“Good thing I’m canine then.”

He went nose to nose with her, breathing in that wonderful scent that was hers alone. He loved how Joy smelled. Her lips parted. He knew it wasn’t her intention but it was an invitation he couldn’t resist. He tilted his head and tried to kiss her.

Panic widened her eyes a split second before she twisted her head, surprising him enough to allow her to escape. His lips brushed her cheek instead. He wanted to snarl but managed to control the impulse. The last thing he wanted was her fear.

“Kiss me.” He whispered the demand. “I won’t get you with my teeth. Trust me, sweetness. I want you to enjoy it.” His dick hardened so fast he flinched at the pinching sensation where it was trapped inside his jeans. He wanted Joy too much and wouldn’t be denied much longer. “Let me in.”

“No.”

He barely heard her soft rejection. A grin surfaced as he eased back a little, releasing her. “You will soon. Look at me.”

She turned her head hesitantly, so close every breath she took teased his lips. Their gazes fused. The urge to grab the desk and throw it out of the way made him fist his hands to prevent following through. He’d be on her in a heartbeat, take her to the floor and f**k her.

His dick suddenly throbbed painfully and felt as if it had its own heartbeat. The idea of her bare under him, her legs and arms wrapped around him as he pounded into her body was enough to test his ability to remain still. She’d be soft, sweet, and hot.

It was too much. He straightened, skirted the desk, and dropped into a crouch. Her eyes widened when he forced her chair to turn, moving in closer until her knees were pressed against his belly. He forced her legs apart to fit his between hers.

“466? Don’t!”

Her voice trembled but it wasn’t fear he saw in her eyes. He inhaled, the scent of feminine arousal enough to drive him insane. She wanted him too but wouldn’t admit it. Frustration rose. Why did she keep denying their mutual attraction with her words when her body revealed the lie?

“I’ll hit the alarm.”

The silent plea in her eyes was clear. She didn’t want to do it but she would. It was always the threat she used to keep him at bay. He was tired of it.

“You won’t. They’ll shoot me with drugged darts, lock me up for a week, and assign me to the other head shrink.” He moved in closer and his hands gripped her waist. It was small and her skin under the material was pliable when he gently squeezed, fascinating him with how different she was from his own kind. “You don’t like her. I’m yours and you won’t give my care to someone else.”

Her mouth opened, closed, and her breathing became erratic. “I don’t dislike Geraldine.”

“Lie,” he stated.

“She’s a colleague of mine and I’ve never said I dislike her.”

He muffled a snarl. She wanted to start an argument to distract him from sharing sex. It wasn’t going to work. “You look at her with disgust and irritation. You don’t like her and you won’t allow her near me.”

Her hands flattened on his chest. They felt good but would feel even better if she were touching his bare skin. “We treat our clients differently, that’s all.”

“What is the difference?”

Joy licked her lips, teasing him with her tongue. “Besides her making more money? Degrees. She’s got more of them than I do. As far as training and qualifications though—not much. We’re both doctors, trained in psychotherapy. She’s a psychiatrist, I’m a psychologist. I have a Psy. D. after my name but she has an M.D. after her name. She makes a distinction, as most of them do.”

“You are nicer. I’ve heard she’s mean. You won’t hit the alarm. They will give me to her. You don’t want that.”

Her fingertips dug into his shirt to grip him more firmly. They were not strong enough to force him back when she pushed. He really liked the feel of them.

“I don’t.”

He knew it. “Let me touch you. It will be good.”

That tongue darted out again to swipe her lips. “Listen to me,” she whispered. “We can’t do this.”

“You want me. Don’t lie.”

“I do,” she admitted so quietly he had a hard time hearing those two wonderful words.

Satisfaction filled him. “Good.”

“But we can’t do this.”

Frustration rose fast. “We can.”

“No, we can’t.” She glanced toward the door, then back. “May I ask you something? Total honesty?”

“Yes.” He’d tell her anything she wanted to know.

“If I were to say yes, after you got what you wanted, would you stop coming after me? Is this curiosity to have sex with me once or more?”

He didn’t have to think. “More. Once would never be enough.”

“That’s what I thought.” Her chin lifted and determination shone in her eyes. “Back off or I have to hit the alarm. I don’t want to but I will do it.”

He could see the truth in her eyes and growled, jerking away. It would be easy to stop her from sounding the alarm. His reflexes were better than hers. She’d never reach the button if he threw her out of the chair, took her to the floor and pinned her. As tempting as that was, he’d never do it. He’d lose her forever if he broke the trust she’d given by allowing him to be alone with her during their sessions.