Page 13 of Iowa Intellect
A deep, sexy sound emerges from her throat just before she says, “Mm. You have such a strong scent.”
It takes me a moment to absorb her cryptic words. I pull back from her as I struggle to discern if a ‘strong scent’ is a good or bad thing. Finally, I give up and ask her, “Do I stink? I can go take another shower.”
To my surprise, she begins giggling. It’s not the amused chuckle of the dedicated doctor that I’ve heard ringing out so many times in the arena’s medical room. No, this is an adorable, girly giggle that is pure Caroline––rather than Dr. Wilson.
I love the relaxed and happy sound and find myself wanting to hear more of it as crinkles appear beside her eyes and she covers her mouth with her hand.
I’m completely mesmerized, openly watching her, and not caring a bit if my happy gaze makes it obvious how much I care about her.
Eventually, she shakes her head and says, “I am the worst flirter in the world.”
Her wonderful words nearly bowl me over. Stunned, I ask, “You’re flirting with me?”
This question makes her laughter escalate to an even higher pitch. A tear squeezes out of her eye, so I gently swipe it away with the back of my finger.
She’s still breathless from laughing when she answers. “I was trying to, but the fact that you had to ask makes it clear that I majorly failed with that mission.”
Shaking her head as if trying to clear it, she says in a more somber tone. “Let’s try that again. You have a very strong, masculine scent that I find to be quite appealing.”
Her spine is stiff and her wording is awkward, but hearing her make the effort to leave her comfort zone and flirt with me is more exciting than if the most beautiful bombshell in the world used her come-hither voice on me.
The anxious look Caroline is giving me makes it obvious that she’s desperate to know what I thought of her attempt at flirting.
Hoping to put her mind at ease, I lean in to nuzzle just behind her ear as I closely mimic her words. “Your scent is soft and feminine. I can’t get enough of it.”
It’s not a typical panty-dropping line, but when she leans back to blink up at me, I can tell it has done the trick to soothe her worries about her flirting abilities.
She nods briskly before saying, “Thank you, Brock. That’s very kind of you to say.”
Her extreme discomfort is endearing. It’s obvious that she isn’t used to interacting with men in a relaxed, sensual environment.
She seems to be expecting a response, so I give her a genuine smile before I once more mirror her formal wording. “You’re quite welcome, Caroline.”
Just as I’m getting ready to suggest that she can sleep in my bed while I snooze on the recliner in my room, she absolutely flabbergasts me by saying, “Shall we go have intercourse, then?”
14
CAROLINE
Stupid, stupid, stupid. How could I be so dumb?For someone who repeats a mantra every day about being brilliant, I sure can be an awkward idiot sometimes.
First off, I’ve been telling myself over and over that it’s a terrible idea to get involved with Brock. It could ruin my career. That should be enough of a deterrent right there from ever being intimate with him. Yet, somehow, I felt the need to boldly suggest precisely that to him.
Secondly, it’s not in my nature to be forward enough to suggest sex to a man. I’ve never known a grown man who didn’t pursue what he wants, so if Brock was attracted to me, he would make a move without me practically forcing it on him.
Third, and this one is a doozy…Who in their right mind asks for intercourse? Why couldn’t I just be normal and call it sex?Even the f-bomb, although it’s not a word that’s normally in my vocabulary, would have been better than using such a clinical term.
Replaying my formal question to him in my mind right now is practically making me gag. There is a reason why self-conscious introverts keep to themselves, and this is it. When we try to put ourselves out there, we make complete asses of ourselves.
Apparently, I need my confidence boosting medical coat or the razzle-dazzle of a sparkly mermaid tail in order to interact appropriately with people outside of my immediate circle.
The way he is gaping at me makes it obvious that he’s at a loss for words. My idiocy has left him speechless. He’s probably desperately searching for a way to let me down easy that will keep things from being strained between us at work. I’ve made that mission impossible, though, with my brazen suggestion.
I managed to make myself sound like a total hussy, despite the fact that I’m about as far as can be from that. I’ve managed to put my lack of experience in the bedroom on full display before we even had a chance to make it out of his hallway.
I wrap my arms around my knees and stare down at them. It’s all I can do to keep from rocking back and forth to soothe myself, but I’ve already embarrassed myself enough in front of Brock tonight. I don’t need to show him all of my quirks.
Eventually, he answers, “There’s nothing I’d like more.”
