Page 37 of Some Like It Deadly
“The stuff is here.” She tapped the fresh bandages and tape on the counter along with the antibiotic ointment they’d given her at the hospital.
Sucking in another lungful of her sweet, feminine scent, Richard forced himself to focus on the task at hand. “This might sting when I pull it off.”
“I’m all about ripping the Band-Aid off.” Tough and beautiful, she never failed to impress him. She resettled her stance and braced her good hand on the counter. “Do it.”
Wiping his palms against his shorts, he closed the distance between them. Her gaze met his in the still foggy mirror and Richard smiled. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
The corner of her mouth tilted. “I have wet, stringy hair and I’m wearing a towel. I hardly think that qualifies.”
“Oh.” He traced a finger across her shoulder and gathered up the wet mass to push it out of his way. “I think it more than qualifies. When you’re all glammed up, you’re stunning, but I think I like you like this best.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why?”
All of his blood went south at the word “bite” and he traced the base of her “creek-dogging” scar. It went down farther than he’d realized, all the way to the bottom of her shoulder blade. It must have been a hell of a cut.
“Warm, soft and damp from the shower?” He dipped his head, giving into temptation and pressed his lips to the flutter of her pulse. The catch of her breath encouraged him and he nibbled another soft kiss. She tasted sweet and her heart began to race, the erratic beat going crazy beneath his lips.
“Richard…” The strained note in her voice elongated the syllables in his name and he bit gently on her skin, sucked lightly and she swayed. Closing his hand around her good shoulder, he held her steady and continued to kiss his way up to her jaw. Kate’s head fell back and Richard sealed the last few inches between them so she could rest her head against his shoulder. Her wet hair dampened his shirt, but he continued his leisurely exploration of her jaw. The nibbling little touches brought his need to a fever pitch.
Tracing his fingers up her arm, he adored the softness of her skin and the supple muscles contracting under the contact. She turned her head and her mouth parted. He took the invitation, branding her into his blood, and savored the long, thorough exploration complete with teasing swipes of her tongue.
She moaned and the sound vibrated through him. Biting down on her lower lip, he held his hips still when her sweet bottom rubbed against his cock and every molecule in his bodystrained toward her. Sliding his hand to the nape of her neck, he held her and deepened the kiss further.
When she moaned again, he ripped off the bandage.
Her gasp came sharp and hot against his lips and he took another long thorough kiss before letting them both up for air. The golden glints in her wide eyes glimmered at him and a pink flush spread across her cheeks. But her mouth—God, her lips were slick and wet and swollen.
Nipping her lower lip, he whispered. “You need to look at the mirror again.”
“Why?” The dazed sound stroked his ego and his smile grew. She was not remotely immune to him. Good because his body practically screamed for hers.
“Because I need to check your stitches and put a fresh bandage on.” He held up the other one. “I think I can really get behind this ripping the Band-Aid off method.” The flush on her cheeks spread and to his absolute delight, her ears went red. The rise and fall of her breasts attracted his attention and he reached down and carefully pulled the towel back up.
“And you should hold this tighter.” He deserved a fucking medal for his restraint. Disposing of the bandage, he gave her a moment to gather herself then checked her stitches. It was an ugly mottling of black and blue, the skin held together by two tightly woven bits of surgical thread. A bit swollen, but otherwise clean, he took gentle care in applying the ointment around, but not on the stitches before he added the clean bandage and tape.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her shoulder, he glanced up to meet the wide-open curiosity in her gaze via the mirror. “You good?”
“You’re amazing,” she whispered and his face heated at the quiet sincerity in her words. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Good.” He leaned down and rested his cheek against hers, a wave of possessiveness overtaking him. “Because I feel the sameway about you.” Instead of pulling away, she relaxed against him. Something deep inside him eased at the show of trust. “You should get dressed. I’m going to cook you a fantastic dinner and we’re going to talk.”
She stared at him steadily, then nodded. “Okay.”
“And, Kate?” He turned and pressed her lips against the side of her head. “The door on my side? It’s wide open. You think about it.”
He left her alone and headed back down the stairs. His cock would have a zipper imprint in it after that kiss, but, all seduction aside, he wanted the cool rational woman to want him every bit as much as her feminine soft and melting counterpart had in that bathroom.
She’d come alive in his arms and her kiss had turned fierce, as demanding and giving as his own. If he’d pushed it, they could be naked right now—of that he had no doubt.
Yes, he had her body, but he wanted her mind and that took a whole new level of seduction.
Whistling, he set the potatoes into the pre-heated oven and pulled out the salad fixings to chop and toss.
Chapter 10
Kate
For seven long minutes after Richard strolled out the door, Kate stood in the bathroom and tried to get her rebellious heart under control. Heat flushed her face and her skin tingled with the memory of everywhere he’d touched her.
