“I want you, Beautiful. Your scent is imprinting itself on my very soul, but you deserve more from me than to be claimed this way.” She took a half step back, paused long enough to pull in a deep breath, then moved back another step. She was still close enough to touch, but the small distance between them gave the two of them enough space to catch their breath.
“I don’t want this.” She dropped her gaze to the ground, sighing in resignation. “Mating, I mean. I won’t insult your intelligence by denying I’m physically attracted to you. I don’t lie… hell, it wouldn’t do any good, anyway. My physiological responses are too obvious to ignore. Damn traitorous hormones.” Israel had to bite back his amusement. She awfully cute when she was grumpy. He wondered how often her speech kicked into doctor-mode.
“We’ll talk about it later. Where is your phone, Beautiful?” Bristol lifted her gaze to meet his. When she blinked several times, obviously trying to focus on the question rather than her racing heart, he slid his hand around the sexy curve of her bare neck. Using the pads of his fingers, Israel gently massaged the tight muscles on either side of the indention at the base of her skull, relieved to see how quickly she relaxed.
“It’s in my purse.” Looking down at her dress, she gave a small shrug. “There wasn’t really any place to hide it in this dress, and they asked us to leave them in our lockers.”
Oh, please don’t… Wait, what am I asking for? Please don’t stop massaging my neck because it feels so good? Or please don’t keep touching me, or I’m going to make a fool of myself? This damned dress should have pockets. Crickets. Pockets would have been a great distraction. It isn’t going to matter in a few seconds because I’m going to burst into flames, and the blasted thing is going to be scorched, anyway.
“The dress is perfect, sweetheart. Seeing the silky expanse of your bareback is sexy as hell. I can hardly wait to see the rest of your creamy skin exposed to my touch.” Israel slid his hand slowly down her back. He felt her shiver as her nipples drew into peaks so tight, they drew his eye. Fuck, she was perfect.
“It’s refreshing to meet a professional woman who isn’t tied to her phone. Your confidence is incredibly attractive, Bristol. Don’t ever doubt how heady self-assurance is.” Handing her his phone, Israel continued, “Call your phone. That way, you will have my number, and I’ll have yours.”
With a few quick keystrokes, she made the call. He heard the sound of a phone ringing several times before Bristol’s voice mail picked up. Ending the call, she handed his phone back, tilting her head to the side, unasked questions shining in her pretty blue eyes.
Damn, I can’t tell him I know he did a background check on me without violating Charlotte’s privacy. He could have easily gotten my number. Maybe it’s against some rule to use company information for private purposes? Fuck a green duck. Privacy laws are insanely strict and ridiculously lax at the same time, so who the hell knows. I don’t want to think about how complicated they are for a business specializing in investigations.
Taking a deep breath, she decided a direct inquiry was best.
“Why do I have the distinct impression you didn’t need any help getting my number?”
He admired her ability to phrase the question in a way without any professional compromise. It was also damned interesting, Charlotte trusted her doctor enough to confide that her husband’s family did a background investigation.
“Austin is very protective of his lovely wife. It wouldn’t have mattered how many of his friends recommended you, he wanted me to make absolutely certain Charlotte and their baby were safe in your care.” The pink staining her cheeks made her look more like a college coed than a well-respected physician. Owning a successful medical practice before most women her age completed graduate school was damned impressive. Her accomplished life made it hard to remember how young she was.
“I guess I should be pleased you found me worthy.” There was just enough snark in her tone to demand a response. She may as well learn now, the dominant side of his personality was never far below the surface.
“Be careful, Beautiful, snark will always be dealt with. Every challenge will be answered. I’m a Dom to the very depths of my soul. I don’t want a twenty-four-seven slave, but I will demand respect. The good news is… I will afford you the same and more.” He paused for a few seconds, watching her pulse beat a staccato beat at the base of her throat as her eyes dilated. Yes, indeed. Bristol Banks is as sexually submissive as any woman I’ve ever known. Fucking perfect. “I know this situation has blindsided you. It was a surprise for me as well, though I’m clearly much happier about it than you are.” He gave her a reassuring smile as he skimmed his fingers down the side of her beautiful face.
“I’m going to respond to the comment you should have made, rather than the one you said without realizing how it sounded.” Her blue eyes flashed for a second before she conceded, giving him a quick nod. “Ordinarily, during an investigation, I would have arranged an accidental meeting. My team and I would have studied your habits, what time you left for work, where you bought your morning coffee, your gym schedule, nights out with your friends—all of those would have given me opportunities to observe you personally. Your background was so clean, it wasn’t necessary. Everyone, from your former roommates to your damned childhood nemesis, sang your praises.” In hindsight, he wished he’d hadn’t deviated from his usual procedure. If he hadn’t, perhaps they’d have already moved past her reluctance. He noted she hadn’t denied they were fated mates—she’d only said she didn’t want it. What he needed to know was why.
“I apologize for being snide. Not because you’re a Dom, but because it was unprofessional and rude. I’m thrilled to work with Charlotte, she is a joy, and I would never do anything to jeopardize the trust she’s given me… it’s a gift. I won’t say much because of confidentiality, but I’m certainly free to tell you, I also consider her a friend outside our professional relationship.”
“Very tactfully put, Dr. B. I know you are well trained to protect patient confidentiality at all times, but I want you to know anything we discuss will never go any further. You will always be safe, acknowledging someone in my family is your patient.”
“Because you’ll already know?”
“Yes.” Israel gave one quick nod of agreement. “I’ll already know. More importantly, I want you to be confident in my promise that anything you say to me about your work will remain completely private. We are fated mates, Bristol. You don’t know me and have no reason to trust me… yet. That will change as we grow closer, but it’s important for you to know this much upfront. My business centers around confidential information. As a professional, I understand the importance of shielding vital information from prying eyes—whether or not the law requires it.” Her eyes widened briefly before he saw her pull in a deep breath.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. Protecting my patients is such a huge part of what I do, it’s often difficult to remember they are also wives, sisters, and daughters.”
“No offense taken, Sweetheart. It’s important for us to clear the air and get off on the right foot. Now, let’s switch gears. How long have you been a member at Prairie Winds?” Her shoulders relaxed, her posture showing relief at their change of direction.