Page 82 of His Mansion

There was no room. No retreat. If before she’d been between worlds, she’d traveled light years farther into outer space.

He touchedher, inside and out. Her body, her mind. Her soul.

And there were no more scars there.

Time blurred, sensations shot to a tantalizing edge before rocketing her off the cliffs and setting her into free-fall. Her climax tore her apart and rebuilt her as her body squeezed tight around his shaft. Voices shouted in passion—hers? Derrick’s? They were together and one. Melanie leaned back, letting Derrick support her as she gave way to complete boneless relaxation.

Oh God, that had felt good.

She couldn’t open her eyes, she was so sated. He withdrew from her body, lowered her to a kneeling position. Even as the ropes fell from her limbs, even as the harness was removed, she drifted in some faraway place she had no intention of leaving anytime soon.

How Derrick found the strength to carry her, she had no idea—she couldn’t peel her eyes open. Not when he laid her on the mat, not when a warm cloth touched her body.

And when his strong arms held her close as they lay back on the mats, Melanie gave a happy sigh and let sleep take her.

Nathan stareddown from where he’d retreated to the upper galley for a better view. Melanie curled herself around Derrick, her hair strewn over his naked chest as she used him as a pillow. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, their torsos touching, limbs tangled together. Light movements of their chests revealed the easy breathing of sleep overtaking them.

They looked good together. They were good together.

For the past week Nathan could have sworn he was riding a bloody roller coaster. Steamy sexual desire followed by intense frustration. Professional advancement and condemnation. Helping a friend tear down walls that had trapped her for years, then realizing friendship was all he could offer her—if he wasn’t riding a high he’d been hitting a low, and the cumulative effect had come close to draining him of all common sense.

Kane’s outburst had shocked him, but not because he didn’t know deception occurred in his business. His intentions were clear as far as the magazine was concerned. It was the fact that for him being with Melaniewasfar more about sexual experimentation than long-term commitment. Kane had hit the nail on the head with that one, and guilt rode Nathan hard.

The only redeeming factor was his decision to not come between Derrick and Melanie.

And then? When she said she wanted him?Goddamn, fucking hell.

Nathan had wanted her too, and it had taken all his strength to turn away. To walk out without one more taste of the paradise that was going to be Derrick’s to enjoy for what looked to be forever.

He had watched, the burn of jealousy fading as he visually feasted on their lovemaking. It wasn’t his turn for love like this, but seeing it? Knowing it could be real?

That was a gift he’d never expected to receive.

Nathan watched the lovers snuggle together on the mat, oblivious to his presence. This was as it should be, and only one thought repeated in his mind.

Time to move on.

It had been good to witness unconditional love. Someday he hoped to find for himself what was growing between Melanie and Derrick.

Nathan grabbed his camera bag and backpack, and silently slipped out the door.

11

Red-Point: Lead climb from bottom to top without falling after rehearsing the moves.

Melanie wrinkled her nose in disgust. The only thing that made her read to the end was morbid curiosity. Kind of like slowing to check out a car accident. “This article isn’t any better than the others.”

“But at least it’s not about you.” Kane plucked the magazine from her fingers and tossed it in the trash.

“I feel damn sorry for the poor sod it is about.” Derrick passed the popcorn bowl over, and Melanie mindlessly added butter and salt.

The second ofRave’s two September issues was out, without the article featuring her, and Melanie was both confused and relieved. Just as Kane feared, each new magazine release had proven the stories to be sensationalized garbage. Even knowing she wasn’t yet the focus of negative attention didn’t make Melanie’s anxiety disappear. While she trusted Nathan, he had been clear the actual article was out of his control. She’d almost resigned herself to being center stage in a nasty exposé.

Still, there was something else wrong she couldn’t put her finger on. She helped carry the snacks into the living room, distracted from her gloomy thoughts by the sight of her brother with his best friend Jack, their pregnant partner snuggled between them. Now that it was official the three of them were together on a permanent basis, Melanie got a huge kick out of teasing Kane.

Dara didn’t seem to mind the banter—in fact, she aided and abetted every chance she got.

“You need anything, Dara?” Melanie plopped the popcorn bowl on the coffee table, moving aside beer bottles to make room.

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