My back stiffened at the challenge. Damn it. I’d never been able to back away from a dare. It got me into a lot of trouble while growing up. “I assure you, Dr. Mason. You aren’t as irresistible as you seem to think.”
He laughed and winked at me before pushing off the desk and standing up. “I’ll have movers at your house this weekend, and you’ll start Monday.” His tone was final, clearly expecting no argument. Sure enough, I was moved by Monday, and for the next six months, Nash had been bent on seduction. His tactics were wearing me down.
“Aubrey, please come into my office.” Nash’s voice startled me and broke through my reverie. I jumped to my feet and took a deep breath, willing the heat in my cheeks to disappear before I had to face him. Eventually, I walked into his office, calm and collected. He was seated behind his desk, looking over patient files and (swoon) wearing his small, rectangular, black-framed glasses. His head lifted when I entered, and a lazy smile graced his lips. Seriously. Why did he have to be so fucking hot?
“What can I do for you, Dr. Mason?” I asked, keeping it professional.
He removed the glasses and his green eyes darkened, the smile turning devilish. “So many things, cherry.” His tone dripped with innuendo, and I rolled my eyes. He’d taken to calling me cherry after he noticed my addiction to cherry Lifesavers. When I brought it up, he said it also suited me because of my reddish hair. I’d told him to knock it off, that it wasn’t appropriate but, of course, he ignored me. “And, as hot as it is to hear you call me Dr. Mason, what’s it going to take to get you to call me Nash?”
“Let me rephrase, what professional, work-related task would you like me to complete. Dr. Mason?” I emphasized the title with sarcasm.
He winked at me but pretended to pout. “You’re no fun.”
“So you’ve told me.”
“Are you busy tonight?” he asked casually.
“Why?” I was suspicious but didn’t outright lie (since I was pathetic and never had plans) because sometimes he did actually need me to work late.
“Ethan and Madison want to go to dinner to celebrate their engagement.” Ethan was Nash’s best friend and college roommate. He was a fertility doctor and owned the suite next to ours in the building. Madison was a former patient of his and well…their story was unusual, to say the least. But, now they were happily engaged.
I nodded. “Madison mentioned it last week, but they hadn’t picked a date. Apparently, they have some big news to share as well.”
“Want to be my date?” he asked hopefully. I sighed and put my hands on my hips, glaring at him.
“Are we really going to do this yet again, Nash?” I didn’t realize I’d used his first name until his face lit up and he grinned at me. Shit.
“Nope.” He stood and prowled around the desk, looking very much like a predator stalking his prey. Those damn butterflies went bat-shit crazy. He stopped when our toes were only inches apart and stared into my eyes. “We’re done with this dance, baby. I’m fresh out of patience. It’s time for you to stand still and accept what’s between us.”
My denial stuck in my throat, and I swallowed hard. Before I could form an adequate response, Nash grabbed the back of my neck with one hand, his other went to my waist, and he pulled me close. Then his mouth was on mine. My mind began spinning, and I seemed to have no control over my body because I couldn’t keep it from melting into him. Good grief. He was an amazing kisser. I was so screwed.
Chapter Two
Nash
Aubrey tasted like the cherry Lifesavers she loved and something addicting that I was sure was all her own. I tugged her closer and placed both of my hands on her neck, using my thumbs to tilt her head back. Then I slanted my mouth over hers and took the kiss even deeper. Aubrey was so responsive. Her arms had snaked around my neck, and her hardened nipples were pressed against my chest. Her body was toned from running, but she had curves in all the right places. I loved that she was tall, but even in her heels, I was still several inches above her. I plunged a hand into her strawberry blond curls and clenched my fist, holding her head right where I wanted it.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that if I didn’t stop now, we’d never make it to dinner. We’d never make it out of the fucking office before I stripped her naked and worshipped her from head to toe.
I groaned as I pulled back, immediately regretting my decision. When Aubrey trembled, and a tiny whimper escaped her lips, I almost said fuck it and went for it. But, Ethan was my best friend, and I’d promised to be there to celebrate his engagement. Besides, the rational part of me knew that overwhelming Aubrey’s senses until she gave in to the passion between us would backfire. I needed to take her on a date, romance her, show her that I was serious about us.
With my hands on her shoulders, I gently pushed, forcing her to take a step back. Then I turned her around and urged her forward. My eyes dropped to her sexy little ass, perfectly displayed in her gray, knee-length skirt, and I couldn’t help giving it a light swat. Aubrey jumped and pivoted to stare at me with her brows arched and her eyes wide.
“Did you just spank me?” she asked incredulously.
I shook my head and chuckled. “That was a love tap, baby. You’ll know when I’m spanking you, trust me.”
Her face flushed, making me grin. Perhaps not the best response to her embarrassment, but she was so damn cute. She snapped her mouth closed, spun around, and flounced out of my office with a huff. Then she stuck her head back in, her expression a little evil. “Turnabout’s fair play, Dr. Mason.” My head fell back as I laughed from deep in my belly.
“Bring it on, cherry,” I said when I caught my breath and could speak again
My day was packed with patients, so we didn’t have a chance to talk further. We worked together like a well-oiled machine. Aubrey was extremely intelligent and business savvy, not to mention, she was fantastic with the patients. There were so many things about her that I found attractive. She was beautiful, inside and out.
She also had a dry wit and clever mind that never ceased to surprise me. Case in point: Throughout the day, after I ushered patients out from my office into the waiting room, she would periodically slap my ass and say, “Good game.” By the end of the day, I wasn’t so sure I wouldn’t have an Aubrey shaped handprint on my butt cheeks. And I wondered why the hell that got me so hot.
When the last appointment was done, I stood at the door and watched her as she finished her tasks. She kept glancing up at me surreptitiously, her amber eyes growing more resigned as the minutes ticked by.
“I think you’ve procrastinated as much as you can, cherry,” I told her with an amused smile. Ok, so maybe it was more like a cocky grin.
“Fine,” she sighed as she stood up and grabbed her light sweater. I had quite the affection for that sweater. The office could get cold during the day, and even though I enjoyed the sight of her pebbled nipples through her blouse, I always thought she looked like a sexy librarian when she wore it, especially with the pencil skirts and fitted tops that she preferred. She just needed some glasses… I shook my head to stop my runaway imagination.
“Let’s go,” she said with a sigh. I took a step back and held the door open, gesturing for her to go first. Once we were both in the hall, I locked the door and pocketed the keys. My hand went to the small of her back as we made our way down to the lobby. Ethan and Madison were waiting for us by the doors, but they didn’t notice our arrival since Ethan had Madison pressed up against the glass and his tongue was down her throat.
I shook my head and chuckled. “I’d tell you to get a room, but you’ll make out anywhere, so what’s the point?” I asked drolly.
“It’s sickening. Seriously.” I hadn’t seen Melody, Ethan’s nurse and Madison’s best friend, standing by the elevators a few feet away. She had a hand propped on her hip, and her face was pinched as though she smelled something unpleasant. “I don’t need to see my boss’s tongue down my best friend’s throat. That’s practically my sister you
’re defiling there, Ethan!”