He broke the silence first. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I croaked. “But we have to talk.”
He smiled warily.
“That never bodes well.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, thinking over the words I wanted to say yet failing to form a sentence. “I’m all ears, Sophie.”
“What are we?” I asked.
Surprise flickered in his eyes. “Not sure I follow.”
God, he was really going to make me say it. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“Before we go there, I just want to say thank you for protecting me. Everything you’ve done… It means a lot. I want you to know that now, in case I get upset by our next topic and fail to communicate my gratitude.” He nodded, acknowledging curtly. “Now… You seemed put off earlier when I called you my boyfriend.”
“I did?” he asked. I nodded, frustration curling in the pit of my stomach. “I wasn’t put off. You just caught me by surprise.”
“We’re not exactly teenagers, and we’ve been sleeping together and practically living together."
“We have,” he confirmed slowly.
“What’s confusing about labeling you as my boyfriend? It’s usually how it goes.” My voice and frustration rose in tandem. “So what are you to me?” I demanded.
He let out a sardonic breath. “Your boyfriend suits me. Or your partner, lover. You call the shots,zemra ime.”
It was all it took for the tension in my shoulders to seep out of me and be replaced by satisfaction heating through my veins.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t call the shots,” I murmured, easing myself onto the lounge chair until I straddled him, the fabric of my dress sliding up my thighs. I could feel his warmth beneath me and my hands came to rest on his chest as I met his gaze.
“I just want to be on the same page as you,” I added softly. “And I need your word that no harm will come to the director of the hospital and his family, regardless of his jackass power trip.”
“You have my word.” His hands came to rest on my hips and hesmiled, flashing a perfect set of white teeth. “Own your power, Sophie. It’s sexy as fuck.”
“It is?” I breathed, my cheeks heating further. I would be lying if I said his words didn’t impact me. “I didn’t realize I had any power over you.”
“You do.”
Such a simple surrender and my heart leaped to his. We had incredible chemistry, yes, but this thing between us was so much more and I felt damn unstoppable when I was with him.
“Okay,boyfriend. Now what?”
“You tell me.”
He leaned forward and nipped my collarbone, sucking on the sensitive flesh where my neck and shoulder met.
“I can’t think with your mouth on me,” I moaned.
“Good. Now you know how I feel,” he grunted. “God, you smell like heaven.” I moaned again. “You know, I don’t remember the last time someone called me their boyfriend,” he drawled, his breath hot against my skin.
I straightened, meeting his gaze.
“Seriously?” He nodded. “But you’ve dated? Been in love?”
“Once, a long time ago.”
