Page 5 of Big Bold Security

“I want to,” he whispers, reaching for my hand. His tone makes me think we are talking about a completely different thing.

We walk in silence, sipping our coffee and enjoying being together. When we stop in front of the hospital, I resist the urge to lean up and kiss him. There is no denying the chemistry between us, but I am still unsure if our being together could cost me my medical license.

“Thank you,” I whisper, lifting my empty coffee cup to my lips in an attempt to hide the deep blush on my cheeks. “For walking me here.”

“Your safety is important to me,” he says, but neither of us makes a move to leave.

“Uhm…” I look toward the entrance and notice that it is fairly quiet. Giving his hand a slight tug, I pull him around the corner, out of sight.

“Scarlett,” Maverick whispers, stepping close and crowding me. My heart hammers in my chest with every step he takes in my direction. His intoxicating scent threatens to erase all logic from my head. A shiver runs down my body and heat pulses heavily in my belly from our close proximity. As if pulled by an invisible thread, our lips crash together. He closes the distance between us and I can feel the steel of his erection poking my belly. Throwing my arms around his neck the kiss turns more passionate and I want to give myself to him, completely. But he steps back before things can get too far; protecting me from myself.

“You were right before, about me being sore.” He whispers.

I look up to meet his eyes and I swallow at the heat in them. “Sore?”

“You mentioned ointment cream. Maybe later, you could come and apply some on my sore spots?”

“I…”

“That is, if you want to. My office is at…”

“I know where your office is located.”

“Good,” he whispers, lifting his hand to brush a hair behind my ear.

God, he’s so warm. I lean in and nuzzle his hand and he doesn’t say anything as he runs a finger down my face.

“I don’t know when you get off work but…”

“I’ll be there,” I say hurriedly, my voice breathy. I couldn’t sound any more eager if I wanted to.

Jesus Scarlett,have some self-respect.

I push away from Maverick and there’s an amused look on his face as he shrugs his hands into his pocket.

“See you soon, Scarlett.”

I watch him walk away and I slap my cheeks, hoping to smack my brain into working. Anything to regain sanity.

I can’t believe I was kissing him right outside the hospital. What if someone had seen us?

As I watch Maverick disappear into the crowd, I swear that this is the last time I am going to see him. My career is more important than whatever the hell is going on between us.

His sore shoulder though…

I do know a little about muscle therapy…

“It’s a small knife cut,” I chastise myself. He doesn’t need a massage. If he has a problem, he can just visit the hospital any time of the day.

I don’t know him, it’s useless to worry about him yet, it’s all I do all day.

I worry, I fantasize, I crave… and when the clock strikes six, I am out the door so fast not even Meredith and her hawk eyes see me fly past her.

I’ve already crossed the line… why stop now?

Chapter Four

Maverick