Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
I didn’t need to turn around to know precisely where she was standing. I could feel her presence. It was as if my senses were heightened around her. Could this be the formula still reacting within my body?
“Dr. Jekyll—I mean Henry—would you like me to order more benzoylecgonine? You seem to be running low.”
God. Her voice. It was as though I could feel her fingers lingering in caresses down my spine as she spoke. I pressed my hips against the sharp metal edge of the lab table where I stood, hoping the pain would lower my raging cock.
Catherine took off her glasses and set them on top of a nearby filing cabinet as she adjusted her hair. I watched as a cascade of shiny mink waves fell over her shoulders only to be swept back up into a severe bun on the top of her head. My fingers flexed as I imagined what those locks would feel like running over my palm.
I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. What did you ask?”
“Would you like me to order more benzoylecgonine? You are almost out.”
Her question broke through the sensual fog she was unknowingly weaving around me. “What? That can’t be right.”
Benzoylecgonine was the primary ingredient in cocaine. It was always kept under lock and key, its supply closely monitored. I hadn’t used it since formula variations Bl88dX3 and X4. There should be plenty in stock.
Forgetting about my indecent hard-on, I walked toward her. Just as I approached, there was a loud clap of thunder. It was so boisterous it rattled the glass vials on a nearby table as lightning flashed through the small laboratory windows.
Catherine cried out. Her body collided with my chest.
Without thinking, I embraced her, tightening my arms around her.
She turned her pale face up to me.
God help me, I loved the look of fear in her eyes. There was just something so primal and visceral about seeing another human being at their most vulnerable and unprotected.
Pink tinted her cheeks as the tip of her small tongue shot out to lick her lips. “I’m so sorry. The thunder gave me a fright. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been frightened of storms.”
I stared down at her, wanting her to acknowledge the indecent press of my cock against her stomach and at the same time dreading if she did.
She licked her lips a second time. Their crimson hue glistened, practically beckoning me to taste her. “You can let go of me now, Dr. Jekyll.”
My gaze traveled over her soft features, taking in her eyes, her lips, the curve of her cheeks, the slant of her jaw. “I can’t.”
Her brow furrowed. “I… wha—”
I reached up to gently cup her jaw. My thumb stroked her lower lip. “I can’t. Catherine… I think… I want to kiss you. If you will allow me.”
For the most fleeting of moments, I thought I saw disappointment in the emerald depths of her eyes. Then she blinked and it was gone. “I think I’d like that very much.”
I leaned down and gently pressed my lips to hers, not wanting to frighten her further. Her mouth opened on a sigh. I used just the tip of my tongue to tease hers. I held her tenderly in my arms, careful to arch my hips backward so I didn’t alarm her with the hard press of my cock. I resisted the urge to run my fingers through her hair. She had just put it up in a bun and I didn’t want to mess it up with my rough handling.
She flattened the palm of her hand over my heart as she broke the kiss. She gave me a soft smile before averting her eyes. “That was… very nice.”
I stepped back as I straightened my spine. “I hope I didn’t offend you, Miss Poole. I got caught up in the moment.”
She shook her head. “You didn’t offend me, Henry. It was very sweet.”
I nodded as I picked up the clipboard where she had been entering the inventory numbers. “I will need to double-check my reports to see where the additional benzoylecgonine went but yes, please order more.”
Catherine reached for the clipboard. “Very well. I shall get to it right away.”
I didn’t relinquish it. “Perhaps we should pick this up tomorrow? It’s been a long day.”
She nodded as she smoothed her hands over her skirt. She was wearing another black dress. This one had small gold emblems on the shoulders and a nipped-in waist that was very flattering on her. Maybe I should have told her so before our kiss?
“Goodnight, Dr. Jekyll.”
She turned on her heel and left the laboratory, grabbing her black cloak from the hook near the door as she went.
My stomach fell. I had disappointed her with that kiss. I knew it. I had never been much of a success with women, and it seemed Catherine would be no exception. In the future I would just have to control my desire for her and keep things strictly professional.