The M.D. Courts His Nurse by Meagan McKinney

warm, relaxed, humorous person behind it.
    Again she thought about their descent together on Copper Mountain, how it had secretly thrilled her to feel his arousal, the physical power and proof of his desire. It was only sexual desire, of course, and she knew men well enough to know that was no rare compliment from a man.
    Yet she had no willpower to prevent her from wondering what it would be like to have him as a lover. Nor could she censor the torrid images that made her pulse race.
    On top of all that, she did not have the heart to wake him up.
    Exhaustion was starting to claim her, too, and he’d done far more physical exertion carrying that injured woman up to the road.
    Deciding to take the responsibility on herself, she left a message for Lois on the office machine. She told her they had both put in a long night and the day’s appointments would have to be rescheduled. She was careful to say nothing that hinted they were together.
    Gently, so as not to wake him, Rebecca removed his shoes. Then she settled him more comfortably on the fold-out couch with a pillow under his head.
    For a few moments she wondered where she should sleep—in the nearby overstuffed chair or on the floor.
    This is silly, she decided. We’re both fully dressed and exhausted. We aren’t really going to bed together, it’s a question of simple necessity.
    She kicked off her shoes and carefully settled in beside him, making sure to maintain some distance.
    But despite her exhaustion, it was hard for her to fall asleep. The deep rhythm of his breathing, the unavoidablewarmth of his nearness, wouldn’t let her mind rest. She lay for a long time reveling in the scent of him that clung to his clothes. Finally sleep came over her like a deep, long shadow.
    And she dreamed only of him.
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    Despite Rebecca’s good intentions, when John’s eyes eased open several hours later she lay curled tightly against him, her face only inches from his and beautiful in repose, as sensuous as a subtle painting.
    His first concern should have been the time and his professional obligations. But even though a quick glance at his watch told him it was well past noon, he couldn’t pry himself away from the sleeping beauty beside him.
    Her chestnut hair, unrestrained, formed a silken mane against the pillow.
    He breathed deeply of it, reveling in the clean, feminine fragrance. Her mouth formed a natural pout in her sleep, and he lightly brushed her lips with his, tasting her in a stolen kiss.
    He didn’t expect her lips to part readily for him—or the electric response in his loins as she pressed her body warmth even closer.
    Their kiss deepened, and a low moan of pent-up desire rose in both of them as his hands caressed her, igniting fires wherever they touched.
    â€œIs it safe to say you’re awake?” he managed to say between quickening breaths. “Or am I taking advantage of a sleeping woman?”
    â€œI’m not asleep,” she whispered, her tone imploring him to go further. To give more.
    â€œThe office,” he managed before he greedily tasted her kiss again.
    â€œTaken care of,” she assured him, enthralled by her own welling passions. “I called Lois.”
    Again a low, encouraging moan arose from her as his hands unbuttoned her dress, his mouth kissing her and tasting the exposed skin. One hand caressed the sweeping dip of her hip, the gently rounded stomach, then moved around behind her to join the other hand in unfastening her bra. She felt a luscious, hot pleasure stiffen her nipples as he took each into his mouth, firing her to a dizzy, pulsing ecstasy.
    By now her need matched his. The caution that normally controlled her seemed melted like the liquid between her thighs. Instinct and pure rich desire took control now.
    Her fingers trembling with desire, she unbuttoned his shirt. She pulled it off, running her hands over his tautly muscled chest. He groaned with the pleasure of