She grinned. “Because it’s fun. I like making you squirm.”
At the humor dancing in her eyes, Will’s irritation eased a fraction. “It’s nice to see you opening up, Petra. I love all of you, but it’s good to see some of your humor is still intact. I think we’re going to need it in the future.”
Placing her hands over his, she answered, “Don’t be so negative. Look at everything Jaxton, Millie, and the others have accomplished since we met them. I think Neena has a chance at winning.”
“I’m not sure whether to be glad we’re on the same side or scared at relying on that woman,” Will muttered.
“Well, she’ll definitely be scary if we don’t get to work soon. Maybe I’ll find the answers we need today and then I can ask for my fantasy.”
“But your leg—”
Petra waved a hand. “There are plenty of ways to work around that. Besides, it barely hurts at all anymore.” He frowned and she added, “It’s the truth. If you won’t believe anything else, then believe this—I’m done with keeping secrets from you. I love you and don’t want to lose you again. If the pain in my leg becomes too much, I’ll tell you.”
Searching her eyes, his desire to protect battled with the honesty of her words. “I don’t want to lose you either. I guess it just means I need to find a solution first. That way I can postpone the fantasy until after the cast comes off.”
She smiled with mischief in her gaze. “If you think I’m waiting that many weeks to see you naked, I may have to jump you when you wake up in the morning. A little skin-to-skin friction should melt all of that steely resolve.”
He nipped her lip. “If you lay on the bed and let me be on top, then I might be willing to negotiate.”
Will took her mouth in a rough, quick kiss. Sooner than he liked, he pulled away. The sight of Petra’s reddened lips only reminded him of what he needed to win to have those beauties caressing every inch of his body. Just the image of her plump, warm lips around his cock made him a little hard.
Petra whispered, “Why did you stop?”
He chuckled. “What happened to staying on Neena’s good side and doing our work?”
“I’m to be the responsible one again?”
Standing up and holding out his hands, Will answered, “Come here, love.”
She took his hands and he gently pulled at the same time as Petra balanced on one foot. Picking her up at the waist, he sat her down on the desk so he could stand between her legs. With one possessive hand on her arse and the other on the nape of her neck, he murmured, “Just show how much you love me with a kiss and then we’ll get to work. I may even give you a five minute head start.”
Petra tilted her head. “I can’t imagine you giving me an advantage.”
“Why not? It just gives me the chance to memorize every line and curve of your body while I watch you.” He nibbled her lip. “I will never tire of looking at my woman.”
Petra’s breath hitched and her eyes turned wet. “I keep thinking this is all a dream and I’ll wake up alone, without you.”
He brushed the hair from her face. “I’m not going anywhere. And even if this were a dream, I’d search high and low until I found you again. You fill an emptiness in my very soul, Petra Brandt. I took you for granted once, but I’m never doing it again.”
“Kiss me, Will.”
Lowering his head, Will slipped his tongue between her warm, soft lips. He’d barely stroked inside before Petra threaded her fingers through his hair and stroked back.
Pulling her body closer to his, Will wasn’t about to screw up his second chance.
Hell, he couldn’t believe she’d given it to him. Deepening the kiss, he took his time showing Petra how much he loved her with his mouth. No matter if he had to jump out of a helicopter to save her, Will was going to fight to keep Petra Brandt.
He just needed to stop the bloody curse first or they’d never grow old together.
Epilogue
Several Months Later
Will adjusted the focus on his microscope. He was about to jot down his latest findings when his computer chirped. Lifting his head, he met Petra’s gaze. “It’s done.”
Since Petra sat at the desk, she was the first to click the mouse. Data and graphs popped up on the screen. Will moved to stand behind her. After a cursory scan, he muttered, “Bloody hell. You were right.”
Leaning her head back against his abdomen, she replied, “Glad you can admit that. It means I won.”