Chapter 27

Adam's POV

"No more treatment!" Stella's voice carried that dfstinctive whine of the thoroughly intoxicated as she tried to squiEm1away from the doctor. My oversized dress shirt rode up dangerously high on her thighs with each movement.

I caught her just before she could tumble off the bed.pulling her back against my chest. The scent of her perfume mixed with alcohol wapped around me. oddly intoxicating.

"Stay still." I tried to keep my voice stern dospite how distracting it was having her pressed against me like this. She looked impossibly fragile like this, all huge eyes and flushed cheeks.

"Don't wanna." She burrowed deeper into my chest, then let out a small whimper of pain that made something in my chest tighten. "You said it wouldn't hurt!"

"Mrs. Lancaster," the doctor's professional tone carried barely concealed frustration, "if you'd just hold still-" "No!" She buried her face in my shirt, her breath hot against my skin. "Make him stop please!" I tightened my grip instinctively as she tried to wiggle free. "The sooner you let him finish, the sooner it's over," One small finger poked accusingly at my chest. "You can't tell me what to do! You're not my man!"

"Actually." I couldn't help the dangerous edge that crept into my voice, "as your husband. I am."

She pulled back just enough to glare up at me with those impossibly big eyes. The effect was more adorable than intimidating. "Husband? Ha! You're just a... a bossy meanie!"

Something dangerously close to amusement tugged at my lips. "A bossy meanie?"

"Yes!" She nodded emphatically, then immediately winced."The bossiest,meaniest-OW!"

The doctor had taken advantage of her distraction to clean one of the deeper cuts. Tears sprang to her eyes, and something protective and violent surged through me.

"Careful." I didn't recognize my own voice, but the doctor's hands froze instantly. "Unless you want to be fired."

"I apologize, Mr. Lancaster." His hands became noticeably gentler. "But these cuts need proper cleaning to prevent infection." A small sniffle drew my attention back to the woman in my arms. Before I could think better of it, my hand came up to stroke her hair. She leaned into the touch like a content cat. "Stella." I softened my voice, trying a different approach. "Let's make a deal. Be good for the doctor, and I'll buy you a bag you like."

She considered this with adorable seriousness, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. "Don't want a bag."

"No?"I let my thumb trace circles on her hip, noting how her breath caught slightly. "What do you want then?"

Her face lit up. "Want that sparkly drink! With lots of ice!"

My jaw clenched. The last thing she needed was more alcohol."Absolutely not. You've had enough to drink."

"Then I won't cooperate!" She tried to cross her arms but mostly just tangled herself further in my shirt. The sight of her wearing my clothes did dangerous things to my self-control."No drink, no deal!"

I studied her for a long moment, weighing my options. She stared back with surprising stubbornness for someone who could barely sit straight.′′One glass. After the doctor finishes."

"With ice?"

"Yes, with ice." "Promíse?" She stuck out her pinky finger with exaggerated solemnity. The gesture was so unexpectedly childlike that I had to fight back a smile as I linked my pinky with hers. "Promise."

Satisfied, she settled back against my chest, her eyes heavy-lidded as she watched the doctor resume work. The trust in that simple action did something strange to my chest.

"You smell nice," she announced suddenly, nuzzling into my neck. "You're staring," she stared at me with her big eyes.

"You're drunk."

"Mm. Maybe." Her thumb traced absent patterns on my palm."Your hands are nice. Strong. Safe. Like when you grabbed me in the car that time..."

Something in my chest tightened at her words. She wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow, but I would. Every unguarded moment, every soft confession.

My breath caught as her lips brushed my skin. "Stella..."

Her fingers traced my jawline with surprising delicacy."Can I kiss you?" Before I could process that dangerous question, she pushed herself up and pressed her lips to mine. For one heart-stopping moment, I froze, caught off guard by her boldness. Then her small sound of contentment broke my control. My hand tangled in her hair as I deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth with a possessiveness that surprised even me.

When we finally broke apart, her lips were swollen and her eyes were glazed with something besides alcohol. The sight sent heat pooling in my stomach.

"Doctor." I barely recognized my own voice. "Are you finished?"

"Yes, Mr. Lancaster. Just keep the bandages clean and-"

"Out." I couldn't take my eyes off Stella. "Everyone out."

As the staff filed out, she waved cheerfully. "Bye bye! Thanks for the band-aids!"

The door clicked shut, leaving us alone. Her skin felt impossibly soft under my hands, the thin fabric of my shirt doing nothing to hide her curves.

"You should go too." Her attempt at a stern tone was ruined by how she was practically purring as I held her hip. "This is my room now." ′′Isit?" I couldn't resist tracing her bottom lip with my thumb,still slightly swollen from our kiss. "And what makes you think I'm going anywhere after that little performance?" "What performance?" She blinked up at me with exaggerated innocence.21Ijust wanted to kiss a pretty man." Something dark and possessive surged through me at her words. "Stella." I watched her shiver at how I said her name."You're playing with fire."

"Am not." She snuggled deeper into the bed, wrapping herself in my sheets like she belonged there. The sight was oddly satisfying. " I just stating facts. You're pretty and you smell good and-"

I cut her off with my mouth, unable to resist any longer. I leaned on her to kiss her, teasing her tongue in a wet, hot kiss.She melted into the kiss immediately, making those small groans that drove me crazy. I kissed her like I wanted to devour her, marking her as mine.