Yours truly is back with a new chapter. Prepare yourself for the , that is the next couple of chapters. For now, enjoy this very wholesome, fluffy chapter!

I think we can all agree that the song is fire!

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"God, you're such a tease."

His lips nipped on the sensitive skin of my neck, eliciting soft gasps from my lips as he attacked and bit and sucked. We were supposed to be quiet, stay hidden in the safe confines of the on-call room, but the rash, the heat between us was too strong. I was losing grip on reality and only his lips could quiet down my moans.

When he called to visit me at work on my midnight on-call shift, I expected a short coffee break at the hospital's lounge, until I had to return to my duties, and he had to go back to his gym before another fighting-match tomorrow. I should have known better, but I never expected this; the both of us hiding away from our responsibilities, me straddling Brandon's lap on the bottom bank-bed, while he kissed me feverishly.

In the past couple of days, Brandon put it in his head to discover all the ways he could pleasure my body, and each one proved more successful than the previous one. I tried to do the same to him, but every time I was the one writhing underneath him, calling out his name, as I was too far gone to return the favor. My body was beyond sensitive to his touch and everything he did left me breathless.

His experienced touch, the intensity of his eyes, his husky, deep voice, lit my skin on fire.

I was naïve to expect anything less than being consumed by this man.

"Such a fucking tease," he growled against my ear, inducing goosebumps to erupt on my skin.

Yanking his tie towards me, I forced our lips back together and his opened immediately, as our tongues slid against each other lithely. He tasted like coffee and cigarettes, combined with his natural scent, that surprisingly left me breathless. Unthinkingly, I pulled on his hair to bring him closer, my other hand trying to free his black shirt still tacked in his trousers, as I desperately wanted to feel his skin, before he bit on my bottom lip in retaliation.

Exasperated by my actions, he pulled his shirt over his head, not bothering with the buttons, and I hummed in appreciation at his exposed torso. His lips found mine without hesitation, and I run my fingertips over intricate tattoos, examining every inch of his skin, feeling every dent and scar on his body with just a caress. I pulled away to calm my erratic heart, but Brandon's assault continued down my neck, content with how I was coming undone in his hands.

It was obvious how much I missed him these past few days, but I wasn't ready to admit it just yet. We were both caught up in our daily routines and crazy schedules, so only a few text messages were exchanged between us, along with a couple of calls. But, damn it, it wasn't enough, and it showed in the need we unknowingly developed for one another.

I was caught off guard when I saw him outside my on-call room, surprised that he managed to sneak in, but his lips pressed firmly on mine eased my mind, that this was all real. He was here, holding me, kissing me and I wasn't ready to let him go just yet. Just one more kiss, one more touch, before we had to face reality. Another kiss before my brain caught up to my speeding heart to remind me where we were and the risks, we were taking by violating, oh, so many hospital policies.

"You missed me." It seemed to be one of his strong points; stating the obvious to fluster me further. I could bet, he did the same in court to prove his clients innocent or the defendant guilty.

Unable to form coherent words, I hummed as my kisses followed the line of his strong jaw, to meet his collar bone. His hands at my waist followed the line of my ass to pull me closer, making shivers and incoherent words of pleasure leave my lips. My hand travelled down his neck, to his chest as I scratched the skin there, trying to prove a point: that he was a hundred percent right. I did miss him!

"I didn't," I lied, pushing him lightly so I could stare into his eyes.

A hint of a smirk appeared on his lips, as his hand travelled to my head, pulling lightly on my hair falling out of the messy bun to keep my eyes locked to his. "Who are you trying to fool, Angel?" I shivered at the intensity of his eyes as he kept me locked in place, my bruised lips feeling the heat of his own just a couple of inches away, before they finally connected to mine. I once again tasted the pleasant taste of coffee on his tongue. My hands kept exploring his chest, nails dragging on skin as he pulled me closer.

"Who's the tease now?" I pulled back in need of another breath, hiding my face in the crook of his neck as he cradled me to his chest, leaving kisses on my warm skin.

Serene moments passed as we lost ourselves in each other's embrace, refusing to leave the comfort provided by the other. Just a few more minutes.

"When do you have to return to training?" I spoke against his exposed skin, enjoying how warm and comfortable I felt right now.

"Elijah is waiting for me at the gym. If he finds out I'm riling myself up before a big game, I'll definitely be dead by tomorrow," he chuckled by my ear. My arms had a mind of their own, as I held him closer, knowing he had to leave in the next minutes. "We have time, Angel, I don't have to go just yet."

A sigh left my mouth and I pushed on his chest so I could look at him. I didn't like being this clingy and, in that moment, I wished I was more independent. But knowing he was up against another strong opponent was enough to wreck my nerves.

"Elijah is your father's brother, right?" I asked, trying to use every opportunity I got to learn something about him.

His warm smile was contagious, as he leaned closer to place a kiss on my forehead. "You remembered." He spoke once again in another statement of his. "He is sixteen years younger, though. Eli is closer to my age than to my father's and people always thought he was my older brother because we're close," he chuckled, before he continued. "Of course, he still beats my ass in the ring. My dad taught the both of us, but he had nine years more experience than me, and the fucker doesn't share his secrets."

Listening to him talk about his family always revealed a different side to the man in front of me, stripped from the suits, resembling more a guardian than anything else. A more affectionate, but still guarded side with a hint of remorse. And anger.

It was obvious; the loss he experienced was a wound healed badly, and each time he scratched the scab, he was bleeding all over again. At the beginning I wanted to know all the reasons why; why did he end up in the hospital that very first day, why were people after him, why rush his return to the ring... Why the anger and guilt after all these years. I still wanted to know, but now, I wanted him to want to tell me.

He averted his gaze away from my searching eyes, nibbling on his bottom lip a second later; he was buying time by being distracting. He was opening up, sharing his past with me. A past that, like a malignancy, was killing him slowly.

Missing the intensity of his green eyes, I cupped his cheeks with my hands, pulling his face so I could look at him, as I leaned in closer to him. I was giving him time, a chance to pull away if he wanted to, but he nullified the distance between us when he connected his lips to mine. This kiss was different from the thirsty ones a few moments ago. It was soft, slow, patient, providing comfort to the aching thoughts plaguing his mind.

"You're something else, Erika Ricci," he spoke against my lips once we parted for air.

"I missed you, Brandon King." He chuckled as I chose this moment to finally agree with his initial statement.

"Chica, are you in there?" Our safe bubble was popped by Stella in that moment, and I groaned in frustration. I had a couple of seconds to open the door, before she unlocked it with her key card herself. Glancing at Brandon's naked torso and my legs still wrapped around him, I knew without a doubt in my mind, that this was not a position I wanted my best friend to find me into.

"I'm coming!" I said, my voice loud enough for her to hear, and I pushed on Brandon's torso to free myself from his comfortable embrace. I pushed the discarded shirt in his hands in panic, when I was met with the teasing look on his face, a devilish smirk on his lips and gleaming eyes. "Stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking and put this on." I whisper-yelled, not being able to restrain myself from gracefully rolling my eyes.

"I don't remember anything about hiding myself in the closet, from your best friend of all people, when I agreed to be with you. I thought, sure, maybe from your brother, but definitely not from your best friend." He chuckled as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt to pull it over his shoulders. The sight was truly erotic, but my brain picked up on a certain statement of his words, realizing their true meaning.

"I don't remember ever agreeing to be with you. In fact, I don't remember you asking, at all. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a free woman." I didn't know where all this confidence was coming from, and for a moment I forgot about Stella waiting impatiently outside the on-call room, but I felt this urge to put fuel to the fire in those eyes, that were piercing in that moment.

Brandon didn't lose any more time as he caged me with his broad body against the wall behind me. Pushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers travelled down my neck as he caressed my skin. "I don't like this game. It makes unreasonable feelings erupt in my stomach."

"What you're experiencing, Mr. King, is a global pandemic called jealousy. And unfortunately, there's no treatment for it."

"Hmmm, I think you might be mistaken, doctor." His lips traced open mouthed kisses, as he spoke against my skin. "You know I'm pretty persistent, when I put my mind on something. Now, if I could find a way to persuade you..." his hands massaged my back all the way down to my ass, taking a handful of muscle, making me gasp.

It was all fun and games, until his eyes found mine. A different, more serious look in his green orbs made me shiver, as he cupped my cheeks.

"I want you." From the tone of his voice, I knew he meant every word. "You know how amazing you are? Smart, intriguing, beautiful, funny... I want to be with you, Erika, with every breath I take. This is all new for me, but I can't lie to myself anymore and I can't stay away from you, even if I wanted to. So, be with me. Be my Angel."

The feeling of butterflies exploded in my stomach, and they transformed into wild dragons, throwing flames everywhere around them. I tried to ground myself by meeting his lips in a passionate embrace, when the door to the outside world opened to reveal Stella's wide eyes and mouth.

"Wow, I- Uhm... You two are- what are you doing here?"

As time goes by, I find it so beautiful, how so many readers out there are reading this book and adding it to their reading lists.

You guys are from , and it warms my heart as much as it is overwhelming! I wish I could reach out to all of you personally and thank you! ❤️

Some of you come from: (beside your country, so I can say )

Did I miss you? Comment here your country! ❤️

xo J