Page 28 of Examining the Bond

“Riann…” My voice dips as her name curls around my mouth, and I don’t miss the way her eyes spark at the sound. “Are you trying to get me fired?"

Her soft breath brushes my face, and I can’t stop leaning closer. Her neck exposed, her eyes wide, she takes a deep breath, pushing her breast further into my hand.

“No, but I’m going to lose my mind if you don’t kiss me.”

My eyes drop to her mouth again as a hot wave of desire throbs through me. It would be easy, so fucking easy, to press my lips against hers and taste what I’ve been denying myself since the first moment I saw her.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Her closeness nearly has me purring.

She nods, tugging her cherry-red bottom lip between her teeth. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

For the moment, we’re alone, despite the alarm bells going off in my head that a nurse could walk in at any second. But if I wait, I could miss my chance completely. We’re mere inches apart, my lips aching to meet hers, even though I know this is a horrible fucking idea.

An embarrassed flush still paints her cheeks, but my restraint snaps when her other hand slides up my chest, hooking over my shoulder. A growl rumbles at the back of my throat, and I lower myself the short distance to brush my lips against hers. It’s faint at first, the barest whisper of skin on skin, but when a whine falls from her mouth, I increase the pressure to swallow the sound.

Santo dios.

Electricity lights up my system as her mouth moves against mine, her entire body reacting to my touch. She wiggles and bucks, her fingers teasing the hair at the nape of my neck, and our scents meld into a perfect mix of pine and smoke and marshmallows.

When I pull away a second later to catch my breath, her eyes are bright and wild.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Morales,” she whispers. “I?—”

“—Skylar.” The word flies out. “Call me Skylar.”

The urge to tear off her clothes and worship her body here in the exam room outshines any alpha instinct I’ve ever had. It’s bone-deep, radiating from the depths of my soul, and it’s all I can do to keep my hands from wandering.

“Skylar, then,” she says, a cocky smirk quirking her lips. “You can keep going; I promise, it’s fine.”

I hesitate for a beat.

She’s put the ball back in my court, giving me the express permission I crave to keep going. I’ve already crossed the line—flown straight over it—but taking this any further is dangerously idiotic.

And I’ve never felt so reckless.

“I plan to, but not here.” I stand, pulling her with me so that she’s upright and sitting on the exam table again. My eyes flick toward the door as I contemplate my office down the hall. It’s more private, and we’re less likely to be interrupted there. Even if all it leads to are more stolen kisses and holding her close, I’m not ready to stop.

Whatever the hell is happening between us, this intense pull that has its claws buried in me deep, I can figure it out later.

Right now, my only concern is giving Riann the attention she’s after. The only thing that will sate my soul.

“Follow me,” I say, bending to grab my stethoscope off the floor. Hopefully, it isn’t broken.

I snatch my clipboard off the desk while she collects her sweater, then I lead the way down the hall with Riann on my heels.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

RIANN

It was one thing to dress up kind of slutty to get an alpha's attention.

It was another to grab her tie and yank her close enough for our lips to touch.

But to follow Skylar out of the exam room hoping she’ll continue what we started minutes ago, even if it puts her job at risk? That level of insanity should probably be studied.

Real fucking classy, Riann.

We make a left down the hall, and I can’t fight the prickle of nerves working through me. The fear of getting caught makes my mind spin.