“I’m really sorry I’ve dumped my personal problems on you.”
“Stop saying you’re sorry. We’ll get through this.”
A stricken look crossed his face for a second but soon changed to a gentle smile. He’d said we. Was she asking too much of him? Was this too personal, too involved for him?
Ryan held her hand while she spoke to her sister. Afterwards, his hands went to her shoulders. He turned her round and nudged her towards the bathroom. “Now go and get yourself together.”
Ryan’s deep voice speaking to a person at the St. Regis was the last thing she heard before stepping under the shower. Through still unsure how she’d handle seeing Emily or Alexis again, she felt reassured that Ryan would be there with her. Twenty minutes later she came out of the bathroom dressed in a robe with her wet hair twisted in a towel on top of her head.
Ryan sat on her small sofa, making it look very inadequate for his large size. One ankle was propped on the other knee. He’d removed his jacket, leaving it hung over the top of a chair at the table. Amazingly, he seemed right at home in the small apartment.
He had the phone to his ear. From the questions he was asking, he was speaking to someone at the hospital. His dedication to his job was one of the many facets of his personality she admired. Caring for his patients was his top priority. That compassion extended to her.
Looking up, he gave her a smile of encouragement. She made an effort to return it but she didn’t think she pulled it off when his brows dipped in concern. The self-conscious feeling when he watched her intensified while she gathered her underwear. She wasn’t used to that kind of scrutiny from anybody, particularly from a devastatingly sexy man.
She stepped into her tiny closet and pushed clothes around on the rack, unable to make up her mind about what to wear. A long arm reached past her. She squeaked.
Ryan pulled a hanger supporting an aqua-colored sweater dress off the pole. “I like you in this one.” He hung it on the hook on the closet door. “You wore it the third day you came to work.”
“You noticed?” She’d had no idea he’d observed her that closely.
“Yeah, I noticed a lot of things about you.” Ryan reached an arm around her waist and pulled her back to his front. His fingers splayed over her robe to cover her stomach.
She rested against him, enjoying the warmth and strength of him that seeped through her. He kissed her neck. She shivered.
He moved upwards and found that spot behind her ear. The one he’d discovered the night before. He kissed it. “You’re so tense. Honey, you’ve got to ease up on yourself or you’re going to make yourself sick. I know just what to do to relieve that stress.” The hand on her stomach pressed her back against him even more, leaving her in no doubt what he meant. He continued to nibble at her ear.
Her head fell against his shoulder. He slipped a hand beneath her robe and cupped a breast. She panted softly as his fingers teased, working their magic. His hand slid downwards as he pushed the robe open, leaving a trail of heat along her skin. Pulling at the belt of her robe, he gained access to her bare body. His hand inched further down. His index finger flirted with her opening then retreated. She moaned. Warm heat pooled in her.
“Lucy?”
“Mmm?”
He whispered against her ear. “What do you want?”
“More.” She felt his smile against her skin.
His finger slipped in to find her core. She went up on tiptoe and leaned back against him.
“How do you feel?”
“Good.”
“How good?” His finger moved again.
“Oh, so good.”
* * *
Ryan watched as Lucy nibbled at her bottom lip. Her unease had increased as they’d waited for the elevator that would take them up to Alexis’s floor. Letting go of his hand, she pushed at her hair. It wasn’t necessary because she’d swirled and curled it, pulling the mass into a messy knot at the back of her neck. “How’re you feeling?” he asked.
“I was better earlier.”
She still sounded more stressed than he would have liked. She was going to scare her sister if she didn’t lighten up some.
“Do we need to find a closet?” he asked.
He laughed at her stricken look. “We can’t have sex every time I’m upset.”
“I don’t know. I’m available.”
She gave a real smile for the first time since he’d left her at her apartment that morning. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He’d watched the movement of her lips and had immediately wanted to find somewhere private. Getting enough of her was becoming a problem.
As they rode up in the elevator, her frantic look became more pronounced. She fumbled with her purse, dropping it. Picking it up, Ryan handed it back to her. “Honey, take a deep breath.”
She did so.
Where had the woman gone who had marched into his office and told him off in no uncertain terms?
“Now, give me your hand.” He held out his hand palm up and gave her his most reassuring grin.
The door of the elevator slid open and they stepped into the hall. Lucy’s grip tightened as they neared the door of her sister’s apartment, as if she was drawing strength from him. Standing in front of the door, she tried to pull her hand from his. She was going to run.
He brought her close, kissing her until she melted against him. “You can do this.” He gave her another quick peck.
She nodded and squared her shoulders. Ryan knocked on the door.
LUCY WAS STILL under Ryan’s spell until the door opened and Alexis rushed out, wrapping Lucy in a bear hug.
“Oh, Lucy, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.” Alexis sounded as if she was choked up with happiness.
Shame washed over Lucy as she stiffened in her twin’s embrace. Afraid Alexis would pick up on the slightest vibe, she returned the hug. She didn’t want her sister to know, wouldn’t let her know. She couldn’t hurt her sister.
Alexis released her and looked at Ryan.
Lucy gathered her thoughts enough to say, “Alexis, this is Ryan O’Doherty. A...uh...friend of mine.”
Ryan smiled his killer smile. “Hi, Alexis. It’s nice to meet you. I knew you weren’t identical twins but I still see the family resemblance in the eyes.” The O’Doherty charm was flowing.
Alexis
