“You can’t tell right now, but it’s a nice view of the ocean. We’re up on the cliffs above the water…” Sam’s voice trailed when Terri turned to face her. She wanted to go to Terri then, wanted to kiss her more than ever, but she held back. “Did you get my call?”

  Terri nodded. “And I should have simply called you back. But I’m here.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not exactly sure.” Terri held Sam’s gaze. Still unreadable.

  “Did Weiss send you down here?”

  “That’d be asking a lot. He did suggest I talk to you. But, no, I came because I wanted to.”

  Question after question filled Sam’s mind. What would Terri say when she told her about quitting? “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Have you already made up your mind?”

  Sam nodded. She hated to say the words, but she could tell Terri already knew. Maybe had guessed as soon as she’d walked in the door. “I’m not going back. I’m done.”

  Terri seemed to take the information in slowly. She didn’t say anything for a moment, then walked closer to the window, eyeing the gray again. Sam started to explain that she’d wanted to tell her first, before anyone else, but before she got half the words out, Terri cut her off.

  “So you’ve got a nice view, huh? Is that it? Throw everything away for a fucking view? Goddammit, Sam. You’re making a huge mistake and you know it.”

  “I threw away the life I had. I want it back.” Sam tried to keep her tone in check but Terri’s sudden anger rocked her. “You only know part of the story.” Even if she thought she knew everything, what gave her the right to judge?

  “How many people have given their time to help you become a doctor? How many sacrifices did they make? How many have you made? And how many lives could you save if you didn’t give up? You’re a damn good doctor—one of the best residents I’ve ever had—and you’re going to throw it all away. Why? Because you don’t like the fact that someone told you what to do. That it wasn’t your choice.”

  “If you came all this way to tell me how to live my life—”

  “That’s not why I came.” Terri interrupted again, her voice raised. “But now, sure, I’ll take that on. Clearly someone needs to tell you that you’re fucking everything up.”

  “This is my life to fuck up.” Sam couldn’t keep her temper in check any longer. Not with Terri acting like the only grown-up in the room. What the hell kind of nerve did she have? “I know you tell people what to do all the time. But I’m not your resident anymore. This isn’t your hospital. You don’t run this show.”

  “Screw you.”

  “If only that was why you were here,” Sam returned. She cussed under her breath and then said, “Weiss told you to convince me. So here you are. And now you’re upset that you can’t be the one who fixes this like you fix everything else.”

  Terri laughed, but the sound cut like a knife. She crossed the room and stopped a foot in front of Sam. “You have everything all figured out, don’t you? Ever consider that you might not know everything?”

  “I don’t want a lecture right now.” Sam clenched her teeth as the desire to kiss Terri burned through her. How could she still want her?

  “I’m so damn mad at you,” Terri breathed.

  Sam held her gaze. She knew Terri wasn’t lying. Anger radiated from her, but it was all Sam could do not to reach for her. “If you’re so mad, why do you want to kiss me?”

  “Who said I wanted to kiss you?”

  “I can tell. You put up this big front, but I can see through it.”

  “You’re wrong about a lot of things.” Terri pressed her palm against Sam’s chest like she was trying to hold her back. “I wish you were wrong about this.” She leaned forward and met Sam’s lips.

  The kiss shouldn’t be happening, but it was. Terri’s lips pressed hot against hers. Exactly what she wanted. Sam gave in, opening her lips as Terri’s hand moved from her chest to her neck. She pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, and the demand in her lips sent heat flooding through Sam’s body.

  When Sam couldn’t hold back any longer, she spun Terri around and pushed her up against the wall. Not letting up on the kiss, she slid a hand under Terri’s blouse to feel her smooth skin.

  One kiss and then another even more crushing. But it wasn’t enough. She undid Terri’s bra and took a breast in each hand. As soon as she touched the nipples, pinching the tips, Terri moaned. The sound seemed to slip out involuntarily, but then Terri clutched Sam’s hands hard against her.

  Sam’s arousal spiked. She moved against Terri, grinding her desire. Kissing Terri, having her hands on her body, all of it felt too good to be true.

  “Do you have a bed, asshole?” Terri said, her lips on Sam’s neck. “Or are you planning on fucking me against the wall?”

  “Hadn’t really thought about it,” Sam said, between kisses. Something about the fact that Terri was still mad turned her on even more. She didn’t feel like making love—she felt like proving a point. “Bed’s upstairs.”

  “I want a bed,” Terri said.

  She let Sam kiss her again, harder this time, and gave in when Sam took another kiss before she could take a breath. Sam could feel Terri’s anger fighting her desire. Every time she tried to push Sam back, she pulled closer in the next moment. At least that emotion went both ways.

  Sam got Terri to the stairwell, nipping at her lips every few steps. Before they’d made it to the top of the stairs, she had her shirt off and Terri’s as well. She kicked open the door as she undid Terri’s pants, then tugged off the underwear along with the pants. Terri managed to get Sam’s board shorts untied, but that was as far as she got.

  The sheets weren’t turned down, but Sam didn’t care. She needed Terri now and couldn’t wait. She pushed her onto the bed and moved on top of her, kissing her again. Her hands trailed up and down—from Terri’s breasts to her hips and lower to her thighs. She held back from touching her center, wanting to save that for last.

  Terri massaged her way down from Sam’s shoulders to her back and then to her butt. She pushed Sam’s shorts off all the way and cupped her butt cheeks, moaning against Sam’s ear.

  Sam paused between kisses. “You like my butt, don’t you?”

  “I’m not answering that. I like too many damn things about you.” Terri gripped Sam’s butt harder and pushed up her hips. The contact of Terri’s clipped hair against hers was adding fire to the blaze. “But I’m getting you out of my system tonight.”

  Sam pushed up on her hands, holding herself away from Terri so the feel of her skin wouldn’t be a distraction. “Is that what you really want? One night with me, and then you can move on?”

  “You got a problem with that? You’re the one who’s quitting.”

  Sam didn’t answer. She knew then that Terri wasn’t only mad about her leaving the residency. For all she said about not wanting to date, Sam knew the truth. She hadn’t come because of Weiss. She’d come because she’d wanted this. But was that all?

  “Don’t start thinking now,” Terri said. “Just fuck me.”

  Terri’s red curls cascaded over the pillow. In the dim light, Sam couldn’t make out the detail on all of her tattoos, but the mosaic of colors was gorgeous against Terri’s pale skin. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Put your damn hand between my legs.”

  “You still think you can tell me what to do, huh?” Sam shook her head. “You’re wrong. You’re not in charge here, remember?”

  Terri parted her knees further and Sam felt a surge at her clit.

  “But I know what you want.” Terri pumped her hips off the mattress. “And you know what I want. So give me your hand. Then we both move on and we don’t have to look back.”

  Desire ripped through Sam’s body and she had to clench her hands into fists to stop herself from reaching for Terri. She didn’t want to be someone Terri moved on from and forgot. But what choice did she have? And the truth was, if this was all she could get, she wanted at least that.

  “Unless you’re the kind of butch who’s got a cock in the nightstand drawer. I’d take that too.”

  “Maybe I am.” But Sam wanted Terri without any toys first. She could get her strap-on later. She shifted onto her side and touched Terri’s lips with a fingertip. “But you won’t be able to get me out of your system with one good fuck. And I like femmes to say please.”

  The last line was a gamble. She drew a slow line from Terri’s lips, over her chin, down the center of her chest, and then stopped an inch below her belly button. She traced the triangle of trimmed hair, deliberately pressing lightly where she knew Terri wanted more. “If we do this, I’m in charge.”

  Terri sucked in a breath. “Screw you.”

  “I know you want me.”

  “And you want me.” Terri’s knees parted further, and she pushed her hips up again, bumping Sam’s hand. “Fuck me.”

  Terri’s words came out like a hiss, but Sam only smiled. “When you say please I will.”

  Terri shook her head, but she held Sam’s gaze. Her anger was a smoldering heat now. Sam could hardly wait any longer.

  “I know you want to say it.” Sam stroked up the inside of Terri’s thigh, waiting for the word. “I think secretly you want someone who’ll tell you what to do. Wanna tell me I’m wrong?”

  Terri shifted, trying to push herself onto Sam’s fingers. When Sam stroked down her thigh instead, she let out a frustrated growl and grabbed Sam’s wrist. She pulled Sam back to her center as her hips jutted up. “Fine. I’ll play your game. Please. Happy?”

  It was more of an order than a request, but Sam was too hot to be picky. “I am. And you’re gonna say it again. You won’t be able to stop yourself.”

  Sam pushed inside and Terri’s breasts heaved. For the first few thrusts, Terri tried to keep hold of Sam’s wrist, tried to control her, arching up every time Sam pushed and letting loose a string of curse words, but she finally gave in and let go. Collapsing back on the pillows, she spread her legs and let Sam work. “Fuck me. That feels so damn good.”

  “Happy you said please?”

  “Yes. So much yes.” Terri closed her eyes, moaning softly.

  “You want more, don’t you?”

  Terri nodded, eyes still closed. Sam moved on top of her. Wetness covered her hand and the warm vault tightened around her fingers. She pumped hard, figuring out quickly how much Terri could take and then giving a little more. Terri’s moans only encouraged her to go harder. Her thumb rode Terri’s swollen clit. A few strokes over the tip and she was on the verge of coming. Sam pushed another finger inside, and Terri gripped her forearm.

  “Don’t stop… Please. Please.”

  The added “please” was music to Sam’s ears. Terri wanted to say it. She wanted this. Sam had known it all along—but now she could feel it. She shifted so she could reach Terri’s lips, kissing her as she stroked faster.

  When the orgasm came, Terri’s nails sank into her skin. Sam held her as she cried out, not releasing the pressure on her clit. Terri clenched down on her, and Sam rotated a few degrees, then pushed a little deeper.

  “Oh… Like that.”

  Terri grabbed at Sam’s wrist, trying to hold her in place as her body clenched again and again. When the orgasm was over, Sam slowly pulled her fingers out. Terri reached for her, wrapping her arms around Sam’s chest and murmuring swear words against her shoulder.

  “You can cuss all you want. The truth is you came here tonight because you wanted that.”

  “You didn’t even offer me a drink.”

  “I don’t have any Coke,” Sam returned. “I have other things but…sometime I’m going to ask you why you don’t drink alcohol.”

  “Don’t ask me now.” Terri exhaled. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be good in bed.”

  “So what’s the verdict?”

  “I’m not going to say it out loud because I know you’re already gloating. And I’m still mad at you. It sucks that this has to be a one-time thing.” Terri shifted against Sam, kissing her neck. “I’m thirsty.”

  “It doesn’t have to be a one-time thing.”

  “We both know it does.” Terri sighed. “Water?”

  Sam moved Terri’s arm off her chest and got up. Now wasn’t the time for a deep conversation about connection, but she hated that Terri was convinced they had no chance.

  Chapter Seventeen

  When she got back to the room, Terri was sitting up. She took a sip of water and then set the glass on the nightstand.

  “Don’t get back in bed.”

  Sam cocked her head. “You know this is my house, right?”

  Terri slid her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. “I know. And you’re in charge and all of that. But there’s something I’ve been wanting for a while now.”

  Terri slid her hand down the front of Sam’s chest and then dropped onto her knees.

  “Whoa. What are you doing?”

  Sam barely got the question out before Terri’s mouth was on her. She nearly came when Terri sucked her clit between her lips. She gasped, but Terri didn’t let up.

  “Damn.” Sam took a shaky breath, moving her legs apart as Terri’s tongue dove inside. “You’re good at that.”

  Terri pulled away long enough to say, “You like me on my knees.”

  “More than you could imagine.” Sam moaned as Terri’s tongue slid up the inside of her thigh and then dove inside again.

  Maybe it was only sex that Terri wanted. Maybe after tonight, Terri would never want to see her again. Sam knew that was likely. And it was mostly her fault. But she wasn’t convinced Terri would have given her a chance even if she’d stayed.

  If they only had this one night, what did she have to lose by saying exactly what she was thinking? “You know I’ve liked you for a long time now.”

  Terri didn’t let up but Sam knew she’d heard.

  “But I didn’t know you’d be this good.” She laced her fingers through Terri’s soft red curls. She wanted to hold off the orgasm she knew was coming. She didn’t want Terri to stop. “You’d make a good submissive.”

  Terri’s eyes darted up to hers for the briefest of moments, but she didn’t respond. Sam knew the risk she’d taken using that word. Her still smoldering anger had made her reckless. But now she wanted to know what Terri was thinking.

  Her tongue only worked faster, quick strokes and circles that Sam couldn’t keep track of. Whatever magic Terri was doing threatened to leave her ruined for anyone else.

  “Don’t stop,” Sam managed.

  Terri doubled down, her tongue lashing faster and her face nuzzled deeper between Sam’s legs. As hard as she tried to hold her orgasm back, wanting to enjoy Terri for as long as she could, she knew it was coming. Finally she gave up fighting.

  A wave of pleasure came after the initial muscle clench and a moment later her knees went weak. She took a step back to balance against the bed. Terri followed and Sam had to hold her back. “That’s all I can handle.”

  Terri wiped her lips and got to her feet. Standing there with her naked body on full display, Terri’s beauty rocked Sam. “I know you didn’t want me to say you were beautiful earlier so I’m going with gorgeous this time.”

  “You just came,” Terri returned. “Everyone thinks their lover is good-looking in the afterglow.”

  “Yeah, but I’m right.” Sam tried not to think too hard about Terri’s word choice. Lover. She meant it in a generic way, but Sam wanted to earn that title more than ever. “My turn?”

  “You think I want you again?”

  Sam didn’t answer. Her body still twitched with aftershocks, but her need wasn’t satisfied. She opened the nightstand drawer and held up a cock. “Lucky guess.”

  “So predictable.” Terri ran a finger from the bulb to the base of the shaft. “This better be clean.”

  “It’s brand new.”

  “Do I want to know why you have a new dildo in your drawer?”

  Sam reached for the leather harness. “I didn’t think you were going to show up here, if that’s what you’re wondering. I figured I’d have to drive back up to Sac, but I wanted to be ready.”

  “It’s not for some other woman?”

  “You want to be my only submissive?” Sam grinned, but when Terri didn’t answer, she regretted joking. “I bought it because I liked it. That’s all.”

  Terri sat down on the bed as Sam fit the cock through the ring and then tightened the leather straps. When Sam drizzled lube over the tip, Terri pushed the comforter down and settled back on the pillows. She reached between her legs to finger herself. “I don’t know if you’ll actually need lube. But you’re right. I want more.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re annoyingly cocky sometimes.” Terri’s fingers glistened when she pulled them away from her folds. Sam reached for her hand and licked her fingers.

  “Only sometimes?” Sam sobered for a moment, thinking of how Terri had gone quiet earlier. “If you’re not into it, I won’t bring up the submissive thing again.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t into it.” Terri slid her tongue over her lips. “I’ve never really thought about it. I’m not exactly a submissive person.”

  “Not in the rest of your life, no. But you could be when we have sex. You might like a break from making decisions. From being the one who’s always responsible.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe I just want that.” Terri nodded at Sam’s erect cock. “Don’t go easy on me this time. I like it hard.” When Sam arched an eyebrow, Terri added: “Please.”

  “You’re a fast learner.”

  “This isn’t my first rodeo, cowboy.”

  Sam leaned close and kissed her. She liked the way Terri casually dropped the word “cowboy.” Gender games were a turn-on—not that she needed much help getting turned on at the moment—but she liked it anyway. With another kiss, she stroked her hand down Terri’s chest and then lower to below her belly. She dipped her fingers and Terri responded by pushing into her hand.