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barriers.
    My protection. From him.
    He laid his cards across the desk, grinning at me. Three aces. Then he wiggled his fingers at me.
    “Get ready for the magic fingers.”
    I shook my head.
    “If anyone sees you…”
    He grabbed the sides of my chair and spun me around. I felt his breath fan my ear. Chills broke out all over my body.
    “No one will see.”
    His fingers brushed the sensitive area behind my ears and I gasped. Then I moaned as his ‘magic fingers’ went to work. He hadn’t been lying. He was very good at what he was doing.
    Who knew a back rub could be so arousing?
    Trent knew how to give a good back rub.
    And then some.
    His hands were strong and warm as he pressed them against my shoulders. He squeezed, not too hard, but definitely not too soft. It was perfect.
    I sighed.
    Heaven.
    He worked his way down my spine, pressing and rolling the muscles. He seemed to know exactly where I was tender, or stiff, or sore. And he knew just how to touch me.
    He worked down to my waist and his fingers wrapped around me.
    It almost tickled… but it didn’t. I felt a shiver run through my body. I knew without looking that my arm was broken out in goosebumps.
    He leaned forward and whispered against the back of my neck.
    “Really though, your top should be off…”
    I laughed, spinning away.
    “I wasn’t finished with you.”
    I gave him a look.
    “Yes, you were.”
    He held up his hands.
    “Alright, whatever you want.”
    He grinned at me, his teeth showing.
    “But really, I was just getting started. What you need is a full body rub. With oils.”
    I rolled my eyes at him, reaching for my tablet.
    “It’s almost time for my rounds. I really should-“
    He grabbed my hand, snatching it away from the tablet. Then he kissed it, giving me puppy dog eyes. He turned my hand over and kissed the inside of my wrist.
    Oh.
    My.
    God.
    His lips were warm and surprisingly soft. I knew they would feel good on my lips. Or wherever he put them.
    Snap out of it, Lexi!
    “One more hand. Please. And then I’ll tottle off to bed like a good boy.”
    I don’t know why but I nodded.
    Maybe I was afraid to let the moment end. I was enjoying myself too much.
    Maybe I was curious to see what he would come up with this time.
    “What are we playing for now?”
    “Seven minutes in heaven.”
    “What’s that?”
    He gave me a sly smile.
    “Just tell me what you want in return.”
    I shook my head.
    “Okay Mr. Mysterious. I would like- I would like you to give your full attention to your recovery and stop flirting with nurses!”
    He looked crestfallen.
    “I don’t flirt with nurses. I flirt with you.”
    I didn’t want to believe him. But I did. Either way though, he had to stop.
    “Fine, I would like you to focus on getting better.”
    He gave me a look that was tragic.
    “No more fun?”
    I shook my head firmly.
    “ If I lose.”
    I nodded.  
    “Yes, if you lose.”
    He brightened then.
    “But you are still having dinner with me, regardless.”
    I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time.
    “Yes. As friends.”
    He grinned at me.
    “Friends is a good place to start.”
    He shuffled the cards, utterly focused. He dealt the cards in silence. I picked up my hand. I had three aces. My stomach sank.
    I realized in that moment that I didn’t want to win.
    He was frowning at his cards, utterly focused. He glanced up at me. I realized how much this meant to him. To both of us.
    I just didn’t know how the hell that had happened.
    “Do you need anything?”
    I nodded, exhaling.
    “I’ll take two.”
    I handed him the two other cards. I’d nearly handed him one of my aces. But that seemed wrong somehow.
    The next two cards were unremarkable. It was still a great hand. A winning hand.
      I looked up at him. He was deep in thought. I knew I was going to win. I wanted to call a halt right now. I wanted to get up, make an excuse and start all over again tomorrow.
    “I’ll stay.”
    I almost groaned.