Page 81 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Because you’d let me take care of it,” I said, connecting the dots. She wasn’t irritated because she was mad about our sleeping arrangements; she was turned on.

She huffed, confirming my suspicions but saying nothing more.

Eventually, I heard some rustling and realized she was removing the robe. I tried to imagine what she was wearing. I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed that thought from my mind. It didn’t matter what she was or wasn’t wearing because nothing was going to happen. She’d made that abundantly clear, and I was determined to respect her wishes.

I stared at the ceiling, my eyes finally adjusting to the relative darkness. I was tired, yet sleep continued to elude me. Meanwhile, Emerson had been so quiet for so long, I assumed she’d fallen asleep.

“Nate?” she whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Are you nervous?”

“About what?” I tucked my hand behind my head. And then the answer dawned on me. “The interview?” We had our first interview as a couple tomorrow. The first big test of our relationship and how convincing we could be in public.

She blew out a breath. “Yeah.”

I stared at the ceiling. Was I nervous? Yes. But I couldn’t let it show. “It’ll be fine. Just follow our plan. And stick to the truth as much as possible.”

“I hope you’re right.”

After a beat, I asked, “Would it help to practice?”

Her breath hitched, every sound magnified in the dark. “Kissing?”

“The interview.”Though I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to kissing.

“Oh. Right. Of course.” I wished I could see her face. She sounded flustered, and I imagined the blush creeping over her skin. “I’m sure you’re right. It’ll be fine.” She turned again, and when I glanced over, her back was to me. In the moonlight, I could see the delicate lacy red straps of her lingerie. I swallowed hard at the sight of so much bare skin. “Good night.”

“Good night.” I somehow forced the words past my throat, wondering how I’d ever be able to fall asleep now.

Every time I tried to shut off my thoughts, they immediately went to the woman next to me. My every muscle was pulled taut, and I was so keyed up, I was tempted to take a cold shower. But I knew from experience that it wouldn’t do a damn thing.

I punched down my pillow and tried to focus on memorizing my lines instead of imagining all the things I wanted to do to Emerson. It was going to be a long, restless night.

Eventually, I must have fallen asleep because when I woke, it was to the feel of a warm body pressed against mine.Emerson.

My arm was wrapped around her, and she was nuzzled into my side, one leg intertwined with mine. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a slow, measured breath. I wasreallytrying to respect Emerson’s wishes, but she was not making it easy. Not when her body was draped over me, the early morning light only just peeking in. Not when my dick was already hard and aching to be inside her.

And then she pressed her core against my leg, her breath coasting across my chest, a moan on her lips. A plea.

I froze.

For a second, I was positive I’d imagined it, but then she moaned again. “Nate. Yes.”

I slid my hand down her back, which was mostly bare. Her skin was warm to the touch and as smooth as silk. I pressed my lips to her forehead, wanting to stay here as long as possible. It was a rare moment of connection and intimacy without an audience. There was no pretending. No arguing.

It was so…freeing. To be myself with her. To not have to put on a mask.

And after all this time of holding myself back, of pretending I felt nothing, I craved this intimacy. I was dying to sink inside her and make her scream my name.

But then her breathing changed, and she jolted. “Am I—” She blinked up at me owlishly, as if only just remembering where she was and who she was with. “What are we doing?”

Oh shit. Had she been asleep the whole time?

Her words echoed in my head—what are we doing?

The hell if I knew. All I knew was that I wanted to keep doing it. I waited for her to push me away, to try to escape. So when she didn’t, I said, “Whatever you want.” I nuzzled her ear, her thighs warm against my body.

---