Page 61 of Seduction
Penina Ross
The surgery was nine hours and twenty-three minutes long. That was good timing. The procedure ended two hours ahead of expectations, and not only did the patient survive, but Jake was able to get all of the tumor. He made no mistakes and directed his team as if we were a fine-tuned machine.
He was so hot, and sexy as hell. Watching Jake work was such a turn-on. I could hardly believe we had broken up the previous night, because I wanted him so bad that my pussy twitched whenever I thought about him. He wanted me too. I was certain of it. I caught him looking at me from time to time, and all I saw in his eyes was pure lust. Maybe we could have a completely sexual relationship. I wouldn’t need to know his real name or where he came from or where he planned to go once his cover was blown. Some of our nosiest colleagues would eventually figure out his real story.
“Penina, to my office, please,” Jake said.
When I snapped my attention to the door of the call room, it was closing, and he was gone. I’d been freshening up after surgery, and I quickly ran deodorant under my other armpit, tossed the stick back into my locker, slammed it shut, and went to go see what Jake wanted.
As I walked down the hallway and crossed the bridge that led to the offices, I thought about where we would have all the sex to fulfill the sort of relationship I was going to propose to him. A hotel room would be neutral ground. He would pay for one night and I another. Even though he was obviously loaded, I would feel like a cheap call girl if he paid for all the nights.
I stopped in front of his office and balled my fist to knock but froze to think about how I should do it. I didn’t want him to think I was eager to see him, even though I was.And what’s wrong with eager anyway, Pen?I twisted my mouth thoughtfully. Still, I didn’t want to come off that way. So I took a deep breath to cool my anxiety and gave the door three strong knocks.
“Come in,” he said.
I paused, taking note of his tone. He was sharp and professional. Perhaps he wanted to speak to me about my performance in the OR that day. It had been stellar, as far as I was concerned. Whenever my gaze had connected with his, it sent my heart racing, but other than that, I was in rare form, and I was ready to defend my performance when I pushed the door open.
Jake stood at the window, looking out over the courtyard.
“Penina, have a seat on the sofa,” he said without turning to acknowledge me.
Choked by trepidation, I crossed my arms and sat. “Is everything okay?”
I waited for him to say something. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“My need for you won’t go away. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to stay in the penthouse until we figure out what to do next,” he said.
I smashed my lips together, increasing tension. Boy, did he sound entitled to get what he wanted when he wanted it. “To do next?” I asked, shaking my head. “Do you remember last night?”
“Of course, Penina,” he said in a strained voice.
It was the perfect moment to share with him my idea of how we should proceed. But watching his towering presence and hearing his voice made me know for certain that I wouldn’t be able to give him my body and soul through sensual sex and not fall in love with him. What was happening between Jake and me was different from any relationship I’d been in or contemplated. Something in me was drawn to him as if I had magnets in my heart, brain, and pussy that could only connect to Jake Sparrow.
“Then what do you want from me, Jake?” I sighed as I rose wearily to my feet, ready to leave at a moment’s notice. I was exhausted. We’d had a long surgery, a long night, and frankly, I would’ve been okay continuing our discussion the next day.
He finally turned around. His pale eyes beaming at me were translucent yet so opaque. Then he moved toward me, and not only had I forgotten how tired I was, but I neglected to breathe. Jake stopped in front of me. His presence washed over me, and I felt as though I were floating in the atmosphere on a perfect, cloudless, and warm day.
What is this feeling?
Is it…
It is…
He was home.
Our eye contact remained strong. The wings of butterflies fluttered in my chest and stomach.
Jake’s hands shot up but stopped short of coming down on my shoulders. Instead, he let his arms fall along his sides. “Penina, what you’ve suspected of me is clearly the case. I’m hiding a lot about myself. But I’m not ready to disclose what that is. I can’t. My life would change if I did, and I like my life, but not if you’re not in it.”
I shook my head slightly.Shit.He’d just confessed he indeed had secrets, and more importantly, he didn’t want to reveal them.
I scratched the back of my neck, coming up with a list of the sorts of secrets he might have that I could absolutely never accept. “Are you married?”
He chuckled. “No, Penina. I’m not married.”
“Have you committed murder?”
He furrowed his brow.
