Salvation (19 page)

Whoa
. Where did that come from? The warmth in his eyes grabbed my heart and twisted it. His expression was gut-wrenchingly raw, but tormented. Like he was going way out of his comfort zone into a place he
’
d sworn never to go again.
“
I can
’
t make any promises, other than I won
’
t fuck you around anymore.
”

If Nate was prepared to go out on a limb for me and risk what he considered important, I had to do the same.
“
Okay then.
”

Nate brushed a thumb over my cheek.
“
Can I see you again? Tonight?
”

“
I have yoga,
”
I said, pointing to the bag by his feet.

“
What time?
”

“
Straight after work. We usually have dinner afterwards.
”

“
See me instead,
”
he urged.
“
I
’
ll take you to dinner.
”

“
Nate.
”
I placed a hand over his. It would be easy to give in, but I wasn’t about to drop everything.
“
I need some time to get used to this.
”

Nate
’
s hand fell from my face, his brow furrowing.
“
Didn
’
t we just agree this
”—
he gestured between the two of us
—“
is happening?
”

The last couple of weeks had offered me a glimpse of the man behind the unbelievably handsome fa
ç
ade, but I wasn’t stupid. Nate caught the attention of every woman he passed, even when I
’
d been with him. If he wanted, he could date a different one for every night he wasn’t with me.
“
I think so, I just
—”

“
You
think
so?
”
His mouth etched in a thin line.
“
I
’
m offering you the commitment you
’
ve asked for. What else do you want?
”

I took a deep breath.
“
Monogamy.
”

Nate
’
s head drew back with a raised brow.
“
That goes without saying.
”
He sounded insulted.

“
You think you can do that?
”
I asked, surprised he agreed so readily.

“
I don
’
t share.
”

“
I meant from you. I don’t sleep around, Nate.
”

“
Neither do I. Everything I want is here, in this car, right now.
”
He tugged me roughly to him until our mouths collided. Every bit of my being sprung to life as his tongue worked in firm, insistent strokes with mine. Taking my hand, Nate placed it over his hardening cock and squeezed.
“
That
’
s
how much I want you. No one else gets me hard purely by talking. Only you.
”

Flustered, I drew my hand away. The road outside crowded with cars of people rushing late to work, oblivious to anything going on around them. I, however, was acutely alert to every little thing, my awareness of Nate heightened to the point where I could hear him breathing, feel his heartbeat, see the fortitude in his eyes.

“
Let
’
s get to know each other before we write this off.
”
Nate
’
s eyes pleaded with me.

“
I
’
d say you got to know me very well.
”

“
I did.
”
He smirked.
“
I
’
d like you to get well acquainted with me, too.
”

Drifting over his sophisticated exterior, picturing how good he looked underneath, I longed to explore his staggeringly fit body the way he had mine. It meant a lot to hear he wanted that, too.

“
I want to see you again, Kara.
”

“
What about tomorrow?
”
I offered an alternative.

Nate ran a hand through his hair with frustration.
“
I have a prior arrangement early evening.
”
Then his lips curled into a wicked smile.
“
We can meet afterwards.
”

It was tempting, but I wasn’t about to become his booty call, confirming all my assumptions about him and us.
“
I
’
m sure you can wait until Wednesday.
”

“
Two whole days?
”
The playful downturn of his enticing mouth made me smile. His finger stroked the bridge of my nose and down to the tip.
“
I doubt it, but I
’
ll take it. I guess I have no choice.
”

“
I guess you don
’
t.
”

Nate leant forward and tenderly brushed his lips over mine. I was held captive by the wonder and gratitude sparkling in his eyes.
“
Shall I get Ross back in to drive us?
”

“
I meant what I said about keeping this between us. It
’
s early days.
”

“
I understand,
”
he said evenly, straightening his jacket as he sat back,
“
but you can
’
t hide us forever.
”

I had to maintain some self-preservation. This
us
was still unclear. I hadn’t decided if I
’
d made a huge mistake or not, and needed to keep some emotional distance. Not acknowledging the truth behind Nate
’
s words, I wiped the tiny smudge of pink gloss from his lips with my thumb, curious what state my own must be in.

“
Bye, Nate. Enjoy your day.
”

“
You too, baby.
”
Nate
’
s glorious smile lit his entire face and made me hesitate in climbing out the car. It was breathtaking.

Outside, I said goodbye to Ross, then stood on the pavement and watched the car drive away. Still dazed by the mornings unforeseen events, I slung my gym bag over my shoulder and stumbled in a dream to work.

I rushed through the security turnstiles and dashed to an opening lift. Unsurprisingly, given my lateness, it was empty. I smacked the button and glanced at the electronic time display as the doors began closing. I was five minutes late for a meeting and had missed my preparation time. A hand appeared, sending the metal doors opening again. Cursing under my breath, I silently willed them to hurry as I stepped aside to make way. I was met with the sight of Mr Nate Blake casually stepping in, his eyes shining with impure thoughts.

“
Good morning,
”
he said smoothly, maintaining a serious, unaffected expression as he positioned himself next to me.

“
Morning,
”
I replied, wondering where he
’
d appeared from. The scent of his body wash filled the air, bringing images of wet, naked bodies to mind. Desire pulsed through me, reaching my face to give away my sinful thoughts. I shifted restlessly as the car moved, blowing a wayward strand of hair from my face.

In such a confined space, the energy between us was magnetic. It was palpable, the spark from Nate
’
s touch searing me when his arm brushed mine as he reached inside his jacket and took out his phone.

“
I
’
m desperate to press you up against the wall and kiss you senseless,
”
Nate warned, fixing on the screen of his phone.
“
I
’
m assuming you
’
d rather not put on a floor show for security?
”
He nodded up to the corner where a small camera flashed.
“
Did I assume correctly? Because I
’
ll gladly let you prove me wrong if that
’
s the case.
”

The car slowed and the doors opened on the Eighth Floor. I sighed with relief.
“
This is me,
”
I croaked, focusing on the empty foyer ahead.

“
Maybe next time,
”
he said hoarsely, giving my arse a discreet pinch that sent me stumbling forward on shaky legs.
What the hell?
From the safety of the lobby, I faced him. He stood there with the smuggest grin and winked as the doors shut between us.

As my weak legs carried me to my office, Mai rushed alongside me clutching some papers.
“
Kara! You know what the time is?
”

Still in shock, I couldn’t muster a response. Mai tugged my arm and stopped me walking. I tried to normalise my breathing and calm down after my encounter in the lift. She inspected me closely, her eyes squinting. Then they grew bigger as realisation eventually dawned on her.

“Oh. My. God. You fucked him!”

IT WAS ALMOST 1 p.m. when I returned to my office after the late start to my weekly planning meeting with Michael and began checking my Inbox.

Mai swooped in, kicking the door shut with a leopard print heel, her hands full of lunch and bottles of water. I set my glasses on the desk, eyeing her suspiciously, amused at the same time.
“
Hungry, Mai?
”

“
For details, yes!
”
She passed me a drink and sandwich and dropped into the chair opposite, big brown eyes begging me to reveal all.
“
Three hours is a long time to wait! Gimme the deets.
”

“
Not much to tell really,
”
I teased.

“
Jesus K, you
’
ve been screwed outta your mind!
”
Mai shot me a narrow-eyed glare and pouted her full pink lips.

“
Is it that obvious?
”

“
Only an orgasm or two could put that colour in your cheeks.
”
She shrugged, balancing her sandwich on her crossed knee.
“
What
’
s he like in bed? Bet he doesn’t need a road map to find his way around a woman
’
s body
…”
she sighed dreamily.

“
Mai,
”
I warned. We were discussing someone who
’
s private life was of keen interest to many. It was imperative I didn’t reveal too much.
“
Not discussing it.
”

Mai scowled and changed course.
“
Where
’
d he take you?
”

I filled her in as we ate. She was impressed and cooed in all the right places. She was also notably in awe of Nate
’
s straight-talking, gaping when I repeated the words that had basically sealed the deal.

“
Where
’
d you do the nasty?
”
she mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“
His place?
”

“
Mine.
”

“
Ooh, nice move.
”
Mai nodded approvingly.
“
You made
him
do the walk of shame.
”

“
I didn’t have to. Nate walked himself out after admitting he
’
d made a huge mistake.
”

Mai sprayed water across the desk as she lowered the bottle from her mouth.
“
Are you
joking
?
”

“
Do I look like I
’
m laughing?
”
I grabbed a tissue to mop up the mess.

Mai set the remains of her lunch on the desk, then sagged into the chair.
“
Fucking shit. I hoped he was different.
”

I waited whilst she let it sink in. After a minute, she sat forward and clasped my hand.
“
Sorry chick.
”

“
Mai,
”
I snickered,
“
you
’
re the last person who needs to apologise.
”

“
You
’
re right.
”
She stood and brushed down her skirt.
“
Blake might be the boss, but no man uses my friend and gets away with it.
”

Before she went and made an utter fool of herself and got fired, I made her sit back down and told her all about my interesting car journey to work.

“
That explains the lateness this morning,
”
Mai muttered, still not fully satisfied.

“
Was I wrong to ask for some dignity and arrive alone?
”