Page 54 of Examining the Bond

I might wait to stuff my tongue down her throat after all.

I’ll give her a few minutes to gather her thoughts and send the nurse in to collect an array of samples. Then, if there’s time before she leaves, I’ll corner her and?—

“Skylar,” she says, hopping off the exam table and striding over to where I’m seated on the stool.

Her closeness has my skin prickling with heat, and she’s standing between my legs before I register what’s happening.

“Yes, preciosa?” The words naturally fly out of my mouth, like I’ve said them a thousand times before. She’s a little taller than me in this position, her crystal-blue eyes staring down at me, full of mixed emotions.

Every thought I have shatters as I stare up at her, heat coiling through my center at the lack of space between us.

“Thank you,” she says softly. “I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am… This is incredible, really.”

A genuine smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, elation flickering through my drugged-out haze.

“You don’t have to thank me.” I shake my head, reaching out to take her hand. Dragging her closer until she’s flush against me, I breathe in the rush of sugar pouring off her.

“But I do,” she continues, one of her hands reaching up to run her fingers through my hair. I shudder at her gentleness, chills spilling down my back. “You’ve given me more than anyone ever could. The thing I needed most: answers. And I…”

Her voice grows thick with emotion and trails off. Tears well in her eyes again, but I doubt they’re from panic.

Unsure what else to say or do, I stretch my neck up to kiss her. The tension that’s been building in me like water behind a dam bursts, releasing a wave of pine that floods the room as my lips touch hers, and my tongue sweeps eagerly into her mouth.

A moan escapes her, blending with the growl that rolls in my chest. She kisses me back hungrily, her hands exploring my shoulders and brushing along my arms. The last shred of my professionalism snaps when I cup her ass with both hands, squeezing until a gasp falls from her lips. She arches her back, grinding her ass into my palms.

A switch flips inside me. I don’t care if we get caught.

Fuck it, if anyone sees.

The rut suppressants have clearly dampened my judgement, as well as my instincts, because the only thing I care about is giving Riann exactly what she wants.

And in this moment, what she wants isme.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

RIANN

Skylar is on her feet before I can pull away, her mouth leading mine eagerly until my knees go weak. I hadn’t meant to start something, not really, but the magnetic pull toward her became too much.

Now, her mouth-watering scent is drowning me, my stomach somersaulting as her hands rove over my body. I know we’re playing with fire, risking everything yet again, but as her tongue sweeps into my mouth, I can’t find it in me to care.

It’s not like she has my legs spread with her face between them the way she did in her office. I’m less afraid of someone bursting into the room suddenly if it’s just her lips on mine.

That is, until her hands dip to tease the hem of my dress, brushing over my leggings. A shiver vibrates through me and my eyes pop open.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, even though I have a good idea where she's going. Or, at least, IhopeI do.

Her fingers dance around the front of my thigh, dipping between my legs and gently brushing over my pussy. I inhale a shaky breath.

“Exactly what I want.” She laughs, dipping to tease her lips along my jawline. “Do you want me to stop?” Her fingers rub over me again, and I gasp as my pussy flutters in response.

“I don’t want you to lose your job,” I manage as she presses her lips against my throat.

Heat swells in me, my libido shooting skyward, and my body takes on a mind of its own. I grab her by the belt and jerk her toward me before I realize what I'm doing. She pulls back just far enough for me to see the feral glint in her eyes.

“Careful, preciosa,” she warns, her words also coming out on a growl. “The suppressants I took will keep me from slipping into a rut, but they won’t save you from anything else.”

At her words, butterflies explode through my core, and the sensation quickly sinks lower. My heart slams against my ribs as I contemplate her threat.