When he flattened himself on the bed, she leaned over him and fluffed up his pillow. Only problem was her full breasts were so close to his mouth, he was sure if he stuck his tongue out he’d be able to lick her gorgeous, pert nipples through those thin scrubs of hers. Her delicious scent overwhelmed him and his mouth watered, eager for a taste. Fisting his hands to stop himself from acting on his impulses, he made a noise, a half cough-half groan that seemed to garner her attention.
“Everything okay?” Bright eyes widened with worry. “The pulse isn’t too strong, is it?”
“No,” he said through clenched teeth.
She rested her hand on his thigh. “If you start to throb, let me know and I’ll play with the controls.”
Throb.
Play.
Good God!
Did she have any idea what she was doing to him?
She wet her lips, and the warmth of her hand traveled up his leg and settled deep between his legs. Her voice seemed a little soft, a little sensuous when she added, “That will help release the pressure.”
Oh fuck!
Okay, that was it. He couldn’t take it anymore. He was getting the hell out of there and asking for a new therapist before he dragged her down onto the bed with him and showed her exactly what it was going to take to relieve the pressure.
He was about to tear the tape off, but when she came closer, too close, and those big blue eyes looked at him with real concern, it stilled him. Because beneath that concern he spotted something else. Something that looked like mischief.
Jesus Christ, was she fucking playing with him?
His glance moved over her face, assessing her. Was it possible? Was good-girl Haley Jones purposely teasing him?
He took a moment, thinking how different he was from the stuffed shirts she usually dated—educated, boring businessmen who paid more attention to their iPads and iPhones than they did her. Unlike him, those men might fit into her social circle, but if they were too damn self-absorbed to realize just how special Haley was, or that a woman like her deserved their exclusive attention, then they sure as hell weren’t worthy of her affection.
Cole would never make that mistake.
As he considered that, another thought struck. He’d always considered Haley out of his league, but now that he was a professional soccer player with a respectable salary, was it possible she’d give him a chance? That she’d been intentionally fucking with his mind and teasing his libido to the point of pain because she actually wanted him?
Just then his cell rang, pulling his thoughts back before he could come to a conclusion. He twisted, looking for his pants. Haley grabbed them off the stool and handed them to him. Then she stepped back to give him privacy while she examined the exercise charts on the wall.
Cole flipped his phone open, and with half his concentration on Haley as she moved about the room with innocent sensuality and the other half on the person waiting for him on the other end of the line, he bit out, “Hello.”
“Cole, Drake Drummond here. Just wanted to confirm the time for our photo shoot tomorrow.”
Cole furrowed his brow in thought. “I thought that wasn’t until next weekend.”
He heard papers rustle in the background, then, “Nope, tomorrow, one o’clock at the soccer fields.”
“I must have mixed up the dates. I made plans to go to the cabin, since it’s a long weekend.” Cole frowned, knowing he’d have to cancel, despite how much he was looking forward to getting away with Sean and Carter, to kick back and drink a few beers while they soaked up the September sun. Even though both his buddies were bringing their girlfriends, and Cole was going to be the odd man out, he was still looking forward to catching up with the guys. Of course, he could always bring a girl of his own along, but the truth was, now that he’d set sights on Haley again, being with another woman held little appeal.
“Are we on?” Drake asked.
“Okay, I’ll be—”
Before he could finish the sentence, Haley took the phone from him. In her most professional voice she said, “Drake, this is Haley Jones. I believe you’re going to have to reschedule.”
Surprised by her abruptness and this unexpected turn of events, Cole listened to her side of the conversation. He started to prop himself up, but she placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back down. He grinned at her forcefulness, quite enjoying this other, dominant side of her—a side he’d had no idea existed, but liked just the same.
With hot determination lighting her blue eyes, she continued to lecture Drake, although Cole doubted the photographer was going to postpone the shoot. After all, the guy had a schedule to follow, and since this campaign was to raise money for charity, Cole would do what it took to accommodate him.
“As his therapist, I insist,” she went on. “His cast was only just removed, and he’s not ready to kick a ball around or put undue pressure on his leg. Plus I’ve prepared an exercise schedule for him, and it’s imperative that he follow it for the next week.” A pause and then, “Okay, yes. I see.” She pursed her lips, and the sparkle in her eyes when they locked on Cole’s was a good indication that she wasn’t about to back down. “Fine then. I’ll take Mr. September’s pictures myself.”
She’ll take the pictures?
Haley let loose a frustrated breath, but her resolve never wavered, a trait Cole fully admired. “Are you forgetting that we were in audio visual club together, and I know a thing or two about photography?” Another pause, and then when her voice softened, Cole instantly knew she’d gotten her way.
He shook his head and couldn’t believe that she’d been able to sway
