Page 7 of Her Mountain Christmas
“No,” she whispers. “It feels…” She trails off, and I press my thumbs against her again. She lets out a soft moan that makes heat gather in my gut. “So good. I mean…” She makes a slightly panicked sound. “Um, it doesn’t hurt.”
I continue my examination, running my hands carefully down her spine, feeling each vertebra through the thin cotton of my shirt. Her breath hitches again as I reach the small of her back, her body arching slightly into my touch. I grit my teeth, trying to ignore the way my balls are throbbing.
“Any pain here?” I ask. Never in my professional career have I been this affected by a simple exam.
“Just a little sore,” she breathes. “Very minor.”
I move back around to face her, my hands lingering on her waist as I drop to my knees in front of her. Her eyes meet mine, wide and innocent, but there’s a spark there, something that tells me she’s not unaffected by this. I slide my hands down to her hips, checking for any signs of injury. Her breathing goes ragged, her chest rising and falling in quick little pants.
“Jack,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.
I look up at her, my hands still on her hips. “Yes, sweetheart?”
She swallows hard, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. “I…I think I’m okay.”
I nod, my thumbs circling on her hipbones, massaging gently. “I think so, too. But I need to be sure.” I slide my hands down to her calves, and she shifts in the chair, giving me a teasing glimpse of her little pink panties. I glance up at her, and her eyes are bright, glittering as they meet mine. She spreads her legs slightly and shifts in her chair, making her panties pull taught against her little pussy. I can see the outline of her lips through the thin fabric, and my cock pulses in my pants.
I clench my teeth together and focus on the task at hand, somehow managing to tear my eyes away from the little show I can’t help but think she gave me on purpose.
I check her ankles, her feet, running my hands over every inch of her. She squirms, gasping softly as I press my thumbs into the arch of her foot.
“Ticklish?” I ask, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
She nods, giggling. The sound goes straight to my heart, making it clench in my chest. I want to hear that sound again. I want to make her laugh, make her smile. Make her moan.
Make her mine.
All thoughts I should not be thinking right now.
I stand abruptly and pace a few steps away, heart pounding, dick throbbing. I clench and unclench my fists as I walk to the sink and pour myself a glass of water, then down it in one go.
Ella turns in her chair, arms draped across the back, head resting on her hands. She’s so fucking pretty.
And so fucking young.
I want to kiss her. I want to pick her up and find out what other delicious sounds I can get her to make. I want to wrap my arms around her and shelter her from whatever sent her out into the storm in the first place.
It’s insanity. I don’t know the first thing about her.
But I want to. I want to know everything. It’s like I’ve been struck by lightning. Rearranged just from looking at her.
I need to go to sleep. I’m losing it.
“Your tea,” I say, clearing my throat when my voice comes out like sandpaper. I pick up the mug and hand it to her. When our eyes meet, there’s a sparkle in hers, something bright and almost mischievous. Does she know how wound up I am over her right now?
She bites her lip as she takes the mug from me, our fingers brushing and sending electricity racing up my arm. Her eyes widen slightly, and she smiles into her mug.
Fuck me, I think she does know. And I think she likes it.
I need to get out of here before I say or do something I can’t take back. Before I lift her onto the counter and ask her for another peek at those pink panties she flashed at me.
“You should get some rest,” I say, impressing myself with how even my voice sounds. “It’s been a long day.”
She pouts slightly. “Oh. Is the…examination over?”
“Yes. You’re fine, from what I can tell. No signs of concussion or other injury. You might be a little stiff and sore, though. There’s Tylenol in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom upstairs if you need it.”
“Okay.” She stands, cradling her mug. “Thank you, Jack. For everything.”
