Page 84 of Designs on You

She lifted a shoulder while concentrating on her plate. “I’m a very good planner. I’ll help you.”

“And by help, you mean you’ll plan the whole thing and be there with me, right?”

She lifted her gaze to his and smiled. “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

She watched as his shoulders settled back in their normalposition, indicating the idea had made him tense. “Surely you’re not afraid of hosting a housewarming, Eugene.”

“Me? No way. And, hey, we don’t even have to do it. I know how busy you are, Natalie.”

She wanted to laugh but knew that wasn’t the right thing to do. “A housewarming wouldn’t be difficult, and I think it would be awesome to show off the house to your friends and family. You could even invite your mom and your other brother out from California. I’m sure they’d love to visit and see your place.”

He didn’t answer at first, and she thought maybe she might have overstepped.

“You know, that’s not a bad idea. And I’ve been meaning to do a get together with my team from work. This would be an ideal time to get everyone out of the office and have some fun.”

Relieved she hadn’t gone overboard with her ideas, she smiled. “That’s great. So you make a list and I’ll make plans. Then, once the house is finished, we’ll figure out a date that’s convenient for you and for your family.”

“Sounds good. And Natalie?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks. For the idea and for offering to help.”

What was it that whenever Eugene cast a direct gaze at her, coupled with that warm smile, caused her to melt into a puddle of goo? She was no lovesick teen who’d never fallen for a guy before. She’d had men in her life. She’d been married and divorced. She knew the realities of love and heartbreak. Shouldn’t she be immune to a man’s charm? A man’s smile? A man’s sultry, utterly sexual scent that seemed to always turn her…

Okay, fine. She most definitely was not immune to Eugene. And that caused her a great deal of consternation.

No, not tonight. She was not going to overthink her relationship—or whatever it was—with Eugene tonight. They were having a perfect time together, conversation was flowing, she felt good. What she wanted was to spend the rest of the evening—the night—with Eugene. And she wasn’t going to let negative thoughts interfere with that.

“Dessert?” he asked after their server removed the dinner plates.

She reached across the table and touched her fingertips to his. “Let’s have dessert at my place.”

• • •

Eugene teased his thumb over the back of Natalie’s hand, feeling her shiver. Just the simplest of touches heightened his senses. And from the heated look in her eyes, she was as affected as he was.

“Yeah, we should go right now,” he said, signaling for the server to bring the check.

They made their way out to the car, and he held the door for her while she slid in. A gust of wind blew her dress up, baring her thighs. She looked up at him and gave him a seductive smile, not bothering to smooth her dress down until he closed the door.

His cock tightened.

Not a good time to get hard. Not here in the parking lot.

He slid into the driver’s seat and glanced over at Natalie, her hands balled into fists as she smoothed them over her dress.

“Tense?” he asked.

“You could say that.”

He laid his hand over her leg, teasing his fingers along the hem of her dress and under, taking in her harsh inhale of breath as he moved his fingers upward. “Something I could help you with?”

She laid her hand over his and moved it upward, spreading her legs. “Yes.”

He pulled his gaze away from her and onto the parking lot, which, while full when they’d arrived, had definitely lessened. Plus, their parking area distanced them from any other cars in the lot. And he needed to touch Natalie, now. He draped an arm over her shoulder, using his free hand to tease her sex through her silken underwear. She arched against his hand, silently asking for more. He was happy to give her whatever she needed, so he slipped his hand inside her panties and stroked her softness, circling the bud, driving himself to the brink while also taking her there.

His cock pounded and he wished they were somewhere where he could thrust inside of her until they both came, hard. But they weren’t, and this was about giving Natalie release. His could wait. But not too long, so he swept his fingers gently around her clit until she let out a moan.

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