Page 56 of Playing with Temptation

Their hearts still racing, he pressed his damp forehead to hers and held her as they caught their breath.

“That was incredible.” He kissed her, then reluctantly released her to the floor, his breathing still ragged. “Can I get you anything?”

She pressed a kiss to his chest. “More of you.”

“Can a brother have a sec to recharge?”

Her mouth twisted in a sensuous smirk that tested his will. “Fine, but we’re leaving in time for your next show…round two or not.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winked, swatting her bottom playfully before heading to the bathroom.

When he returned, Kendra was seated on the bed, the sheet strategically positioned across her body. One foot dangled off the edge of the bed; the other was folded beneath her.

Hair tousled, her cheeks and chest flushed, she was a vision of loveliness. One he wanted in his bed every night, not just in his dreams.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?”

She smiled sheepishly, straightening the leg beneath her. “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”

Nate pulled Kendra to the edge of the bed and knelt between her knees. He trailed a finger down her chest. “You’re an amazing woman, Kendra. I’m lucky to have you in my corner.”

“And I’m proud of you, Nate. Of the man you’ve become.”

Her sincere expression filled him with warmth. It meant more to him than she could possibly know.

He kissed her. Made love to her. Allowed himself to imagine the joy of never having to let her go again.

* * *

Kendra’s body hummed with energy and her cheeks were filled with heat. The friction of her taut nipples grazing the fabric of her clothing made it difficult to concentrate.

She fanned herself with a brochure, hoping the producers didn’t shush her for making too much noise on the set.

Could everyone else see the glow she felt after leaving Nate’s bed less than two hours ago?

Kendra surveyed the crew on the set of the sports talk show. Preoccupied with running the program, they paid her little attention.

Kendra squirmed in the director’s-style chair, crossing her legs tightly. Her foot bounced involuntarily.

When she looked up, Nate caught her eye. A mischievous grin animated his handsome face before he returned his attention to the panel’s discussion about whether the all-star game should be played before or after the championship game.

Desperate for a distraction, Kendra looked down at her phone. The ringer and alarms had to be silenced when they were on set. She’d missed several calls. She scanned them. It was her sister.

A chill ran down her spine and her fingers suddenly felt cold. Maya wasn’t a serial caller. She left a message and waited for her to call back, especially when she knew they’d be on set.

At the next commercial break, Kendra left the set to call her sister.

Maya answered right away. “Kendra, I’m sorry to call you like this. Everything will be fine, but there’s been an accident.”

She held her breath. “Who?”

“It’s Kai, sweetie. He fractured his left arm.”

A fleeting sensation of intense pain ran up Kendra’s left arm. She could only imagine how Kai must feel. “How did this happen?”

“Liam took the kids to the playground.” Maya said after a brief pause. “Kai jumped off the jungle gym. We’re so sorry this happened. Liam insists on paying for the surgery.”

“Surgery?” Kendra kneaded the back of her neck. A fresh wave of panic swept over her. “Can’t they just put on a cast?”

“He fractured the bone between his elbow and wrist in two places. They have to put in pins.”

The room seemed to tilt, and her knees nearly gave way. Kendra sank onto the sofa, her hands shaking. “When are they performing the surgery?”

“They want to do it right away. Liam is trying to delay it until you and Nate arrive. I know he’s on air right now, but can you get here as soon as possible? I don’t know how much longer it’s safe to wait.”

“We’ll be there as soon as we can. Hold them off as long as possible. I need to see him before he goes into surgery.” Kendra wiped her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized she was crying. “Kiss Kai and tell him Mommy and Daddy love him and we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

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