I stroked her soft cheek, sliding my hand to her nape, fingersthreading through her silky hair, gently kneading. "Did you hit your head?"
"No. Can you let me go now?" Noelle still tried to struggle.
"Good." I slid slowly down her arm, gripping her wrist. "What about here? Did you twist anything?"
"No!" Noelle shook her head, trying to pull her hand back.
I held her wrist firm, turning it over, thumb drawing circles on her tender palm. Her helpless position made the beast inside me even more restless.
"That's good." I released her wrist, my palm following her waist's curve upward. "When you fell, did you hit your ribs?"
Her whole body went rigid, sucking in a sharp breath.
"Don't..." Noelle finally broke, her voice catching with tears.
"Why?" I stopped moving, lips almost touching her ear. "Does it hurt?"
My fingertips traced the edge of her bra, and she went taut as a drawn bowstring.
I dropped the pretense, covering that softness completely with my palm. I listened with satisfaction to her broken whimper.
"Seems fine here too." I increased the pressure of my massage.
Noelle completely gave up resistance, eyes squeezed shut, letting me do as I pleased.
I moved to her flat stomach, then her thigh. "What about here?" My palm settled on her inner thigh, that most sensitive, vulnerable place.
She snapped her eyes open, pupils flooded with panic and silent pleading.
"Don't... not here..."
"Not here? Our examination is finished."
I leaned to her ear. "Looks like you're perfectly fine everywhere."
The fire in Noelle's eyes blazed brighter. "Kholod! You pervert!"
"Yes, I am." This wasn't the first time she'd called me a pervert. I looked at her flushed eyes and moist lips, leaning down to kiss her roughly.
"Boss."
Dmitri's voice came from the doorway—calm, controlled, but like ice water over my head.
I immediately released Noelle. Dmitri hadn't entered.
"Sorry to interrupt, but the documents you requested are ready and need your personal review and signature."
"Wait in my study."
"Yes. Also, Miss Isabella Vance called wanting to thank you in person for your generous support."
I waved irritably. "Unnecessary. Decline all such requests going forward."
"Understood."
I looked down at Noelle beneath me, her eyes sparkling with mockery.
"Boss, time to get to work."
