Hot Docs On Call: His Christmas Wish. Susan Carlisle

      The chemistry between them was unparalleled. Never had he experienced anything like what they’d just shared.

      “That. Was. Amazing.”

      He grinned at her punctuated words. “My thoughts exactly.”

      He turned onto his side and stared at her. “You are amazing.”

      “Ha. Wasn’t me.”

      “I think it was.”

      “Right. I assure you that I’ve been there every time I’ve had sex in the past and it’s never been like that so it must be you who is amazing.”

      His insides warmed at her admission. “For the record, it’s never been like that for me either.”

      Her expression pinched and she scooted up on a pillow. Shaking her head, she went for the sheet that was bunched up at the foot of the bed. When she’d covered her beautiful body, she turned to him.

      “I don’t really think I need to say this, not with a man like you, but I’m going to, just in case. I don’t want there to be any confusion.”

      He knew from her words, her tone what she was going to say. He was glad. He felt the same, but hearing the reminder was good and perhaps needed.

      “Despite your amazing orgasm-giving ability, I’m not looking for a long-term relationship.”

      “Me, either,” he assured her, trying not to let his ego get too big at her praise.

      “I guess that’s crude of me, to talk about the end when we’re still in bed and I feel wonderful. But we work together so we need to be clear about the boundaries of our relationship so work doesn’t become messy.”

      The thought of ending things with her, not being able to touch her, kiss her, make love to her and experience what they’d just shared, because it might make things messy, wasn’t a pleasant thought, but it should be.

      He didn’t want marriage or kids, didn’t want that responsibility, that weight on his heart, that replacing of Shelby. He’d made a vow to his first love. He owed Shelby his heart and more. McKenzie was right to remind them both of the guidelines they’d agreed to. Setting an end date and clear boundaries was a smart move.

      Two months for them to enjoy each other’s bodies, then move on with their lives. Him with his main focus being his career and charity work in memory of Shelby. McKenzie with her career and her running and whatever else filled her life with joy.

      Two months and they’d call it quits. That sounded just right to him.

      Staring at the oh-so-hot naked man in her bed, McKenzie hugged the sheet tighter to her.

      Please agree with me, she silently pleaded.

      She’d just had the best sex of her life and couldn’t fathom the idea of not repeating the magic she’d just experienced.

      But she would do just that if he didn’t agree.

      Already she was risking too much. That’s why she usually ended her relationships after a month, because she didn’t want pesky emotional attachments that might lead her down the paths her parents had taken. She didn’t want a future that held multiple marriages and multiple divorces like her father. Neither did she want the whiny, miserable, man-needing life her mother led.

      Bachelorettehood was the life for her, all the way.

      Hearing Lance agree that they’d end things in two months was important, necessary for them to carry on. She simply wouldn’t risk anything longer. Already she was giving him double the time she usually spent with a man.

      He deserved double time.

      Triple time.

      Forever.

      No, not forever. She didn’t do forever. Two months, then adios, even if he was an orgasm-giving god.

      “Promise me,” she urged, desperately needing the words.

      “Two months sounds perfect.”

      Relief flooded her, because she hadn’t wanted to tell him to leave. For two months she didn’t have to.