Page 20 of Prescription for Sin

"Your wound needs examining," she said with admirable composure, though he caught the slight tremor in her voice.

He settled into the chair, deliberately slow in lowering his trousers. Her sharp intake of breath as morning light caught his leg muscles sent triumph coursing through him.

Once she'd completed her examination, her touch clinical yet somehow burning against his skin, he moved behind her with careful stealth.

"Close your eyes," he murmured, watching gooseflesh rise on her neck at his proximity.

To his satisfaction, she obeyed without hesitation. Trust, he realised with a pang of guilt. She trusted him enough to make herself vulnerable. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the lesson.

"What do you smell?"

Her answer came soft and wondering. "Soap. And something else. Bay leaves, perhaps, or bergamot?"

"What else?" He moved closer, careful not to touch her despite every instinct screaming to do so.

"Maleness." Her voice caught deliciously. "Danger."

He couldn't suppress his laugh, though it came out darker than intended. The way she swayed toward his voice, unconsciously seeking closer contact, made his control fray at the edges.

"Very good. Now..." He lowered his voice deliberately, watching her shiver in response. "Tell me what you smell here."

Her next inhale was shaky. "Sandalwood. And...you."

Something primal stirred in his chest at her words. She already knew his scent, could distinguish it from other elements. The thought satisfied something deep and possessive inside him.

"Interesting that you can distinguish my personal scent already." He kept his tone light despite the hunger clawing at his insides. "What does it remind you of?"

"Forests after a storm." The dreamlike quality of her voice made his hands clench. "Dark places where anything might happen."

His breath caught at the raw honesty in her words. "Open your eyes."

When she did, the naked want in her gaze nearly undid him. He forced himself to maintain distance, though every fibre of his being yearned to close it.

"Now," he managed, his voice rough, "we explore how scent changes with proximity." He began circling her, teaching through movement what he didn't dare demonstrate with touch. Each time he drew near, her breath quickened, her pulse visibly leaping in her throat.

"The body learns quickly," he observed, fighting to keep his voice steady. "See how you react before I'm even close? That's scent working on the most primitive part of your senses."

"Is this meant to be clinical or seductive?" Her attempt at challenge emerged breathless, making his blood heat further.

"I daresay you are seduced, Miss Brown, and I find your scientific curiosity enticing."

Moving behind her again, he allowed himself to draw close enough to feel her body heat. The scent of her, lavender and woman and something uniquely Emma, made his head spin.

"What do you smell now?"

Her answer emerged barely more than a whisper. "Heat. Desire."

The blush staining her cheeks broke the last threads of his restraint. "Beautiful," he breathed, then gave in to the urge that had been tormenting him. He pressed his face to her throat, inhaling deeply.

Her gasp as her hands flew up to grip his arms sent triumph singing through his veins.

"Fascinating how warmth releases new notes," he murmured against her skin, drowning in her essence. "Like flowers opening in sunlight. You smell of lavender, yes, but underneath..." Another deep breath that made her shiver. "Honey. Woman. Emma."

When her head fell back, offering more of her throat, he smiled against her pulse point. The gesture was pure instinct, her body's wisdom overriding her careful control.

"The body knows what it wants," he said softly, "even when the mind resists. Look how easily you yield when I..." He breathed in again, tracing her throat with his nose. "Your scent changes too. Growing headier. Richer."

"This seems...beyond the scope of our lesson." Yet she made no move to pull away.