Page 72 of The Story of Us
Eloise met him halfway, tilting her face towards his, eyelashes fluttering. She was so damn pretty. “But next time, maybe our clothes could come off? Deal?”
“Deal.” The second his mouth touched hers, she opened for him, inviting him to take what he needed. Nate didn’t hesitate, rolling his hips, torturing himself. In no time at all, they were moving against each other.
The sweetest sigh fell from Eloise’s lips when he pulled away, and Nate dimly recognised another sound through the closed door: clapping.
Shit.
He watched as Eloise realised what was happening. The haze of arousal disappearing as her eyes narrowed and the corners of her mouth tipped down.
“Shall I see myself out?” Joan cackled, her voice holding no trace of sleepiness. Eloise groaned, tipping her head back, and Nate told himself not to kiss her exposed neck.
“Use a condom! Actually, don’t. I want great-grandbabies, please!”
It was just a joke. Logically, Nate knew this, but it didn’t stop him from freezing, his insides icing over like he was standing outside in a snowstorm. And it wasn’t like this was new information. He’d gone into this with his eyes wide open, knowing Eloise would never be his long-term. Not when she found out his secret. Swallowing past the bitterness in his mouth, Nate stepped away from Eloise and scrubbed his hands down his face.
“Joanie, do you think you could maybe be a little less Joanie-like right now, please?” Eloise asked, her voice higher and thinner than normal.
The older woman’stskcame through loud and clear. “I can’t switch my awesomeness on and off, darling. Just letting you know I’m leaving. Mary will be wondering where I am.”
“I’ll be right out. Wait, please.” Eloise shifted her gaze away from the door to the pantry and back to Nate. “Don’t change your mind,” she whispered.
“What?”
“You heard me. Please don’t change your mind. I want this. You. Us. To keep exploring each other. Don’t you still want that too?”
The way Eloise’s voice wavered at the end broke and healed Nate all at once. Who was he kidding anyway? Now that he’d had a taste of her, there was no way that he’d stop what was happening between them. At least, not until he had to.
The honesty that had come so easily earlier in the evening returned. “I want that too.”
“Great. I’ll take Joanie home quickly, and then we can continue this.” Eloise smoothed her hair before reaching for his hands.
“I’ll take her home,” Nate said as she pulled him into a hug. A few minutes to re-centre and catch his breath would be good. “Why don’t you have a bath? Properly relax?”
“I think I need you to properly relax,” she mumbled.
One moment at a time,he reminded himself.
“Save that thought for later.” He left her with a soft kiss, his steps lighter than he would’ve thought possible only a few minutes ago.
24
Vanilla and wildberry scented bubbles surrounded Eloise. Using her foot, she twisted the hot tap, adding more warm water to her bath, sinking deeper. Two of Alice’s brand of candles flickered on the bathroom vanity, their flames casting shadows across the tiled walls. This was exactly what she needed. Well, notexactly. In a perfect world, Nate would be in this bath with her. His hands would be on her body, his growls and moans filling her ears, making her want more. She snaked a hand down over her breasts, her stomach.
I can’t.
Can I?
Then, imagining Nate was here with her, his eyes sinfully dark, lips all pouty while he told her that she was dessert … Eloise slipped her fingers between her legs. She found her swollen clit and felt a slickness that had nothing to do with the bathwater. Sliding deeper until the bubbles tickled her neck, her ears, she tipped her head back. Normally, she’d take her time, get herself all worked up, her hips rolling like there was someone else involved, but tonight, all she needed was a few presses, her free hand pulling at her hard nipples as little waves formed from the motion of her hips. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, her hair sticking to her neck and chest. But nothing could stop her as she focused on the memory of her legs around Nate’s waist. His hardness teasing,tauntingher as he gave her everything she needed. Water sloshed over the side when she came, teeth biting into her lip so she didn’t scream his name. Eloise blinked, her breathing ragged and her heart pounding so fast she thought it might burst out of her chest. When she could think again, she giggled. Her gaze snapped to the door when she heard a knock.
“Tiger?”
Holy crap, she needed to get naked with Nate ASAP.
“I’m back. Just wanted to let you know.”
There was something intoxicating about speaking to Nate when she was naked, wet and slippery, her body still quivering. The thought of telling him what she’d just done sent a bolt of heat sizzling through her body, washing away the bone-deep relaxation that usually followed an orgasm.
“Nate?” Her heart rate sped right back up, and she licked her lips. She could do this. Regardless of what Nate said, time was running out.
