Chapter 6: Harbor

Joining rooms? Who did this guy think he was? Sure, I’d given in and let him keep his hand on mine, but I figured I’d give him the brush off after we got to our separate rooms, and besides, I needed the comfort. Today was more than a standard meeting for me. I was about to have my procedure, and the last thing I wanted to do was argue all the way there.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about where I’d be sleeping on this trip. On the one hand, it was super flattering that someone so handsome was going through such troubles to flirt with me. On the other hand, he was being totally inappropriate. There was no way I could let things get out of hand. At least he’d never know what I’d done while thinking about him. His flirting and teasing had made me so damned nervous as it at any moment he would read my mind and know that I’d pleasured myself to him.

I decided not to let it get to me too much and went into the bathroom to freshen up and change. I made sure the door was locked before going in so that I wouldn’t walk out to see him standing in my room bare ass naked. I wasn’t sure the man had any limitations. The thought made me heat up, and I pushed it away. I couldn’t let myself get sidetracked. We had to go to the first day of our event, and I had to get my damned device implanted. I hadn’t wanted to think about it much and kept pushing it to the back of my mind. At least I’d have a nice big bed of my own to come back to if it made me sick. The chances of that were slim, but knowing my luck, it would do a number on me.

I tugged that damned skirt down one last time because as pretty as it was, I was never wearing it again. Courtney and Scott had told me it looked amazing and though I agreed, it hadn’t felt much like me. I should have gone for comfort over style for the drive in. Okay, and maybe I had wanted to look good for Dr. Black.

I jumped in the shower and rinsed off, careful not to wet my hair, and when I was done, I dressed in something more comfortable. The paperwork that gave me my instructions for the procedure had recommended jeans, so I pulled on a pair of comfortable skinnies that showed off my figure. Courtney had helped me with this outfit too, and I liked it much better. She’s insisted I wear them with her favorite heels and then dared me to scuff them.

I pulled them on and then I heard a knock at the joining door. “I’ll be right there.” I crossed the room and opened the door.

He stood there buttoning his shirt but stopped to take me in. “I like the jeans with heels.”

“Do you think it’s too much for where we’re going? I’ve got to have my procedure, so I want to be comfortable.”

His eyes trailed down and then back up, lingering his gaze toward my breasts. “I think it’s fine. There will be people from all over dressed a million different ways, but you,” He stepped closer. “You’ll be the sexiest woman there.”

“I’m going to a clinical environment. Maybe flats are more appropriate.”

“It’s a conference center, not a hospital. You’ll be fine, trust me. You should see some of the administrators and how they dress. You’d think their trying to land their next husbands and don’t think I haven’t been hit on more times that I care to remember.”

“You love it.” I rolled my eyes and started to step away, but he caught my arm and pulled me close.

“I like attention well enough, but I like to give it even more, and I have to say, Harbor, you in those jeans, with those heels, you’re going to get all of my attention.” His mouth was close enough to kiss and being in his arms sent a tingle to my core.

I wanted to capture his mouth and run my fingers through his hair and grind against him, but I couldn’t let myself go to that place, not even in my mind again.

The pleasure I’d had dreaming of him would be nothing compared to having him against me, above, and inside me. The throbbing ache between my legs was building, and as I hitched a breath, he smiled.

“I like the effect I have on you.” The back of his hand brushed against my cheek and then he reached and tucked another strand of hair behind my ear like he had on the drive over.

His touches always seemed to be intimate, and I wondered if it was just me or if he acted this way with everyone. Maybe this was his game, get them alone for the weekend in a nice big hotel with a joining room and seduce them.

He stood there with his shirt still unbuttoned and I couldn’t help but think I was right. I could barely peel my eyes away from his chest and that smile—it was a weapon, and its target was the ache at my core.

“I’ll be ready in another ten minutes if you want to walk down together. I can help you find your area and find out which procedure I’ll be observing.”

“You will be observing the procedure? Like when I’m getting it inserted?” I hadn’t considered the fact that he’d be around to see it done.

“Yeah, you did read your paperwork, didn’t you? There will be a group of doctors observing the procedure as well as the Ortho-Nouveau reps.” I had read the important parts like the side effects, and the duration of the procedure, not how many people would be standing around watching it happen. The small pellet was supposed to be inserted in my hip and would be good for a whole year of birth control.

I suddenly felt a little dizzy realizing all of the eyes that would be on me, and I lost my balance. The next thing I remember was falling into his strong arms and landing against his firm chest. “I’ll take that as a no,” he said walking me to the bed.

My ass hit the mattress. “I thought it would be done in private and then discussed. I wasn’t aware that the entire thing would be watched by everyone attending.”

“Well, if it helps, it won’t be everyone. They like to keep us in intimate groups so that we could discuss the procedures. Most likely it will be around twenty doctors and representatives in each group. That was why there were other volunteers. You’ll do just fine.”

I clutched my stomach. “Will I have to undress? It said to wear pants and not a skirt.” The thought of being in a paper gown in front of an entire room of people was terrifying.

He gave me a sympathetic smile and rubbed my arm and then brought his hand to the center of my back to soothe me. “That usually means you’ll be able to keep your top on. Don’t be worried. These people see gorgeous women all the time. If it helps I’ll make sure I’m in your group.” My eyes widened at the thought.

“No, you don’t have to go to the trouble. I’ll be okay. I’m sure they’ll be respectful.” I knew better than to think anyone would be gawking or deliberately making me feel uncomfortable, but I hadn’t realized what I was in store for. “It just took me by surprise. I’ll be fine.”

“Well, it may work out I’m there.” He tried to be reassuring, but the thought of being laid out naked or in whatever state they had in store for me, for everyone to see with his eyes amongst the others burning down on me didn’t make me feel any better. He had a way of looking at me that made me feel exposed enough as it was, even fully dressed and being in the vulnerable position wasn’t going to be any easier. I got to my feet and straightened out my clothes as I walked to the mirror across the room. I soon saw his reflection standing behind me across the room.

I gathered my hair up and gave it a twist, putting it in my usual bun and taking special care that it looked slick and perfect. Once I had it how I wanted it, he crossed the room, and his hand trailed up my back and then in one swift motion my hair fell. He’d taken the clip free of it and undid what I’d worked to make just right.

“I beg your pardon? I happen to like my hair up.” His nerve was enough to put me on edge, and I didn’t know what to make of his back and forth. One minute he was trying to put me at ease and the next he was the one putting me on edge.

He chuckled. “You look better with it down, besides, you’ll soon find I’m a man that gets what he wants, Harbor. Things will be a lot more fun when you figure that out.” He flashed me a wink, and I snatched the clip from his hand and set about redoing my hair.

He stepped close and my entire body radiated from his proximity. “I’m going to take you out for a bite when we’re done. You look hungry.”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re impossible and sorely mistaken if you think you’ll get what you want with me.” He gave a soft chuckle, and I wanted to throw the clip in his face. I couldn’t get my hair to go back how I had it, so I dropped the damned clip on the table and stormed into the bathroom.

His laughter belted, and then I heard his footsteps returning to his room. “Be ready in five, or I leave without you.”