Resisting Her Army Doc Rival

Her head dropped downwards in answer to his question. Now you know, you’ll leave me alone. Please.

‘I should’ve figured that out. It’s why you always wear long shirts, isn’t it?’

Another nod. ‘Are we done?’ He didn’t need to know anything else.

‘Not by a long way. We’re only getting started. Look at me, Maddy.’

When she finally did, Sam smiled at her, a long, slow smile that reached his eyes and touched her in places she didn’t want touched. Her heart was meant to be unavailable due to fear and vulnerability.

But his smile was continuing the thaw he’d started days ago. She had to stop it before she messed up and let him in. ‘No, Sam. I made a mistake kissing you, by taking it further.’ He still didn’t look upset. ‘I am not making love with you. We’re not getting close.’

‘How long were you in hospital?’

Surprised at his question she answered instantly. ‘More than three months while the burns healed and I fought endless infections. Afterwards I took a year convalescing before returning to work at the hospital.’

‘That would’ve put your training behind schedule.’

‘It did, but I got there in the end.’

‘No side effects?’

She looked away. Her hand covered her tummy where her uterus lay.

Sam’s fingers shifted through her short hair. ‘Tell me, Maddy. We’ve come this far you might as well share the whole story.’

She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. What did it matter if he knew? They weren’t going to get together so there wouldn’t be any talk of having babies. ‘I might be infertile. The worst part of that is I won’t know until I try to get pregnant—if I try.’ What man was going to accept her on those terms? ‘That’s the conundrum. Do I ask someone to risk trying with me and watch him walk away when I fail to become pregnant? Or do I accept it’s unlikely to happen and work at making my career into something bigger than I’d intended so I won’t waste time regretting what I haven’t got?’

‘That’s an agonising decision to have to make.’

Not if she had someone at her side. But she didn’t.

‘You are amazing, Maddy. So strong to deal with all this.’ Sam leaned down for another kiss; a long, slow, burning one.

Maddy fought the incoming waves of need that instantly fired up and began shoving her anguish aside. That anguish was meant to keep her out of trouble. Pulling her head away, she managed, ‘Stop.’

He was still holding her hands, and when she tried to withdraw he only tightened his grip. ‘Don’t.’

‘Why? There’s nothing to be gained.’ Except more hurt.

A sigh escaped Sam. ‘I touched your breasts, felt their weight in my hands. For days I’ve been aware of them pushing out the front of your shirts. They’re beautiful, Madison.’

‘I got lucky there.’

‘Not only there. You’re a striking woman who’s intelligent, a wonderful doctor, and can sing me into a lather in an instant.’ His mouth tipped up into one of those smiles she was coming to recognise as her addiction. Smiles that made her feel special, as though he only gave them to her. ‘Don’t hide from me. Or anyone. Or life. You’re missing out on so much by doing this to yourself.’

‘Easy for you to say. Think I should chuck my clothes aside and let a man get an eyeful? See horror or worse fill his gaze just before he turns away from me for ever? I don’t think so.’

‘Who did that to you?’ His arms were cradling her, but he still managed to watch her with fierce intensity.

‘Jason,’ she whispered.

Of course Sam swore. She’d expect nothing less. While it felt good knowing he was on her side it changed nothing. He asked, ‘Is that why your marriage failed?’

‘Yes.’ So much for the wonderful relationship she’d believed she’d had with her husband if he could leave so effortlessly.

Sam placed the softest of soft kisses on her forehead. Then one on the tip of her nose. ‘Don’t cry.’

She wasn’t aware she was.

Then Sam’s mouth covered hers and there was nothing tame about the kiss he gave her. It was deep, intense, and his rising passion told her she hadn’t put him off at all. He wanted her.

She wanted him.

Her body arched under his hands as longing pulsed through her veins and moisture pooled at her centre. She wanted Sam.

Could she have him? As in take her clothes off? If she was going to do this then she wasn’t going to hide anything. Gulp. Her heart slowed its mad beating. I can’t do it.

Sam’s hands on her shirt-covered waist told her differently. Their tenderness told her she had to, needed to. Wanted to.

Her breath hitched in her throat as she began to ease her top up. Her hands shook, her toes curled tight. There was no moisture in her mouth. Get it over with. Drawing in a deep breath, she grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged it over her head. She didn’t want to look at Sam but knew she had to. Words could never tell her the truth as clearly as his eyes would.

In

silence Sam regarded her hideous scars, and no disgust or horror darkened his eyes. Only sadness and acceptance. When his fingers traced some of the marks left by that burning beam she held her breath, unable to comprehend what was happening. He should be running for the hills, or at least saying something condescending. But no. His eyes held only tenderness. Tenderness that changed to awe as he lifted his gaze to her breasts. When his tongue lapped his lips the tension began receding, making her feel light and dizzy.

Sam still wanted her.

Her fingers splayed across his chest. Under one palm his fast heartbeat replicated hers.

Sam wanted her.

With one smooth move Madison stood up to shuck her trousers and panties, tossed her bra to join her shirt. Then she went to work undressing Sam.

‘Condom,’ he said through clenched teeth.

‘You come prepared?’ Her heart rate wavered.

‘In the top drawer of the desk. For the guys who forget to buy them.’

‘How—?’

‘Maddy, shut up.’ He was kissing her thigh, moving ever upward to where she throbbed with need.

Gripping his head, she held him against her. ‘Don’t stop, whatever you do.’

His reply was to use his tongue to send shockwaves rolling through her.

She gasped. Her fingers dug harder at his skull. When he did it again she clung to him, not wanting to move for fear of putting air between them.

‘I want you,’ she croaked. ‘I want to touch you, hold you in my hand.’

Slowly he withdrew, lifted her up over his body as he sprawled across the bed. ‘You’re on top. I want to watch you come.’

Reaching between them, she sought and found his shaft, wound her hand around him. Down, up. He strained against her, pushing up into her hand.