Page 21

Finally, a knock—strong for a woman her size.

With a grin I jump up, but as I open the door, I know with certainty that our little party will never happen.

The surprise is short, but it wipes my grin right off my face.

Fuck, the angry frown on her face makes her even more beautiful. She doesn’t turn her head away. She doesn’t glance at my dick either, nor at my chest, two of my best features. Her eyes are focused solely on mine—penetrating and intense, and a hell of a lot challenging.

“Can you please, for the love of God, put something on?” she says with disdain, as if my nakedness is annoying, something to be avoided.

She even sounds bored.

“Why?”

She scowls, her gaze not leaving mine. “Because it’s rude to run around naked.”

I cock my head to the side, taking her in from head to toe. I cannot help but smile. “What are you?”

“What am I?”

“A nun?”

For a moment she seems taken aback. “I’m sorry?”

“Are you a nun?”

She stares at me blankly before her brows shoot upwards. “Wow. You’re a jerk with a capital J. What are you going to ask me next? Whether I’m the maid? Because I bet that’s the fantasy playing right before your eyes now.”

I let out a snort.

She has no idea.

Really, I just can’t help myself. She isn’t just hot; she’s funny too. That’s a sexy combination.

“Well, are you?” I prompt.

She scowls. “No, obviously.”

“That’s too bad.” I cross my arms over my chest as I regard her with the kind of look that’s melted many panties. “I’ve been wondering if you’re—”

“A nun? Into women? Something like that?” She looks at me, her hazel eyes shimmering with anger. “Why? Because I don’t like seeing you naked? Big news flash. I’m none of those things. I’m just not impressed, that’s all.”

“Huh.” Sounds like she’ll be panting my name by the end of the week.

“Yeah.” She nods her head, as though to convince herself of the ridiculous statement she’s just made.

“How come?” I take in her posture, the way she glares at me. Her perfume, a blend of tangerine, jasmine, amber, and sandalwood, wafts past me, and I force myself not to inhale too deeply. In fact, I’m fighting the urge not to lean over and bury my nose into her skin, then lick my way down her neck to her breasts.

“You seriously believe everyone wants to see you naked?” The annoyance is gone, replaced with disbelief.

I cross my arms over my chest, unable to stop the hint of a smile creeping over my face. “Not everyone, no. But I’m sure most want to, you included.”

She lets out a snort. “Well, you’re wrong, buddy. No woman with her head safely screwed on and a bit of self-respect would want to unless she had no choice.”

“I can assure you most of them plead with me to take off my clothes.” I grin at her. “So, why are you here again?”

“I’m here to get treatment, just like you, even though I’m not…I’m not a…” she trails off as she waves her hand at me, “you know, I’m not like you.”

The silence that follows is long and peaceful. Unlike her gaze, which is wild and doubtful and a little rebellious.