Page 30 of Reputation (Tempt)

He nodded. “Good idea. See you in the morning.”

“Yeah.” I headed into the other bedroom, my mind and body still abuzz after our game of truth or dare.

I washed my face and changed before climbing into bed.Did that really just happen?Had Nate licked frosting from my skin and then dared me to kiss him?

Our relationship had changed a lot in the past few months, but still…to kiss Nate? He wanted that? Wantedme?

I pushed away the thought, forcing myself to fall asleep. It didn’t matter. It was a momentary lapse of judgment, and it wouldn’t happen again.

* * *

I staredat the ceiling of my room at Nate’s. It was Christmas.Christmas!

Weeks had passed as if in the blink of an eye. The night of Brooklyn’s slumber party and my almost-kiss with Nate was never far from my mind. But I’d been so busy, I’d barely had time to think about it or what it meant.

Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. But nothing like it had happened since.

And I’d filled my time with other activities so I wouldn’t dwell on it. So I wouldn’t put myself in another situation where I’d be tempted.

Oh, who was I kidding? I was always tempted by Nate.

But my time had been spent training. Researching materials for my athleisure line. Developing designs. Caring for Brooklyn. Celebrating Thanksgiving. Arguing with my dad about Abu Dhabi. Watching Nate prepare to take on this role. More training.

This was the first time in years I’d missed my family’s annual ski trip to Aspen. Astrid and Papa J had been disappointed, but Dad had been livid. We’d argued about it, and he’d accused me of purposely going to Abu Dhabi just to avoid training.

I’d been so tempted to tell him that maybe I was avoidinghim. But I didn’t. I was angry, but I didn’t want to hurt him.

Even so, his words continued to haunt me, our conversation going around and around in my head like my feet on the track.

And now, it was Christmas. And while part of me missed my family and our traditions, the other part was fucking excited for my upcoming all-expenses-paid trip to stay in a palace. Well, a hotel that used to be a palace anyway. And yes, technically, I was going to be working over the holiday. But spending time with Brooklyn never felt like a job.

I stretched, glancing at the time on my phone. I’d chatted with family last night on a video call. Dad hadn’t pushed about training, and we’d had a nice conversation. Mostly thanks to Brooklyn. After a Christmas Eve dinner and a movie with Nate and Brooklyn, she’d joined me for part of the call. My family had been so sweet to her.

It was still early. Maybe I could go for a run. I’d been keeping up with my workouts—logging them online, so Dad knew I was holding up my end of the bargain. But considering the increased scrutiny from the paparazzi, I’d likely have to do it in the home gym.

The media attention had been relentless in the wake of the release of Annalise Windsor’s tell-all. Parked outside the gate. Following our every move—even mine, though to a lesser extent. I’d never been more grateful for Jackson and his team. They kept us safe, provided a bubble of protection anytime we went out.

Nate seemed calm, and I didn’t know how he was coping with all of it. I supposed it wasn’t the first time he’d dealt with this level of frenzy. And it likely wouldn’t be the last.

But I was furious. Enraged that Annalise had tried to capitalize on her relationship with him and succeeded. She may have been required to remove Nate’s name from parts of her book, but everyone knew who she was referring to. And in several instances, the judge had let her keep the references to Nate, agreeing with her ridiculous argument that since there were so many people at a few of the parties referenced, it fell within the scope of “public knowledge.”

I almost wished we’d gone to his cabin in Bear Creek as planned. It was about five hours north of LA by car, but the weather had been treacherous, and power was out in the surrounding area. Still, it sounded so cozy and Christmassy. So far away from Hollywood and all the bullshit currently swirling around Nate.

It was probably for the best, considering what had happened at Brooklyn’s slumber party. I definitely didn’t need a repeat, even if I wanted one. I closed my eyes and relived that memory, as I often did. But instead of being interrupted, I let it play out.

I imagined licking the frosting from Nate’s lips, until he lost control and claimed my mouth. I dragged my fingers down my lips, down my throat, imagining they were his.Hishands sliding over my breasts and tweaking my nipples. His mouth exploring my body, insistent to touch me through my underwear. To devour me like he had that cupcake.

I shuddered, slipping my hand beneath my underwear to glide over my clit. But in my mind, it was Nate’s hand getting me off. Nate’s rich voice in my ear. Telling me how badly he wanted me and exactly what he was going to do to me.

I let out a shaky breath, increasing the pressure until my toes curled.Yes,I hissed.Yes.

I could feel the pleasure building. My orgasm was so close. I was on the cusp. I quickened my pace.That’s it. That’s…

There was a knock at my door. “Emerson?”

Nate?

My eyes went wide.Oh shit!

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