Page 90 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Let’s make a deal,” I said, needing to maintain some semblance of control over the situation.

“We already made a deal,” he teased.

“An amendment to our deal, then,” I said then took a breath, steeling myself. “What if what happens in Abu Dhabi stays in Abu Dhabi?”

“Like a vacation fling,” he said.

“Exactly.” I’d had a vacation fling once, years ago. It had been fun. Easy. There had been no expectations. No…complications.

Something that looked like disappointment flashed through Nate’s eyes. But then he studied my expression, his gaze more neutral. “Except it’s not a vacation fling because we’ll be going home together.”

This was infinitely more complicated, and we both knew it. But as ridiculous as it might sound, putting a deadline on the physical aspects of our relationship felt like a way to protect myself. To stop things before they could get too out of hand. Before I was in over my head.

Oh, who was I kidding?I was already in way over my head.

I huffed, pushing away that thought. Regardless of the consequences, I wasn’t sure I had the strength to turn him down.

“You know what I mean,” I said.

“I do.” His expression was solemn. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

My mind was racing.Yes. No. I don’t know.

“It’s what I need,” I said honestly.

“Okay,” he said. “Then there’s something I need in return.”

“What’s that?” I asked, afraid to know the answer.

“I need you to promise me that, no matter what happens between us, Brooklyn will always come first.”

“Of course,” I said without thinking.Of courseI would always put Brooklyn first. But right now, all I could think about was his lips.

“Thank you.” He nodded, and my breathing grew shallow as he cupped my cheek.

Oh my god. We were really doing this. We were—he was…

He caressed my lips with his, his touch gentle. There was no hesitation in his kiss, more that he seemed to be taking his time to savor this moment. Or maybe I was reading into the situation, wanting it to mean more than it did, despite everything I’d tried to tell myself.

But damn, what a kiss.

I groaned at the feel of his lips on mine. His mouth exploring mine.

The kiss was a dance, our mouths gliding and grazing. Grinding and claiming. As with everything else when it came to Nate and me, there was a push and pull. Entice; retreat. Sample; spar.

“I have dreamed of little else but these lips—” He traced my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “For months.”

I smiled, loving this insight. “Is that so?”

“Yes. And these legs.” He reached down and picked me up, wrapping my legs around him. “God, Em,” he groaned. “You have the most gorgeous fucking legs.”

He carried me over to the bed, kicking aside one of the pillows from our fight with a huff. He placed me gently on the bed, standing back and rubbing a hand over his chin. “Fuck me, you are something.”

His cock tented his boxer briefs, and I swallowed hard at the sight. If I hadn’t already been aroused, I would be now. Aroused and impatient. I crooked my finger. I was tired of looking; I wanted to touch. To play. To feel. To kiss. To suck.

“What’s that look?” he asked, prowling closer.

“I want you naked,” I said, figuring it was the quickest route to getting what I wanted.

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