Page 53 of A Perfect Pairing
“No. I was thinking about going to the bakery for a sandwich before I left to meet you. Why?”
“Come take a ride with me.”
Natasha angled her head and frowned. “Where? You can’t just leave, and I didn’t mean to interrupt your work. I’ll be okay.”
“One, I’m the boss. Two, you are more important to me than any job.” Okay,thatwasn’t what he’d planned to say. “And three, you’re not okay. We’ll only be gone a short time. Actually, to make it easier, we can stop by the house on the way back. No need to take both cars.” He straightened and rounded the desk to save and close the file he’d been working on. “Come on.”
Antonio stopped to let Leah know that he’d be gone for about an hour before escorting Natasha out to his truck. “Are you okay with riding in the truck?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Natasha climbed into the cab, and he closed the door behind her.
When he got in on the driver’s side, she shifted in her seat to face him. “What?” he asked, starting the engine.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He hesitated briefly. “Let’s just say not all women are okay riding in a work truck and prefer something a little flashier.” His ex topped the list and had told him on more than one occasion that she wouldn’t be caught dead riding in a dusty old truck, regardless of whether it had been washed and buffed to a shine.
She rolled her eyes. “Some women are so ridiculous,” she muttered.
On that he agreed. Looking back, there were probably subtle signs that Lori wasn’t all that compatible with him, but he’d been in love. Antonio glanced over at Natasha. She sat with her head back and eyes closed. No, she definitely wasn’t okay. Normally, she would have asked where they were going, but she didn’t say another word. Only when he pulled into the back lot of Summerhill Creek, closest to the inlet, did she perk up. He got out and went around to help her.
“I wish I had known we were coming here so I could have gotten my blanket out of the car. There’s nowhere to sit. That’s okay, though. I appreciate you bringing me here.”
He reached behind her seat, grabbed the blanket he’d been carrying around since the last time they’d met there, and held it up. He had another one in his sedan. “I’ve got you covered.”
She smiled, the first one he’d seen since she arrived today. “Thank you for this.” She came up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
Antonio took her hand, and they strolled to their spot. He spread the blanket out near a tree with a clear view of the water, and she immediately dropped down onto it. He lowered himself next to her, braced his back against the tree, and scooped her up and onto his lap. Because of their height differences—at six four, he stood almost a foot taller than her—her head rested comfortably on his chest.
“How did you know this is what I needed?”
“You’ve been coming here since we were kids, whenever you’re upset or want to think things through. And when I found you here the day I acted like a butthead, as you said, I realized nothing had changed.”
“No, it hasn’t,” she said softly. “I’m glad you’re not acting like a butthead anymore.”
Chuckling, he tightened his arms around her. “Me too. This is much better.”
Natasha smiled up at him. “Much better.”
He’d brought her here to help her relax, but the way she stared at him, her gaze going to his mouth, relaxing was the farthest thing from his mind. Unable to resist, he tilted her chin and touched his mouth to hers. Her lips parted, and he slid his tongue inside, kissing her with an urgency that stunned him and would have knocked him to his knees had he been standing. Antonio didn’t remember moving, but she ended up on her back with his body stretched over hers. His hands charted a path down the front of her body, stopping first to caress her breasts, then moving lower and around to her hip. He slid his hand beneath her shirt to touch her silky bare skin. Leaving her mouth, he kissed his way across her belly.
Natasha moaned and arched her back, her hands gripping his shoulders. “Yes, Tonio.”
With a flick of his wrist, he undid the front clasp of her bra. He circled his tongue around her breast until he reached the nipple. Taking the hardened bud into his mouth, he sucked gently, then lavished the same sweet torment on its twin. Her sounds of pleasure ramped up his desire tenfold. The sound of birds taking flight filtered through his sensual fog. Antonio rested his head on her belly and willed his body to calm. They still had work to do. After a minute or two, he lifted his head. “Girl, you make me lose myself.” He rolled over onto his back and threw an arm over his face.
“That makes two of us,” Natasha mumbled. She sat up and redid her bra. “But one thing’s for sure.”
He eyed her. “What?”
“I completely forgot about Kathleen’s crazy behind.” They both laughed.
Sitting up, he stroked a finger down her cheek. “Then mission accomplished.” Antonio reluctantly stood and extended his hand. “We’d better go.”While I still can, he wanted to add. The next time he brought her, he’d be prepared.
CHAPTER 21
Natasha managed to do the walk-through of the house and photograph the repairs and upgrades, but her insides were still simmering with desire. She could feel Antonio’s stare as she went about the task, and whenever their eyes locked, she saw the banked fire waiting to be unleashed. “You guys did a fabulous job. I know Chase and Mike are going to be pleased.”
“Thanks. Your suggestions for the taller baseboards, paint colors, and crown molding were spot on, but then, I knew they would be. You outdid yourself, baby.”
