Salvation (14 page)

“
We won
’
t need those,
”
Nate told him, eyes never leaving mine,
“
just the check.
”

WE WERE DRIVEN back to my apartment, which was completely unexpected. Nate hadn
’
t asked where I wanted to go, in fact, he
’
d barely spoken the entire journey. For twenty minutes, one leg had tapped restlessly whilst he focused on where we were heading through the front seats. Now, alone in the car, as he released my hand and unclipped our seat-belts, my already heightened level of anxiety grew.

I twisted to face him. Nate edged closer so our thighs pressed together and moved an arm to the back of the seat. My breath stuttered and my palms grew damp.

“
You seem nervous.
”
Nate
’
s voice was low, hoarse and uneven, revealing his own nerves. He twirled the few strands of hair framing my face in his fingers, his eyes flickering to my mouth before closing as he neared.

His kiss fluttered across my lips. Then it was gone.

I blinked, dazed and unsure why he
’
d stopped. Nate
’
s eyes, merely inches from mine, worked over my face, deep in troubled thought.

With a timid hand, I touched his face.
“
Kiss me again.
”

At first it was tentative, before gradually deepening into a more heated embrace. A low groan escaped from Nate, reverberating right through my body, and I felt him shudder. I wrapped my arm around his neck, urging him closer. He tasted heavenly, his tongue expertly moving with mine, teasingly licking and stroking. Nate
’
s kiss had the ability to wash away my fears and worries. Everything became right with just one touch.

“
No,
”
he gasped, tearing himself away. My heart felt like it could pound out of my chest. For a minute, I couldn’t open my eyes, wasted and almost unconscious from the delicious taste of his scorching kisses.
“
Not here.
”
His right hand went into his hair, fingers flexing as he raked through it. Taking a deep breath, he straightened.
“
I
’
ll walk you to your door.
”

After our frank conversation in the restaurant, I presumed we were spending the night together, so I wasn
’
t quite sure what to make of that. Nate opened the door and tugged me onto the pavement. I sensed the spark between our fingers once more and my body heated. I wanted him to make love to me. Needed his touch to return some light into my darkest memories.

On the doorstep, his worldly eyes assessed me, hesitating to give me what I wanted. That added to the chaos in my head because Nate wasn’t the type to hold out. Virility oozed from every pore of his skin, in every step he took, the way he moved and the cockiness of his outrageously charming smile.

I knew if I let him leave now, I
’
d regret it. Cautiously, I ran my fingertips over his cheek. Nate
’
s eyes closed as he leant into my touch.

“
Come upstairs,
”
I murmured.

When his eyes opened, they were almost black, hooded, revealing a hunger that sent a shiver down my spine. I swiped my fob and opened the door, reaching for his hand.

“
Kara
—
wait.
”
There was no denying how much he wanted this, but the indecision glimpsed in his eyes was incredibly touching. I tugged his arm again, a physical response to his unspoken uncertainty. His expression softened instantly.
“
Hold that thought.
”

Nate disappeared and spoke to Ross, who had returned to the car. They chatted briefly whilst I leant against the doorframe, not quite believing what I
’
d done. After a few minutes, he returned.
“
Lead the way.
”

With every stair we climbed in anticipated silence my heart rate accelerated. I fumbled with my apartment key, trying to get it in the lock.

“
Don
’
t be nervous.
”
His hand covered mine, his whole demeanour suggesting calm and authority.
“
Allow me.
”

I entered with some trepidation and placed my clutch on the dining table, all too aware this would be the first time I
’
d had sex in over a year. Nate emptied his pocket contents onto the kitchen counter and led me into the lounge, lit only by the orange glow from the lamp posts outside. Without warning, he spun me forcibly into his arms so my palms hit flat against his chest.

“
I need you to be sure, Kara, because when I kiss you again, there
’
ll be no going back. I won
’
t be able to stop until I
’
ve heard you scream my name as you come.
”

The firing shot of his words hit their intended target, right between my legs.
God.
He was outrageously confident and I was beyond turned on by it. A shard of light shining through a gap in the blinds highlighted dark, intense eyes full of lust and longing, and waiting for an answer.

Spiked with courage, I did the two things I
’
d wanted to since first laying eyes on him. I brushed one hand through the long, thick hair on top of his head. It was exactly as I imagined, silky and soft. Holding him at the nape, I traced a finger along his full, hot lips with the other.
“
Don
’
t stop,
”
I agreed, breathlessly.

The touch of his lips on mine was so delicate my knees buckled beneath me. I gripped his arms, fighting to stay upright as his grip on my waist firmed. Every curve of muscle tensed with my touch as unhurriedly, both hands slipped back to his nape.

Against his steadfast frame I could feel myself trembling, and when Nate tugged my lower lip between his teeth, I gasped.

“
I want to savour this, prolong the experience, but you make me so hard,
”
Nate growled. He grazed along my jaw, then sucked on the sensitive spot below my ear, sending a shiver across my skin.

“
Take your time,
”
I whispered, my attention-starved body enjoying the seduction. I tipped my head, allowing better access to my neck and shoulders. His lips gave way to teeth, small bites and teases, hands sliding over my body as his arousal built.

“
I want to rip off this dress, bend you over the couch and fuck you
’
til you can
’
t walk.
”

“
I rather like this dress,
”
I sighed, running my hands over his shoulders.
“
And walking comes in handy.
”

Nate
’
s laugh against my shoulder made me smile.
“
Tell me how you like to be touched, Kara.
”

What? No!
A man
’
s touch had been absent from my life for so long I half-imagined I
’
d forgotten what to do. His gaze returned to mine.
“
It
’
s okay.
”

“
I can
’
t,
”
I whimpered.

“
You can. Don
’
t be ashamed to let me know what your body enjoys.
”
Nate prowled behind me, his body heat making mine hum with anticipation as I blindly awaited his next move. He stroked a finger lazily down my bare back, scattering goosebumps across my flesh.
“
So creamy and soft,
”
he murmured.
“
I
’
ve longed to taste your skin for weeks.
”
His lips grazed my shoulder, working up to my ear and whispered,
“
But I imagine you knew that already.
”

My breathing shallowed, my body swaying as Nate played this tantalising game of seduction. The straps of my dress fell down my arms, his hands leaving a trail of fire on my skin as he eased it off. His breath hitched.
“
No underwear?
”

“
No bra,
”
I corrected. He eased the dress over my hips and down my body, and tossed it to the side.

“
Your legs are spectacular.
”
His breath tickled the back of my knee. Warm hands and soft lips mapped their way leisurely up my thighs until Nate regained a standing position. Taking both my hands, he wrapped them around the back of his neck and deliberately trailed fingertips down my arms, making my skin tingle.

“
Feel what you do to me, Kara?
”
he rasped, both hands splaying above and below my navel, urging me flush against him. His erection strained against his fly, pushing against my arse.

Unable to respond coherently, I whimpered and nodded. Realising Nate was so hot for me was enlightening. I arched my back, moving both hands to his hair.

“
So incredibly sexy.
”
His thumb skimmed the lace top of my panties, then he slipped his hand inside, moving down until his finger found my clit. My body jolted and I gasped.
“
I can
’
t wait to bury myself inside you.
”

His breathing changed, growing heavier and uneven next to my ear as he began circling the sensitive bundle of nerves, making me moan.
“
You like that?
”
he asked, drawing the delicate skin of my neck between his teeth.

“
Hmm.
”
My head fell back, my hips swaying of their own accord.

“
Shall I make you come?
”
His lips brushed my ear, the pad of his fingers dipping into the wet at my opening then gliding back up.

“
Not yet,
”
I begged. I didn’t want to come at the mercy of his fingers. I felt too bared.

With the familiar swell of an impending orgasm building, I turned to him. Scorching lust burnt in his blackening eyes. He was a man on the edge, struggling to maintain the steady pace. He wanted to fuck but was giving me the slow seduction I requested.

With shaking fingers, I unbuttoned his shirt. I prised it from his waistband so it hung open loosely.
“
Wow,
”
I muttered, awed by his well-cared-for body. Hesitantly, I pressed my palms to his muscular chest, feeling it rise and fall in time with his heavy breathing.

Nate
’
s hands came to my hair and started meticulously removing the pins. The feel of his fingers sifting through my hair was exquisite.

I kissed over his chest, trailing a finger down the groove in the middle of taut abs, sculpted and firm as they rippled with my touch. The unique scent of
him
, heightened with lust, made me squirm. I continued past his navel, down the light trail of dark hair disappearing into his trousers.

“
It
’
s fucking too much.
”
His kiss was hungry, urgent as he took back control, eating at me like he
’
d starve if he didn’t. Holding the collar of his shirt, I hastily pushed it off, yanking it over his wrists so cufflinks scattered across the hardwood floor.

I cupped his arse and urged him against me, grinding into him.
“
I want this,
”
I panted, need and impatience flooding me.

“
I want
this
.
”
My breast filled his hand, his thumb rubbing my hardened nipple before being sucked into his hot mouth. I groaned. His teeth grazed the tender bud, then his tongue soothed the bite. Every touch was experienced between my legs. It was borderline painful but insanely pleasurable.

He moved lower, circling my navel, sending chills through my body. I shifted restlessly, grabbing fistfuls of his hair, getting wetter as the sensuous torture of my body continued, unsure how much more I could take.

Nate slid off my panties, following their path until he was crouched by my feet once more. Only this time I could see him.

“
Mmm,
”
he murmured appreciatively,
“
let me put the lights on.
”
He blinked up through impossibly long lashes and licked his lips.

“
No!
”
I was standing completely naked in my lounge, exposed and vulnerable. Self-consciously, I wrapped my arms around my waist.

“
Don
’
t hide.
”
Nate stood and opened my arms.
“
Your body is stunning, made for sex and sin. Be proud of it. Use it.
”
He swept my paranoia away with a tender kiss. His hand found its way between my legs, fingers parting the slick folds before one slipped inside.

“
Yes.
”
I panted, clenching around him, greedily wanting more.