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

Now, blood trickled from a small puncture in my calf as the villain took off down the corridor and slinked into a dark room that I assumed was Vesper’s bedroom.

“Visa?” Vesper’s voice sounded, followed by a loud cough. “What the hell are you doing out there, you damn cat? Don’t you dare terrorise those puppies.”

Leaving the groceries, I tiptoed down the corridor, listening to her mutter about felines and canines and how mortal enemies should learn to get along.

Is that how she thought about us? Different species and therefore enemies?

Too bad for her, I had no intentions of going to war with her. Unless she asked me to dress up like a soldier and capture her prisoner role-play style.

Shit, down boy.

My damn cock hadn’t been this hard since high school.

My hand landed on the doorknob, intending to let myself in. The bath salts would’ve bubbled (I think) to protect her decency. And if it hadn’t, I didn’t really care.

I wanted her.

So damn bad.

And because I wasn’t going to fuck her tonight, the least I could do was perve so I had spank-bank material to sort out my traitorous body. I had to get myself under control for the next time I was around her.

It’d been a long drought since I’d been with a woman. I didn’t want to embarrass myself by coming the second she touched me.

If we ever get that far.

I twisted the handle.

It didn’t budge.

Goddammit, she’s locked the door.

Splashing sounded inside. “Who—who’s there?”

“Who else? It’s Ryder.”

“What? I thought you left?”

Was the flu affecting her short-term memory?

“Yes, I did. But now I’m back. I went for food, remember?”

“What on earth for? I told you to go home. You’ve done your good Samaritan thingy. I’m home safe. Now please, leave me alone.”

Did something happen between me leaving and returning? She’d been nice to me before. Now, she was cold.

I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone.

Doubts had a horrible way of turning something right and good into something bad and wrong.

My temper itched into gear. “Wow, that’s gratitude for bringing you home.”

A pause, then a reluctant: “You’re right. I’m sorry. Thank you for bringing me home, Ryder, and for running a bath, but really…I must insist you leave.”

I smiled; not that she could see it. Even with my thread of annoyance, I was enjoying myself way too much to leave yet. “Only once I’ve fed you, Vesper. You’re my patient until I discharge you.”

I pressed my forehead against the door, murmuring, “Finish your bath, then come and find me. Eat what I give you. Let me give you some drugs to help you sleep. And then, maybe, I’ll obey and leave you alone.”

Another splash. “You’re beyond annoying. Has anyone ever told you that?”