Real Men Don't Break Hearts (12 page)

“Jess is fine, and so is the baby.”

Nana clasped her hands together. “Oh, how wonderful!”

“That’s great news.” Nate laid his hand on her shoulder, and it was only then that she realized how cold and shivery she was. The sturdy weight of his hand braced her, and she wanted to lean back against his solid chest, but Nana was still badgering her for details.

Ally reassured her. “Brian said he’ll bring her home in about half an hour. The bleeding and cramps have stopped, but she’ll need to take it easy for a day or so.”

“We’d better get this place clean.” Fired up with purpose, her grandmother took hold of the twins. “Come on, you two. Let’s get you washed up.” She hustled them out of the room.

Ally turned to Nate, all too aware that his hand was still on her shoulder, that her body was vibrating like a plucked harp string, and that she desperately longed to touch him. The longing heightened to hunger as he closed the distance between them until his chest brushed against the front of her T-shirt, sending her senses into a flurry.

“I guess I should be going,” he murmured.

“Thanks for staying with me.” She could barely get the words out. “You managed to distract me from worrying.”

“Glad I could help.” He grinned and tucked a stray curl behind her ear, the backs of his fingers brushing her cheek, making her mouth dry. “You know where I live. I’ll be at home later on if you need a little more…distraction.”

Her heart leaped like a rabbit. He was distracting, all right. So distracting she might do something crazy if she wasn’t careful. “I—I’ll be all right.”

His finger flicked the lobe of her ear. She could have stepped backward if she’d wanted to, but she didn’t. Couldn’t. She was caught by the kindling heat in his eyes, and when he wrapped his arms around her she couldn’t protest but instead yielded to the lure of his body.

He lowered his head. “Good, but I’m not sure I’m all right,” he murmured right before his lips came down on hers.

Chapter Ten

Nate’s kiss was like nothing Ally had expected. For days she’d been fantasizing about what it would be like to kiss him, but the reality was a hundred times more electrifying. His kiss was firm, warm, and confident, but he held her loosely, allowing her plenty of opportunity to pull free if she wanted. But instead of stepping back like the sensible person she’d always been, she wrapped her arms around him, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him back like the brazen tart she’d never been. His mouth lured her, more enticing than anything she’d ever tasted, and when he deepened the kiss she found herself parting her lips, eager for everything he offered, tingling with the stunning delight of it all.

His hands roved slowly over her back, igniting flash fires across her skin, and the heat leaped up, lighting a furnace between her thighs. As his lips skimmed over her neck, she heard herself moaning with pleasure, and when he hovered on the pulse at the base of her throat, the moan became a growl. Was this really her, clinging to him, arching her back just to press herself closer to his body, mewling like a sex kitten? She pulled back a few inches, shocked at her behavior.

“Don’t stop now.” Nate’s hot espresso eyes glinted as he drew her toward him again.

She put her hand over his chest to stop him. The hard thump of his heart caught her attention. It felt as though she was holding his heart in the palm of her hand. Heat radiated off his body—a seductive, sexual magnetism, echoing the fire pounding inside her. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Why her? She wasn’t his type. She wasn’t flirty or ravishing or stunningly beautiful. But it didn’t seem to matter. To him or to her. Not when his hands were roving over her back nonstop and his eyes were all aflame. Not when her heart was hammering in unison with his. She’d never experienced such a mutual, spontaneous combustion of desire before. She’d always thought herself a grounded person, not one to be swept away by passion, but in Nate’s embrace she’d turned into someone unrecognizable. And it had just been a few kisses! What would happen if they took it further?

“You’re thinking too much again,” he murmured.

His velvety voice tied her nerves into knots. “And you’re taking advantage of me,” she whispered.

“Yeah, right. We’re standing in a sea of Legos with your granny and the twins just down the hall, and
I’m
taking advantage of
you
?” He traced his fingers slowly down the length of her spine, sending delicious thrills right through her bones. “I’d say you’re the one taking advantage of me, kissing me like that and knowing I can’t very well follow up here.”

“You started it.”

“And I’d be very happy to finish it if you’ll let me.” His voice dropped. “Come over to my place later on. You know you want to.”

Yes, damn it, she did. She didn’t want to stop touching him. In fact, she wanted to undo his buttons and open his shirt so she could ogle his body and run her hands and mouth over his chest and bite him and make him moan, too, and lose all control…

She snatched her hand away. “No, it’s madness.” Jerking herself free, she thrust her hands into the pockets of her jeans to conceal their shakiness.

Nate exhaled. “I warned you what would happen if you gave me that dewy-eyed, kiss-me look again.”

She couldn’t deny she’d given him that look and more. But the truth was, the way she responded to him scared her. It might be all commonplace to him, but she wasn’t used to this instant conflagration of raging sexual lust. Especially not for a guy like Nate. He was a bonfire. He’d scorch her, consume her, and then move on to the next thing.

“The tension got to me,” she said. “The waiting and the worrying. I didn’t mean to kiss you like that, and—and it won’t happen again. I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression, but I’ve no intention of…taking it further.”

He studied her for a few moments, making her squirm. He looked like he didn’t believe her, and for a second or two she thought he might try to kiss her again, and her heart raced at that idea. But instead he let her go, picked up his jacket, and slung it over one shoulder.

“Okay. I never press my attentions where they’re not welcome.” He sauntered toward the hallway. “Have it your way. For now.”

She hurried after him as he made for the front door, trying not to notice how broad his shoulders were, how snugly his trousers fit across his lean hips and butt. She hadn’t expected him to give up so quickly. Didn’t she want him to give up?

“Thanks for keeping me company this afternoon. I, er, appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” Out on the porch he paused one more time. She thought—hoped?— he might repeat his invitation to visit him later that evening, but all he said was, “See you later, Ally.”

The afternoon sun gilded his cheeks, bronzing the column of his throat and flecking his hair with amber highlights. The sheer audacity of his handsomeness made her heart tumble, but he was too dangerous for her. She muttered good-bye and watched him leave, wondering at her utter confusion.

…

When Brian and Jess no longer needed her, Ally drove home. She took a long shower, cooked herself scrambled eggs, and put on some music as the setting sun painted the sky vermillion. But she couldn’t relax. The music, her book, the TV—nothing could hold her attention. She crisscrossed her living room back and forth while an argument raged inside her head.

Her sane, logical side was quarrelling with a part of her she’d never known existed until recently. A reckless, hotheaded part that wouldn’t shut up.
You wanted to change your life, take a few risks. Well, here’s your chance. Live a little; have some fun, like Jess told you. And besides, you can’t stop thinking about Nate. Can’t stop reliving those hot, incredible kisses…

Stop. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have a fling with Nate.

Could she?

So what if it was only temporary? She could handle that if she went in without delusions. She knew what Nate was—a footloose stud who’d never be domesticated—and as long as she remembered that she’d be okay, she wouldn’t expect anything more. Hell, she didn’t have a single expectation of Nate.

She circled the room one more time. It was too stuffy in here. She had to get out, get some fresh air. The keys were in her palm before she could think, and a second later she had slammed the door shut. She headed out of town, telling herself a long drive would clear her thoughts. But the rebellious part of her seemed to have taken control of her body, because after twenty minutes of circumnavigation, she found herself parked outside Nate’s house.

Oh, God. She was really going to do it. She was going to knock on his door and say…what? She had no idea. And why hadn’t she changed into something a bit more inviting than these raggedy old jeans and oversized T-shirt? A bit of lipstick and mascara would have helped, too. But then again, she didn’t want to look too obvious, did she?

Anxiously she finger-combed her hair and tied one corner of her T-shirt to make it fit better. That would have to do. Not giving herself time for second thoughts, she climbed out of her car, hurried up to the front porch, and knocked on the door. Light glowed from behind the drawn shutters at the windows, and she could hear an old Beatles song drifting out from somewhere. She held her breath as Nate opened the door.

“Hey.” The corners of his eyes crinkled up. Barefoot in jeans and a casual checked shirt, his ebony hair a little mussed, a pencil in one hand, he didn’t appear the least bit surprised to see her on his doorstep.

“Hey.” She tried to match his nonchalant grin, but it wasn’t easy when her body was twitching with nerves.

He opened the door wider. “Come on in.”

“I hope I’m not disturbing you.” The moment she said it, she wanted to thump her head. What an inane thing to say.

“Not at all. I was just doing some work.” He was all suave politeness.

She glanced around the living room they were standing in. She’d never been inside his house before. There were large abstract paintings, metal lamps, and a drafting table covered with papers. The furniture looked like it had been bought for a much bigger, more urban space, and here in this modest weatherboard cottage the slick pieces seemed out of place. She gestured toward the drafting table. “Landscaping work?”

“Yeah. I’ve just landed my first job. It’s not very big—just a couple of retaining walls and a new pergola—but it’s a start.”

“That’s great.”

“So you’re pleased for me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. You blow hot and cold around me. Sometimes you seem real friendly, and then other times you freeze up for no apparent reason.”

She gulped, her throat dry and tight, and tried to flick her hair back casually. “I do have my reasons.”

“You like torturing me? You still hold a secret grudge against me? You like to lead me on just so you can slap me down?”

“No! You think I’m a tease?”

He folded his arms across his chest, the sleeves of his shirt drawing taut over his biceps. “So why are you here?”

His expression was cagey, and he looked impervious to her charms, such as they were. A cold spasm fluttered low in her belly. Shoot. Either she was going to scuttle out of here with her tail between her legs or she was going to take that risk she’d been telling herself to.

Angling her hip into what she hoped was an insouciant pose, she shrugged. “Can’t you guess? I’m here because, well, I enjoyed what we did this afternoon, and—and I’d like to take it further.” Damn, why did her voice have to wobble like that? And what should she do next? Lick her lips lasciviously? Bat her eyelashes at him? Her heart rattled as she took a couple of steps toward him. Nate’s focus on her intensified. He followed her approach like a lion sizing up a gazelle, his wariness giving way to watchful expectation.

Just a few inches away from him she paused, her mind a complete blank. “Uh, I really have no idea what I’m doing here, so jump in any time you like.”

His eyes warmed as he smiled. “From my end you’re doing great, so keep going.”

Fantastic. Some femme fatale she’d make. And then as she gazed at him, his sexual charisma sizzled away her hesitation. The bare skin revealed by his open-necked shirt drew her attention, and the urge to touch him was a thirst she had to quench. Without thinking she closed the gap and pressed her lips against the base of his throat. His masculine scent flooded her nostrils. He smelled clean, earthy, wonderful. Inhibition crumbling, she slid her hands up the broad expanse of his chest, relishing the feel of his muscle beneath the crisp cotton, and when she reached his shoulders, she stood on tiptoe and angled her mouth toward his.

His lips met hers halfway. His hands closed possessively over her hips. The kiss was frank and hungry and sensual. Their tongues flitted together, exploring, tasting, relishing. She gave herself up to the pleasure of it all, the censuring, nagging voice at the back of her mind falling silent. She didn’t have to fight with herself, didn’t have to justify her behavior. She was free to do as she pleased.

“See? I said you were doing great,” Nate murmured against her mouth.

“Um….” She nibbled at his lower lip. “Shut up and kiss me.”

He pulled her tight against him and obliged. Now, he didn’t hold back, and a few minutes of his plundering left her panting. While she was still catching her breath, he pulled her onto the two-seater and reclined her against the cushions. The leather squeaked as he leaned over her and undid the knot in her T-shirt, and then his hands were roaming over her belly, stroking her sensitized skin.

“You feel so soft and silky.” His eyes glimmered in the lamplight. “I’ve been wanted to touch you like this for ages.”

He explored her torso, caressing each rib as his fingers slowly inched up her chest. Her lungs squeezed like an accordion, anticipation building in her, and when he reached her bra, she could scarcely breathe. He fingered the lace for only a few seconds before he withdrew his hand. She almost wailed in frustration until she realized he was tugging at her T-shirt. Lifting her arms, she assisted him to get rid of her top. A brief wave of embarrassment came over her as she realized she was only wearing her white, everyday bra, but the heat in Nate’s gaze seared away all her doubts. Cupping both her breasts, he buried his face in her cleavage and breathed in deep as if she were life-giving oxygen. The intimacy of his touch sent her temperature sky-rocketing.

A sensual rage took hold of her. Grabbing his shirt, she clawed it open. Nate chuckled, obviously amused by her haste, and then he inhaled as she rolled over on top of him and straddled his hips.

His hungry eyes ate her up. “Sweetheart, you’re full of surprises.”

Ally was surprised herself. She’d never thought herself as sexually voracious, but tonight she was caught up in a lustful tornado, and she didn’t know where the twister would drop her down.

Bending, she coasted her mouth over Nate’s chest and relished the feel of his taut muscles bunching beneath her legs. Sitting on top of him, she had access to all of him, could feast her eyes on his beautiful body. With his dark hair all rumpled, his eyes on fire, and his burnished skin glowing, his sheer gorgeousness took her breath away.

Nate’s smile turned molten. “This couch isn’t big enough for the two of us. Wanna go somewhere more comfortable?”

Ally’s heart leaped into her throat.
Come on, scaredy cat. You knew where this would lead the moment you grabbed hold of him.

“Okay,” she croaked.

His smile widened and lit up his face. He looked eager and surprised, as if he hadn’t expected her to say yes so quickly. Pulling her to her feet, he led her down the short hallway and into his master bedroom. As she glimpsed the sprawling king-size bed, her heart hammered even faster, but she knew there was no turning back. The need in her couldn’t be denied. Tonight she was Nate’s.

…

The awkwardness of morning afters. Over the years Nate had perfected his method of handling them. Invariably, the first time he slept with a woman, he would be keen to get rid of her the next morning as smoothly as possible. It had nothing to do with how well the night before had gone, and everything to do with his need to reassert his independence.