The Surgeon's Cinderella

“You certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t you remember me being scared of heights this morning? You came to my rescue. I’m just coming to yours this time.”

She looked at him then. “But you got in the balloon despite your fear.”

“And aren’t you here despite yours?”

She nodded.

He ran his hand along her ribs to her waist. “How about we do this together?” Tanner stood beside the bed and offered her a hand. Much to his delight, she didn’t hesitate in taking it. As she stood he couldn’t help but enjoy watching her ripe breasts moving freely. His gaze found hers. Whitney was waiting for his reaction. He took her hand and placed it on his length. “See what you’re doing to me?”

A spark he’d only seen in her eyes when she was emotional about something he had said or done flared just before she stroked him softly.

Tanner stepped out of her reach. “Any more of that and I won’t wait until you take off your clothes, I’ll tear them off.”

Her smile was a wicked one. His Whitney was gaining confidence. His Whitney? The idea was far more possessive than he liked.

With her hands at the button at her waist she said, “On three.”

Tanner forgot all about his mental slip and watched her undo the button. He soon caught up with her actions and they both stood naked before each other.

“Whitney, look at me.” He chuckled. “Not that part of me. Up here.”

Her gaze rose to meet his. A delightful rosy color covered her cheeks.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No-o-o...”

“Now I’m going to look at you and you can look at me.”

* * *

Whitney couldn’t believe she was standing in a room naked before Tanner with the sun streaming through the windows. What had happened to her? Who was she becoming?

Trembling, she watched as Tanner’s gaze left hers and started downward. His nose flared and his eyes darkened. With an index finger he lightly traced the curve of her hip. Almost reverently he said, “I see nothing that should be hidden.”

Relief, desire and an emotion that went deeper filled Whitney. For once in her life she felt she measured up. She took that confidence and found her own pleasure. Studying Tanner’s shoulders and chest, she let her look rove over his flat stomach to his slim hips. He stood strong and proud, and incredibly large. Her gaze continued down to his feet, where he wiggled his toes.

She looked at him and smiled. “There was a time I thought you had no sense of humor.”

“I’m a man of many surprises. And right now I’m going to show you some of those.” He grabbed her and lifted her onto the bed. “And I plan to touch every part of that lovely body.”

“Shouldn’t we get under the covers?”

“No. I want to experience you. Watch the light dance off your skin. See your expression as you climax.”

“Oh!”

“I bet we can do much better than ‘oh’...” Tanner kissed her deeply as his fingers caressed her breasts. Heat began to build. Involuntarily she flexed her hips.

Tanner continued to kiss her as his hand left her breast and moved to lie over her belly. Slowly, his hand lowered to her curls and over them. His lips moved over her cheek to nip at her earlobe. He whispered, “Open for me, beautiful Whitney.”

She released the tension from her legs, let them part. Tanner didn’t pause before he cupped her hot, throbbing center. A finger teased her, then pushed inside. Whitney bucked.

“Easy,” Tanner said, then he kissed her and his tongue started making the same erotic motions as his finger.

Whitney sucked in a tight breath and arched her back. Tanner thrust his finger again and she wriggled against it. She squeezed her eyes closed. A heated swirl grew deep in her, built and curled into itself, tightening, growing. Tanner eased deeper and the spring popped. Pleasure flowed throughout her. She rode a sunbeam down with a sigh.

Her eyes opened and she looked into Tanner’s grinning face. He teased, “You liked that, didn’t you?”

“Mmm...”

“I think you’ll like this as well.” Tanner reached for the foil packet he’d pulled out of his wallet earlier and placed on the bedside table. He opened it and covered himself before he leaned over her, supporting his torso with his hands. Hers came to his shoulders. He kissed one of her breasts and she felt the pull deep in her center. Moving to the other nipple, he gave it the same attention. His length nudged her opening. He flexed his hips forward and Whitney allowed him passage. Tanner eased into her. With each push-pull her fingers contracted into the muscles of his upper back. With one final plunge he filled her completely.

After a few seconds Tanner withdrew and then pushed forward, then followed the same pattern until that fist of heat started tightening again. She squirmed, wanting more of him. He kissed her then pushed hard and sent her soaring once again. Whitney was on her way down when Tanner made three quick forward motions. He groaned deep in his throat then collapsed beside her.

His arm circled her waist, pulling her to him. He brushed the hair from her forehead. “That was far better than ‘oh.’”

Whitney smiled. It was. Much better.

CHAPTER SIX

TANNER POPPED ANOTHER grape into his mouth and watched as Whitney bit into a cube of yellow cheese.

He wasn’t by a long shot inexperienced where women were concerned, but he’d never enjoyed giving or watching a woman receive pleasure as much as he had with Whitney. She was so responsive to his touch. To his amazement he’d appreciated her to the point of pain. He wasn’t used to that kind of connection. What was she doing to him?

She had crawled under the sheets as soon as she could, saying she was cold. When he’d gone to the bathroom she’d pulled on his shirt. Why was she so uptight about her body? What had happened to her? No one was perfect. Where had she gotten the idea he was only interested in looks? He certainly hadn’t been focused on that aspect when he’d listed what he wanted in a wife.

He looked at Whitney. Wife? What kind would she make? She’d certainly represented herself well this weekend. He already knew she had a kind heart. Did she like kids?

“Do you want children?”

She gave him a quizzical look. “Yeah, why?”

“Just wondering.” This wasn’t a discussion they needed to get into right now. She’d been so unsure of their attraction he didn’t want her to backslide to that point again.

He sat up. “As much as I hate it, I think we should make an appearance down by the pool.”

Her face turned unsure.

“Something wrong? You didn’t bring your suit?” He ran a finger over the top of her hand.

“I’ve got my suit.” Whitney scooted off the bed.

“Then what’s the problem?”

She stood beside the bed. “I just don’t like wearing it.”

“Why not? I bet you look cute in it.” He liked the way she looked in his shirt.

“And I bet you need glasses.”

He chuckled. Something he found he’d done more of around Whitney. “I’m a surgeon. Don’t let the rumor I can’t see get started.”

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “You go on without me.”

“I don’t think so.” He leaned across the bed and reached out, letting the pad of his finger travel down the opening of the shirt. He reveled in her shiver. “Come on, for me.” Tanner saw her indecision.

“And what’re you going to do for me?” she came back in a saucy tone.

He wiggled his brows up and down. “What do you want?”

She looked at the ceiling, revealing her long creamy neck, then back at him. “I get to drive your car home.”

“Done.”

Whitney looked surprised.

“I should have asked for something more.”

He came to stand beside her. “Hey, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve let someone drive my car. Three of those were my mechanic.”

“The others?”

“My mother. My brother.”

“Tell me about your mother.” Whitney sat on the bed and patted the space beside her.

“Trying to stall about going to meet the others?”

“Maybe a little, but I do really want to know about your mother.”