Chapter 6
It's a good thing Clara is as flustered as she is because if that gorgeous woman would have paid any more attention to what was going on just inches from her…
She would have seen the straining erection I've been fighting since she arrived.
Clearing my throat, I stand up from the couch, take the shirt I've been holding, and slip it back down over my head.
"Whatever you say, doc."
The pain flares through my side a little at that, but it's really nothing. I've dealt with far worse after my back injury.
Clara rolls her lips between her teeth for a moment and offers the epitome of a "professional smile."
She really is too cute for her own damn good, and I remember seeing her cornered by those Cobras.
I won't let that shit happen.
"How'd that feel? I mean, you're going to be sore for a while, but does it feel like the pain medication has been helping?"
Watching Clara take a step away nearly makes me laugh. I can see how skittish she is around me, and when she takes the pile of bandages to the kitchen off to the side, I know she's doing it to distract herself.
"Haven't taken it."
Her eyes snap back to mine as she searches the area for a trash can.
"Under the sink."
I nod toward it, but she fumbles with the cabinet, so I walk over and pull the door open for her.
"Thank you." Clara tosses the stuff in the small can I have under there and then straightens, returning her attention to me. "You haven't taken the medication I prescribed?"
"Not the painkillers. Don't worry, I took your antibiotics."
Her eyes rake over me, and again, I have to fight back the desire to show her just what her attention is doing to me.
"You must have a pretty high pain tolerance, then."
The chuckle that comes out of me is unexpected. Pretty much everyone in my life knows that by now. And I mean, we all do after the military.
"Ex-solider, remember?" I cock a smirk at her, folding my arms over my chest.
"Right, right." She nods, tucking a strand of that messy black bob of hers behind her ear.
I want to touch the locks, thread my fingers through them, and pull her close. I want her here, where I know I can keep her safe.
The reality of that hits a little harder, and I lower my eyes to the ground before looking back up at her with more focus.
"How was work?" I raise my brows at her. "Any more incidents with the Cobras?"
Shock ripples over Clara's expression, making her blink several times. "Cobras? Why would I see them?"
Taking a step closer, I lean against the tall island that separates us. "Because one of their higher-ups threatened to kill you."
Clara scoffs, turning away to wash her hands in the sink and calling over her shoulder. "Mr. Shaw, I assure you, that's something you get used to when you're working the ER. I've treated dozens of criminals, many of whom haven't made it, and their crew always threatens me afterward. It's part of the job."
I'm not sure what possesses me to walk up to her; something in my being makes me go over there and turn her around to look at me.
But I do it anyway.
"You really have to stop calling me that. I hate feeling like I'm at the office, especially in my own home." I stare down at her, my hands still on her arms. "And you need to take their threat more seriously. Need I remind you they managed to stab me? A trained ex-military operative."
Clara's eyes are wide as her breaths are hurried and shallow. I reach past her, turning off the water.
My chest brushes against hers, and my cock twitches again. This close, I can smell Clara's shampoo—floral and soft.
Sliding back to stand in front of her, I have to force myself to breathe slow and deep through my nose. The smooth plane of her body right next to mine is giving me too many ideas.
"They're bad news, Clara. I'm just concerned for your safety."
Her eyes flicker to the space between us for a moment. Then she looks up at me with a fiery determination behind her eyes.
"I assure you. I can take care of myself."
Scoffing, I shake my head, leaning closer to her and boxing her between my arms at the sink.
"You really think it's about that? I know you're capable, Clara. I'm guessing you're a surgical resident? So, don't think I'm trying to dismiss your skills. I've dealt with these guys before, and they nearly killed my brother. His girl, too."
Her eyes flare before it turns into a glare that levels into me hard.
"I am a surgical resident. And I'm sorry you've had issues with them. It's terrible, truly." Her rich voice is confident, bordering on angry. "But I'm not living my life in fear because of what some assholes may or may not do. I've done that before, and I'm not doing it again."
The offhand confession strikes me, and I sink back ever so slightly.
I cock a brow at her. "Before?"
"We've all had our crosses to bear. But it's done. And you know, thank you." She ducks under my arm, walking back to the living room. "For offering to pay me so well, but really, you'll be fine after today. Truly."
Hurrying behind her, I snag Clara's arm as she goes for the medical bag by the couch, halting her.
"Why can't you just listen to me? I've got experience here that you don't."
She spins toward me, thanks to the momentum, and we're inches apart. "I believe you. I do. I'm sure they're the type of people to steer clear of. So, I will. But I'm not changing my life, my work, just because some thug threatened me."
Clara's brows are down over her eyes, and the way she has to crane her head back to look up at me does something to me.
All I can see is her smooth olive skin, and her green eyes burn with fire even in the dimming light of sunset. Her lips are full and look pillowy soft, and I know I'm staring at them too long.
My hand is still around her arm, and Clara isn't pulling it away.
What's happening right now?
"Let me help you. I'll pay you to work with me."
"Mr. Shaw, I?—"
Without thinking, I lean forward, lessening the distance between us. "Why do you insist on calling me that?"
Clara can't seem to look at me, and I notice the fall of her gaze to my lips. Shit.
"I just—" she takes a shaky breath "—wanted to keep our relationship…professional."
"Is that so?" I run my hand up her arm, slowly reaching the crook of her neck where the longer pieces of her bob dust her shoulder.
She's soft, so damn soft, and my fingers tangle in her hair as I glide them to her face.
What am I doing? This wasn't the plan. I mean, I do want—no. I…dammit.
She's trembling beneath my fingers, and the rush of adrenaline from making her so worked up is intoxicating.
"What if I don't?"
Her lips part, and I can feel the rattle in her chest as she sucks in a desperate breath.
"Hmm? What if I don't want that, Clara? What if I can't even imagine it?"
"Mis—I don't…"
Clara leans into my hand, likely without realizing it. I reach for her bottom lip with my thumb, stroking gently across it as I pin her down with my gaze.
She blinks, her eyelids fluttering, and my dick is straining behind these fucking sweats.
Pain begins to pull me out of this when Clara's hand comes to my side, and I naturally flinch slightly.
"Oh." Her stare goes down, but I pull her chin back up. "I didn't…You shouldn't…"
"I don't really care right now, doc."
Swallowing, Clara looks up at me, frozen there in my hands.
My eyes break away from hers just long enough to roam over her body. Clara's scrubs do nothing to hide the erect nipples behind her shirt.
Something about knowing how slight her breasts are but how full and perky those naughty little buds are makes my cock throb, aching all the more to be inside her.
"You're safer here, Clara." I move closer, my lips hovering over hers. "With me."
She sighs against me, warmth rushing over my skin, and I notice her eyes have closed.
"We shouldn't. This isn't…We shouldn't."
Tension soars so high through the room, through me, that I'm sure you could string a bow with it. I've never been like this before—so damn hungry for someone that I couldn't keep myself away.
"I've never been one for rules, doc." I pull her closer, pressing her little body against me. "They really just get in the way, don't they?"
The penthouse drops away. Hell, the whole damn world is gone right now.
All I'm left with are the desire to taste every inch of Clara's lovely skin and an over-the-top, unprecedented need to keep her close—for as long as I can.
Then I finish this dance, crashing my lips against Clara's, and to hell with the consequences.