The Procedure (17 page)

He was everywhere, including my mind. My body hummed under his attention, dripping for him and longing for his touch.

“I need you.”

It was all I could say. It was all I could think. I needed him to put out the burn that was raging inside of me. I needed him to give me the relief I knew he could give. And I simply needed him. Roman had changed me—made me smile and laugh—slowly brought back the girl I used to be.

“You have no idea what you saying that does to me,” he said, sliding his finger into my folds and swirling it in the wetness within.

Again, I lifted my hips and gasped at the sensations that were slowly building beneath his touch. Reaching down, I covered his hand and pressed it deeper into me.

More
.

I wanted it. My body craved it.

Finally, his finger moved into my passage and began massaging a secret soft spot that was slowly moving me closer to the edge. Air puffed from my open mouth, along with tiny sounds I couldn’t stop.

And then he pulled his finger away and starting moving down my body. His mouth skimmed my skin, making me squirm into the sheets. Peeling my panties from my body, he tossed them to the floor and leaned down to kiss the inside of my thigh.

“I’m going to taste every square inch of you before this night is over,” he said against my folds.

And then he made good on his promise as he licked my slit with a flat tongue and sucked my clit into his mouth.

“You taste so good, love. Like sugar and sin.”

Again, he sucked me before pushing two fingers deep within. My thighs fell open for him, and my hands pressed on the back of his head for more. He ate me in a way I never knew was possible, humming against my wet flesh as if I were the best thing he had ever tasted.

As he worked his fingers in and out, the build started within me and was held captive by his touch. He was in control of my pleasure. He knew the combination to open me up, and slowly he pressed that combination in.

I climbed with each swipe of his tongue—each entrance of his fingers—until finally, I was hanging on the brink and begging him loudly to give me what I craved.

And then I was falling, calling out Roman’s name as if he were the only thing keeping me on the earth. I saw stars as my body emptied into a fountain of pleasure that Roman continued to draw from. I closed my eyes, lost in the sensation, and when I opened them, he was above me.

He made quick work of his pants, pushing them down his legs and from his body. I lay there, limp with contracting muscles in my folds that begged for more.

Once his pants were gone, he adjusted himself between my legs. His hot length pressed at my entrance, igniting the flame inside of me all over again. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down for a kiss and sucked my flavor from his tongue.

“I can’t take it anymore. I need you inside of me, Roman. Please,” I begged.

“Anything,” he panted against my lips. “Anything you want, Samantha. I’m yours, love.”

And then he moved his hips, shattering every vow I’d taken nine years ago, and finalizing my transformation into the girl I used to be.

I LOST MYSELF
in Samantha, flexing my hips as if I couldn’t get deep enough. Her sweet moans filled the room as I worked my body into hers over and over again.

Her hot, tight flesh surrounded my girth and gripped tightly at me as I plunged deep inside of her. Sensations worked themselves down my spine and into my tailbone before shooting down my length, pushing noises of pleasure past my lips.

She was amazing in every way—responsive to every move and touch I made. Her fingernails dug into my back and arse, stinging and adding pain to my pleasure.

“Yes, Roman. You feel so good. So. Good,” she said repeatedly.

I wanted to make her feel good—to make her feel the way she made me feel. And every time she said something, it sent pleasure down into my hips and brought me closer to the edge.

I plunged into her, filling her with everything I was. Pressing my lips to hers, I caught her sounds with my tongue and my own sounds blended with hers.

“I’m so close. Don’t stop,” she breathed against my lips.

I could feel her tightening around me, and I knew any minute she would explode and bathe me with her sweetness. “Come on, love. Give it to me,” I said, speeding up and working my hips harder.

She closed her eyes, the back of her head digging into the pillow, and then she bit into her lip before she opened her mouth and cried out loudly. Her body gripped harder, flexing around me, and wet warmth covered me as she came long and hard.

I didn’t stop. Pumping my hips harder and faster, I felt my own release rapidly coming. Burying my head into her neck, my breathing sped up with my body. Everything below tightened as my little death crept in. Biting into her shoulder, I let go and came hard inside of her—shooting all that I was deep into her core. It was satisfying to claim her as my own even though in the back of my mind, I knew she never would be.

She held me to her body, sweat layering our skin, beginning to cool when we became still. I lay on top of her, feeling her heartbeat against my chest, before pulling out and falling to my side. Pulling her to my side, she snuggled into me and I released a much-needed breath.

Happiness seeped into me, and with a smile on my face, I slept.

We woke twice during the night, gripping at each other and drowning in pleasure. It was an amazing night. One that I would never forget.

I WOKE THE
next morning with Samantha snuggled to my side with a sleepy smile. My body hummed and already, I could feel myself hardening against her thigh again. I was insatiable when it came to her. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to fill her over and over again until I couldn’t anymore.

But something heavy weighed on my chest. As I lay there trying to figure out what was wrong with such a perfect situation, I knew it was guilt that was beginning to choke me. I hated the idea of such a terrible feeling being attached to all the wonder that was Samantha, but no matter how much I tried to swallow it, it stayed lodged in my chest.

Turning on my side, I took in her face—her flushed cheeks and thoroughly kissed lips. She was beautiful, and even if it was only for the weekend, she was mine. Reaching out, I smoothed away her hair, pushing it out of her face before I leaned in and kissed her softly.

“I love you, Samantha,” I whispered against her skin, knowing she didn’t hear me while she slept.

It was the best way. I’d wanted to say it from the moment I realized it, but saying it to her wasn’t going to get me anywhere. At least this way, I got it out with no harm done.

She began to move, breathing in deeply before her eyes slowly opened and I was staring into the dark orbs that had a way of pulling me in.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice weak with sleep.

“It definitely is.” I smiled down at her.

And it was. The best I’d ever had.

WE SPENT THE
day together. First making love in the shower, and then taking on the city. We ate lunch at a romantic bistro and held hands like a young couple in love. It was everything I wanted and more, but no matter what, I felt guilty knowing her husband was at home while I was busy losing myself in Samantha and her body.

I dropped her off at her room with a kiss when it was time for us to get ready for the conference I was in town to attend. I could hardly wait to get back to Samantha’s room. Being away from her for even an hour while we dressed was too much. Especially knowing that come tomorrow morning, our intimate setting would be gone and we’d be back in Miami, living our normal lives.

With a red rose in hand, I went to Samantha’s to pick her up. Tapping on the door, I waited until I heard the lock click and the door opened. And then there she was, standing in front of me, looking like the most beautiful creature in the world, and smiling back at me.

Her gorgeous body was wrapped in black silk that cascaded around her legs in loose folds. Her shoulders were bare except for the diamond-drop earrings that rested against her neck. Her hair was up, with lights curls that refused to be tied down falling loosely around her perfect face. She was beautiful. More beautiful than beautiful.

Pulling her into my arms, I kissed her hard. She pushed me away with a giggle.

“You’re ruining my lipstick, Roman,” she said, dabbing at the color that I’d smeared on the side.

She reached up and ran her finger across my lips, taking away the color I’d stolen with my kisses.

“I’m going to ruin more than your lipstick when we get back,” I flirted. As if we hadn’t spent the night in each other’s arms, she blushed sweetly. Giving her my arm, I shivered when she wrapped hers around mine.

When we reached the venue where the conference was being held, she stiffened at the door before we could enter. The doors had opened, revealing a room packed with people who were dressed to kill.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, turning to her in concern.

She was shaking and her blushed cheeks had gone white. It was a side of Samantha I hadn’t had a chance to see.

“I’m sorry I’m shaking. I always get nervous at these kinds of things. I’m not like those ladies in there, Roman. I’m not confident enough to walk through that room with my nose in the air.”

Pulling her into my arms, I nuzzled her cheek and breathed her in. “You’re nothing like those women, and that’s what I love the most about you. Be confident in your own way.” I leaned back and captured her warm cheeks in my palms. “Confidence isn’t walking into a room with your nose in the air. It’s walking into a room without having to make any comparisons to the people around you. Don’t compare yourself to those people, Samantha, because they don’t compare to you.”

She took a deep breath and smiled up at me, squeezing my arm. “How do you always know the right things to say?”

“That’s easy. I know you, Samantha.” My eyes moved her face, taking in every expression that passed over it.

“I love that you do, Roman. I love…” She stopped, her eyes moving over my face. “I love it more than you realize.”

I wanted to tell her then how much I loved her. The moment was perfect. It was the moment I’d been waiting for, but the words stuck to my tongue. It wouldn’t change anything except for the fact that my words would loom over us and add stress to our situation.

Instead, I patted the hand she rested on my arm and pulled it up to kiss it.

“I know exactly what you mean, love,” I said against the back of her hand, the soft skin tickling my lips. “Ready?”

She nodded and squared her shoulders like a soldier prepared for war.

“That’s my girl.” I winked down at her, drawing a glowing smile from her.

Walking into the hotel ballroom, we left everything at the door. Moving toward the gathered crowds, Samantha stopped me, pulling on my arm. When I saw what caught her attention, I smiled sheepishly. A picture of me was on display. The words CONGRATULATIONS DR.BLAKE was on the bottom in thick, black lettering.

“What is this?” Samantha asked, confused.

“Didn’t I mention this evening was for me?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Nope. Seems you failed to mention that little fact.”

I laughed. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It seems to be a very big deal if they’re putting on an event this large just for you.”

“It’s validation I don’t need, but it seems you Americans need the gratification that comes with being considered good at what you do.”

She laughed. “Us Americans?”

“Yes. Excluding you, of course,” I teased.

“I hope so.” She pouted and I laughed, bending over to kiss her lips without care for who might recognize her from Miami.

If Samantha wasn’t in her element, I wasn’t able to tell with the way she moved through the room. She dazzled and charmed the knickers off everyone I introduced her to. I was careful not to use her last name just in case.

She found something in common with the other wives, even though I knew she was nothing like those women, and they took to her like bees to honey.

As much as I loved that Samantha was having a good time, I wanted her by my side. I tried not to think of it as selfish, but our time was limited, and I couldn’t help but not want to share her too long with everyone else.

“Sorry, ladies, but I’m going to steal Samantha for a moment. This beautiful woman promised me a dance tonight, and they’re playing our song,” I said as I wrapped my fingers softly around the top of her arm. She looked up me and briefly, I lost myself in her eyes.

“You two make a beautiful couple,” one of the woman commented. “It’s been a long time since I saw a couple who was so perfectly matched.”

“Yes, Roman, this one is a keeper,” Debra, the wife of a colleague, said.

Smiling down into Samantha’s face, I spoke to her when I answered. “Yes, she is.”

Even as the words left my mouth, I knew she wasn’t mine to keep, though. She was mine on stolen time, but for this weekend, I was going to try and ignore it as best I could.

The women let out sweet sighs as they said their goodbyes, and I swept Samantha off on my arm toward the dance floor. When she realized where we were headed, she stopped.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re going to dance with me.”

She shook her head. “I can’t dance, Roman.”

“You’re joking, right? We’ve taken several dance lessons.”

“But that’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because…” She tried to supply a reason, but came up empty.

“That’s what I thought. What did you think we were practicing for?”

“What? I thought it was part of your project.”

“There is a reason for everything I do, Samantha.”

“You planned this trip?”

“Not really. I didn’t plan it with the intention of being here with you like this, but I’m happy it turned out this way. Are you?” I asked, desperate for her answer.

“Yes,” she said without hesitation, and I could see it in her eyes that she meant it. “I was just surprised.”

“Dance with me, Samantha?” I pulled her against me. The memory of the feel and taste of her body was so fresh in my memory. “Please.”

Her eyes glazed over, and I could tell she was thinking about the night before as well. The things we had done and said to each other—it was a moment that I would cherish for the rest of my life.

“Yes. Yes to anything you want, Roman.”

I smiled and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. Couples parted to let us through and, pulling Samantha close, I turned toward the band, giving them my signal.

The lead smiled at me and the music changed, becoming the sweet lullaby of the familiar waltz. The dance floor thinned of couples who didn’t know the tune. There were only a few of us left, but it didn’t matter. I only had eyes for the woman in front of me.

Samantha looked around, noticing the smaller size and the eyes of the curious onlookers. Lifting her chin and bringing her eyes toward me, I rubbed my thumb across her bottom lip.

“Look at me. Only me, love.”

She nodded, and then we were moving around the room. Despite her nerves, she moved effortlessly around the floor like she’d been doing this dance all her life. I spun and twirled her, enjoying the way her gown wrapped around our legs. She laughed and her eyes sparkled as she unraveled before me.

I realized then and there that she had accomplished it. She had found the woman she used to be, and there was no turning back. Whether she stayed with Michael or not, he couldn’t hurt her anymore, and I relished in knowing I had been a part of that.

The song slowed to the end and I spun her one last time, dipping her with my body. Time stood still as I looked into her flushed face and bright eyes. I never wanted to let her go, but then, in the worst way possible, I was reminded that she was another man’s wife.