we get back to Secluded Rest. Where norestingwill be done, doctor’s orders be damned.

Her spoon clatters into the empty bowl. “You’re getting the hang of them. Keep taking them slow, like you did today.”

“Thanks to your guidance. You need to tell Austin to take a chill pill before having another patient do them.”

She wipes her mouth. “I have to tell you, I was surprised when you told me he didn’t take it easier on you. He’s usually much more cautious.”

“Yeah, well”—I place my spoon onto the saucer—“guess I’mspecial.” I don’t share my personal opinion that he’s jealous of me and the time I’m spending with Jenna. She doesn’t see his shady motivations, and we’re having too good of a dinner to poke this particular bear.

“I will definitely have a conversation with him.”

The fact I’m leaving for UC’s tour in three days, nearly two, torments me. My fingers tighten around the wine glass. I don’t want to let her leave now that I’ve found her. I need to set up a way to keep in touch. Fly her out to concerts? Visit with her on breaks? Buy Secluded Rest so we can be together during my downtime?

Will that be enough?

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the tour. I don’t want to leave you, Jenna.”

She tucks her hair behind her ear, which she left loose for tonight’s meal. “You’ve been doing great with your therapy. Continue doing your exercises during the tour and you’ll be fine.”

“I need your oversight. What if I mess something up? Like those stupid skater jumps?”

“You’ll be fine. Listen to your body.”

My body cries out forher. I lean my forearms on the table. “Jenna?—”

“Yes! I knew I’d find you! It’s been so long. Way too long!”

At the fan’s exclamations, I pull away from Jenna and turn to the woman standing at my side. She’s about the same height as Jenna, but that’s where the similarities end. This chick has long, bleached blonde hair, probably due to extensions, and a rack that’s definitely been surgically enhanced. It’s her light blue eyes that crawl inside me, though.

---