Frowning, the man seemed to think about what had been said. “I may have another proposition for you. A way of shortening your time here. And if you agree, and we successfully stop Luther before the end of that time, I’ll let you go.”
Tessa knew a trap when she heard one. It may have been wrapped in golden bows but she had to tread carefully. “What offer?”
Locke came forward, so close, she could feel his body radiating heat. His tall frame a head above her. He wasn’t bulky, more like an Olympic swimmer in her mind, and the tight shirt outlined his body beautifully. Was he trying to distract her, because it was working.
His musky scent assaulted her senses, but she kept her head high, and her gaze firmly on the swirling sea of his.
“We are attracted to each other. And I’m not talking about the shower, although I’m curious to know what you were thinking about as you took your pleasure.”
He lowered his head, his cheek a whisper away from hers as he murmured in her ear. “There is an attraction between us. Do you deny it? Did I imagine it at the hospital?”
Remaining still, Tessa waited.
“Here’s my offer. I’ll shorten the period to three months on one condition. Sex. Plain, and simple. Each time we have sex, in any form, in any way, I’ll reduce hours off your debt.”
“You want me to be your sex slave?” Was she really considering this? It was surreal.
“No. It’s just a suggestion. You can stick to the original deal if you want. But if you decide that three months or less is more convenient, and maybe more tempting…”
He was completely crazy, but on the other hand, Tessa told herself that she could return to work faster. So, who was the crazy one now?
“And I’m sure you have plenty of rules to go with that option too.”
Locke leaned back, his face but a few inches from hers. “The previous applies, of course. And in addition, to optiontwo; both parties can make the first move to engage in sex. No restriction on what we do, apart from one thing.”
And now, Tessa was curious to know what it was. “What is it?”
“No kissing on the mouth. At any time.”
Somehow, it didn’t surprise her. The way he’d handled things so far, kissing would be way too personal, and intimate. “Anything else?”
“You can say no at any time to anything for any reason. But if you do, we go back to optionone. Taking into account any time already reduced, of course.”
He was so calculating. The problem with him being so close, her body was tempted, and it messed with her thinking. It was undeniable, but unimaginable.
“I am not… I mean, I love sex, and with my job, having someone in my life is not always an option. What you saw in the shower, I never do that.”
“Never do what, Doctor?”
Tessa exhaled in a laugh. “Put on a show. Be bold, and overtly sexual like that. I thought I was alone.”
Locke nodded. “Judgment. If you don’t judge me, I won’t judge you. Do you want to know what I saw when I entered that bathroom?”
He extended his hand, and Tessa took it before she could stop herself, curious what he was about to say. He pulled her toward the large sofa and sat. Then he tugged her forward, parting her legs so she sat over his thighs. Tessa was glad the shirt was way too long as she didn’t have any underwear on.
She didn’t recognize herself. Where was Tessa Freeman, the capable doctor, the independent woman?
They were all still a part of her. When she sat, her naked skin against the rough material of his pants, she realized that curiosity and fright, along with a healthy dose of desire made her want to be bold. It was the same feeling that made her want to tease him at the hospital, to see how far she could push him. And now Tessa wanted him to see how far she would go. If only once, with this stranger, the odd man with eyes she wanted to drown in.
Letting go of her hand, Locke put his palms on the outside of her knees and leaned back on his seat.
“I saw a beautiful woman desperate to be touched, but not willing to wait to get what she wants.”
His fingers started to draw lazy patterns on her skin, going up a little at each swirl until they reached the hem of her top. Locke looked so cold, but contained a deep fire that she could feel through his fingertips. It started as a teasing touch, increasing to a more insistent caress as he reached her waist, hinting at heading between her legs.
“What I’m offering you is something to satisfy us both. Straightforward, no hidden agenda. Only sharing our bodies.”
“Can it be that simple?” Now breathless, it was a challenge for her to utter the words.
