The Doctor's Engagement

‘God, Holly.’ His voice was gruff and very male and he swept her tangled blonde hair away from her face with gentle fingers. ‘I feel so helpless. What can I do? Tell me what I can do.’

‘Nothing.’ Her fingers lifted to one warm shoulder, tracing the curve of muscle, feeling his strength. ‘Rationally I know I’m safe, it’s just that fear isn’t rational. The dream is so vivid that it takes me a while to push it away.’

Mark frowned. ‘Do you want a hot drink or something?’

‘No.’ Her fingers curled into his hard muscle. ‘I don’t want you to let me go.’

‘I won’t let you go.’ His gaze was fiercely possessive and for a long moment he stared down at her.

‘Mark...’ Holly whispered, memories of the dream receding as she stared back into his very dark eyes. Had she ever stared into them like this before? Had she ever noticed those thick, dark lashes or the tiny creases at the corners which made him look so sexy? And the way he was looking at her made her stomach tighten and her breathing stop. He’d looked at her the same way that day at the beach. And that night on the deck.

Suddenly all she could think about was what it had felt like to be kissed by him. Incredible.

And being this close was tempting—so very tempting. All she had to do was lift her head an inch and she could touch his mouth. And she wanted to. She wanted to feel Mark’s kiss again. Wanted to feel those incredible sensations that made her head spin and rational thought vanish.

Against her will her eyes shifted to his firm, well-shaped mouth, her own lips parting slightly as she imagined, as she remembered...

He wasn’t going to kiss her, of course. He had no reason to—no one was watching. But what if she kissed him? Feeling slightly dizzy and reckless after the emotions of the day, her eyes lifted to his. Did she dare? Would he push her away?

‘Holly?’ His voice was a mixture of question and warning and, without giving herself time to change her mind, she followed her instincts.

Drawing his head down to hers, she kissed him quickly, mentally preparing herself for rejection. Nibbling at his lips provocatively, she locked her fingers around his strong neck, determined to keep

him close to her. Under the tips of her fingers she felt him stiffen. Felt his shock and his indecision and instinctively knew that he was going to pull away. With a moan of protest her fingers tightened on his neck, refusing to release him, and for a moment he was totally still.

And then, with a muffled curse, his mouth moved on hers and he responded. For a few seconds his touch was gentle, matching her hesitation, but then suddenly he took control, kissing her with a hot, sexual need that sent burning tongues of fire through her whole body. Gasping, she arched against him, wanting him closer, needing to feel every inch of his powerful body. The strength of her desire stunned her and she slid a shaking hand down his warm, muscular back. Did he feel the same way? Did he?

With a smooth movement he shifted above her and she felt the undeniable evidence that he did feel the same way as his male body came into intimate contact with hers. She stiffened slightly as his thigh parted hers, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations which drugged her ability to think clearly and respond with her head.

Then his kiss deepened and his mouth seduced hers with a fierce hunger, his touch designed to ignite a similar depth of response within her. And it did. Who wanted to think when they could feel? And how could anything that felt so right ever be wrong? And she knew, with an absolute certainty, that this was where she was meant to be. With this man, in his arms.

His warm hand slid down her body and cupped one full breast, teasing the dusky peak with skilful fingers, the weight of his hard body holding hers down as she arched and writhed beneath him. With a groan of satisfaction he parted her thighs, touching her intimately for the first time, his long, strong fingers exploring her with a skill that made her gasp against his mouth.

‘Mark!’ Her whole body ached and throbbed under his sure touch and she twisted and sobbed in an effort to free herself of the desperately delicious feelings he arose in her.

Overwhelmed by a sexual hunger that was totally alien to her, she was quivering with anticipation, her whole body crying out for the ultimate conclusion.

Now she knew why women made fools of themselves over men, how sexual feelings could overwhelm common sense, but she knew that for her it was more than that. For her it was love. Her love for Mark came from deep within her and, despite his undeniable skill in the bedroom, it was love that drove her passion.

‘Holly, Holly.’ Groaning her name, he kissed her deeply, his mouth trailing slowly down her body, making her gasp and writhe as he seduced her still further with his lips and tongue.

Sobbing with need, she grasped his shoulders and drew him towards her, her body shivering under his.

He pulled away slightly, his breathing heavy and his dark eyes glittering with arousal.

‘Holly.’ His groan reflected an agony of indecision as he stared down at her and she felt a mix of desperation and panic. Surely he wasn’t going to stop? Not now...

With a cry of protest she slid a delicate hand over his chest, feeling the steady thud of his heartbeat, feeling his muscles tense as her hands moved lower to touch him intimately for the first time.

Her heart almost stopped as she felt his strength and power, as she touched his silken heat. Part of her was shocked by her own behaviour, but the desire to know him as a man was overwhelming and she could no more stop touching him than she could stop breathing.

With a fractured groan he dropped his head onto her shoulder, his harsh moan telling her exactly how much her touch affected him. Finally he reached down and grasped her wrist, the fire in his eyes reflecting the depth of his passion.

This time there was no indecision in his gaze, only a quiet intent that made her heart beat faster, her whole body drenched with excitement. It was going to happen, she knew it was. Mark was going to make love to her.

With a hand that wasn’t quite steady, Mark reached over and pulled something out of the drawer by the bed, his eyes still holding hers.

‘Are you sure?’ His voice was urgent and very male and she could barely breathe for wanting him.