Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

The moment she’d gone, Ryder ducked through the door and revealed two curled up tiny, tiny beasts trembling in his arms.

I can’t win with him.

First, he acted like an asshole to intrigue the stupid pubescent girl inside me that associated meanness with being liked, and then he wore me down by bringing in the cutest dogs I’d ever seen.

My head pounded as I did my best to shove aside my sickness and focus. “I see you’ve decided to give up on the wiener jokes and bring a different breed in today. I can’t wait to see how you’ll spin this one around.”

His lips twitched but concern for the two rescues never left his eyes. “Not sausage dogs but just as precious. And I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to apologise for what I said yesterday. I went too far.”

His voice fell to a husky purr. “I would never dream of hurting you in any way, Ms. Fairfax. I respect everything you do for me and it’s not my place to make you uncomfortable by crudely asking you to touch my cock or threatening you with a lawsuit.” He blinked with utmost sincerity—not one inch of mirth or crude joking. “Can you forgive me?”

Oh hell, who was I kidding?

This man was the perfect blend of standoffishness and compassion. He made my stupid heart sacrifice itself onto a plate because how could I resist alpha and puppy at the same time?

“Ugh, you don’t play fair.”

“I didn’t mean to fight dirty.”

I half-smiled. “But you kind of did.”

“I will admit, I kind of did.” His shoulders relaxed a smidgen. “If I promise never to do it again, will you accept my apology?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I was just as much to blame.” I inhaled through a rapidly congested nose. “According to Polly, we were flirting.”

“Ah!” Ryder nodded. “So that’s Polly. The girl you said would gladly give me a personality change.” He lowered his jaw, watching me beneath hooded eyes. “So now you’ve accepted my apology, you’re saying you don’t want to change me?”

My heart pounded as hard as my head as I fell once again into his trap and imagined all manner of naughty, sinful, but oh so good things. “No. No improvements necessary.”

“Thank fuck for that.” He cuddled the fluffy pooches closer. “And just for the record, did Polly have any cure for the flirting diagnosis? After all, you are qualified to hand out medicines to stop such desires interfering with everyday life, right?”

My throat closed up.

He has desires.

For me.

Goosebumps scattered over my forearms that had nothing to do with my rising temperature. “She did have one suggestion. But it’s very unorthodox.”

“Oh?”

I forced myself to hold his gaze; to be as bold and brave as him. “She said the only way to stop such flirtation was to have sex.”

His neck contracted as he swallowed hard. “Is that right?”

“Yep. That’s what she recommends.” My eyes trailed from his eyes to his mouth. “But I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.”

“Why?” His voice turned to gravel.

“Because I don’t want it to affect our patient vet relationship.”

“Don’t I have a say in this?”

I shook my head, cursing the unstable room. “Not really.”

“Would it change your mind if I was honest about my true illness—tell you just how affected I am and in such fucking need of said medicine?”

My palms turned sweaty. I wasn’t mentally equipped for this heavily sexual conversation. My inhibitions were down. My brain rocking in the corner while the nasty flu hijacked my speech and motions.