She ran her fingertips over the words as warmth washed over her. It amazed her how observant he was, how he knew so much about her likes and dislikes.
The phone rang. She followed the sound until she found it.
“Hello.” She pressed the receiver to her ear and began rifling through his cupboards in search of a coffee mug. She really needed to caffeinate before she faced this day.
“Hey, Laura. I didn’t wake you, did I?” The sound of Jay’s voice awakened every nerve in her body.
“No. I was just about to pour a cup of coffee.”
“I’m on my way home and I wanted to see if you needed anything.”
Her heart did a little pitter-patter in her chest. It was the way he said it. Home. It filled her with longing. She took a moment to imagine what it would be like to share a warm, welcoming home with him. To share an intimate evening after a long day at the lab. To fall into bed every night and make sweet, passionate love. She fought down the tug of emotions that swept through her.
Her throat felt tight. “I need to speak to Erin.”
“I’m not at the lab. I’m in the car a block from home.”
Laura nibbled on her lower lip. “Did you take the suppressant?”
He hesitated before answering. “Yes.” His voice sounded strange.
“Did Erin administer it?” She held her breath.
“Yes.”
Oh God!
She tried to keep her voice steady. “How, uh…how do you feel?” He ignored her question and asked one of his own.
“What are you wearing, Laura?” The arousal edging his voice invaded her body with panic. With excitement.
Ohmigod, Erin must have switched the vials!
Her heart rose in her throat and she felt color bloom high on her cheeks. She had to tell him her suspicions. Didn’t she?
“I just pulled into my parking spot. I’m coming up.” He sounded so feral, so on edge.
Laura hung up the phone and ran to the bathroom to freshen up. His scent lingered in the room from his earlier shower. The aroma stirred her senses. Pleasure shifted inside her and her whole body began to moisten with indecent thoughts.
Thoughts like what it would be like to disregard the fact that he’d been given an enhancer. To give in to her desires and make love to him. To have his naked body move over hers and to run her nails over his back while he pushed his length and thickness deep inside her.
Lost in her mind’s wanderings, she didn’t hear his footsteps approaching. Didn’t know how long he’d been standing there watching her.
“Hey.”
She spun around, met his direct gaze, and drew in a quick, sharp breath. “Hey, yourself.”
She recognized that look in his eyes. It was dark, wolfish, and wild, the look of an untamed animal stalking its prey. It was the same look he’d given her just before he’d made love to her with his fingers and his mouth.
She swallowed. Hard. “Are you okay?” Her pulse began to drum and her legs went rubbery beneath her.
He edged closer, until she could feel the warmth of his body. “Not really.” His voice was like a rough whisper.
She frowned in concentration. “What is it?”
He grabbed her by the waist and drew her to him. He pushed his hips into her.
She felt his erection. Her heart did a somersault. It secretly thrilled her. Keeping the pleasure from her expression, she took a small distancing step backward and plastered on an air of professionalism.
“I see.” God, she wanted him so much it hurt. But it was wrong, wasn’t it? To make love with him knowing what Erin had done? Knowing that he wouldn’t make love to her under normal circumstances. Her botched seduction while in the tub last night proved that.
“I guess the potion didn’t work after all. Perhaps we should head back to the lab and run some tests,” she suggested.
Conflicting emotions passed before his eyes when she stepped away from his embrace. He grabbed her elbow and hauled her back. As her body collided with his, every nerve ending came alive.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. She shuddered as her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips.
“Everything’s working, Laura. Everything is as it should be.” The roughness in his voice gave way to softness.
What did he mean by that?
“Let me make love to you, babe.” The need and untamed passion in his eyes ignited her blood.
Oh God, she had to tell him. It was the right and logical thing to do. He brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek and looked at her with pure desire. Hot flames licked a path up her legs.
She opened her mouth, but no words formed. A hunger she couldn’t seem to assuage moved through her when his fingers wandered lower and lower until they hovered only inches from her swollen nipples.
Suddenly she knew she was too far gone to deny herself the pleasure of his kisses, his touch. They might have no future together, but they had this moment. And for now, that would have to be enough.
What she was about to do wasn’t smart—hell, it wasn’t even moral—but she couldn’t stop herself. After today she would never have another chance with him. She reached out and combed her fingers through his hair, guiding his mouth to hers.
Opening herself to him, heart and soul, she slipped out of his robe and let it fall to the floor. She whispered into his mouth, “Make love to me, Jay.”
With her mouth poised open, Laura pressed her hot body against his and trailed her nails over his back. The cords in his muscles vibrated with each sensuous stroke.
He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. The second his lips closed over hers, he had to remind himself how to breathe. He felt her body soften beneath his and thought he’d go crazy with desire.
Moments ago, when he’d come around that corner and had seen her standing there, looking sexy and beautiful in his robe and slippers, he felt as
