Page 54 of Playing with Temptation

Nate cupped her face in his strong hand, lifting Kendra’s chin so her eyes met his.

Kendra backed up until she was pressed against the wall. Her heart beat so quickly she was sure he could hear it. She stared at him, unable to speak. Her chest was heavy with all the things she wanted to say; her head spun, reminding her of all the reasons she shouldn’t say them.

He captured her mouth in a kiss. Slow and sweet. Filled with warmth, affection and desire. Her hands slipped beneath his jacket, pressing into his back. Her body softened against his.

She was kissing Nate Johnston in a secluded hallway at a major sports network. She’d lost her mind. Yet she had no desire to stop him. Nor would she pretend that she didn’t want more.

Kendra pulled away. She bit her lower lip as their eyes met. There was so much they needed to say, but she didn’t want to talk. “I know exactly what I’d like for lunch.”

A slow smile spread across his face as he traced her collarbone. “What?”

“You.” Kendra’s heart raced, hardly able to believe what she’d said.

From the widening of Nate’s eyes, he could hardly believe it, either. Nate nodded his head toward the door. His voice was a hoarse whisper. “Let’s get out of here. Now.”

They took the waiting car service back to their hotel, Nate gripping her hand for the short ride.

A quiet, nervous energy buzzed between them as they rode in silence in the back of the black SUV.

Kendra wasn’t prepared to think about where they stood or Stephanie’s accusation. She simply wanted the comfort and solace she’d only ever felt when she was in Nate’s arms.

* * *

Nate had planned to apologize to Kendra again and outline all the reasons they belonged together over lunch. But he’d kissed her and then Kendra proposed the very thing he wanted so desperately: to spend the next few hours making love to her.

The temptation too great, he couldn’t say no.

When they arrived at the hotel, Nate escorted Kendra to his suite, nearly holding his breath, afraid she’d reconsider.

Once inside, he kissed her. Gripped those heart-stopping curves, hauling them against the hard planes of his body.

Nate sizzled with heat everywhere his skin met Kendra’s. He yanked her blouse from the waistband of her skirt, desperate to touch her heated flesh. His hands glided down her back, over the firm curve of her soft behind. He hiked the tight navy skirt as high as he could, giving him better access to the soft, smooth flesh at the back of her thighs. He squeezed one leg, lifting it higher.

“God, I want you.” He barely managed to get the words out as he planted kisses down her throat. “I haven’t stopped thinking of you since you left my bed.”

Nate’s long fingers glided over the damp satin material shielding her sex. His need for her spiraled with each sensual murmur escaping her throat. He swallowed her soft moans as she arched her back and tugged his shirt from his pants.

His gaze locked with hers as his chest reverberated from his erratic heartbeat. His breathing ragged, a rush of emotions flooded over him.

Love, admiration and raw desire inflamed by the abject need he saw in her eyes.

Beads of sweat trickled down Nate’s back as he stripped Kendra of her suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor. He trailed kisses down her neck, along her collarbones and across her shoulders. Nate inhaled her jasmine and gardenia scent. It was an expensive perfume he’d splurged on before he’d signed his first contract. She’d made it her signature scent. Still wore it after all these years.

Would she still be wearing such a personal gift if she didn’t still love him the way he loved her?

Nate dug his fingers into her soft ebony curls and sucked her lower lip between his before exploring her warm mouth—sweet and minty—with his eager tongue. Heat and electricity flowed through his spine, into his fingertips and toes.

No one had ever come close to making him feel the way he did when he was with her. Like he could conquer the world, if only she were by his side.

No one ever would.

Kendra was enticing, but her real beauty lay in the depths beneath her surface. Confident in her abilities, she could go toe-to-toe with anyone. She could be gentle and kind or determined and fierce. And the woman just got sexier with each passing year.

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