Carla opened her eyes to the sight of Jackson staring intently into her face while his deceptively powerful arms, like steel bands surrounded by rippling muscle, carefully cradled her. Hot, male heat burned into her right arm where it rested against the solid wall of his chest. She closed her eyes again. Mmm…nice. She could get used to this. It had been way too long since a man had last held her.
This particular man, however, wore a dark frown on his face and was definitely not demonstrating any romantic tendencies toward her. Then she remembered what had happened, and wished she could faint dead away again. Or at least crawl into a very large hole. Instead, she reluctantly shifted out of his arms and attempted to stand up.
“Go slowly. You don’t want to get dizzy.” Jackson helped her to her feet. She made it up okay, although her legs felt as wobbly as a newborn foal’s.
“Sit.” He eased her into the chair. Once she sat, he crouched down to bring his face level with hers. He reached behind him to the desk and handed her a glass of water. “Drink.”
She did as ordered, taking small sips before giving him back the glass. He returned it to the desk and then peered into her eyes. To her surprise, he reached up and cupped his hand against her forehead so his thumb pointed down. Then he very gently used the pad of his thumb to touch her eyelashes and pull up first her right eyelid and then her left. He looked intently, his face a study in fixed concentration. The warmth of his breathing drifted across her cheeks. A light dusting of stubble shadowed his jaw and the scent of soap still lingered on his skin. Her pulse rate jumped, and she suddenly had an overwhelming urge to lean into him, lay her cheek on his shoulder, and close her eyes. So strong was the urge — and so hugely inappropriate — she straightened like a shot and pulled away.
Jackson frowned, surprised when Carla jerked back, but then he realized being inches away from a man she’d just met must’ve made her uncomfortable. He thought to apologize, in fact opened his mouth to do so, but at the same moment the tip of her tongue nervously brushed along her lips, and a surge of hot lust shot straight to his groin.
Mon Dieu. He needed to get a grip. Five minutes in his office and this girl had him hard as a horny teen. He hadn’t meant for them to get this close, but she’d fainted and he’d responded, relying on his medical training to make sure she was all right. Only problem, they were still really close to each other. He just had to lean forward and her lips were his. And he wanted to do it…