Unfinished Business - Nora Roberts Page 0,59

in. With each breath he took, her scent slammed into his system, potent as any narcotic. Her hair curtained his face, blocking the light and letting him see only her. The faint smile of knowledge was in her eyes. With her every movement, she enticed.

“For God’s sake, Van.” Her name was part oath, part prayer. If he didn’t have her now, he knew he would die from the need.

She shifted, arching back, as she took him into her. For an instant, time stopped, and with it his breath, his thoughts, his life. He saw only her, her hair streaming back like a wild red river, her body pale and gleaming in the harsh light, her face glowing with the power she had only just discovered.

Then it was all speed and sound as she drove them both.

This was glory. She gave herself to it, her arms reaching up before she lost her hands in her own hair. This was wonder. And delight. No symphony had ever been so rousing. No prelude so passionate. Even as sensation shuddered through her, she begged for more.

There was freedom in the greed. Ecstasy in the knowledge that she could take as much as she wanted. Excitement in understanding that she could give just as generously.

Her heart was roaring in her ears. When she groped for his hands, his fingers clamped on to hers. They held tight as they burst over the peak together.

She slid down to him, boneless, her head spinning and her heart racing still. His skin was damp, as hers was, his body as limp. When she pressed her lips to his throat, she could feel the frantic beating of his pulse.

She had done that, Vanessa realized, still dazed. She had taken control and given them both pleasure and passion. She hadn’t even had to think, only to act, only to feel. Sailing on this new self-awareness, she propped herself up on an elbow and smiled down at him.

His eyes were closed, his face so completely relaxed that she knew he was next to sleep. His heartbeat, was settling down to a purr, as was hers. Through the contentment, she felt need bloom anew.

“Doctor,” she murmured, nibbling at his ear.

“Hmmm.”

“I feel a lot better.”

“Good.” He drew in a deep breath, let it out. He figured that was the most exercise he would be able to handle for days. “Remember, your health is my business.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She ran a fingertip down his chest experimentally. And felt muscles jump. “Because I think I’m going to need more treatments.” She trailed the tip of her tongue down his throat. “I still have this ache.”

“Take two aspirin and call me in an hour.”

She laughed, a low, husky sound that had his blood humming again. “I thought you were dedicated.” Slowly, seductively, she roamed his face with kisses. “God, you taste good.” She lowered her mouth to his and sunk in.

“Vanessa.” He could easily have floated off to sleep with her gentle stroking. But when her hand slid downward, contentment turned into something more demanding. He opened his eyes and saw that she was smiling at him. She was amused, he noted. And—pun intended—completely on top of things. “You’re asking for trouble,” he told her.

“Yeah.” She lowered her head again to nip at his lip. “But am I going to get it?”

He answered the question to their mutual satisfaction.

“Good God,” he said when he could breathe again. “I’m going to have this table bronzed.”

“I think I’m cured.” She pushed the hair from her face as she slid to the floor. “For now.”

Groaning a little, he swung his legs off the table. “Wait till you get my bill.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” She handed him his pants, then slithered into her teddy. She didn’t know about him, but she’d never think the same way about examining room 1 again. “And to think I came by to offer you some ham sandwiches.”

“Ham?” His fingers paused on the snap of his jeans. “As in food? Like meat and bread?”

“And potato chips.”

His mouth was already watering. “Consider yourself paid in full.”

She shook back her hair, certain that if she felt any better she’d be breaking the law. “I take it to mean you’re hungry.”

“I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Chicken pox,” he explained as she pulled on her blouse. “If someone was to offer me a ham sandwich, I’d kiss her feet.”

She wiggled her toes. “I like the sound of that. I’ll go get the basket.”

“Hold it.” He took her