Page 91 of I Could Be Yours

His eyes never leave mine as he traces my curves with gentle fingers. “I want to see you come apart for me, Essie.” He dips between my thighs.

“Whatever you need, Nate. I’ll be that for you,” I promise.Even if it ruins me.

His brow furrows. “Just be you. That’s all I want, just you.”

My heart stutters, and my body lights up at his earnestness and soft touch. His fingers move between my thighs, lips brushing over mine. His expression turns reverent as he finds the spot inside that makes me melt and moan for him.

His thumb circles my clit, and everything tightens. “That’s it, Ess.” He kisses me softly. “Let me see those pretty eyes when you’re coming for me.”

Heat funnels from my center as a rush of pleasure overwhelms me, spinning me out. And I have no chance to come down from the high, because Nate fits himself between my thighs, his erection sliding over sensitive skin.

I reach for the condoms on the nightstand.

He pushes up, fingers drifting over my cheek. “Can we…can I… I just want to feel you.” His voice is rough with need.

He’s seen my birth control pills on the bathroom counter. “You want to go bare?”

“I haven’t… I’m safe. I don’t want to pressure you, though.” He kisses my chin and then my lips.

Sex with no barriers is different. It speaks of trust and intimacy. Of more. And I want it, even though it terrifies me. “I don’t feel pressured. And I’m safe, too.” I shift my hips until the head nudges my entrance.

He exhales in a rush and frames my face with his wide palms. His brows pull together, and his mouth drops open as he fills me. Relief passes behind his eyes before it’s usurped by euphoria. “God, Essie, you feel so good. You always make me feel so good.”

I smile softly, hooking my feet at the small of his back. “So do you.”

He rolls his hips, and we both moan. This is nothing like the escapism fuck from this morning. He doesn’t hide from me, doesn’t drop his head or close his eyes. His gaze stays fixed on my face, one hand at my cheek, the other bracing his weight as he moves over me.

That shift I felt this morning happens again, and the air between us becomes electric. We’re not just two bodies joined by pleasure. He’s not just inside me; I’m inside him, too. It’s more than my arms winding around him, it’s our souls twining—this connection we share is so much deeper, and it’s not just sex anymore.

I’m losing my heart to him, to this broken man who moves above me with veneration. This doesn’t feel like a distraction from his pain. This is me falling. Fallen. And I’m powerless to stop it.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispers against my lips. “Every part of you.”

“So are you.” His heart is battered and bruised—I know now how badly—but I still want him.

Warmth spreads through me as I contract around him, and still I don’t look away, don’t break the connection as bliss pulls me into the undertow. He joins me, tipping over the edge, lips on mine. Even after we’ve floated back down to earth, he stays inside me, kisses soft and slow.

Eventually he pulls back and brushes my damp hair off my forehead. “Can I stay with you?”

“Of course.” I’m relieved he doesn’t want to leave, and that… Well, it speaks to how much it will hurt when this week ends.

“I’ll be right back.” He carefully pulls out and pads to the bathroom, returning a minute later with a damp cloth.

He cleans me up, then climbs back into bed, curling his body around mine. Nate holds me close, lips pressed to my shoulder. This has become something so much bigger. I’m not supposed to fall for the man who doesn’t believe in love.

That’s the last thought I have before I drift off into a fitful sleep.

And I wake the next morning alone.

CHAPTER 28

NATE

Iwake up at five o’clock in the morning, wrapped around Essie. I have no desire to go anywhere, but the last thing we need is for Rix or Tristan to find us together on their wedding day. So I get dressed, kiss her on the forehead, and leave her sleeping.

The sun is peeking out across the water with the promise of another beautiful tropical day. Brody enjoyed the free booze last night, so I don’t want to wake him too early. Hungover and tired isn’t ideal for our brother’s wedding.

I need to get my head on straight anyway, so I walk to the café, figuring coffee and a sunrise will help me reset.

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