Nate had all the questions.
Why did Sonia want to do it in the dark?
Why did she prefer it fast?
Why wouldn’t she let him remove her bra?
Why had she been nervous about bringing him home?
His questions had questions. If Sonia hadn’t been so responsive to his touch, if she hadn’t been making those little incoherent sounds, if it hadn’t seemed as if she was discovering the pleasure of making love for the first time, Nate might have cut bait and walked away. But her reaction couldn’t have been faked and he was snared in the spell of Sonia. It was too late for him to easily step away from the temptation she offered.
He didn’t know what she’d gone through and she wasn’t likely to tell him. All Nate could do was argue the case for mutual satisfaction to the best of his abilities.
He kissed her ear, then her throat, trailing a line of kisses back to her mouth with devastating slowness. His right arm was around her waist, holding her close, and he watched her. Her eyes were closed and her expression rapturous.
And he’d only just begun.
Sonia stirred and surveyed him, then wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her fingers through his hair and grabbing a fistful of it. Nate liked the way she tugged on it, pulling him closer.
“Would it still count as once?” she asked suddenly and Nate had no clue what she was talking about.
“What?” he asked, grazing her nipple with his teeth.
She gasped and tightened her grip on his hair. “If we did it again. You said one-and-done.”
“We haven’t even finished the first time,” he murmured. “You’re in too much of a hurry.”
“You’re not in enough of a hurry,” she complained, squirming against his fingers and he chuckled.
“Trust me,” he whispered, then captured her lips beneath his own again. Their kiss was hot and hungry, so slow and thorough that Nate wasn’t sure how he’d stand it. She brushed her fingertips across the front of his trousers, against his erection, and he moved away a little, knowing he wouldn’t last if she caressed him. “No rush,” he whispered.
“Don’t cheat me,” she whispered fiercely and he grinned.
“Not a chance.” His fingers slipped inside her, his thumb pressing against her in a way that made her catch her breath. Then he flicked his thumb across her clitoris and Sonia moaned, a sound that came from the depths of her soul and set his own on fire.
“But after we do,” she said, her voice strained. “Is that one-and-done or can we do it twice before you go?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“Timing.” Nate bent and took her nipple in his mouth again, teasing it the same way he tormented her clitoris.
“Same weekend?” she managed to ask.
Nate shook his head, holding her nipple captive so it tugged a bit, then flicked his tongue across the peak. “That would be twice.” He turned his attention to the other nipple.
“Same night?” she asked.
“Twice,” Nate said against her skin.
“Same hour?”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “That might be a little ambitious.” He kissed her to silence then and she wriggled against him with a desperation for release he could understand.
“Finish me off,” she whispered urgently and he smiled.
“Not a chance.”
She tugged at his tie. “You’re overdressed,” she complained and he took a step back. She looked flushed and flustered, her lips a bit swollen and her eyes shining in the darkness. It was weird that she was still wearing her lingerie, but Nate wasn’t going to argue with her about it. She looked great in it. Maybe that was why.
She watched avidly as Nate unknotted his tie, then smiled and twirled it. He threw it on her reading chair with a flourish.
Sonia laughed. “You need music.”
“I’ve done it without before.” Nate kicked off his shoes, then studied her intently as he stalked toward her, unfastening his belt buckle. She licked her lips and he doubted she was aware of how incredibly sexy she was, or even that she was arching her back.
He was always going to remember her like this, aroused and ready for everything he had to give.
He gave her an appreciative survey, letting her see his reaction. “You really are gorgeous, you know.”
“And you take too long.”
“Anticipation makes everything better. I’m not a fan of fast.”
“Maybe I’ll change your mind,” she said, and he didn’t want to tell her how close he was. “Next time, I’ll tackle you,” she threatened. “I’ll rip off your clothes and have you at my mercy in seconds flat.”
“Will you?” Nate grinned. “Promises, promises. Maybe twice in one night does count as once.” His socks followed his trousers and he undid his dress shirt slowly.
This was the moment he dreaded.
He rolled his shoulders, shrugging out of it, and saw her gaze flick over the harness that held his prosthesis in place. There was no escaping the truth of it at this point, and Nate waited for the worst to happen.
But Sonia just looked.
Maybe it would be all right. He was down to his briefs and undershirt as he took off his watch, giving her a moment to decide.
“Surprise,” she said. “You’re a white cotton fan, too.”
Nate smiled. “Guilty as charged.”
The harness that held his prosthesis in place was leather and extended over his arm, then across his chest and around the opposite shoulder, over top of his undershirt. Sonia was studying it.
At least she wasn’t pretending to ignore it.
“This isn’t a freak show,” Nate reminded her softly.
“I’m just curious.” She walked around him, tracing the path of the harness with a fingertip, and he let her look. He was relieved that she didn’t seem to be turned off. She stopped behind him, looking at the back of his shoulder. She must be able to see his tattoo through the cloth.
He smiled when she traced the outline of the tattoo with her fingertip.
“Semper fi,” he said.
“Of course,” she said. He pretended not to notice that her gaze swept down to the remnant of his other tattoo, the one that had been mostly lost in the scar at the end of his arm.
“Why is the harness over your T-shirt?”
“A little padding is always a good thing. It chafes against my skin if I wear it all day.”
“Are you going to take it off?”
“I wasn’t planning to.” Nate looked over his shoulder at her, wondering what she was thinking. “Unless the Hook bothers you.”
Sonia shook her head, her hair swinging and her eyes glowing. “No,” she said with refreshing resolve. “You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think a person is more than their scars.”
Nate smiled, unable to hide his relief. “Not all scars are visible.”
“No,” she agreed. Sonia continued tracing the path of the harness to the middle of his chest, then stopped to look up at him. “You’re really bulked up,” she said softly. “More than I remember.”
“Not much to do in lockdown other than pump more iron.”
She flattened her hands and spread them across his chest, watching their progress with a smile that got him right where he lived. “The harness looks really strong.”
“It is. I had them reinforce it.” Nate shook his head. “I don’t need to be racing someone up the rock-climbing wall, wondering whether my hand will fall off.”
“No, you need to be able to count on it,” she said, as if she understood.
“Exactly.”
She left her hand over his heart and Nate felt it pound beneath her palm. Their gazes met once more and that heat flared between them. She leaned against him, her breasts colliding with his chest, satin against cotton, and Nate felt his throat work. His heart leapt beneath her hand as she touched her lips to the pulse at his throat.
Nate waited then, motionless, his entire body aflame.
If she stepped away, he wasn’t sure he’d survive, but he sensed the uncertainty in her. He couldn’t explain it, but he had to give her the chance to choose.
Just the fact that Nate let Sonia choose, meant there was only one possible answer.
It was as if he intuitively understood how new and different this was for her, as if he guessed that she didn’t know how to make love. She wasn’t a virgin, not by a long shot, and she certainly wasn’t innocent, but she’d never felt cherished like this.
She’d never felt so appreciated and treasured.
It was the most seductive sensation in the world.
She stretched up and kissed Nate’s ear, just the way he’d kissed hers. Slowly, using her teeth a little, waiting until he caught his breath. She could feel the heat emanating from him and the tension in his body. She teased one nipple, just as he’d teased hers, and liked how readily it responded to her touch. She could feel his heartbeat accelerate and hear his breath catch. She twined her fingers into his hair again, unable to resist the silky feel of it, then slid her other hand down to caress his erection.
Nate inhaled sharply, his arms locking around her waist again and lifting her to her toes. She stretched up to whisper in his ear, liking that she could torment him as readily as he did her. He was enormous and so hard. Sonia stroked him slowly, feeling his entire body go tense. “Don’t you like that?”
“It interferes with slow,” he said tightly and Sonia smiled.
“You have to tell me what you like,” she said, caressing him.
“Can’t you tell?”
“Sometimes, but I’m curious.”
“Again.” She heard the smile in his voice and felt his fingers slide into her hair. “Isn’t there a saying about curiosity killing the cat?”
“Not this one.” She kissed his mouth then, a kiss that took half of forever. “I’m glad you let your hair grow a bit longer,” she confessed, her lips against his neck. “I’m glad you snapped back to the real you.” She kissed him again. “And I’m glad you came to the wedding today.” He smelled so good and felt so good. And he was right: it was potent to take it so slow, to savor every caress.
“So am I. I like surprises when they’re good ones.”
She smiled at him, flattered, and knew what she was supposed to do next. “How about this one?” She was going to drop to her knees and push down his briefs, but Nate beat her to it. She’d hesitated, just a heartbeat, and he’d noticed.
He caught her around the waist and swung her into his arms, grinning down at her gasp of surprise. “Your turn for a surprise,” he said as he deposited her on the bed.
“But I was going to…” she began and Nate shook his head.
“Slow would have been completely shot then,” he said, giving her an intent look. “And you don’t have to do that.”
Sonia was confused. Giving head had always been part of sex in her experience. “Don’t you like it?”
Nate’s gaze hardened. “It’s not about what I like. Sex isn’t about obligation or debt. It’s about feeling good, about pleasing each other.” She might have argued but he silenced her with a look. “It’s about what we both like and what we like together. You don’t owe me that. If you like it, that’s one thing, but I’m not sure you do.”
She fell silent then, caught and uncertain what to say.
Meanwhile, Nate slid his hand down her side and under her panties, then swept them down her legs. Sonia froze, because he had to see her scar, but Nate’s expression didn’t change. Maybe he hadn’t noticed it. He held her gaze and smiled with satisfaction as he settled his weight between her thighs. “This is the part where I prove the merit of slow,” he murmured, eyes glinting.
“That’s not consistent.”
“It’s totally consistent because I love going down on women.” He shook his head and spoke with conviction. “There’s nothing sexier in the world.”
Once again, Sonia didn’t know what to say. “What about my shoes?”
That wicked grin flashed. “Definitely leave them on.”
Sonia might have laughed but instead she caught her breath as Nate bent over her. His shoulders were broad and so muscled that they held her knees apart. Sonia glimpsed the twinkle in his eyes, then felt his breath upon her. If he’d noticed the scar, he didn’t care—which meant she didn’t have to worry about it anymore. She closed her eyes as his mouth locked over her then moaned as his tongue…oh, his tongue made magic.
He began so slowly that she knew he was going to make it excruciating—wonderful and excruciating—and she hoped she didn’t lose it too soon and disappoint him.
Afterward, she definitely had to get even.
But for the moment, she felt pampered and admired, and Nate, she was sure, knew exactly what he was doing.
Sonia closed her eyes and leaned back, submitting to the pleasure he was determined to give.
And Sonia thought she wasn’t a temptress.
Nate would have laughed out loud if he hadn’t been so busy. She had definite shortfalls in her understanding of her own powers. She was every fantasy come to life, gorgeous, sensual and enthusiastic. He already knew that once wasn’t going to be enough and was glad she’d already insisted on another round.
In the meantime, he was going to make this one last as long as he could.
What was the scar from? Nate had never seen one like it. It had been hidden beneath the elastic of her panties and he’d thought at first that the elastic had dug into her skin, but the line was too deep and went all the way around her. The panties had slipped off easily, so they weren’t the issue.
Was the scar the reason that she wanted it to be dark?
What was her history? There was something in her posture when she’d moved to replace her hand with her mouth, something that had warned Nate that she felt she owed him oral sex, not that she wanted to do it.
And he was so done with obligations in bed.
He teased Sonia, taking her to the brink then backing off, over and over again so that her excitement built higher and higher. He loved the honesty of her response, that she seemed incapable of pretending. It was as if no one had ever made love to her before, as if she was enjoying it for the first time and was overwhelmed. He could feel her pulse and the heat rising beneath her skin, but she also moaned and whispered incoherently, a combination that he found really hot. He was determined to make this her best orgasm ever and when he felt her nails dig into his shoulders, he knew she was close.
“Don’t stop this time,” she whispered with urgency. “Throw me right over the edge.”
“Or else?”
“Or else I’ll make you pay for it,” she said fiercely and Nate believed her.
“Good luck with that,” he murmured against her skin. He flicked his tongue against her and she moaned, then thrashed.
“I can’t stand it!”
“I’ll make you.”
“Just do it!”
“Just wait for it.” Nate kissed her sweet heat so that she writhed against him. He drove his tongue against her, loving the little squeak she made without meaning to do so. She arched her back and the heels of her shoes dug into his arms, but Nate didn’t care. He lifted her off the bed, taking her higher, making her moan, feeling her pulse race, hearing a wonderful little incoherent gasp—then he finished her off with the barest touch of his teeth against her clitoris.
Sonia’s legs locked around him convulsively, his thighs nearly smothering him as the orgasm ripped through her. Nate could barely breathe and he didn’t care. What a way to go. He felt her heart race and he savored the heat that rolled off her in waves. He held her while she came down from the peak, liking that she had a hard time catching her breath.
“You are dangerous,” she said finally but her eyes were sparkling.
“I told you slow was better,” he managed to say before he found himself on his back on the carpet, Sonia angled over him. Her hair swung down to brush against his chest and he caught a glimpse of her expression before she swept off his briefs. She straddled him—and again, there was a heartbeat of hesitation.
She didn’t like giving head. His suspicions had been right.
Nate spun her around, trying not to touch her skin with the Hook in case it was cold. Sonia gasped in surprise at his move, then braced her hands on his chest. Her hair fell over her shoulder as she looked down at him. “What happened to slow?” she asked.
“This is slow. Don’t you like it on top?” He wiped his mouth, watching closely as she considered it.
“All new,” she said and once again he couldn’t believe the losers she’d known in the past. Her smile turned wicked. “And this will be slower.” She held herself above his thighs, reached to the nightstand, then smoothed a condom over him with expert strokes.
Nate’s chest was tight. He kept one hand on her waist and watched her face, seeking any hint that this wasn’t what she wanted. But Sonia had the smile of a siren and her eyes were shining.
“Time to get even,” she said as she angled herself over him. He gasped when she took only the barest tip of him inside her. Even with the condom, Nate knew how hot and wet she was, and he could feel that she was tight. His hips bucked involuntarily and she smiled. “You’re the one who likes it slow,” she whispered and Nate almost groaned aloud. “If it was up to me, I’d sit right down and ride you hard.”
Nate closed his eyes, almost overwhelmed by the suggestion. If she did that, he might just die of pleasure.
Sonia walked her hands down his chest, then kissed his cheek. Her whisper sent hot shivers through him. “But we’ll do it slowly, just for you.”
“You’re going to kill me,” he said.
“You chose,” she reminded him, then took a tiny increment more. She rolled her hips, her weight braced on her elbows and her fingers in his hair. He might have caught her around the waist, but she grabbed his wrist, guiding his hand to the leg of the bed. “No touching,” she chided. “Hang on there and if you’re very good—”
“You’ll make it last forever,” he guessed.
Sonia laughed and lowered herself a little more. It took her ten thousand years to take all of him inside her, an exquisite torment that Nate wouldn’t have changed for the world. When he was finally sheathed in her heat, she withdrew so slowly that he didn’t dare to breathe. Then she rocked on top of him, moving with such deliberate power that both of them gasped when he was completely inside her again.
Nate was sure nothing had felt so good in a very long time. He could feel Sonia’s heels against his sides, and her breasts against his chest. She was still wearing her bra but he wasn’t going to reach for the clasp again. Her hair was pooled on his face, its silk in his mouth, and he was inundated by the scent of her. Sonia was so wet. That couldn’t be faked, and it meant that they were both held captive by the same spell.
He lifted his hips when she moved away, wanting more and more, and Sonia laughed. Then she kissed him slowly, holding his head so that he was trapped by her while she feasted upon his mouth and rode him. The heat grew inside him, driving every other thought from his mind but satisfaction. He rose against her, driving deep and she rocked harder on top of him. He kissed her with greater urgency. Sonia matched him, touch for touch, then moved suddenly to bury him inside her completely.
They gasped in unison, their gazes locking as the air sizzled between them. Nate couldn’t stand it any longer. He let go of the leg of the bed and rolled on top of her. He braced himself on his right elbow, then reached between them and touched her until she made one of those sounds of pleasure. He drove deeply, burying himself inside her sweet heat, caressing her when he could. Sonia obviously loved it. She flushed and moaned, writhing beneath him, urging him on.
“Together,” he said.
“That’s a myth,” she protested, her breath coming in little pants.
Nate chuckled. “I’ll bet you ten bucks.”
“You can’t,” she said, her eyes glinting. “You won’t.”
“We will,” he said and kissed her hungrily.
She flung one leg around his waist and kissed him back, feasting on his mouth, her embrace as desperate as his own. He could feel her nails in his shoulders and the strength of her legs wrapped around him as they moved together in perfect union. There was nothing but the glitter in her eyes and the feel of her breath in his ear, then she made that sound again, the one that had preceded her last release and Nate was a goner.
He drove deep inside her and came with a roar, feeling Sonia convulse around him as she came, too. They were locked tight around each other, slick and hot, and Nate had never wanted to linger anywhere more. He could feel her heart against his chest and feel her breath in his ear and it was perfection.
They clung together for long moments, then he rolled to his back, falling to the carpet beside her. Sonia was smiling at him, looking tousled and satisfied. She touched a finger to her tongue, then to his shoulder and made a hissing sound. “Hot stuff,” she teased.
“You should talk.”
“Sweet and hot.”
Nate smiled. “I aim to please.”
“I owe you ten bucks,” she said, but didn’t look very upset about it.
“I cheated,” he confessed.
Sonia sat up, propping a hand on her hip. “How on earth could you cheat?”
“That’s my secret.” His gaze swept over her, still in her bra and her shoes, as enticing as any woman he’d ever seen.
That scar was odd, though…
“You still owe me fast and hard,” Sonia said, then got suddenly to her feet. She kicked off her shoes and kept her back turned to him, a sure sign that she knew he’d noticed the scar.
And that bothered her.
“Not in the next ten minutes,” Nate joked, sitting up and pushing a hand through his hair. He was a bit dizzy. “Maybe not in fifteen. You really nuked me.”
“I’ll wait,” Sonia promised with a heat that encouraged him.
“You’re still wearing your bra,” he said, rising to his feet and reaching for the clasp. She spun away from him and unfastened it quickly, seizing a robe at the foot of the bed.
She didn’t put it on fast enough. Nate saw that there was another similar scar below her bust, one that had been hidden beneath the elastic band of the bra.
What could cause scars like that?
He knew better than to ask, given how she tried to hide them. He was curious but it was her secret.
As if to make sure he couldn’t be tempted to ask, Sonia crossed to the washroom and shut the door behind herself.
Nate leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He remained where he was, still shaken from the power of his release. It had been good. Really good.
Totally been worth waiting for.
He might not be ready for round two anytime soon.
Then he heard the water running in the shower and turned to look at the closed door. Sonia had to be naked beneath the running water. There wasn’t much better than sex in the shower in his view. Suds and lather, water and slick skin, the perfection of Sonia and the way she kissed…
Nate rose to his feet with purpose and unbuckled his harness.
Maybe he didn’t need ten minutes after all.
Sonia felt as if she’d made a close escape. She stood in the shower and leaned her forehead against the wet tiles. Nate had to have seen at least one of her scars, but he hadn’t said anything and he hadn’t turned away.
Didn’t he find them repulsive? She did and she’d made the choice that created them.
What would she say if he asked about them? How would she explain without sharing the whole story and baring her soul to him? This was a hook-up, by mutual agreement. It wouldn’t be fair or right to dump a lot of emotional baggage on him.
Funny that she knew Nate would listen.
And he wouldn’t judge or find her at fault.
That was as seductive as his touch.
There was a soft tap at the door. “Need some help?” Nate asked, that thread of humor in his tone.
Sonia smiled. “I don’t find soap that complicated,” she said and he laughed a little.
“It’s not the soap. It’s getting every bit of skin clean,” he said. “It requires diligence and attention to detail.”
“Sounds like you have something else in mind.”
“You’re inspiring me,” he acknowledged. “But I can wait.”
Once again, just the fact that he left it up to her made Sonia’s decision an easy one.
Her apartment was older and the shower was in the bathtub. She left the water running and stepped out of the tub, wrapped a towel around herself then opened the door. Nate was naked. She noticed his bare chest first and didn’t let her gaze drop lower.
“It has to be a fast wash,” she warned. “I get hot water for maybe five minutes.”
“A challenge then,” he said, eyes glinting. “Or even a test.”
“Are you up to it?” she asked, not realizing the double entendre until she said the words. They both looked down in unison, and he clearly was ready. He held up his hand, showing her that he’d grabbed another condom.
“Just in case,” he said with a smile.
“Quick!” She held the door open wider. “The hot water’s almost gone.”
Nate shut the door and caught her close, kissing her to silence as they backed toward the shower together. Sonia started to laugh, then she dropped the towel and seized the condom from him. He lifted her over the lip of the tub and they were beneath the stream of water, necking like they had invented it. She was trying to pull the shower curtain closed. “I don’t want to flood out my neighbors,” she protested.
“Fast and hard,” Nate said. “Remember that I’m good at taking orders.”
“You didn’t before, when I asked you to finish me off.”
“That was a request.”
Sonia laughed, then once again, she was caught in Nate’s embrace. She liked that they were skin-to-skin this time. The water sluiced over them and she forgot everything except his kiss.
“Soap!” Nate said when he finally lifted his head. He put out his left hand, palm up, for body wash. “Tick tock.”
That was when Sonia noticed that he’d taken off the Hook. Her gaze flicked to the stump of his arm, braced against the wall, then back to his eyes.
He was very serious and watching her closely.
“The Hook’s not so good for water sports,” he said softly.
Sonia could relate to that wariness. “Makes sense,” she said lightly then squirted body wash into his open hand. She then squirted some on his chest and lathered it up, rubbing body wash over herself to hide her own scars. Nate’s hand moved over her, then he caught her against the wall and kissed her again, rubbing their bodies together instead. Sonia felt suds forming where they could and his erection against her thigh.
“Five minutes,” she said lightly, reaching down to caress him. “Not bad.”
“It’s all your fault,” he countered, not looking too troubled at all. He kissed her again while she opened the condom package. She smoothed it over him again, liking how he inhaled at her touch. “You can’t be ready,” he said, sliding his fingers between her thighs, but Sonia definitely was. His fingertips made sure of it.
“Against the wall?” she suggested.
“Won’t it echo?”
Sonia smiled. “I’m counting on scandalizing my neighbors tonight.”
“Lady’s choice.” Nate checked his stance on the bathmat, ensuring that he wouldn’t slip, then nodded. He slid his hand under her butt and lifted her up with one hand, his shoulder flexing as he moved.
“Superman,” she teased.
“Not nearly.”
“Close enough for me.” Sonia wrapped her legs around his waist and he braced her back against the wall. They fit together so perfectly that they might have been made for each other—or done this a thousand times already. But there was nothing routine about being together. It was sensual and electric, as exciting this time as if it was all new again. Sonia wondered whether it would ever feel routine with Nate. He kissed her again, another one of those velvety slow kisses, then rubbed against her, teasing her with the prospect of what was to come. When he eased inside her, Sonia felt as if all was right with the world. It felt exquisite when he eased deeper, increment by increment.
“Oh, but you wanted fast,” he whispered in her ear, his tone mischievous. “My mistake.” He moved deliberately, burying himself inside her in one smooth stroke, then his gaze locked with hers as he rubbed against her clitoris. Sonia felt both shaken and stirred. Nate smiled, knowing exactly how much he’d shaken her world with that move.
“Oh,” Sonia whispered, amazed by his control.
“Oh,” Nate echoed, then grinned.
She wriggled then, just to get even, and his smile faded. His eyes darkened and his body became taut. Sonia rolled her hips, rubbing herself against him, running her hands up and down his back and over his shoulders. “The water will go cold any second now.”
His gaze pinned her to the spot as he moved again, then more quickly, filling her so that she gasped in awe. She wrapped herself around him and he braced his elbows on the wall, then he pumped, making her catch her breath. Sonia knew he was doing that on purpose.
“I don’t have another ten bucks,” she managed to say and he laughed in her ear, sending shivers through her.
“No money on it this time,” he said. “It’s a given.”
“It’s never a given…” she started then he caressed her so that she was dizzy. She hooked her ankles together behind his back, dug her nails into his shoulder, then grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled his head down for a hungry kiss. She didn’t hold back but let her passion loose and Nate growled approval. He moved faster and faster, and her heart raced, her desire rising like a tidal wave all over again.
He waited until she was almost there, then crushed her against the wall and buried his face in her neck. He shook with the power of his release, his move ensuring that she came at the same time. He never let her slip but held fast, as reliable as a rock.
Then he caught his breath and looked into her eyes. “Okay. Fast has its merit.”
Sonia was still catching her breath. “I’m glad you approve.”
“It’s that little sound you make. It kills me completely.”
“What sound?” she managed to ask before the water temperature turned icy.
Nate yelped and Sonia squealed before she started to laugh.
“You weren’t kidding!” he said. They rinsed off quickly, helping each other, then tumbled out of the tub together.
Nate wrapped Sonia in a towel and rubbed her down, then did the same himself. Her bathroom was crowded with the two of them there and was filled with steam, but Sonia couldn’t stop smiling.
“That was great,” she said, reaching out to caress the marks she’d made on his shoulder. “Sorry about the nails.”
Nate chuckled. “Badge of honor,” he said with a wink. He ran a fingertip down her cheek, his touch and the look in his eyes making her simmer to her toes. “I aim to please.”
“And you succeed.”
“You’re no slouch yourself.”
“What sound? Is that how you cheated?”
Nate’s smile flashed. “Guilty as charged. You do it right before you come. It’s kind of a mix between a squeak and a gasp.” He held her gaze steadily and smiled. “It’s really sexy, and a good indication that it’s time to wrap things up.”
“Timing is everything.”
“You know it.”
Sonia stepped into his embrace and tipped her head back, welcoming his slow kiss. When they finally parted, she leaned against his chest and Nate held her close. “We should have done this ages ago,” she said.
“No regrets,” Nate said, kissing her forehead. “You’ve given me a great send-off from the Big Apple and that’s awesome.” He stepped away from her then, heading into the main room to dress, and Sonia knew he’d leave.
Would she see him again?
She didn’t know, but it seemed unlikely. The problem was that she wasn’t quite ready to have Nate Buchanan vanish from her life.
Could she tempt him to stay for a third round?