In other circumstances Nick would have run off with Valeria to the nearest hospital, but as soon as they had left the event hall, the girl's face had completely relaxed, and she never winced again as she watched him drive. So Nick didn't think twice about steering the car toward his apartment.

He opened the passenger door and carried her in her arms again as they rode up in the elevator. He did his best to maintain control as they entered the apartment and placed her gently on the couch.

He pulled off her heels, caressing her ankles and....

“I'll get some ice,” he whispered, going to the fridge and returning in a few seconds with a bag of ice gel. “Hold it for a moment.”

He put the bag against Valeria's ankle and loosened his tie. Valeria watched him take it off and then take off his suit... and swallowed hard, feeling the tickle building in her lower abdomen.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” Nick asked, closing his warm palm around her ankle.

“What?” she replied, distracted.

Nick le