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

“Who says we can’t?” I smirked.

She smiled. “You know what I mean.”

Moving around the table, I took her hand. We both stiffened at the heated electricity zinging between us. “Look, I’m not asking you to give me your soul. A few dates with exclusivity right from the start. If we work out, great—we go on another date and another and another. We don’t, we end it.”

“And what about your zoo that need my care? Will you still come to our practice?” She lowered her voice as a thread of that spitfire comedian reappeared. “Because Polly would literally spank me if you left our practice. We need your money, you see.”

“Shit, I’d spank you for free—you wouldn’t have to do anything naughty.”

Her cheeks pinked. “God, that sounds good.”

I backed away, rubbing the back of my neck. “Fuck, doesn’t it?” I scrubbed my face. My temper and amount of testosterone swimming in my blood made my balls ache and control waver. It would be too easy to slam her against the wall and kiss the hell out of her.

Then there would be no more playing hard to get. No more questions about a future that hadn’t even happened yet. It would just be us. Raw and free.

I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

She shrugged. “You make a compelling argument, Mr. Carson. However, you haven’t answered my question about where you would send your dogs.”

I stared stone faced and desperate. “Polly.”

“Polly?”

I loved that she didn’t seem to appreciate that suggestion.

“You just told me I couldn’t leave the practice. Therefore, I’d make sure never to annoy you and deal only with Polly.”

Her jaw clenched. “I don’t like that idea.”

My heart leapt. “You don’t? Why?”

Her eyes narrowed. “You know why.”

My hand subtly rearranged the pounding cock in my trousers. “I want to hear you say it.”

She looked at the ceiling, wiping her hand over her mouth. “You’re pushing me past so many comfort levels; it’s not fair.”

“You shoved me from mine months ago.” I couldn’t control how my voice deepened as my craving intensified. “I have needs, Vesper. I have no doubt you could fulfil those needs so fucking well. And I’d do the same for you. That’s all I’m asking. Tell me why you wouldn’t want me dealing with Polly.”

For a moment, I expected her to deny me. Seconds ticked by with no promise of her doing what I wanted. But then she sucked in a heavy breath and something switched inside her.

Her gaze locked on mine, her lips parted, and the sexiest damn voice spilled from her lips. “I wouldn’t want you dealing with my business partner, because I’m possessive of you. I love the way you boss me around but let me argue at the same time. I love the way you make me feel alive even when I’m riddled with sickness. And I love the way you make me so wet, I have to keep a spare pair of knickers in my handbag to switch into after your visits.”

She never looked away as she licked her lips, almost bringing me to my damn knees.

“That is why I don’t want you using Polly.”

I crowded her around the bench. “You don’t want anyone else taking care of me?”

She shook her head vehemently. “No one. We do this, and as long as you’re mine, other women better watch out. I have claws.”

“What if I have lots and lots of needs?”

She panted as I looped my fingers around her throat.

“What about those?”

She froze in my hold, her pulse hammering in her neck. “I’d do my best to help you. However, I’m afraid my specialities might be a little rusty on some.”