I lifted my nose. “I’m not a virgin, if that’s what you’re asking. I’ve seen tons of naked men before. Lots.” My cheeks warmed, tinted pink most likely.
“Lots, huh?” He raised a humorous eyebrow.
I blinked a few times at his stupidly cute face. “Not likelots, lots. It’s not like that.”
He was smirking now. “If it’s not like that, how is it then? How have you seen a lot of naked men?”
“Porn. Okay?” I jerked him forward. “Take off your shirt.”
My cheeks were on flipping fire now, and his laughter grated on my nerves.
He wasn’t helping me either. He was too damn tall for me to lift the shirt above him. The least he could do was bend over.
“I’m done. Help your damn self,” I said, shoving at his chest.
He reached for my hand, then flinched.
My mood shifted instantly to concern. “Did you hurt your hand too?”
He shrugged but looked more contrite. “Come on. I was just teasing. Sydney, I need help before she comes back.”
The faster this was over, the faster I could get out of here. Me and my sucker self, I swear. I unzipped my sleeping bag of a jacket, tossed it on his chair, and hopped on the hospital bed.
And there went that smirk again. “Are we going to do this in the hospital? Right now? I like how you think, Sydney.”
I knelt on the bed. “Shut up.”
I yanked at the collar of his shirt, and he rammed into me.
“Shit.” His face twisted in pain.
“Sorry.” I almost felt guilty—almost, but not really because he was totally getting a kick out of this.
Then, I stood on the bed, trying to balance. “I’m going to get this T-shirt off of you, and I don’t want a single word out of your mouth or else that groupie nurse will be the one helping you out of your clothes.” I pointed a finger in his face.
He pretended to bite it but bit air instead. “Got it.”
My fingers made it to the hem of his shirt, and when I pulled it up, I grazed his six-, eight-, forever-pack. God had been paying special attention to detail when he crafted this one. I lifted his shirt to his chin, and our eyes locked. A ripple of excitement coursed through me, and his nearness made my senses spin, but I bit my cheek so hard that I almost tasted blood and forced my focus to the present.
I blamed it on the hormones and the fact that I was coming close to that time of the month. Breathing through the next seconds, I pulled at his good arm to get it through the sleeve, and then I lifted the shirt, angling closer to try to get it over his head.
His presence was so overwhelming that I avoided his gaze, but he came closer. He peered up at me intently, the green blazing, alluring, honeydew in the center and deep dark pine in the outer rim.
I paused as a sensual spark passed between us.
“Thanks, Sydney,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.
It was the first time he’d said my name that way—all heat and grit—and it rolled off his tongue as though it were a sacred word.
I shook my head through the Austin fog while my heart raced into overdrive. His tongue swiped at his bottom lip, which annoyed me but also heated my insides to immeasurable temperatures.
“Stop. Flirting.” I shoved at his chest automatically, and he cursed.
“Sorry,” I said, leaning into him to steady him, a natural reaction for me.
Shaking my head again, I moved away and slowly peeled the shirt completely off, and then I folded it up. I stared down at him as stupid butterflies stirred in my belly. His eyes, his bare chest, his rock-hard abs, the smirk heavy on his face. Then I helped him into his gown.
“I’ll wait for you outside.” I sat on the hospital bed before hopping off, so I wouldn’t fall. I could feel his eyes searing the side of my face as I placed his folded-up T-shirt on top of his jacket.