So far I'd won every hand. I'd won a puppy, having my car washed, by him, and a years worth of magazine subscriptions. The good ones too. Design and garden stuff. The kind of stuff a woman like me dreamed about.
"What do you want this time?"
"Dinner with me at the restaurant of my choice. When I get out of here, of course."
I shook my head.
"You're crazy."
"What do you want if you win?"
I closed my eyes.
"I don't know. A housekeeper to come and deep clean the place. Just once."
I grinned at her.
"Don't sell yourself so short. Every week. For a year."
"Trent, that's too much."
He grinned at me arrogantly. I felt a little flutter of excitement in the pit of my stomach. That had been happening a lot lately.
Whenever I was around Trent. He smirked at me, leaning forward.
"Doesn't matter. I'm winning this one."
He cocked his eyebrow at me.
"Ready?"
I nodded. And watched as he laid down three queens. He had done it. He had won.
I sighed, showing my hand.
He smiled at me wickedly and I swallowed. I had just agreed to dinner with a patient. It was not professional.
Of course, he wouldn't be a patient any more by the time the dinner happened...
He shuffled the cards and dealt again. I picked up my hand, glancing at the cards. I had nothing. Trent was already making a new wager.
"If I win this hand, I get to give you a back rub."
"That doesn't seem appropriate..."
"It's just your back Lexi. Don't be such a killjoy."
I sighed and nodded. I was being reckless. But I didn't care.
Besides, I could really use a shoulder rub.
I drew three new cards. I was having an unusual streak of bad luck. I knew the cards were random but it didn't feel that way. It felt like fate was working against me. Breaking down my barriers.
My protection. From him.
He laid his cards across the desk, grinning at me. Three aces. Then he wiggled his fingers at me.
"Get ready for the magic fingers."
I shook my head.
"If anyone sees you..."
He grabbed the sides of my chair and spun me around. I felt his breath fan my ear. Chills broke out all over my body.
"No one will see."
His fingers brushed the sensitive area behind my ears and I gasped. Then I moaned as his 'magic fingers' went to work. He hadn't been lying. He was very good at what he was doing.
Who knew a back rub could be so arousing?
Trent knew how to give a good back rub.
And then some.
His hands were strong and warm as he pressed them against my shoulders. He squeezed, not too hard, but definitely not too soft. It was perfect.
I sighed.
Heaven.
He worked his way down my spine, pressing and rolling the muscles. He seemed to know exactly where I was tender, or stiff, or sore. And he knew just how to touch me.
He worked down to my waist and his fingers wrapped around me.
It almost tickled... but it didn't. I felt a shiver run through my body. I knew without looking that my arm was broken out in goosebumps.
He leaned forward and whispered against the back of my neck.
"Really though, your top should be off..."
I laughed, spinning away.
"I wasn't finished with you."
I gave him a look.
"Yes, you were."
He held up his hands.
"Alright, whatever you want."
He grinned at me, his teeth showing.
"But really, I was just getting started. What you need is a full body rub. With oils."
I rolled my eyes at him, reaching for my tablet.
"It's almost time for my rounds. I really should-"
He grabbed my hand, snatching it away from the tablet. Then he kissed it, giving me puppy dog eyes. He turned my hand over and kissed the inside of my wrist.
Oh.
My.
God.
His lips were warm and surprisingly soft. I knew they would feel good on my lips. Or wherever he put them.
Snap out of it, Lexi!
"One more hand. Please. And then I'll tottle off to bed like a good boy."
I don't know why but I nodded.
Maybe I was afraid to let the moment end. I was enjoying myself too much.
Maybe I was curious to see what he would come up with this time.
"What are we playing for now?"
"Seven minutes in heaven."
"What's that?"
He gave me a sly smile.
"Just tell me what you want in return."
I shook my head.
"Okay Mr. Mysterious. I would like-I would like you to give your full attention to your recovery and stop flirting with nurses!"
He looked crestfallen.
"I don't flirt with nurses. I flirt with you."
I didn't want to believe him. But I did. Either way though, he had to stop.
"Fine, I would like you to focus on getting better."
He gave me a look that was tragic.
"No more fun?"
I shook my head firmly.
"If I lose."
I nodded.
"Yes, if you lose."
He brightened then.
"But you are still having dinner with me, regardless."
I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Yes. As friends."
He grinned at me.
"Friends is a good place to start."
He shuffled the cards, utterly focused. He dealt the cards in silence. I picked up my hand. I had three aces. My stomach sank.
I realized in that moment that I didn't want to win.
He was frowning at his cards, utterly focused. He glanced up at me. I realized how much this meant to him. To both of us.